Sealing apparatus and secondary battery sealing method

Abstract

A sealing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present application is provided to seal an exterior material and a cover member of a secondary battery, and can include an edge sealing unit disposed to seal a plurality of edges formed between adjacent sealing surfaces among a plurality of sealing surfaces of the exterior material, the secondary battery including an electrode assembly, the exterior material having an internal space accommodating the electrode assembly and an exterior material opening allowing the internal space to communicate with the outside, and the cover member covering the exterior material opening to seal the exterior material opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application 10-2023-0162751, filed in Korea on November 21, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to sealing devices, and more specifically, to sealing devices for sealing the outer packaging of secondary batteries. Background Technology

[0004] Secondary batteries have wide applications in various industries and possess high energy density electrical performance. They are used in mobile electronic devices, electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, or energy storage systems that rely on electricity for operation. Secondary batteries significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels, and in addition to their main advantages, they do not produce byproducts from energy use, thus attracting attention as a new energy source that is both environmentally friendly and highly energy efficient.

[0005] Pouch-type secondary batteries can typically be manufactured by stacking or winding electrode assemblies, which include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator between the positive and negative electrodes; placing the electrode assemblies in a battery casing made of pouches; and injecting or filling an electrolyte solution.

[0006] Pouch-type secondary batteries can be sealed by sealing both the upper and lower surfaces of a pouch protruding along the periphery of the battery. However, while this sealing method is suitable for thin secondary batteries, as secondary batteries trend towards higher energy levels, thicker batteries have three-dimensional structural areas that require sealing. Therefore, when sealing with existing methods, it is difficult to ensure the sealing of the sides and edges.

[0007] Technology needs to be developed to solve the above problems.

[0008] The above background is possessed or obtained by the inventors in the concept of this disclosure and is not necessarily known technology that was publicly available prior to the filing of this application. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Technical issues

[0010] This disclosure aims to address the aforementioned problems, and

[0011] One object of embodiments of this disclosure is to provide a sealing device for effectively sealing a sealing surface and an edge between sealing surfaces.

[0012] One object of embodiments of this disclosure is to provide a sealing device for improving the sealing quality of the edge area of ​​outer packaging.

[0013] Technical solution

[0014] A sealing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be configured to seal a secondary battery, the secondary battery comprising: an electrode assembly; an outer packaging having an internal space for receiving the electrode assembly and an outer packaging opening for communication between the internal space and the outside; and a cover member configured to sealably cover the outer packaging opening of the outer packaging, wherein the sealing device is configured to seal the outer packaging and the cover member of the secondary battery, and the sealing device may include: an edge sealing unit configured to seal the edge between adjacent sealing surfaces of a plurality of sealing surfaces of the outer packaging located in different planes.

[0015] The edge sealing unit may include at least one edge sealing block, the at least one edge sealing block having a curved shape to conform to the shape of the edge.

[0016] The edge sealing block can be configured to operate in a diagonal direction oblique to the sealing surface.

[0017] The edge sealing unit may also include a support frame configured to support the secondary battery in response to operation of the edge sealing block.

[0018] The support frame can be configured to face the edge sealing block across the secondary battery.

[0019] The edge sealing block may include multiple edge sealing blocks corresponding to multiple edges of the secondary battery.

[0020] The plurality of edge sealing blocks can operate simultaneously in a direction toward the center of the secondary battery.

[0021] The edge sealing block can have an L-shaped shape.

[0022] At least a portion of the inner surface of the edge sealing block that contacts the edge of the secondary battery may have a curved surface.

[0023] The edge sealing unit may further include an elastic pad that overlaps with the inner surface of the edge sealing block to allow close contact with the edge.

[0024] The sealing device may further include a sealing surface sealing unit configured to contact the sealing surface in a direction perpendicular to the sealing surface to seal the sealing surface.

[0025] The sealing surface sealing unit may not overlap with the edge of the outer packaging.

[0026] The secondary battery sealing method according to this disclosure can be used to seal a secondary battery, the secondary battery including a plurality of sealing surfaces and a plurality of edges located between adjacent sealing surfaces, and the secondary battery sealing method may include: a sealing surface sealing step, sealing the sealing surface by operation of a sealing surface sealing unit configured to contact the sealing surface to seal the sealing surface; and an edge sealing step, performing the edge sealing step after the sealing surface sealing step to seal the edge by operation of an edge sealing unit including a plurality of edge sealing blocks having a curved shape to conform to the shape of the edge.

[0027] The edge sealing step may include sequentially sealing the four edges of the secondary battery using a single edge sealing block.

[0028] The edge sealing step can be performed simultaneously on all four edges of the secondary battery using multiple edge sealing blocks.

[0029] Beneficial effects

[0030] The sealing device according to the embodiments of this disclosure can effectively seal the sealing surface and the edge between the sealing surfaces.

[0031] The sealing device according to the embodiments of this disclosure can improve the sealing quality of the edge areas of the outer packaging.

[0032] Furthermore, the effects of this disclosure may include those that can be readily predicted by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of a secondary battery to be sealed by a sealing device according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure.

[0034] Figure 2 It is a schematic 3D diagram of an assembled secondary battery.

[0035] Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing a pair of sealing surfaces facing each other being sealed by the sealing parts of the sealing surfaces.

[0036] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing another pair of sealing surfaces being sealed by the sealing part of the sealing surface.

[0037] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the operation of the support frame and edge sealing block of the edge sealing part.

[0038] Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing an elastic pad attached to the inner surface of the edge sealing block.

[0039] Figure 7 This is a perspective view showing the operation of the sealing device according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0040] In the following description, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in sufficient detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to enable those skilled in the art to readily perform the disclosure. The following description is one aspect of the embodiments, and in order to clearly describe the present disclosure, certain detailed descriptions of known functions or elements have been omitted.

[0041] When adding reference numerals to elements in each figure, the same or similar reference numerals are added to the same or similar elements throughout the specification. In other embodiments, the same names will be used to describe elements that share common functions with elements included in any of the embodiments. The terms or words used in the specification and appended claims should not be construed as limited to their general and dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted based on their meaning and concepts corresponding to the technical aspects of this disclosure, based on the principle that allows the inventors to appropriately define terms for best interpretation.

[0042] Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes to this disclosure. Therefore, aspects of this disclosure should not be limited to the disclosed embodiments, and it should be understood that the appended claims and their identical or equivalent variations fall within the scope of this disclosure.

[0043] Implementation Method 1

[0044] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A secondary battery sealed by a sealing device according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure is shown. Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of a secondary battery to be sealed by a sealing device according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. Figure 2 It is a schematic 3D diagram of an assembled secondary battery.

[0045] Reference Figure 1 A secondary battery sealed by a sealing device according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure may include an electrode assembly 1, an outer packaging 20, and a cover member 10.

[0046] Electrode assembly 1

[0047] The electrode assembly 1 can be formed by stacking a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator in a preset arrangement, and can be a rectangular shape with a length direction.

[0048] The electrode assembly 1 may have electrode connectors at both ends. The electrode assembly 1 may have a plurality of positive terminals that are engaged with each other at one end and a plurality of negative terminals that are engaged with each other at the other end along the length direction of the electrode assembly 1.

[0049] Outer packaging 20

[0050] The outer packaging 20 can be configured to accommodate the electrode assembly 1. The outer packaging 20 can have an internal space for accommodating the electrode assembly 1 and an outer packaging opening 2, the internal space communicating with the outside through the outer packaging opening 2.

[0051] The outer packaging 20 can be formed by rolling or folding a film-like outer packaging sheet. The outer packaging sheet used to make the outer packaging can be a sheet including a metal layer of aluminum or stainless steel. The outer packaging sheet can also be a laminate that includes a resin layer laminated on the metal layer.

[0052] The outer packaging 20 having outer packaging openings 2 at both ends can be obtained by rolling or folding a film-like outer packaging sheet to join the two ends together, and bonding the overlapping ends with an adhesive or by a heat-melting process. The outer packaging openings 2 can be present at both ends of the electrode assembly 1 housed in the outer packaging 20 in the longitudinal direction.

[0053] Cover component 10

[0054] The cover member 10 may be a component that covers the outer packaging opening 2 of the outer packaging 20. To prevent leakage of the electrolyte solution filling the internal space of the outer packaging 20 containing the electrode assembly 1, the cover member 10 may seal the outer packaging opening 2 of the outer packaging 20. When the cover member 10 is attached to both ends of the outer packaging 20 in the longitudinal direction and sealed to the outer packaging 20 by the sealing device according to this disclosure, the cover member 10 may seal the outer packaging opening 2 of the outer packaging 20. The cover member 10 may include a pair of cover members 10 corresponding to the outer packaging opening 2. The cover member 10 may be formed in a rectangular shape to conform to the shape of the outer packaging opening 2.

[0055] Reference Figure 2 The outer packaging 20 containing the electrode assembly 1 can be covered by the cover member 10. The outer packaging 20 combined with the cover member 10 can be sealed with the cover member 10. The outer packaging 20 may include a sealing surface 21 and an edge 22.

[0056] Sealing surface 21 and edge 22

[0057] The sealing surface 21 of the outer packaging 20 may include multiple sealing surfaces 21. As shown, when the cover member 10 has a rectangular shape, the outer packaging 20 may have four sealing surfaces along the circumferential direction of the cover member 10.

[0058] Edge 22 may be formed between two adjacent sealing surfaces 21. The edge 22 of the outer packaging 20 may include multiple edges 22, and for example, when the cover member 10 has a rectangular shape, the outer packaging 20 may have four edges 22 corresponding to the four corners of the rectangular cover member 10. As described above, since the outer packaging 20 comprises a resin layer (e.g., polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), etc.) and is formed by folding or rolling, the edge 22 of the outer packaging 20 may be formed into a circular shape with a predetermined curvature.

[0059] Sealing surface sealing unit 100

[0060] Figure 3 and Figure 4 A sealing surface sealing unit 100 of a sealing device according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure is shown. Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing a pair of sealing surfaces 21 facing each other being sealed by sealing surface sealing unit 100. Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing another pair of sealing surfaces 21 being sealed by the sealing surface sealing unit 100.

[0061] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The sealing surface 21 of the outer packaging 20 can be sealed by the sealing surface sealing unit 100. The sealing surface sealing unit 100 may include a pair of sealing blocks facing each other. When the sealing blocks of the sealing surface sealing unit 100 come into contact with the sealing surface 21 of the outer packaging 20, they can apply heat and pressure to the sealing surface 21.

[0062] The sealing surface sealing unit 100 may include, for example, a first sealing block 101 disposed on one side of the outer packaging 20 and a second sealing block 102 disposed on the other side of the outer packaging 20, wherein the outer packaging 20 is disposed therebetween, such that the first sealing block 101 and the second sealing block 102 face each other. The first sealing block 101 and the second sealing block 102 may be disposed parallel to each other and face each other.

[0063] The first sealing block 101 and the second sealing block 102, which face each other, can operate in a direction toward each other. The first sealing block 101 and the second sealing block 102 can operate in a direction perpendicular to the sealing surface 21 to be sealed.

[0064] The sealing surface sealing unit 100 can simultaneously seal a pair of facing sealing surfaces among a plurality of sealing surfaces 21 formed along the outer peripheral surface of the outer packaging 20. Subsequently, the outer packaging 20 can, for example, be sealed along one direction (see...). Figure 3The sealing surface unit 100 rotates to perform a seal on the other pair of unsealed sealing surfaces 21 in the same manner. In this case, the area of ​​the sealing surface 21 sealed by the sealing surface unit 100 may not overlap with the area of ​​the edge 22 sealed by the edge sealing unit as described below. In other words, since the sealing block of the sealing surface unit 100 does not overlap with the area of ​​the edge 22 of the outer packaging 20, double sealing can be prevented by the sealing surface unit 100 and the edge sealing unit as described below.

[0065] Edge sealing unit 200

[0066] Figure 5 and Figure 6 An edge sealing unit 200 of a sealing device according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure is shown. Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the operation of the support frame 202 and the edge sealing block 201 of the edge sealing unit 200. Figure 6 This is a perspective view showing the elastic pad 2013 attached to the inner surface of the edge sealing block 201.

[0067] Reference Figure 5 According to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure, the edge sealing unit 200 of the sealing device can be configured to seal the edge 22 of the outer packaging 20. The sealing surface sealing unit 100 and the edge sealing unit 200 can operate independently. Preferably, sealing the edge 22 of the outer packaging 20 by the edge sealing unit 200 can be performed after sealing the sealing surface 21 of the outer packaging 20 by the sealing surface sealing unit 100, but is not limited thereto.

[0068] Edge sealing block 201

[0069] The edge sealing unit 200 may include an edge sealing block 201 configured to perform an edge seal upon contact with the edge 22 of the outer packaging 20. The edge sealing block 201 can seal the cap member 10 and the edge 22 of the outer packaging 20 by applying pressure and heat to the edge 22 of the outer packaging 20.

[0070] The edge sealing block 201 may have a curved shape to conform to the shape of the edge 22 of the outer packaging 20. For example, the edge sealing block 201 may be L-shaped in general.

[0071] The edge 22 of the outer packaging 20 can be pressed into contact with the inner surface 2011 of the edge sealing block 201. The inner surface 2011 of the edge sealing block 201 can be shaped to conform to the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the outer packaging 20. For example, the inner surface 2011 of the edge sealing block 201 may include a curved surface 2012 with a predetermined curvature to conform to the edge 22 of the outer packaging 20. By adopting the shape of the curved surface 2012, the edge 22 of the outer packaging 20 can be pressed without gaps through the close contact between the inner surface of the edge sealing block 201 and the edge 22.

[0072] The edge sealing block 201 can operate in a diagonal direction inclined to the sealing surface 21. The operating direction of the edge sealing block 201 can be, for example, toward the center of the cover member 10 having a rectangular shape.

[0073] Supporting framework 202

[0074] The edge sealing unit 200 may further include a support frame 202. The support frame 202 may be configured to support the secondary battery against the edge sealing block 201, which is operated to apply pressure to the secondary battery diagonally. The support frame 202 may be disposed opposite the edge sealing block 201 across the secondary battery. The support frame 202 may contact and support at least one of a plurality of sealing surfaces of the outer packaging 20. The support frame 202 may, for example, be formed in a curved shape along the outer peripheral surface of the outer packaging 20 of the secondary battery to support two adjacent sealing surfaces of the outer packaging 20. In this case, the support frame 202 may have an L-shape in the same manner as the edge sealing block 201.

[0075] The edge sealing block 201 can be configured to seal one edge 22 of the outer packaging 20 of the secondary battery, and then sequentially seal the remaining edges. In this case, in response to the operation of the edge sealing block 201, the support frame 202 disposed opposite to the edge sealing block 201 can support the secondary battery.

[0076] Elastic Pad 2013

[0077] refer to Figure 6 The elastic pad 2013 may be present on the inner surface 2011 of the edge seal 201 that contacts the edge 22 of the outer packaging 20. The elastic pad 2013 may be made of an elastic material (e.g., rubber, silicone, polyurethane, etc.) and may overlap the inner surface 2011 of the edge seal 201 to a predetermined thickness.

[0078] When the elastic pad 2013 overlaps with the inner surface 2011 of the edge sealing block 201 that applies pressure to the edge 22 of the outer packaging 20, the edge 22 of the outer packaging 20 can be pressed tightly without gaps, thus improving the sealing quality of the edge 22. Furthermore, even when the curvature of the curved surface 2013 region of the inner surface 2011 of the edge sealing block 201 does not perfectly match the shape of the edge 22 of the outer packaging 20, an effective seal can be achieved through appropriate shape changes of the elastic pad 2013.

[0079] Implementation Method 2

[0080] Figure 7 This is a perspective view showing the operation of the sealing device according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure.

[0081] The difference between Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 1 is that Embodiment 2 includes a plurality of edge sealing blocks 201 corresponding to a plurality of edges 22 of the outer packaging 20. Apart from the differences, it should be noted that the above description of the sealing device of Embodiment 1 can be applied equivalently to Embodiment 2; accordingly, descriptions common to Embodiment 1 are omitted, and Embodiment 2 will be described based on the differences from Embodiment 1.

[0082] Reference Figure 7 The sealing device according to Embodiment 2 of this disclosure may include a plurality of edge sealing blocks 201 corresponding to a plurality of edges 22 of the outer packaging 20. For example, when the cap member 10 is formed in a rectangular shape, the sealing device may include four edge sealing blocks 201 respectively corresponding to the four edges 22.

[0083] In this configuration, the four edge sealing blocks 201 can operate simultaneously to seal multiple edges 22 of the outer packaging 20 at the same time. Each edge sealing block 201 can operate in a diagonal direction toward the center of the secondary battery. Since one edge sealing block 201 and its opposite edge sealing block 201 operate in opposite directions, a support frame is not required to support the secondary battery against the edge sealing block 201, and furthermore, the sealing process time can be reduced, thereby improving process efficiency.

[0084] Sealing method

[0085] The sealing method for a secondary battery according to this disclosure can be used to seal a secondary battery comprising multiple sealing surfaces and multiple edges between adjacent sealing surfaces.

[0086] The sealing method for the secondary battery according to this disclosure can be performed using the components described above. The sealing method for the secondary battery according to this disclosure may include a surface sealing step and an edge sealing step.

[0087] The sealing surface step can be a step of sealing the sealing surface of the outer packaging by operating the sealing surface sealing unit, and the edge sealing step can be a step of sealing the edges of the outer packaging between the sealing surfaces by operating the edge sealing unit. The sealing processes for the sealing surfaces and edges of the outer packaging are as described above.

[0088] In this case, the edge sealing step can be performed by sequentially sealing the four edges of the secondary battery with a single edge sealing block, or by simultaneously sealing the four edges of the secondary battery with multiple edge sealing blocks.

[0089] The sealing surface sealing step can be performed before the edge sealing step, but is not limited to this; the sealing surface sealing step can be performed after the edge sealing step.

[0090] The edges and sealing surfaces of the outer packaging that are sealed in the edge sealing step and the sealing surface sealing step, respectively, can be areas that do not overlap with each other.

[0091] Although the present disclosure has been described above with respect to a limited number of embodiments and accompanying drawings, the foregoing description is provided to illustrate the technical aspects of the present disclosure by way of example, and various modifications and changes can be made to the present disclosure by those skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the present disclosure.

[0092] Therefore, the disclosed embodiments are provided to describe the technical aspects of this disclosure and not to limit it, and the technical scope of this disclosure is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of this disclosure should be interpreted by the appended claims, and should be interpreted as including all technical aspects within the equivalent scope within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0093] [List of reference numerals]

[0094] 1: Electrode assembly

[0095] 2: Opening of outer packaging

[0096] 10: Cover components

[0097] 20: Outer packaging

[0098] 21: Sealing surface

[0099] 22: Edge

[0100] 100: Sealing surface sealing unit

[0101] 101: First sealing block

[0102] 102: Second sealing block

[0103] 200: Edge sealing unit

[0104] 201: Edge sealing block

[0105] 2011: Inner Surface

[0106] 2012: Curved Surface

[0107] 2013: Elastic Pad

[0108] 202: Supporting Framework

Claims

1. A sealing device for sealing a secondary battery, the secondary battery comprising: Electrode assembly; The outer packaging has an internal space for accommodating the electrode assembly and an opening for communication between the internal space and the outside. and a cover member configured to sealably cover the outer packaging opening of the outer packaging, wherein the sealing device is configured to seal the outer packaging of the secondary battery and the cover member, the sealing device comprising: An edge sealing unit is configured to seal the edge between adjacent sealing surfaces of a plurality of sealing surfaces located on different planes of the outer packaging.

2. The sealing device according to claim 1, wherein, The edge sealing unit includes: At least one edge sealing block, the at least one edge sealing block having a curved shape to conform to the shape of the edge.

3. The sealing device according to claim 2, wherein, The edge sealing block is configured to operate in a diagonal direction oblique to the sealing surface.

4. The sealing device according to claim 2, wherein, The edge sealing unit also includes a support frame configured to support the secondary battery in response to operation of the edge sealing block.

5. The sealing device according to claim 4, wherein, The support frame is positioned opposite the edge sealing block, separated by the secondary battery.

6. The sealing device according to claim 2, wherein, The edge sealing block includes multiple edge sealing blocks corresponding to multiple edges of the secondary battery.

7. The sealing device according to claim 6, wherein, The plurality of edge sealing blocks operate simultaneously in a direction toward the center of the secondary battery.

8. The sealing device according to claim 2, wherein, The edge sealing block has an L-shaped shape.

9. The sealing device according to claim 8, wherein, At least a portion of the inner surface of the edge sealing block that contacts the edge of the secondary battery has a curved surface.

10. The sealing device according to claim 8, wherein, The edge sealing unit also includes an elastic pad that overlaps with the inner surface of the edge sealing block to allow for close contact with the edge.

11. The sealing device according to claim 1, further comprising: A sealing surface sealing unit is configured to contact the sealing surface in a direction perpendicular to the sealing surface to seal the sealing surface.

12. The sealing device according to claim 11, wherein, The sealing surface sealing unit does not overlap with the edge of the outer packaging.

13. A method for sealing a secondary battery, the method being used to seal a secondary battery, the secondary battery including a plurality of sealing surfaces and a plurality of edges located between adjacent sealing surfaces, the method comprising: The sealing surface sealing step involves sealing the sealing surface by operating a sealing surface sealing unit, which is configured to contact the sealing surface and seal it. as well as An edge sealing step is performed after the sealing surface sealing step to seal the edge by operating an edge sealing unit comprising a plurality of edge sealing blocks having a curved shape to conform to the shape of the edge.

14. The secondary battery sealing method according to claim 13, wherein, The edge sealing step includes sequentially sealing the four edges of the secondary battery using an edge sealing block.

15. The secondary battery sealing method according to claim 13, wherein, The edge sealing step is performed simultaneously on the four edges of the secondary battery by the plurality of edge sealing blocks.

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