System and method for manufacturing an electrode assembly

Abstract

A system for manufacturing an electrode assembly is provided, wherein the electrode assembly includes a plurality of unit electrode cells stacked on top of each other, each of the plurality of unit electrode cells having a unit electrode tab, and wherein the electrode assembly has a body portion and a tab portion, the tab portion including a plurality of unit electrode tabs protruding from the body portion. The system includes: a welding section configured to weld the plurality of unit electrode tabs by applying a vibrational force; a tab guide for gathering the plurality of unit electrode tabs to supply the gathered unit electrode tabs to the welding section for welding; and a tab retaining block configured to hold and compress the plurality of unit electrode tabs gathered by the tab guide such that the vibrational force applied by the welding section is not transmitted to the body portion of the electrode assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a system and method for manufacturing electrode assemblies.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a system for manufacturing electrode assemblies that prevents the electrode terminals of the electrode assembly from being damaged during the welding process of the electrode terminals.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, according to which the electrode terminals of the electrode assembly are protected from damage due to vibration forces applied during the welding process of the electrode terminals. Background Technology

[0004] Secondary batteries, or rechargeable batteries, are capable of being discharged through use and then restored to their original state through charging. They have recently been widely used as a power source for wireless devices such as personal digital devices, mobile phones, and laptops. Furthermore, secondary batteries have gained attention as a power source for electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and other applications, seen as a solution to air pollution problems caused by conventional gasoline or diesel vehicles using fossil fuels. Due to their significant advantages over other conventional energy sources, the applications of secondary batteries are becoming increasingly widespread, and consumer demand for them is also increasing.

[0005] Among various rechargeable batteries, lithium-ion batteries are particularly widely used as an energy source for various electronic products because they exhibit high energy density, high operating voltage, and excellent storage and lifespan characteristics.

[0006] Rechargeable batteries can also be classified according to the shape of their casing. For example, they can be classified as cylindrical or prismatic batteries, with the electrode assembly housed in a cylindrical or prismatic metal can. Furthermore, in the case of pouch-type batteries, the electrode assembly is housed in a pouch-shaped casing made of aluminum laminate.

[0007] The electrode assembly built into the battery casing serves as a power generation element capable of charging and discharging. The electrode assembly includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator placed between the positive and negative electrodes.

[0008] Electrode assemblies can generally be classified into jelly roll type and stacked type. In the case of a jelly roll type electrode assembly, long sheet-shaped positive and negative electrodes coated with active material are wound along their longitudinal direction with a separator placed between them. On the other hand, in the case of a stacked type electrode assembly, multiple positive and negative electrodes of predetermined size are stacked on top of each other with a separator placed between them.

[0009] At the longitudinal ends of the stacked electrode assembly, multiple unit electrode tabs are provided. These unit electrode tabs are soldered together, and depending on the specifications of the electrode assembly, they can subsequently be attached to electrode leads for electrical connection to external battery terminals. Alternatively, the bundled and soldered unit electrode tabs forming the electrode assembly can be directly connected to the external battery terminals. In any case, defects can occur during the process of forming the electrode tabs by soldering the bundled unit electrode tabs (often referred to as "pre-soldering") for various reasons, including, in particular, damage to the unit electrode tabs.

[0010] Therefore, it would be advantageous to develop a technology that can solve the above-mentioned technical problems by reducing or preventing damage to the electrode contacts during the pre-welding process. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Technical issues

[0012] The object of this invention is to provide a system and method for manufacturing electrode assemblies. This problem is addressed or mitigated at least in part by the subject matter of the independent claims, wherein further examples are included in the dependent claims.

[0013] Technical solution

[0014] One aspect of the invention relates to a system for manufacturing an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly may include a plurality of unit electrode cells stacked on top of each other. Each of the plurality of unit electrode cells may have a unit electrode tab. The electrode assembly may have a body portion and a tab portion. The tab portion may include a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from the body portion. The system includes a welding section configured to weld the plurality of unit electrode tabs by applying a vibrational force. The system may further include a tab guide for gathering the plurality of unit electrode tabs to supply the gathered unit electrode tabs to the welding section for welding. Furthermore, the system may additionally include a tab retaining block configured to hold and compress the plurality of unit electrode tabs gathered by the tab guide, such that the vibrational force applied by the welding section is not transmitted to the body portion of the electrode assembly.

[0015] Therefore, the system can prevent the electrode contacts of the electrode assembly from deforming or being damaged by the vibration force generated by the welding section. Since the multiple unit electrode contacts are fixed by the contact fixing blocks during the welding process, the vibration force applied to one side of the unit electrode contact cannot be transmitted to the other side through the fixing parts. Therefore, deformation or damage to the electrode contacts caused by horizontal vibration force during the welding process can be effectively prevented or reduced.

[0016] Electrode assemblies can be formed by stacking unit electrode cells, each of which can have a laminated structure comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and / or a separator. However, the laminated structure of the unit electrode cells is not limited to this. Unit electrode cells can have different structures. For example, a unit electrode cell can be a type A bimonomer having a laminated structure comprising a positive electrode, a separator, a negative electrode, a separator, and a positive electrode, or a type C bimonomer having a laminated structure comprising a negative electrode, a separator, a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode. A unit electrode cell can be a single cell having a laminated structure comprising a positive electrode, a separator, a negative electrode, and a separator. A unit electrode cell can also be a half-cell having a laminated structure comprising a separator, a negative electrode, and a separator. In the laminated structure, the electrodes and separators are firmly bonded together by heat and pressure applied during or after the stacking process.

[0017] Electrode terminals of an electrode assembly may include a portion of the positive or negative electrode in a single unit electrode. Unit electrode terminals may be formed by a die-cutting process before the electrode sheet is divided into individual electrodes. The die-cutting process is performed on one or both sides of the electrode sheet where no electrode mixture material is coated. During the die-cutting process, a portion of the electrode sheet is selectively removed or cut to produce a (unit) electrode terminal without the coated electrode mixture. The electrode sheet may have a structure in which an electrode mixture layer is coated on one or both sides of a current collector layer. The current collector layer may be a thin metal foil designed to conduct current between the electrochemically active material and the external circuitry of the battery. For example, an aluminum layer may be used for the cathode current collector, while a copper layer may be used for the anode current collector. Additional coatings may be applied to the current collector layer to improve adhesion to the active material, enhance corrosion resistance, or reduce resistance.

[0018] During the welding process, the target portions of the plurality of unit electrode terminals can be placed on the welding section, and high-frequency vibration can be applied to the unit electrode terminals. The vibration energy is converted into heat energy between the unit electrode terminals, thereby welding the unit electrode terminals. The welding section may include a welding head and an anvil to apply high-frequency vibration.

[0019] Before the welding process is performed, the assembly of the plurality of unit electrode tabs can be carried out. During this process, tab guides can be used to apply pressure to the plurality of unit electrode tabs in a predetermined direction and bring them together. As an example, the tab guides can bend the plurality of unit electrode tabs at an angle of 5 to 40 degrees to bring them together and form a tab bundle. The thickness of the tab bundle is typically 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm, although this thickness can vary depending on the type or model of the electrode assembly. In addition to the tab guides, tab fixing blocks can be used to secure the unit electrode tabs. For example, a tab fixing block having an upper tab fixing block and a lower tab fixing block applies sufficient pressure to the tab bundle placed between them, such that the vibrational force generated by the welding portion cannot be transmitted to the body of the electrode assembly—or more precisely, not to the end portions of the electrode tabs that connect to the body of the electrode assembly.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the invention, the terminal block retaining block may include two separate parts configured to change the spacing between them. Preferably, the terminal block retaining block may also be configured to hold and compress the plurality of unit electrode terminals positioned in the spacing between the two parts during operation of the welding portion.

[0021] Therefore, the present invention can apply sufficient pressure to the bundle of terminals placed between them, such that the vibrational force generated by the welding fixture cannot be transmitted to the main body of the electrode assembly—or more precisely, not to the end portions of the electrode terminals that connect to the main body of the electrode assembly. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the terminal fixing block can be positioned between the terminal guide and the welding portion.

[0022] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the terminal guide may include two separate components configured to move relative to each other in order to guide and gather the plurality of unit electrode terminals placed between the two separate components.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the invention, the welding portion may include two separate parts configured to move relative to each other. Optionally, the welding portion may be configured to perform vibration welding by moving relative to the two parts while the assembled unit electrode tabs are placed between the two parts.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the two parts of the welding portion can be a welding head and an anvil, respectively. Preferably, the relative movement between these two parts can be in the horizontal direction.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the system for manufacturing an electrode assembly may further include: a plate on which a main body portion of the electrode assembly is placed; and a pusher configured to press the main body portion of the electrode assembly placed on the plate against the plate in order to hold the electrode assembly during welding operations performed at the welding section.

[0026] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly may include a plurality of unit electrode cells stacked on top of each other. Each of the plurality of unit electrode cells may have a unit electrode tab. The electrode assembly may have a body portion and a tab portion. The tab portion may include a plurality of unit electrode tabs protruding from the body portion. The method includes assembling the plurality of unit electrode tabs using tab guides. The method may further include welding the assembled plurality of unit electrode tabs by vibration welding. According to the invention, during vibration welding, the assembled unit electrode tabs may be held and pressed by tab retaining blocks such that the vibrational force applied to the unit electrode tabs is not transmitted to the body portion of the electrode assembly.

[0027] Therefore, the method can prevent the electrode contacts of the electrode assembly from deforming or being damaged by vibration during welding. Since the plurality of unit electrode contacts are fixed by the contact fixing blocks during the welding process, the vibration force applied to one side of the unit electrode contact cannot be transmitted to the other side through the fixing parts. Therefore, deformation or damage to the electrode contacts caused by horizontal vibration during the welding process can be effectively prevented or reduced.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the terminal block fixing block may include two separate parts. During vibration welding, the unit electrode terminal may preferably be held and pressed by the two parts while positioned in a gap between them.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the terminal guide may include two separate components, and the plurality of unit electrode terminals may be gathered by being placed between the two separate components and guided by the two separate components.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the vibration welding can be performed by relative movement between the two parts while the assembled unit electrode terminals are placed between two separate parts of the welding section.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the invention, during vibration welding, the main body of the electrode assembly can be placed on a plate and held in place by being pressed by a pusher.

[0032] Advantages of the present invention

[0033] When electrode terminals are formed by welding multiple unit electrode terminals according to the present invention, deformation or damage can be prevented or reduced because the vibration force applied to the terminal portion during the welding of the electrode terminal bundle is not transmitted to the main body of the electrode assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0034] To gain a more complete understanding of the invention and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention will be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments specified in the schematic diagrams of the drawings, in which: Figure 1 An apparatus for manufacturing electrode assemblies according to related technologies is illustrated schematically.

[0035] Figure 2 The image shows a photograph of an electrode connector that was damaged during the pre-welding process using manufacturing equipment based on the relevant technology.

[0036] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for manufacturing electrode assemblies according to an embodiment of the present invention before performing a welding process.

[0037] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for manufacturing electrode assemblies according to an embodiment of the present invention during the welding process. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as having the general meaning or dictionary-based meaning, but should be interpreted in the broadest possible way as having the meaning and concept consistent with the technical concept of the invention.

[0039] In this disclosure, it should be understood that the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” etc., indicate the presence of the stated features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0040] Furthermore, when a portion such as a layer, membrane, region, or plate is referred to as being "on" another portion, this includes not only the case where the portion is "directly" on the other portion, but also the case where another portion is placed between the two. Conversely, when a portion such as a layer, membrane, region, or plate is referred to as being "below" another portion, this includes not only the case where the portion is "directly" below the other portion, but also the case where another portion is placed between the two. Additionally, in this disclosure, being "set on" can include both being set at a lower position and at an upper position.

[0041] Terms such as “first” and “second” may be used to describe various components, but components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the invention, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may be referred to as a first component. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, singular expressions include plural expressions.

[0042] Furthermore, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the accompanying drawings to refer to parts that perform similar functions or operations. In this disclosure, where a part is referred to as being connected to another part, that part can be directly connected to the other part, and also indirectly connected to the other part via yet another part. Moreover, including an element does not mean excluding other elements, but rather means that such elements may be included, unless otherwise specified.

[0043] In the following, a system and method for manufacturing electrode assemblies according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] The electrode sheet can have a structure in which an electrode mixture layer is coated on one or both sides of the current collector layer.

[0045] The electrode mixture layer can be a slurry containing active materials, a binder, and a solvent, wherein the binder helps to hold the active material particles together and adhere them to the current collector layer. Active materials are components that undergo electrochemical reactions during charge and discharge cycles in a secondary battery to store and release energy. For example, one or more of lithium cobalt oxide, lithium manganese oxide, lithium iron phosphate, lithium nickel manganese oxide, and lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide can be used as the positive electrode active material. For example, one or more of graphite, lithium titanate, and silicon-based materials can be used as the negative electrode active material.

[0046] The current collector layer can be a thin metal foil designed to conduct current between the electrochemically active material and the external circuitry of the battery. For example, an aluminum layer can be used for the cathode current collector, while a copper layer can be used for the anode current collector. Additional coatings can be applied to the current collector layer to improve adhesion to the active material, enhance corrosion resistance, or reduce resistance.

[0047] An electrode mixture layer can be coated onto a current collector layer to achieve a desired thickness in a desired area. The coated portion can be positioned along the width of the electrode sheet in the middle, while uncoated portions can be positioned, for example, on either side of the coated portion. Various methods can be used for this coating process. For example, the slurry can be uniformly spread onto the surface of the current collector layer using a doctor blade. The slurry can be extruded onto the moving current collector layer using a narrow-slit die. The current collector can be immersed in the slurry and then extracted at a controlled speed. Alternatively, the slurry can be atomized and sprayed onto the current collector.

[0048] After the electrode mixture layer is coated onto the current collector layer, a process is performed to increase the density of the coated electrode mixture layer, commonly referred to as a drying and extrusion process. This process reduces the thickness of the electrode sheet to achieve the desired density, which enhances both the energy density and mechanical integrity of the electrode sheet. For example, a heavy roller with a heater can be used to extrude the electrode sheet. During this process, pressure is applied to the electrode sheet by the heavy roller.

[0049] A process called die-cutting can be performed on the uncoated areas of the electrode sheet to form electrode tabs. During the die-cutting process, a portion of the electrode sheet is selectively removed or cut to produce electrode tabs free of the coated electrode mixture. This process can be accomplished using precision tools such as lasers or mechanical molds. The electrode tabs are designed to leave specific areas of the current collector layer for attaching electrode leads. The electrode leads can be metal strips that will be used to connect the electrode tabs to external battery terminals. The electrode tabs can be formed into specific patterns, such as rectangular, U-shaped, or V-shaped cuts, to optimize electrode lead attachment and ensure a good electrical connection.

[0050] Figure 1 An exemplary apparatus for manufacturing electrode assemblies according to related technologies is illustrated schematically, particularly in the process of forming electrode tabs.

[0051] refer to Figure 1 The electrode assembly 10 includes multiple unit electrode cells, each of which has a unit electrode tab at one end. The individual unit electrode tabs are brought together and welded to each other. The resulting welded electrode tabs 20 will be connected to electrode leads in a subsequent process. When the electrode assembly 10 is housed in a sealed state within a battery casing, it can be electrically connected to the outside via electrode leads.

[0052] To form the electrode tabs 20, the unit electrode tabs are brought together and subjected to a welding process using a welding head 310 and an anvil 320 (commonly referred to as "pre-welding"). If the pre-welding process is not performed properly, foreign matter may be introduced into the sides of the electrode assembly 10, thereby degrading the quality of the electrode assembly. To prevent this, the pre-welding process employs tab guides 200, which include an upper tab guide 210 and a lower tab guide 220, such as... Figure 1As shown. Two rod-shaped lead guides 210 and 220 are positioned above and below the plurality of unit electrode leads, respectively, to form an electrode lead bundle by compressing and aggregating the unit electrode leads. Once the plurality of unit electrode leads are brought together, the resulting bundle is welded by a welding fixture 300. Specifically, the welding target portion A of the plurality of unit electrode leads is placed on an anvil 320, and a welding head 310 is placed on top of the welding target portion A. The welding head 310 and anvil 320 then apply high-frequency vibrations, such as vibrations generated by ultrasound with a frequency of approximately 20 kHz. The vibrational energy is converted into heat energy between the unit electrode leads, thereby welding the electrode lead bundle.

[0053] When the vibrational force generated by the welding head 310 and the anvil 320 is applied in the horizontal direction, the electrode terminal bundle—especially its inner layer—may deform and be damaged, for example, due to the interaction of different frictional forces applied between the layers. Figure 2 An example of an electrode tab damaged during the pre-soldering process is shown.

[0054] Figure 3 A system for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated, having a stacked electrode assembly prior to extrusion by the system used to manufacture the electrode assembly. Meanwhile, Figure 4 The same system is also schematically shown, but with an electrode assembly that has been compressed. In both figures, the electrode assembly 100 has a structure in which a positive electrode, a diaphragm, and a negative electrode are stacked in sequence. The diaphragm is located between the positive and negative electrodes to electrically isolate them from each other.

[0055] The manufacturing system of this embodiment specifically includes elements configured to form electrode tabs of the electrode assembly 100. The manufacturing system includes, for example, tab guides 200 (upper tab guide 210 and lower tab guide 220) configured to bring together a plurality of unit electrode tabs 110 to form a tab bundle 120; a welding fixture 300 configured to weld the tab bundle 120; and an electrode tab arrangement portion 400 disposed between the main body of the electrode assembly 100 and the tab guides 200. The electrode tab arrangement portion 400 is configured to maintain the distance between the individual unit electrode tabs of the plurality of unit electrode tabs 110.

[0056] Electrode assembly 100 typically includes a body portion and electrode tab portions protruding from the body portion (i.e., Figure 3 Multiple unit electrode terminals 110 and Figure 4(e.g., the terminal bundle 120). For example, the electrode assembly 100 can be stacked, comprising multiple electrode units stacked on top of each other. Each electrode unit of this stacked electrode assembly can be configured such that a rectangular positive electrode and a rectangular negative electrode are stacked sequentially with a separator placed between them. The electrode assembly 100 can also be stacked and folded, in which the unit units are wound using a long separator. The electrode assembly 100 can also be laminated and stacked, in which the unit units are first stacked with a separator placed therebetween, and then attached to each other.

[0057] The unit electrode terminal 110 can be made of a material exhibiting high conductivity, such as aluminum, copper, or carbon nanotubes. In any case, any material suitable for the unit electrode terminal 110 can generally be used, not limited to those illustrated.

[0058] Before being soldered, multiple unit electrode tabs 110 are pressed and brought together in a predetermined direction using a tab guide 200. As an example, the tab guide 200 can bend the multiple unit electrode tabs 110 at an angle of 5 to 40 degrees to bring them together and form a tab bundle 120. The thickness w of the tab bundle 120 can typically be from 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm, although this thickness can vary depending on the type or model of the electrode assembly 100.

[0059] The terminal bundle 120 can be connected to the electrode leads by soldering or directly to an external device. Only one surface of the terminal bundle 120 can be connected to the electrode leads, or both opposite surfaces of the terminal bundle 120 can be connected to the electrode leads respectively. Solder tape can be adhered to the terminal bundle 120, facilitating the connection of the electrode terminals to the electrode leads or external devices.

[0060] Once the terminal bundle 120 is formed by the terminal guide 200, the terminal bundle 120 undergoes a welding process (or is often referred to as pre-welding) using a welding fixture 300 to facilitate the connection of the electrode terminals to electrode leads or external devices.

[0061] As an example, when using ultrasound to perform a pre-welding process, high-frequency (e.g., about 20 kHz) vibrations generated by ultrasound can be applied while the terminal bundle 120 is placed between the welding head 310 and the anvil 320. During this process, vibrational energy is converted into heat energy through friction; thus, rapid welding of the terminal bundle 120 can be performed.

[0062] However, when the vibrational force generated by the welding head 310 and the anvil 320 is applied to the terminal bundle 120 in the horizontal direction, the terminal bundle (especially its inner layer) may deform and be damaged, for example, due to the interaction of the frictional forces applied between the electrode terminal layers.

[0063] To avoid or minimize this negative impact, during the pre-welding process, such as Figure 4 As shown, the connector bundle 120 is secured by connector fixing blocks 500. Connector fixing blocks 500 include an upper connector fixing block 510 and a lower connector fixing block 520. When viewed in the horizontal direction, connector fixing blocks 500 are positioned between the welding fixture 300 and the connector guide 200.

[0064] The two terminal block fixing blocks 510 and 520 apply sufficient pressure from above and below to the terminal block bundle 120 placed between them, so that the vibration force generated by the welding jig 300 cannot be transmitted to the main body of the electrode assembly 100—or more precisely, not to the end portion of the electrode terminal block that connects to the main body of the electrode assembly 100.

[0065] Because the terminal block bundle 120 is fixed by the terminal block fixing block 500 during the pre-welding process, the vibration force applied to one side of the terminal block bundle 120 (i.e., the welding target portion) cannot be transmitted to the other side (i.e., the end portion of the electrode terminal block that connects to the main body portion of the electrode assembly 100) through the fixing portion of the terminal block bundle 120. Therefore, deformation or damage to the electrode terminal block caused by horizontal vibration force during pre-welding can be effectively prevented or reduced.

[0066] Although specific embodiments have been shown and described herein, those skilled in the art will understand that various alternatives and / or equivalent implementations exist. It should be understood that the exemplary embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or construction in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient roadmap for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, and it should be understood that various changes can be made to the function and arrangement of the elements described in the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope set forth in the appended claims. Essentially, this application is intended to cover any modifications or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein.

[0067] (List of reference numerals in the attached image)

[0068] 10 Electrode Assembly

[0069] 20 electrode connectors

[0070] 100 Electrode Assembly

[0071] 110 unit electrode connector

[0072] 120 connector bundle

[0073] 200 connector guide

[0074] 210 Upper connector guide

[0075] 220 Lower connector guide

[0076] 300 Welding Fixture

[0077] 310 welding head

[0078] 320 Anvil

[0079] 400 Electrode Connector Arrangement Section

[0080] 500 connector fixing block

[0081] 510 Upper connector fixing block

[0082] 520 Lower connector fixing block

Claims

1. A system for manufacturing electrode assemblies, wherein, The electrode assembly includes a plurality of stacked unit electrode cells, each of which has a unit electrode tab, and wherein the electrode assembly has a body portion and a tab portion, the tab portion including a plurality of unit electrode tabs protruding from the body portion, the system comprising: A welding section, the welding section being configured to weld the plurality of unit electrode terminals by applying a vibrational force; A lead guide for aggregating the plurality of unit electrode leads to supply the aggregated unit electrode leads to the welding section for welding; and A tab retainer block is configured to hold and compress the plurality of unit electrode tabs gathered by the tab guide, such that the vibration force applied by the welding portion is not transmitted to the main body portion of the electrode assembly.

2. The system according to claim 1, in, The connector retaining block comprises two separate parts, which are configured to change the spacing between them. The terminal block is configured to hold and press the plurality of unit electrode terminals positioned in the gap between the two parts during operation of the welding section.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The connector fixing block is positioned between the connector guide and the welding part.

4. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The tab guide includes two separate components configured to move relative to each other in order to guide and gather the plurality of unit electrode tabs placed between the two separate components.

5. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The welded portion comprises two separate parts configured to move relative to each other, and The welding section is configured such that vibration welding is performed by relative movement between the two parts while the assembled unit electrode terminals are placed between the two parts.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein, The two parts of the welding section are the welding head and the anvil, and the relative movement between the two parts is in the horizontal direction.

7. The system according to any one of the preceding claims further comprises: A plate, wherein the main body portion of the electrode assembly is placed on the plate; as well as A pusher configured to press the main body portion of the electrode assembly placed on the plate against the plate in order to hold the electrode assembly during welding operations performed at the welding section.

8. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, wherein, The electrode assembly includes a plurality of stacked unit electrode cells, each of which has a unit electrode tab, and wherein the electrode assembly has a body portion and a tab portion, the tab portion including a plurality of unit electrode tabs protruding from the body portion, the method comprising: The plurality of unit electrode terminals are assembled using a terminal guide; and Multiple unit electrode terminals are welded together using vibration welding. During vibration welding, the assembled unit electrode terminals are held and pressed by the terminal fixing block, so that the vibration force applied to the unit electrode terminals is not transmitted to the main body of the electrode assembly.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The terminal block fixing block comprises two separate parts, and during the vibration welding, the unit electrode terminal is held and pressed by the two parts while positioned in the gap between the two separate parts.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, The terminal guide includes two separate components, and the plurality of unit electrode terminals are gathered by being placed between the two separate components and guided by the two separate components.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein, The vibration welding is performed by relative movement between the two parts, with the assembled unit electrode terminals placed between two separate parts of the welding section.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein, During the vibration welding, the main body portion of the electrode assembly is placed on a plate and held in place by being pressed by a pusher.

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