Height adjustment jig for cylindrical battery cells

Abstract

The present invention relates to a height adjustment jig for a cylindrical battery cell, the jig including a support unit having a cylindrical mounting portion formed at the center of the support unit, and a pressing unit for pressing a cylindrical battery cell received in the mounting portion, wherein the support unit includes: a lower portion of the support unit having an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the cylindrical battery cell; an upper portion of the support unit having an inner diameter greater than the inner diameter of the lower portion of the support unit; and a stepped portion between the lower portion of the support unit and the upper portion of the support unit, and the support unit is configured such that an odd number of cells are coupled to each other, the odd number being three or more.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2024-0168196, filed on November 22, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This invention relates to a height adjustment fixture for cylindrical battery cells. More specifically, this invention relates to a height adjustment fixture for cylindrical battery cells that prevents appearance defects on the upper end of the side surface of the cylindrical battery cell during a sizing process for standardizing the height of the cylindrical battery cell. Background Technology

[0003] Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, which charge and discharge by the migration of lithium ions, are used not only in small battery cells for mobile devices and small electronic products due to their high energy density and high charging voltage, but also in medium and large battery packs, which serve as energy sources for electric vehicles and energy storage systems that require high power and high voltage.

[0004] Based on the shape of their casings, lithium-ion secondary batteries are classified as follows: cylindrical secondary batteries, which have electrode assemblies mounted in a cylindrical metal can; prismatic secondary batteries, which have electrode assemblies mounted in a prismatic metal can; and pouch-shaped secondary batteries, which have electrode assemblies mounted in a pouch-shaped casing made of aluminum laminates. Among these secondary batteries, cylindrical secondary batteries have the advantages of relatively large capacity and structural safety.

[0005] Cylindrical battery cells are manufactured with standardized height and diameter specifications. Furthermore, when manufacturing medium or large battery packs comprising multiple cylindrical battery cells, a process is performed to ensure that all cylindrical battery cells have the same height. This process is called sizing.

[0006] Typically, the sizing process is performed using the following method: with the cylindrical side surface of the cylindrical battery cell fixed using a clamp, a punch is used to press the cylindrical battery cell from above downwards. Conventionally, the sizing process is performed with the entire side surface of the cylindrical battery cell fixed, thus pressing the cylindrical battery cell with the upper portion of the cylindrical battery cell in close contact with the clamp. The cylindrical battery cell, in close contact with the clamp, is pressed by the punch, thereby reducing the height of the cylindrical battery cell. At this time, appearance defects, such as scratches, appear on the upper portion of the side surface of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0007] To address the aforementioned issues, it is necessary to install a device before placing the cylindrical battery cells in the fixture: this device is used to apply oil to the portion of the fixture that is in close contact with the cylindrical battery cells. However, this process is lengthened and production costs increase because it requires additional equipment and a process for applying the oil.

[0008] Patent document 1 relates to a cylindrical battery crimping apparatus, wherein the crimping apparatus includes: a fixed chuck unit configured to wrap around at least a portion of the battery can during the crimping process; and a multi-stage pressing punch configured to descend sequentially in order of increasing inner diameter to press the upper end of the battery can, thereby forming a crimped shape on the battery can.

[0009] Patent document 1 discloses a technique for deforming the upper end of a cylindrical battery, wherein a pressing process is performed on the cylindrical battery, but does not propose a technique for preventing appearance defects on the cylindrical battery cell during the sizing process.

[0010] Therefore, the following technology is needed: the technology can prevent scratches from forming on the upper end of the side surface of the cylindrical battery cell during the sizing process of the cylindrical battery cell, thereby reducing the appearance defect rate.

[0011] (Existing technical documents)

[0012] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Application Publication No. 2021-0145565 (2021.12.02) Summary of the Invention

[0013] Technical issues

[0014] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a height adjustment fixture for a cylindrical battery cell that prevents the upper end of the support unit configured to fix and support the cylindrical battery cell from coming into close contact with the upper portion of the side surface of the cylindrical battery cell during the sizing process, thereby preventing appearance defects of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0015] Technical solution

[0016] The height adjustment fixture for a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention, for achieving the above-mentioned objectives, includes a support unit and a pressing unit. The support unit has a cylindrical mounting portion formed at the center of the support unit, and the pressing unit is configured to press the cylindrical battery cell received in the mounting portion. The support unit includes: a lower portion of the support unit, the inner diameter of which corresponds to the outer diameter of the cylindrical battery cell; an upper portion of the support unit, the inner diameter of which is greater than the inner diameter of the lower portion of the support unit; and a stepped portion located between the lower portion and the upper portion of the support unit.

[0017] The support unit can be constructed as a structure in which multiple units are interconnected, and the multiple units are three or more odd-numbered units.

[0018] In the height adjustment fixture for cylindrical battery cells according to the present invention, the inner diameter of the stepped portion can be larger than the inner diameter of the lower portion of the support unit and smaller than the inner diameter of the upper portion of the support unit.

[0019] In the height adjustment fixture for cylindrical battery cells according to the present invention, when the cylindrical battery cell is mounted in the mounting portion of the support unit, the lower portion of the support unit can be in close contact with the cylindrical side surface of the cylindrical battery cell, and the stepped portion can be spaced apart from the cylindrical side surface of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0020] In the height adjustment fixture for cylindrical battery cells according to the present invention, the difference between the diameter of the stepped portion and the diameter of the lower portion of the support unit can be 1.0 mm or less.

[0021] In the height adjustment fixture for cylindrical battery cells according to the present invention, the support unit may include a first unit, a second unit, and a third unit, which are divided into three identical parts and are radially arranged to form a cylindrical mounting portion.

[0022] In the height adjustment fixture for cylindrical battery cells according to the invention, each of the first, second, and third cells may include a connecting portion that extends to a side opposite to the inner surface constituting the mounting portion.

[0023] In the height adjustment fixture for cylindrical battery cells according to the present invention, each of the connecting surfaces of the first, second, and third units that connect to each other can be matched with the vertical section of the support unit.

[0024] In the height adjustment fixture for cylindrical battery cells according to the present invention, the angle between the outer tangent of the support unit and the connecting surface can be from 45° to 135°.

[0025] The height adjustment fixture for cylindrical battery cells according to the invention may further include a mounting unit configured to allow the cylindrical battery cells to be mounted in the mounting unit.

[0026] In the height adjustment fixture for cylindrical battery cells according to the invention, the pressing unit may include an extension having an outer periphery that extends further downward than the central portion, and the bottom of the extension may be flat.

[0027] In the height adjustment fixture for cylindrical battery cells according to the present invention, the width of the bottom of the extension of the pressing unit can be equal to or greater than the width of the pressing portion of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0028] In the height adjustment fixture for cylindrical battery cells according to the present invention, the outer diameter of the downwardly extending portion of the pressing unit can be smaller than the inner diameter of the upper portion of the support unit.

[0029] Furthermore, the present invention can provide various combinations of the above-described solutions.

[0030] Beneficial effects

[0031] According to the present invention, appearance defects, such as scratches, can be prevented on the upper portion of the side surface of the cylindrical battery cell during the sizing process.

[0032] Furthermore, the conventional process of applying oil during the sizing process to prevent appearance defects in cylindrical battery cells can be omitted, thereby simplifying the process and reducing production costs. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view showing the pressing unit of the height adjustment clamp for a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention, and the cylindrical battery cell.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the pressing unit of the height adjustment clamp for a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention mounted on the cylindrical battery cell.

[0035] Figure 3 This is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the state in which a cylindrical battery cell is installed in a height adjustment fixture for a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention.

[0036] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of the image.

[0037] Figure 5 This is a plan view of the pressing unit of the height adjustment clamp for a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention.

[0038] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the pressing unit of the height adjustment clamp for a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0039] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that these preferred embodiments can be readily implemented by those skilled in the art. However, in describing the operating principles of the preferred embodiments of the invention in detail, detailed descriptions of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted where such detailed descriptions might obscure the subject matter of the invention.

[0040] Throughout the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to parts that perform similar functions or operations. Throughout the specification, when a part is referred to as "connected to another part," this part can be directly connected to said other part, and also indirectly connected to said other part via another part. Furthermore, including an element does not mean excluding other elements, but rather means that such elements may be included unless otherwise specified.

[0041] Unless otherwise specified, descriptions used to represent elements by limitation or addition can be applied to all inventions and do not limit any particular invention.

[0042] In the specification and claims of this application, unless otherwise stated, the singular form is intended to include the plural form.

[0043] In the specification and claims of this application, unless otherwise stated, "or" includes "and". Therefore, "including A or B" means three cases: including A, including B, and including both A and B.

[0044] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0045] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view showing a pressing unit for a height adjustment clamp for a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention, and a cylindrical battery cell. Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the pressing unit of the height adjustment clamp for a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention mounted on the cylindrical battery cell, and... Figure 3This is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the cylindrical battery cell mounted in a height adjustment fixture for a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention. Additionally, Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of the image.

[0046] Reference Figures 1 to 4 The height adjustment fixture for a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention includes a support unit 200 and a pressing unit 300. The support unit 200 has a cylindrical mounting portion 240 formed at its center, which corresponds to the cylindrical side surface 110 of the cylindrical battery cell 100. The pressing unit 300 is configured to press the cylindrical battery cell 100 received in the mounting portion 240.

[0047] The support unit 200 includes: lower portions 212, 222, and 232, the inner diameters of which correspond to the outer diameters of the cylindrical battery unit 100; upper portions 211, 221, and 231, the inner diameters of which are larger than the inner diameters of the lower portions 212, 222, and 232; and stepped portions 215, 225, and 235, located between the lower portions 212, 222, and 232 and the upper portions 211, 221, and 231, and the support unit 200 is configured such that multiple units, such as three or more odd-numbered units, are interconnected.

[0048] The height adjustment fixture for the cylindrical battery cell is used during the sizing process, during which the support unit 200 is configured to contact the side surface 110 of the cylindrical battery cell 100, and the pressing unit 300 disposed above the cylindrical battery cell 100 moves downward to reduce the overall height of the cylindrical battery cell 100.

[0049] In this invention, the cylindrical battery cell 100 can be standardized to a specific size by uniformly adjusting the height of the cylindrical battery cell using a height adjustment fixture for the cylindrical battery cell.

[0050] The support unit 200 includes a first unit 210, a second unit 220, and a third unit 230, which are divided into three identical components. The first, second, and third units are arranged radially so that the mounting portion 240 is configured in a shape in which three cylinders having the same center but different diameters are stacked. Alternatively, with Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the multiple units constituting the support unit can be constructed as a five-part division structure or a seven-part division structure.

[0051] The first unit 210, the second unit 220, and the third unit 230 are constructed with the same shape and are in close contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical battery cell when the first unit, the second unit, and the third unit are separated from each other. Even when external pressure is applied to the mounting portion 240 when the first unit, the second unit, and the third unit are connected to each other, the inner diameter of the mounting portion can be maintained so that the side surface 110 of the cylindrical battery cell 100 is not pressed.

[0052] To prevent scratches from forming on the upper portion of the side surface 110 of the cylindrical battery cell 100 due to friction with the inner surfaces 213 and 223 of the support unit 200 during the sizing process, the lower portions 212, 222, and 232 of the support unit 200 are in close contact with the cylindrical side surface 110 of the cylindrical battery cell 100 when the cylindrical battery cell 100 is mounted in the mounting portion 240 of the support unit 200, and the stepped portions 215 and 225 are spaced apart from the cylindrical side surface 110 of the cylindrical battery cell 100.

[0053] That is, the lower portions 212, 222 and 232 of the support unit are in close contact with the cylindrical side surface 110 to stably support the cylindrical battery cell 100 during the sizing process, and the stepped portions 215 and 225 are spaced apart from the cylindrical side surface 110 to prevent friction with the upper portion of the cylindrical side surface 110.

[0054] Specifically, the distance D between the upper portions 211, 221, and 231 of the support unit and the cylindrical side surface 110 of the cylindrical battery cell can be 1 mm or less, specifically 0.5 mm or less, and more specifically 0.25 mm or less. If the distance D is greater than 1 mm, foreign matter may accumulate between the support unit and the cylindrical battery cell, which is undesirable.

[0055] Additionally, the distance D can be 0.1 mm or greater to prevent scratches from forming on the upper end of the cylindrical side surface.

[0056] The position and area of ​​the support unit 200 surrounding the cylindrical side surface 110 are not particularly limited. The support unit may surround the entire cylindrical side surface 110, or it may surround at least 10% of the total height of the cylindrical side surface 110.

[0057] However, preferably, the lower portion of the support unit that is in close contact with the cylindrical side surface 110 of the cylindrical battery cell 100 is formed not higher than at least the rolled edge portion 140 of the cylindrical battery cell 100, and the cylindrical side surface higher than at least the rolled edge portion 140 of the cylindrical battery cell 100 is configured to face the stepped portions 215 and 225. Alternatively, as Figure 4 As shown, the lower part 212 and the stepped part 215 of the support unit can be connected to each other at the position where the support unit faces the rolled edge part 140.

[0058] Additionally, the first unit 210, the second unit 220, and the third unit 230 include connecting portions 214, 224, and 234, which extend to the side opposite to the inner surfaces 213 and 223 constituting the mounting portion 240. The plurality of units constituting the support unit can be moved such that the plurality of units are in close contact with each other to form a cylindrical mounting portion 240, and conversely, can be moved such that they are spaced apart from each other, thereby allowing the plurality of units to be separated from the cylindrical battery unit. A moving device configured to move the plurality of units can be used. The connecting portions 214, 224, and 234 are components configured to connect the moving device to the plurality of units.

[0059] Figure 3 A mounting unit 400 is shown, disposed below the cylindrical battery cell 100 to allow the cylindrical battery cell 100 to be mounted within it. The positions of the cylindrical battery cell 100 and the height adjustment clamp for the cylindrical battery cell can be preset by setting the mounting unit 400. Therefore, when the cylindrical battery cell 100 is disposed in the mounting unit 400, the height adjustment clamp for the cylindrical battery cell automatically and tightly contacts the side surface of the cylindrical battery cell 100, and a sizing process can be performed.

[0060] Figure 5 This is a plan view of the pressing unit of the height adjustment clamp for a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention.

[0061] Reference Figure 5 The stepped portions 215, 225, and 235 are spaced apart from the cylindrical side surface 110 of the cylindrical battery cell 100, and the lower portions 212, 222, and 232 of the support unit are in close contact with the cylindrical side surface 110. The inner diameter R1 of the stepped portions 215, 225, and 235 is larger than the inner diameter R2 of the lower portion of the support unit, and the inner diameter R2 of the lower portion of the support unit is equal to the outer diameter of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0062] When the first unit 210, the second unit 220, and the third unit 230 are connected to each other in close contact, the first unit, the second unit, and the third unit must not overlap or misalign with each other to ensure that the connection between the first unit, the second unit, and the third unit is maintained, and that the inner diameter of the mounting portion 240 is maintained even when external pressure is applied to the mounting portion 240. Therefore, each of the connection surfaces 201 in which the first unit 210, the second unit 220, and the third unit 230 are connected to each other is configured to match the vertical section obtained by cutting the support unit 200 in the vertical direction.

[0063] However, when the support unit 200 is cut in the vertical direction, the connecting surface 201 may intersect perpendicularly with the outer tangent surface C of the support unit 200 as shown in (a), or intersect at an angle with the outer tangent surface C of the support unit 200 as shown in (b).

[0064] Therefore, the angle R between the outer tangent C of the support unit 200 and the connecting surface 201 can be from 45° to 135°.

[0065] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the pressing unit of the height adjustment clamp for a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention.

[0066] See Figure 6 The pressing unit 300 includes an extension 320, which has a lower peripheral edge than the central portion 310. In the cylindrical battery unit 100, the top cover 120 may be configured to protrude further than the pressing portion 130. The extension 320, located on the outer peripheral edge of the pressing unit 300, extends further downward than the central portion 310, such that the pressing unit 300 presses the pressing portion 130 instead of the top cover 120.

[0067] The lower end of the extension 320 is pressed against the crimping portion 130 of the cylindrical battery cell 100 to perform a sizing process. To prevent the pressing force of the pressing unit 300 from being concentrated on a specific part of the extension 320 when it is transmitted to the crimping portion 130, the bottom of the extension 320 is flat.

[0068] The width W of the bottom of the extension 320 of the pressing unit 300 can be equal to or greater than the width a of the pressing portion 130 of the cylindrical battery unit 100.

[0069] Meanwhile, in order to prevent friction between the pressing unit 300 and the upper portions 211, 221 and 231 of the support unit when the pressing unit is inserted into the mounting portion 240 of the support unit 200, the outer diameter R4 of the downwardly extending portion of the pressing unit 300 can be smaller than the inner diameter R3 of the upper portion of the support unit.

[0070] As described above, if the sizing process of the cylindrical battery cell is performed using the height adjustment fixture for the cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention, appearance defects on the upper portion of the side surface of the cylindrical battery cell can be prevented.

[0071] Those skilled in the art will understand that, based on the above description, various applications and modifications can be made within the scope of this invention.

[0072] List of reference numerals

[0073] 100: Cylindrical battery cell

[0074] 110: Side surface

[0075] 120: Top Cover

[0076] 130: Crimping part

[0077] 140: Curled edge section

[0078] 200: Support unit

[0079] 201: Connecting Surface

[0080] 210: Unit 1

[0081] 211, 221, 231: Upper part of the support unit

[0082] 212, 222, 232: Lower part of the support unit

[0083] 213, 223, 233: Inner surface

[0084] 214, 224, 234: Connecting parts

[0085] 215, 225, 235: Stepped sections

[0086] 220: Unit Two

[0087] 230: Unit 3

[0088] 240: Installation Part

[0089] 300: Pressing unit

[0090] 310: Central Section

[0091] 320: Extension

[0092] 400: Installation Unit

[0093] a: Width of the crimped portion of the cylindrical battery cell

[0094] C: External tangent

[0095] R1: Inner diameter of the stepped section

[0096] R2: Inner diameter of the lower part of the support unit

[0097] R3: Inner diameter of the upper part of the support unit

[0098] R4: Outer diameter of the extension portion

[0099] W: Width of the bottom of the extension

Claims

1. A height-adjusting clamp for a cylindrical battery cell, the height-adjusting clamp comprising: A support unit having a cylindrical mounting portion formed at the center of the support unit; as well as A pressing unit, configured to press a cylindrical battery cell received in the mounting portion, wherein... The support unit includes: a lower portion of the support unit, the inner diameter of which corresponds to the outer diameter of the cylindrical battery unit; an upper portion of the support unit, the inner diameter of which is larger than the inner diameter of the lower portion; and a stepped portion located between the lower portion and the upper portion of the support unit. The support unit is constructed as a structure in which multiple units are interconnected, and the multiple units are three or more odd-numbered units.

2. The height-adjustable clamp according to claim 1, wherein, The inner diameter of the stepped portion is larger than the inner diameter of the lower portion of the support unit and smaller than the inner diameter of the upper portion of the support unit.

3. The height-adjustable clamp according to claim 1, wherein, With the cylindrical battery cell installed in the mounting portion of the support unit. The lower portion of the support unit is in close contact with the cylindrical side surface of the cylindrical battery unit, and The stepped portion is spaced apart from the cylindrical side surface of the cylindrical battery cell.

4. The height-adjustable clamp according to claim 3, wherein, The difference between the diameter of the stepped portion and the diameter of the lower portion of the support unit is 1.0 mm or less.

5. The height-adjustable clamp according to claim 1, wherein, The support unit includes a first unit, a second unit, and a third unit, which are divided into three identical components. The first unit, the second unit, and the third unit are radially arranged to form a cylindrical mounting portion.

6. The height-adjustable clamp according to claim 5, wherein, Each of the first unit, the second unit, and the third unit includes a connecting portion that extends to a side opposite to the inner surface constituting the mounting portion.

7. The height-adjustable clamp according to claim 5, wherein, Each of the connecting surfaces of the first unit, the second unit, and the third unit that connect to each other matches the vertical cross-section of the support unit.

8. The height-adjustable clamp according to claim 7, wherein, The angle between the outer tangent of the support unit and the connecting surface is 45° to 135°.

9. The height-adjustable clamp of claim 1, further comprising a mounting unit configured to allow the cylindrical battery cell to be mounted in the mounting unit.

10. The height-adjustable clamp according to claim 1, wherein, The pressing unit includes an extension portion having a lower peripheral edge that extends further downward compared to the central portion, and The bottom of the extension is flat.

11. The height-adjustable clamp according to claim 10, wherein, The width of the bottom of the extension portion of the pressing unit is equal to or greater than the width of the pressing portion of the cylindrical battery unit.

12. The height-adjustable clamp according to claim 10, wherein, The outer diameter of the downwardly extending portion of the pressing unit is smaller than the inner diameter of the upper portion of the support unit.

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