Device for manufacturing secondary battery

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery, and more particularly, to an apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery that forms an electrode lead of a secondary battery. The present disclosure provides an apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery, including: a main body; and at least one bending jig that is connected to the main body and forms an electrode lead by pressing the electrode lead of the secondary battery, in which the bending jig includes: a coupling portion coupled to the main body; and a bent portion provided on one side of the coupling portion and having at least one inclined surface.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0047095, filed on April 15, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a manufacturing apparatus for secondary batteries, and more particularly, to a manufacturing apparatus for secondary batteries that forms electrode leads of secondary batteries. Background Art

[0004] Recently, secondary batteries are widely used not only in small devices such as portable electronic devices but also in medium to large devices such as vehicles and energy storage systems. When secondary batteries are used in these medium to large devices, secondary battery modules in which a plurality of secondary batteries are electrically connected to each other are generally used to increase capacity and output.

[0005] Generally, the electrical connection between secondary batteries in a secondary battery module is provided in such a way that a plurality of electrode leads are welded to a bus bar made of a conductive material. More specifically, referring to Figure 1 (a) thereof, the electrical connection between the secondary batteries 10 is provided in such a way that one end of an electrode lead 12 protruding from a battery case 11 into which an electrode assembly (not shown) is inserted is bent, the end portion is placed on the bus bar 20 by using a bending jig 30, and then a laser is emitted to an overlapping portion of the electrode lead 12 and the bus bar 20 to perform overlapping welding, thereby fixing the electrode lead 12 to the bus bar 20.

[0006] However, since the electrode lead 12 generally has a thin and flat shape and is made of a material such as copper or aluminum, there is a problem that the end portion of the electrode lead 112 is often bent during the transportation of the secondary battery 10, as Figure 1 (b) thereof shows.

[0007] In this case, as Figure 1 (c) thereof shows, the bending jig 30 and the electrode lead 12 interfere with each other, resulting in problems such as damage to the electrode lead 12 or the electrode lead 12 not being bent sufficiently toward the bus bar 20. These problems cause welding defects, which reduce the product quality and increase the manufacturing cost.

[0008] Therefore, technological development is needed to solve the above problems. Summary of the Utility Model

[0009] Technical Problem

[0010] The present disclosure aims to solve the above problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery that can easily bend an electrode lead even when the electrode lead has already been bent.

[0011] Technical solution

[0012] The present disclosure provides a manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery, the apparatus including: a main body; and at least one bending jig connected to the main body and pressing an electrode lead of the secondary battery to form it, wherein the bending jig includes: a coupling part coupled to the main body; and a bending part provided on one side of the coupling part and having at least one inclined surface.

[0013] In the bending part, at least one inclined surface may be provided to slope downward as it moves away from the coupling part.

[0014] The bending part may include: a pair of inclined surfaces, each of the pair of inclined surfaces being provided to slope downward as it moves away from the coupling part; and a pressing surface provided between the pair of inclined surfaces and pressing the electrode lead.

[0015] The inclined surface may be provided to slope downward as it moves away from the pressing surface.

[0016] The inclined surface may be provided at a corner of a surface facing the electrode lead.

[0017] The width of the inclined surface may gradually decrease as it approaches the coupling part.

[0018] The width of the pressing surface may gradually increase as it approaches the coupling part.

[0019] The maximum length of the inclined surface may be less than or equal to 4 / 5 of the length of the bending part.

[0020] The maximum width of the inclined surface may be less than or equal to 1 / 2 of the width of the bending part.

[0021] The inclined surface may have an inclination angle of 4 degrees to 5 degrees.

[0022] In the bending part, one side surface and another side surface opposite to the one side surface may be inclined.

[0023] The bending jig may further include a connecting part that connects the coupling part and the bending part to each other between the coupling part and the bending part.

[0024] The connecting part may be bent and connected to each of the coupling part and the bending part.

[0025] The coupling part, the connecting part, and the bending part may be formed integrally.

[0026] The bending jigs can be provided as a pair facing each other on one side of the main body.

[0027] Advantageous Effects

[0028] According to the present disclosure, at least one surface of the bending jig can be inclined such that even when the electrode lead has been bent, it is easy to bend the electrode lead. Accordingly, the present disclosure has the effect of being able to reduce the defect rate of the secondary battery to reduce the processing cost caused by processing defects and increase the yield of the secondary battery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 (a) of is a conceptual diagram showing a state of bending an electrode lead using a pressing jig according to the related art.

[0030] Figure 1 (b) of is a conceptual diagram showing a state of the pressing jig according to the related art moving toward the bent electrode lead.

[0031] Figure 1 (c) of is a conceptual diagram showing a state of interference between the pressing jig and the bent electrode lead according to the related art.

[0032] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a plan view of the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus in.

[0034] Figure 4 is a more specific illustration of Figure 2 the bending jig in the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus in.

[0035] Figure 5 is a more specific illustration of Figure 2 the bending jig in the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus in.

[0036] Figure 6 is a more specific illustration of Figure 2 the bending jig in the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus in.

[0037] Figure 7 is Figure 2 a front view of the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus in. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings so that those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can easily implement the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as being limited by the embodiments set forth herein.

[0039] To clearly describe the present disclosure, descriptions of parts irrelevant to the description or related well-known technologies that may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure will be excluded. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals denote the same elements.

[0040] Furthermore, the terms or words used in the specification and claims should not be construed restrictively as ordinary meanings or dictionary-based meanings, but should be construed, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms, as meanings and concepts that conform to the scope of the present disclosure, so as to describe and explain his or her invention in the best way.

[0041] Manufacturing Apparatus for Secondary Battery

[0042] The present disclosure provides a manufacturing apparatus 100 for a secondary battery 10. The apparatus 100 includes a main body 110 and at least one bending jig 120 that is connected to the main body 110 and presses an electrode lead 12 of the secondary battery 10 to form it. The bending jig 120 includes a coupling portion 121 coupled to the main body 110 and a bending portion 122 provided on one side of the coupling portion 121 and having at least one inclined surface.

[0043] Here, as Figure 2 shown, the main body 110 is a component that supports the bending jig 120 and can have various configurations. For example, the main body 110 may include a driving device such as an actuator, so that the bending jig 120 can move relative to the electrode lead 12.

[0044] The bending jig 120 is a component that is connected to the main body 110 and presses the electrode lead 12 of the secondary battery 10 to form it, and can have various configurations.

[0045] Specifically, as Figure 3 shown, the bending jig 120 can be arranged to be movable relative to the electrode lead 12 to press the electrode lead 12 of the secondary battery 10 to form it. Here, the bending jig 120 can be arranged to be movable away from the main body 110 and can be arranged to move integrally with the main body 110.

[0046] More specifically, the bending jig 120 can move in a direction parallel to the X direction in Figure 3 to approach the electrode lead 12 protruding from the battery case 11, and move in a direction parallel to the Y direction in Figure 3 to press and bend the electrode lead 12.

[0047] The bending jig 120 may be provided as one or more on one side of the main body 110. For example, the bending jig 120 may be provided as a pair facing each other on one side of the main body 110. In this case, the electrode lead 12 may be inserted between the bending jigs 120 facing each other.

[0048] Meanwhile, the structure of the bending jig 120 is specifically described as follows.

[0049] As Figure 4 shown, the bending jig 120 according to the present disclosure may include a coupling part 121 coupled to the main body 110 and a bending part 122 provided on one side of the coupling part 121 and having at least one inclined surface.

[0050] Here, the coupling part 121 is a component coupled to the main body 110, and may be coupled to the main body 110 in various ways. For example, the coupling part 121 may be coupled to the main body 110 by bolt coupling or the like.

[0051] Meanwhile, the bending part 122 may be provided on one side of the coupling part 121 and have at least one inclined surface. More specifically, in the bending part 122, at least a part of the surface facing the electrode lead 12 may be provided to slope downward as it moves away from the coupling part 121.

[0052] Therefore, even though the electrode lead 12 has been bent when the bending jig 120 approaches the electrode lead 12, the bending part 122 can also guide the movement of the electrode lead 12 so that the end of the electrode lead 12 is placed on the inclined surface of the bending part 122 and then slowly moves in the inclined direction.

[0053] Therefore, the bending part 122 can prevent damage to the electrode lead 12 and can be bent to form the bent electrode lead 12 into the same shape as the electrode lead 12 having a non-bent flat shape.

[0054] The bending part 122 may have various structures.

[0055] For example, considering that the cross-section of the electrode lead 12 is deformed into a "U" shape as the corner of the end of the electrode lead 12 is bent, the bending part 122 may include a pair of inclined surfaces 122a each provided to slope downward as it moves away from the coupling part 121 and a pressing surface 122b provided between the pair of inclined surfaces 122a and pressing the electrode lead 12. In this case, the inclined surfaces 122a and the pressing surface 122b may be provided on the surface of the bending part 122 facing the electrode lead 12.

[0056] More specifically, the inclined surfaces 122a may be provided at the corners of the surface facing the electrode lead 12. The inclined surfaces 122a may be provided to slope downward as they move away from the pressing surface 122b.

[0057] The pressing surface 122b can be disposed at the center of the surface facing the electrode lead 12 between a pair of inclined surfaces 122a. Regardless of the distance between the pressing surface 122b and the joint portion 121, the pressing surface 122b can also have a uniform height to uniformly press one surface of the electrode lead 112 which generally has a flat shape. Therefore, the pressing surface 122b can be disposed parallel to one surface of the electrode lead 12.

[0058] Even when the end of the electrode lead 12 is bent, the bending jig 120 having this structure can cause the electrode lead 12 to first contact the inclined surface 122a, and slowly move along the inclined surface 122a as the bending jig 120 moves, and the electrode lead 12 can reach the pressing surface 122b to be pressed. Therefore, the electrode lead 12 can be formed into a bent shape without being damaged.

[0059] Meanwhile, as Figure 4 shown, in the inclined surface 122a and the pressing surface 122b described above, the width of the inclined surface 122a can gradually decrease as it approaches the joint portion 121, and the width of the pressing surface 122b can gradually increase as it approaches the joint portion 121, so that as the bending jig 120 moves, the electrode lead 12 reaches the pressing surface 122b through the inclined surface 122a.

[0060] As Figure 5 shown, the inclined surface 122a can have various inclination angles θ on the bending portion 122. However, there is a problem that when the inclination angle is less than 4 degrees, when the electrode lead 12 is bent, the inclined surface 122a has a poor effect of guiding the electrode lead 12 without being damaged, and when the inclination angle θ is greater than 5 degrees, it is difficult to sufficiently press the electrode lead 12 due to a large area loss of the bending portion 122. Preferably, considering these problems, the inclined surface 122a can have an inclination angle θ of 4 degrees to 5 degrees. For example, the inclined surface can have an inclination angle θ of 4.3 degrees.

[0061] In addition, as Figure 5 shown, the inclined surface 122a can have various lengths on the bending portion 122. However, there is a problem that when the maximum length L2 of the inclined surface 122a is greater than 4 / 5 of the length L1 of the bending portion 122, it is difficult to sufficiently press the electrode lead 12 due to a large area loss of the bending portion 122. Preferably, considering this problem, the maximum length L2 of the inclined surface 122a can be set to be less than or equal to 4 / 5 of the length L1 of the bending portion 122. Here, the length of each of the inclined surface 122a and the bending portion 122 can be understood as the length in the Figure 5 X direction.

[0062] In addition, as Figure 6 shown, the inclined surface 122a may have various widths on the bent portion 122. Preferably, here, when the inclined surfaces 122a are provided in pairs at respective corner portions of the surface of the bent portion 122 facing the electrode lead 12, the maximum width W2 of the inclined surface 122a may be set to be less than or equal to 1 / 2 of the width W1 of the bent portion 122. Here, the width of each of the inclined surface 122a and the bent portion 122 may be understood as the length in the Figure 6 Z direction in

[0063] Meanwhile, the bent portion 122 having the characteristics described above may have a structure in which one side surface and another side surface opposite to the one side surface are inclined. In this case, even if the bent electrode lead 12 is provided to face any one of the one side surface and the another side surface of the bent portion 122, it is possible to easily press and bend the electrode lead 12 by only controlling the moving direction of the bending jig 120.

[0064] For example, the bent portion 122 has one side surface and another side surface, and a pair of the inclined surfaces 122a and the pressing surface 122b described above are provided on the one side surface, and a pair of the inclined surfaces 122a and the pressing surface 122b are also provided on the another side surface. Here, the one side surface and the another side surface may be understood as the surfaces perpendicular to the Figure 7 Y direction in

[0065] In this case, the bent portion 122 may have an octagonal cross section ( Figure 7 the cross section in the Y-Z plane in Figure 7 ) as shown. However, the shape of the cross section of the bent portion 122 is not limited thereto, and depending on the shape and position of the inclined surface 122a, the cross section may also have various shapes such as a hexagon or a rectangle.

[0066] Meanwhile, the bending jig 120 may further include a connecting portion 123 that connects the connecting portion 121 and the bent portion 122 to each other between the connecting portion 121 and the bent portion 122.

[0067] Here, the connecting portion 123 may be bent and connected to each of the connecting portion 121 and the bent portion 122. Specifically, the connecting portion 123 may have one end bent and connected to the connecting portion 121 and the other end bent to be connected to the bent portion 122, thereby connecting the connecting portion 121 and the bent portion 122 to each other. For example, the connecting portion 123 may be vertically connected to each of the connecting portion 121 and the bent portion 122.

[0068] The connecting part 123 described above can be formed integrally with the coupling part 121 and the bending part 122, or can be provided as a separate component and have both ends respectively connected to the coupling part 121 and the bending part 122.

[0069] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the restrictive embodiments and the drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and within the spirit of the present disclosure and the equivalents of the appended claims, those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can implement it in different ways.

[0070] [Description of Reference Numerals]

[0071] 10: Secondary battery

[0072] 11: Battery case

[0073] 12: Electrode lead

[0074] 100: Manufacturing apparatus for secondary battery

[0075] 110: Main body

[0076] 120: Bending jig

[0077] 121: Coupling part

[0078] 122: Bending part

[0079] 122a: Tilt part

[0080] 122b: Pressing part

[0081] 123: Connecting part

[0082] L1: Length of bending part

[0083] L2: Maximum length of inclined surface

[0084] W1: Width of bending part

[0085] W2: Maximum width of inclined surface

[0086] θ: Tilt angle

Claims

1. A manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery, characterized in that, The device includes: a main body; and at least one bending jig, the at least one bending jig being connected to the main body and configured to press an electrode lead of the secondary battery to form it, wherein the bending jig includes: a coupling part that is coupled to the main body; and a bending part that is provided on one side of the coupling part and has at least one inclined surface.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the bending part, the at least one inclined surface is arranged to slope downward as it moves away from the coupling part.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bending part includes: a pair of inclined surfaces, each of the pair of inclined surfaces being arranged to slope downward as it moves away from the coupling part; and a pressing surface that is provided between the pair of inclined surfaces and is configured to press the electrode lead.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inclined surface is arranged to slope downward as it moves away from the pressing surface.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inclined surface is provided at a corner of a surface facing the electrode lead.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The width of the inclined surface gradually decreases as it approaches the coupling part.

7. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The width of the pressing surface gradually increases as it approaches the coupling part.

8. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The maximum length of the inclined surface is less than or equal to 4 / 5 of the length of the bending part.

9. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The maximum width of the inclined surface is less than or equal to 1 / 2 of the width of the bending part.

10. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inclined surface has an inclination angle of 4 degrees to 5 degrees.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the bending part, one side surface and another side surface opposite to the one side surface are inclined.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bending jig further includes a connecting part configured to connect the coupling part and the bending part to each other between the coupling part and the bending part.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that, The connecting part is bent and connected to each of the coupling part and the bending part.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that, The coupling part, the connecting part, and the bending part are formed integrally.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bending jigs are provided in a pair facing each other on one side of the main body.

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