Cleaning System

Abstract

The present specification provides a cleaning system that includes two or more dummy cans for cleaning the surface of a crimping device used in a crimping process of a cylindrical secondary battery that seals the open upper end of a battery can containing an electrode assembly and a cap assembly, the two or more dummy cans each having a brush on an outer surface, and the surface of the crimping device is cleaned by the brushes.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning system.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0183448, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 23, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries are batteries that can be recharged and reused after discharging. They can be used as energy sources for small devices such as mobile phones, tablet PCs, and vacuum cleaners, as well as medium- to large-sized devices such as automobiles and Energy Storage Systems (ESS) for smart grids.

[0004] Secondary batteries can be classified into can-type batteries, in which an electrode assembly is built into a cylindrical battery can, and pouch-type batteries, in which an electrode assembly is built into a pouch-type case. Generally, cylindrical battery can-type batteries are known to have a relatively large capacity and high structural stability.

[0005] A cylindrical secondary battery may be manufactured by housing a wound-type electrode assembly in a cylindrical battery can, injecting an electrolyte into the battery can, and then coupling a cap assembly having an electrode terminal formed thereon to an open upper end of the battery can.

[0006] The cylindrical secondary battery can be formed into a desired shape and sealed by a compression process in which a rolling process and a pressing process are sequentially performed.

[0007] In this case, contamination by electrolyte during the crimping process can cause over-detection of the crimping device or adhesion due to foreign matter. In the past, air knives and vacuum sections were used to improve contamination of the crimping device, but they only used air and had a weak cleaning effect, so there was a limit to cleaning the attached salt.

[0008] Therefore, there is a strong need for technology that can fundamentally solve these problems. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] In view of the above-mentioned problems in the conventional technology, an object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning system for cleaning a crimping device used in a crimping process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present specification provides a cleaning system that includes two or more dummy cans for cleaning the surface of a crimping device used in a crimping process of a cylindrical secondary battery that seals the open upper end of a battery can containing an electrode assembly and a cap assembly, wherein the two or more dummy cans each have a brush on an outer surface, and the surface of the crimping device is cleaned by the brush. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the cleaning system of the present invention, it is possible to easily remove foreign matter adhering to the pressure bonding device, even foreign matter which cannot be completely removed by a cleaning method using air. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a dummy can in a cleaning system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing a crimping device being cleaned by contacting with a brush of a dummy can in a cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of a cleaning system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of a cleaning system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] This specification will be explained in more detail below.

[0014] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in the present specification and claims should not be interpreted limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted with meanings and concepts appropriate to the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term to best describe his / her invention. Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not fully represent the technical idea of ​​the present invention, so it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of this application.

[0015] In order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the accompanying drawings may not be drawn to scale, and some components may be illustrated with enlarged dimensions. In addition, the same reference numerals may be used to refer to the same components in different embodiments.

[0016] As used herein, "on" does not mean only that which is physically on top of a layer, but also that which is located on top of a layer in terms of position, i.e., a layer located on top of any one layer may have other layers therebetween.

[0017] 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.

[0018] In this specification, the term "secondary battery" refers to a battery that can be used repeatedly for a long period of time by recharging. Secondary batteries can be classified into nickel-cadmium batteries, lithium ion secondary batteries, etc., depending on the electrode active material. Secondary batteries can be classified into pouch-type, square-type, cylindrical-type secondary batteries, etc., depending on the shape.

[0019] In the present specification, the secondary battery may include a battery can in which the electrode assembly is housed. The battery can may have a cylindrical shape.

[0020] The cylindrical secondary battery may be, for example, a cylindrical secondary battery having a form factor ratio (defined as the diameter of a cylindrical secondary battery divided by its height, i.e., the ratio of height (H) to diameter (Φ)) greater than about 0.4.

[0021] Here, the form factor means values ​​indicating the diameter and height of a cylindrical secondary battery.

[0022] In this specification, the term "cylindrical secondary battery" refers to a secondary battery having a cylindrical shape or a shape similar thereto. Cylindrical secondary batteries are widely used in large-capacity electronic devices and electric devices due to their high energy density per volume, and may be used in a form in which a plurality of cylindrical secondary batteries are combined to form a battery pack.

[0023] In this specification, the term "cylindrical secondary battery" may be, for example, a 46110 cell, a 48750 cell, a 48110 cell, a 48800 cell, or a 46800 cell. In the numerical value indicating the form factor, the first two digits indicate the diameter of the cell, the next two digits indicate the height of the cell, and the last digit 0 indicates that the cross section of the cell is circular. When the cell height is 100 mm or more, three digits are required to indicate the cell height, so the last digit 0 can be omitted.

[0024] Additionally, the term "first electrode" refers to a positive electrode and the term "second electrode" refers to a negative electrode, although vice versa.

[0025] The battery can is a generally cylindrical container having an opening on one side thereof, and is made of a conductive metal material. A side surface of the battery can and a side opposite the opening are generally integrally formed. That is, the battery can generally has an open upper end and a closed lower end except for a central portion thereof in a height direction. The lower surface of the battery can may have a generally flat shape. The battery can accommodates the electrode assembly through an opening formed on one side in a height direction thereof.

[0026] The battery can also accommodate an electrolyte through the open portion.

[0027] The present specification provides a cleaning system that includes two or more dummy cans 1 for cleaning the surface of a crimping device 3 used in a crimping process of a cylindrical secondary battery that seals the open upper end of a battery can containing an electrode assembly and a cap assembly, and the two or more dummy cans 1 each have a brush 8 on an outer surface, and the surface of the crimping device 3 is cleaned by the brush 8.

[0028] In this specification, the crimping process refers to a process of sealing an open upper end of a battery can in which the electrode assembly and the cap assembly are housed. More specifically, after the cap assembly is coupled to the open upper end of the battery can, the battery can may be shaped into a desired shape and sealed by a crimping process in which a rolling process and a pressing process are sequentially performed.

[0029] In one embodiment of the present specification, the two or more dummy cans each include a brush, and the surface of the crimping device can be cleaned by physical friction with the brush. That is, the crimping device and the brush come into physical contact with each other during the crimping process, and thus foreign matter on the surface of the crimping device is cleaned by the brush.

[0030] In this specification, the dummy can 1 is inserted into a cylindrical secondary battery crimping process equipment in place of a cylindrical secondary battery and serves to clean foreign matter adhering to a crimping device 3. Therefore, it basically has the same shape as a cylindrical secondary battery.

[0031] For example, the dummy can 1 is moved in a fixed state, and the crimping device 3 is cleaned by a brush 8 attached to the dummy can 1 while the crimping device 3 operates in the same manner as in the manufacturing process of a conventional cylindrical secondary battery.

[0032] The dummy can 1 according to the present specification may be made of a metal material such as stainless steel, e.g., SUS 420, and is obtained by processing the dummy can into a can shape and then attaching a suede brush 8 to its outer surface. By being made of a metal material in this way, the dummy can 1 can be easily fixed to a device that fixes battery cans using magnetic force, etc., in a cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing device.

[0033] The dummy can 1 may be the same in size and shape as a cylindrical secondary battery.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present specification, the dummy can 1 for cleaning the crimping device 3 in the crimping process may be formed to have the same size and shape as a cylindrical secondary battery.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present specification, the dummy can 1 for cleaning the crimping device 3 in the crimping process may be formed in a size and shape different from that of a cylindrical secondary battery.

[0036] That is, the shape and size of the dummy can 1 may be appropriately changed depending on the type and size of the cylindrical secondary battery applied to the crimping process line and the size and material of the brush 8 attached to the dummy can 1.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present specification, the dummy can 1 includes a cylindrical main body 1-1 and a molding part 1-2 having an outer shape extending vertically from the upper end of the main body, and a brush 8 may be provided on the outer surface of the molding part. The outer surface of the molding part 1-2 means the side surface excluding the upper and lower surfaces of the molding part.

[0038] Figures 1 and 2 show a dummy can 1 used in a cleaning system according to one embodiment of the present specification, showing a main body portion 1-1, a molded portion 1-2 located at the upper end of the main body portion, and a brush 8 provided on the side of the molded portion.

[0039] In one embodiment of the present specification, the dummy can 1 includes a cylindrical main body portion 1-1; and a molded portion 1-2 having an outer shape molded by extending vertically from the upper end of the main body portion 1-1; and a brush 8 may be provided on the side of the molded portion 1-2.

[0040] The shape of the molded outer shape of the molded part 1-2 is not limited, and may be appropriately changed according to the outer shape of a cylindrical secondary battery to be manufactured.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present specification, the molded portion 1-2 may include at least one region having a shape bent toward the inside of the dummy can 1, or may include two or more regions, or may include three or more regions.

[0042] In this specification, as shown in FIG. 2, the two or more dummy cans 1 are each provided with a brush 8, and the surface of the crimping device 3 can be cleaned by physical friction with the brush.

[0043] The brush may be made of a fiber material so that it can remove foreign matter by physical friction with the foreign matter on the surface of the cylindrical secondary battery crimping device 3. In particular, it may be made of a suede material. In the case of such a suede material, the surface has low friction, so it has excellent running properties when traveling on the line in the manufacturing device, is relatively inexpensive, and is easy to process, so it can be used appropriately.

[0044] In one embodiment of the present specification, the thickness of the brush 8 may be 0.5 mm to 2 mm, and more preferably 1 mm to 1.5 mm. The thickness of the brush means the length from the upper surface of the brush to the lower surface in the vertical direction.

[0045] If the thickness is less than 0.5 mm, durability problems such as breakage during running may occur, and if it exceeds 2 mm, it is difficult to adhere to the dummy can and the tolerance in the process line becomes large, making it difficult to run smoothly, which is undesirable.

[0046] In one embodiment of the present specification, the crimping device 3 may refer to a device that applies pressure to the open upper end of the battery can to form the outer shape of the battery can.

[0047] In one embodiment of the present specification, the crimping device 3 may be a roller and punch for applying pressure to the open upper end of the battery can to seal the cylindrical secondary battery.

[0048] The roller and punch may be a rolling die and a punch die that can apply pressure so that the upper end of the battery can is deformed into a predetermined shape in order to seal the open upper end of the battery can.

[0049] In this specification, the roller refers to a plurality of dies capable of applying pressure to the edge of the outer circumferential surface of the battery can along an inclined surface to deform the edge.

[0050] In this specification, the punches are a plurality of dies capable of applying pressure to deform the upper ends of the battery cans into a predetermined shape in order to seal the open upper ends of the battery cans, and are provided to descend one by one in order of increasing diameter and stack on top of each other while applying pressure to the upper ends of the battery cans.

[0051] As described above, the brush 8 provided on the dummy can 1 is contaminated by the electrolyte during the crimping process, and therefore, the brush needs to be cleaned.

[0052] In one embodiment of the present specification, the brush provided on the dummy can may be cleaned in a cleaning line for cleaning cylindrical secondary batteries, and the cleaning line for cleaning the cylindrical secondary batteries may be connected to a crimping line for performing a crimping process of the cylindrical secondary batteries and a drying line for performing a drying process of the cylindrical secondary batteries.

[0053] In one embodiment of the present specification, a cleaning line for cleaning the cylindrical secondary battery includes a hydraulic cleaning unit that mixes water and a cleaning agent and cleans by spraying the mixture from a nozzle, and at least one of a brush provided on the dummy can and an outer surface of the cylindrical secondary battery on which a crimping process has been completed may be cleaned by the hydraulic cleaning unit.

[0054] In other words, after the crimping process of the cylindrical secondary battery, a cleaning process of the outer surface of the cylindrical secondary battery is continuously performed in the cleaning line, and in the cleaning process, the water pressure cleaning unit 4 is used to clean at least one of the brush 8 provided on the dummy can 1 and the outer surface of the cylindrical secondary battery after the crimping process is completed.

[0055] Therefore, the water pressure washer 4 has not only its original purpose of cleaning the outer surface of a cylindrical secondary battery that has undergone a crimping process in the manufacturing process of a cylindrical secondary battery, but also a purpose of cleaning a brush provided on a dummy can used in the cleaning system of the present invention. That is, referring to FIG 3, the dummy can and the cylindrical secondary battery that have undergone the crimping process can be moved to the same cleaning line and cleaned using the same water pressure washer 4.

[0056] The order of cleaning by the hydraulic cleaning unit 4 is not limited. For example, the dummy can 1 may be inserted into the hydraulic cleaning unit 4, and then the cylindrical secondary battery on which the crimping process has been completed may be inserted and cleaned, or may be inserted in the reverse order, or may be inserted and cleaned at the same time.

[0057] In another embodiment of the present specification, the cleaning system may further include a first station 6 for cleaning a brush provided in the dummy can by dipping the brush in a cleaning agent. That is, the brush 8 may be cleaned by dipping it in a container containing the cleaning agent and then removing it.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 4, the dummy can 1 that has completed cleaning of the crimping device is moved to a cleaning line, for example, the first station 6, separate from the water pressure cleaning unit 4 that cleans the dummy can and cylindrical secondary batteries, to clean the brushes provided on the dummy can.

[0059] That is, the brush 8 attached to the dummy can 1 that has undergone the crimping process may be cleaned by the water pressure cleaner 4, or may be cleaned by the first station 6. The first station 6 is used only for cleaning the dummy can 1.

[0060] In one embodiment of the present invention, the water pressure washer section 4 and the first station 6 may each include a device (not shown) for supplying the cleaning agent.

[0061] The type of the cleaning agent is not limited as long as it has the function of cleaning the electrolyte. For example, a cleaning agent in which water and a surfactant are mixed, anhydrous alcohol, or dimethyl carbonate (DMC) may be used.

[0062] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the cleaning system may introduce two or more dummy cans 1 to clean the crimping device 3, and the brushes 8 of the dummy cans that have already been introduced to clean the crimping device may be cleaned by the water pressure cleaning section 4 or the first station 6.

[0063] That is, while the two or more dummy cans 1 are introduced and the crimping device 3 is being cleaned, the brushes 8 of the dummy cans that have already been introduced to clean the crimping device may be cleaned by the water pressure cleaning section 4 or the first station 6.

[0064] In one embodiment of the present specification, the cleaning system may continuously or intermittently introduce two or more dummy cans 1 to clean the crimping device 3, and the brushes 8 of the remaining dummy cans not used to clean the crimping device 3 may be cleaned by the water pressure cleaning section 4 or the first station 6.

[0065] That is, by operating a plurality of dummy cans 1 (Nth cleaning, Mth drying), the brushes 8 of the remaining dummy cans can be cleaned while the crimping device 3 is being cleaned. The reason for using two or more dummy cans is to increase the cleaning rate of the crimping device.

[0066] In one embodiment of the present specification, the cleaning system may further include a drying unit 5 for drying at least one of the brush cleaned by the water pressure cleaning unit 4 and the outer surface of the cylindrical secondary battery, or may further include a second station 7 for drying the brush cleaned by the first station 6.

[0067] In one embodiment of the present specification, the drying line may include the dry section, and the drying line may be connected to the cleaning line.

[0068] That is, the dry section 5 is shared to dry at least one of the brushes and the outer surface of the cylindrical secondary battery cleaned by the water pressure cleaning section 4 .

[0069] 3 and 4, the dummy can that has been cleaned by the water pressure cleaning unit 4 is moved to the drying unit 5, and the dummy can that has been cleaned by the first station 6 is moved to the second station 7, where the brushes 8 of the dummy can are dried.

[0070] Therefore, the dryer 5 has not only its original purpose of drying the outer surfaces of the washed cylindrical secondary batteries, but also a purpose of drying the brushes provided on the dummy cans used in the cleaning system of the present invention. That is, referring to Fig. 3, the dummy cans and cylindrical secondary batteries that have been subjected to the washing process may be moved through the same drying line and dried using the dryer 5 in the drying line.

[0071] The order of drying by the dry section 5 is not limited; for example, the dummy can 4 may be inserted into the dry section 5, and then the cylindrical secondary battery 2 may be inserted and dried, or the dummy can 4 may be inserted in the reverse order, or the cylindrical secondary battery 2 may be inserted at the same time.

[0072] The second station is used solely for drying the dummy can.

[0073] In one embodiment of the present specification, the drying section 5 and the second station 7 may each include a drying device (not shown) for drying the brush.

[0074] The type of the drying device is not limited, and it may be a drying device that uses heat or a drying device that uses wind.

[0075] In one embodiment of the present specification, the dummy can that has been completely dried by the dry section 5 or the second station 7 may be re-introduced into the crimping process of cylindrical secondary batteries.

[0076] As described above, by re-introducing the dummy can that has been washed / dried into the crimping process, foreign matter attached to the crimping device can be effectively removed without interrupting the manufacturing process of the electrode assembly.

[0077] Although the present invention has been described with reference to limited drawings, it should be understood that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1 Dummy can 1-1 Main body 1-2...Molding section 2. Cylindrical secondary battery 3. Crimping device 4. Water pressure washer 5 Dry section 6. Station 1 7. Station 2 8. Brush

Claims

1. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a cylindrical secondary battery having a battery can containing an electrode assembly and a cap assembly; and (b) cleaning a surface of a crimping device used in a crimping process of a cylindrical secondary battery for sealing an open upper end of the battery can containing the electrode assembly and the cap assembly; A cleaning system, wherein the two or more dummy cans each have a brush on an outer surface thereof, and the brush cleans a surface of the crimping device.

2. The cleaning system of claim 1 , wherein the two or more dummy cans each include a brush, and a surface of the crimping device is cleaned by physical friction with the brush.

3. 2. The cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the crimping device is a roller and a punch for applying pressure to the open top end of the battery can to seal the cylindrical secondary battery.

4. The brushes provided on the dummy can are cleaned in a cleaning line for cleaning the cylindrical secondary battery, 2 . The cleaning system according to claim 1 , wherein the cleaning line for cleaning the cylindrical secondary battery is connected to a crimping line for performing a crimping process of the cylindrical secondary battery and a drying line for performing a drying process of the cylindrical secondary battery.

5. The cleaning line for cleaning the cylindrical secondary battery includes a water pressure cleaning unit that mixes water and a cleaning agent and cleans the battery by spraying the mixture through a nozzle, The cleaning system according to claim 4 , wherein the water pressure washer cleans at least one of a brush provided on the dummy can and an outer surface of the cylindrical secondary battery on which the crimping process has been completed.

6. The cleaning system according to claim 1 , further comprising a first station for cleaning a brush provided on the dummy can by dipping the brush in a cleaning agent.

7. The cleaning system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the cleaning system introduces two or more dummy cans to clean the crimping device, and the brushes of the dummy cans that have already been introduced to clean the crimping device are cleaned by the water pressure cleaning unit or the first station.

8. 7. The cleaning system according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a drying section for drying at least one of the brush cleaned by the water pressure cleaning section and an outer surface of the cylindrical secondary battery, or a second station for drying the brush cleaned by the first station.

9. The cleaning system according to claim 8 , wherein the dummy can that has been dried by the dry section or the second station is re-introduced into a crimping process for cylindrical secondary batteries.

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