Electrode tab tensile strength detection device

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of electrode lug tensile strength detection device.The electrode lug tensile strength detection device includes: clamping component, the electrode lug of electrode assembly is pressurized;Driving component, including driving motor and the gear component of the driving force generated by the driving motor is converted into linear motion, and the clamping component is moved;And sensor module, connected to the clamping component and the gear component, and change internal resistance based on the movement of the gear component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an electrode tab tensile strength testing device and a method for testing electrode tab tensile strength. Background Technology

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged, making them suitable for various applications such as digital cameras, mobile phones, laptops, hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems (ESS). Secondary batteries can be lithium-ion, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride, or nickel-metal hydride batteries.

[0003] Secondary batteries are manufactured as flexible pouch-type cells or rigid prismatic or cylindrical can-type cells. Multiple cells can be stacked into cell assemblies.

[0004] The cell assembly is housed inside the module housing to form a battery module, and multiple battery modules can be housed inside the battery pack frame to form a battery pack. Utility Model Content

[0005] (a) Technical problems to be solved A battery cell may include an electrode assembly and electrode tabs connected to a current collector. The electrode assembly includes a composite layer and a current collector. The electrode tabs may be welded to the current collector. However, the bonding force between the electrode tabs and the current collector may decrease due to wear and twisting of the welding equipment (e.g., welding head and welding anvil). When the bonding force between the electrode tabs and the current collector decreases, the battery cell may experience mechanical or electrical problems. Therefore, electrode tab tensile strength testing may be required. However, moving a portion of multiple battery cells to a separate tensile strength testing device will consume movement time and may introduce operator-induced errors.

[0006] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an electrode tab tensile strength testing device that can reduce the testing time of electrode tab tensile strength can be provided.

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an electrode tab tensile strength testing device that can reduce operator-induced errors can be provided.

[0008] Battery cells manufactured using a cell manufacturing apparatus (e.g., a welding apparatus) that has undergone electrode tab tensile strength testing according to the present disclosure can be widely used in electric vehicles, battery charging stations, and other green technology fields such as solar power generation and wind power generation that utilize batteries. Furthermore, battery cells manufactured using a cell manufacturing apparatus (e.g., a welding apparatus) that has undergone electrode tab tensile strength testing according to the present disclosure can be used in eco-friendly electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles that prevent climate change by suppressing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

[0009] (II) Technical Solution The electrode tab tensile strength testing device disclosed herein may include: a clamping component for applying pressure to the electrode tabs of an electrode assembly; a driving component including a drive motor and a gear component that converts the driving force generated by the drive motor into linear motion and moves the clamping component; and a sensor module connected to the clamping component and the gear component, and changing the internal resistance based on the movement of the gear component.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the electrode tab tensile strength testing device may further include: a pressurizing device, a pressurizing clamp, for providing pressure to the electrode tab and the current collector of the electrode assembly; and a cylinder connected to the pressurizing clamp.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the pressure clamp can apply pressure to the electrode tab and the current collector along a first direction. The clamping member can, while the pressure clamp is applying pressure to the electrode tab and the current collector, apply pressure to the electrode tab along the first direction and provide tensile force to the electrode tab along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the pressure clamp may include: a first pressure clamp for applying pressure to the electrode tab and the current collector from one side of the electrode tab; and a second pressure clamp for applying pressure to the electrode tab and the current collector from the other side of the electrode tab.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the pressure clamp may include: a first pressure clamp for applying pressure to at least one of the electrode tabs and the current collector from one side of the electrode assembly; and a second pressure clamp for applying pressure to at least one of the electrode tabs and the current collector from the other side of the electrode assembly.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the gear component may include: at least one threaded shaft; a nut connected to the threaded shaft; a coupling connected to the threaded shaft and the drive motor; and a plurality of balls located between the at least one threaded shaft and the nut.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the electrode tab tensile strength testing device may further include: a support frame for conveying the electrode assembly.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the sensor module may be located between the clamping component and the driving component, and the sensor module may include a first end region connected to the clamping component and a second end region connected to the gear component.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the clamping component may include: a first pressing portion that contacts one side of the electrode tab; a second pressing portion that contacts the other side of the electrode tab; and a support portion connected to the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion. The support portion may be connected to the sensor module.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the electrode tab tensile strength detection device may further include: a processor, which determines the tensile strength of the electrode tab based on the internal resistance sensed by the sensor module.

[0019] (III) Beneficial Effects According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the tensile strength testing time for electrode tabs can be reduced.

[0020] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, the accuracy of detecting the tensile strength of electrode tabs can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a battery cell according to one embodiment.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the welding process of an electrode assembly and an electrode tab according to one embodiment.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of an electrode tab tensile strength testing device according to one embodiment.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of an electrode tab tensile strength testing method according to one embodiment.

[0025] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 100: Battery cell; 200: Electrode tab tensile strength testing device 210: Clamping component; 220: Driving component 230: Sensor module; 240: Pressurization device 250: Bearing frame; 300: Electrode tab tensile strength test method Detailed Implementation

[0026] The present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein.

[0027] The terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their general or dictionary meanings. They should be interpreted as conforming to the technical concept of this disclosure, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of the terms in order to best describe their utility model.

[0028] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are only the most preferred embodiments of this disclosure and do not represent all the technical ideas of this disclosure. At the time of filing this application, there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them.

[0029] Detailed descriptions of known functions and configurations that could obscure the essence of this disclosure will be omitted. Some components in the accompanying drawings are exaggerated, omitted, or shown schematically, and the dimensions of each component do not perfectly reflect their actual dimensions.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a battery cell according to one embodiment.

[0031] Reference Figure 1 The battery cell 100 may include a pouch 110, an electrode assembly 120, and electrode tabs 130. The battery cell 100 may be a secondary battery. For example, the battery cell 100 may be a lithium-ion battery, but is not limited thereto. For example, the battery cell 100 may be a rechargeable and dischargeable nickel-cadmium battery, nickel-metal hydride battery, or nickel-metal hydride battery.

[0032] The bag 110 may form at least a portion of the appearance of the battery cell 100. The bag 110 may include an electrode receiving portion 111 for receiving an electrode assembly 120 and a sealing portion 115 for sealing at least a portion of the outer edge of the electrode receiving portion 111. The electrode receiving portion 111 may provide space for receiving the electrode assembly 120 and the electrolyte.

[0033] The sealing portion 115 may be formed by joining at least a portion of the outer edge of the bag 110. The sealing portion 115 is formed as a flange shape extending outward from the electrode receiving portion 111, which is formed in the form of a container, and may be provided along at least a portion of the outer edge of the electrode receiving portion 111. In one embodiment, the sealing portion 115 may include a first sealing portion 115a provided with electrode tabs 130 and a second sealing portion 115b not provided with electrode tabs 130. A portion of the electrode tabs 130 may be led out or exposed to the outside of the bag 110. At the position where the electrode tabs 130 are led out, in order to improve the sealing degree of the first sealing portion 115a and at the same time ensure an electrical insulation state, the electrode tabs 130 may be covered by an insulating film 140. The insulating film 140 is formed of a film material thinner than the electrode tabs 130 and may be attached to both sides of the electrode tabs 130.

[0034] Electrode assembly 120 can be soldered to electrode tab 130. Current from electrode assembly 120 can be transferred to the outside of cell 100 through electrode tab 130. Electrode assembly 120 will be described further below.

[0035] In one embodiment, electrode tabs 130 may be disposed on both sides of the length direction (Y-axis direction) of the battery cell 100 and facing opposite directions. For example, the electrode tabs 130 may include a first electrode tab 130a (e.g., a positive electrode tab) facing one side of the length direction of the battery cell 100 with a first polarity (e.g., a positive electrode) and a second electrode tab 130b (e.g., a negative electrode) facing the other side of the length direction. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing portion 115 may include two first sealing portions 115a provided with electrode tabs 130 and a second sealing portion 115b not provided with electrode tabs 130. The first sealing portions 115a may seal at least a portion of the electrode tabs 130. In one embodiment, the electrode tabs 130 may be referred to as electrode leads.

[0036] The orientation of the electrode tab 130 can be selectively designed. In one embodiment (e.g., Figure 1 In this process, the electrode tab 130 may include a first electrode tab 130a and a second electrode tab 130b located in the opposite direction to the first electrode tab 130a, with reference to the electrode assembly 120. Figure 1 The diagram shows electrode tabs 130 disposed on both sides of the length direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) of the battery cell 100 and facing opposite directions, but the structure of the electrode tabs 130 is not limited to this. For example, the two electrode tabs 130 may be arranged substantially parallel along the length direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) of the battery cell 100. On the other hand, the bag 110 is not limited to this... Figure 1 The structure shown is formed by folding an outer sheet of material to create a sealing section 115 on three sides.

[0037] In one embodiment of this disclosure, at least a portion of the sealing portion 115 may be formed in a configuration that is folded at least once. By folding at least a portion of the sealing portion 115, the engagement reliability of the sealing portion 115 can be improved, and the area of ​​the sealing portion 115 can be minimized. In the sealing portion 115 according to one embodiment, the second sealing portion 115b, which is not provided with electrode tabs 130, can be fixed by an adhesive member (not shown) after being folded twice. The bending angle or the number of bends of the second sealing portion 115b can be varied. For example, in an embodiment not shown, the second sealing portion 115b can be folded 90° relative to the first sealing portion 115a.

[0038] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the welding process of an electrode assembly and an electrode tab according to one embodiment.

[0039] Reference Figure 2 The electrode assembly 120 can be welded to the electrode tab 130 using the welding device 180. For Figure 1 The description of the electrode assembly 120 and the electrode tab 130 can be applied to Figure 2 Electrode assembly 120 and electrode tab 130.

[0040] Electrode assembly 120 may include a positive electrode 121, a negative electrode 122, and a separator 123. The positive electrode 121 may include a positive current collector 121b and a positive electrode mixture layer 121a disposed on at least one side of the positive current collector 121b. The positive current collector 121b may contain stainless steel, nickel, aluminum, titanium, or alloys thereof. The positive current collector 121b may contain aluminum or stainless steel surface-treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, or silver. The positive electrode mixture layer 121a may contain a positive electrode active material. The positive electrode active material may contain a compound capable of reversibly intercalating and deintercalating lithium ions. The negative electrode 122 may include a negative current collector 122b and a negative electrode mixture layer 122a disposed on at least one side of the negative current collector 122b. As a non-limiting example, the negative electrode current collector 122b may comprise copper foil, nickel foil, stainless steel foil, titanium foil, nickel foam, copper foam, and / or a polymer substrate coated with a conductive metal. The negative electrode mixture layer 122a may comprise a negative electrode active material. As the negative electrode active material, a material capable of intercalating and deintercalating lithium ions may be used. The separator 123 prevents contact between the positive electrode 121 and the negative electrode 122.

[0041] The number of positive electrode 121, negative electrode 122 and / or separator 123 can be selectively designed. For example, electrode assembly 120 may include multiple positive electrodes 121, multiple negative electrodes 122 and / or multiple separators 123.

[0042] Those skilled in the art will understand that the electrode assembly 120 can be manufactured in various ways. According to exemplary embodiments, the electrode assembly can be formed by repeatedly arranging the positive electrode 121, the negative electrode 122, and the separator 123. In some embodiments, the electrode assembly can be in a winding, stacking, z-folding, or stack-folding shape.

[0043] The current collectors 121b and 122b of the electrode assembly 120 can be bonded to the electrode tabs 130. For example, the positive current collector 121b can be soldered to the first electrode tab 130a, and the negative current collector 122b can be soldered to the second electrode tab 130b. In one embodiment, the current collectors 121b and 122b can be referred to as foils.

[0044] In one embodiment, the welding apparatus 180 may be an ultrasonic welding apparatus. For example, the welding apparatus may include a horn 181 and an anvil 182. The horn 181 may apply pressure to the object being welded (e.g., electrode tabs 130 and current collectors 121b, 122b). The horn 181 may provide vibration to the object being welded (e.g., electrode tabs 130 and current collectors 121b, 122b). The anvil 182 may support and / or fix the object being welded (e.g., electrode tabs 130 and current collectors 121b, 122b). The anvil 182 may maintain the pressure transmitted from the horn 181 to the object being welded (e.g., electrode tabs 130 and current collectors 121b, 122b). The horn 181 may be located on one side of the electrode tabs 130, and the anvil 182 may be located on the other side of the electrode tabs 130. At least a portion of the electrode tab 130 and the current collectors 121b and 122b can be inserted between the welding head 181 and the welding anvil 182, and then welding is performed through the welding head 181 and the welding anvil 182.

[0045] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of an electrode tab tensile strength testing device according to one embodiment.

[0046] Reference Figure 3 The electrode tab tensile strength testing device 200 may include a clamping component 210, a driving component 220, and a sensor module 230.

[0047] The electrode tab tensile strength testing device 200 can test the electrode tab 130 (e.g., Figure 2 The electrode tab 130) and the current collector ( Figure 2 The bonding strength of the current collectors 121b and 122b (e.g., the tensile strength of the electrode tab 130). For example... Figure 2 The welding apparatus 180 may wear down. When the welding head 181 and / or welding anvil 182 wears down, the tensile strength of the electrode tabs 130 and current collectors 121b, 122b may decrease. When the tensile strength of the electrode tabs 130 decreases, the durability of the cell 100 may be reduced. When the tensile strength of the electrode tabs 130 decreases, the likelihood of electrical problems occurring in the cell 100 may increase. In one embodiment, the tensile strength of the electrode tabs 130 may be the force applied when the electrode tabs 130 welded to the current collectors 121b, 122b are pulled along a second direction (e.g., the +Y' direction) until the electrode tabs 130 and current collectors 121b, 122b break. The electrode tab tensile strength testing device 200 can detect the electrode tab tensile strength of the product 150 in production, which includes the electrode assembly 120 and the electrode tabs 130. The product 150 in production may include an electrode assembly 120 and electrode tabs 130 temporarily bonded to current collectors 121b and 122b of the electrode assembly 120. The welding apparatus (e.g., [missing information]) can be tested using an electrode tab tensile strength testing device 200. Figure 2 The aging, wear, and / or twisting of the welding device 180, which is used to weld the electrode tabs 130 and current collectors 121b and 122b of the battery cell 100. For example, when the tensile strength of the electrode tabs is less than a specified dimension, it can be determined that the degree of aging, wear, and / or twisting of the welding device 180 is greater than the specified dimension.

[0048] The clamping member 210 can apply pressure to the electrode tab 130. For example, the clamping member 210 can move while in contact with the electrode tab 130 and applying pressure to the electrode tab 130, thereby providing a tensile force to the electrode tab 130.

[0049] In one embodiment, the clamping member 210 may include: a first pressing portion 211, contacting one side of the electrode tab 130; a second pressing portion 212, contacting the other side of the electrode tab 130; and a support portion 213, connected to the first pressing portion 211 and the second pressing portion 212. The first pressing portion 211 and the second pressing portion 212 can fix the electrode tab 130. At least a portion of the electrode tab 130 can receive force from the first pressing portion 211 and the second pressing portion 212 while located between the first pressing portion 211 and the second pressing portion 212. The support portion 213 can be connected to the sensor module 230. The clamping member 210 can be located between the electrode tab 130 and the sensor module 230. One side of the support portion 213 can be connected to the pressing portions 211 and 212, and the other side can be connected to the sensor module 230.

[0050] The clamping member 210 can move while the pressure clamp 241 of the pressure device 240 is applying pressure to the electrode tabs 130 and / or the current collectors 121b and 122b. For example, the pressure clamp 241 can apply pressure to the electrode tabs 130 and the current collectors 121b and 122b in a first direction (e.g., the X' axis direction). While the pressure clamp 214 is applying pressure to the electrode tabs 130 and the current collectors 121b and 122b, the clamping member 210 can apply pressure to the electrode tabs in the first direction (X' axis direction) and can also apply tensile force to the electrode tabs 130 in a second direction (+Y' direction) perpendicular to the first direction (X' axis direction). The clamping member 210 can pull the electrode tabs 130 in the second direction (+Y' direction).

[0051] The drive component 220 can move at least a portion of the electrode tab tensile strength detection device 200. For example, the drive component 220 can move the clamping component 210 and / or the sensor module 230.

[0052] The drive component 220 may include a drive motor 221. The drive motor 221 can generate driving force. The drive motor 221 can convert electrical energy supplied from a battery or external power source into rotational energy. The drive motor 221 may include a motor end 221a connected to the gear component 222. The drive motor 221 can transmit rotational force to the gear component 222 through the motor end 221a. The drive motor 221 may be a servo motor or a linear motor. The drive motor 221 can rotate about a second direction (+Y' direction) as an axis.

[0053] The drive component 220 may include a gear component 222 that converts the driving force generated by the drive motor 221 into linear motion. In one embodiment, the gear component 222 may include a ball screw. For example, the gear component 222 may include: at least one threaded shaft 222a; a nut 222c connected to the threaded shaft 222a; and a coupling 222b connected to an end of the threaded shaft 222a and a motor end 221a of the drive motor 221. The gear component 222 may include a plurality of balls (e.g., bearings) (not shown) located between the threaded shaft 222a and the nut 222c.

[0054] When the drive motor 221 rotates, at least a portion of the gear component 222 (e.g., the threaded shaft 222a and / or the coupling 222b) can move in a second direction (+Y' direction) or a fourth direction (-Y' direction) opposite to the second direction (+Y' direction). The coupling 222b can be connected to the sensor module 230. For example, the sensor module 230 can receive force based on the movement of the coupling 222b. In one embodiment, the nut 222c can be fixed to an external structure (not shown) of the electrode tab tensile strength detection device 200. The distance between the nut 222c and the coupling 222b can be changed when the drive motor 221 rotates.

[0055] In one embodiment, the drive motor 221 and / or gear component 222 may be replaced with a structure for providing force to the clamping component 210 and sensor module 230 in a second direction (+Y' direction) or a fourth direction (-Y' direction) opposite to the second direction (+Y' direction). For example, the drive motor 221 may include a linear motor. The gear component 222 may include a linear motion guide or a cam follower.

[0056] Sensor module 230 can be configured to change its internal resistance based on the movement of gear component 222. For example, in one embodiment, sensor module 230 may be a tensile load sensor. The tensile load sensor may be a sensor (e.g., a strain gauge) that includes a deformable element that converts deformation (e.g., torsion) into resistance. For example, it may include an elastomer that deforms based on an external force (e.g., tensile force) and an instrument (gauge) that changes its resistance value based on the deformation of the elastomer. Sensor module 230 may have a shape that senses pressure based on tensile force. Sensor module 230 can convert force or weight into an electrical signal. When gear component 222 moves, the force or weight sensed by sensor module 230, connected to clamping component 210, changes, thereby changing the value of the electrical signal transmitted by sensor module 230 to processor 260. Sensor module 230 may include a strain gauge. Sensor module 230 may be referred to as a pressure sensor.

[0057] Sensor module 230 can be connected to clamping member 210 and gear member 222. For example, sensor module 230 can be located between clamping member 210 and drive member 220. Sensor module 230 may include a first end region 230a connected to clamping member 210 and a second end region 230b connected to gear member 222. Sensor module 230 can be connected to support portion 213 of clamping member 210 and coupling 222b of gear member 222.

[0058] Sensor module 230 can sense the tensile force provided to electrode tab 130. For example, sensor module 230 can receive force based on the movement of drive member 220. At least a portion of the force generated by drive motor 221 of drive member 220 can be transmitted to electrode tab 130 through sensor module 230 and clamping member 210. Sensor module 230 and clamping member 210 can receive force in the second direction (+Y' direction) when a portion of gear member 222 moves along the second direction (+Y' direction). Sensor module 230 can sense the force after operation of drive motor 221 until electrode tab 130 is relative to... Figure 2 The tensile force until the current collectors 121b and 122b break.

[0059] In one embodiment, the electrode tab tensile strength testing device 200 can be unitized or modularized. The electrode tab tensile strength testing device 200 can measure the tensile strength of the electrode tab 130 when it is being welded to or pressurized by the current collectors 121b and 122b. For example, the electrode tab tensile strength testing device 200 can determine the tensile strength of the electrode tab 130 by applying force to the electrode tab 130 during the welding process between the electrode tab 130 and the current collectors 121b and 122b.

[0060] The electrode tab tensile strength testing device 200 may include a pressurizing device 240. The pressurizing device 240 may include a pressurizing clamp 241 and a cylinder 242. The pressurizing clamp 241 may provide pressure to the electrode tab 130 and / or the current collectors 121b, 122b. For example, the pressurizing clamp 241 may include a first pressurizing clamp 241a for pressurizing the electrode tab 130 and a second pressurizing clamp 241b for pressurizing the current collectors 121b, 122b. The cylinder 242 may be connected to the pressurizing clamp 241. The cylinder 242 may move the pressurizing clamp 241. For example, the pressurizing clamp 241 and / or the cylinder 242 may move along a first direction (X' axis direction). The pressure clamp 241 can provide pressure to the electrode tab 130 and / or the current collectors 121b and 122b from both sides. For example, the pressure clamp 241 may include: a first pressure clamp 241a, which applies pressure to at least one of the electrode tab 130 and the current collectors 121b and 122b from one side of the electrode tab 130; and a second pressure clamp 241b, which applies pressure to at least one of the electrode tab 130 and the current collectors 121b and 122b from the other side of the electrode tab 130.

[0061] In one embodiment, the pressurizing device 240 can weld the electrode tabs 130 and the current collector (e.g., Figure 2 (Current collectors 121b and 122b). The pressurizing device 240 can be referred to as a welding device. For Figure 2 At least a portion of the description of the welding apparatus 180 can be applied to Figure 3 The pressurizing device 240. For example, the pressurizing device 240 may be an ultrasonic welding device. The pressurizing device 240 may include a welding head (e.g., Figure 2 The welding head 181) and the welding anvil (e.g., Figure 2 (Welding anvil 182).

[0062] In another embodiment, the pressure device 240 may be a separate device spaced apart from the welding apparatus 180. For example, the electrode tab tensile strength testing device 200 may test the electrode tab tensile strength of the product 150 being welded in production by the welding apparatus 180. The carrier 250 may be movable. Figure 2 The welding 180 apparatus is used to manufacture product 150 in production. The pressurizing device 240 can pressurize the electrode tabs 130 and current collectors 121b and 122b of the product 150 in production.

[0063] The electrode tab tensile strength testing device 200 may include a support frame 250. The support frame 250 can move the product 150 in production. For example, the support frame 250 can move the electrode assembly 120 and / or the electrode tab 130. For example, in one embodiment, the support frame 250 supports the electrode assembly 120 and may include a conveyor belt 251 for moving the electrode assembly 120. In another embodiment, the support frame 250 may be a transport clamp for moving the electrode assembly 120. In one embodiment, the support frame 250 can move the electrode assembly 120 and the electrode tab 130 along a third direction (Z' axis) perpendicular to a first direction (X' axis) or a second direction (+Y' direction). In one embodiment, the support frame 250 may be referred to as a conveying device.

[0064] The electrode tab tensile strength detection device 200 may include a processor 260. A sensor module 230 may be electrically connected to the processor 260. Electrical signals sensed by the sensor module 230 may be transmitted to the processor 260. The processor 260 may determine the tensile strength of the electrode tab 130 based on the internal resistance sensed by the sensor module 230. For example, the sensor module 230 may include an elastic body that deforms based on external force and an instrument (e.g., a strain gauge) that changes its resistance based on the deformation of the elastic body. The processor 260 may determine the tensile strength of the electrode tab 130 based on the changed internal resistance of the sensor module 230. In one embodiment, a memory (not shown) may store the tensile strength corresponding to the internal resistance value. The processor 260 may use the memory to determine the tensile strength of the electrode tab 130 corresponding to the internal resistance sensed by the sensor module 230.

[0065] In one embodiment, the processor 260 may transmit the tensile strength of the electrode tab 130 to the manufacturing execution system (MES) via a communication module (not shown). In another embodiment, the processor 260 may control the movement of the clamping component 210, the drive component 220, the welding device 240, and / or the support frame 250.

[0066] By using the electrode tab tensile strength testing device 200, the tensile strength of the electrode tab 130 can be tested in the production of the product 150 without moving the electrode assembly 120 and the electrode tab 130. The electrode tab tensile strength testing device 200 eliminates the need for operator movement and sampling time, and shortens the testing time for the battery cell 100.

[0067] By using the electrode tab tensile strength testing device 200, the position of the fixed electrode tab 130 is kept essentially the same, and the pressure transmitted to the electrode tab 130 can be controlled. The electrode tab tensile strength testing device 200 reduces operator-induced errors and improves the accuracy of tensile strength testing of the electrode tab 130.

[0068] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of an electrode tab tensile strength testing method according to one embodiment.

[0069] Simultaneously refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The electrode tab tensile strength testing method 300 may include a conveying process 310, a pressurizing process 320, a fracture process 330, and / or a sensing process 340. The electrode tab tensile strength testing method 300 can... Figure 3 The electrode tab tensile strength testing device 200 is used to perform the test.

[0070] The transport process 310 can be a process of transporting the electrode assembly 120, which includes current collectors 121b and 122b, and is coupled to the electrode tab 130. For example, the transport process 310 can be carried out by... Figure 3 The conveying process 310 is performed using the carrier 250. In one embodiment, the conveying process 310 can utilize the carrier 250 along a direction perpendicular to the first direction ( Figure 3 (X' axis direction) or second direction ( Figure 3 The electrode assembly 120 and the electrode tab 130 are moved in a third direction (Z' axis direction) in the +Y' direction.

[0071] The pressurization process 320 can utilize a pressurization device (e.g., Figure 3The pressurizing process 320 is a process of applying pressure to the electrode tabs 130 and the current collectors 121b and 122b using a pressurizing device 240. In one embodiment, the pressurizing process 320 may utilize the pressurizing device 240 to apply pressure along a first direction ( Figure 3 Pressure is applied to the electrode tabs 130 and the current collectors 121b and 122b in the X' axis direction.

[0072] For example, the pressurization process 320 can utilize a pressurization fixture (e.g., Figure 3 The pressure clamp 241 provides pressure from both sides of the electrode tabs 130 and the current collectors 121b and 122b. The positions of the electrode tabs 130 and the current collectors 121b and 122b can be fixed by the pressure received by the pressure device 240 in the pressure process 320.

[0073] In one embodiment, the pressurization process 320 may be a process of applying pressure to the electrode tabs 130 and the current collectors 121b and 122b after welding them together. In another embodiment, the pressurization process 320 may be a welding process for welding the electrode tabs 130 and the current collectors 121b and 122b together.

[0074] The fracture process 330 can be a process that applies a tensile force to the electrode tab 130 by using a clamping member 210 that applies pressure to the electrode tab 130 and a sensor module 230 connected to the clamping member 210. In the fracture process 330, while the electrode tab 130 is being pressurized in a first direction (X' axis direction), a tensile force can be applied to the electrode tab 130 in a second direction (+Y' direction) perpendicular to the first direction (X' axis direction). For example, the fracture process 330 can utilize a drive member 220 to apply a force in the second direction (+Y' direction) to the sensor module 230. For example, the fracture process 330 can be a process that moves a gear member 222 connected to the drive motor 221 by operating the drive motor 221 of the drive member 220. In the fracture process 330, the sensor module 230 connected to the gear member 222 can receive the force in the second direction (+Y' direction). The clamping member 210, connected to the sensor module 230, can receive a force in the second direction (+Y' direction) from the driving member 220 via the sensor module 230. The electrode tab 130, connected to the clamping member 210, can also receive this force in the second direction (+Y' direction). The tensile force provided to the electrode tab 130 can be a force transmitted to the electrode tab 130 along the second direction (+Y' direction). When the force transmitted to the electrode tab 130 is greater than the force between the electrode tab 130 and the current collector (e.g., ...), ... Figure 2When the current collectors 121b and 122b are bonded together, the electrode tab 130 may break. The breakage of the electrode tab 130 can be the separation or breakage of the electrode tab 130 from the current collectors 121b and 122b. The breakage process 330 can be performed during the pressurization process 320. For example, with the electrode tab 130 fixed in position by the pressurization device 240, the drive component 220 can apply a tensile force to the electrode tab 130 using the sensor module 230 and the clamping component 210.

[0075] The sensing process 340 may be a process that uses the sensor module 230 to sense the tensile strength of the electrode tab 130. For example, the internal resistance of the sensor module 230 may change based on the force received from the fracture process 330. The processor 260 may determine the tensile strength of the electrode tab 130 based on the internal resistance of the sensor module 230 sensed in the sensing process 340. The sensing process 340 may be executed substantially simultaneously with the fracture process 330. For example, the sensing process 340 may begin after a tensile force is applied to the sensor module 230 by the drive member 220 and continue until the electrode tab 130 fractures.

[0076] The above description is merely an example of applying the principles of this disclosure, and other configurations may be included without departing from the scope of this utility model.

[0077] The embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, but the scope of this disclosure is not limited thereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the technical spirit of this disclosure. For example, this disclosure can be implemented by deleting some components from the above embodiments, and the various embodiments can also be combined with each other.

Claims

1. A device for testing the tensile strength of electrode tabs, characterized in that, include: The clamping component applies pressure to the electrode tabs of the electrode assembly; The driving component includes a drive motor and a gear component that converts the driving force generated by the drive motor into linear motion, and moves the clamping component; as well as A sensor module is connected to the clamping component and the gear component, and changes the internal resistance based on the movement of the gear component.

2. The electrode tab tensile strength testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Further includes: A pressurizing device, comprising: a pressurizing clamp, for providing pressure to the electrode tabs and the current collector of the electrode assembly; And the cylinder body, connected to the pressurizing clamp.

3. The electrode tab tensile strength testing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pressure clamp applies pressure to the electrode tabs and the current collector along a first direction. The clamping component applies pressure to the electrode tab along the first direction while the pressure clamp applies pressure to the electrode tab and the current collector, and provides tensile force to the electrode tab along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

4. The electrode tab tensile strength testing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pressure clamp includes: A first pressure clamp applies pressure to at least one of the electrode tabs and the current collector from one side of the electrode tab; and The second pressure clamp applies pressure to at least one of the electrode tabs and the current collector from the other side of the electrode tabs.

5. The electrode tab tensile strength testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gear component includes: At least one threaded shaft; Nut, connected to the threaded shaft; A coupling, connecting the threaded shaft and the drive motor; and Multiple balls are located between the at least one threaded shaft and the nut.

6. The electrode tab tensile strength testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Further includes: The support frame transports the electrode assembly.

7. The electrode tab tensile strength testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensor module is located between the clamping component and the driving component, and the sensor module includes a first end region connected to the clamping component and a second end region connected to the gear component.

8. The electrode tab tensile strength testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping component includes: The first pressurized part is in contact with one side of the electrode tab; The second pressurizing section contacts the other side of the electrode tab; and The support portion is connected to the first pressurizing portion and the second pressurizing portion. The support portion is connected to the sensor module.

9. The electrode tab tensile strength testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Further includes: The processor determines the tensile strength of the electrode tab based on the internal resistance sensed by the sensor module.

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