Electrode supply device and electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus using the same

Abstract

The utility model provides an electrode supply device and electrode assembly manufacturing equipment using the same. The electrode supply device may include: an electrode cartridge unit in which a plurality of electrodes are stacked; an electrode pickup unit configured to pick up a first electrode of the plurality of electrodes; and an electromagnetic inductor configured to be capable of inducing an electric field or a magnetic field, in which one electrode of the plurality of electrodes is separated from the first electrode by the electric field or the magnetic field induced by the electromagnetic inductor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0184446, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 26, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This utility model relates to an electrode supply device and an electrode assembly manufacturing equipment using the electrode supply device. Background Technology

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries are rechargeable and can be manufactured in small sizes with large capacities. Therefore, extensive research and development is currently underway regarding secondary batteries. With technological advancements and increasing demands for mobile devices, the need for secondary batteries as an energy source is growing rapidly.

[0004] Secondary batteries are classified into coin-shaped batteries, cylindrical batteries, prismatic batteries, and pouch batteries based on the shape of their casings. In a secondary battery, the electrode assembly installed within the casing is a rechargeable and dischargeable power generation device with a structure that stacks electrodes and a separator.

[0005] Electrode assemblies can be broadly classified into: jelly roll type electrode assemblies in which a separator is placed between each of the positive and negative electrodes, which are each in the form of a sheet coated with active material, and then the positive electrode, separator, and negative electrode are wound together; stacked type electrode assemblies in which multiple positive and negative electrodes are sequentially stacked with a separator between them; and stacked and folded type electrode assemblies in which a stacked cell is wound with a separator having a relatively long length.

[0006] Electrode assemblies are manufactured primarily by receiving individual electrodes from a housing containing multiple stacked monolithic electrodes. A problem arises in the manufactured electrode assemblies because the electrodes to be supplied are not properly separated from the multiple monolithic electrodes stacked in the housing during the manufacturing process.

[0007] Therefore, a technique is needed to properly separate the electrodes to be supplied from multiple electrodes stacked in a housing. Utility Model Content

[0008] Technical issues

[0009] This invention provides an electrode supply device and an electrode assembly manufacturing equipment using the electrode supply device.

[0010] Technical solution

[0011] An exemplary embodiment of this utility model provides an electrode supply device, comprising: an electrode housing unit in which a plurality of electrodes are stacked; an electrode pickup unit configured to pick up a first electrode among the plurality of electrodes; and an electromagnetic sensor configured to sense an electric field or a magnetic field, wherein one of the plurality of electrodes is separated from the first electrode by an electric field or magnetic field sensed by the electromagnetic sensor.

[0012] An exemplary embodiment of this utility model provides an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly including a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a separator disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus includes: a negative electrode supply unit configured to supply the negative electrode to a stacking platform side; a positive electrode supply unit configured to supply the positive electrode to the stacking platform side; a separator supply unit configured to supply the separator to the stacking platform side; on the stacking platform side, a stack body on which the negative electrode, the separator, and the positive electrode are stacked such that the negative electrode and the positive electrode are alternately disposed between folds of the separator; and a pressing unit configured to heat and press the stack body to adhere the negative electrode, the separator, and the positive electrode therebetween, thereby manufacturing the electrode assembly, wherein at least one of the negative electrode supply unit and the positive electrode supply unit includes the aforementioned electrode supply apparatus.

[0013] Beneficial effects

[0014] The electrode supply device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can prevent the problem of multiple electrode separation caused by contact between electrode surfaces or contact between electrode surfaces and diaphragms.

[0015] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can prevent the problem of multiple electrodes separating. Therefore, when manufacturing electrode assemblies using the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus, productivity can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a view illustrating the electrode separation process in an electrode supply apparatus and electrode supply method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic plan view of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a front view illustrating the concept of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a typical electrode assembly.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a conceptual view illustrating a pressing process in an electrode assembly manufacturing method or electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Explanation of reference marks and symbols

[0022] 1: Battery stacking unit

[0023] 2: The top electrode in the stacked electrode assembly

[0024] 3: The electrode in contact with the topmost electrode

[0025] 4: Multiple other electrodes

[0026] 7: Electrode housing unit

[0027] 10: Electrode assembly

[0028] 11: Negative electrode

[0029] 12: Positive electrode

[0030] 14: Diaphragm

[0031] 100: Electrode assembly manufacturing equipment

[0032] 110: Stacking Platform

[0033] 120: Diaphragm Supply Unit

[0034] 121: Diaphragm heating unit

[0035] 122: Diaphragm roller

[0036] 130: Negative electrode supply unit

[0037] 131: Negative electrode placement platform

[0038] 133: Negative electrode roller

[0039] 134: First Cutter

[0040] 135: First Conveyor Belt

[0041] 136: Negative electrode supply head

[0042] 140: Positive electrode supply unit

[0043] 141: Positive electrode placement platform

[0044] 143: Positive roller

[0045] 144: Second cutter

[0046] 145: Second Conveyor Belt

[0047] 146: Positive electrode supply head

[0048] 150: Negative electrode stacking unit

[0049] 151: First Adsorption Head

[0050] 153: First moving unit

[0051] 160: Positive electrode stacking unit

[0052] 161: Second Adsorption Head

[0053] 163: Second moving unit

[0054] 170: Clamping mechanism

[0055] 171: First clamping mechanism

[0056] 172: Second clamping mechanism

[0057] 180: Pressing unit

[0058] 181: First pressing block

[0059] 182: Second pressing block

[0060] 183, 184: Press heater

[0061] S: Stacked body

[0062] A: Electromagnetic sensor

[0063] B: Blower Detailed Implementation

[0064] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below, enabling those skilled in the art to readily implement the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the configurations described herein.

[0065] When a part of this specification "comprises", "includes" or "has" a constituent element, unless otherwise specifically stated, this does not mean that another constituent element is excluded, but rather that another constituent element may be further included.

[0066] In this specification, "p to q" means a range of "p or greater and q or less".

[0067] In describing this utility model, detailed descriptions of related known technologies that may unnecessarily obscure the essential points of this utility model will be omitted.

[0068] In this specification, "electrode" refers to an electrode and / or a semi-finished electrode. Furthermore, a semi-finished electrode refers to all semi-assembled products related to electrodes, such as coated electrodes, rolled electrodes, and slit electrodes manufactured in processes for manufacturing electrode assemblies and secondary batteries including electrode assemblies. That is, in this specification, electrodes or semi-finished electrodes may be stacked in an electrode housing unit.

[0069] In this specification, "the nth electrode" is used to distinguish electrodes with the same term and does not imply any particular order.

[0070] In this specification, "electromagnetic inductor" refers to a device capable of inducing an electric or magnetic field in electrodes. Examples of electromagnetic inductors include magnets, and in this case, "magnet" includes both permanent magnets and electromagnets. An electromagnet includes an electromagnet whose magnetic flux density changes with the applied power. That is, an electromagnet can change its magnetic flux density according to the applied power.

[0071] In this specification, the “electrode housing unit” performs the function of stacking electrodes in a certain space, just like bullets in a magazine.

[0072] Electrode supply device

[0073] An electrode supply device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has the feature of separating a first electrode corresponding to the uppermost electrode among a plurality of electrodes stacked inside an electrode housing unit by using an electromagnetic sensor capable of sensing an electric or magnetic field. In this way, only the uppermost electrode among the plurality of electrodes stacked in the electrode housing unit can be separated, thereby preventing problems of multiple electrode separation caused by contact between electrode surfaces or between an electrode surface and a diaphragm.

[0074] In an exemplary embodiment of this utility model, the electrode pickup unit can transfer the first electrode to the stacking stage.

[0075] In an exemplary embodiment of this utility model, one of the multiple electrodes may be a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode.

[0076] In an exemplary embodiment of this invention, the electrode pickup unit may include an adsorption unit for adsorbing a first electrode. The electrode pickup unit can fix the first electrode by applying a predetermined adsorption force to the first electrode through the adsorption unit.

[0077] In an exemplary embodiment of this invention, a repulsive force can be generated between one of the multiple electrodes and the first electrode using an electromagnetic inductor. The repulsive force can be generated by an electric or magnetic field induced in one of the multiple electrodes by the electromagnetic inductor.

[0078] In an exemplary embodiment of this invention, the adsorption force can be greater than the repulsion force. This allows only the first electrode in the electrode housing unit to be separated, thereby preventing the problem of multiple electrode separation caused by contact between electrode surfaces or between the electrode surface and the diaphragm.

[0079] Therefore, productivity can be improved when manufacturing electrode assemblies using the electrode supply device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] An electrode supply device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include an electrode housing unit in which electrodes are stacked. The electrode housing unit performs the function of stacking electrodes.

[0081] An electrode supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an electrode pickup unit, which includes an adsorption unit for fixing the uppermost electrode by applying a certain amount of adsorption force to the uppermost electrode among the electrodes stacked inside the electrode housing unit, and a transfer unit for picking up the uppermost electrode fixed by the adsorption unit and transferring it to the stacking platform side. That is, the electrode pickup unit may include an adsorption unit and a transfer unit.

[0082] In an exemplary embodiment of this invention, the electromagnetic sensor can be a magnet capable of sensing a magnetic field through changes in magnetic flux density. The magnet can generate a repulsive force between a first electrode and one of a plurality of electrodes stacked within the electrode housing unit. An electrode supply device according to an exemplary embodiment of this invention may include at least one electromagnetic sensor. That is, multiple electromagnetic sensors may be provided.

[0083] In an exemplary embodiment of this invention, the electrode housing unit can be located inside the electric or magnetic field of the electromagnetic sensor. That is, a repulsive force can only be generated between the first electrode and one of the plurality of electrodes when the electrode housing unit is located inside the electric or magnetic field of the electromagnetic sensor.

[0084] In an exemplary embodiment of this invention, an electrode placement stage may be further included, on which the electrodes delivered by the electrode supply device unit are placed and aligned. The electrodes placed on the electrode placement stage can be stacked on a stacking stage by an electrode stacking unit, as will be described below.

[0085] The electrode supply device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include: a temperature sensor unit for measuring the surface temperature of the first electrode; and a control unit for controlling the sensing of the electric or magnetic field of the electromagnetic sensor so that the surface temperature meets the managed temperature range. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the managed temperature range may be 30°C to 140°C, preferably 30°C to 120°C, and more preferably 30°C to 100°C. When the sensing of the electric or magnetic field by the electromagnetic sensor is controlled to ensure that the surface temperature of the first electrode meets the managed temperature range, a repulsive force can be generated without damaging the electrode itself, making the electrode easier to separate.

[0086] In an exemplary embodiment of this invention, a magnet can sense a magnetic field through vibration.

[0087] In this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the magnet can sense a magnetic field through vibration, and the vibration range of the magnet can be from 1 mm to 25 mm, preferably from 5 mm to 25 mm, and more preferably from 8 mm to 25 mm. The vibration range refers to the magnitude of the displacement generated by the vibration, and when this range is met, a repulsive force sufficient to separate the first electrode can be generated.

[0088] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment of this invention, the magnet can sense a magnetic field through vibration, and the frequency of the magnet can be from 1 Hz to 1000 Hz, and preferably from 10 Hz to 1000 Hz. When the vibration frequency of the magnet meets the above range, a repulsive force sufficient to separate the first electrode can be generated.

[0089] The electrode supply device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a blower. The blower is used to supply air between the first electrode and the second electrode, making it easier to perform the separation of the first electrode.

[0090] In this specification, the first electrode refers to the topmost stacked electrode among a plurality of electrodes stacked in the electrode housing unit.

[0091] In an exemplary embodiment of this utility model, the first electrode can be a negative electrode.

[0092] In an exemplary embodiment of this utility model, the first electrode can be a positive electrode.

[0093] In an exemplary embodiment of this utility model, the first electrode can be a negative electrode and the second electrode can be a positive electrode.

[0094] In an exemplary embodiment of this utility model, the first electrode can be a positive electrode and the second electrode can be a negative electrode.

[0095] Electrode assembly manufacturing equipment

[0096] An exemplary embodiment of this utility model provides an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus, wherein at least one of the negative electrode supply unit and the positive electrode supply unit includes the aforementioned electrode supply device.

[0097] In an exemplary embodiment of this utility model, the negative electrode supply unit includes an electrode supply device.

[0098] In an exemplary embodiment of this utility model, the positive electrode supply unit includes an electrode supply device.

[0099] In an exemplary embodiment of this utility model, both the negative electrode supply unit and the positive electrode supply unit include an electrode supply device.

[0100] In other words, both the negative electrode supply unit and the positive electrode supply unit can be supplied with negative and positive electrodes respectively using the electrode supply device according to this utility model.

[0101] In other words, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include an electrode supply unit for supplying electrodes to a stacking platform, and the electrode supply unit may include an electrode placement stage on which the electrodes are placed before being stacked on the stacking platform by the electrode stacking unit. Furthermore, the electrodes delivered by the electrode supply device according to the present invention may be placed on the electrode placement stage and aligned in position. The aligned electrodes may be stacked on the stacking platform by the electrode stacking unit. Additionally, the electrodes may be positive or negative electrodes.

[0102] In this specification, the fabrication of a stacked assembly of a negative electrode, a separator, and a positive electrode, such that the negative and positive electrodes are alternately arranged between folds of the separator, is referred to as a zigzag fold. However, the electrode supply device of this invention is not limited to electrode assemblies manufactured by the zigzag fold method, and can also be applied to other types, namely lamination and stacking (L&S) processes.

[0103] In this specification, the stacked body may correspond to an unfinished electrode assembly. Furthermore, in this specification, the top and bottom ends of the electrode assembly may be located at positions corresponding to the upper and lower surfaces of the stacked body, respectively, or at positions corresponding to the bottom and top surfaces of the unfinished electrode assembly.

[0104] In other words, in an exemplary embodiment of this utility model, the negative electrode supply unit may include a negative electrode supply device, and the positive electrode supply unit may include a positive electrode supply device. Both the negative electrode supply device and the positive electrode supply device may be electrode supply devices according to this utility model.

[0105] Furthermore, in the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the negative electrode supply unit may include a negative electrode placement stage, on which the negative electrode is placed before being stacked on the stacking stage by the negative electrode stacking unit, and the positive electrode supply unit may include a positive electrode placement stage, on which the positive electrode is placed before being stacked on the stacking stage by the positive electrode stacking unit.

[0106] The negative electrode stacking unit 150 may include a first adsorption head 151 and a first moving unit 153. The first adsorption head 151 can perform vacuum adsorption on the negative electrode 11 placed on the negative electrode placement stage 131.

[0107] In the positive electrode stacking unit 160, positive electrodes can be stacked on the positive electrode stacking platform 110. Here, the positive electrode stacking unit 160 can have the same structure as the negative electrode stacking unit 150 described above. In this case, the positive electrode stacking unit 160 may include a second adsorption head 161 and a second moving unit 163.

[0108] In an exemplary embodiment of this utility model, in order to stack the negative electrode, the separator, and the positive electrode such that the negative electrode and the positive electrode are alternately arranged between the folds of the separator, a method of moving the stacking platform left and right, a method of moving the separator left and right, or a method of rotating the stacking platform can be used, and general techniques in the related art can be applied to these methods.

[0109] An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a stacking platform moving unit for moving the stacking platform left and right, or a diaphragm guiding unit for moving the diaphragm left and right. Furthermore, the stacking platform moving unit and the diaphragm guiding unit are not limited in form, as long as they respectively perform the function of moving the stacking platform and the diaphragm left and right, and devices commonly used in the relevant art can be used.

[0110] The secondary battery manufacturing equipment according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a clamping mechanism 170 for clamping and fixing the stack during the manufacturing process of the stack.

[0111] When the negative electrode 11 or the positive electrode 12 is stacked on the stacking platform 110, the clamping mechanism 170 can fix the negative electrode 11 or the positive electrode 12 to the stacking platform 110 by clamping the negative electrode 11 or the positive electrode 12. The clamping mechanism 170 may include, for example, a first clamping mechanism 171 and a second clamping mechanism 172, and can fix both sides of the negative electrode 11 or the positive electrode 12.

[0112] In an exemplary embodiment of this invention, the pressing unit may further include a pair of pressing blocks and a pressing heater for heating the pressing blocks, wherein the pair of pressing blocks can move in a direction facing each other to surface-press the stack, and the pressing heater can heat the stack. In this case, in an exemplary embodiment of this invention, the pair of pressing blocks may include the pressing heater therein.

[0113] In an exemplary embodiment of this invention, a heater included inside the stacking platform can be used to heat the stack.

[0114] The following description of the conditions for the hot pressing steps applies to the pressure and temperature conditions for heating and pressing the pressing unit. This also applies to the time (time condition) during the application of heat and pressure.

[0115] Here, pressure condition refers to the pressure applied by a pair of pressing blocks (or pressing blocks for a stacking table), and temperature condition refers to the temperature of the heat applied by the pressing heater or the heater included inside the stacking table.

[0116] Electrode supply method

[0117] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an electrode supply method is provided, wherein a first electrode corresponding to the uppermost electrode among a plurality of electrodes stacked in an electrode housing unit is separated by a step of inducing an electric or magnetic field in one of a plurality of electrodes by an electromagnetic sensor.

[0118] The description of the electrode supply device of this invention can be applied to electromagnetic sensors. That is, the electromagnetic sensor can be a magnet that can sense a magnetic field through changes in magnetic flux density, and the description of the electrode supply device of this invention can be applied to the vibration range and frequency of the magnet.

[0119] In an exemplary embodiment of this invention, the step of fixing the first electrode among multiple electrodes stacked inside the electrode housing unit by means of the electrode pickup unit can be a step of adsorbing the first electrode by means of an adsorption unit. That is, the first electrode can be fixed by applying an adsorption force of a certain magnitude to the surface of the first electrode.

[0120] In an exemplary embodiment of this invention, the step of inducing an electric or magnetic field in one of a plurality of electrodes stacked inside the electrode housing unit using an electromagnetic sensor can be a step of generating a repulsive force between any one of the plurality of electrodes and the first electrode. As mentioned above, the adsorption force can be greater than the repulsive force.

[0121] In this way, only the first electrode in the electrode housing unit can be separated, thereby preventing the problem of multiple electrode separation caused by contact between electrode surfaces or contact between the electrode surface and the diaphragm. Therefore, when manufacturing electrode assemblies using the electrode assembly manufacturing method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, productivity can be improved.

[0122] As described above, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one of the plurality of electrodes may be a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode. The above description can be applied to both the first and second electrodes. The electrode supply method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include the step of transferring the first electrode to a stacking platform.

[0123] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment of this invention, the electrode supply method may further include a step of aligning the position of the transferred electrodes before supplying them to the stacking stage. The description of the electrode placement stage described above can be applied to this step.

[0124] The electrode supply method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include: a step of measuring the surface temperature of a first electrode; and a step of controlling the induction of an electric or magnetic field via an electromagnetic inductor to ensure that the surface temperature meets a managed temperature range. In this case, as described above, the managed temperature range may be 30°C to 140°C. The above description is applicable to managed temperature ranges. The above description of the electrode supply apparatus of the present invention is applicable to the electrode supply method of the present invention, and vice versa.

[0125] Electrode assembly manufacturing method

[0126] An exemplary embodiment of this utility model provides a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, wherein at least one of the steps of supplying a negative electrode to the stacking platform side and supplying a positive electrode to the stacking platform side includes an electrode supply method.

[0127] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the step of supplying the negative electrode to the stacking stage includes the electrode supply method according to the present invention.

[0128] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the step of supplying the positive electrode to the stacking stage includes the electrode supply method according to the present invention.

[0129] In an exemplary embodiment of this utility model, both the step of supplying the negative electrode to the stacking platform side and the step of supplying the positive electrode to the stacking platform side include an electrode supply method.

[0130] In other words, the steps of supplying the negative electrode to the stacking platform and the steps of supplying the positive electrode to the stacking platform can both be configured to supply the negative electrode and the positive electrode respectively using the electrode supply method according to the present invention.

[0131] In an exemplary embodiment of this utility model, the step of manufacturing a stack by stacking a negative electrode, a separator, and a positive electrode on a stacking platform may include the following steps:

[0132] (S1) Stack the positive electrodes on the stacking platform;

[0133] (S2) Stack the separator on the stacking platform so that the separator covers the upper surface of the positive electrode stacked on the stacking platform;

[0134] (S3) Stack the negative electrode on the surface opposite to the surface in contact with the positive electrode on the upper surface of the membrane covering the positive electrode;

[0135] (S4) Additionally, a diaphragm is supplied to cover the upper surface of the negative electrode;

[0136] (S5) Stack the positive electrode on the surface opposite to the surface in contact with the negative electrode on the upper surface of the diaphragm-covered negative electrode; and

[0137] (S6) Additionally, a separator is supplied to cover the upper surface of the positive electrode, and

[0138] This can be configured to repeat steps (S1) to (S6) once or more. In other words, this case represents the case where electrodes are first stacked on the stacking platform.

[0139] In an exemplary embodiment of this utility model, the step of manufacturing a stack by stacking a negative electrode, a separator, and a positive electrode on a stacking platform may include the following steps:

[0140] (SS1) Stack the diaphragms on the stacking table;

[0141] (SS2) A negative electrode is stacked on the upper surface of the diaphragm;

[0142] (SS3) Additionally, a diaphragm is supplied to cover the upper surface of the negative electrode;

[0143] (SS4) Stack the positive electrode on the surface opposite to the surface in contact with the negative electrode on the upper surface of the diaphragm covering the negative electrode;

[0144] (SS5) Additionally, a separator is supplied to cover the upper surface of the positive electrode, and

[0145] This can be configured to repeat steps (SS1) through (SS5) once or more. In other words, this case represents the situation where the diaphragms are first stacked on the stacking platform.

[0146] In an exemplary embodiment of this invention, steps (S4), (S6), (SS3), and (SS5), that is, the step of additionally supplying a separator to cover the upper surface of the negative or positive electrode, can be performed by one of the following methods: moving the stacking platform left and right, moving the separator left and right, and rotating the stacking platform. In other words, the separator can be folded in a zigzag pattern, and the stack can be manufactured using a zigzag folding process in which the negative and positive electrodes are alternately arranged between the folds of the separator.

[0147] Figure 1 This is a view illustrating the electrode separation process in an electrode supply apparatus and electrode supply method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, in the electrode housing unit 7, the topmost first electrode 2, the second electrode 3 in contact with the first electrode, and multiple other electrodes 4 are stacked. In this case, the first electrode 2 in the stacked electrodes is picked up and transported by the electrode pickup unit 1. In this case, the electrode pickup unit 1 may include an adsorption unit 1a and a transport unit 1b. The adsorption unit 1a fixes the first electrode 2 with an adsorption force greater than the repulsive force generated by the electromagnetic sensor A. That is, by the change in magnetic flux density of the multiple magnets present inside the electromagnetic sensor A, a repulsive force is generated between the first electrode 2 and the other electrodes stacked inside the electrode housing unit 7, which can widen the space between the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3. In this case, since the first electrode 2 is fixed by an adsorption force greater than the repulsive force generated by the electromagnetic sensor A, only the first electrode 2 can be separated. Furthermore, separation can be made easier by injecting air with a blower B. Furthermore, the surface temperature of the first electrode 2 is measured by a temperature sensor unit (not shown), and the change in magnetic flux density of the magnet present inside the electromagnetic inductor A can be controlled by a control unit (not shown) connected to the temperature sensor unit (not shown), such that the surface temperature measured by the temperature sensor unit (not shown) meets the managed temperature range. The first electrode and the second electrode can be negative or positive electrodes, respectively.

[0148] Figure 2 This is a schematic plan view of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 This is a front view illustrating a concept of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Here, for convenience, Figure 2 In the middle, the following was omitted. Figure 3 The clamping mechanism 170 is shown, and the pressing unit 180 located on the rear side in the plan view is indicated by dashed lines, and... Figure 3 In the middle, the following was omitted. Figure 2 The diaphragm supply unit 120 is shown. For reference, with Figure 1 The relevant instructions can be applied to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The part represented by the dashed line in the diagram.

[0149] Reference Figures 1 to 3 An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a stacking platform 110; a diaphragm supply unit 120 for supplying a diaphragm 14; a negative electrode supply unit 130 for supplying a negative electrode 11; a positive electrode supply unit 140 for supplying a positive electrode 12; a negative electrode stacking unit 150 for stacking the negative electrode 11 on the stacking platform 110; a positive electrode stacking unit 160 for stacking the positive electrode 12 on the stacking platform 110; and a pressing unit 180 for adhering the negative electrode 11, the diaphragm 14, and the positive electrode 12 therebetween. Furthermore, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a clamping mechanism 170 for fixing the negative electrode 11 and the positive electrode 12 when the electrodes are stacked on the stacking platform 110. In this case, as... Figure 1 As shown, the electrode pickup unit 1 can pick up and transfer only the first electrode 2 in the stacked electrodes by utilizing the repulsive force generated between the stacked electrodes by the electromagnetic conductor A in the electrode housing unit 7 and the adsorption force, which is greater than the repulsive force fixing the first electrode 2. The first electrode and the second electrode can be the negative electrode and the positive electrode, respectively.

[0150] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment of this invention, the negative electrode, the separator, and the positive electrode can all be supplied to the stacking platform while being heated. That is, the separator supply unit can supply the separator to the stacking platform while heating the separator, and the negative electrode supply unit and the positive electrode supply unit can supply the negative electrode and the positive electrode to the stacking platform while heating the positive electrode and the negative electrode, respectively.

[0151] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a typical electrode assembly. The secondary battery according to this invention may include an electrode assembly.

[0152] Reference Figures 2 to 4 The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly 10 by stacking a negative electrode 11, a separator 14 and a positive electrode 12.

[0153] like Figure 3 As shown, the electrode assembly 10 is typically a rechargeable / dischargeable power generation element and can be formed in the form of an alternating stack and assembly of a negative electrode 11, a diaphragm 14, and a positive electrode 12. Here, the electrode assembly 10 can have, for example, a diaphragm 14 folded in a zigzag pattern, with the negative electrode 11 and the positive electrode 12 alternately arranged between the folds of the diaphragm 14.

[0154] In an exemplary embodiment of this application, the diaphragm supply unit may further include a diaphragm roller on which the diaphragm is wound. The diaphragm wound on the diaphragm roller can be gradually unwound and supplied to the stacking platform. That is, the diaphragm may be in the form of a diaphragm sheet.

[0155] Figure 5 This is a conceptual view showing a pressing process in an electrode assembly manufacturing method or electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and the state in which a stacked body in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is pressed by a pressing unit.

[0156] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 The pressing unit 180 includes a pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182, which move in a direction facing each other, and a stack of the negative electrode 11, the diaphragm 14, and the positive electrode 12 can be arranged between the pressing blocks 181 and 182. Then, the pressing unit 180 presses the stacked negative electrode 11, diaphragm 14, and positive electrode 12 while heating and pressing the stack, thereby adhering the negative electrode 11, diaphragm 14, and positive electrode 12 therebetween.

[0157] Furthermore, the pressing unit 180 may further include pressing heaters 183 and 184 for heating a pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182, such that the pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182 can heat and press the stack. Therefore, better thermal fusion between the negative electrode 11, the diaphragm 14, and the positive electrode 12 in the stack can be achieved, resulting in a stronger adhesion.

[0158] A pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182 may have pressing surfaces, and the horizontal and vertical lengths of the pressing surfaces may be greater than the horizontal and vertical lengths of the stack. A pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182 may include a first pressing block 181 and a second pressing block 182, and the first pressing block 181 and the second pressing block 182 may be configured as rectangular blocks having a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0159] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to specific examples, this is intended to specifically describe the present invention, and the electrode assembly manufacturing equipment according to the present invention is not limited thereto. Obviously, various implementations can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrode supply device characterized by comprising: comprises: an electrode cassette unit in which a plurality of electrodes are stacked; an electrode pickup unit configured to pick up a first electrode among the plurality of electrodes; and an electromagnetic inductor configured to be able to induct an electric field or a magnetic field, wherein one electrode among the plurality of electrodes is separated from the first electrode by the electric field or the magnetic field induced by the electromagnetic inductor, a temperature sensor unit configured to measure a surface temperature of the first electrode; and a control unit configured to control induction of the electric field or the magnetic field of the electromagnetic inductor so that the surface temperature satisfies a management temperature range. The electrode pickup unit is configured to transfer the first electrode to a stacking stage.

2. The electrode supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that, One electrode among the plurality of electrodes is a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode.

3. The electrode supply apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by The management temperature range is 30℃ to 140℃.

4. The electrode supply apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by The electromagnetic inductor is a magnet configured to induct a magnetic field by a change in magnetic flux density.

5. The electrode supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The magnet is configured to induct a magnetic field by vibration, and a vibration range of the magnet is 1mm to 25mm.

6. The electrode supply device according to claim 5, characterized by The magnet is configured to induct a magnetic field by vibration, and a frequency of the magnet is 1Hz to 1000Hz.

7. The electrode supply apparatus according to claim 5, wherein The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus comprises:

8. An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly including a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a separator disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, characterized by, a negative electrode supply unit configured to supply the negative electrode to a stacking stage side; a positive electrode supply unit configured to supply the positive electrode to the stacking stage side; a separator supply unit configured to supply the separator to the stacking stage side; the stacking stage side on which a stack in which the negative electrode, the separator, and the positive electrode are stacked so that the negative electrode and the positive electrode are alternately arranged between folds of the separator is manufactured; and a pressing unit configured to heat and press the stack to adhere the negative electrode, the separator, and the positive electrode therebetween, thereby manufacturing an electrode assembly, wherein at least one of the negative electrode supply unit and the positive electrode supply unit comprises the electrode supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. ​

Images