Melting tip, this type of heat melting machine

Abstract

Melting tip for a heat melting machine for assembling a sub-material having a bump or rib with a base material and subsequent heat melting of the bump or rib to attach the sub-material and the base material, wherein the melting tip comprises: a base tip with a vertically formed pin hole in a center and a tip head that contacts the boss or rib during heat melting, and a melting pin that is positioned in the pin hole and designed to move up and down separately from the base tip.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The disclosure and implementations disclosed in this patent document generally relate to a melting tip, a heat melting machine having the same, and a heat melting method employing the same. BACKGROUND

[0002] Heat fusion, also known as thermoplastic fusion, refers to a process for bonding two dissimilar materials. It is a technique in which heat energy is transferred to the surface of a product made of a thermoplastic resin, the temperature of the surface of the product to be bonded is raised to its melting point, and then pressing and cooling are performed to bond the materials.

[0003] In the case of joining two different materials, a base material and a sub-material, by heat fusion, for example, a bulge or rib formed in the sub-material is inserted into the base material. The inserted bulge or rib is heated, compressed, and then cooled to deform the shape of the bulge or rib. The base material and the sub-material are firmly bonded together by the deformed bulge or rib.

[0004] Meanwhile, the heat fusion process can be applied in the process of manufacturing a battery cell, a battery module or a battery pack. SUMMARY

[0005] When the boss or rib of the sub-material is inserted into an insertion hole formed in the base material and then heat-melted, a gap, a void, may temporarily form between the boss or rib and the insertion hole. This gap may create a space where the sub-material is not attached to the base material and can move, thereby reducing the bonding force between the sub-material and the base material.

[0006] The present disclosure may be implemented in some embodiments to reduce a gap formed between a sub-material and a base material.

[0007] The present disclosure may be implemented in some embodiments to provide a heat fusing method that can increase bonding strength.

[0008] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a melting tip for a heat-melting machine for assembling a sub-material having a boss or a rib with a base material, after which the boss or rib is heat-melted to fix the sub-material and the base material, comprises: a base tip having a pin hole formed vertically at a center and a tip head that contacts the boss or rib during heat-melting, and a melting pin positioned in the pin hole and configured to move up and down separately from the base tip.

[0009] The melt pin may have a body portion and an auxiliary pin, and the auxiliary pin may have a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the body portion and may be disposed toward the boss or rib.

[0010] The auxiliary pin may include a first auxiliary pin having a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the body portion and a second auxiliary pin having a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the first auxiliary pin, and the first auxiliary pin and the second auxiliary pin may be disposed toward the boss or the rib.

[0011] The auxiliary pin can protrude towards the hump or rib to be attached.

[0012] The auxiliary pin may be embedded in the body portion and configured to project toward the hump or rib during heat melting.

[0013] The fuse pin may have a pin head that contacts the boss or rib, and the pin head may have a recessed cut portion recessed into the interior of the fuse pin.

[0014] The fusible pin may have a pin head contacting the boss or rib, and the pin head may have a coating layer on a surface contacting the boss or rib.

[0015] The melting tip may further comprise: an elastic body connected to the melting pin, the elastic body being configured to be compressed during heat melting so that the melting pin is received in the pin hole.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a heat-melting machine for assembling a sub-material having a boss or a rib with a base material, after which the boss or the rib is heat-melted to fix the sub-material and the base material, comprises: a melting tip and a movable member, wherein the melting tip comprises: a base tip having a pin hole formed vertically at a center and a tip head that contacts the boss or the rib during heat-melting, and a melting pin positioned in the pin hole and configured to move up and down separately from the base tip, and wherein the movable member is connected to the melting pin and configured to move the melting pin up and down.

[0017] The movable member may include a motor and a drive shaft connected to the melting pin, and the motor may rotate the drive shaft to move the melting pin up and down.

[0018] The movable member may include an actuator connected to the melting pin, and the actuator may move the piston to move the melting pin up and down.

[0019] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the heat-melting method includes a preliminary process of preparing a base material having an insertion hole into which a boss or rib of a sub-material is inserted, a first melting process of heating and pressing a central portion of the boss or rib to fill a space between the boss or rib and the insertion hole of the base material, and a second melting process of heating and pressing a remaining portion of the boss or rib to fix the sub-material and the base material, wherein the boss or rib is heated and pressed in the first melting process and the second melting process using a melting tip having a base tip and a melting pin configured to move up and down separately from the base tip.

[0020] During the first melting process, the melting pin can move downward separately from the base tip to heat and press the middle section of the hump or rib.

[0021] In the second melting process, the remaining portion of the hump or rib can be heated and pressed with the base tip, while the middle portion of the hump or rib is pressed with the melting pin.

[0022] The preparatory process may be a process in which the sub-material and base material contained in the battery assembly are prepared. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Certain aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure are set forth in the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1A and Fig. 1 B are flow diagrams illustrating heat melting using a known melting tip. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a melting tip according to the present disclosure and Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B, Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B are flow diagrams illustrating heat melting using a melting tip according to the present disclosure. Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B are cross-sectional views showing modified examples of a melt pin. Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B are cross-sectional views showing another modified example of a melting pin. Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B are cross-sectional views showing modified examples of a pin head of a melt pin. Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B are cross-sectional views showing a melt tip with an elastic body. Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B are cross-sectional views illustrating a portion of a heat melting machine according to the present disclosure. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a battery cell to which a heat fusion method according to the present disclosure is applied. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery module to which a heat fusion method according to the present disclosure is applied. Fig. 12 is a plan view showing a battery pack to which a heat fusing method according to the present disclosure is applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For convenience, the following description omits a detailed description that obscures the technical essence of the present disclosure or a detailed description of a known component.

[0025] The following embodiments are intended to more fully describe the present disclosure to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. The following embodiments are intended to make the present disclosure more easily understandable; the technical idea of ​​the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific embodiments described below, in which the technical ideas described in the following embodiments are implemented.

[0026] The terms used in the following embodiments are intended to more fully describe specific embodiments from a practical point of view. Accordingly, the terms used in the following embodiments should not be construed to reduce, limit, or restrict the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0027] In the following description, singular terms may be construed to include the plural unless the context clearly precludes this. Furthermore, the term "comprising" in the following description means that a component, part, operation, feature, operation, number, etc., described in the description exists; it does not preclude the addition of one or more other components, parts, operations, features, operations, numbers, etc.

[0028] Before describing the present disclosure, terms and words used in the present disclosure and the claims to be described below should not be construed as being limited to ordinary terms or terms appearing in dictionaries; rather, they should be construed in accordance with the technical spirit of the present disclosure on the basis that the inventors can adequately define their own inventions with terms that can explain the invention as best as possible.

[0029] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this case, the same components are designated by the same reference symbols as far as possible in the drawings. A detailed description of well-known functions and constructions, which might obscure the essence of the present invention, will be omitted. For the same reasons, some of the elements in the accompanying drawings are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated, and the size of each element does not accurately reflect the actual size. In addition, terms such as "an upper side," "a lower side," "a side surface," and the like in this specification are described based on the drawings and may be expressed differently if the direction of the corresponding object has changed.

[0030] Hereinafter, a melting tip, a heat melting machine having the same, and a heat melting method using the same according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to drawings.

[0031] The melting tip according to the present disclosure may be a component of a heat-fusion machine. The heat-fusion machine may be a device for bonding a sub-material and a base material. The sub-material may be a material that melts when heated to change shape and deforms upon cooling to solidify into its respective shape. The sub-material may be, for example, a thermoplastic resin. The sub-material may have a boss or rib. The boss or rib is configured to be inserted into the base material and may have a protrusion shape. The base material may have an insertion hole configured to accept the boss or rib. The base material and the sub-material may be assembled by inserting the boss or rib into the insertion hole.After assembly, the heat melting machine can heat and press the boss or rib inserted into the insertion hole with the melting tip to change its shape and cool it to bond the base material and the sub-material.

[0032] Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B are flowcharts illustrating heat melting using the melting tip 1 of the related art. Fig. 1A is a state before melting and Fig. 1B is a state after melting.

[0033] With reference to Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B, a gap G may not be filled after heat reflow. The gap G may be a void between the projection or rib 11 and the base material 20. The end of the melt tip 1 may have a shape that is rounded toward the interior of the melt tip 1. When heat reflow is performed using the melt tip 1, the projection or rib 11 may be melted and moved. A lower portion of the melted projection or rib 11 may have a slight degree of deformation in a horizontal direction, so that the gap G is not filled.

[0034] During heat melting, for example, an upper portion of the molten bump or rib 11 may be deformed while moving upward in the horizontal direction along the round shape of the melting tip 1, and the degree of downward movement may be insufficient to fill the gap G. The gap G formed in the insertion hole 21 can provide a space in which the bump or rib 11 can sufficiently move. Accordingly, the sub-material 10 is not fixed to the base material 20 and can move, and the bonding force between the sub-material 10 and the base material 20 may be reduced. In particular, when applied to a product with strong vibration such as an automobile, the sub-material 10 may be constantly shaken by the vibration, and the bonding force may be significantly reduced.

[0035] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a melting tip 100 according to the present disclosure, and Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B, Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B are flow diagrams illustrating heat melting using the melting tip 100 according to the present disclosure.

[0036] With reference to Fig. 2 to 4B, the melting tip 100 may include a base tip 110 and a melting pin 120. In Fig. 2 to 4B, a movable member 130 to be described below is not shown.

[0037] The base tip 110 occupies the largest portion of the melting tip 100 and may surround the melting pin 120 located in the center.

[0038] The base tip 110 may have a pin hole 111 formed vertically in the center. The pin hole 111 may be a space for receiving the fuse pin 120. The shape of a cross section of the pin hole 111 may be similar to a cross section of the fuse pin 120.

[0039] The base tip 110 may include a tip head 112. The tip head 112 may be configured to contact the boss or rib 11 during heat-melting. For example, the tip head 112 may be located at the bottom of the base tip 110. The tip head 112 may have various shapes. For example, the tip head 112 may have a shape that is rounded toward the interior of the base tip 110. After heat-melting, the boss or rib 11 may therefore form a connecting head 12 having a round shape at an upper portion. A cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting head 12 may be larger than a cross-sectional area of ​​the insertion hole 21 so that the sub-material 10 and the base material 20 can be connected.

[0040] The fuse pin 120 may be configured to move up and down separately from the base tip 110. The fuse pin 120 may be positioned in the pin hole 111. The fuse pin 120 may move up and down while inserted into the pin hole 111. At this time, the pin hole 111 may serve as a guide for the movement of the fuse pin 120. The fuse pin 120 may move separately from the base tip 110. For example, the base tip 110 may be fixed motionlessly, and only the fuse pin 120 may move downward to press on the boss or rib 11. Similarly, the base tip 110 may move while the fuse pin 120 is fixed. For example, while the melting pin 120 presses on the boss or rib 11 to be fixed, the base tip 110 may move downward to press on the boss or rib 11.

[0041] The melting pin 120 can first heat and press the central portion of the boss or rib 11 to fill the gap G. The principle of filling the gap G will be explained below with reference to Fig. 3A to 4B. Fig. 3A to 4B show heat melting using the melting tip 100 of the heat melting machine according to the present disclosure in the order Fig. 3A to Fig. 4B.

[0042] With reference to Fig. 3A to 4B, the heat melting method may include an insertion process, a first melting process, and a second melting process.

[0043] Fig. 3A shows a preparatory process. The preparatory process may be a process of preparing the base material 20, in which a projection or rib 11 of the sub-material 10 is inserted into the insertion hole 21. The projection or rib 11 formed on the sub-material 10 may, for example, be inserted into the insertion hole 21 formed in the base material 20. The cross-sectional area of ​​the insertion hole 21 may be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the projection or rib 11.

[0044] Fig. 3B shows a first melting process. The first melting process may be a process of heating and pressing the projection or rib 11 with the melting pin 120. Specifically, the central portion of the projection or rib 11 may be heated and pressed by the melting pin 120. The first melting process may be a process of heating and pressing the central portion of the projection or rib 11 to fill a space between the projection or rib 11 and the insertion hole 21 of the base material 20. In the first melting process, the projection or rib 11 may be heated and pressed using the melting tip 100, which includes the base tip 110 and the melting pin 120 configured to move up and down separately from the base tip 110. The melting pin 120 can be moved up and down separately from the base tip 110.In the first melting operation, the melting pin 120 may move downward separately from the base tip 110 to heat and press the central portion of the hump or rib 11. However, if the melting tip 100 has a . Fig. 8, at least a portion of the fusible pin 120 may protrude from the pin hole 111. In the first melting process, it is possible that the base tip 110 does not press the bump or rib 11, and only the fusible pin 120 can press the bump or rib 11. The middle portion of the bump or rib 11 may be melted and moved downward. The molten bump or rib 11 may move horizontally during the downward movement. The lower portion of the bump or rib 11 may therefore be expanded horizontally and fill the gap G, which is an empty space between the bump or rib 11 and the insertion hole 21.

[0045] Fig. 4A shows a second melting process. The second melting process may be a process of heating and pressing the remaining portion of the boss or rib 11 to fix the sub-material 10 and the base material 20. In the second melting process, the boss or rib 11 may be heated and pressed using the melting tip 100, which includes the base tip 110 and the melting pin 120 configured to move up and down separately from the base tip 110. In the second melting process, in a state where the central portion of the boss or rib 11 is pressed by the melting pin 120, the remaining portion of the boss or rib 11 may be heated and pressed by the base tip 110.Here, the remaining portion may be the remaining portion of the projection or rib 11, excluding the portion heated and pressed by the melting pin 120. The base tip 110 may be lowered to heat and press the remaining portion. Here, the melting pin 120 may be in a state of pressing the central portion of the projection or rib 11. That is, in a state where the melting pin 120 is fixed, the base tip 110 may be lowered to press the remaining portion. The remaining portion may be melted and deformed to conform to the shape of the tip head 112 of the base tip 110 to form the connecting head 12.

[0046] Fig. 4B shows a state in which melting is complete. The melting tip 100 can be lifted, and the melted connecting head 12 can be cooled. The connecting head 12 can be cooled and solidified in a deformed state.

[0047] Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B are cross-sectional views showing a modified example of a melting pin 120, and Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B are cross-sectional views showing another modified example of the fuse pin 120.

[0048] With reference to Fig. 5A to Fig. 6B, the fuse pin 120 may include a body portion 121 and an auxiliary pin 122. Fig. 5A and Fig. 6A are enlarged views of various modified examples of the melting pin 120.

[0049] The body portion 121 may be a body of the melt pin 120.

[0050] The auxiliary pin 122 may have a smaller cross-sectional area than the body portion 121. If the cross-sections of the body portion 121 and the auxiliary pin 122 are circular, for example, a diameter of the auxiliary pin 122 may be smaller than a diameter of the body portion 121. The auxiliary pin 122 may be arranged toward the boss or rib 11. The auxiliary pin 122 may face the boss or rib 11.

[0051] The auxiliary pin 122 may include a first auxiliary pin 122a having a smaller cross-sectional area than the body portion 121 and a second auxiliary pin 122b having a smaller cross-sectional area than the first auxiliary pin 122a. That is, the auxiliary pin 122 may include successively smaller auxiliary pins 122 as needed. Accordingly, the auxiliary pin 122 may form an N-stage structure including a plurality of additional auxiliary pins 122. The first auxiliary pin 122a and the second auxiliary pin 122b may be arranged toward the boss or rib 11.

[0052] With reference to Fig. 5A and Fig. 5B, the auxiliary pin 122 may be fixed while protruding toward the boss or rib 11. The first auxiliary pin 122a and the second auxiliary pin 122b may protrude and be fixed. For example, the first auxiliary pin 122a may protrude from the body portion 121 toward the boss or rib 11. Moreover, the second auxiliary pin 122b may protrude from the first auxiliary pin 122a toward the boss or rib 11. The first auxiliary pin 122a and the second auxiliary pin 122b may protrude and be fixed. Accordingly, the body portion 121, the first auxiliary pin 122a, and the second auxiliary pin 122b of the fuse pin 120 may be arranged in order, and the cross-sectional areas thereof may have a step shape that gradually decreases. The auxiliary pin 122 may include an N-th auxiliary pin such as a third auxiliary pin, a fourth auxiliary pin, etc. as needed, and may form an N-stage structure.

[0053] With reference to Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B, the auxiliary pin 122 may be configured to be embedded in the body portion 121. The embedded auxiliary pin 122 may be configured to protrude toward the boss or rib 11 during heat melting. Therefore, the auxiliary pin 122 may have a shape similar to that of the melting tip 100 of Fig. 4 during heat melting. Similarly, the auxiliary pin 122, even if embedded, may comprise an Nth auxiliary pin and form an N-stage structure. The auxiliary pins, when embedded, may protrude in various ways, although this is not apparent from the drawing. For example, each auxiliary pin may be individually combined with a spring, an actuator structure, etc., as to be described below, and configured to move separately.

[0054] Due to the N-stage structure of the auxiliary pin, the melting pin 120 can intensively melt the central portion of the hump or rib 11 and push it downward. Compared to a zero-stage structure without an auxiliary pin, for example, a 2-stage structure can lower the central portion relatively further. The capacity of the hump or rib 11 that has been melted and moved downward can be sufficient to fill the gap G.

[0055] Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B are cross-sectional views showing modified examples of the pin head 124 of the fuse pin 120.

[0056] With reference to Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B, the fuse pin 120 may have a pin head 124.

[0057] The pin head 124 may be a portion of the fuse pin 120. The pin head 124 may contact the boss or rib 11. That is, the pin head 124 may be the end of the fuse pin 120.

[0058] Fig. 7A shows various shapes of the pin head 124. From the top, a general pin head 124, a pin head 124 with a recessed cut portion 125, and a pin head 124 with a coating layer 126 are shown.

[0059] Generally, a surface of the pin head 124 contacting the boss or rib 11 may be a flat surface. However, the shape of the pin head 124 may vary.

[0060] The pin head 124 may include the recessed cut portion 125. The recessed cut portion 125 may be formed to recess into the interior of the fusible pin 120. The recessed cut portion 125 may receive a portion of the molten boss or rib 11. The boss or rib 11 may have a high viscosity even in the molten state. Therefore, the boss or rib 11 received in the recessed cut portion 125 may serve as a guide to prevent the fusible pin 120 from being displaced from a position thereof while the fusible pin 120 is being lowered.

[0061] The pin head 124 may further include the coating layer 126. The coating layer 126 may be formed on the surface of the pin head 124 that contacts the boss or rib 11. The surface of the pin head 124 that contacts the boss or rib 11 may be corroded or deformed by contact with the molten boss or rib 11. Therefore, the pin head 124 may include the coating layer 126 to avoid this problem. The coating layer 126 may include various coating materials for different purposes, such as chemical resistance, rust resistance, and discharge resistance.

[0062] The above-mentioned shapes of the pin head 124 are only examples and are not necessarily limited thereto, and the pin head 124 may have various shapes.

[0063] Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B are cross-sectional views showing the melting tip 100 having the elastic body 123.

[0064] With reference to Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B, the melting tip 100 may further include the elastic body 123. Fig. 8A shows a state before compression of the elastic body 123, and Fig. 8B shows a state after compression of the elastic body 123.

[0065] The elastic body 123 can be connected to the melting pin 120. For example, one side of the elastic body 123 can be combined with the melting pin 120, and the opposite side can be combined with the base tip 110. The elastic body 123 can be received in the pin hole 111.

[0066] The elastic body 123 may be configured to compress during heat-melting so that the fusible pin 120 can be received in the pin hole 111. For example, before heat-melting, the fusible pin 120 may be in a state where at least a portion thereof is outside the pin hole 111 due to the elasticity of the elastic body 123. When heat-melting begins, the fusible tip 100 may be lowered, and the fusible pin 120 may first contact the bump or rib 11. Because the elastic body 123 has elasticity, the fusible pin 120 may press the bump or rib 11. The bump or rib 11 may have greater strength during pressing, and the elastic body 123 may contract due to the strength. The fusible pin 120 may be completely received in the pin hole 111 along with the contraction of the elastic body 123.

[0067] Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B are cross-sectional views illustrating a portion of a heat melting machine according to the present disclosure.

[0068] With reference to Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B together with Fig. 3A to 4B, the heat melting machine may include the melting tip 100 and the movable member 130.

[0069] The melting tip 100 of the heat melting machine may be any of the melting tips 100 mentioned above.

[0070] The movable member 130 may be configured to move the fuse pin 120. The movable member 130 may be connected to the fuse pin 120 and configured to move the fuse pin 120 up and down.

[0071] The shape of the movable member 130 and the principle of moving the melting pin 120 are not limited. Therefore, the following examples are examples of the movable member 130 and are not necessarily limited thereto.

[0072] The movable member 130 may include a motor and a drive shaft. The motor can rotate the drive shaft. The type of motor is not limited, and it can be any motor that can exert sufficient rotational force to drive the drive shaft. The drive shaft can be connected to the melting pin and rotate. When the drive shaft rotates, the melting pin can move up and down. At this time, although not shown in the drawing, a guide groove can be formed between the melting pin 120 and the base tip 110 to prevent the melting pin from rotating together with the drive shaft. The motor and the drive shaft can move the melting pin 120 up and down, and the melting pin 120 can press the boss or rib 11.

[0073] Furthermore, the movable member 130 may include an actuator connected to the melting pin 120. The actuator may move the melting pin 120 up and down. The actuator may, for example, have a piston structure. The actuator may move the piston to move the melting pin 120 up and down. The piston may be combined with the melting pin 120 to move the melting pin 120 up and down. The actuator may inject or remove fluid or air through a hose. The actuator may move the piston by controlling hydraulic or pneumatic pressure to move the melting pin 120.

[0074] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a battery cell 210 to which the heat fusion method of the present disclosure is applied; Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery module 200 to which the heat fusion method according to the present disclosure is applied, and Fig. 12 is a plan view showing a battery pack to which the heat fusion method according to the present disclosure is applied.

[0075] Fig. 10 to 12 show examples of applying a heat fusion method according to the present disclosure to the manufacture of a battery assembly. Fig. 10 to 12 show enlarged cross-sectional views of the sub-material 10 and the base material 20 being heat-melted and bonded together.

[0076] With reference to Fig.10 to 12, the heat-melting method according to the present disclosure can be applied to the manufacture of a battery assembly. In the heat-melting method, the preparatory process may be a process of preparing the sub-material 10 and the base material 20 that comprise the battery assembly. The battery assembly may include the battery cell 210, the battery module 200, and a battery pack. The heat-melting method according to the present disclosure may be a method using the melting tip 100 or a heat-melting machine according to the present disclosure.

[0077] The heat-fusion method according to the present disclosure can be applied to the manufacture of the battery cell 210. For example, the sub-material 10 and the base material 20 can each be a component of the battery cells 210. The battery cell 210 can include an insulator 213 and a current collector 214. The insulator 213 can include an insulating material such as plastic. The current collector 214 can include an electrically conductive material such as metal. The insulator 213 and the current collector 214 can be bonded to each other. The heat-fusion method can be used to bond the insulator 213 and the current collector 214. At this time, the insulator 213 can be the sub-material 10, and the current collector 214 can be the base material 20. The insulator 213 can include the boss or rib 11, and the collector plate 214 can include the insertion hole 21.The hump or rib 11 of the insulator 213 can be inserted into the insertion hole 21 of the collector sheet 214 and then heat-melted.

[0078] The heat-fusion method according to the present disclosure can be applied to the manufacture of the battery module 200. The sub-material 10 and the base material 20 can each be a component of the battery module 200 or a battery pack. The battery module 200 can include a plurality of battery cells 210 and a casing. The battery module 200 can accommodate a plurality of battery cells 210. Each battery cell 210 can be a secondary battery. The battery module 200 can include a casing having a lower frame 220 and an upper frame 230. The lower frame 220 can have an empty space therein to accommodate the plurality of battery cells 210. After accommodating the plurality of battery cells 210 in the lower frame 220, the upper frame 230 can be connected to the lower frame 220.

[0079] The heat-fusion method can be applied to the process of joining the upper frame 230 to the lower frame 220. For example, the boss or rib 11 can be formed in an upper portion of the lower frame 220. The upper frame 230 can have the insertion hole 21 into which the boss or rib 11 can be inserted. At this time, the lower frame 220 can be the sub-material 10, and the upper frame 230 can be the base material 20. After inserting the boss or rib 11 of the lower frame 220 into the insertion hole 21, heat-fusion can be performed using the melting tip 100 or the heat-fusion machine according to the present disclosure. The upper frame 230 and the lower frame 220 can be joined together by the heat-fusion method.

[0080] The heat-fusion method according to the present disclosure can be applied to the manufacture of a battery pack. The battery pack can include a plurality of battery modules 200, a reinforcement member 250, and a bus bar 240.

[0081] The bus bar 240 may be a component that connects a plurality of battery cells 210 or a plurality of battery modules 200. For example, the bus bar 240 may be electrically connected to a negative terminal 211 of one battery cell and a positive terminal 212 of an adjacent battery cell. The reinforcing member 250 may be a frame disposed between the plurality of battery modules 200. The reinforcing member 250 may provide additional fastening force to the plurality of battery modules 200 or bus bars 240. For example, the reinforcing member 250 may include the boss or rib 11, and the bus bar 240 may include the insertion hole 21 into which the boss or rib 11 is inserted. At this time, the reinforcing member 250 may be the sub-material 10, and the bus bar 240 may be the base material 20.After inserting the boss or rib 11 of the reinforcement member 250 into the insertion hole 21 of the bus bar 240, heat fusion can be performed using the melting tip 100 or the heat fusion machine according to the present disclosure. The bus bar 240 can be joined to the reinforcement member 250 via the heat fusion process.

[0082] The above examples are just a few examples to which the heat-fusion method is applied. Therefore, the heat-fusion method of the present disclosure can also be applied to other components of the battery module 200 or the battery pack.

[0083] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the gap formed between the sub-material and the base material can be reduced.

[0084] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a heat fusing method can be provided that can increase the joining strength.

[0085] Only specific examples of implementations of certain embodiments are described. Variations, improvements, and enhancements to the disclosed embodiments and other embodiments may be made based on the disclosure of this specification.

Claims

[1] A melting tip for a heat-melting machine for assembling a sub-material having a boss or rib with a base material and then heat-melting the boss or rib to secure the sub-material and the base material, the melting tip comprising: a base tip having a pin hole formed vertically in a center and a tip head contacting the boss or rib during heat melting, and a melting pin positioned in the pin hole and configured to move up and down separately from the base tip. [2] The melting tip according to claim 1, wherein the melting pin comprises a body portion and an auxiliary pin, and the auxiliary pin has a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the body portion and is disposed toward the boss or rib. [3] The melting tip according to claim 2, wherein the auxiliary pin comprises a first auxiliary pin having a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the body portion and a second auxiliary pin having a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the first auxiliary pin, and the first auxiliary pin and the second auxiliary pin are arranged toward the boss or the rib. [4] A melting tip according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the auxiliary pin projects toward the boss or rib to be fixed. [5] A melting tip according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the auxiliary pin is embedded in the body portion and is configured to protrude toward the boss or rib during heat melting. [6] A melting tip according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the melting pin has a pin head contacting the boss or the rib, and the pin head has a recessed cut portion recessed into the interior of the melting pin. [7] A melting tip according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the melting pin has a pin head contacting the boss or the rib, and the pin head has a coating layer on a surface contacting the boss or the rib. [8] Melting tip according to one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: an elastic body connected to the melting pin, wherein the elastic body is configured to be compressed during heat melting so that the melting pin is received in the pin hole. [9] A heat-melting machine for assembling a sub-material having a boss or rib with a base material, after which the boss or rib is heat-melted to fix the sub-material and the base material, the heat-melting machine comprising: a melting tip and a movable limb, wherein the melting tip has: a base tip having a pin hole formed vertically in a center and a tip head contacting the boss or rib during heat melting, and a melting pin positioned in the pin hole and configured to move up and down separately from the base tip, and wherein the movable member is connected to the melting pin and is configured to move the melting pin up and down. [10] A heat melting machine according to claim 9, wherein the movable member comprises a motor and a drive shaft connected to the melting pin and the motor rotates the drive shaft to move the melting pin up and down. [11] A heat melting machine according to claim 9, wherein the movable member has an actuator connected to the melting pin and the actuator moves the piston to move the melting pin up and down.

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