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

Abstract

The present invention is characterized in that the electrode supply device includes: an electrode magazine unit in which a plurality of electrodes are stacked; an electrode pickup unit that picks up a first electrode on the uppermost side among the plurality of electrodes; and at least one of the electrode magazine unit and the electrode pickup unit includes a heating unit that heats the first electrode and a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode to expand an air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention claims the benefit of the filing date of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0184454, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 26, 2022, and all of its content is incorporated herein by reference.

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

Background Art

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be recharged and have been extensively studied in recent years due to their potential for miniaturization and high capacity. As the technology development and demand for mobile devices increase, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source has been rapidly increasing.

[0004] Secondary batteries are classified into coin-type batteries, cylindrical batteries, prismatic batteries, and pouch-type batteries according to the shape of the battery case. An electrode assembly installed inside the battery case in a secondary battery is a power generation element capable of charge and discharge, which has a laminated structure of electrodes and a separator.

[0005] The electrode assembly can be generally classified into a jelly-roll type wound with a separator interposed between sheet-type positive and negative electrodes coated with an active material, a stack type in which a plurality of positive and negative electrodes are sequentially laminated with a separator interposed therebetween, and a stack-and-folding type in which unit cells of the stack type are wound with a long separation film.

[0006] The electrode assembly is mostly manufactured by supplying individual electrodes from a magazine in which a plurality of single electrodes are laminated. In this process, there has been a problem that defects occur in the manufactured electrode assembly because the separation of the electrode to be supplied among the plurality of single electrodes laminated in the magazine is not completely performed.

[0007] Therefore, there is a situation where a technology for appropriately separating the electrodes for supply among the plurality of electrodes stacked in the magazine is required.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an electrode supply device, an electrode assembly manufacturing device using the same, an electrode supply method, and an electrode assembly manufacturing method using the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] One embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode magazine unit in which a plurality of electrodes are stacked; and an electrode pickup unit that picks up the uppermost first electrode among the plurality of electrodes, and at least one of the electrode magazine unit and the electrode pickup unit includes a heating unit that heats the first electrode and a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode to expand an air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. An electrode supply device is provided.

[0011] One embodiment of the present invention is an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately arranged between folded separator membranes, the apparatus including: a positive electrode supply unit that supplies the positive electrodes to the stack table side; a negative electrode supply unit that supplies the negative electrodes to the stack table side; a separator membrane supply unit that supplies the separator membranes to the stack table side; a stack table on which a laminate in which the positive electrodes, separator membranes, and negative electrodes are laminated in such a form that the positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separator membranes is manufactured; and a press unit that heats and pressurizes the laminate to bond between the positive electrodes, separator membranes, and negative electrodes to manufacture an electrode assembly, and at least one of the positive electrode supply unit and the negative electrode supply unit includes the electrode supply device, thereby providing an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus.

[0012] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode supply method including: heating a topmost first electrode among a plurality of electrodes stacked in an electrode magazine unit and a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode to expand an air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode; and picking up and transferring the first electrode to supply the electrode to the stack table side.

[0013] Finally, one embodiment of the present invention is an electrode assembly manufacturing method for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately arranged between folded separator membranes, the method including: supplying the positive electrodes to the stack table side; supplying the negative electrodes to the stack table side; supplying the separator membranes to the stack table side; stacking the positive electrodes, separator membranes, and negative electrodes on the stack table in such a form that the positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separator membranes to manufacture a laminate; and a heat press step of heating and pressurizing the laminate to bond between the positive electrodes, separator membranes, and negative electrodes to manufacture an electrode assembly, and at least one of the step of supplying the positive electrodes to the stack table side and the step of supplying the negative electrodes to the stack table side includes the electrode supply method, thereby providing an electrode assembly manufacturing method. [[Effect of the Invention]]

[0014] An electrode supply method, an electrode supply device, an electrode assembly manufacturing device using the device, and an electrode assembly manufacturing method using the method according to an embodiment of the present invention can prevent problems of separation of a plurality of sheets due to contact between electrode surfaces or contact between an electrode surface and a separator.

[0015] An electrode void method, an electrode void device, an electrode assembly manufacturing device using the device, and an electrode assembly manufacturing method using the method according to an embodiment of the present invention can prevent problems of separation of a plurality of sheets, and thus can improve productivity.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Explanation of reference numerals

[0017] 1 ··· Electrode pickup section 2 ··· First electrode 3 ··· Second electrode 4 ··· Multiple other electrodes 5 ··· Temperature sensor section 6 ··· Temperature control section 7 ··· Electrode magazine section 10 ··· Electrode assembly 11 ··· Positive electrode 11a ··· Positive electrode tab 12 ··· Negative electrode 12a ··· Negative electrode tab 14 ··· Separation membrane 50 ··· First press section 50a, 50b ··· First pressure block 51 ··· Gripper 51a ··· Body 51b ··· Fixed part 60 ··· Second press section 60a, 60b ··· Second pressure block 100 ··· Electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 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 ··· Positive electrode supply section 131 ··· Positive electrode placement table 132 ··· Positive electrode heater 133 ··· Positive electrode roll 134 ··· First cutter 135 ··· First conveyor belt 136 ··· Positive electrode supply head 140 ··· Negative electrode supply section 141 ··· Negative electrode placement table 142 ··· Negative electrode heater 143 ··· Negative electrode roll 144 ··· Second cutter 145 ··· Second conveyor belt 146 ··· Negative electrode supply head 150 ··· Positive electrode stacking section 151 ··· First suction head 151a ··· Vacuum suction inlet 151b ··· Bottom surface 152 ··· First head heater 153 ··· First moving section 160 ··· Negative electrode stacking section 161 ··· Second suction head 162 ··· Second head heater 163 ··· Second moving section 170 ··· Holding mechanism 171 ··· First holding mechanism 172 ··· Second holding mechanism 180 ··· Pressing section 181 ··· First pressing block 182 ··· Second pressing block 183,184 ··· Pressing heater S ··· Stacked product A ··· Thin air layer A' ··· Expanded air layer

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail so that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can easily implement it. However, the present invention can be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to only the configurations described herein.

[0019] In this specification, when a certain part “includes” a certain component, this means that, unless otherwise stated to the contrary, it does not exclude other components, but may further include other components.

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

[0021] When explaining the present invention, a detailed description of related known technologies that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted.

[0022] One embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode magazine unit in which a plurality of electrodes are stacked; and an electrode pickup unit that picks up a first electrode on the uppermost side among the plurality of electrodes. At least one of the electrode magazine unit and the electrode pickup unit includes a heating unit that heats the first electrode and a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode to expand an air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, and provides an electrode supply device.

[0023] In this specification, the “electrode” means including the electrode and / or a semi-finished product of the electrode. Further, the electrode semi-finished product means all semi-assembled products related to the electrode, such as an electrode assembly, a coated electrode, a rolled electrode, a notched electrode, a monocell, a half cell, a bicell, etc. manufactured in the process of manufacturing a secondary battery including the electrode assembly. That is, in this specification, electrodes or semi-finished products of the electrode can be stacked in the electrode magazine unit.

[0024] At least one of the electrode magazine unit and the electrode pickup unit of the electrode supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the heating unit, and heats a first electrode on the uppermost side among a plurality of electrodes stacked in the electrode magazine unit and a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode, so that an air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode can be expanded. Thus, there is an advantage that only the uppermost electrode can be separated by expanding the air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. In this way, when only the uppermost electrode is separated, problems of separating a plurality of sheets due to contact between electrode surfaces or contact between an electrode surface and a separation film can be prevented.

[0025] As a result, when using the electrode supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention and an electrode assembly manufacturing device using the same, productivity can be improved.

[0026] At least one of the electrode magazine unit and the electrode pickup unit of the electrode supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a heating unit that heats the first electrode and the second electrode to expand an air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode magazine unit may include a heating unit that heats a first electrode on the uppermost side among a plurality of electrodes stacked in the electrode magazine unit and a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode to expand an air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. When the electrode magazine unit includes a heating unit, there is an advantage that heating between the uppermost first electrode and the second electrode adjacent to the uppermost first electrode by the heating unit becomes easy regardless of the height of the electrodes stacked inside the electrode magazine unit.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode pickup unit may include a heating unit that heats the uppermost first electrode among a plurality of electrodes stacked in the electrode magazine unit and a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode, and expands an air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. When the electrode pickup unit includes a heating unit, by expanding the air layer between the uppermost first electrode and the second electrode adjacent to the uppermost first electrode by the heating unit, separation of the electrodes can be facilitated, preheating of individual electrodes is possible, and later, when heating and pressing a laminate including the electrodes and the separation film to bond the electrodes and the separation film, there is also an advantage that bonding is easy in a uniform state.

[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode magazine unit and the electrode pickup unit may include a heating unit that heats the uppermost first electrode among a plurality of electrodes stacked in the electrode magazine unit and a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode, and expands an air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. By including a heating unit in both the electrode magazine unit and the electrode pickup unit, the above-described advantages can be achieved simultaneously.

[0030] An electrode supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an electrode pickup unit that picks up the uppermost first electrode among a plurality of electrodes stacked in the electrode magazine unit.

[0031] More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode pickup unit may include an electrode fixing unit that fixes the first electrode; and an electrode transfer unit that transfers the first electrode fixed by the fixing unit to the stack table side.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present invention, it may further include an electrode placement table on which the electrode transferred by the electrode pickup unit is placed and aligned. The electrodes placed on the electrode placement table can be stacked on the stack table by an electrode stack unit described later.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, it may further include a temperature sensor unit for measuring the surface temperatures of the first electrode and the second electrode; and a temperature control unit for adjusting the temperature of the heating unit so that the surface temperature measured by the temperature sensor unit satisfies a management temperature range.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the management temperature range may be 40°C to 140°C, preferably 50°C to 120°C, more preferably 60°C to 100°C. When the temperature of the heating unit is adjusted within the range where the surface temperatures of the first electrode and the second electrode satisfy the management temperature range, there is an advantage that the air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode can be expanded within a short time without damaging the electrodes themselves, making it easier to separate the electrodes.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heating unit may include a non-contact heat source that does not physically contact the first electrode and the second electrode. By using a non-contact heat source, there is an advantage that heat can be easily transferred to the electrodes only when necessary.

[0036] Also, in one embodiment of the present invention, the non-contact heat source is a radiant heat type heat source, an induction heating type heat source, or a laser type heat source, and is not limited thereto, and an appropriate heat source can be selected according to the applied environment.

[0037] One embodiment of the present invention is an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately arranged between folded separator membranes, the apparatus including: a positive electrode supply unit that supplies a positive electrode to a stack table side; a negative electrode supply unit that supplies a negative electrode to the stack table side; a separator membrane supply unit that supplies the separator membrane to the stack table side; a stack table on which a laminate in which the positive electrode, the separator membrane, and the negative electrode are laminated in a form in which the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separator membranes is manufactured; and a press unit that heats and presses the laminate to bond between the positive electrode, the separator membrane, and the negative electrode to manufacture an electrode assembly. At least one of the positive electrode supply unit and the negative electrode supply unit includes the electrode supply device, thereby providing an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus.

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

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

[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode supply unit and the negative electrode supply unit each include the electrode supply device.

[0041] That is, both the positive electrode supply unit and the negative electrode supply unit may supply a positive electrode and a negative electrode, respectively, using the electrode supply device according to the present invention.

[0042] In other words, an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode supply unit that supplies an electrode to a stack table, and the electrode supply unit may include an electrode placement table on which the electrode is placed before being stacked on the stack table by the electrode stacking unit. Further, an electrode transferred by the electrode supply device according to the present invention may be placed on the electrode placement table and aligned. The aligned electrodes can be stacked on the stack table by the electrode stacking unit. Further, the electrode may be a positive electrode or a negative electrode.

[0043] In this specification, manufacturing a laminate in which the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately arranged between the separation membranes to be folded is called Zig Zag Folding.

[0044] In this specification, the laminate may correspond to an unfinished electrode assembly. Also, in this specification, the uppermost end and the lowermost end of the electrode assembly may be positions corresponding to the upper surface and the lower surface of the laminate, respectively, or positions corresponding to the bottom surface and the upper surface of the unfinished electrode assembly.

[0045] That is, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately arranged between folded separator membranes, and includes a stack table on which the positive electrode, the separator membrane, and the negative electrode are laminated in a stacked form in which the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separator membranes; a positive electrode supply unit that supplies the positive electrode to the stack table; a negative electrode supply unit that supplies the negative electrode to the stack table; a separator membrane supply unit that supplies the separator membrane to the stack table; and a press unit that heats and pressurizes the stack to bond between the positive electrode, the separator membrane, and the negative electrode. The positive electrode supply unit includes a positive electrode magazine unit in which a plurality of positive electrodes are laminated; and a positive electrode pickup unit that picks up and transfers the uppermost first positive electrode among the plurality of positive electrodes laminated in the positive electrode magazine unit. At least one of the positive electrode magazine unit and the positive electrode pickup unit includes a first heating unit that heats the uppermost first positive electrode and a second positive electrode adjacent to the first positive electrode among the plurality of positive electrodes laminated in the positive electrode magazine unit to expand an air layer between the first positive electrode and the second positive electrode. The negative electrode supply unit includes a negative electrode magazine unit in which a plurality of negative electrodes are laminated; and a negative electrode pickup unit that picks up and transfers the uppermost first negative electrode among the plurality of negative electrodes laminated in the negative electrode magazine unit. At least one of the negative electrode magazine unit and the negative electrode pickup unit may include a second heating unit that heats the uppermost first negative electrode and a second negative electrode adjacent to the first negative electrode among the plurality of negative electrodes laminated in the negative electrode magazine unit to expand an air layer between the first negative electrode and the second negative electrode.

[0046] Further, in the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode supply unit may include a positive electrode placement table on which the positive electrode is placed before being laminated on the stack table by the positive electrode stack unit, and the negative electrode supply unit may include a negative electrode placement table on which the negative electrode is placed before being laminated on the stack table by the negative electrode stack unit.

[0047] In one embodiment of the present invention, in order to stack the positive electrode, the separation membrane, and the negative electrode in such a form that the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separation membranes, 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. In this regard, ordinary techniques in the art can be applied.

[0048] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one 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. Further, the stack table moving unit and the separation membrane guide unit are not limited in form as long as they each perform the function of moving the stack table and the separation membrane left and right, and devices commonly used in the art can be utilized.

[0049] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pressing unit may further include a pair of pressing blocks and a press heater that heats the pressing blocks, and the pair of pressing blocks move in a direction facing each other to surface-press the laminate, and the press heater heats the laminate respectively. At this time, in one embodiment of the present invention, the pair of pressing blocks may include the press heater inside.

[0050] In one embodiment of the present invention, heating the laminate may be by heating with a heater included inside the stack table.

[0051] The pressure conditions and temperature conditions of heating and pressing by the pressing unit may be applicable to the description of the conditions in the heat press stage described later. The same applies to the time (time condition) when heating and pressure are applied.

[0052] Here, the pressure condition means the pressure applied by the pair of pressing blocks (or the pressing block with respect to the stack table), and the temperature condition means the temperature of the heat applied by the press heater or the heater included inside the stack table.

[0053] In one embodiment of the present invention, in the process of heating and pressing by the pressing unit, a gripper for fixing the laminate in which the positive electrode, the separator, and the negative electrode are laminated may be further included. Specifically, the gripper may be applied in the first heat press stage described later.

[0054] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pressing unit may include a first pressing unit and a second pressing unit. Specifically, the first pressing unit and the second pressing unit may be applied to the first heat press stage and the second heat press stage described later, respectively, and the heating conditions and the pressing conditions may be those related to the first heat press stage and the second heat press stage described later.

[0055] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first pressing unit includes a pair of first pressing blocks, and the pressing surfaces of the pair of first pressing blocks may include grooves in a form corresponding to the gripper, and the pressing surfaces other than the grooves may be formed as planes. That is, the first pressing unit may be applied in the first heat press stage described above.

[0056] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second pressing unit includes a pair of second pressing blocks, and the pressing surfaces of the pair of second pressing blocks may be formed as planes. That is, the second pressing unit may be applied in the second heat press stage described above.

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

[0058] In this specification, the "holding mechanism" is used to hold the laminate stacked on the stack table in order to stack the positive electrode or the negative electrode in the process of manufacturing a laminate in which the positive electrode, the separation membrane, and the negative electrode are stacked in such a manner that the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately arranged between the separation membranes folded on the stack table. Its function is different from that of the gripper that holds the laminate in the process of heating and pressing the laminate. For the specific operation process of the holding mechanism, reference may be made to the description regarding the method for manufacturing the electrode assembly described later.

[0059] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode supply method including: heating a first electrode at the uppermost side among a plurality of electrodes stacked in the electrode magazine unit and a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode to expand an air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode; and picking up and transferring the first electrode and supplying it to the stack table side.

[0060] The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention can heat a first electrode at the uppermost side among a plurality of electrodes stacked in the electrode magazine unit and a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode to expand an air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. In this way, there is an advantage that only the uppermost electrode can be separated by expanding the air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. When only the uppermost electrode is separated in this way, it is possible to prevent the problem of separation of a plurality of sheets due to contact between electrode surfaces or contact between an electrode surface and a separation membrane.

[0061] As a result, when the electrode supply method according to an embodiment of the present invention and the method for manufacturing an electrode assembly using the same are used, productivity can be improved.

[0062] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of stacking electrodes in the electrode magazine unit may further be included. More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the step of stacking two or more electrodes in the electrode magazine unit may further be included.

[0063] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of picking up and transferring the uppermost first electrode among the electrodes stacked in the electrode magazine unit and supplying it to the stack table side may include a step of fixing the first electrode; and a step of transferring the fixed first electrode to the stack table side.

[0064] In one embodiment of the present invention, it may further include a step of aligning the positions of the transferred electrodes before supplying the electrodes to the stack table. The above-described explanation regarding the electrode placement table may be applicable to this step.

[0065] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of heating the uppermost first electrode and the second electrode adjacent to the first electrode among the plurality of electrodes stacked in the electrode magazine unit may include a step of measuring the surface temperatures of the first electrode and the second electrode; and a step of adjusting the temperature of the heat source to heat so that the measured surface temperatures satisfy the controlled temperature range. At this time, in one embodiment of the present invention, the controlled temperature range may be 40°C to 140°C, preferably 50°C to 120°C, more preferably 60°C to 100°C. As described above, when the temperature of the heating unit is adjusted within the range where the surface temperatures of the uppermost first electrode and the second electrode adjacent to the first electrode satisfy the controlled temperature range, there is an advantage that the air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode can be expanded within a short time without damaging the electrode itself, making electrode separation easier.

[0066] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heat source may be a non-contact heat source that does not physically contact the first electrode and the second electrode. Further, the non-contact heat source is a radiant heat type heat source, an induction heating type heat source, or a laser type heat source, and is not limited thereto, and an appropriate heat source may be selected according to the applied environment. As described above, by using a non-contact heat source, there is an advantage that heat can be easily transferred to the electrode only when necessary.

[0067] One embodiment of the present invention is an electrode assembly manufacturing method for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately arranged between folded separation membranes, the method including: supplying the positive electrode to the stack table side; supplying the negative electrode to the stack table side; supplying the separation membrane to the stack table side; stacking the positive electrode, separation membrane, and negative electrode on the stack table in a form in which the positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separation membranes to produce a laminate; and a heat press step of heating and pressing the laminate to bond between the positive electrode, separation membrane, and negative electrode to manufacture an electrode assembly. At least one of the step of supplying the positive electrode to the stack table side and the step of supplying the negative electrode to the stack table side includes the electrode supply method, and provides an electrode assembly manufacturing method.

[0068] That is, in the electrode assembly manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode means a positive electrode or a negative electrode, and the step of supplying the electrode to the stack table includes the step of supplying the positive electrode to the stack table side and the step of supplying the negative electrode to the stack table side. The electrode assembly manufacturing method may further include a step of supplying a separation membrane to the stack table; a step of stacking the positive electrode, separation membrane, and negative electrode on the stack table in a form in which the positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separation membranes to produce a laminate; and a step of heating and pressing the laminate to bond between the positive electrode, separation membrane, and negative electrode to manufacture an electrode assembly. At this time, the step of heating and pressing the laminate to bond between the positive electrode, separation membrane, and negative electrode to manufacture an electrode assembly may be expressed as a heat press step.

[0069] That is, the method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode are alternately arranged between folded separator membranes, the method comprising: supplying the separator membrane to a stack table; supplying the positive electrode to the stack table; supplying the negative electrode to the stack table; stacking the positive electrode, the separator membrane, and the negative electrode on the stack table in such a manner that the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separator membranes to produce a laminate; and a heat press step of heating and pressing the laminate. The step of supplying the positive electrode to the stack table includes heating the uppermost first positive electrode and a second positive electrode adjacent to the first positive electrode among a plurality of positive electrodes stacked in the positive electrode magazine section to expand an air layer between the first positive electrode and the second positive electrode; and picking up and transferring the uppermost first positive electrode among the plurality of positive electrodes stacked in the positive electrode magazine section and supplying it to the stack table. The step of supplying the negative electrode to the stack table includes heating the uppermost first negative electrode and a second negative electrode adjacent to the first negative electrode among a plurality of negative electrodes stacked in the negative electrode magazine section to expand an air layer between the first negative electrode and the second negative electrode; and picking up and transferring the uppermost first negative electrode among the negative electrodes stacked in the negative electrode magazine section and supplying it to the stack table.

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

[0071] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of supplying the negative electrode to the stack table side includes the electrode supply method.

[0072] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of supplying the positive electrode to the stack table side and the step of supplying the negative electrode to the stack table side each include the electrode supply method.

[0073] That is, the step of supplying the positive electrode to the stack table side and the step of supplying the negative electrode to the stack table side can each supply the positive electrode and the negative electrode by using the electrode supply method according to the present invention.

[0074] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of manufacturing a laminate by stacking the positive electrode, the separator, and the negative electrode on a stack table in such a form that the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separators is (S1) Stacking the negative electrode on the stack table; (S2) Stacking the separator on the stack table so as to cover the upper surface of the negative electrode on which the separator has been stacked on the stack table; (S3) Stacking a positive electrode on the opposite surface of the separator covering the upper surface of the negative electrode that touches the negative electrode; (S4) additionally supplying the separator to cover the upper surface of the positive electrode; (S5) Stacking the negative electrode on the opposite surface of the separator covering the upper surface of the positive electrode that touches the positive electrode; and (S6) additionally supplying the separator to cover the upper surface of the negative electrode; and includes The steps (S1) to (S6) may be repeated one or more times. That is, in this case, it means the case where the electrodes are stacked on the stack table first.

[0075] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of manufacturing a laminate by stacking the positive electrode, the separator, and the negative electrode on a stack table in such a form that the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separators is (SS1) Stacking a separator on the stack table; (SS2) Stacking a positive electrode on the upper surface of the separator; (SS3) additionally supplying the separator to cover the upper surface of the positive electrode; (SS4) Stacking the negative electrode on the opposite surface of the separator covering the upper surface of the positive electrode that touches the positive electrode; and (SS5) additionally supplying the separation membrane to cover the upper surface of the negative electrode; The steps (SS1) to (SS5) may be repeated one or more times. That is, in this case, it means that the separation membrane is laminated on the stack table first.

[0076] In one embodiment of the present invention, the steps (S4), (S6), (SS3), and (SS5), that is, the steps of additionally supplying the separation membrane to cover the upper surface of the positive electrode or the negative electrode, may be performed in one of the methods of moving the stack table left and right, moving the separation membrane left and right, and rotating the stack table.

[0077] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separation membrane may be supplied in the form of a separation membrane sheet. That is, the additionally supplied separation membrane may be supplied in a continuous form. Further, the "upper surface" may mean the opposite surface of the surface where the separation membrane or the electrode faces the stack table.

[0078] That is, in order to laminate the positive electrode, the separation membrane, and the negative electrode in such a form that the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separation membranes, a method of moving the stack table left and right, a method of moving the separation membrane left and right, or a method of rotating the stack table may be used, and for this, ordinary techniques in the art may be applied.

[0079] At this time, the laminate can be gripped by a holding mechanism, and during the process of adding the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the separation membrane, the alignment of the laminate can be maintained, and a laminate in which the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separation membranes can be manufactured.

[0080] In one embodiment of the present application, the method for manufacturing the electrode assembly may further include a heat press step of heating and pressing the laminate along the lamination axis.

[0081] Also, in one embodiment of the present application, the heat press step of heating and pressing along the lamination axis includes: moving the laminate between a pair of pressure blocks including a press heater; moving the pair of pressure blocks in a direction facing each other along the lamination axis to perform surface pressure on the laminate; and heating the laminate by the press heater.

[0082] Additionally, in one embodiment of the present application, the heat press step includes: a primary heat press step of gripping the laminate with a gripper and heating and pressing the laminate; and a secondary heat press step of, after the primary heat press step, releasing the grip of the gripper and heating and pressing the laminate.

[0083] In one embodiment of the present application, the primary heat press step includes: pressing and fixing the upper surface of the laminate using a gripper; moving the laminate fixed by the gripper between a pair of pressure blocks including a press heater; moving the pair of pressure blocks in a direction facing each other along the lamination axis of the laminate to perform surface pressure on the fixed laminate; and heating the fixed laminate by the press heater.

[0084] In one embodiment of the present application, the secondary heat press step includes: stopping the heating and pressing of the laminate after the primary heat press step; separating the gripper from the laminate; moving the laminate from which the gripper has been separated between a pair of pressure blocks including a press heater; moving the pair of pressure blocks in a direction facing each other along the lamination axis of the laminate from which the gripper has been separated to press the laminate; and heating the laminate by the press heater.

[0085] In one embodiment of the present application, the pressure block used in the primary heat press step may have a groove corresponding to the gripper.

[0086] In one embodiment of the present application, the step of separating the gripper from the laminate may include the step of stopping pressing the upper surface of the laminate using the gripper; and the step of separating the gripper from the laminate.

[0087] Also, in the heat press step (including the first and second heat press steps), the step of moving the laminate between a pair of pressure blocks including a press heater may include not only the case where only the laminate itself is moved, but also the case where the laminate is moved together while being placed on the stack table. In this case, the objects to be heated and pressed by the pair of pressure blocks and the press heater may mean the laminate and the stack table.

[0088] In one embodiment of the present application, the first heat press step may be to heat and press the laminate for 10 to 30 seconds under temperature conditions of 65°C to 90°C and pressure conditions of 1 MPa to 3 MPa. More preferably, it may be to heat and press the laminate for 10 to 20 seconds under temperature conditions of 65°C to 75°C and pressure conditions of 1.5 MPa to 2 MPa.

[0089] In one embodiment of the present application, the second heat press step may be to heat and press the laminate for 5 to 60 seconds, preferably for 5 to 30 seconds under temperature conditions of 50°C to 90°C and pressure conditions of 1 MPa to 6 MPa, more preferably under temperature conditions of 65°C to 90°C and pressure conditions of 1.5 MPa to 6 MPa. More preferably, it may be to heat and press the laminate for 7 to 25 seconds under temperature conditions of 65°C to 85°C and pressure conditions of 3 MPa to 5.5 MPa.

[0090] When heating and pressing while satisfying the above conditions, the adhesion of the electrodes and the separator of the laminate of the positive electrode, the separator, and the negative electrode becomes easy without damaging the positive electrode, the separator, and the negative electrode, and the performance of the manufactured electrode assembly is excellent.

[0091] In addition, in one embodiment of the present application, the temperature conditions, pressure conditions, and time conditions in the heat press stage may be the conditions of the aforementioned secondary heat press. That is, the heat press stage may be to heat and press the laminate at a temperature condition of 50°C to 90°C and a pressure condition of 1 MPa to 6 MPa for 5 seconds to 60 seconds, preferably at a temperature condition of 65°C to 90°C and a pressure condition of 1.5 MPa to 6 MPa for 5 seconds to 30 seconds. More preferably, it may be to heat and press the laminate at a temperature condition of 65°C to 85°C and a pressure condition of 3 MPa to 5.5 MPa for 7 seconds to 25 seconds.

[0092] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12, a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly and an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described more specifically.

[0093] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a process of separating electrodes by an electrode supply method and an electrode supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, in the electrode magazine unit 7, the uppermost first electrode 2 among a plurality of stacked electrodes, the second electrode 3 adjacent to the first electrode, and a plurality of other electrodes 4 are stacked. At this time, after the uppermost first electrode 2 among the stacked electrodes is picked up by the electrode pickup unit 1, it is transferred. A thin air layer A is formed between the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3. At this time, the thin air layer A is heated by a heating unit (not shown) included in the electrode magazine unit 7 and / or the pickup unit 1. At this time, the surface temperatures of the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 are measured by the temperature sensor unit 5, and in conjunction with the temperature sensor unit 5, the heating temperature of the heating unit (not shown) is adjusted by a temperature control unit 6 so that the surface temperature measured by the temperature sensor unit 5 satisfies the management temperature range.

[0094] As a result, an expanded air layer A' is formed while the thin air layer A is heated, whereby the interval between the uppermost first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 adjacent to the first electrode among the plurality of electrodes stacked in the electrode magazine unit 7 widens.

[0095] Since the distance between the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 widens, only the uppermost first electrode 2 among the electrodes on which the electrode pickup unit 1 is stacked can be picked up and transferred.

[0096] FIG. 2 is a plan view exemplarily showing an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a front view showing the concept of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, for convenience, in FIG. 2, the holding mechanism 170 shown in FIG. 3 is omitted, the pressing unit 180 located on the rear side in the plan view is shown by a dotted line, and in FIG. 3, the separation film supply unit 120 shown in FIG. 2 is omitted. For reference, the content described in FIG. 1 may be applied to the portions shown by dotted lines in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0097] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a stack table 110, a separation film supply unit 120 that supplies a separation film 14, a positive electrode supply unit 130 that supplies a positive electrode 11, a negative electrode supply unit 140 that supplies a negative electrode 12, a positive electrode stack unit 150 that stacks the positive electrode 11 on the stack table 110, a negative electrode stack unit 160 that stacks the negative electrode 12 on the stack table 110, and a pressing unit 180 that bonds between the positive electrode 11, the separation film 14, and the negative electrode 12. Further, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a holding mechanism 170 that fixes the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 when they are stacked on the stack table 110. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, in the electrode magazine unit 7, the thin air layer A formed between the uppermost first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 adjacent to the first electrode among the plurality of stacked electrodes is heated to form an expanded air layer A', and the distance between the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 is widened so that only the uppermost first electrode 2 among the electrodes on which the electrode pickup unit 1 is stacked can be picked up and transferred.

[0098] Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode, the separation film, and the negative electrode may be supplied to the stack table while being heated respectively.

[0099] That is, the separation membrane supply unit can supply the separation membrane to the stack table while heating the separation membrane, and the positive electrode supply unit and the negative electrode supply unit may each supply the positive electrode and the negative electrode to the stack table while heating the positive electrode and the negative electrode, respectively.

[0100] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view exemplarily showing an electrode assembly.

[0101] Referring to FIGS. 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 laminating a positive electrode 11, a separation membrane 14, and a negative electrode 12.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 4, generally, the electrode assembly 10 is a power generation element capable of charge and discharge, and can be formed in a form in which the positive electrode 11, the separation membrane 14, and the negative electrode 12 are alternately laminated and aggregated. Here, the electrode assembly 10 may be, for example, in a form in which the separation membrane 14 is folded in a zigzag form, and the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 are alternately arranged between the folded separation membranes 14. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, the electrode assembly 10 may be provided in a form in which the outermost side is surrounded by the separation membrane 14.

[0103] In an embodiment of the present application, the separation membrane supply unit may further include a separation membrane roll around which the separation membrane is wound. The separation membrane wound around the separation membrane roll can be gradually unwound and supplied to the stack table. That is, the separation membrane may be in the form of a separation membrane sheet.

[0104] FIG. 5 is a perspective view exemplarily showing a pressing unit of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a state in which the pressing unit presses a laminate in the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the pressing unit 180 includes a pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182, and the pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182 are moved in a direction facing each other, and a laminate of the positive electrode 11, the separator 14, and the negative electrode 12 can be disposed between the pressing blocks 181 and 182. Then, the pressing unit 180 can press the laminated positive electrode 11, separator 14, and negative electrode 12 while heating and pressing the laminate, and bond between the positive electrode 11, separator 14, and negative electrode 12.

[0106] Further, the pressing unit 180 further includes pressing heaters 183 and 184 for heating the pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182, and the pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182 can heat and press the laminate. Thereby, heat fusion between the positive electrode 11, the separator 14, and the negative electrode 12 in the laminate is better performed, and stronger adhesion becomes possible.

[0107] The lateral and longitudinal lengths of the pressing surfaces of the pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182 may be formed longer than the lateral and longitudinal lengths of the laminate. And the pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182 include a first pressing block 181 and a second pressing block 182, and the first pressing block 181 and the second pressing block 182 may be provided as rectangular parallelepiped-shaped square blocks.

[0108] FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view showing a first pressing unit 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6(b) is a perspective view showing a second pressing unit 60 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0109] Referring to FIG. 6(a), the first pressing unit 50 can heat and press while fixing the laminate S with the gripper 51. The first pressing unit 50 is composed of a pair of first pressing blocks 50a and 50b, and except for grooves in a form corresponding to the fixing portion 51b of the gripper 51, the pressing surfaces for pressing are all formed in a flat plane.

[0110] The gripper 51 may include a main body 51a corresponding to or wider than the length x and height y of the laminate S, and a plurality of fixing portions 51b provided on one surface of the main body 51a and provided in a columnar or plate-like shape along the width z direction of the laminate S. Here, the length x of the laminate S means the portion with the longest distance from one end to the other end of the laminate S, the height y means the distance in the stacking direction of the laminate S, and the width z may mean the distance across the upper surface of the laminate S.

[0111] The fixing portion 51b is adjustable in position along the height direction of the main body 51a, and the fixing portion 51b can contact the upper and lower surfaces of the laminate S to fix the laminate S. Then, the pair of first pressing blocks 50a, 50b included in the first pressing portion 50 are moved in a direction facing each other to surface-press one or more of the laminate S and the gripper 51, so as to bond between the electrodes and the separator included in the laminate S.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 6(b), the second pressing portion 60 can finally heat and press the laminate S that has been primarily heated and pressed by the first pressing portion 50. The second pressing portion 60 includes a pair of second pressing blocks 60a, 60b, and the pair of second pressing blocks 60a, 60b can be moved in a direction facing each other to surface-press the laminate S. Also, the pressing surfaces of the pair of second pressing blocks 60a, 60b included in the second pressing portion 60 that contact and press the laminate S may be formed on the plane.

[0113] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a stack table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0114] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 7, the positive electrode 11, the separator 14, and the negative electrode 12 can be stacked in such a form that the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 are alternately arranged between the folded separators 14 on the stack table 110.

[0115] Further, the stack table 110 may include a table body 111 on which the positive electrode 11, the separator 14, and the negative electrode 12 are stacked, and a stack table heater 112 that heats the table body 111 to heat the stacked laminate S (Heating).

[0116] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a positive electrode placement table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0117] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 8, the positive electrode supply unit 130 can supply the positive electrode 11 to the positive electrode stack unit 150 while heating the positive electrode 11.

[0118] Further, the positive electrode supply unit 130 may include a positive electrode placement table 131 on which the positive electrode 11 is placed before being stacked on the stack table 110 by the positive electrode stack unit 150, and a positive electrode heater 132 that heats the positive electrode placement table 131 to heat the positive electrode 11.

[0119] On the other hand, the positive electrode supply unit 130 includes a positive electrode roll 133 on which the positive electrode 11 is wound in a sheet form, a first cutter 134 that cuts the positive electrode 11 in a sheet form wound on the positive electrode roll 133 at a predetermined interval when the wound positive electrode 11 is unwound and supplied to form a positive electrode 11 of a predetermined size, a first conveyor belt 135 that moves the positive electrode 11 cut by the first cutter 134, and a positive electrode supply head 136 that vacuum-adsorbs the positive electrode 11 transferred by the first conveyor belt 135 and places it on the positive electrode placement table 131. Here, the first cutter 134 can cut the positive electrode 11 in a sheet form so that a positive electrode tab 11a protrudes at the end.

[0120] At this time, the cut positive electrode 11 can be stacked in the positive electrode magazine, and the method of picking up the positive electrode 11 stacked in the positive electrode magazine portion may be applicable to the description regarding FIG. 1.

[0121] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a negative electrode placement table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0122] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 9, the negative electrode supply unit 140 can heat the negative electrode 12 and supply it to the negative electrode stack unit 160.

[0123] Further, the negative electrode supply unit 140 may include a negative electrode placement table 141 on which the negative electrode 12 is placed before being stacked on the stack table 110 by the negative electrode stack unit 160, and a negative electrode heater 142 that heats the negative electrode placement table 141 to heat the negative electrode 12.

[0124] On the other hand, the negative electrode supply unit 140 includes a negative electrode roll 143 in which the negative electrode 12 is wound in a sheet form, a second cutter 144 that cuts the negative electrode 12 in the sheet form wound around the negative electrode roll 143 at a predetermined interval when it is unwound and supplied to form a negative electrode 12 of a predetermined size, a second conveyor belt 145 that moves the negative electrode 12 cut by the second cutter 144, and a negative electrode supply head 146 that vacuum-adsorbs the negative electrode 12 transferred by the second conveyor belt 145 and places it on the negative electrode placement table 141. Here, the second cutter 144 can be cut so that a negative electrode tab 12a protrudes from the end when cutting the negative electrode 12 in the sheet form.

[0125] At this time, the cut negative electrode 12 can be stacked in the negative electrode magazine unit, and the method of picking up the negative electrode 12 stacked in the negative electrode magazine unit may be applied to the description regarding FIG. 1.

[0126] In an embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode stack unit may include a first suction head that vacuum-sucks the positive electrode placed on the positive electrode placement table, and the negative electrode stack unit may include a second suction head that vacuum-sucks the negative electrode placed on the negative electrode placement table.

[0127] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a first suction head of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a bottom view showing the first suction head of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0128] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 10, and 11, the positive electrode stack portion 150 can stack the positive electrodes 11 on the stack table 110.

[0129] Further, the positive electrode stack portion 150 may include a first suction head 151 and a first moving portion 153.

[0130] The first suction head 151 can vacuum-suck the positive electrode 11 placed on the positive electrode placement table 131. At this time, the first suction head 151 has a vacuum suction port 151a formed on the bottom surface 151b, and can suck the positive electrode 11 through the vacuum suction port 151a and fix the positive 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 for connecting the vacuum suction port 151a and a vacuum suction device (not shown).

[0131] The first moving portion 153 can move the first suction head 151 to the stack table 110 so that the first suction head 151 can stack the positive electrode 11 placed on the positive electrode placement table 131 on the stack table 110.

[0132] Also, the negative electrode stack portion 160 can stack the negative electrodes 12 on the stack table 110. Here, the negative electrode stack portion 160 may have the same structure as the above-described positive electrode stack portion 150. At this time, the negative electrode stack portion 160 may include a second suction head 161 and a second moving portion 163.

[0133] The second suction head 161 can vacuum-suck the negative electrode 12 placed on the negative electrode placement table 141. At this time, the second moving part 163 can move the second suction head 161 to the stack table 110 so that the second suction head 161 can stack the negative electrode 12 placed on the negative electrode placement table 141 on the stack table 110.

[0134] 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.

[0135] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 12, when the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 12 is stacked on the stack table 110, the holding mechanism 170 can hold and fix the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 12 to the stack table 110.

[0136] In addition, when the holding mechanism 170 stacks the positive electrode 11 on the stack table 110, it can press and fix the upper surface of the positive electrode 11 stacked on the uppermost side of the stack table 110. When stacking the negative electrode 12 on the stack table 110, it can press and fix the upper surface of the negative electrode 12 stacked on the uppermost side of the stack table 110. Also, the upper surface of the laminate of the positive electrode 11, the separator 14, and the negative electrode 12 stacked on the stack table 110 can be pressed and fixed.

[0137] That is, when the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 are positioned and stacked between the separators 14 to form a laminate, the holding mechanism 170 holds the surface positioned at the top of the laminate by pressing it in the direction of the stack table 110, and can prevent the laminate from being detached from the stack table 110.

[0138] On the other hand, the holding mechanism 170 includes, for example, a first holding mechanism 171 and a second holding mechanism 172, and can fix both sides of the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 12.

[0139] Then, as described above, in the case where the zigzag folding is performed while the stack table 110 rotates, for example, after the holding mechanism 170 holds the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 12 and the stack table 110 rotates, the separation film 14 can be unwound by the separation film roll 122 in proportion to the rotation amount of the stack table 110 and supplied to the stack table 110 side.

[0140] On the other hand, for example, the holding mechanism 170 and the stack table 110 may be connected or coupled to a rotating device (not shown). Here, when the holding mechanism 170 holds the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 12, the rotating device can rotate the holding mechanism 170 and the stack table 110.

[0141] After that, when the stack of the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 is completed between the separation films 14, the stack is fixed with a gripper and then moved to the above-described press part, and then the stack can be heated and pressed by the press part.

[0142] In one embodiment of the present invention, it further includes a rotating part for rotating the stack table, and a positive electrode stack part is provided on one side of the rotating part and a negative electrode stack part is provided on the other side of the rotating part so that the zigzag folding can be performed in such a way that the separation film is positioned between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. When the rotating part stacks the positive electrode, the stack table is rotated to one side so as to face the first suction head of the positive electrode stack part, and when the negative electrode is stacked, the stack table may be alternately rotated to the other side so as to face the second suction head of the negative electrode stack part.

[0143] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a vision device for visually inspecting the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0144] An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a rotating unit that rotates a stack table and a vision device that performs a vision inspection on the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0145] An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention includes 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 on the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The stack table moving unit and the separation membrane guide unit are not limited in form as long as they each perform the function of moving the stack table and the separation membrane left and right, and devices commonly used in the art may be utilized.

[0146] In one embodiment of the present invention, including a stack table moving unit that moves the stack table left and right, a positive electrode stack portion is provided on one side of the stack table and a negative electrode stack portion is provided on the other side of the stack table so that zigzag folding is possible in such a manner that the separation membrane is positioned between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. When stacking the positive electrode, the stack table moving unit may alternately move the stack table to one side so as to face the first suction head of the positive electrode stack portion, and when stacking the negative electrode, move the stack table to the other side so as to face the second suction head of the negative electrode stack portion.

[0147] In one embodiment of the present invention, including a separation membrane guide unit that moves the separation membrane left and right, the separation membrane guide unit may repeatedly move the separation membrane supplied to the stack table left and right so that zigzag folding is possible in such a manner that the separation membrane is positioned between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0148] That is, an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include additional components depending on the moving method of the stack table or the supply method of the separation membrane.

[0149] In one embodiment of the present invention, the vision device may include a first camera and a second camera. The first camera can photograph the positive electrode placed on the positive electrode placement table by the positive electrode supply unit, and the second camera can photograph the negative electrode placed on the negative electrode placement table by the negative electrode supply unit. The lamination quality of the positive electrode and the negative electrode can be inspected by using the video information obtained by photographing with the first camera and the second camera. More specifically, the placement position, size, lamination state, etc. of the positive electrode and the negative electrode can be inspected.

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

[0151] Also, in one embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode is manufactured, for example, by applying a mixture of a positive electrode active material, a conductive material, and a binder on a positive electrode current collector and then drying it, and if necessary, further adding a filler to the mixture. The substances used at this time can be substances commonly used in the art.

[0152] Specifically, the positive electrode active material is, for example, a layered compound such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO 2 ), lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO 2 ), or a compound substituted with one or more transition metals; the chemical formula Li 1+x Mn 2-x O 4 (where x is 0 to 0.33), LiMnO 3 , LiMn 2 O 3 , LiMnO 2 and other lithium manganese oxides; lithium copper oxide (Li 2 CuO 2 ); LiV 3 O 8 , LiFe 3 O 4 , V 2 O 5 , Cu 2 V2 O 7 Vanadium oxides such as; chemical formula LiNi 1-x M x O 2 (where M = Co, Mn, Al, Cu, Fe, Mg, B or Ga, and x = 0.01 to 0.3) nickel site type lithium nickel oxide represented by; chemical formula LiMn 2-x M x O 2 (where M = Co, Ni, Fe, Cr, Zn or Ta, and x = 0.01 to 0.1) or Li 2 Mn 3 MO 8 (where M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu or Zn) lithium manganese composite oxide represented by; a part of Li in the chemical formula is substituted with alkaline earth metal ions LiMn 2 O 4 ; disulfide compounds; Fe 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 and the like, but are not limited thereto.

[0153] Specifically, the positive electrode current collector is not particularly limited as long as it has high conductivity while not inducing a chemical change in the battery. For example, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, fired carbon, or those surface-treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver, etc. on the surface of aluminum or stainless steel may be used. More specifically, it can be aluminum. The current collector can also form fine irregularities on its surface to enhance the adhesive force of the positive electrode active material and may be used in various forms such as films, sheets, foils, nets, porous bodies, foams, non-woven fabrics, etc. Further, the positive electrode current collector may usually have a thickness of 3 um to 500 um,

[0154] The conductive material may usually 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. For example, graphite such as natural graphite and artificial graphite; carbon black such as carbon black, acetylene black, ketjen black, channel black, furnace black, lamp black, thermal black; conductive fibers such as carbon fibers and metal fibers; metal powders such as carbon fluoride, aluminum, and nickel powder; conductive whiskers such as zinc oxide and potassium titanate; conductive metal oxides such as titanium oxide; conductive materials such as polyphenylene derivatives may be used.

[0155] The binder is usually added in an amount of 1 to 50% by weight based on the total weight of the mixture containing the positive electrode active material as a component useful for binding the active material and the conductive material and for binding to the current collector. Examples of such binders include polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), starch, hydroxypropyl cellulose, regenerated cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, tetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM), sulfonated EPDM, styrene-butylene rubber, fluororubber, various copolymers, and the like.

[0156] 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 without inducing a chemical change in the battery. For example, olefin polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene; fibrous substances such as glass fibers and carbon fibers are used.

[0157] Also, in one embodiment of the present invention, the negative electrode is manufactured by applying, drying, and rolling the negative electrode active material on a negative electrode current collector, and if necessary, the above-described conductive material, binder, filler, etc. may be selectively further included. Also in this case, substances commonly used in the art can be utilized.

[0158] Specifically, the negative electrode active material may be, for example, carbon such as graphitizable carbon and graphite-based carbon; LixFe 2 O 3 (0 ≦ x ≦ 1), Li x WO 2 (0 ≦ x ≦ 1), Sn x Me 1-x Me' y O z (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. metal composite oxides; lithium metal; lithium alloy; silicon-based alloy; tin-based alloy; SnO, SnO 2 , PbO, PbO 2 , Pb 2 O 3 , Pb 3 O 4 , Sb 2 O 3 , Sb 2 O 4 , Sb 2 O 5 , GeO, GeO 2 , Bi 2 O 3 , Bi 2 O 4 and Bi 2 O 5 and other metal oxides; conductive polymers such as polyacetylene; Li-Co-Ni-based materials, etc. may be used.

[0159] 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.

[0160] 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.

[0161] Such an SRS separation membrane does not undergo high-temperature thermal 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.

[0162] Such an SRS separation membrane may have a uniform pore structure formed by the pore structure contained in the separation substrate itself and the interstitial volume between the inorganic particles that are the coating layer components. The pores can not only significantly relieve the external impact applied to the electrode assembly, but also enable smooth movement of lithium ions through the pores, be filled with a large amount of electrolyte, and exhibit a high impregnation rate, thereby improving the performance of the battery.

[0163] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separation membrane has a separation membrane surplus portion that extends on both sides beyond the widths of the positive and negative electrodes with respect to the width direction, and a coating layer thicker than the thickness of the separation membrane is formed on one or both surfaces of both side portions of the separation membrane surplus portion to prevent shrinkage of the separation membrane.

[0164] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separation membrane surplus portion may each have a size of 5% to 12% based on the width of the separation membrane.

[0165] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coating layer can be coated on both surfaces of the separation membrane with a size of 50% to 90% based on the width of the separation membrane surplus portion on one side. Also, the widths of the coating layers on both surfaces may be the same or different from each other.

[0166] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coating layer may contain inorganic particles and a binder polymer.

[0167] 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.

[0168] In one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the coating layer may be smaller than the thickness of the positive electrode or the negative electrode. In a specific example, the thickness of the coating layer may be 30% to 99% of the thickness of the positive electrode or the negative electrode.

[0169] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coating layer can be formed by wet coating or dry coating.

[0170] In one embodiment of the present invention, the substrate and the coating layer exist in a form (anchoring) in which the pores on the surface of the polyolefin-based separation membrane substrate are intertwined with the coating layer, so that the separation membrane substrate and the active layer can be physically firmly bonded. At this time, the substrate and the active layer may have a thickness ratio of 9:1 to 1:9 in consideration of the physical bonding force and the pore structure existing on the separation membrane. Specifically, they may have a thickness ratio of 5:5.

[0171] In one embodiment of the present invention, the inorganic particles can be the inorganic particles commonly used in the industry. The inorganic particles can form empty spaces between the inorganic particles, so that they serve as a kind of spacer that can form fine pores and maintain the physical form. In addition, since the inorganic particles generally have the property that their physical properties do not change even at a high temperature of 200 °C or higher, the formed organic / inorganic composite porous film has excellent heat resistance.

[0172] Further, 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 not particularly limited as long as no oxidation and / or reduction reaction occurs in the operating voltage range of the applied battery (for example, 0 to 5V based on Li / Li+). In particular, when using inorganic particles having ion transfer ability, the ionic conductivity in the electrochemical device can be increased to improve the performance. Therefore, those with as high ionic conductivity as possible are preferably used. In addition, when the inorganic particles have a high density, it is not only difficult to disperse them during coating, but also there is a problem of weight increase during battery manufacturing. Therefore, those with as small a density as possible are preferably used. In addition, in the case of an inorganic substance with a high dielectric constant, it can contribute to an increase in the dissociation degree of electrolyte salts in the liquid electrolyte, such as lithium salts, and improve the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte solution.

[0173] For the reasons described above, the inorganic particles may be one or more selected from the group consisting of inorganic particles having piezoelectricity and inorganic particles having lithium ion transfer ability.

[0174] The piezoelectric inorganic particles refer to substances that are insulators under normal pressure but conduct electricity due to changes in their internal structure when a predetermined pressure is applied. They not only exhibit a high dielectric constant characteristic with a dielectric constant of 100 or more, but also have a function of generating charges when a predetermined pressure is applied and being stretched or compressed, causing one side to be positively charged and the opposite side to be negatively charged, thereby generating a potential difference between both sides.

[0175] When using inorganic particles having the above characteristics as a coating layer component, if an internal short circuit occurs between the two electrodes due to an external impact such as a needle-shaped conductor, not only will the positive and negative electrodes not come into direct contact due to the inorganic particles coated on the separator, but also a potential difference will be generated within the particles due to the piezoelectricity of the inorganic particles. As a result, by allowing the movement of electrons between the two electrodes, that is, a fine current to flow, a gentle decrease in the battery voltage and an improvement in safety can be achieved.

[0176] Examples of the inorganic particles having piezoelectricity include BaTiO 3 , Pb(Zr,Ti)O 3 (PZT), Pb 1-x La x Zr 1-y Ti y O 3 (PLZT), PB(Mg 1 / 3 Nb 2 / 3 )O 3 -PbTiO 3 (PMN-PT) and hafnia (HfO 2 ), and may be one or more selected from the group consisting of, but are not limited to, these.

[0177] The inorganic particles having lithium ion transfer ability contain lithium element, and indicate inorganic particles having a function of moving lithium ions without storing lithium. Since the inorganic particles having lithium ion transfer ability can transfer and move lithium ions due to a kind of defect existing inside the particle structure, the lithium ion conductivity in the battery is improved, and thereby the battery performance can be improved.

[0178] Examples of the inorganic particles having lithium ion transfer ability include lithium phosphate (Li 3 PO 4 ), lithium titanium phosphate (Li x Ti y (PO 4 ) 3 , 0 < x < 2, 0 < y < 3), lithium aluminum titanium phosphate (Li x Al y Ti z (PO 4 ) 3 , 0 < x < 2, 0 < y < 1, 0 < z < 3), (LiAlTiP) x O y series glass (0 < x < 4, 0 < y < 13), lithium lanthanum titanate (Li x La y TiO 3, (0 < x < 2, 0 < y < 3), lithium germanium thiophosphate (Li x Ge y P z S w , (0 < x < 4, 0 < y < 1, 0 < z < 1, 0 < w < 5), lithium nitride (Li x N y , (0 < x < 4, 0 < y < 2), SiS 2 (Li x Si y S z , (0 < x < 3, 0 < y < 2, 0 < z < 4) series of glasses and P 2 S 5 (Li x P y S z , (0 < x < 3, 0 < y < 3, 0 < z < 7) series of glasses, and may be one or more selected from the group, but is not limited thereto.

[0179] The composition ratio of the inorganic particles and the binder polymer, which are the coating layer components, 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 decrease in the size and porosity of the pores due to the reduction of the empty space formed between the inorganic particles causes a decrease in the final battery performance. Conversely, if it exceeds 99:1% by weight, since the content of the polymer is too low, there is a risk that the mechanical properties of the final organic / inorganic composite porous separation membrane will be deteriorated due to the weakening of the adhesion between the inorganics.

[0180] In one embodiment of the present invention, as the binder polymer, a binder polymer commonly used in the art can be used.

[0181] 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.

[0182] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coating layer can also be said to be an active layer.

[0183] As described above, the present invention has been described in detail through specific embodiments, but this is for specifically describing 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. An electrode magazine section where a plurality of electrodes are stacked; and An electrode pickup section that picks up a first electrode on the uppermost side among the plurality of electrodes; including At least one of the electrode magazine section and the electrode pickup section includes a heating section that heats the first electrode and a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode to expand an air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode; An electrode supply device.

2. The electrode pickup section An electrode fixing section that fixes the first electrode; and An electrode transfer section that transfers the first electrode fixed by the electrode fixing section to the stack table side; The electrode supply device according to claim 1, including

3. A temperature sensor section that measures the surface temperatures of the first electrode and the second electrode adjacent to the first electrode; and A temperature control section that adjusts the temperature of the heating section so that the surface temperature measured by the temperature sensor section satisfies a management temperature range; The electrode supply device according to claim 1, further including

4. The electrode supply device according to claim 3, wherein the management temperature range is 40°C to 140°C.

5. The electrode supply device according to claim 1, wherein the heating section includes a non-contact heat source that does not physically contact the first electrode and the second electrode.

6. The electrode supply device according to claim 5, wherein the non-contact heat source is a radiant heat type heat source, an induction heating type heat source, or a laser type heat source.

7. An electrode assembly manufacturing device for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode are alternately arranged between folded separator membranes, A positive electrode supply section that supplies the positive electrode to the stack table side; A negative electrode supply section that supplies the negative electrode to the stack table side; A separator membrane supply section that supplies the separator membrane to the stack table side; A stack table on which a laminate in which the positive electrode, the separator membrane, and the negative electrode are laminated in a form in which the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separator membranes is manufactured; and A press section that heats and presses the laminate to bond between the positive electrode, the separator membrane, and the negative electrode to manufacture an electrode assembly; Including The electrode assembly manufacturing device, wherein at least one of the positive electrode supply section and the negative electrode supply section includes the electrode supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Heating the uppermost first electrode among a plurality of electrodes stacked in the electrode magazine unit and a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode to expand the air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode; and Picking up and transferring the first electrode and supplying it to the stack table side; An electrode supply method including.

9. The step of picking up and transferring the first electrode and supplying it to the stack table side is Fixing the first electrode; and Transferring the fixed first electrode to the stack table side; The electrode supply method according to claim 8, including.

10. The step of heating the first electrode and the second electrode is Measuring the surface temperatures of the first electrode and the second electrode; and Adjusting the temperature of the heat source to heat so that the measured surface temperature satisfies the management temperature range; The electrode supply method according to claim 8, including.

11. The electrode supply method according to claim 10, wherein the management temperature range is 40°C to 140°C.

12. The electrode supply method according to claim 10, wherein the heat source is a non-contact heat source that does not physically contact the first electrode and the second electrode.

13. The electrode supply method according to claim 12, wherein the non-contact heat source is a radiant heat type heat source, an induction heating type heat source, or a laser type heat source.

14. An electrode assembly manufacturing method for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode are alternately arranged between folded separator membranes, Supplying the positive electrode to the stack table side; Supplying the negative electrode to the stack table side; Supplying the separator membrane to the stack table side; Stacking the positive electrode, the separator membrane, and the negative electrode on the stack table in a form in which the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separator membranes to manufacture a laminate; and A heat press step of heating and pressing the laminate to bond between the positive electrode, the separator membrane, and the negative electrode to manufacture an electrode assembly; Including, An electrode assembly manufacturing method, wherein at least one of the step of supplying the positive electrode to the stack table side and the step of supplying the negative electrode to the stack table side includes the electrode supply method according to any one of claims 8 to 13.

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