Manufacturing Apparatus and Manufacturing Method for Secondary Battery

Abstract

The manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention can include a transfer module that transfers a pouch, an internal heating unit provided in the transfer module that heats the pouch, a heating module located outside the transfer module that includes at least one of external heating units that heat the pouch, and a sealing module that is located behind the heating module with respect to the transfer direction of the pouch and seals a terrace portion of the pouch in a state where the pouch is folded such that an electrode assembly is accommodated in a cup portion of the pouch.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0081503, filed on July 1, 2022, and all of the contents disclosed in the document of the Korean Patent Application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method for manufacturing a secondary battery.

Background Art

[0003] Generally, types of secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and lithium-ion polymer batteries. Such secondary batteries are used not only in small products such as digital cameras, P-DVDs, MP3Ps, mobile phones, PDAs (registered trademarks), portable game devices, power tools, and e-bikes, but also in large products that require high power such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, as well as in power storage devices for storing surplus generated power and new / renewable energy, and backup power storage devices.

[0004] To manufacture such secondary batteries, first, an electrode active material slurry is applied to a positive electrode current collector and a negative electrode current collector to manufacture a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and these are laminated on both sides of a separator to form an electrode assembly of a predetermined shape. Also, the electrode assembly is housed in a battery case, an electrolyte is injected, and then sealed.

[0005] Secondary batteries are classified into pouch type and can type according to the material of the case that houses the electrode assembly. The pouch type houses the electrode assembly in a pouch made of a flexible polymer material. Also, the can type houses the electrode assembly in a case made of a material such as metal or plastic.

[0006] Generally, a pouch-type battery case is manufactured by subjecting a flexible pouch film to pressing to form a cup portion. Further, when the cup portion is formed, an electrode assembly is housed inside the cup portion, and the sides are sealed to manufacture a secondary battery.

[0007] Specifically, with the electrode assembly housed inside the cup portion, the pouch is folded along a folding line to cover the electrode assembly, and a sealing device can thermally fuse a side portion formed along the periphery of the cup portion at high temperature and high pressure.

[0008] Since such a sealing process is performed in a relatively short time, there may occur a situation where the sealing process is performed in a state where the high temperature state for thermal fusion has not been reached. When the sealing process is performed in a state where sufficient heat has not been transferred, there arise problems such as weakening of the sealing strength of the pouch and a decrease in the yield and quality of the secondary battery. Therefore, in order to have a smoother sealing process, there is a need for a manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery equipped with a device for transferring sufficient heat to the pouch.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] One problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery that preheats a pouch to ensure more reliably the sealing strength of the pouch.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] The manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a transfer module for transferring a pouch, an internal heating unit provided in the transfer module for heating the pouch, a heating module located outside the transfer module and including at least one of external heating units for heating the pouch, and a sealing module located behind the heating module with respect to the transfer direction of the pouch and sealing a terrace portion of the pouch in a state where the pouch is folded so that an electrode assembly is accommodated in a cup portion of the pouch.

[0011] The pouch may be folded along a folding line, and a longitudinal direction of the external heating unit may be perpendicular to the folding line.

[0012] The external heating units may be located in a pair on both sides of the pouch.

[0013] The electrode assembly may include electrodes and a pair of lead tabs joined to both sides of the electrodes, and based on viewing from above, the pair of external heating units may be positioned to correspond to the pair of lead tabs.

[0014] The external heating unit may be horizontally movable.

[0015] The external heating units may be located in a pair on both sides of the pouch, and based on viewing from above, the pair of external heating units may be separated from both sides of the pouch.

[0016] After the external heating unit is separated from the pouch, the pouch may be folded.

[0017] The internal heating unit may be arranged in the transfer module along the terrace portion.

[0018] The pouch may be folded along a folding line, and a longitudinal direction of the internal heating unit may be perpendicular to the folding line.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a secondary battery includes a heating step in which the pouch is heated by at least one of an external heating unit located outside the transfer module and an internal heating unit provided in the transfer module during the process of transferring the pouch by the transfer module, and a sealing step in which a terrace portion of the pouch is sealed by a sealing module in a state where the pouch is folded so that an electrode assembly is accommodated in a cup portion of the pouch.

[0020] The method for manufacturing a secondary battery may further include a folding step in which the pouch is folded along a folding line.

[0021] The heating step may be characterized in that the external heating unit is located perpendicular to the folding line and is positioned in a pair on both sides of the pouch.

[0022] The method for manufacturing a secondary battery may further include a detachment step in which the external heating unit detaches from both sides of the pouch before the folding step, based on viewing from above.

[0023] The heating step may be characterized in that the internal heating unit is arranged along the terrace portion in the transfer module.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, by pre-heating the pouch to ensure the sealing strength of the pouch, the quality and yield of the secondary battery can be improved.

[0025] In addition, it can include effects that can be easily predicted by those skilled in the art from the configuration according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further understand the technical idea of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention to be described later. The present invention should not be construed as being limited only to the matters described in such drawings.

[0027]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred 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 it. However, the present invention can be realized in various different forms and is not limited or restricted by the following embodiments.

[0029] To clearly explain the present invention, a detailed description of parts not related to the explanation or of related known technologies that may obscure the gist of the present invention is omitted. When attaching reference numerals to the components of each drawing in this specification, the same or similar reference numerals are attached to the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0030] In addition, the terms and words used in this specification and the claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings. Instead, in accordance with the principle that the inventors can appropriately define the concept of the terms in order to best explain their invention, they should be construed in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 1 can manufacture a secondary battery by housing an electrode assembly C inside a pouch P and sealing the pouch P. For example, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 1 can form a cup portion U in the pouch P so as to form a housing space, then position the electrode assembly C in the cup portion U of the pouch P, and seal the pouch P by thermally welding the side portion of the pouch P at high temperature and high pressure.

[0033] In addition, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 1 can preheat the pouch P in the process of transferring the pouch P with the cup portion U formed before sealing the pouch P. Specifically, when the pouch P with the cup portion U formed is transferred alone, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 1 can preheat the pouch P, and can also preheat the pouch P in the process of placing the electrode assembly C in the cup portion U and transferring the pouch P and the electrode assembly C.

[0034] In this way, by preheating the pouch P in advance before the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 1 seals the pouch P, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 1 can more ensure the sealing strength of the pouch P, improve the efficiency of the manufacturing process, and improve the yield and quality of the secondary battery.

[0035] The secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 1 can include a transfer module 10, a sealing module 11, and a heating module 12.

[0036] The transfer module 10 can transfer the pouch P. For example, the transfer module 10 can adsorb and fix the pouch P by means of a vacuum adsorption method and then transfer the pouch P. When the transfer module 10 transfers the pouch P with the cup portion U formed thereon, the electrode assembly C is placed on the cup portion U of the pouch P, and in the state where the electrode assembly C is placed on the cup portion U of the pouch P, the transfer module 10 can transfer the pouch P and the electrode assembly C again. Next, the transfer module 10 can transfer the pouch P containing the electrode assembly C to the folding module 13 described later and transfer the folded pouch P to the sealing module 11 described later.

[0037] The sealing module 11 can seal the pouch P in a state where the electrode assembly C is accommodated inside the pouch P. For example, the pouch P is composed of a recessed cup portion U and a terrace portion T formed along the periphery of the cup portion U, and the electrode assembly C can be accommodated inside the pouch P by folding the pouch P in a state where the electrode assembly C is placed on the cup portion U of the pouch P. Next, the sealing module 11 can seal the pouch P by heat-sealing the terrace portion T in a high-temperature and high-pressure state.

[0038] Specifically, the sealing module 11 includes sealing blocks provided on the upper and lower sides of the folded pouch P, and the sealing blocks can apply pressure to the upper and lower surfaces of the folded pouch P to heat-seal the pouch P.

[0039] The heating module 12 can heat the pouch P being transferred. For example, the heating module 12 can be provided in the transfer module 10 to apply heat to the pouch P placed on the transfer module 10. Alternatively, the heating module 12 can be located outside the transfer module 10 to apply heat to the outer surface of the pouch P being transferred by the transfer module 10. Specifically, the heating module 12 can include at least one of an external heating part 120 and an internal heating part 121.

[0040] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the state where the external heating part 120 is arranged.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 2, the external heating part 120 is located outside the transfer module 10 and can heat the pouch P. For example, the external heating part 120 can be located above the pouch P to apply heat toward the pouch P. Specifically, the external heating part 120 is located on the movement path of the pouch P and can apply heat toward the pouch P before the pouch P is folded.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the state where the electrode assembly C is placed on the pouch P and the external heating part 120 is arranged.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 3, a cup part U is formed on one side with respect to the central folding line F of the pouch P, and then the pouch P is folded along the folding line F by a folding module 13 to be described later, and the external heating part 120 can be positioned perpendicular to the folding line F. That is, the longitudinal direction of the external heating part 120 can be perpendicular to the folding line F. In other words, the external heating part 120 can be arranged perpendicular to the folding line F in a bar form.

[0044] Further, the external heating units 120 can be positioned in a pair on both sides of the pouch P. For example, the electrode assembly C is composed of the electrode E and a pair of lead tabs L joined to both sides of the electrode E, and the external heating units 120 can be positioned to correspond to the pair of lead tabs L. Specifically, a connecting line connecting the pair of lead tabs L is parallel to the folding line F, and the electrode assembly C can be placed on one cup portion U of the pouch P before folding. In this case, based on viewing from above, the pair of external heating units 120 can be positioned to correspond to the pair of lead tabs L.

[0045] In other words, the external heating units 120 are positioned in a pair perpendicular to the folding line F on the upper side and both sides of the pouch P, and the electrode assembly C can be placed on the cup portion U in a state where the pair of lead tabs L are located in the heating region 120a of the pouch P heated by the pair of external heating units 120. Here, the heating region 120a can mean a part of the terrace portion T heated by the external heating unit 120. In other words, the heating region 120a is formed on the extension plane of the terrace portion T with respect to the external heating unit 120, and specifically, can be formed on both sides of the terrace portion T so as to have a longitudinal direction perpendicular to the folding line F.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the state where the pouch P detaches from the external heating unit 120.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 4, the external heating unit 120 can detach from the pouch P. For example, the external heating unit 120 can detach from both sides of the pouch P. Specifically, the external heating unit 120 is positioned in a pair on the upper side of the pouch P and horizontally moves in a direction parallel to the folding line F, and can detach from the pouch P based on viewing from above.

[0048] More specifically, the external heating unit 120 can be detached from the pouch P before the pouch P is folded. That is, after the external heating unit 120 applies heat to the pouch P and detaches, the pouch P is folded, so that the external heating unit 120 is no longer positioned on the folding path of the pouch P, and interference and collision phenomena of the external heating unit 120 due to the folding operation of the pouch P can be prevented in advance.

[0049] The internal heating unit 121 can be provided in the transfer module 10 to heat the pouch P. For example, the internal heating unit 121 is provided inside the transfer module 10, and by applying heat to the transfer module 10, the heat generated in the internal heating unit 121 can be transmitted to the pouch P through the transfer module 10. However, this is only one embodiment of the internal heating unit 121, and the internal heating unit 121 can be connected to the transfer module 10 in various forms, such as being attached to the outer surface of the transfer module 10.

[0050] The internal heating unit 121 is moved integrally with the transfer module 10 while being built into the transfer module 10, and the internal heating unit 121 can apply heat toward the transferred pouch P. The internal heating unit 121 can be connected and arranged with the transfer module 10 in various forms such as heat rays, heat pipes, and blocks.

[0051] The internal heating unit 121 can be arranged in the transfer module 10 along the terrace portion T of the pouch P. Specifically, based on viewing from above, the internal heating unit 121 can be arranged in the transfer module 10 so as to overlap the terrace portion T of the pouch P. That is, similar to the external heating unit 120, based on viewing from above, the internal heating unit 121 can be arranged on both sides of the pouch P perpendicular to the folding line F.

[0052] The internal heating unit 121 can be positioned so as to overlap the terrace portion T of the pouch P in the vertical direction. The internal heating unit 121 can face the external heating unit 120 with the terrace portion T of the pouch P interposed therebetween.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the pouch P folded by the folding module 13.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 5, the manufacturing apparatus 1 of the secondary battery can further include a folding module 13 that folds the pouch P. The folding module 13 can fold the pouch P along the folding line F such that the cup portions U formed on both sides centered on the folding line F contact each other to form an accommodation space. Specifically, the folding module 13 can include a main body 130 and a cover portion 131.

[0055] The main body 130 can apply an external force to one of the cup portions U formed on both sides of the pouch P with respect to the folding line F, so as to act such that the pouch P is bent about the folding line F. In other words, the main body 130 can contact the outer surface of one cup portion U and then apply an external force toward one cup portion U such that the two cup portions U contact each other to form an accommodation space.

[0056] The cover portion 131 can be connected to both sides of the main body 130 to cover the terrace portion T of the pouch P. For example, in a state where the longitudinal direction of the main body 130 is parallel to the folding line F, the pair of cover portions 131 can extend from both sides of the main body 130 perpendicular to the folding line F to one side of the main body 130. That is, the pair of cover portions 131 can cover the terrace portion T so as to cover the heating region 120a.

[0057] Heat is transferred to the terrace portion T through the cover portion 131, and similar to the function of the heating module 12, thereby the terrace portion T can be preheated before the sealing process.

[0058] As a result, the sealing process of the sealing module 11 can be performed in a relatively short time, and the sealing process can be performed without sufficient heat being applied to the pouch P. Therefore, with respect to the transfer direction of the pouch P, the heating module 12 and the folding module 13 are located in front of the sealing module 11 and transfer sufficient heat to the pouch P in advance, so that the manufacturing apparatus 1 of the secondary battery can ensure the sealing strength of the pouch P and improve the quality and yield of the secondary battery.

[0059] Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing a secondary battery according to another embodiment will be disclosed. Contents overlapping with the configuration and functions of the above-described manufacturing apparatus 1 of the secondary battery will be omitted hereinafter.

[0060] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a method for manufacturing a secondary battery according to another embodiment.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 6, a secondary battery can be manufactured by sealing a pouch P containing an electrode assembly C therein. In the process of manufacturing the secondary battery, before the pouch P is sealed, the pouch P is preheated in advance, and a sealing operation with higher strength is performed. As a result, the efficiency of the manufacturing process of the secondary battery and the yield of the secondary battery can be improved.

[0062] The method for manufacturing a secondary battery can include a heating step (S10), a detachment step (S20), a folding step (S30), and a sealing step (S40).

[0063] In the heating step (S10), at least one of the external heating unit 120 and the internal heating unit 121 can heat the pouch P transported by the transport module 10. Specifically, the external heating unit 120 is located outside the transport module 10 and can heat the pouch P. More specifically, cup portions U are formed on both sides with reference to the central folding line F of the pouch P, the pouch P is folded along the folding line F by the folding module 13, and the external heating unit 120 can be positioned perpendicular to the folding line F.

[0064] Also, the external heating units 120 can be positioned in a pair on both sides of the pouch P. For example, the electrode assembly C is composed of the electrode E and a pair of lead tabs L joined to both sides of the electrode E, and the external heating units 120 can be positioned corresponding to the pair of lead tabs L.

[0065] The internal heating unit 121 is provided in the transport module 10 and can heat the pouch P. The internal heating unit 121 can be arranged in the transport module 10 along the terrace portion T of the pouch P. Specifically, based on viewing from above, the internal heating unit 121 can be arranged in the transport module 10 so as to overlap the terrace portion T of the pouch P. The internal heating unit 121 can be arranged on both sides of the pouch P perpendicular to the folding line F based on viewing from above.

[0066] In the detachment step (S20), based on viewing from above, the external heating unit 120 can detach from both sides of the pouch P. Specifically, the external heating unit 120 horizontally moves in a direction parallel to the folding line F in a state of being positioned in a pair on the upper side of the pouch P, and can detach from the pouch P based on viewing from above.

[0067] In the folding step (S30), the pouch P can be folded along the folding line F by the folding module 13. The folding module 13 can fold the pouch P along the folding line F such that the cup portions U formed on both sides centered on the folding line F contact each other to form a storage space.

[0068] In the sealing step (S40), the sealing module 11 can seal the terrace portion T of the pouch P in a state where the pouch P is folded so that the electrode assembly C is accommodated in the cup portion U of the pouch P. In other words, the sealing module 11 can seal the pouch P by thermally fusing the terrace portion T in a state of high temperature and high pressure.

[0069] The above description merely exemplarily explains the technical idea of the present invention, and those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can make various modifications and deformations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

[0070] Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not for limiting the technical idea of the present invention, but for explanatory purposes, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by such embodiments.

[0071] The protection scope of the present invention must be interpreted according to the following claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0072] 1 Manufacturing apparatus for secondary battery 10 Transfer module 11 Sealing module 12 Heating module 13 Folding module 120 External heating unit 121 Internal heating part 120a Heating area 130 Main body 131 Cover part S10 Heating step S20 Detachment step S30 Folding step S40 Sealing step P Pouch U Cup part T Terrace part F Folding line C Electrode assembly E Electrode L Lead tab

Claims

1. A transfer module for transferring a pouch, a heating module including at least one of an internal heating unit provided in the transfer module for heating the pouch and an external heating unit located outside the transfer module for heating the pouch, A manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery, comprising: a sealing module located behind the heating module with respect to the transfer direction of the pouch, and sealing a terrace portion of the pouch in a state where the pouch is folded so that an electrode assembly is accommodated in a cup portion of the pouch.

2. The pouch is folded along a folding line, The manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein a longitudinal direction of the external heating unit is perpendicular to the folding line.

3. The manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery according to claim 2, wherein the external heating units are located in a pair on both sides of the pouch.

4. The electrode assembly includes an electrode and a pair of lead tabs joined to both sides of the electrode, The manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery according to claim 3, wherein, based on viewing from above, the pair of external heating units are positioned to correspond to the pair of lead tabs.

5. The manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the external heating unit is horizontally movable.

6. The external heating units are located in a pair on both sides of the pouch, The manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery according to claim 5, wherein, based on viewing from above, the pair of external heating units are separated from both sides of the pouch.

7. The manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery according to claim 6, wherein the pouch is folded after the external heating unit is separated from the pouch.

8. The manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the internal heating unit is arranged in the transfer module along the terrace portion.

9. The pouch is folded along a folding line, The manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery according to claim 8, wherein a longitudinal direction of the internal heating unit is perpendicular to the folding line.

10. A heating step of heating the pouch by at least one of an external heating unit located outside the transfer module and an internal heating unit provided in the transfer module during the process of transferring the pouch by the transfer module, A method for manufacturing a secondary battery, comprising a sealing step of sealing a terrace portion of the pouch by a sealing module in a state where the pouch is folded so that an electrode assembly is accommodated in a cup portion of the pouch.

11. The method for manufacturing a secondary battery according to claim 10, further comprising a folding step of folding the pouch along a folding line.

12. In the heating step, the external heating portion is positioned perpendicular to the folding line and is located in a pair on both sides of the pouch. The method for manufacturing a secondary battery according to claim 11.

13. Before the folding step, the method for manufacturing a secondary battery according to claim 11 further comprises a detachment step of detaching the external heating portion from both sides of the pouch based on viewing from above.

14. In the heating step, the internal heating portion is arranged along the terrace portion in the transfer module. The method for manufacturing a secondary battery according to claim 10.

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