Electrode assembly and manufacturing tooling thereof

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of batteries, and discloses an electrode assembly and a manufacturing tool thereof. The electrode assembly comprises an electrode assembly body, and a binding belt is sleeved on the surface of the electrode assembly body. The width of the binding belt is smaller than the height of the electrode assembly body, and the binding belt is located between the two end surfaces of the electrode assembly body. Based on the above-mentioned electrode assembly, the binding belt has a binding effect on the electrode assembly body by being sleeved on the surface of the electrode assembly body, so that the electrode assembly can be prevented from being wrinkled due to the influence of tension, and the electrode assembly can also be prevented from being wrinkled due to deformation in the process of soaking, so that the quality of the electrode assembly is ensured. Meanwhile, since the width of the binding belt is smaller than the height of the electrode assembly body, and the binding belt is located between the two end surfaces of the electrode assembly body, the binding belt can be prevented from affecting lug welding and subsequent electrode assembly soaking, so that the binding belt does not affect the normal function of the electrode assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to an electrode assembly and its fabrication tooling. Background Technology

[0002] A battery typically consists of a casing and an electrode assembly located inside the casing. There are two existing design methods for electrode assemblies: a wound structure and a stacked structure. Currently, the wound structure is more commonly used.

[0003] However, the wound electrode assembly is easily affected by the winding tension, which causes wrinkles on the inner and outer rings of the electrode assembly. Furthermore, the wound electrode assembly is more prone to deformation during the immersion process, which further exacerbates the wrinkles. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides an electrode assembly and its manufacturing fixture to prevent wrinkles in the electrode assembly and ensure its quality.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this application to solve its technical problem is:

[0006] An electrode assembly includes an electrode assembly body, on the surface of which a binding strap is fitted, the width of which is less than the height of the electrode assembly body, and the binding strap is located between two end faces of the electrode assembly body.

[0007] Preferably, the binding strap is made of adhesive tape, and the binding strap includes a first binding part in the shape of an annular shape and a first tightening part disposed on both sides of the first binding part. The first binding part is sleeved on the electrode assembly body and fits against the surface of the electrode assembly body.

[0008] Preferably, the first tightening portion is attached to the surface of the electrode assembly body by a first adhesive tape;

[0009] Alternatively, the electrode assembly body may consist of multiple parts to form an electrode assembly group, with multiple first tightening portions located on the same side of the electrode assembly group being attached to the surface of the electrode assembly group via a second adhesive tape.

[0010] Preferably, the binding strap is made of hot melt adhesive, and the binding strap includes an annular second binding part and a second tightening part disposed on one side of the second binding part. The second binding part is sleeved on the electrode assembly body and fits against the surface of the electrode assembly body.

[0011] Preferably, the second tightening portion is attached to the surface of the electrode assembly body by a third adhesive tape;

[0012] Alternatively, there may be multiple electrode assembly bodies to form an electrode assembly group, wherein the second tightening portions on the multiple electrode assembly bodies are all located on the same side of the electrode assembly group, and the multiple second tightening portions are attached to the surface of the electrode assembly group by a fourth adhesive tape.

[0013] An electrode assembly manufacturing fixture includes a tray, a movable traction mechanism, and a hot-melt mechanism. The tray has a placement position for placing the electrode assembly body. The hot-melt mechanism includes a frame and a drive mechanism. Two hot-pressing heads are movably mounted on the frame. The drive mechanism drives the two hot-pressing heads to move towards or away from each other. The binding strap is made of an annular polymer strip. After the annular polymer strip is fitted onto the electrode assembly body, the traction mechanism pulls the annular polymer strip between the two hot-pressing heads, and under the action of the hot-pressing heads, a second binding part and a second tightening part are formed.

[0014] Preferably, the frame is provided with a limiting groove arranged in its vertical direction, and both hot pressing heads are disposed in the limiting groove and move up and down along the limiting groove.

[0015] Preferably, the driving mechanism includes two sets of telescopic mechanisms arranged opposite to each other, with each set of telescopic mechanisms corresponding to one of the two hot press heads, and the telescopic mechanisms connected to the hot press heads.

[0016] Preferably, the tray includes a tray body, on which a plurality of limiting rods are arranged in a rectangular array, and the plurality of limiting rods define the placement position between the tray body and the tray body.

[0017] Preferably, the traction mechanism includes a traction needle, one end of which is used to connect to the annular polymer belt, and the other end of which is connected to a moving mechanism.

[0018] An electrode assembly and its manufacturing fixture according to an embodiment of this application have the following advantages compared with the prior art: by attaching a binding strap to the surface of the electrode assembly body, the binding strap has a binding effect on the electrode assembly body, thereby avoiding the outer ring wrinkles caused by the influence of tension on the electrode assembly, and also avoiding wrinkles caused by deformation of the electrode assembly during the immersion process, thereby ensuring the quality of the electrode assembly.

[0019] Meanwhile, since the width of the binding strap is less than the height of the electrode assembly body, and the binding strap is located between the two end faces of the electrode assembly body, it can prevent the binding strap from affecting the electrode tab welding and also prevent the binding strap from affecting the subsequent electrode assembly wetting, thus ensuring that the binding strap does not affect the normal function of the electrode assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the electrode assembly with adhesive tape as the binding strap in this application.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the electrode assembly for which the binding band is made of hot melt adhesive, as described in this application.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in which the tightening part of this application fits into the main body of the electrode assembly.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in which the tightening part of this application is attached to the electrode assembly.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the traction mechanism of the present application for traction of annular polymer belt.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the two hot press heads of this application pressing together the annular polymer strip.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the pallet and traction mechanism of this application.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the annular polymer strip and the electrode assembly body of this application.

[0028] Wherein: 1-Electrode assembly body, 2-Binding strap, 21-First binding part, 22-First tightening part, 23-Second binding part, 24-Second tightening part, 3-First adhesive tape, 4-Electrode assembly group, 5-Second adhesive tape, 6-Third adhesive tape, 7-Fourth adhesive tape, 8-Making fixture, 81-Pattern, 811-Pattern body, 812-Limiting rod, 813-Placement position, 82-Traction mechanism, 821-Traction needle, 822-Moving mechanism, 83-Hot melt mechanism, 831-Frame, 832-Hot press head, 833-Telescopic mechanism, 9-Annular polymer tape, 10-Electrode tab. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The specific embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate this application, but are not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0030] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0031] In this application, the appendix Figure 1 In the middle, the H direction is the height direction of the electrode assembly body 1, the T direction is the thickness direction of the electrode assembly body 1, and the W direction is the width direction of the electrode assembly body 1.

[0032] like Figure 1-2 As shown, an electrode assembly according to a preferred embodiment of this application includes an electrode assembly body 1 and electrode tabs 10. The electrode tabs 10 are welded or integrally disposed at the ends of the electrode assembly body 1. A binding strap 2 is sleeved on the surface of the electrode assembly body 1. The binding strap 2 is made of a ring-shaped polymer tape 9 made of adhesive tape or hot melt adhesive. When connected to the electrode assembly body 1, it is first sleeved on the electrode assembly body 1, surrounding the electrode assembly body 1, and then glued and fixed so that the binding strap 2 is sleeved on the electrode assembly body 1. Specifically, the electrode assembly body 1 includes: a top surface and a bottom surface arranged opposite each other along the height direction of the electrode assembly body 1; two large surfaces arranged opposite each other along the thickness direction of the electrode assembly body 1; and two arc-shaped surfaces arranged opposite each other along the width direction of the electrode assembly 1.

[0033] The annular polymer strip 9 is fitted onto and sequentially covers the two arc-shaped surfaces and two large surfaces of the electrode assembly body 1.

[0034] Therefore, the circumference of the annular polymer strip 9 needs to be greater than the circumference of the outer surface of the electrode assembly body 1. The insertion position can be any position in the middle, upper, or lower part of the electrode assembly body 1. However, the width of the binding band 2 must be less than the height of the electrode assembly body, and the binding band 2 must be located between the two end faces (both ends in the height direction) of the electrode assembly body 1. That is, the insertion position of the annular polymer strip 9 cannot exceed the head of the electrode assembly body 1 to prevent interference with the welding of the tab 10 and subsequent electrode assembly wetting, thereby ensuring that the binding band 2 does not affect the normal function of the electrode assembly.

[0035] Based on the above-mentioned technical features, the electrode assembly has a binding strap 2 attached to the surface of the electrode assembly body 1. The binding strap 2 has a binding effect on the electrode assembly body 1, thereby avoiding the outer ring wrinkles caused by the influence of tension on the electrode assembly, and also avoiding wrinkles caused by deformation of the electrode assembly during the immersion process, thus ensuring the quality of the electrode assembly.

[0036] In addition, the binding strap 2, made by using tape or hot melt adhesive, is not only easy to manufacture, but also has a stable connection with the electrode assembly body 1, ensuring that it always has a binding effect on the electrode assembly body 1, thereby always ensuring the quality of the electrode assembly.

[0037] In this embodiment, two different materials are used for the restraint strap 2, and the subsequent bonding and fixing methods are also different. Specifically:

[0038] like Figure 1 , 8 As shown, when the binding strap 2 is made of adhesive tape (such as PET coated tape), the binding strap 2 includes a ring-shaped first binding portion 21 and first tightening portions 22 disposed on both sides of the first binding portion 21. The first binding portion 21 is sleeved on the electrode assembly body 1 and adheres to the surface of the electrode assembly body 1. That is, during connection, the ring-shaped polymer tape 9 of adhesive tape material is first sleeved on the electrode assembly body 1. Since the inner side of the tape is adhesive, the tape is fixed to the surface of the electrode assembly body 1 after being sleeved and cannot move. Then, the tape on the left and right sides is pressed together to form the first tightening portion 22, and the part that adheres to the electrode assembly body 1 forms the first binding portion 21, thereby realizing the connection between the binding strap 2 and the electrode assembly body 1.

[0039] When the binding strap 2 is made of hot melt adhesive, the binding strap 2 includes a ring-shaped second binding portion 23 and a second tightening portion 24 disposed on one side of the second binding portion 23. The second binding portion 23 is sleeved on the electrode assembly body 1 and fits against the surface of the electrode assembly body 1. In this case, a special electrode assembly fabrication fixture 8 is required for fabrication, specifically:

[0040] like Figure 5-6 As shown, the electrode assembly fabrication fixture 8 includes a tray 81, a movable traction mechanism 82, and a hot-melt mechanism 83. The tray 81 has a placement position 813 for placing the electrode assembly body 1. The hot-melt mechanism 83 includes a frame 831 and a drive mechanism. Two hot-pressing heads 832 are movably mounted on the frame 831. The drive mechanism is used to drive the two hot-pressing heads 832 to move towards or away from each other. After the annular polymer strip 9 is sleeved on the electrode assembly body 1, the traction mechanism 82 pulls the annular polymer strip 9 between the two hot-pressing heads, and the second binding part 23 and the second tightening part 24 are formed under the action of the hot-pressing heads 832.

[0041] During connection, the annular polymer strip 9 made of hot melt adhesive is first sleeved onto the electrode assembly body 1, and the electrode assembly body 1 is installed in the placement position 813. Then, the traction mechanism 82 connects to the annular polymer strip 9 and pulls the annular polymer strip 9 toward the position close to the hot melt mechanism 83. When the side of the annular polymer strip 9 away from the hot melt mechanism 83 comes into contact with the electrode assembly body 1, the annular polymer strip 9 will no longer be able to move. At this time, the two hot press heads 832 move relative to each other, and the tape located between the two hot press heads 832 is hot melted and pressed together to form the second tightening part 24. The distribution that is in contact with the electrode assembly body 1 forms the second binding part 23. Then the traction mechanism 82 is reset.

[0042] like Figure 5-6 As shown, in this embodiment, the frame 831 is provided with a limiting groove arranged vertically therein. Both hot pressing heads 832 are located within the limiting groove and move up and down along it, ensuring the moving accuracy of the two hot pressing heads 832. The driving mechanism includes two sets of telescopic mechanisms 833 arranged opposite to each other. Each set of telescopic mechanisms 833 corresponds one-to-one with one of the two hot pressing heads 832, and the telescopic mechanisms 833 are connected to the hot pressing heads 832, i.e., the two hot pressing heads 832 are driven to move through the telescopic mechanisms 833. The telescopic mechanism 833 can be a cylinder, hydraulic cylinder, electric rod, etc. In specific manufacturing, a mounting frame can be provided, on which the two telescopic mechanisms 833, the traction mechanism 82, and the frame 831 are all mounted.

[0043] like Figure 7 As shown, the traction mechanism 82 includes a traction needle 821. One end of the traction needle 821 is used to connect to the annular polymer belt 9, and the other end of the traction needle 821 is connected to a moving mechanism. The moving mechanism needs to have the ability to move in the X and Y directions. There are many existing technologies for this type of mechanism, which will not be described in detail here. The traction needle 821 is L-shaped and includes a connecting part and a traction part. The other end of the connecting part is connected to the moving mechanism 822, and the traction part is used to connect to the annular polymer belt 9.

[0044] In this embodiment, the tray 81 includes a tray body 811, on which a plurality of limiting rods 812 are arranged in a rectangular array, defining the placement position 813 between the plurality of limiting rods 812 and the tray body 811. Preferably, there are four limiting rods 812 arranged in two rows and two columns.

[0045] like Figure 3-4 As shown, in this embodiment, to prevent the first tightening portion 22 from being exposed and affecting the subsequent assembly of the electrode assembly, the first adhesive tape 3 can be used to attach the first tightening portion 22 to the surface of the electrode assembly body 1. Alternatively, when multiple electrode assembly bodies 1 are paired to form an electrode assembly group 4, the multiple first tightening portions 22 located on the same side of the electrode assembly group 4 can be attached to the surface of the electrode assembly group 4 using the second adhesive tape 5.

[0046] Similarly, to prevent the second tightening portion 24 from being exposed and affecting the subsequent assembly of the electrode assembly, the second tightening portion 24 is attached to the surface of the electrode assembly body 1 by a third adhesive tape 6. Alternatively, when multiple electrode assembly bodies 1 are paired to form an electrode assembly group 4, the second tightening portions 24 on the multiple electrode assembly bodies 1 are all located on the same side of the electrode assembly group 4, and the multiple second tightening portions 24 are attached to the surface of the electrode assembly group 4 by a fourth adhesive tape 7.

[0047] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this application. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and substitutions can be made without departing from the technical principles of this application, and these improvements and substitutions should also be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An electrode assembly, characterized in that: The device includes an electrode assembly body, on the surface of which a binding strap is fitted. The width of the binding strap is less than the height of the electrode assembly body, and the binding strap is located between two end faces of the electrode assembly body. The binding strap is made of hot melt adhesive. The binding strap includes a ring-shaped second binding part and a second tightening part disposed on one side of the second binding part. The second binding part is sleeved on the electrode assembly body and is in contact with the surface of the electrode assembly body.

2. The electrode assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The second tightening part is attached to the surface of the electrode assembly body by a third adhesive tape; Alternatively, there may be multiple electrode assembly bodies to form an electrode assembly group, wherein the second tightening portions on the multiple electrode assembly bodies are all located on the same side of the electrode assembly group, and the multiple second tightening portions are attached to the surface of the electrode assembly group by a fourth adhesive tape.

3. A manufacturing fixture for manufacturing the electrode assembly as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The device includes a tray, a movable traction mechanism, and a heat-melting mechanism. The tray has a placement position for placing the electrode assembly body. The heat-melting mechanism includes a frame and a drive mechanism. Two hot pressing heads are movably mounted on the frame. The drive mechanism drives the two hot pressing heads to move towards or away from each other. The binding strap is made of an annular polymer strip. When the annular polymer strip is fitted onto the electrode assembly body, the traction mechanism pulls the annular polymer strip between the two hot pressing heads, and under the action of the hot pressing heads, a second binding part and a second tightening part are formed.

4. The manufacturing tooling as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The frame is provided with a limiting groove arranged in its vertical direction. Both hot pressing heads are located in the limiting groove and move up and down along the limiting groove.

5. The manufacturing fixture as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The drive mechanism includes two sets of telescopic mechanisms arranged opposite to each other, with each set of telescopic mechanisms corresponding to one of the two hot press heads, and the telescopic mechanisms connected to the hot press heads.

6. The manufacturing fixture as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The tray includes a tray body, on which a plurality of limiting rods are arranged in a rectangular array, defining the placement position between the plurality of limiting rods and the tray body.

7. The manufacturing fixture as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The traction mechanism includes a traction needle, one end of which is used to connect to the annular polymer belt, and the other end of which is connected to the moving mechanism.

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