Electrode manufacturing apparatus

Abstract

An electrode manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of calender rolls arranged at predetermined intervals to sequentially roll an electrode sheet, and a plurality of housings individually supporting respective rotation axes of the plurality of calender rolls, wherein at least one housing among the plurality of housings has an extension length in a traveling direction of the electrode sheet different from extension lengths of the remaining housings.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. KR10-2024-0071831, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on May 31, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0003] This disclosure relates to an electrode manufacturing apparatus, and more specifically, to an electrode manufacturing apparatus capable of improving deformation occurring in the housing used to support the various calender rolls. Background Technology

[0004] In modern society, with the daily use of portable devices such as mobile phones, laptops, camcorders, and digital cameras, as well as energy storage systems (ESS), technological development in related fields has become increasingly active. Furthermore, rechargeable / dischargeable secondary batteries are being used as power sources for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (P-HEVs) in an attempt to address issues such as air pollution caused by existing gasoline vehicles using fossil fuels. Therefore, the necessity for the development of secondary batteries is increasing.

[0005] Currently commercially available rechargeable batteries include nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), nickel-zinc (NiZn), and lithium-ion batteries. Among these, lithium-ion batteries have attracted much attention due to their advantages such as free charging and discharging, very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0006] The manufacturing process of this type of lithium secondary battery can be roughly divided into three steps: electrode process, assembly process, and formation process. The electrode process is further divided into active material mixing process, electrode coating process, drying process, rolling process, slitting process, and winding process. Among these steps, the electrode coating process is divided into a wet process of applying active material slurry to the electrode current collector and a dry process of applying solid active material to the current collector.

[0007] When electrodes are formed using a wet process, defects such as pinholes or cracks may occur in the electrode active material layer during the evaporation and solvent removal steps. Furthermore, the drying process requires not only significant energy to remove large amounts of solvent but also large and expensive drying equipment, resulting in a substantial deterioration in the overall processability of the secondary battery.

[0008] To address the drawbacks of this wet process, research has recently been actively conducted on methods for manufacturing dry electrodes for secondary batteries using a solvent-free dry process.

[0009] The dry electrode process involves mixing electrode active materials, binders, conductive materials, etc., in the absence of liquid media such as solvents or dispersion media to prepare a powder mixture, then preparing the powder mixture into a dry electrode sheet through a calendering process, and finally laminating the prepared dry electrode sheet onto a current collector to manufacture an electrode.

[0010] The advantages of this dry electrode process are: the adhesive is uniformly distributed in the thickness direction of the electrode, which exhibits excellent electrode adhesion and lifespan characteristics; the adhesive does not directly cover the surface of the active material, which reduces the interfacial reaction resistance on the surface of the active material, which is beneficial to the movement of lithium ions within the electrode; and the electrode has very high flexibility due to the use of a fibrous adhesive.

[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of conventional electrode manufacturing equipment.

[0012] Reference Figure 1 The conventional electrode manufacturing equipment 10 may include multiple calendering rolls 1, 2, 3, and 4. The multiple calendering rolls 1, 2, 3, and 4 are arranged adjacent to each other in multiple stages, and a stretching process can be performed as the electrode sheet 6 travels between the multiple calendering rolls 1, 2, 3, and 4.

[0013] In other words, the thickness of the electrode sheet 6 can decrease sequentially as it passes between multiple calendering rolls 1, 2, 3, and 4 arranged in a multi-stage configuration. Therefore, since the spacing between the multiple calendering rolls 1, 2, 3, and 4 can vary depending on the thickness of the electrode sheet 6, the load applied to each of the multiple calendering rolls 1, 2, 3, and 4 can differ from each other. Typically, because the spacing between the multiple calendering rolls 1, 2, 3, and 4 is very small compared to the thickness of the electrode sheet 6 to be fed, the various components of the electrode manufacturing equipment 10 may be subjected to considerable loads, which, in severe cases, can lead to equipment failure or reduced electrode quality. However, the design of the various components, especially the housing, is not usually adjusted according to the magnitude of the load applied to each of the multiple calendering rolls 1, 2, 3, and 4, resulting in significant deformation within the housing supporting the multiple calendering rolls 1, 2, 3, and 4. Summary of the Invention

[0014] Technical issues

[0015] The technical problem to be solved by this disclosure is to provide an electrode manufacturing apparatus that can improve the deformation that occurs in the housing used to support the individual calendering rolls.

[0016] However, the technical problems to be solved by the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and various extensions can be made within the scope of the technical concepts included in this disclosure.

[0017] Technical solution

[0018] According to certain aspects of this disclosure, an electrode manufacturing apparatus is provided, comprising: a plurality of calendering rolls arranged at predetermined intervals to sequentially roll electrode sheets; and a plurality of housings that individually support respective rotation axes of the plurality of calendering rolls, wherein at least one of the housings may have an extension length different from that of the other housings in the direction of travel of the electrode sheets.

[0019] The extension length of at least one of the plurality of housings can be determined by the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the calendering roll supported by the at least one housing.

[0020] The extension length of the first housing, located at the uppermost end of the electrode sheet in the direction of travel of the plurality of housings, is determined independently of the magnitude of the linear pressure.

[0021] The extension length of the first housing among the plurality of housings may be longer than the extension length of any of the other housings.

[0022] Among the plurality of housings other than the first housing, the extension length of the second housing may be less than the extension length of the third housing when the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the second calendering roll supported by any one of the second housings is greater than the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the third calendering roll supported by another third housing.

[0023] The third housing may be located further downstream than the second housing in the direction of travel, and the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the second calender roll may be greater than the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the third calender roll.

[0024] The magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the plurality of calendering rolls can be reduced downstream in the direction of travel.

[0025] Trend values ​​of data relating to the magnitudes of the various extension lengths of the plurality of housings and the various linear pressures caused by the plurality of calendering rolls can be determined, and based on the trend values, the various extension lengths of the plurality of housings can be determined such that the various extension lengths of the plurality of housings are within a predetermined range.

[0026] The individual extension lengths of the plurality of housings can be determined such that the sum of the individual extension lengths of the plurality of housings is within a predetermined range.

[0027] When at least one of the extension lengths of the plurality of housings falls outside the predetermined range based on the trend value, the individual extension lengths of the plurality of housings can be determined again.

[0028] At least one of the plurality of calender rolls may be positioned off-center from a center based on the extension length of the housing supporting the calender roll.

[0029] The arrangement of the calendering rolls in the housing can be determined based on the diameter of the calendering rolls, the spacing between adjacent calendering rolls, and the extension length of the housing.

[0030] The electrode manufacturing equipment may further include a connecting member between two adjacent housings arranged among the plurality of housings.

[0031] The plurality of housings may each include a bearing portion formed between the housing and the rotating shaft.

[0032] Beneficial effects

[0033] The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to embodiments of this disclosure can improve the deformation (i.e., twisting) that occurs in the housing used to support the individual calendering rolls, while effectively arranging the calendering rolls and housing in a limited space, thereby increasing space utilization.

[0034] The effects of this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand from the description of the appended claims any additional effects not mentioned above. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of conventional electrode manufacturing equipment.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing a battery manufacturing apparatus according to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 2 A side view of the side surface of the battery manufacturing equipment.

[0038] Figure 4 It shows that it is applied to Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the forces involved in battery manufacturing equipment.

[0039] Figure 5 This is a graph showing the relationship between the force applied to the electrodes and the length of the casing in a battery manufacturing apparatus according to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 6 This is a partially enlarged view illustrating the deformation relief of the first bearing portion of a battery manufacturing apparatus according to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 7This is a partially enlarged view illustrating the deformation relief of the second bearing portion of a battery manufacturing apparatus according to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 8 This is a partially enlarged view illustrating the deformation relief of the third bearing portion of a battery manufacturing apparatus according to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0043] In the following, various embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, enabling those skilled in the art to readily perform them. This disclosure can be modified in various ways and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0044] In order to clearly describe this disclosure, descriptions of parts that are not related to the description of this disclosure will be omitted, and throughout the specification, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar elements.

[0045] Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, for ease of description, the dimensions and thicknesses of the various elements are arbitrarily shown, and this disclosure is not necessarily limited to those shown in the drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the thickness of layers, regions, etc., is exaggerated for clarity. In the accompanying drawings, the thickness of parts and regions is exaggerated for ease of description.

[0046] Furthermore, it should be understood that when an element such as a layer, membrane, region, or plate is referred to as being "on" or "above" another element, it may be directly on the other element, or there may be intermediate elements present. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being directly on another element, this indicates that there are no other intermediate elements present. Additionally, the statement that a component is "above" or "on" a reference portion means that the component is located above or below the reference portion, and does not specifically indicate that the component is "above" or "on" in the opposite direction of gravity.

[0047] Although terms such as front, back, left, right, up, and down are used in this embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these terms are merely for ease of explanation and may vary depending on the observer’s position, the position of the object, etc.

[0048] Furthermore, throughout the specification, when a part is referred to as “comprising” or “including” a component, unless otherwise stated, this means that the part may further include other components, without excluding other components.

[0049] Furthermore, throughout the instruction manual, when referred to as "on a plane," it means when the target portion is viewed from above; when referred to as "on a cross section," it means when the target portion is viewed from one side of a vertically cut cross section.

[0050] In the following description, specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing a battery manufacturing apparatus according to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 It is shown Figure 2 A side view of the side surface of the battery manufacturing equipment.

[0052] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 According to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery manufacturing apparatus 100 may include: a plurality of calendering rolls 111, 112, 113, 114 arranged at predetermined intervals to sequentially roll electrode sheets; a plurality of housings 131, 132, 133, 134 that individually support the plurality of calendering rolls 111, 112, 113, 114 and their respective rotating shafts 121, 122, 123, 124; and connecting members 151, 152, 153 arranged between two adjacent housings among the plurality of housings 131, 132, 133, 134, wherein the plurality of housings 131, 132, 133, 134 may each include bearing portions 141, 142, 143, 144 formed between the housing and the rotating shafts 121, 122, 123, 124.

[0053] Multiple calendering rolls 111, 112, 113, and 114 are typically cylindrical components. These rolls can rotate about axes 121, 122, 123, and 124. A dry electrode sheet (not shown) is stretched as it travels between the rolls. The thickness of the electrode sheet can be determined by factors such as the spacing between adjacent rolls. That is, the narrower the spacing between the rolls, the thinner the electrode sheet can be.

[0054] In addition, Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the example shown, the number of multiple calender rolls 111, 112, 113, 114 and other related components is four, and the following description will also be given based on this. However, the number of multiple calender rolls and other related components can be modified or changed in various ways depending on the environment in which this disclosure is implemented.

[0055] Furthermore, for ease of explanation, multiple calendering rolls and other related components are distinguished by ordinal numbers such as first, second, third, and fourth, from upstream to downstream of the direction of travel of the electrode sheet. However, this is for the purpose of distinguishing any one of the multiple components from the others, and is not intended to limit the components by such terminology.

[0056] Rotating shafts 121, 122, 123, and 124 can be configured to protrude from both ends of the plurality of calendering rolls 111, 112, 113, and 114, respectively. Furthermore, a drive device (not shown) for rotating each calendering roll 111, 112, 113, and 114 can be connected to each rotating shaft 121, 122, 123, and 124. Power is transmitted from the drive device to each rotating shaft 121, 122, 123, and 124, allowing the calendering rolls 111, 112, 113, and 114 connected to the rotating shafts 121, 122, 123, and 124 to rotate. At this time, each calendering roll 111, 112, 113, and 114 can be driven to rotate independently of each other.

[0057] Multiple housings 131, 132, 133, and 134 can be individually formed to support multiple calendering rolls 111, 112, 113, and 114, respectively. That is, a pair of housings 131, 132, 133, and 134 can each support rotation shafts 121, 122, 123, and 124 extending from both ends of one of the calendering rolls 111, 112, 113, and 114. In one specific embodiment of this disclosure, the multiple housings 131, 132, 133, and 134 have an approximately rectangular shape; however, the shape of the multiple housings 131, 132, 133, and 134 can be modified or changed in various ways depending on the environment in which the invention is implemented. Furthermore, the following description will be based on the case where the multiple housings 131, 132, 133, and 134 are rectangular in shape, and a detailed description of the multiple housings 131, 132, 133, and 134 will be given below.

[0058] Connecting members 151, 152, and 153 are arranged between two adjacent housings among the plurality of housings 131, 132, 133, and 134 to adjust the spacing between two adjacent calendering rolls. Furthermore, connecting members 151, 152, and 153 can transmit force to adjacent housings. Additionally, the plurality of housings 131, 132, 133, and 134 may be formed with grooves (not shown) for accommodating connecting members 151, 152, and 153.

[0059] Bearing portions 141, 142, 143, and 144 are arranged in openings in the multiple housings 131, 132, 133, and 134 through which the respective rotating shafts 121, 122, 123, and 124 pass, and can support the weight of the respective rotating shafts 121, 122, 123, and 124 and the load applied to the rotating shafts. The bearing portions 141, 142, 143, and 144 reduce the friction between the rotating shafts 121, 122, 123, and 124 and the housings 131, 132, 133, and 134, allowing the multiple calendering rolls 111, 112, 113, and 114 to rotate smoothly. At this time, the type of bearing portions 141, 142, 143, and 144 can be modified or changed in various ways depending on the environment in which this disclosure is implemented.

[0060] At least one of the multiple housings 131, 132, 133, and 134 may have an extension length L in the direction of travel of the electrode sheet that differs from the extension lengths of the other housings. For example, the extension length L1 of the first housing 131 may differ from the extension lengths L2, L3, and L4 of the other housings 132, 133, and 134. Alternatively, the individual extension lengths L1, L2, L3, and L4 of the multiple housings 131, 132, 133, and 134 may differ from each other. However, the individual extension lengths L1, L2, L3, and L4 of the multiple housings 131, 132, 133, and 134 are not limited to the above examples and, as described below, can be modified or changed in various ways depending on the environment in which this disclosure is implemented.

[0061] Specifically, the extension length of at least one of the multiple housings 131, 132, 133, 134 can be determined by the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the calendering rolls supported by said at least one housing. Typically, the multiple calendering rolls 111, 112, 113, 114 can roll the electrode sheet to a thinner form, and the linear pressure is the value obtained by dividing the pressure (or force) applied to the electrode sheet by the multiple calendering rolls 111, 112, 113, 114 by the contact length (width) of the calendering rolls 111, 112, 113, 114.

[0062] The load applied to each of the multiple housings 131, 132, 133, 134 is influenced by the linear pressure applied to the electrode sheet by the calendering rolls 111, 112, 113, 114 supported by the respective housings 131, 132, 133, 134. Therefore, the extension length of the housings 131, 132, 133, 134 is determined based on the load applied to each housing 131, 132, 133, 134 (i.e., the linear pressure of the calendering rolls), thereby enabling the reduction of deformation (i.e., torsion) occurring in each housing 131, 132, 133, 134.

[0063] First, the extension length L1 of the first housing 131, which is the uppermost among the multiple housings 131, 132, 133, and 134 in the direction of travel, can be determined independently of the magnitude of the linear pressure. For example, the extension length L1 of the first housing 131 among the multiple housings 131, 132, 133, and 134 can be longer than the extension length of any one of the other housings 132, 133, and 134. That is, among the multiple housings 131, 132, 133, and 134, the extension length L1 of the first housing 131 can be the longest.

[0064] In the plurality of housings 131, 132, 133, and 134, excluding the first housing 131, the extension length of the second housing may be less than the extension length of the third housing when the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the second calender roll supported by any one of the second housings is greater than the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the third calender roll supported by another third housing. Furthermore, the terms second housing, third housing, second calender roll, and third calender roll are used to distinguish any one of the plurality of components from the others, and unless listed with reference numerals in the accompanying drawings, do not refer to... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The second housing 132, the third housing 133, the second calendering roll 112, and the third calendering roll 113 are shown in the figure.

[0065] For example, when the linear pressure caused by the second calender roll 112 is greater than the linear pressure caused by the third calender roll 113, the extension length L2 of the second shell 132 is less than the extension length of the third shell 133. Conversely, when the linear pressure caused by the third calender roll 113 is greater than the linear pressure caused by the second calender roll 112, the extension length L3 of the third shell 133 is less than the extension length of the second shell 132. As another example, when the linear pressure caused by the second calender roll 112 is greater than the linear pressure caused by the fourth calender roll 114, the extension length L2 of the second shell 132 is less than the extension length L4 of the fourth shell 134. That is, the extension lengths L2, L3, and L4 of the second shell to the fourth shell 132, 133, and 134 can be determined based on the magnitude of the respective linear pressures caused by the second to the fourth calender rolls 112, 113, and 114.

[0066] In this case, the third housing can be located further downstream in the direction of travel than the second housing, and the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the second calender roll can be greater than the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the third calender roll. Similarly, the second housing, third housing, second calender roll, and third calender roll described above are for the purpose of distinguishing any one of a plurality of components from the remaining components, and unless listed together with the reference numerals, they do not refer to... Figure 2 and Figure 3The second housing 132, the third housing 133, the second calendering roll 112, and the third calendering roll 113 are shown in the figure.

[0067] For example, if the third housing 133 is located further downstream in the travel direction than the second housing 132, the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the second calender roll 112 is greater than the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the third calender roll 113, causing the extension length L2 of the second housing 132 to be less than the extension length L3 of the third housing 133. Similarly, if the fourth housing 134 is located further downstream in the travel direction than the second housing 132, the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the second calender roll 112 is greater than the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the fourth calender roll 114, causing the extension length L2 of the second housing 132 to be less than the extension length L4 of the fourth housing 134. Furthermore, if the fourth housing 134 is located further downstream in the travel direction than the third housing 133, the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the third calender roll 113 is greater than the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the fourth calender roll 114, causing the extension length L3 of the third housing 133 to be less than the extension length L4 of the fourth housing 134. In other words, among the two calendering rolls 112, 113, and 114 of the second to fourth calendering rolls, the linear pressure caused by the calendering roll located on the downstream side of the travel direction is less than the linear pressure caused by the calendering roll located on the upstream side of the travel direction, so that the extension length of the shell can be determined according to the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by each calendering roll.

[0068] The magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the multiple calendering rolls 111, 112, 113, and 114 can decrease downstream in the direction of travel. For example, the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the second calendering roll 112 is greater than the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the third calendering roll 113, and the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the third calendering roll 113 is greater than the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the fourth calendering roll 114. Therefore, the extension length L2 of the second housing 132 can be less than the extension length L3 of the third housing 133, and the extension length L3 of the third housing 133 can be less than the extension length L4 of the fourth housing 134.

[0069] At least one of the plurality of calender rolls 111, 112, 113, and 114 may be positioned off-center relative to the extension length of the housing supporting the calender roll. When the plurality of calender rolls 111, 112, 113, and 114 are located off-center relative to the extension lengths of the plurality of housings 131, 132, 133, and 134, the extension lengths of the plurality of housings 131, 132, 133, and 134 may be different from each other, such that the diameters of the plurality of calender rolls 111, 112, 113, and 114 must also be different from each other. Typically, since the diameters of the plurality of calender rolls 111, 112, 113, and 114 are equal, at least one of the plurality of calender rolls 111, 112, 113, and 114 is preferably arranged off-center relative to the extension length of the housing supporting the calender roll.

[0070] For example, when the first housing 131 among the multiple housings 131, 132, 133, and 134 has the longest extension length, the first calendering roll 111 connected to the first housing 131 can be arranged biased towards the second housing 132 from the center of the first housing 131. That is, the arrangement position of each calendering roll 111, 112, 113, and 114 in each housing 131, 132, 133, and 134 is determined according to the diameter of each calendering roll 111, 112, 113, and 114; the interval between each calendering roll 111, 112, 113, and 114; the extension length of each housing 131, 132, 133, and 134, etc., and can be modified or changed in various ways according to the environment in which this disclosure is implemented.

[0071] Figure 4 It shows that it is applied to Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the forces involved in battery manufacturing equipment.

[0072] Reference Figure 4 A linear pressure F is applied between each of the calendering rolls 111, 112, 113, and 114. ij And the reaction forces N of each rotation axis 121, 122, 123, and 124 i or N ij It is applied to each of the housings 131, 132, 133, and 134. Here, the linear pressure F ij This refers to the force applied to each calender roll by the electrode sheet passing between the i-th and j-th calender rolls, with the direction of travel as the reference, and the reaction force N. i It refers to the force applied to the i-th shell, and the reaction force N. ij This refers to the force applied between the i-th shell and the j-th shell, where i and j are natural numbers greater than or equal to 1.

[0073] When based on Figure 4When establishing the force equilibrium relationship, the forces shown are as shown in the following mathematical expression 1.

[0074] [Mathematical Expression 1]

[0075] N1=N 12 +F 12 =N 23 +F 23 =N 34 +F 34 =N4

[0076] As mentioned earlier, the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the multiple calendering rolls 111, 112, 113, and 114 can decrease downstream in the direction of travel. That is, F 12 >F 23 >F 34 To satisfy the relation in mathematical expression 1, N can be derived. 12 <N 23 <N 34 The result. In this case, the applied reaction force N i or N ij The parts are the individual housings 131, 132, 133, and 134, and more specifically, the bearing portions 141, 142, 143, and 144 of each housing 131, 132, 133, and 134. Therefore, in order to minimize the deformation of these parts, a relatively strong reaction force N is applied. i or N ij The shell can be formed into a relatively large shell, subjected to a relatively weak reaction force N. i or N ij The housings can be formed to be smaller. As a result, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 according to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure can improve the deformation (i.e., twisting) that occurs in the various housings 131, 132, 133, 134, while effectively arranging the calendering rolls 111, 112, 113, 114 and the housings 131, 132, 133, 134 in a limited space, thereby increasing space utilization.

[0077] Figure 5 This is a graph showing the relationship between the force applied to the electrodes and the length of the casing in a battery manufacturing apparatus according to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0078] Reference Figure 5The trend value of the data regarding the magnitude of the linear pressures caused by the multiple shells 131, 132, 133, 134 and the various extension lengths L1, L2, L3, L4 of the multiple shells 131, 132, 133, 134 is determined, and based on the trend value, the various extension lengths L1, L2, L3, L4 of the multiple shells 131, 132, 133, 134 are determined such that the various extension lengths L1, L2, L3, L4 of the multiple shells 131, 132, 133, 134 are within a predetermined range.

[0079] At this point, the extension lengths L1, L2, L3, and L4 of the multiple shells 131, 132, 133, and 134 can be determined such that the sum of the extension lengths L1, L2, L3, and L4 of the multiple shells 131, 132, 133, and 134 is within a predetermined range.

[0080] Figure 5 The graph shows that when the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the multiple calendering rolls 111, 112, 113, 114 decreases downstream in the direction of travel, that is, when the linear pressure F... 12 Linear pressure F 23 Linear pressure F 34 At that time, the extension lengths L1, L2, L3, and L4 of the multiple housings 131, 132, 133, and 134 are shown. In this case, it shows the relationship that the extension length L1 of the first housing 131 > the extension length L4 of the fourth housing 134 > the extension length L3 of the third housing 133 > the extension length L2 of the second housing 132. The magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the multiple calendering rolls 111, 112, 113, and 114 and the trend values ​​of the extension lengths L1, L2, L3, and L4 of the multiple housings 131, 132, 133, and 134 can be expressed as follows: Figure 5 The diagram shown is a dashed line. At this point, the respective extension lengths L1, L2, L3, and L4 of the multiple shells 131, 132, 133, and 134 can be determined to be located at the trend value ( Figure 5 Within the predetermined range of the dashed line diagram.

[0081] For example, when the linear pressure F 12 =14 ton·f, linear pressure F 23 =10 ton·f, linear pressure F 34=5 ton·f, and when the sum of the extension lengths L1, L2, L3, L4 of the plurality of housings 131, 132, 133, 134 is 1000 mm, the extension lengths L1, L2, L3, L4 of each of the plurality of housings 131, 132, 133, 134 can be determined as L1=280 mm, L2=220 mm, L3=230 mm, and L4=270 mm. Furthermore, the above values ​​are arbitrary values ​​used to illustrate the content of this disclosure and can be modified or changed in various ways depending on the environment in which this disclosure is implemented.

[0082] When at least one of the extension lengths L1, L2, L3, L4 of the plurality of housings 131, 132, 133, 134 deviates from the predetermined range based on the aforementioned trend value, the respective extension lengths L1, L2, L3, L4 of the plurality of housings 131, 132, 133, 134 can be determined again. In this case, the aforementioned trend value can be determined again based on the re-determined respective extension lengths L1, L2, L3, L4 of the plurality of housings 131, 132, 133, 134.

[0083] Figure 6 This is a partially enlarged view illustrating the deformation relief of the first bearing portion of a battery manufacturing apparatus according to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 This is a partially enlarged view illustrating the deformation relief of the second bearing portion of a battery manufacturing apparatus according to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 This is a partially enlarged view illustrating the deformation relief of the third bearing portion of a battery manufacturing apparatus according to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0084] Figures 6 to 8 Simulation results of deformation (torsion) occurring in the first to third bearing portions 141, 142, 143 are shown when the extension lengths of the multiple housings 131, 132, 133, 134 supporting the respective calendering rolls 111, 112, 113, 114 are equal. Furthermore, Figures 6 to 8 The magnified portions A to D in the figure respectively show the simulation results of deformation (torsion) occurring in the first bearing portion to the third bearing portion 141, 142, 143 of a battery manufacturing apparatus 100 according to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0085] like Figure 6 As shown, severe deformation (twisting) occurs in parts A and B of the first bearing section 141. On the other hand, the deformation (twisting) is alleviated in the enlarged parts of A and B.

[0086] Similarly, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, severe deformation (twisting) occurs in part C of the second bearing section 142, and severe deformation (twisting) occurs in part D of the third bearing section 143. On the other hand, deformation (twisting) is mitigated in each of the enlarged parts of C and D.

[0087] Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0088] [Reference Marker Explanation]

[0089] 100: Electrode manufacturing equipment

[0090] 111, 112, 113, 114: Multiple calendering rolls

[0091] 121, 122, 123, 124: Multiple rotation axes

[0092] 131, 132, 133, 134: Multiple shells

[0093] 141, 142, 143, 144: Multiple bearing sections

[0094] 151, 152, 153: Multiple connecting components.

Claims

1. An electrode manufacturing apparatus, comprising: Multiple calendering rolls arranged at predetermined intervals to sequentially roll electrode sheets; as well as Multiple housings that individually support the individual rotating shafts of the multiple calendering rolls. At least one of the plurality of housings has an extension length in the direction of travel of the electrode sheet that is different from the extension length of the other housings.

2. The electrode manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, The extension length of at least one of the plurality of housings is determined by the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the calendering roll supported by the at least one housing.

3. The electrode manufacturing equipment according to claim 2, The extension length of the first housing, which is located at the uppermost end of the electrode sheet in the direction of travel of the plurality of housings, is determined independently of the magnitude of the linear pressure.

4. The electrode manufacturing equipment according to claim 3, The first housing among the plurality of housings has an extension length that is longer than the extension length of any one of the remaining housings.

5. The electrode manufacturing equipment according to claim 3, Among the plurality of housings other than the first housing, when the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the second calendering roll supported by any one of the second housings is greater than the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the third calendering roll supported by another third housing, the extension length of the second housing is less than the extension length of the third housing.

6. The electrode manufacturing equipment according to claim 5, The third housing is located further downstream than the second housing in the direction of travel, and The magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the second calendering roll is greater than the magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the third calendering roll.

7. The electrode manufacturing equipment according to claim 6, The magnitude of the linear pressure caused by the plurality of calendering rolls decreases downstream in the direction of travel.

8. The electrode manufacturing equipment according to claim 5, The trend values ​​of the data regarding the magnitude of each extension length of the plurality of shells and each linear pressure caused by the plurality of calendering rolls are determined, and Based on the trend value, the extension lengths of the plurality of housings are determined such that the extension lengths of the plurality of housings are within a predetermined range.

9. The electrode manufacturing equipment according to claim 8, The extension lengths of the plurality of housings are determined such that the sum of the extension lengths of the plurality of housings is within a predetermined range.

10. The electrode manufacturing equipment according to claim 9, When at least one of the extension lengths of the plurality of housings falls outside the predetermined range based on the trend value, the respective extension lengths of the plurality of housings are determined again.

11. The electrode manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, At least one of the plurality of calender rolls is positioned off-center from a center based on the extension length of the housing supporting the calender roll.

12. The electrode manufacturing equipment according to claim 9, The arrangement of the calendering rolls in the housing is determined based on the diameter of the calendering rolls, the spacing between adjacent calendering rolls, and the extension length of the housing.

13. The electrode manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, It further includes a connecting member between two adjacent housings arranged among the plurality of housings.

14. The electrode manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, The plurality of housings each include a bearing portion formed between the housing and the rotating shaft.

Images