Electrode supplying device, electrode assembly manufacturing device using the same, electrode supplying method, and electrode assembly manufacturing method using the same

Abstract

The present invention is characterized in that, in a manufacturing method of an electrode assembly in which first and second electrodes are alternately arranged between folded separators, the electrodes are stored in a stacked manner in a magazine section, and a second protective sheet is disposed between the plurality of electrodes, allowing the electrodes to be easily separated without adhesion, and the two sheets removed after the electrodes are separated are recycled.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention claims the benefit of the filing date of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0184440, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 26, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrode supplying device, an electrode assembly manufacturing device using the same, an electrode supplying method, and an electrode assembly manufacturing method using the same. [Background technology]

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries are rechargeable and have the potential to be small and have large capacity, so they have been the subject of much research and development in recent years. As technological development and demand for mobile devices increases, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source is growing rapidly.

[0004] Secondary batteries are classified into coin type batteries, cylindrical type batteries, square type batteries, and pouch type batteries according to the shape of the battery case. The electrode assembly attached inside the battery case of a secondary battery is a power generating element capable of charging and discharging, which is made of a laminated structure of electrodes and a separator.

[0005] The electrode assemblies can be roughly classified into a jelly-roll type in which a sheet-type positive electrode and a negative electrode coated with an active material are wound with a separator interposed between them, a stack type in which a number of positive electrodes and a negative electrodes are sequentially stacked with a separator interposed therebetween, and a stack-and-fold type in which a stack-type unit cell is wound with a long separator film.

[0006] In most cases, the electrode assemblies are manufactured by supplying individual electrodes from a magazine in which a plurality of individual electrodes are stacked, and in this process, there is a problem that the electrodes to be supplied are not completely separated from the plurality of individual electrodes stacked in the magazine, resulting in defects in the manufactured electrode assemblies.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a technology for appropriately separating electrodes for supply among a plurality of electrodes stacked in a magazine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0027918 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an electrode supplying device, an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus using the same, an electrode supplying method, and an electrode assembly manufacturing method using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode supply device including a first magazine section in which a plurality of electrodes are stacked; a separation failure prevention sheet arranged between each of the plurality of electrodes; an electrode pick-up section that picks up the uppermost electrode among the plurality of electrodes; and a separation failure prevention sheet pick-up section that removes the separation failure prevention sheet from the first magazine section.

[0011] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly in a form in which first and second electrodes are alternately arranged between a folded separation membrane, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus including: a first electrode supplying unit that supplies the first electrode to a stack table side; a second electrode supplying unit that supplies the second electrode to the stack table side; a separation membrane supplying unit that supplies the separation membrane to the stack table side; a stack table on which a stack is manufactured in which the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode are stacked in a form in which the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separation membrane; and a press unit that heats and pressurizes the stack to bond the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode to manufacture an electrode assembly, wherein at least one of the first electrode supplying unit and the second electrode supplying unit includes the electrode supply device.

[0012] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode supply method including: (S1) stacking a plurality of electrodes and a separation failure prevention sheet between each of the plurality of electrodes in a first magazine section; (S2) picking up an uppermost electrode of the plurality of electrodes and transporting it to a stack table; and (S3) removing the separation failure prevention sheet exposed by picking up the topmost electrode from the first magazine.

[0013] Finally, one embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which a first electrode and a second electrode are alternately arranged between a folded separator, the method including: supplying the first electrode to a stack table; supplying the second electrode to the stack table; supplying the separation membrane to the stack table; stacking the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode on a stack table so that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separator to manufacture a laminate; and a heat press step of heating and pressurizing the laminate to bond the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode to manufacture an electrode assembly, wherein at least one of the steps of supplying the first electrode to the stack table; and supplying the second electrode to the stack table includes the electrode supply method. Effect of the Invention

[0014] The electrode supplying device and electrode supplying method according to the embodiments of the present invention, an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus using the same, and an electrode assembly manufacturing method using the same can prevent problems with separation of multiple sheets due to contact between electrode surfaces or between an electrode surface and a separator.

[0015] The electrode supply device and electrode supply method according to the embodiments of the present invention, and the electrode assembly manufacturing device and electrode assembly manufacturing method using the same, can prevent problems with separation of multiple sheets, thereby improving stability and productivity. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a process of separating an electrode in an electrode supplying device and an electrode supplying method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3]1 is a front view showing a concept of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a conventional electrode assembly. [Diagram 5] 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a pressing process of a method or apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view showing a first press section 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view showing a second press section 60 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view showing a stack table in an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view showing a first electrode mounting table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 2 is a perspective view showing a second electrode mounting table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] 2 is a perspective view showing a first suction head of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 11] 2 is a bottom view showing a first suction head of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 12] 2 is a plan view showing a holding mechanism and a stack table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Explanation of symbols]

[0017] 1. Electrode pickup section 2. The uppermost electrode among the stacked electrodes 3. Second electrode 4. Other electrodes and sheets to prevent incomplete separation 5 Temperature sensor section 6 Temperature control unit 7. Magazine No. 1 8. Sheet to prevent incomplete separation 9. Sheet pick-up section to prevent incomplete separation 10...electrode assembly 11...1st electrode 11a First electrode tab 12...Second electrode 12a Second electrode tab 14...Separation membrane 50 ···First Press Department 50a, 50b A pair of first pressure blocks 60 ···Second Press Department 60a, 60b A pair of second pressurizing blocks 51 Gripper 51a...Body holding mechanism 51b...Fixed part 100...Electrode assembly manufacturing equipment 110 Stack Table 111 Table body 112 Stack table heater 120...Separation membrane supply section 121 Separation membrane heating section 122 Separation membrane roll 130...First electrode supply section 131 First electrode placement table 132 First electrode heater 133 First electrode roll 134 First cutter 135 First conveyor belt 136 First electrode supply head 140...Second electrode supply section 141 Second electrode placement table 142 Second electrode heater 143 Second electrode roll 144 No. 2 cutter 145 - Second conveyor belt 146 Second electrode supply head 150 First electrode stack section 151 No. 1 suction head 151a...Vacuum inlet 151b...Bottom surface 152 First head heater 153 First moving part 160 Second electrode stack section 161 Second suction head 162 Second head heater 163 Second moving part 170 ···Holding mechanism 171 First holding mechanism 172 Second holding mechanism 180 ···Press Department 181 First pressure block 182 Second pressure block 183,184 ···Press heater S ···Laminate DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0019] In this specification, when a part is said to "comprise" a certain component, this means that it may further include other components, rather than excluding other components, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0020] In this specification, "p to q" means "greater than or equal to p and less than or equal to q."

[0021] In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related known technologies that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted.

[0022] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode supply device including a first magazine section in which a plurality of electrodes are stacked; a separation failure prevention sheet arranged between each of the plurality of electrodes; an electrode pick-up section that picks up the uppermost electrode among the plurality of electrodes; and a separation failure prevention sheet pick-up section that removes the separation failure prevention sheet from the first magazine section.

[0023] In the present specification, the term "electrode" refers to the electrode and / or a semi-finished electrode product. Also, the semi-finished electrode product refers to an electrode assembly, and all semi-assembled products related to an electrode, such as a coated electrode, a rolled electrode, a notched electrode, etc., manufactured in the process of manufacturing a secondary battery including the electrode assembly. That is, in the present specification, electrodes or semi-finished electrode products may be stacked in the electrode magazine unit.

[0024] In this specification, the term "separation failure" refers to a phenomenon in which, during the process of separating stacked electrodes, adhesion caused by foreign matter present on the surfaces of the electrodes interferes with the separation of the electrodes.

[0025] That is, in the present specification, the "separation failure prevention sheet" means a sheet for preventing the separation failure phenomenon in which unnecessary adhesive force that hinders the separation of the electrodes occurs during the process of separating stacked electrodes.

[0026] In this specification, the term "first magazine" may refer to an "electrode magazine," which functions to stack electrodes in a predetermined internal space, like bullets in a magazine. An electrode supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the electrodes are stacked so that a separate separation failure prevention sheet is disposed between the electrodes inside the first magazine, and then the electrodes and the separation failure prevention sheet are alternately transported or removed. Since the separate separation failure prevention sheet is disposed between the electrodes, the separation failure phenomenon can be prevented, and therefore the problem of separation of multiple sheets due to contact between electrode surfaces or between the electrode surface and a separator can be prevented.

[0027] As a result, when an electrode assembly is manufactured by the electrode supplying device according to the embodiment of the present invention and an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus using the electrode supplying device, productivity can be improved.

[0028] The electrode supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first magazine unit in which the electrodes are stacked. The first magazine unit functions to stack the electrodes.

[0029] In addition, an electrode supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first magazine section in which the electrodes and the separation failure prevention sheets are stacked alternately, with the electrodes being located at the top and the electrodes and the separation failure prevention sheets being stacked alternately.

[0030] The electrode supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an electrode pickup unit that picks up an uppermost electrode among the electrodes stacked inside the first magazine unit and transfers it to a stack table side. More specifically, the electrode pickup unit may include an electrode fixing unit that fixes the uppermost electrode; and an electrode transfer unit that transfers the uppermost electrode fixed by the fixing unit to the stack table side.

[0031] The electrode supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a separation failure prevention sheet pick-up unit that removes an uppermost separation failure prevention sheet from the first magazine unit among the separation failure prevention sheets stacked inside the first magazine unit. More specifically, the separation failure prevention sheet pick-up unit may include a separation failure prevention sheet fixing unit that fixes the uppermost separation failure prevention sheet; and a separation failure prevention sheet extracting unit that removes the uppermost separation failure prevention sheet fixed by the separation failure prevention sheet fixing unit.

[0032] In this specification, "removing the separation failure prevention sheet" means that the separation failure prevention sheet is moved to a position other than the stack table side and is not used in the step of stacking the electrode assemblies.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus may further include a second magazine in which the removed separation insufficiency prevention sheets are stacked in order to reuse the separation insufficiency prevention sheets removed by the separation insufficiency prevention sheet pick-up unit. That is, the removed separation insufficiency prevention sheets are separately sorted, and then the sorted separation insufficiency prevention sheets are stacked in the first magazine in a form in which they are positioned between the electrodes, and reused. This can reduce process costs.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separation failure prevention sheet may be made of aluminum material, but is not limited thereto, and may be made of any material that does not cause problems when in contact with the electrodes. When using such a material, separation failure can be more easily prevented.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separation failure prevention sheet may be in the form of a net or a sheet having irregularities. The net or irregularities may have a predetermined pattern, but can be used without limitation as long as the surface is non-slip and can prevent separation failure. Preferably, when the separation failure prevention sheet has a net shape, the surface is not smooth, so that separation failure can be more easily prevented.

[0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the electrode supplying device may further include an electrode placement table on which the electrodes transferred by the electrode supplying device are placed and aligned. The electrodes placed on the electrode placement table may be stacked on a stack table by an electrode stacking unit described below.

[0037] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which a first electrode and a second electrode are alternately arranged between a folded separation membrane, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus including: a first electrode supplying unit that supplies the first electrode to a stack table; a second electrode supplying unit that supplies the second electrode to the stack table; a separation membrane supplying unit that supplies the separation membrane to the stack table; a stack table on which a stack is manufactured in which the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode are stacked in such a manner that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separation membrane; and a press unit that heats and pressurizes the stack to bond the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode to manufacture an electrode assembly; and at least one of the first electrode supplying unit and the second electrode supplying unit includes the electrode supplying device.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode supply section includes the electrode supply device.

[0039] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second electrode supply section includes the electrode supply device.

[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode supply section and the second electrode supply section each include the electrode supply device.

[0041] That is, the first electrode supply unit and the second electrode supply unit may each supply a first electrode and a second electrode by utilizing the electrode supply device according to the present invention.

[0042] In other words, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode supplying unit that supplies electrodes to a stack table, and the electrode supplying unit may include an electrode placing table on which the electrodes are placed before being stacked on the stack table by the electrode stacking unit. Also, the electrodes transferred by the electrode supplying apparatus according to the present invention may be placed on the electrode placing table and aligned in position. The aligned electrodes may be stacked on the stack table by the electrode stacking unit. Also, the electrodes may be first electrodes or second electrodes.

[0043] In this specification, the process of manufacturing a laminate in which the first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separators is referred to as zigzag folding.

[0044] In this specification, the laminate may correspond to an unfinished electrode assembly, and the uppermost and lowermost ends of the electrode assembly may correspond to the upper and lower surfaces of the laminate, respectively, or the bottom and upper surfaces of the unfinished electrode assembly.

[0045] That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode supply unit may include the first electrode supply device, and the second electrode supply unit may include the second electrode supply device. The first electrode supply device and the second electrode supply device may each be the electrode supply device according to the present invention.

[0046] In addition, in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode supply unit may include a first electrode placing table on which the first electrode is placed before being stacked on the stack table by the first electrode stack unit, and the second electrode supply unit may include a second electrode placing table on which the second electrode is placed before being stacked on the stack table by the second electrode stack unit.

[0047] In one embodiment of the present invention, in order to stack the first electrodes, the separation membrane, and the second electrodes in a form in which the first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separation membrane, a method in which the stack table moves left and right, a method in which the separation membrane moves left and right, or a method in which the stack table rotates may be used, and conventional techniques in the field may be applied to this.

[0048] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a stack table moving unit that moves the stack table left and right, or a separation membrane guide unit that moves the separation membrane left and right. In addition, the stack table moving unit and the separation membrane guide unit are not limited in shape as long as they perform the function of moving the stack table and the separation membrane left and right, respectively, and devices commonly used in the art may be used.

[0049] In one embodiment of the present invention, the press section may further include a pair of pressurizing blocks and a press heater for heating the pressurizing blocks, the pair of pressurizing blocks may move in directions facing each other to apply surface pressure to the laminate, and the laminate may be heated by the press heater. In this case, in one embodiment of the present invention, the pair of pressurizing blocks may include the press heater therein.

[0050] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heating of the stack may be by a heater contained within the stack table.

[0051] The pressure conditions and temperature conditions of the heating and pressing by the pressing unit may be the same as those of the heat pressing step described below. The same applies to the time (time conditions) for applying the heating and pressing.

[0052] Here, the pressure condition refers to the pressure applied by the pair of pressurizing blocks (or the pressurizing block for the stack table), and the temperature condition refers to the temperature of heat applied by a press heater or a heater included inside the stack table.

[0053] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heat pressing step may further include a gripper for fixing a laminate including the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode during heating and pressurization by the press unit. Specifically, the gripper may be applied in a first heat pressing step described below.

[0054] In one embodiment of the present invention, the press section may include a first press section and a second press section. Specifically, the first press section and the second press section may be applied to a first heat press stage and a second heat press stage, respectively, which will be described later, and the heating conditions and pressure conditions may be the same as those for the first heat press stage and the second heat press stage, which will be described later.

[0055] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first press unit may include a pair of first press blocks, and the press surfaces of the pair of first press blocks may include grooves corresponding to the grippers, and the press surfaces other than the grooves may be flat. That is, the first press unit may be applied in the first heat pressing step described above.

[0056] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second press unit may include a pair of second press blocks, and the press surfaces of the pair of second press blocks may be flat. That is, the second press unit may be used in the second heat press step described above.

[0057] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a holding mechanism for holding and fixing the laminate during the manufacturing process of the laminate.

[0058] In this specification, the term "holding mechanism" refers to a mechanism for holding a stacked material on the stack table in order to stack the first or second electrodes in a process of manufacturing a stacked material in which the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode are stacked in a form in which the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately arranged between the separators folded on the stack table, and has a function different from that of a gripper that holds the stacked material in a process of heating and pressurizing the stacked material. For a specific operation process of the holding mechanism, the description of the method for manufacturing an electrode assembly described below may be referred to.

[0059] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode supply method including: (S1) stacking a plurality of electrodes and a separation failure prevention sheet between each of the plurality of electrodes in a first magazine section; (S2) picking up an uppermost electrode among the plurality of electrodes and transporting it to a stack table; and (S3) removing the separation failure prevention sheet exposed by picking up the topmost electrode from the first magazine.

[0060] In addition, one embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode supplying method, further comprising the step of performing step S2 after the step of removing the separation failure prevention sheet (S4), and repeating steps S2 to S4 until all of the electrodes and the separation failure prevention sheet are removed from inside the first magazine unit.

[0061] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electrode supplying method includes stacking electrodes in a first magazine unit with separate sheets for preventing separation failure between the electrodes, and then alternately transporting or removing the electrodes and the sheets for preventing separation failure. By disposing separate sheets for preventing separation failure between the electrodes, the separation failure phenomenon can be prevented, and therefore separation of multiple sheets due to contact between electrode surfaces or between an electrode surface and a separator can be prevented.

[0062] As a result, when an electrode assembly is manufactured by the electrode supplying method according to the embodiments of the present invention and the electrode assembly manufacturing method using the electrode supplying method, productivity can be increased.

[0063] In one embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include the steps of stacking the separation failure prevention sheet removed from the first magazine section in a second magazine section; and picking up the separation failure prevention sheet from the second magazine section and reusing it.

[0064] In an embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include cutting the electrodes and the separation failure prevention sheet, respectively, before stacking the electrodes and the separation failure prevention sheet inside the first electrode magazine unit.

[0065] In one embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include aligning the positions of the transferred electrodes before supplying the electrodes to the stack table, to which the above description of the electrode placement table may be applied.

[0066] In the electrode supply method according to one embodiment of the present invention, the separation failure prevention sheet may be made of aluminum material, but is not limited thereto, and may be made of any material that does not cause problems when in contact with the electrodes. When such a material is used, separation failure can be more easily prevented.

[0067] In the electrode supply method according to one embodiment of the present invention, the separation failure prevention sheet may be in the form of a mesh or a sheet having projections and recesses, and the mesh or projections may have a predetermined pattern, but may be used without limitation as long as the surface is not smooth and separation failure can be prevented. Preferably, when the separation failure prevention sheet has a mesh shape, the surface is not smooth, so that separation failure can be more easily prevented.

[0068] One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which a first electrode and a second electrode are alternately arranged between a folded separation film, the method comprising: supplying the first electrode to a stack table; supplying the second electrode to the stack table; supplying the separation film to the stack table; stacking the first electrode, the separation film, and the second electrode on a stack table so that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separation film to manufacture a laminate; and a heat press step of heating and pressurizing the laminate to bond the first electrode, the separation film, and the second electrode to manufacture an electrode assembly, wherein at least one of the steps of supplying the first electrode to the stack table; and supplying the second electrode to the stack table includes the electrode supply method.

[0069] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of supplying the first electrode to a stack table side includes the electrode supplying method.

[0070] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of supplying the second electrode to the stack table side includes the electrode supplying method.

[0071] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of supplying the first electrode to a stack table side and the step of supplying the second electrode to a stack table side each include the electrode supplying method.

[0072] That is, the step of supplying the first electrode to the stack table side and the step of supplying the second electrode to the stack table side can both be performed by using the electrode supply method according to the present invention to supply the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively.

[0073] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of stacking the first electrodes, the separator, and the second electrodes on a stack table such that the first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separator to manufacture a stack includes: (S1-1) stacking the second electrode on the stack table; (S2-1) stacking the separation film on a stack table such that the separation film covers an upper surface of the second electrode stacked on the stack table; (S3-1) stacking a first electrode on a surface of the separator covering an upper surface of the second electrode, the surface being opposite to a surface of the separator that contacts the second electrode; (S4-1) providing the separator to cover an upper surface of the first electrode; (S5-1) stacking the second electrode on a surface of the separator covering the upper surface of the first electrode opposite to the surface that contacts the first electrode; and (S6-1) providing the separator to cover the upper surface of the second electrode; The steps (S1-1) to (S6-1) may be repeated one or more times, which means that the electrodes are first stacked on the stack table.

[0074] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of stacking the first electrodes, the separator, and the second electrodes on a stack table such that the first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separator to manufacture a stack includes: (SS1-1) stacking a separation membrane on the stack table; (SS2-1) stacking a first electrode on an upper surface of the separator; (SS3-1) providing the separator to cover the upper surface of the first electrode; (SS4-1) stacking the second electrode on a surface of the separator covering the upper surface of the first electrode opposite to the surface in contact with the first electrode; and (SS5-1) providing the separator to cover the upper surface of the second electrode; The steps (SS1-1) to (SS5-1) may be repeated one or more times, which means that the separation membrane is first stacked on the stack table.

[0075] In one embodiment of the present invention, steps (S4-1), (S6-1), (SS3-1), and (SS5-1), i.e., the steps of additionally supplying the separation membrane to cover the upper surface of the first electrode or the second electrode, may be performed in one of a manner in which the stack table moves left and right, a manner in which the separation membrane moves left and right, and a manner in which the stack table rotates.

[0076] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separation membrane may be provided in the form of a separation membrane sheet. That is, the additional separation membrane may be provided in a continuous form. Also, the "upper surface" may refer to the surface opposite to the surface on which the separation membrane or electrode faces the stack table.

[0077] That is, in order to stack the first electrodes, the separation membrane, and the second electrodes in a form in which the first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separation membrane, a method in which the stack table moves left and right, a method in which the separation membrane moves left and right, or a method in which the stack table rotates may be used, and conventional techniques in the field may be applied to this.

[0078] In this case, the stack can be held by a holding mechanism to maintain the alignment of the stack during the process of adding the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator, and a stack can be manufactured in a form in which the first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separators.

[0079] In an embodiment of the present invention, the method for manufacturing an electrode assembly may further include a heat pressing step of heating and pressing the laminate along a lamination axis.

[0080] In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the heat pressing step of applying heat and pressure along the lamination axis may include the steps of moving the laminate between a pair of pressure blocks including a press heater; moving the pair of pressure blocks in directions opposite to each other along the lamination axis to apply surface pressure to the laminate; and heating the laminate with the press heater.

[0081] Additionally, in one embodiment of the present invention, the heat pressing step may include a first heat pressing step in which the laminate is gripped with a gripper and heated and pressurized; and a second heat pressing step after the first heat pressing step in which the gripper stops gripping the laminate and heats and pressurizes the laminate.

[0082] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first heat pressing step may include the steps of pressing the upper surface of the laminate using a gripper to fix it; moving the laminate fixed by the gripper between a pair of pressure blocks including a press heater; moving the pair of pressure blocks in opposite directions along the lamination axis of the laminate to apply surface pressure to the fixed laminate; and heating the fixed laminate by the press heater.

[0083] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second heat pressing step may include the steps of: ceasing heating and pressing the laminate after the first heat pressing step; separating the grippers from the laminate; moving the laminate from which the grippers have been separated between a pair of pressurizing blocks including a press heater; the pair of pressurizing blocks moving in opposite directions along a lamination axis of the laminate from which the grippers have been separated to pressurize the laminate; and heating the laminate by the press heater.

[0084] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pressurizing block used in the first heat pressing step may have grooves corresponding to the grippers.

[0085] In one embodiment of the invention, the step of moving the gripper away from the stack may include the steps of: ceasing to apply pressure to the top surface of the stack using the gripper; and moving the gripper away from the stack.

[0086] In addition, in the heat pressing step (including the first and second heat pressing steps), the step of moving the laminate between a pair of pressurizing blocks including a press heater may include not only the case of moving only the laminate itself, but also the case of moving the laminate together with a stack table in a state in which the laminate is placed on the stack table. In this case, the objects to be heated and pressed by the pair of pressurizing blocks and the press heater may refer to the laminate and the stack table.

[0087] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first heat pressing step may involve heating and pressing the laminate for 10 to 30 seconds at a temperature of 65° C. to 90° C. and a pressure of 1 MPa to 3 MPa, more preferably at a temperature of 65° C. to 75° C. and a pressure of 1.5 MPa to 2 MPa, for 10 to 20 seconds.

[0088] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second heat pressing step may involve heating and pressing the laminate under temperature conditions of 50°C to 90°C and pressure conditions of 1 MPa to 6 MPa for 5 seconds to 60 seconds, preferably under temperature conditions of 65°C to 90°C or lower and pressure conditions of 1.5 MPa to 6 MPa for 5 seconds to 30 seconds, and more preferably under temperature conditions of 65°C to 85°C and pressure conditions of 3 MPa to 5.5 MPa for 7 seconds to 25 seconds.

[0089] When heating and pressurizing are performed while satisfying the above conditions, the first electrode, separator, and second electrode are not damaged, and the electrodes and separator of the laminate of the first electrode, separator, and second electrode are easily bonded to each other, resulting in excellent performance of the manufactured electrode assembly.

[0090] In one embodiment of the present invention, the temperature, pressure and time conditions of the heat press step may be the same as those of the second heat press. That is, the heat press step may involve heating and pressing the laminate at a temperature of 50°C to 90°C and a pressure of 1 MPa to 6 MPa for 5 to 60 seconds, preferably at a temperature of 65°C to 90°C and a pressure of 1.5 MPa to 6 MPa for 5 to 30 seconds. More preferably, the laminate may be heated and pressed at a temperature of 65°C to 85°C and a pressure of 3 MPa to 5.5 MPa for 7 to 25 seconds.

[0091] Hereinafter, a method and an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

[0092] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a process of separating electrodes using an electrode supplying method and an electrode supplying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, inside the first magazine section 7, the topmost electrode 2 of the stacked electrodes and a sheet 8 for preventing insufficient separation in contact with the topmost electrode, a second electrode 3 stacked next to the topmost electrode and in contact with the lower surface of the sheet 8 for preventing insufficient separation in contact with the topmost electrode, and other electrodes and a sheet 4 for preventing insufficient separation are stacked. At this time, the sheet 8 for preventing insufficient separation is stacked between the electrodes of the multiple electrodes and the sheet 4 for preventing insufficient separation.

[0093] Then, the electrode pickup unit 1 picks up the top electrode 2 of the stacked electrodes and transfers it. At this time, the electrode pickup unit 1 may include an electrode fixing unit 1a and a transfer unit 1b. After picking up and transferring the top electrode of the electrodes stacked inside the first magazine unit, the insufficient separation prevention sheet 8 is placed on the top of the stacked electrodes inside the first magazine unit. In this way, the insufficient separation prevention sheet 8 in contact with the top electrode is arranged as the insufficient separation prevention sheet 8 on the top side, and then the insufficient separation prevention sheet 8 can be picked up using the insufficient separation prevention sheet pickup unit 9 and then the insufficient separation prevention sheet can be removed. When the insufficient separation prevention sheet is removed, the second electrode 3 becomes the top electrode of the electrodes stacked inside the first magazine unit 7. At this time, in order to reuse the removed insufficient separation prevention sheet, a second magazine unit (not shown) in which the removed insufficient separation prevention sheet is stacked may be further included. The above process may be repeated until all of the electrodes and the insufficient separation prevention sheets are transferred to or removed from the first magazine unit.

[0094] Fig. 2 is a plan view showing an example of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 3 is a front view showing a concept of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. For convenience, the holding mechanism 170 shown in Fig. 3 is omitted in Fig. 2, the pressing unit 180 located at the rear side in the plan view is indicated by a dotted line, and the separation membrane supply unit 120 shown in Fig. 2 is omitted in Fig. 3. For reference, the contents described in Fig. 1 may be applied to the parts indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 3.

[0095] 1 to 3, an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a stack table 110, a separation membrane supply unit 120 that supplies a separation membrane 14, a first electrode supply unit 130 that supplies a first electrode 11, a second electrode supply unit 140 that supplies a second electrode 12, a first electrode stacking unit 150 that stacks the first electrode 11 on the stack table 110, a second electrode stacking unit 160 that stacks the second electrode 12 on the stack table 110, and a press unit 180 that bonds the first electrode 11, the separation membrane 14, and the second electrode 12. In addition, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a holding mechanism 170 that fixes the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 when they are stacked on the stack table 110.

[0096] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode may be supplied to a stack table while being heated.

[0097] That is, the separation membrane supply unit may supply the separation membrane to the stack table while heating it, and the first electrode supply unit and the second electrode supply unit may supply the first electrode and the second electrode to the stack table while heating the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively.

[0098] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrode assembly. A secondary battery according to the present invention may include the electrode assembly.

[0099] 2 to 4, an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly 10 by stacking a first electrode 11, a separator 14, and a second electrode 12.

[0100] As shown in Fig. 3, the electrode assembly 10 is generally a power generating element capable of charging and discharging, and may be formed in a form in which a first electrode 11, a separator 14, and a second electrode 12 are alternately stacked and assembled. Here, the electrode assembly 10 may be formed in a form in which the separator 14 is folded in a zigzag shape, and the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 are alternately arranged between the folded separator 14. In this case, as shown in Fig. 3, the electrode assembly 10 may be provided in a form in which the outermost side is surrounded by the separator 14.

[0101] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separation membrane supply unit may further include a separation membrane roll on which the separation membrane is wound. The separation membrane wound on the separation membrane roll may be gradually unwound and supplied to the stack table. That is, the separation membrane may be in the form of a separation membrane sheet.

[0102] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a press unit of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a state in which the press unit presses a laminate in the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] 2, 3 and 5, the press unit 180 includes a pair of pressure blocks 181, 182, which are moved in a direction facing each other, and a stack of the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 may be disposed between the pressure blocks 181, 182. Thereafter, the press unit 180 may press the stacked first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 while applying heat and pressure to the stack, thereby bonding the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 together.

[0104] In addition, the pressing unit 180 further includes press heaters 183 and 184 for heating the pair of pressure blocks 181 and 182, and the pair of pressure blocks 181 and 182 can heat and press the laminate. This allows for better thermal fusion between the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 in the laminate, resulting in stronger adhesion.

[0105] The pair of pressurizing blocks 181, 182 may be formed such that the horizontal and vertical lengths of the pressurizing surface are longer than the horizontal and vertical lengths of the laminate. The pair of pressurizing blocks 181, 182 may include a first pressurizing block 181 and a second pressurizing block 182, and the first pressurizing block 181 and the second pressurizing block 182 may be provided in a rectangular block shape.

[0106] FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view showing a first press unit 50 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6(b) is a perspective view showing a second press unit 60 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] 6(a), the first press unit 50 can apply heat and pressure to the laminate S while fixing it with the gripper 51. The first press unit 50 is composed of a pair of first press blocks 50a and 50b, and the pair of first press blocks 50a and 50b have a pressurizing surface that is entirely flat except for a groove corresponding to the fixing portion 51b of the gripper 51.

[0108] The gripper 51 may include a main body 51a that corresponds to the length x and height y of the laminate S or is wider than the length x and height y of the laminate S, and a plurality of fixing parts 51b provided on one surface of the main body 51a and provided in a columnar or plate shape along the width z direction of the laminate S. Here, the length x of the laminate S may refer to the longest part from one end to the other end of the laminate S, the height y may refer to the distance in the stacking direction of the laminate S, and the width z may refer to the distance horizontally across the upper surface of the laminate S.

[0109] The fixing part 51b can be adjusted in position along the height direction of the main body 51a, and the fixing part 51b can contact the upper and lower surfaces of the laminate S to fix the laminate S. Then, a pair of first pressure blocks 50a and 50b included in the first press part 50 are moved in a direction facing each other, and one or more of the laminate S and the gripper 51 can be surface-pressurized to bond between the electrodes and the separator included in the laminate S.

[0110] 6(b), the second press unit 60 may finally heat and press the laminate S which has been primarily heated and pressed by the first press unit 50. The second press unit 60 includes a pair of second press blocks 60a, 60b which are moved in opposite directions to press the laminate S by surface pressing. In addition, the pair of second press blocks 60a, 60b included in the second press unit 60 may have a press surface formed on the plane to contact and press the laminate S.

[0111] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a stack table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] 2, 3 and 7, the stack table 110 may stack the first electrodes 11, the separators 14, and the second electrodes 12 in a form in which the first electrodes 11 and the second electrodes 12 are alternately arranged between the folded separators 14.

[0113] The stack table 110 may also include a table body 111 on which the first electrode 11, the separation membrane 14, and the second electrode 12 are stacked, and a stack table heater 112 that heats the table body 111 to heat the stacked material S.

[0114] The first electrode 11 may be configured as a positive electrode and the second electrode 12 may be configured as a negative electrode, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the first electrode 11 may be configured as a negative electrode and the second electrode 12 may be configured as a positive electrode.

[0115] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a first electrode mounting table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0116] 2, 3 and 8, the first electrode supply unit 130 can supply the first electrode 11 to the first electrode stack unit 150 while heating the first electrode 11.

[0117] The first electrode supply unit 130 may also include a first electrode placing table 131 on which the first electrode 11 is placed before it is stacked on the stack table 110 by the first electrode stack unit 150, and a first electrode heater 132 that heats the first electrode placing table 131 and thereby heats the first electrode 11.

[0118] Meanwhile, the first electrode supply unit 130 may further include a first electrode roll 133 on which the first electrode 11 is wound in a sheet form, a first cutter 134 for cutting the sheet-form first electrode 11 wound around the first electrode roll 133 at predetermined intervals to form first electrodes 11 of a predetermined size when the sheet-form first electrode 11 is unwound and supplied, a first conveyer belt 135 for moving the first electrode 11 cut by the first cutter 134, and a first electrode supply head 136 for vacuum-absorbing the first electrode 11 transported by the first conveyer belt 135 and placing it on the first electrode placement table 131. Here, the first cutter 134 may cut the sheet-form first electrode 11 such that a first positive electrode tab 11a is formed protruding from an end portion when cutting the sheet-form first electrode 11.

[0119] In this case, the cut first electrodes 11 may be stacked in a first electrode magazine, and the method of picking up the first electrodes 11 stacked in the first electrode magazine may be the same as the description of FIG. 1.

[0120] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a second electrode mounting table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0121] 2, 3 and 9, the second electrode supply unit 140 may heat the second electrode 12 and supply it to the second electrode stack unit 160.

[0122] The second electrode supply unit 140 may also include a second electrode placing table 141 on which the second electrode 12 is placed before it is stacked on the stack table 110 by the second electrode stack unit 160, and a second electrode heater 142 that heats the second electrode placing table 141 to heat the second electrode 12.

[0123] Meanwhile, the second electrode supply unit 140 may further include a second electrode roll 143 on which the second electrode 12 is wound in a sheet form, a second cutter 144 for cutting the sheet-form second electrode 12 wound around the second electrode roll 143 at predetermined intervals when the sheet-form second electrode 12 is unwound and supplied to form second electrodes 12 of a predetermined size, a second conveyor belt 145 for moving the second electrode 12 cut by the second cutter 144, and a second electrode supply head 146 for vacuum-absorbing the second electrode 12 transported by the second conveyor belt 145 and placing it on the second electrode placement table 141. Here, the second cutter 144 may cut the sheet-form second electrode 12 so that a second electrode tab 12a is formed protruding from an end portion when cutting the sheet-form second electrode 12.

[0124] In this case, the cut second electrodes 12 may be stacked in a second electrode magazine, and the method of picking up the second electrodes 12 stacked in the second electrode magazine may be the same as the description of FIG. 1.

[0125] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode stack section may include a first suction head that vacuum-sucks the first electrode placed on the first electrode mounting table, and the second electrode stack section may include a second suction head that vacuum-sucks the second electrode placed on the second electrode mounting table.

[0126] FIG. 10 is an oblique view showing a first suction head in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a bottom view showing the first suction head in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0127] 2, 3, 10 and 11, the first electrode stacking unit 150 can stack the first electrodes 11 on the stack table 110.

[0128] The first electrode stack unit 150 may also include a first suction head 151 and a first moving unit 153 .

[0129] The first suction head 151 can vacuum-suck the first electrode 11 placed on the first electrode placement table 131. At this time, the first suction head 151 has a vacuum suction port 151a formed on a bottom surface 151b thereof, and can suck in the first electrode 11 through the vacuum suction port 151a to fix the first electrode 11 to the bottom surface 151b of the first suction head 151. Here, the first suction head 151 may have a passage formed therein that connects the vacuum suction port 151a to a vacuum suction device (not shown).

[0130] The first moving section 153 can move the first suction head 151 to the stack table 110 so that the first suction head 151 can stack the first electrode 11 placed on the first electrode placing table 131 on the stack table 110.

[0131] Also, the second electrode stack unit 160 can stack the second electrodes 12 on the stack table 110. Here, the second electrode stack unit 160 may have the same structure as the first electrode stack unit 150. In this case, the second electrode stack unit 160 may include a second suction head 161 and a second moving unit 163.

[0132] The second suction head 161 can vacuum suck the second electrode 12 placed on the second electrode mounting table 141. At this time, the second moving unit 163 can move the second suction head 161 to the stack table 110 so that the second suction head 161 can stack the second electrode 12 placed on the second electrode mounting table 141 on the stack table 110.

[0133] FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a holding mechanism and a stack table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0134] 2, 3 and 12, the holding mechanism 170 can grasp the first electrode 11 or the second electrode 12 and fix it to the stack table 110 when the first electrode 11 or the second electrode 12 is stacked on the stack table 110.

[0135] In addition, when stacking the first electrode 11 on the stack table 110, the holding mechanism 170 may pressurize and fix an upper surface of the first electrode 11 stacked on the uppermost side of the stack table 110, and when stacking the second electrode 12 on the stack table 110, the holding mechanism 170 may pressurize and fix an upper surface of the second electrode 12 stacked on the uppermost side of the stack table 110. In addition, the holding mechanism 170 may pressurize and fix an upper surface of the stack of the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 stacked on the stack table 110.

[0136] That is, when the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 are positioned between the separators 14 and stacked to form a stack, the holding mechanism 170 holds the uppermost surface of the stack by applying pressure toward the stack table 110, thereby preventing the stack from being detached from the stack table 110.

[0137] Meanwhile, the holding mechanism 170 may include, for example, a first holding mechanism 171 and a second holding mechanism 172 and may fix both sides of the first electrode 11 or the second electrode 12 .

[0138] As described above, in the case where zigzag folding is performed while the stack table 110 is rotating, when the stack table 110 is rotated after the holding mechanism 170 holds the first electrode 11 or the second electrode 12, the separation membrane 14 can be unwound from the separation membrane roll 122 in proportion to the amount of rotation of the stack table 110 and supplied to the stack table 110 side.

[0139] Meanwhile, for example, the holding mechanism 170 and the stack table 110 may be connected or coupled to a rotating device (not shown) such that when the holding mechanism 170 grips the first electrode 11 or the second electrode 12, the rotating device can rotate the holding mechanism 170 and the stack table 110.

[0140] Then, when the stack in which the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 are disposed between the separator 14 is completed, the stack is fixed by a gripper and then moved to the press unit described above, and then the stack can be heated and pressed by the press unit.

[0141] In one embodiment of the present invention, the stacking device may further include a rotating unit that rotates the stack table, and a first electrode stacking unit may be provided on one side of the rotating unit and a second electrode stacking unit may be provided on the other side of the rotating unit so that the separator can be zigzag folded in a manner such that the separator is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. The rotating unit may alternately rotate the stack table to one side to face the first suction head of the first electrode stack unit when stacking the first electrode, and rotate the stack table to the other side to face the second suction head of the second electrode stack unit when stacking the second electrode.

[0142] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a vision device for vision-inspecting the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0143] An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a rotating unit that rotates the stack table, and a vision device that performs vision inspection of the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0144] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus may further include a stack table moving unit that moves the stack table left and right; or a separation membrane guide unit that moves the separation membrane left and right, and may further include a vision device that performs a vision inspection of the first electrode and the second electrode. The stack table moving unit and the separation membrane guide unit are not limited in shape as long as they perform the function of moving the stack table and the separation membrane left and right, respectively, and devices commonly used in the art may be used.

[0145] In one embodiment of the present invention, the stack table may include a stack table moving unit that moves the stack table left and right, and a first electrode stack unit may be provided on one side of the stack table and a second electrode stack unit may be provided on the other side of the stack table so that the separation membrane can be zigzag folded in a manner such that the separation membrane is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the stack table moving unit may alternately move the stack table to one side to face the first suction head of the first electrode stack unit when stacking the first electrode, and move the stack table to the other side to face the second suction head of the second electrode stack unit when stacking the second electrode.

[0146] In one embodiment of the present invention, the stack table may include a separation membrane guide unit that moves the separation membrane left and right, and the separation membrane guide unit may repeatedly move the separation membrane supplied to the stack table left and right so that the separation membrane can be zigzag folded in a manner such that the separation membrane is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0147] That is, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include additional components depending on the manner in which the stack table is moved or the manner in which the separator is supplied.

[0148] In one embodiment of the present invention, the vision device may include a first camera and a second camera. The first camera can capture an image of a first electrode placed on a first electrode placement table by a first electrode supply unit, and the second camera can capture an image of a second electrode placed on a second electrode placement table by a second electrode supply unit. The stacking quality of the first electrode and the second electrode can be inspected using image information acquired by the first camera and the second camera. More specifically, the placement positions, sizes, stacking states, etc. of the first electrode and the second electrode can be inspected.

[0149] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode may be a positive electrode and the second electrode may be a negative electrode, or conversely, the first electrode may be a negative electrode and the second electrode may be a positive electrode.

[0150] In this specification, a description of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus may be applied to an electrode assembly manufacturing method and an electrode assembly, and vice versa.

[0151] In one embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode is prepared by, for example, applying a mixture of a positive electrode active material, a conductive material, and a binder onto a positive electrode current collector and then drying the mixture, and if necessary, adding a filler to the mixture. The materials used in this case may be materials commonly used in the art.

[0152] Specifically, the positive electrode active material is, for example, a layered compound such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) or lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2) or a compound substituted with one or more transition metals; 1+x Mn 2-x Lithium manganese oxides such as LiMnO4 (where x is 0 to 0.33), LiMnO3, LiMn2O3, and LiMnO2; lithium copper oxide (Li2CuO2); vanadium oxides such as LiV3O8, LiFe3O4, V2O5, and Cu2V2O7; and the chemical formula LiNi 1-x M xLithium nickel oxide with Ni site represented by the chemical formula LiMnO2 (where M=Co, Mn, Al, Cu, Fe, Mg, B or Ga, and x=0.01 to 0.3); 2-x M x Examples of the lithium manganese composite oxides include, but are not limited to, lithium manganese composite oxides represented by Li2Mn3MO8 (wherein M is Co, Ni, Fe, Cr, Zn, or Ta, and x is 0.01 to 0.1) or Li2Mn3MO8 (wherein M is Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn); LiMn2O4 in which part of the Li in the chemical formula is replaced with an alkaline earth metal ion; disulfide compounds; and Fe2(MoO4)3.

[0153] Specifically, the positive electrode current collector is not particularly limited as long as it has high conductivity without inducing chemical changes in the battery, and may be, for example, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, baked carbon, or aluminum or stainless steel surface-treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver, etc., and more specifically, may be aluminum. The current collector may have fine irregularities on its surface to increase the adhesive strength of the positive electrode active material, and may be used in various forms such as a film, sheet, foil, net, porous body, foam, nonwoven fabric, etc. In addition, the positive electrode current collector may usually have a thickness of 3 um to 500 um, The conductive material may be added in an amount of 1 to 50% by weight based on the total weight of the mixture containing the positive electrode active material. Such a conductive material is not particularly limited as long as it has conductivity without inducing a chemical change in the battery, and may be, for example, graphite such as natural graphite or artificial graphite; carbon black such as carbon black, acetylene black, ketjen black, channel black, furnace black, lamp black, or thermal black; conductive fibers such as carbon fibers or metal fibers; metal powders such as carbon fluoride, aluminum, or nickel powder; conductive whiskers such as zinc oxide or potassium titanate; conductive metal oxides such as titanium oxide; or conductive materials such as polyphenylene derivatives.

[0154] The binder is a component that helps bind the active material and conductive material and the current collector, and is usually added in an amount of 1 to 50 wt % based on the total weight of the mixture including the positive electrode active material. Examples of such binders include polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), starch, hydroxypropyl cellulose, regenerated cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, tetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM), sulfonated EPDM, styrene-butylene rubber, fluororubber, and various copolymers.

[0155] The filler is selectively used as a component for suppressing the expansion of the positive electrode, and is not particularly limited as long as it is a fibrous material that does not induce chemical changes in the battery. For example, olefin polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene; glass fibers, carbon fibers, and other fibrous materials may be used.

[0156] In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the negative electrode is prepared by coating the negative electrode active material on a negative electrode current collector, drying and rolling, and may further include the conductive material, binder, filler, etc. as required. In this case, materials commonly used in the art may be used.

[0157] Specifically, the negative electrode active material is, for example, carbon such as non-graphitizable carbon and graphite-based carbon; Li x Fe2O3(0≦x≦1), Li x WO2(0≦x≦1), Sn x Me 1-x Me' y O zMetal composite oxides such as (Me: Mn, Fe, Pb, Ge; Me': Al, B, P, Si, Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 elements of the periodic table, halogen; 0 < x ≦ 1; 1 ≦ y ≦ 3; 1 ≦ z ≦ 8), etc.; lithium metal; lithium alloy; silicon-based alloy; tin-based alloy; metal oxides such as SnO, SnO2, PbO, PbO2, Pb2O3, Pb3O4, Sb2O3, Sb2O4, Sb2O5, GeO, GeO2, Bi2O3, Bi2O4 and Bi2O5; conductive polymers such as polyacetylene; Li-Co-Ni-based materials, etc. may be used.

[0158] Such a negative electrode current collector is not particularly limited as long as it has conductivity without inducing a chemical change in the battery. For example, copper, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, fired carbon, those surface-treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver, etc. on the surface of copper or stainless steel, aluminum-cadmium alloy, etc. may be used. Also, similar to the positive electrode current collector, fine irregularities can be formed on the surface to strengthen the binding force of the negative electrode active material, and it may be used in various forms such as films, sheets, foils, nets, porous bodies, foams, non-woven bodies, etc. Further, the negative electrode current collector may generally have a thickness of 3 μm to 500 μm.

[0159] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separation membrane may be an organic / inorganic composite porous SRS (Safety-Reinforcing Separators) separation membrane. The SRS separation membrane may have a structure in which a coating layer component containing inorganic particles and a binder polymer is applied on a polyolefin-based separation membrane substrate.

[0160] Such an SRS separation membrane does not generate high-temperature heat shrinkage due to the heat resistance of the inorganic particles, and can maintain the elongation rate of the safety separation membrane even when the electrode assembly is penetrated by a needle-shaped conductor.

[0161] Such an SRS separator may have a uniform pore structure formed by the pore structure contained in the separator itself as well as the interstitial volume between the inorganic particles, which are components of the coating layer. The pores can significantly reduce external impacts applied to the electrode assembly, and the pores can smoothly move lithium ions through the pores, allowing a large amount of electrolyte to be filled, thereby showing a high impregnation rate, thereby improving battery performance.

[0162] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separator has a separator excess portion that extends beyond the width of the positive electrode and the negative electrode on both sides in the width direction, and is configured to have a structure in which a coating layer that is thicker than the thickness of the separator is formed on one or both sides of the separator excess portion to prevent shrinkage of the separator.

[0163] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separation membrane excess parts may each have a size of 5% to 12% based on the width of the separation membrane.

[0164] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coating layer may be coated on both sides of the separator with a size of 50% to 90% based on the width of the excess part of the separator on one side, and the widths of the coating layers on both sides may be the same or different.

[0165] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coating layer may contain inorganic particles and a binder polymer.

[0166] In one embodiment of the present invention, examples of the polyolefin-based separation membrane component include high density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, polypropylene, or derivatives thereof.

[0167] In one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the coating layer may be smaller than the thickness of the first electrode or the second electrode. In a specific example, the thickness of the coating layer may be 30% to 99% of the thickness of the first electrode or the second electrode.

[0168] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coating layer may be applied by wet coating or dry coating.

[0169] In one embodiment of the present invention, the substrate and the coating layer are present in a form in which the pores on the surface of the polyolefin-based separator substrate and the coating layer are intertwined, so that the separator substrate and the active layer can be firmly physically bonded to each other. In this case, the substrate and the active layer may have a thickness ratio of 9:1 to 1:9, in particular, 5:5, taking into consideration the physical bonding strength and the pore structure on the separator.

[0170] In one embodiment of the present invention, the inorganic particles may be inorganic particles commonly used in the art. The inorganic particles form voids between the inorganic particles, and thus function as a kind of spacer that can form micropores and maintain a physical shape. In addition, the inorganic particles generally have a property that their physical properties do not change even at high temperatures of 200°C or more, so that the organic / inorganic composite porous film formed has excellent heat resistance.

[0171] In addition, the inorganic particles are not particularly limited as long as they are electrochemically stable. That is, the inorganic particles that can be used in the present invention are those that can be used in the operating voltage range of the applied battery (for example, Li / Li +There are no particular limitations as long as no oxidation and / or reduction reaction occurs at a voltage of 0 to 5 V relative to the reference voltage. In particular, when inorganic particles having ion transfer ability are used, the ion conductivity in the electrochemical element can be increased to improve performance, so that the ion conductivity is preferably as high as possible. In addition, when the inorganic particles have a high density, it is difficult to disperse them during coating, and there is also a problem that the weight increases during battery production, so that the density is preferably as low as possible. In addition, in the case of an inorganic material with a high dielectric constant, it can contribute to an increase in the degree of dissociation of the electrolyte salt, for example, lithium salt, in the liquid electrolyte, thereby improving the ion conductivity of the electrolyte solution.

[0172] For the reasons described above, the inorganic particles may be at least one type selected from the group consisting of inorganic particles having piezoelectricity and inorganic particles having lithium ion transport ability.

[0173] The piezoelectric inorganic particles are non-conductors under normal pressure, but when a certain pressure is applied, they have the physical property of conducting electricity due to a change in their internal structure. They not only exhibit high dielectric constant characteristics with a dielectric constant of 100 or more, but also have the function of generating charges when a certain pressure is applied and the particles are stretched or compressed, so that one side becomes positively charged and the other side becomes negatively charged, generating a potential difference between both sides.

[0174] When inorganic particles having the above-mentioned characteristics are used as a coating layer component, in the event of an internal short circuit between the two electrodes due to an external impact such as a needle-shaped conductor, not only will the inorganic particles coated on the separator prevent direct contact between the positive and negative electrodes, but a potential difference will be generated within the particles due to the piezoelectricity of the inorganic particles, thereby allowing the movement of electrons between the two electrodes, i.e., a minute current to flow, resulting in a gradual decrease in the battery voltage and thereby improved safety.

[0175] Examples of the inorganic particles having piezoelectricity include BaTiO3, Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT), Pb 1-x La x Zr 1-y Ti y O3(PLZT), PB(Mg3Nb 2 / 3 )O3-PbTiO3 (PMN-PT) and hafnia (HfO2), but is not limited thereto.

[0176] The inorganic particles having lithium ion transport ability refer to inorganic particles that contain lithium elements but have the function of transporting lithium ions without storing lithium. The inorganic particles having lithium ion transport ability can transport and transport lithium ions through a type of defect present inside the particle structure, thereby improving the lithium ion conductivity in the battery and thereby improving the battery performance.

[0177] Examples of inorganic particles having the lithium ion transfer ability include lithium phosphate (Li3PO4), lithium titanium phosphate (Li x Ti y (PO4)3, 0 <x<2、0<y<3)、リチウムアルミニウムチタンホスフェート(Li x Al y Ti z (PO4)3, 0 <x<2、0<y<1、0<z<3)、(LiAlTiP) x O y Series Glass (0 <x<4、0<y<13)、リチウムランタンチタネート(Li x La y TiO3, 0 <x<2、0<y<3)、リチウムゲルマニウムチオホスフェート(Li x Ge y P z S w , 0 <x<4、0<y<1、0<z<1、0<w<5)、リチウムナイトライド(Li x N y , 0 <x<4、0<y<2)、SiS2(Li x S y Sz and one or more selected from the group consisting of glass series (0 < x < 3, 0 < y < 2, 0 < z < 4) and P2S5(Li x P y S z and glass series (0 < x < 3, 0 < y < 3, 0 < z < 7), but is not limited thereto.

[0178] The composition ratio of the inorganic particles and the binder polymer as the coating layer component is not greatly restricted, but can be adjusted within the range of 10:90 to 99:1% by weight, and the range of 80:20 to 99:1% by weight is preferred. If it is less than 10:90% by weight, the content of the polymer is too high, and the size and porosity of the pores are reduced due to the decrease in the empty space formed between the inorganic particles, resulting in a decrease in the final battery performance. Conversely, if it exceeds 99:1% by weight, since the content of the polymer is too low, the mechanical properties of the final organic / inorganic composite porous separation membrane may be reduced due to the weakening of the adhesion between the inorganics.

[0179] In one embodiment of the present invention, as the binder polymer, a binder polymer commonly used in the art can be used.

[0180] The coating layer in the organic / inorganic composite porous separation membrane may further contain other commonly known additives in addition to the inorganic particles and the binder polymer.

[0181] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coating layer can also be said to be an active layer.

[0182] As described above, the present invention has been described in detail through specific embodiments, but this is for specifically explaining the present invention, and the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention is not limited thereto. Various implementations are possible by those having ordinary knowledge in the art within the technical idea of the present invention.

Claims

1. a first magazine section in which a plurality of electrodes are stacked; a separation failure prevention sheet disposed between each of the plurality of electrodes; an electrode pick-up unit that picks up the uppermost electrode of the plurality of electrodes; and a separation failure prevention sheet pick-up unit that removes the separation failure prevention sheet from the first magazine unit; An electrode supply device comprising:

2. The electrode supply device according to claim 1 , wherein the first magazine portion has the electrodes positioned at the top and the electrodes and the separation failure prevention sheets stacked in an alternating manner.

3. 2. The electrode supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a second magazine unit in which the removed separation failure prevention sheets are stacked so as to reuse the separation failure prevention sheets removed by the separation failure prevention sheet pick-up unit.

4. The electrode supplying device according to claim 1 , wherein the separation failure prevention sheet is in the form of a net.

5. An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which first and second electrodes are alternately arranged between a folded separator, comprising: a first electrode supplying unit that supplies the first electrode to a stack table side; a second electrode supplying unit that supplies the second electrode to a stack table side; a separation membrane supply unit that supplies the separation membrane to a stack table side; a stack table on which a stack is manufactured in which the first electrodes, the separators, and the second electrodes are stacked in a form in which the first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separators; and a press unit for applying heat and pressure to the laminate to bond the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode together to produce an electrode assembly; Including, At least one of the first electrode supply unit and the second electrode supply unit is an electrode supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus comprising:

6. (S1) stacking a plurality of electrodes and a separation failure prevention sheet between each of the plurality of electrodes in a first magazine section; (S2) picking up an uppermost electrode among the plurality of electrodes and transferring it to a stack table; and (S3) removing the insufficient separation prevention sheet exposed by picking up the uppermost electrode from the first magazine unit; An electrode supply method comprising:

7. (S4) The method further includes performing step S2 after the step of removing the separation failure prevention sheet, 7. The electrode supply method according to claim 6, wherein steps S2 to S4 are repeated until all of the electrodes and the separation failure prevention sheets are removed from the first magazine unit.

8. stacking the incomplete separation prevention sheet removed from the first magazine unit on a second magazine unit; and picking up the incomplete separation prevention sheet from the second magazine and reusing it; The electrode supply method of claim 6 further comprising:

9. The electrode supply method according to claim 6 , wherein the separation failure prevention sheet is in the form of a net.

10. 1. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which first and second electrodes are alternately arranged between folded separators, comprising: providing the first electrode to a stack table side; providing the second electrode to a stack table side; supplying the separation membrane to a stack table; stacking the first electrodes, the separator, and the second electrodes on a stack table such that the first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separators to manufacture a stack; and a hit pressing step of applying heat and pressure to the laminate to bond the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode together to produce an electrode assembly; Including, A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, wherein at least one of the steps of: supplying the first electrode to a stack table side; and supplying the second electrode to a stack table side includes the electrode supply method described in any one of claims 6 to 9.

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