Secondary battery manufacturing apparatus

Abstract

The secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate on one surface of which a sheet containing a secondary battery material is positioned; a cutting member including a knife for ultrasonically cutting the sheet and a support portion to which the knife is attached and fixed; and a vibrator that receives power transmission from a power source and applies ultrasonic vibration to the cutting member, and the cutting member can apply ultrasonic vibration to the sheet to cut the sheet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2022 - 0105363 filed on August 23, 2022, Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2023 - 0102321 filed on August 4, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2023 - 0102322 filed on August 4, 2023, and all the contents disclosed in the documents of the Korean patent applications are included as part of this specification.

[0002] The present invention relates to a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus, and more specifically, to a battery cell manufacturing apparatus capable of shortening the pouch sealing time and ensuring the sealing quality of battery cells.

Background Art

[0003] With the increasing development of technology and demand for mobile devices, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source has been rapidly increasing. Accordingly, research on secondary batteries that can meet various requirements has been actively conducted.

[0004] Secondary batteries are attracting attention not only as an energy source for mobile devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, and notebook computers, but also for power devices such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles.

[0005] Typically, there is a high demand for lithium secondary batteries such as lithium - ion batteries and lithium - ion polymer batteries, which have advantages such as high energy density, discharge voltage, and output stability.

[0006] In addition, secondary batteries can be classified according to the structure of the electrode assembly in which a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode are laminated. Typically, there are a jelly roll (winding type) electrode assembly having a structure in which a long sheet-type positive electrode and negative electrode are wound with a separator interposed therebetween, and a stack type (lamination type) electrode assembly in which a plurality of positive electrodes and negative electrodes cut into units of a predetermined size are sequentially laminated with a separator interposed therebetween. Among them, in order to manufacture a stack type (lamination type) electrode assembly, it is first necessary to cut the sheet-type positive electrode and negative electrode.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a conventional secondary battery manufacturing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a drawing showing that secondary battery materials are baked when cutting a sheet with a conventional secondary battery manufacturing apparatus.

[0008] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 10 can cut a sheet 11 with a cutting member 20. The sheet 11 can include an electrode sheet and a separator sheet.

[0009] Specifically, the cutting member 20 can cut the sheet 11 that moves in the second direction (x-axis direction) while moving in the first direction (z-axis direction and -z-axis direction).

[0010] However, when the sheet 11 is repeatedly cut, heat is generated in the cutting member 20 due to friction or the like, and scattered materials of the cut sheet 11 may be baked. More specifically, the scattered materials or the like ride up in the direction of the blade inclined surface and are baked while being in contact with the blade of the cutting member 20. Therefore, the cut surface of the cut sheet 11 may not be smooth due to the scattered materials of the sheet baked on the cutting member 20.

[0011] Also, when the electrode sheet 11 is repeatedly cut, the blade of the cutting member 20 may become dull. When the electrode sheet 11 is cut with the cutting member 20 having a dull blade, the cut surfaces of the cut electrodes or the separation membrane 12 may not be smooth.

[0012] Therefore, there is a problem that there is a possibility of occurrence of poor quality of the electrode due to the adhesion of sheet debris or the like to the cutting member 20 or the dulling of the blade of the cutting member 20, and attempts have been continuously made to reduce the occurrence of such problems.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0013] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery with improved efficiency in the secondary battery manufacturing process and improved safety.

[0014] However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described problems, and can be variously extended within the scope of the technical idea included in the present invention.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0015] A secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate on one surface of which a sheet containing a secondary battery material is positioned; a cutting member including a knife for ultrasonically cutting the sheet and a support portion to which the knife is attached and fixed; and a vibrator that receives power from a power source and applies ultrasonic vibration to the cutting member. Here, the cutting member can apply ultrasonic vibration to the sheet to cut the sheet.

[0016] When the sheet is cut poorly, resonance may occur.

[0017] When the sheet is cut normally, the power applied to the vibrator is the first power, and when the sheet is cut poorly, the power applied to the vibrator can be the second power.

[0018] It further includes a sensor unit and a control unit electrically connected to the power supply. After the sensor unit recognizes the power applied to the vibrator, it transmits an electrical signal corresponding to the range of the power value to the control unit, and the control unit can control the operation of the cutting member according to the electrical signal.

[0019] When the sensor unit recognizes the first power, it transmits a first electrical signal to the control unit, and the control unit controls the cutting member to operate continuously. When the sensor unit recognizes the second power, it transmits a second electrical signal to the control unit, and the control unit can stop the operation of the cutting member.

[0020] It further includes a display unit electrically connected to the power supply, and the display unit can indicate the power applied to the vibrator.

[0021] The support part can include a hole penetrating the support part.

[0022] The vibrator can include a hole penetrating the hole of the vibrator.

[0023] The substrate can further include an anti-damage layer located on one surface of the substrate where the sheet is located.

[0024] The anti-damage layer can have a Shore hardness of 5H S ~85H S and can have a Shore hardness.

[0025] The damage prevention layer can be PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), silicon, MC nylon (Mono Cast Nylon), Teflon (registered trademark), or PET (polyethylene terephthalate).

[0026] Alternatively, the damage prevention layer may be a high-strength and high elastic limit performance fiber.

[0027] The damage prevention layer may have a tensile strength of 20 g / d (17.7 cN / dtex) or more and an elastic modulus of 500 g / d (441 cN / dtex) or more.

[0028] The damage prevention layer can be p-aramid or UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene).

Advantages of the Invention

[0029] According to the embodiment, since scattered materials generated during cutting of the secondary battery material do not adhere to the cutting member, the quality of the electrode can be improved and the safety of the secondary battery can be enhanced.

[0030] The advantages of the present invention are not limited to the advantages mentioned above, and other advantages not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0032] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can easily implement them. The present invention can be implemented in several different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described here.

[0033] To clearly explain the present invention, parts not related to the explanation are omitted, and the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0034] In addition, the sizes and thicknesses of the respective components shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for the sake of convenience of explanation, and thus the present invention is not necessarily limited to what is shown in the drawings. In the drawings, the thicknesses are shown enlarged in order to clearly represent a plurality of layers and regions. And in the drawings, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggeratedly shown.

[0035] In addition, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is "on" or "above" another part, this includes not only the case where it is directly above the other part, but also the case where there is another part in between. Conversely, when it is said that a certain part is "directly above" another part, it means that there is no other part in the middle. Also, being "on" or "above" a reference part means being located above or below the reference part, and does not necessarily mean being located "on" or "above" in the direction opposite to gravity.

[0036] In addition, throughout the specification, when a certain part "includes" a certain component, it means that other components can be further included, rather than excluding other components, unless otherwise specified.

[0037] In addition, throughout the specification, "in a plane" means the case when the target part is viewed from above, and "in a cross-section" means the case when the cross-section obtained by cutting the target part vertically is viewed from the side.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a view of the cutting member and the vibrator of FIG. 3 of the present invention as viewed from the third direction.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 3, a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate 130, a cutting member 200, and a vibrator 300.

[0040] The substrate 130 can be flat. The sheet 110 can be located on one side of the substrate 130. The sheet 110 can contain secondary battery materials. As an example, the sheet 110 can be an electrode sheet or a separator sheet.

[0041] The substrate 130 can move in the second direction (D2), and the sheet 110 can also move along with the movement of the substrate 130. Here, the second direction (D2) can be a direction parallel to the substrate 130.

[0042] The cutting member 200 can contact the sheet 110 while moving in the first direction (D1). The first direction (D1) can be a direction perpendicular to the substrate 130. Although the first direction (D1) is shown as one direction in the coordinate system in this drawing, it includes not only one direction in the coordinate system but also the opposite direction. The same understanding applies to the second direction (D2) and the third direction (D3).

[0043] The cutting member 200 can cut the sheet 110 while contacting the sheet 110. At this time, the sheet 110 can be cut in the third direction (D3).

[0044] The cutting member 200 can cut the sheet 110 using ultrasonic waves. Specifically, the cutting member 200 can receive the ultrasonic waves generated from the vibrator 300. The vibrator 300 is fixed while contacting the cutting member 200 and can generate ultrasonic vibrations. That is, the ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator 300 are transmitted to the cutting member 200, and the cutting member 200 transmits the transmitted ultrasonic vibrations to the sheet 110, thereby enabling the sheet 110 to be cut.

[0045] Hereinafter, the cutting member 200 and the vibrator 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

[0046] Specifically, the cutting member 200 can include a knife 210, a support portion 220, and a clamp 230.

[0047] The knife 210 can cut the sheet 110. The knife 210 can cut the sheet 110 through ultrasonic vibration. The knife 210 can be provided with a blade at one end, and the blade can contact the sheet 110 to cut the sheet 110.

[0048] The knife 210 can be made of cermet. Since the knife 210 is made of cermet, the frictional force between the knife 210 and the secondary battery material can be minimized during cutting.

[0049] The knife 210 can include a first surface 211, a second surface 212, and a third surface 213.

[0050] The first surface 211 and the second surface 212 of the knife 210 can be surfaces that extend with a predetermined angle toward the first direction (D1). Here, the first direction (D1) is the direction in which the knife 210 moves and means the direction of cutting the sheet 110. At this time, one end of the first surface 211 and one end of the second surface 212 can form a vertex 214 while being in contact with each other, and the vertex 214 can be a blade.

[0051] The first surface 211 and the second surface 212 can form a certain angle while one end of each is in contact with each other, and the angle can be defined as the first angle (a1). That is, the angle at the vertex 214 can be the first angle (a1). At this time, the first angle (a1) can be 120 degrees or less.

[0052] Specifically, when the first angle (a1) is 120 degrees or less, the cutting quality of the secondary battery material is ensured. When the first angle (a1) exceeds 120 degrees, problems such as the first surface 211 or the second surface 212 of the knife 210 coming into contact with the sheet 110 may occur, resulting in improper cutting and potentially affecting the quality of the electrode.

[0053] The third surface 213 may be a surface extending in the second direction (D2). Here, the second direction (D2) is a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the knife 210 moves and means a direction perpendicular to the first direction. One end and the other end of the third surface 213 can be positioned while being in contact with the other end of the first surface 211 and the other end of the second surface 212, respectively. The third surface 213 can be fixed in position while being in contact with one surface of the support portion 220. Therefore, the knife 210 can be mounted and fixed to the support portion 220.

[0054] However, the shapes and directions of the first surface 211, the second surface 212, and the third surface 213 of the knife 210 are not limited to the above-described content, and any shape is possible as long as the sheet 110 can be cut while maintaining the quality of the electrode.

[0055] The outer surface of the support portion 220 can be provided with a clamp 230.

[0056] The clamp 230 can be provided while surrounding the outer surface of the support portion 220. That is, the clamp 230 can move while being coupled to the support portion 220. Specifically, the clamp 230 is connected to an actuator and can move in the first direction (D1) under the control of the actuator. As a result, the support portion 220 in contact with the clamp 230 and the knife 210 fixed to the support portion 220 can move in the first direction (D1) corresponding to the movement of the clamp 230. That is, the knife 210 can cut the sheet 110 moving in the second direction (D2) while moving in the first direction (D1) by the clamp 230.

[0057] As described above, when cutting the sheet 110 using ultrasonic vibration, the cutting surface of the sheet 110 can be cut cleanly as compared with cutting the sheet 110 with a general knife.

[0058] The vibrator 300 can generate ultrasonic vibration and transmit the ultrasonic vibration to the cutting member 200. Specifically, the ultrasonic vibration generated by the vibrator 300 is transmitted to the support portion 220, and the ultrasonic vibration transmitted to the support portion 220 is transmitted to the knife 210, whereby the sheet 110 can be cut.

[0059] The vibrator 300 can be fixed and positioned while being in contact with one surface of the support portion 220. Specifically, the vibrator 300 can be fixed and positioned on one surface of the support portion 220 facing one surface of the support portion 220 where the knife 210 is located.

[0060] The vibrator 300 can receive a certain amount of power from an external power source and generate ultrasonic waves. However, when cutting the sheet 110, if the cutting quality of the sheet 110 is poor, such as when defective cutting occurs, resonance may occur.

[0061] When resonance occurs, the power applied to the vibrator 300 may increase above a certain value, which can also mean that the cutting quality of the sheet 110 is poor. In the above case, the user / administrator can confirm that the cutting quality is poor by recognizing the change in the power range applied to the vibrator 300. However, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 100 of the present invention can also include a secondary battery manufacturing system that recognizes the power value applied to the vibrator 300 and thereby determines whether the cutting quality of the sheet 110 is normal or poor. This will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 5 hereinafter.

[0062] In summary, the user can determine the presence or absence of cutting quality defects in the sheet 110 through the change in the power range applied to the vibrator 300, or can also determine the presence or absence of cutting quality defects in the sheet 110 by providing a power sensor electrically connected to the power supply and recognizing the power range applied to the vibrator 300. Therefore, determining the cutting quality of the sheet based on the power range applied to the vibrator 300 improves the accuracy of defect sorting, process efficiency, and electrode quality compared to determining the cutting quality of the sheet using a camera, vision sensor, etc. as in the prior art.

[0063] Referring again to FIG. 4, the support portion 220 and the vibrator 300 can each include a hole. The support portion 220 can include a first hole 221, and the vibrator 300 can include a second hole 310. The first hole 221 is a hole penetrating the support portion 220, and the second hole 310 is a hole penetrating the vibrator 300. The first hole 221 and the second hole 310 can each be at least one or more.

[0064] Specifically, although the first hole 221 is illustrated as penetrating the support portion 220 in the third direction (D3), it is not limited thereto, and the first hole 221 can also penetrate the support portion 220 in the second direction (D2). Similarly to the first hole 221, although the second hole 310 is illustrated as penetrating the vibrator 300 in the third direction (D3), it is not limited thereto, and the second hole 310 can also penetrate the vibrator 300 in the second direction (D2).

[0065] The first hole 221 and the second hole 310 can serve as flow paths. This is because fluids such as air can move through the first hole 221 and the second hole 310. Therefore, when heat is generated in the cutting member 200 and the vibrator 300 due to a continuously progressing cutting process, air cooling is performed by the first hole 221 and the second hole 310, and the heat generated from the cutting member 200 and the vibrator 300 can be cooled. Thereby, by preventing the heat generated in the vibrator 300 from being transmitted to the support portion 220 and the knife 210, it is possible to maximize the prevention of the secondary battery material from sticking to the knife 210 due to heat during cutting of the sheet 110.

[0066] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of recognizing the presence or absence of defects in a secondary battery. FIG. 6(a) is a flowchart showing a process by which a user recognizes the presence or absence of defects in a secondary battery, and FIG. 6(b) is a flowchart showing a process by which a secondary battery manufacturing system recognizes the presence or absence of defects in a secondary battery.

[0067] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of defects in the sheet based on the power range applied to the vibrator 300.

[0068] Specifically, when the sheet is not cut well by the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 100, resonance may occur. When resonance occurs, the power applied to the vibrator 300 may be equal to or higher than a preset level. For example, if the power applied to the vibrator 300 during normal cutting is the first power (W1), when the cut sheet 110 is defective, the power applied to the vibrator 300 can be the second power (W2). At this time, the first power (W1) and the second power (W2) can be different values.

[0069] Therefore, when the second power (W2) is applied to the vibrator 300, the user or the secondary battery manufacturing system can recognize an abnormality in the power range and take corresponding measures. In connection with recognizing such a power range, it will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 6.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 6(a), according to the power range applied to the vibrator 300, the user or the administrator can take appropriate measures.

[0071] More specifically, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 100 according to one embodiment can include a display unit (U1). The display unit (U1) is configured to be electrically connected to the power supply (P) and display the power range applied from the power supply (P) to the vibrator 300. The display unit (U1) can include a configuration for displaying the power range, and for example, can include a configuration such as a panel. Therefore, through the display unit (U1), the user can recognize the power range currently applied to the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 100.

[0072] Therefore, when the power range displayed on the display unit (U1) is the first power (W1), the user can recognize that the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 100 is operating normally and can continue to cause the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 100 to cut the sheet 110.

[0073] On the other hand, when the power range displayed on the display unit (U1) is the second power (W2), the user can recognize that the current resonance occurs and the sheet 110 is not properly cut, and a defect has occurred, and can stop the secondary battery manufacturing process.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 6(b), the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 100 according to another embodiment can be controlled by the secondary battery manufacturing system.

[0075] The secondary battery manufacturing system can include a sensor unit (U2) and a control unit (U3). The sensor unit (U2) and the control unit (U3) can all be configured to be electrically connected to the power supply (P).

[0076] The sensor unit (U2) can recognize the power range applied to the vibrator 300 and transmit an electrical signal corresponding to the power value range to the control unit (U3). The control unit (U3) can receive the transmission of the electrical signal from the sensor unit (U2) and thereby control the operation of the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 100. That is, the control unit (U3) can control the operation of the cutting member based on the electrical signal transmitted from the sensor unit (U2).

[0077] Specifically, when the power value applied to the vibrator 300 is the first power (W1), the sensor unit (U2) can recognize this and transmit the first electrical signal to the control unit (U3). In this case, the control unit (U3) can control the operation of the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 100 without stopping it so that normal operation continues. That is, the control unit (U3) can control the operation of the cutting member without stopping it so that normal operation continues.

[0078] On the other hand, when the power value applied to the vibrator 300 is the second power (W2), the sensor unit (U2) can recognize this and transmit the second electrical signal to the control unit (U3). In this case, the control unit (U3) can stop the operation of the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 100. That is, the control unit (U3) can stop the operation of the cutting member. Therefore, when the operation of the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 100 is stopped by the control unit (U3), the user or administrator can determine the presence or absence of a defect in the sheet and take measures such as replacing the knife so that normal cutting can be performed again.

[0079] Schematically speaking, the sensor unit (U2) recognizes the power range applied to the vibrator 300, and the control unit (U3) can control the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the power range.

[0080] When controlling the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 100 in accordance with the secondary battery manufacturing system, since the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 100 is systematically controlled, it is possible to facilitate the user and the administrator as compared with the case where the user directly recognizes the power range through the display unit (U1) and accordingly maintains or stops the operation of the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 100. Also, in the manufacturing process, there is no need for the user or the administrator to continuously monitor the power range, and manufacturing costs such as labor costs can be reduced.

[0081] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a knife according to a modification of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a drawing showing the degree of sticking of the secondary battery material depending on the position where the protruding portion of FIG. 7 is provided. FIG. 8(a) is a drawing showing the degree of sticking of the secondary battery material when the first length is shorter than the second length, and FIG. 8(b) is a drawing showing the degree of sticking of the secondary battery material when the first length is longer than the second length.

[0082] The knife described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 is a modification of an embodiment of the present invention disclosed in FIGS. 3 and 4, and a detailed description of the same configuration as that described above is omitted.

[0083] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the knife 210 according to the modification of the present invention can include a protruding portion 215.

[0084] The protruding portion 215 can be located on the side surface of the knife 210. Specifically, the protruding portion 215 can be located on the first surface 211 and the second surface 212 of the knife 210, respectively. The protruding portion 215 may be a region protruding from the first surface 211 and the second surface 212.

[0085] The protrusion 215 may be a structure for allowing the secondary battery material to be removed from the knife 210 in the shortest time after cutting the sheet 110 with the knife 210. That is, when cutting the sheet 110 with the knife 210 including the protrusion 215, the secondary battery material adhered to the knife 210 can be removed from the knife 210 while contacting the protrusion 215. Therefore, the protrusion 215 shortens the contact time between the secondary battery material and the knife 210. Therefore, even if the secondary battery material is adhered to the knife 210 due to the frictional heat generated during cutting, the protrusion 215 allows the secondary battery material to rise along the first surface 211 and the second surface 212 of the knife 210 without being adhered and be removed from the knife 210 as soon as possible.

[0086] More specifically, the secondary battery material can be removed from the knife 210 based on the protrusion start portion 215a. The protrusion start portion 215a can mean a region where the protrusion 215 starts, based on the vertex 214 where the first surface 211 and the second surface 212 meet.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 8, the length from the vertex 214 to the protrusion start portion 215a may be the first length (d1), and the height of the sheet 110 may be the second length (d2). At this time, the first length (d1) can also be shorter than the second length (d2).

[0088] Specifically, referring to FIG. 8(a), when the first length (d1) is shorter than the second length (d2), the protrusion 215 may have a height lower than the second length (d2) and be located on the first surface 211 and the second surface 212. In this case, when cutting the sheet 110, even if the secondary battery material is adhered to the knife 210 due to frictional heat, the protrusion 215 allows the adhered secondary battery material to be removed from the knife 210 without rising along the first surface 211 and the second surface 212 any more.

[0089] On the other hand, referring to FIG. 8(b), when the first length (d1) is longer than the second length (d2), the protruding portion 215 can be positioned on the first surface 211 and the second surface 212 while having a height higher than the second length (d2). In this case, when the sheet 110 is cut, due to frictional heat, after the secondary battery material is baked onto the knife 210, it may not be removable and may be baked onto the knife 210 to a height above a certain level. Therefore, even if the protruding portion 215 is provided, there is a high possibility that the cutting quality of the sheet 110 will be defective.

[0090] That is, for such reasons, it is desirable that the first length (d1) be shorter than the second length (d2).

[0091] In FIGS. 7 and 8, since the cutting load is concentrated on the protruding portion 215 of the knife 210, it is necessary to design the knife 210 so that the blade life is not shortened. Also, in order to maintain the same ultrasonic amplitude transmitted to the knife 210, it is necessary to reduce the mass of other parts of the knife 210 by the amount of mass increased by the protruding portion 215. For example, it can be achieved by reducing the total mass of the knife 210 excluding the protruding portion 215 by the mass of the protruding portion 215, or by designing the knife 210 with a concave portion 216 configured together with the protruding portion 215 as shown in FIG. 11 described later. That is, even if the knife 210 is provided with the protruding portion 215, the total mass of the knife 210 must be the same as the total mass of the knife 210 without the protruding portion 215.

[0092] In this drawing, the protruding portion 215 is illustrated as protruding sharply in a triangular shape, but it is not limited to such a shape, and any protruding shape may be used.

[0093] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a knife according to another modification of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a drawing showing the degree of sticking of the secondary battery material depending on the position where the recess of FIG. 9 is provided. (a) of FIG. 10 is a drawing showing the degree of sticking of the secondary battery material when the first length is shorter than the second length, and (b) of FIG. 10 is a drawing showing the degree of sticking of the secondary battery material when the first length is longer than the second length.

[0094] The knives described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 are modifications of an embodiment of the present invention disclosed in FIGS. 3 and 4, and detailed descriptions of the same configurations as those described above are omitted.

[0095] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a knife 210 according to another modification of the present invention may include a recess 216.

[0096] The recess 216 can be located on the side surface of the knife 210. Specifically, the recess 216 can be located on the first surface 211 and the second surface 212 of the knife 210, respectively. The recess 216 may be an area recessed in the first surface 211 and the second surface 212.

[0097] The recess 216 may be a structure for allowing the secondary battery material to be removed from the knife 210 within the shortest time after cutting the sheet 110 with the knife 210. That is, when cutting the sheet 110 with the knife 210 including the recess 216, the secondary battery material can be removed from the knife 210 while contacting the recess 216. Therefore, the contact time between the secondary battery material and the knife 210 can be shortened by the recess 216. Therefore, even if the secondary battery material is stuck to the knife 210 due to the frictional heat generated during cutting, the secondary battery material is not stuck while rising along the first surface 211 and the second surface 212 of the knife 210 by the recess 216 and can be removed from the knife 210 as soon as possible.

[0098] At this time, the radius of the recess 216 can be 0.01 mm or more. When the radius of the recess 216 is smaller than 0.01 mm, the recess 216 is not recognized as the unevenness formed on the knife 210, and there is a possibility that the secondary battery material may also stick to the area where the recess 216 is formed. Therefore, the radius of the recess 216 is preferably larger than 0.01 mm. However, even if the radius of the recess 216 is 0.01 mm or more, the recess 216 cannot always be formed. As an example, the length of the radius of the recess 216 must be smaller than the distance from the straight line (indicated by the dotted line) extending perpendicular to the third surface 213 with reference to the apex 214 to the first surface 211 or the second surface 212 where the recess 216 is formed.

[0099] The secondary battery material can be removed from the knife 210 with reference to the recess start portion 216a. The recess start portion 216a can mean the region where the recess 216 starts with reference to the apex 214 where the first surface 211 and the second surface 212 meet. At this time, the length from the apex 214 to the recess start portion 216a can be the first length (d1), and the height of the sheet 110 can be the second length (d2).

[0100] More specifically, referring to Fig. 10(a), when the first length (d1) is shorter than the second length (d2), the recess 216 can have a height lower than the second length (d2) and be located on the first surface 211 and the second surface 212. In this case, when the sheet 110 is cut, even if the secondary battery material is stuck to the knife 210 due to frictional heat, the recess 216 allows the stuck secondary battery material to be removed from the knife 210 without rising along the first surface 211 and the second surface 212 any longer.

[0101] On the other hand, referring to FIG. 10(b), when the first length (d1) is longer than the second length (d2), the concave portion 216 can be positioned on the first surface 211 and the second surface 212 while having a height higher than the second length (d2). In this case, when cutting the sheet 110, after the secondary battery material is burned onto the knife 210 due to frictional heat, it may be burned onto the knife 210 at a height equal to or higher than a certain level without falling off. Therefore, even though the concave portion 216 is provided, there is a high possibility that defects will occur in the cutting quality of the sheet 110.

[0102] That is, for such reasons, it is desirable that the first length (d1) be shorter than the second length (d2).

[0103] The knife 210 according to FIGS. 9 and 10 needs to be designed so that the cutting load is dispersed due to the configuration of the concave portion 216 and the life is not shortened, such as the blade breaking. Also, in order to maintain the same ultrasonic amplitude transmitted to the knife 210, it is necessary to increase the mass of other parts of the knife 210 by the amount of mass reduced by the concave portion 216. For example, it can be realized by increasing the mass of other regions of the knife 210 without the concave portion 216, or by designing the knife 210 with a protrusion 215 together with the concave portion 216 as shown in FIG. 11 described later. That is, even if the knife 210 is provided with the concave portion 216, the total mass of the knife 210 must be the same as the total mass of the knife 210 without the concave portion 216.

[0104] In this drawing, the concave portion 216 is illustrated as being recessed in a circular shape, but it is not limited to such a shape, and any recessed form may be used.

[0105] FIG. 11 is a drawing showing a knife according to still another modification of the present invention.

[0106] The knife described with reference to FIG. 11 is a modification of an embodiment of the present invention disclosed in FIGS. 7 to 10, and detailed description of the same configuration as that described above will be omitted.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 11, a knife 210 according to another modification of the present invention can include a protrusion 215 and a recess 216.

[0108] The protrusion 215 and the recess 216 can be respectively located on the side surface of the knife 210. Specifically, the protrusion 215 and the recess 216 can be respectively located on the first surface 211 and the second surface 212. That is, the protrusion 215 and the recess 216 can be located together on each of the first surface 211 and the second surface 212.

[0109] At this time, the mass added from the protrusion 215 can be the same as the mass reduced from the recess 216. Therefore, even if the protrusion 215 is added, since the recess 216 is located together on the knife 210, the total mass of the knife 210 including the protrusion 215 and the recess 216 can be the same as the mass of the knife 210 without the protrusion 215 and the recess 216.

[0110] Thereby, when the protrusion 215 and the recess 216 are added to the knife 210, the cutting load may not be dispersed. Instead, by applying the protrusion 215 and the recess 216 to the knife 210 at the same time, the overall mass of the knife 210 can be set to be the same as that of the knife 210 without the protrusion 215 or the recess 216. Therefore, the cutting load of the knife 210 is not dispersed, and without shortening the life of the knife 210, it is possible to prevent the secondary battery material from sticking to the knife 210 in the configuration of the protrusion 215 and the recess 216, and improve the cutting quality of the sheet 110 and the quality of the electrode.

[0111] In the present invention, the protrusion 215 is illustrated as being formed closer to the apex 214 than the recess 216, and the recess 216 is illustrated as being formed farther from the apex 214 than the protrusion 215, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As an example, it would also be possible for the recess 216 to be formed closer to the apex 214 than the protrusion 215.

[0112] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a drawing showing a modified example of the substrate of FIG. 12.

[0113] The secondary battery manufacturing apparatus described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 is a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention disclosed in FIGS. 3 and 4, and detailed description of the same configuration as that described above is omitted.

[0114] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate 130, a cutting member 200, and a vibrator 300.

[0115] The substrate 130 can include a damage prevention layer 131 located on one surface of the substrate 130. In this case, the substrate 130 can be in a general plate shape as shown in FIG. 12, or can be in a circular roll shape as shown in FIG. 13. However, regardless of its shape, the substrate 130 can transfer the sheet 110 while moving in one direction.

[0116] The damage prevention layer 131 can be located on one surface of the substrate 130 where the sheet 110 is located, and can be located opposite to the cutting member 200. The cutting member 200 can cut the sheet 110 while moving in the first direction (D1). In this case, the cutting member 200 can repeatedly contact the damage prevention layer 131.

[0117] The size of the damage prevention layer 131 can correspond to one surface of the substrate 130. Specifically, the size of the damage prevention layer 131 can be the same as or smaller than the size of one surface of the substrate 130. For example, referring to FIG. 12, the damage prevention layer 131 can be positioned while covering the entire substrate 130. Or, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the size of the damage prevention layer 131 can be positioned to cover only a partial region of one surface of the substrate 130. However, even if the damage prevention layer 131 is positioned only in a partial region of the substrate 130, the damage prevention layer 131 must unconditionally be positioned in the region where the cutting member 200 contacts the substrate 130.

[0118] The knife 210 and the substrate 130 can be prevented from contacting each other. This is because if the knife 210 and the substrate 130 contact each other, the knife 210 may be damaged. Therefore, in order to prevent damage to the knife 210, a damage prevention layer 131 can be provided on the substrate 130, and the knife 210 can be made to contact the damage prevention layer 131. Thereby, since the knife 210 does not directly contact the substrate 130, it is not damaged, so the lifespan of the knife 210 is extended and the equipment cost can be reduced.

[0119] The damage prevention layer 131 can be positioned by being coated on one surface of the substrate 130. Or, the damage prevention layer 131 can also be positioned by being fixed to one surface of the substrate 130 with an adhesive or the like after being separately manufactured in another process.

[0120] As an example, the damage prevention layer 131 is 5H S ~85H SIt can be made of a material having a Shore hardness. Specifically, when the damage prevention layer 131 is made of a substance with a Shore hardness of 5 HS or less, the secondary battery material such as the sheet 110 may not be fixed to the damage prevention layer 131. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the secondary battery material is not cut by the shearing force of the knife 210 described later, but breaks or detachment occurs. When the damage prevention layer 131 is made of a substance with a Shore hardness of 85 HS or more, the wear of the knife 210 may be severe when the damage prevention layer 131 and the knife 210 rub against each other. In this case, the cutting quality of the sheet 110 and the quality of the electrode may be degraded due to foreign substances such as iron (Fe) generated from the worn knife 210.

[0121] In this case, the damage prevention layer 131 can be PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), silicon, MC nylon (Mono Cast Nylon), Teflon, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), etc. The damage prevention layer 131 formed of such a material can prevent damage to the knife 210 and the generation of foreign substances such as iron (Fe) even when vibration is transmitted from the knife 210 to the damage prevention layer 131, and can improve the cutting quality of the sheet 110 and the quality of the electrode.

[0122] In addition, since the material constituting the damage prevention layer 131 has a high heat distortion temperature, its shape does not deform even when heat is applied by the vibration of the knife 210 during cutting, and the cutting quality of the secondary battery material can be ensured even at high temperatures.

[0123] As another example, the damage prevention layer 131 can be high-strength and high elastic limit performance fibers. Specifically, the damage prevention layer 131 may be a material having a tensile strength of 20 g / d (17.7 cN / dtex) or more and an elastic modulus of 500 g / d (441 cN / dtex) or more. As an example, the damage prevention layer can be a bulletproof and sword-proof material, and can be p-aramid or UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene).

[0124] Since the damage prevention layer 131 is configured as described above, even if the damage prevention layer 131 comes into contact with the knife 210 of the cutting member 200, it can be prevented from being damaged or cut thereby. That is, when cutting the sheet 110, the cutting member 200 can come into contact with the damage prevention layer 131 a plurality of times and not come into contact with the substrate 130. Therefore, even with such repeated driving of the knife 210, the substrate 130 can be prevented from being damaged. Accordingly, the cutting process can proceed continuously, and the process efficiency can be improved.

[0125] In addition, the damage prevention layer 131 can minimize the friction of the blade of the knife 210. Therefore, the sheet 110 can be cut while preventing damage to the blade of the knife 210, thereby improving the cutting quality of the electrode. And frequent replacement of the knife 210 can be prevented, and the process cost can also be reduced.

[0126] The battery module and the battery pack including the same described above can be applied to various devices. Such devices can be applied to transportation means such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, and hybrid vehicles, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention is applicable to various devices that can use the battery module and the battery pack including the same, and this also belongs to the scope of rights of the present invention.

[0127] As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, but the scope of rights of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the following claims also belong to the scope of rights of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0128] 100 Secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 110 Sheet 130 Substrate 200 Cutting member 210 Knife 215 Protrusion 216 Recess 220 Support portion 221 First hole 300 Vibrator 310 Second hole

Claims

1. A substrate on one side of which a sheet containing a secondary battery material is located; A cutting member including a knife for ultrasonically cutting the sheet and a support portion to which the knife is attached and fixed; and An oscillator that receives power transmission from a power source and applies ultrasonic vibration to the cutting member, The cutting member applies ultrasonic vibration to the sheet to cut the sheet, a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus.

2. The secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein resonance occurs when the sheet is cut poorly.

3. When the sheet is cut normally, the power applied to the oscillator is the first power, When the sheet is cut poorly, the power applied to the oscillator is the second power, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. Further including a sensor unit and a control unit electrically connected to the power source, After the sensor unit recognizes the power applied to the oscillator, it transmits an electrical signal corresponding to the range of the power value to the control unit, The control unit controls the operation of the cutting member according to the electrical signal, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. When the sensor unit recognizes the first power, it transmits a first electrical signal to the control unit, and the control unit controls the cutting member to continue operating, When the sensor unit recognizes the second power, it transmits a second electrical signal to the control unit, and the control unit stops the operation of the cutting member, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. Further including a display unit electrically connected to the power source, The display unit indicates the power applied to the oscillator, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1.

7. The support portion includes a hole penetrating the support portion, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1.

8. The oscillator includes a hole penetrating the oscillator, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1.

9. The substrate further includes a damage prevention layer located on one surface of the substrate where the sheet is located, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The damage prevention layer has a Shore hardness of 5H Ｓ to 85H Ｓ The secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 9, which has a Shore hardness of

11. The secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the damage prevention layer is made of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), silicon, MC nylon (Mono Cast Nylon), Teflon, or PET (polyethylene terephthalate).

12. The secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the damage prevention layer is a high-strength and high elastic limit performance fiber.

13. The secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the damage prevention layer has a tensile strength of 20 g / d (17.7 cN / dtex) or more and an elastic modulus of 500 g / d (441 cN / dtex) or more.

14. The secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the damage prevention layer is p-aramid or UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene).

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