Manufacturing apparatus for secondary battery

Abstract

The manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least one pressurizing unit that pressurizes a plurality of battery cells while the plurality of battery cells are enclosed therein. The pressurizing unit includes an outermost shell of the plurality of battery cells, a plurality of pressurizing blocks respectively positioned between the plurality of battery cells, and a pressure supply unit that applies pressure to the plurality of pressurizing blocks. The pressurizing block has a pressurizing plate and a pressure sensor unit positioned on one surface of the pressurizing plate, and the pressure sensor unit corresponds to the body surface of the battery cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2022 - 0183595 filed on December 23, 2022, and Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2023 - 0184107 filed on December 18, 2023, and all the contents disclosed in the literature of the Korean patent applications are included as part of this specification.

[0002] The present invention relates to a manufacturing apparatus for secondary batteries, and more specifically, to a manufacturing apparatus for secondary batteries that can apply a desired pressure regardless of changes in cell thickness during the activation process of battery cells and can apply the same pressure overall to the pressurized surface of the cells.

Background Art

[0003] With the technological development and increasing demand for mobile devices, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source has been rapidly increasing. In particular, secondary batteries are attracting attention not only as an energy source for mobile devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, notebook computers, and wearable devices but also for power devices such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles.

[0004] Research on using lithium secondary batteries with high energy density and discharge voltage is actively underway, and some are in the commercialization stage.

[0005] Such lithium secondary batteries are manufactured by coating and drying a positive or negative electrode active material, a binder, and a conductive material in the form of a slurry on a current collector to form an electrode mixture layer to manufacture a positive electrode and a negative electrode, interposing a separator between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and incorporating the laminated electrode assembly together with an electrolyte into a battery case.

[0006] A lithium metal battery is a battery that applies a lithium metal thin film as a negative electrode active material. Compared with a secondary battery that applies a previously used graphite-based negative electrode or the like, it has the advantage of having a theoretically high energy density and capacity. Therefore, research and development on applying lithium metal batteries to secondary batteries that require high energy density have been continuing.

[0007] However, due to the characteristics of the lithium metal that acts as the negative electrode active material in a lithium metal battery, the volume change of the negative electrode is large during the charge / discharge process. As a result, compared with a lithium-ion battery, it is accompanied by a large change in thickness. In addition, in a lithium metal battery, the manner in which lithium is formed on the negative electrode may change due to the pressure applied to the battery cell during operation, and the performance of the battery cell may change due to the pressure. In particular, since a lithium metal battery has a large change in thickness during charge / discharge in the activation process, problems such as a sudden drop in long-term cycle performance occur if pressure is not applied to the battery cell. To complement this, a plate can be positioned at the upper and lower parts of the battery cell to apply a positive pressure method, but this has the disadvantage that the pressure increases more and more during charging and the pressure is completely released during discharging.

[0008] Therefore, in the activation process of the battery cell, it is necessary to develop a manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery that can apply a desired pressure regardless of the change in cell thickness and can apply the same pressure to the entire pressure-applying surface of the cell.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery that can maintain or change the pressure regardless of the change in the thickness of the cell and can apply the same pressure to the entire pressure-applying surface of the cell in the activation process of the battery cell.

[0010] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems described above, and problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains from this specification and the attached drawings.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] A manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least one pressurizing unit that pressurizes a plurality of battery cells in a state where the plurality of battery cells are installed therein. The pressurizing unit includes a plurality of pressurizing blocks respectively positioned between the outermost shells of the plurality of battery cells and between the plurality of battery cells, and a pressure supply unit that applies pressure to the plurality of pressurizing blocks. The pressurizing block has a pressurizing plate and a pressure sensor unit positioned on one surface of the pressurizing plate, and the pressure sensor unit corresponds to the body surface of the battery cell.

[0012] The pressurizing block may further include a protection pad portion attached to the surface of the pressurizing plate facing the body surface of the battery cell.

[0013] The apparatus further includes a pair of side plates respectively positioned at the outermost shells of the plurality of battery cells, and the plurality of pressurizing blocks can be positioned between the pair of side plates.

[0014] The apparatus may further include a first guide member that connects the pair of side plates to each other above and below the plurality of pressurizing blocks.

[0015] The pressure supply unit includes a pressure supply plate and at least two pressure supply units positioned on one surface of the pressure supply plate, and the pressure supply plate can face the pressurizing block positioned at the outermost shell among the plurality of pressurizing blocks.

[0016] In the pressure supply unit, the pressure supply unit may include one or more selected from a servo motor, a pneumatic cylinder, and a hydraulic press.

[0017] The at least two pressure supply units include a first pressure supply unit and a second pressure supply unit. On one surface of the pressure supply plate, the first pressure supply unit and the second pressure supply unit can be arranged at intervals in the vertical direction.

[0018] The at least two pressure supply units include a pair of first pressure supply units and a pair of second pressure supply units. At the upper part of one surface of the pressure supply plate, the pair of first pressure supply units can be arranged at intervals from each other, and at the lower part of one surface of the pressure supply plate, the pair of second pressure supply units may be arranged at intervals from each other.

[0019] The pressure supply part further includes a load cell connected to the outermost pressure block among the plurality of pressure blocks. The other surface of the pressure supply plate is connected to the load cell to apply pressure to the plurality of pressure blocks.

[0020] The upper part and the lower part of the load cell may further include a second guide member for connecting the pressure supply plate and the plurality of pressure blocks to each other.

[0021] Among the plurality of pressure blocks, it further includes at least a pair of pressure relief parts located between a pair of adjacent pressure blocks. The at least a pair of pressure relief parts can be respectively located at the upper part and the lower part of the pair of pressure blocks.

[0022] The at least a pair of pressure relief parts include a pair of first pressure relief parts and a pair of second pressure relief parts. The pair of first pressure relief parts are located adjacent to one side surface of the pair of pressure blocks, and the pair of second pressure relief parts can be located adjacent to the other side surface of the pair of pressure blocks.

[0023] The pressure relief part includes a rotating roll and a rotating shaft passing through the center of the rotating roll, and the rolling surface of the rotating roll can rotate along the space between the pair of pressing blocks.

[0024] The cross-section of the rotating roll cut with reference to the pressing direction of the pressing block can have an elliptical shape.

[0025] It can include a chamber part in which at least one pressing part can be arranged separately from each other, and a temperature adjustment part for adjusting the temperature in the chamber part.

[0026] In the chamber part, at least one pressing part can be arranged such that the pressing direction of each pressing part is perpendicular to the gravity direction.

[0027] In the chamber part, at least one pressing part can be arranged such that the pressing direction of each at least one pressing part is the same as the gravity direction.

[0028] It can further include a pressure information acquisition part for acquiring the pressure information measured by the pressure sensor part, and a pressure adjustment part for adjusting the pressure applied to the battery cell based on the pressure information acquired by the pressure information acquisition part.

[0029] The pressure sensor part can acquire pressure information for the entire body surface of the battery cell.

[0030] The pressure sensor part can measure the surface pressure of the battery cell in a grid pattern.

Advantages of the Invention

[0031] According to the embodiment, the manufacturing apparatus for the secondary battery of the present invention includes a pressing part that can apply pressure uniformly to the inside of the lithium metal battery, and in the activation process of the battery cell, the pressing force can be maintained or changed regardless of the change in the thickness of the battery cell, and the same pressure can be applied to the entire pressing surface of the cell.

[0032] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and the effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains from this specification and the attached drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0033]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0034] 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 it. The present invention can be implemented in several different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0035] In order 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.

[0036] Also, the size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for convenience of explanation, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to what is shown in the drawings. In the drawings, the thickness is enlarged to clearly show a plurality of layers and regions. And, in the drawings, for convenience of explanation, the thickness of some layers and regions is exaggerated.

[0037] Also, throughout this specification, when a certain part "includes" a certain component, it means that, unless otherwise stated to the contrary, it does not exclude other components but can further include other components.

[0038] Also, throughout the specification, "on a plane" means when the target part is viewed from above, and "in a cross-section" means when the cross-section obtained by vertically cutting the target part is viewed from the side.

[0039] Hereinafter, a manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0040] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the manufacturing apparatus for the secondary battery of FIG. 1.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a manufacturing apparatus 1000 for a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least one pressurizing unit 1100 that pressurizes a plurality of battery cells 100 while the plurality of battery cells 100 are installed therein.

[0042] Here, the battery cell 100 is a pouch battery cell and includes an electrode assembly inside the battery case. Also, the battery cell 100 is configured such that an electrode lead connected to an electrode tab of the electrode assembly is exposed to the outside, and lead films are attached to the upper and lower portions of the electrode lead. As an example, as shown in FIG. 9, the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead of the battery cell 100 can protrude from the same side surface of the battery case. However, the structure of the battery cell 100 is not limited thereto, and the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead may protrude from different side surfaces of the battery case.

[0043] The electrode assembly includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator. More specifically, the electrode assembly can be configured such that the positive electrode and the negative electrode are sequentially laminated with the separator interposed therebetween and are insulated from each other. Here, the electrode assembly may be a stacked electrode assembly or a stacked / folding type electrode assembly. However, the form of the electrode assembly is not limited thereto, and any form of an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator can be included in this embodiment. Also, the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the separator can be made of materials generally included in a battery cell.

[0044] In addition, the negative electrode included in the battery cell 100 can use lithium metal. In particular, lithium metal is softer than graphite used in conventional negative electrodes, and has the characteristic that it can be folded. Furthermore, lithium metal has the advantage that it can be easily joined to other components with only a relatively weak crimping compared to substances used in conventional negative electrodes. Also, lithium metal is accompanied by a large change in thickness during charging / discharging in the activation process of the battery cell 100, and it is necessary to apply an appropriate pressure to the battery cell 100 to prevent performance changes or sudden drops.

[0045] In addition, the manufacturing apparatus 1000 for a secondary battery according to the present embodiment can further include a pressure sensor unit 1115 included in the pressurizing unit 1100, a pressure information acquisition unit 1200 that acquires the pressure information obtained from FIG. 4, and a pressure adjustment unit 1300 that adjusts the pressure applied to the battery cell 100 based on the pressure information acquired by the pressure information acquisition unit 1200.

[0046] Here, the pressure adjustment unit 1300 can control the driving of the pressure supply unit 1140 and / or the pressure relief unit 1190 included in the pressurizing unit 1100 described later to adjust the pressure applied to the plurality of battery cells 100.

[0047] In addition, the manufacturing apparatus 1000 for a secondary battery according to the present embodiment further includes a temperature adjustment unit 1400 that adjusts the temperature of the plurality of battery cells 100 disposed in at least one pressurizing unit 1100. As an example, the manufacturing apparatus 1000 for a secondary battery according to the present embodiment further includes a chamber unit 1600 that can be disposed separately from each other, and the temperature adjustment unit 1400 can adjust the temperature inside the chamber unit 1600. The chamber unit 1600 can be used to adjust the temperature of the plurality of battery cells 100 during the process of performing a charge / discharge test on the plurality of battery cells 100 for a long time.

[0048] Here, the temperature control unit 1400 may be configured like a heater, and any device for adjusting the temperature inside the chamber unit 1600 can be included in this embodiment. However, the position of the temperature control unit 1400 is not limited to this, and a method of directly adjusting the temperature of the pressure block 1110 included in the pressurizing unit 1100 can also be included in this embodiment.

[0049] Further, the manufacturing apparatus 1000 for secondary batteries according to this embodiment may further include a control unit 1500 that controls the pressurizing unit 1100, the pressure information acquisition unit 1200, the pressure adjustment unit 1300, and the temperature adjustment unit 1400. More specifically, the control unit 1500 can include one or more of an electronic component that can process data input by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit), one or more microprocessors, and other predetermined logics. As an example, the control unit 1500 can develop a pressurizing process for the battery cell 100 that can be performed by the pressurizing unit 1100 on the RAM, and perform various processes such as adjusting the pressure and temperature applied to the battery cell 100 according to the developed program.

[0050] In the manufacturing apparatus 1000 for secondary batteries according to this embodiment, at least one pressurizing unit 1100 can be arranged in the chamber unit 1600 such that the pressurizing direction of each pressurizing unit 1100 is perpendicular to the gravitational direction.

[0051] As an example, as shown in FIG. 2, at least one pressing unit 1100 can include a first pressing unit 1100a, a second pressing unit 1100b, a third pressing unit 1100c, a fourth pressing unit 1100d, a fifth pressing unit 1100e, and a sixth pressing unit 1100f. At this time, the first pressing unit 1100a, the second pressing unit 1100b, the third pressing unit 1100c, the fourth pressing unit 1100d, the fifth pressing unit 1100e, and the sixth pressing unit 1100f can all be arranged such that the pressing direction and the gravitational direction are perpendicular to each other. Further, the first pressing unit 1100a and the second pressing unit 1100b, the third pressing unit 1100c and the fourth pressing unit 1100d, and the fifth pressing unit 1100e and the sixth pressing unit 1100f can be arranged symmetrically with respect to each other based on a virtual reference line. Also, the first pressing unit 1100a, the third pressing unit 1100c, and the fifth pressing unit 1100e can be spaced apart from each other in the gravitational direction. Further, the second pressing unit 1100b, the fourth pressing unit 1100d, and the sixth pressing unit 1100f can be spaced apart from each other in the gravitational direction.

[0052] Thereby, in the manufacturing apparatus 1000 for a secondary battery according to this embodiment, the pressing direction of the pressing unit 1100 and the gravitational direction are perpendicular, and each component included in the manufacturing apparatus 1000 for a secondary battery and the plurality of battery cells 100 installed in the pressing unit 1100 can be more free from the self-weight of the plurality of battery cells 100.

[0053] However, in the manufacturing apparatus 1000 for a secondary battery according to this embodiment, the number, position, and arrangement direction, etc. of the pressing unit 1100 are not limited thereto, and the number, position, and arrangement direction, etc. of the pressing unit 1100 can be changed and applied as needed.

[0054] Hereinafter, the pressing unit 1100 included in the manufacturing apparatus 1000 for a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention will be mainly described.

[0055] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the pressing unit included in the manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an enlarged part of the pressing unit of FIG. 3.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the pressing unit 1100 includes a plurality of pressing blocks 1110 respectively positioned between the outermost shells of the plurality of battery cells 100 and between the plurality of battery cells 100, and a pressure supply unit 1140 that applies pressure to the plurality of pressing blocks 1110.

[0057] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of pressing blocks 1110 can be respectively positioned between adjacent battery cells 100 among the plurality of battery cells 100, and can be respectively positioned on the outer surfaces of the battery cells 100 located on the outermost shell among the plurality of battery cells 100.

[0058] Thereby, in the manufacturing apparatus 1000 for a secondary battery according to the present embodiment, a plurality of battery cells 100 are respectively arranged between the plurality of pressing blocks 1110 in the pressing unit 1100, and the plurality of pressing blocks 1110 can constantly apply a desired pressure to the plurality of battery cells 100, and can apply pressure uniformly to the inside of the battery cells 100.

[0059] Also, even when the negative electrode included in the battery cell 100 contains lithium metal, in the manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery of the present embodiment, during charging / discharging in the activation process of the battery cell 100, the plurality of pressing blocks 1110 can apply appropriate pressure to the respective battery cells 100 to prevent performance changes or sudden drops, and can increase the lifespan of the battery cell 100 while stabilizing the interface of the lithium metal.

[0060] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, in the manufacturing apparatus 1000 for a secondary battery according to the present embodiment, the pressing unit 1100 can further include a pair of side plates 1120 respectively positioned on the outermost shells of the plurality of battery cells 100. Also, the plurality of pressing blocks 1110 can be positioned between the pair of side plates 1120. That is, between the pair of side plates 1120, the plurality of pressing blocks 1110 can incorporate the plurality of battery cells 100.

[0061] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, in the manufacturing apparatus 1000 for a secondary battery according to this embodiment, the pressing unit 1100 may further include a first guide member 1130 that connects a pair of side plates 1120 to each other at the upper and lower portions of the plurality of pressing blocks 1110. As an example, the first guide member 1130 may be a guide shaft.

[0062] Thereby, in the manufacturing apparatus 1000 for a secondary battery according to this embodiment, when the plurality of battery cells 100 in the pressing unit 1100 are respectively arranged between the plurality of pressing blocks 1110, they can be stably fixed to each other.

[0063] However, the fixing method of the internal components of the pressing unit 1100 is not limited to this. As long as it is a method that can stably fix the state where the plurality of battery cells 100 are respectively arranged between the plurality of pressing blocks 1110, other than the coupling structure of the pair of side plates 1120 and the first guide member 1130, it can be included in this embodiment.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 4, in the manufacturing apparatus 1000 for a secondary battery according to this embodiment, the pressing block 1110 may have a pressing plate 1111 and a pressure sensor unit 1115 located on one surface of the pressing plate 1111. Here, the pressure sensor unit 1115 can correspond to the body surface of the battery cell 100. That is, the pressure sensor unit 1115 can contact the body surface of the battery cell 100. Also, the pressure sensor unit 1115 can correspond to the entire body surface of the battery cell 100 and can acquire pressure information regarding the entire body surface of the battery cell 100. As an example, the pressure sensor unit 1115 can have the same size as or a size larger than the body surface of the battery cell 100.

[0065] However, this embodiment is not limited to the case where the pressure sensor unit 1115 is formed one by one for each battery cell 100 as shown in FIG. 4. Different from FIG. 4, cases where at least two or more pressure sensor units 1115 are arranged in the plurality of battery cells 100 can also be included in this embodiment.

[0066] Here, the pressure sensor unit 1115 can acquire position-specific pressure information applied to the body surface of each battery cell 100. That is, the pressure sensor unit 1115 can acquire information regarding the position-specific pressure deviation with respect to the body surface of the battery cell 100.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 4, in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, the pressing block 1110 can further include a protection pad portion 1119 attached to the surface facing the body surface of the battery cell 100 by the pressing plate 1111.

[0068] Here, the protection pad portion 1119 can mitigate impacts such as when the battery cell 100 located between adjacent pressing blocks 1110 receives pressure from the pressing blocks 1110 or when swelling of the battery cell 100 itself occurs.

[0069] As an example, the protection pad portion 1119 can be composed of at least one material selected from the group consisting of urethane, silicon, rubber, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PP (polypropylene), and PE (polyethylene). However, the material of the protection pad portion 1119 is not limited thereto, and any material that can mitigate the impact applied to the battery cell 100 can be included in this embodiment.

[0070] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing pressure information acquired from the pressure sensor unit included in the pressing block of FIG. 4.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, the pressure sensor unit 1115 is a surface pressure sensor, and the surface pressure of the battery cell 100 can be measured by an electrical signal in a grid shape. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the pressure sensor unit 1115 can acquire pressure information regarding the pressure deviation due to the degree of the surface pressure of the battery cell 100.

[0072] Thereby, in the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, the pressure sensor unit 1115 can acquire pressure information regarding the pressure deviation due to the surface pressure applied to each of the plurality of battery cells 100, and the accuracy of the pressure information for the battery cell 100 can be further improved.

[0073] At the same time, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment can vary the pressing force of the pressing block 1110 on the battery cell 100 based on the pressure information, and while maintaining a constant target pressure on the battery cell 100, the pressure deviation according to the position of the battery cell 100 can also be reduced.

[0074] In addition, when the negative electrode included in the battery cell 100 contains lithium metal, regarding the change in thickness generated in the battery cell 100 during charging / discharging in the activation process of the battery cell 100, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus of the present embodiment can apply pressure through the pressure information so that the pressure deviation according to the position of the battery cell 100 is minimized. Thereby, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus of the present embodiment can prevent performance changes or sudden drops of the battery cell 100, and can increase the life of the battery cell 100 while stabilizing the interface of the lithium metal.

[0075] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a pressure supply unit included in the pressing unit of FIG. 3.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 3, in the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, the pressure supply unit 1140 corresponds to the body surface of the battery cell 100 and can be uniformly distributed on one surface of the pressing block 1110.

[0077] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, the pressure supply unit 1140 can include a pressure supply plate 1150 and at least two pressure supply units 1160 located on one surface of the pressure supply plate 1150.

[0078] Here, the pressure supply plate 1150 can face the pressure application block 1110 located on the outermost periphery among the plurality of pressure application blocks 1110. That is, one of the pair of side plates 1120 respectively located on the outermost periphery of the plurality of pressure application blocks 1110 and the pressure supply plate 1150 can face each other.

[0079] As an example, in the pressure supply unit 1140, the pressure supply unit 1160 can include one or more selected from a servo motor, a pneumatic cylinder, and a hydraulic press. However, the pressure supply method of the pressure supply unit 1160 is not limited to this, and any method that can apply a certain pressure to the battery cell 100 can be included in this embodiment.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 3, in the manufacturing apparatus 1000 for a secondary battery according to this embodiment, the pressure supply unit 1140 can further include a load cell 1170 connected to the pressure application block 1110 located on the outermost periphery among the plurality of pressure application blocks 1110. More specifically, the load cell 1170 may be connected to one of the pair of side plates 1120 respectively located on the outermost periphery of the plurality of pressure application blocks 1110. In particular, the other surface of the pressure supply plate 1150 is connected to the load cell 1170, and pressure can be applied to the plurality of pressure application blocks 1110.

[0081] More specifically, a second guide member 1180 for connecting the pressure supply plate 1150 and the plurality of pressure application blocks 1110 to each other can be further included at the upper and lower portions of the load cell 1170.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 6(a), in the pressure supply unit 1140, at least two pressure supply units 1160 can include a first pressure supply unit 1160a and a second pressure supply unit 1160b. More specifically, on one side of the pressure supply plate 1150, the first pressure supply unit 1160a and the second pressure supply unit 1160b can be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 6(b), in the pressure supply unit 1140, at least two pressure supply units 1160 can include a pair of first pressure supply units 1160a and a pair of second pressure supply units 1160b. More specifically, on the upper part of one side of the pressure supply plate 1150, a pair of first pressure supply units 1160a can be arranged to be spaced apart from each other, and on the lower part of one side of the pressure supply plate 1150, a pair of second pressure supply units 1160b can be arranged to be spaced apart from each other.

[0084] Thus, in the manufacturing apparatus 1000 for secondary batteries according to this embodiment, in the pressure supply unit 1140, the pressure supply units 1160 are arranged according to the positions of the battery cells 100, and can provide and maintain the target pressure according to the positions of the battery cells 100, having the advantage that a constant pressure, that is, a positive pressure, can be maintained according to the positions of the battery cells 100.

[0085] Also, when the negative electrode included in the battery cell 100 contains lithium metal, with respect to the change in thickness that occurs in the battery cell 100 during charging / discharging in the activation process of the battery cell 100 as well, the manufacturing apparatus for secondary batteries of this embodiment can provide appropriate pressure according to the positions of the battery cells 100 through the pressure supply units 1160 arranged according to the positions of the battery cells 100. Thereby, the manufacturing apparatus for secondary batteries of this embodiment can prevent performance changes or sudden drops of the battery cells 100, and can increase the lifespan of the battery cells 100 while stabilizing the interface of the lithium metal.

[0086] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing an enlarged view of a part of a pressing section included in a manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery according to another embodiment of the present invention, and is a drawing showing a pressure relief section located between a pair of pressing plates. FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a cross section of the pressure relief section included in the pressing section of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a part of the pressing section of FIG. 7.

[0087] In a manufacturing apparatus 1000 for a secondary battery according to another embodiment of the present invention, the pressing section 1100 may further include at least a pair of pressure relief sections 1190 located between a pair of adjacent pressing blocks 1110 among the plurality of pressing blocks 1110. More specifically, at least a pair of pressure relief sections 1190 can be located above and below a pair of pressing blocks 1110, respectively.

[0088] Also, as shown in FIG. 9, at least a pair of pressure relief sections 1190 can include a pair of first pressure relief sections 1190a and a pair of second pressure relief sections 1190b. The pair of first pressure relief sections 1190a can be located adjacent to one side surface of the pair of pressing blocks 1110, and the pair of second pressure relief sections 1190b can be located adjacent to the other side surface of the pair of pressing blocks 1110.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 8, the pressure relief section 1190 can include a rotating roll 1191 and a rotating shaft 1195. Here, the rotating shaft 1195 passes through the center of the rotating roll 1191, and the rolling surface of the rotating roll 1191 can rotate in the space between the pair of pressing blocks 1110. Also, a part of the rolling surface of the rotating roll 1191 can contact the inner surface of the pressing block 1110.

[0090] Here, the rotation speed of the pressure relief section 1190 can be different depending on the degree of position-dependent pressure deviation of the battery cell 100. As an example, based on the pressure information obtained from the pressure sensor section 1115, for portions where the pressure is relatively high or low, the pressure relief section 1190 can rotate quickly to quickly reduce or increase the pressure.

[0091] As an example, in the pressure relief unit 1190, the cross-section of the rotating roll 1191 cut based on the pressing direction of the pressing block 1110 can have an elliptical shape. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the first diameter (d1) extending horizontally based on the center of the cross-section of the rotating roll 1191 can be larger than the second diameter (d2) extending vertically.

[0092] Accordingly, referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, in the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment, the pressure relief unit 1190 can adjust the pressure applied to the battery cell 100 based on the difference between the first diameter (d1) and the second diameter (d2) of the rotating roll 1191.

[0093] That is, when the pressure applied to the battery cell 100 located between the pair of pressing blocks 1110 is measured to be higher than the target value, the pressure relief unit 1190 can rotate so that the first diameter (d1) of the rotating roll 1191 coincides with the pressing direction, and the pressure applied to the battery cell 100 can be relatively lowered. On the contrary, when the pressure applied to the battery cell 100 located between the pair of pressing blocks 1110 is measured to be lower than the target value, the pressure relief unit 1190 can rotate so that the second diameter (d2) of the rotating roll 1191 coincides with the pressing direction, and the pressure applied to the battery cell 100 can be relatively increased.

[0094] Further, when the negative electrode included in the battery cell 100 contains lithium metal, the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus of the present embodiment can also appropriately adjust the pressure for each position of the battery cell 100 through the pressure relief unit 1190 with respect to the change in thickness generated in the battery cell 100 during charging / discharging in the activation process of the battery cell 100. Thereby, a change in performance or a sudden drop of the battery cell 100 can be prevented, and the life of the battery cell 100 can also be increased while stabilizing the interface of the lithium metal.

[0095] FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 are drawings showing the positions of the pressure supply unit and the pressure relief unit with reference to the pressure surfaces of the pressurizing parts in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0096] Referring to FIG. 10(a), in the manufacturing apparatus 1000 for secondary batteries according to this embodiment, with reference to the pressure surface of the pressurizing part 1100, the first pressure supply unit 1160a can be located above the pressurizing part 1100, and the second pressure supply unit 1160b can be located below the pressurizing part 1100. Here, a pair of first pressure relief units 1190a are located above the pressurizing part 1100, and the first pressure supply unit 1160a can be located between the pair of first pressure relief units 1190a. Also, a pair of second pressure relief units 1190b are located below the pressurizing part 1100, and the second pressure supply unit 1160b can be located between the pair of second pressure relief units 1190b.

[0097] Accordingly, in the manufacturing apparatus 1000 for secondary batteries according to this embodiment as shown in FIG. 10(a), with reference to the pressure surface of the pressurizing part 1100, the pressure supply units 1160 are located in the upper and lower parts, and pressure can be provided well-balanced in the upper and lower parts of the pressure surface of the pressurizing part 1100, and the pressure deviation applied to the plurality of battery cells 100 can be relatively reduced. At the same time, with reference to the pressure surface of the pressurizing part 1100, the pressure relief units 1190 are located at each corner, and the pressure can be appropriately adjusted according to the pressure deviation applied to the battery cell 100.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 10(b), in the manufacturing apparatus 1000 for secondary batteries according to this embodiment, with reference to the pressure surface of the pressurizing part 1100, a pair of first pressure supply units 1160a can be located above the pressurizing part 1100, and a pair of second pressure supply units 1160b can be located below the pressurizing part 1100. Here, a pair of first pressure relief units 1190a are located above the pressurizing part 1100, and the pair of first pressure relief units 1190a can be respectively located at positions corresponding to the first pressure supply unit 1160a. Also, a pair of second pressure relief units 1190b are located below the pressurizing part 1100, and the pair of second pressure relief units 1190b can be respectively located at positions corresponding to the pair of second pressure supply units 1160b.

[0099] As a result, in the manufacturing apparatus 1000 for a secondary battery according to this embodiment as shown in FIG. 10(b), pressure supply units 1160 are positioned at respective corners with reference to the pressure application surface of the pressure application unit 1100, and the pressure application surface of the pressure application unit 1100 can provide pressure more evenly as a whole, and the pressure deviation applied to the plurality of battery cells 100 can be effectively reduced. At the same time, with reference to the pressure application surface of the pressure application unit 1100, pressure relief units 1190 are positioned at positions corresponding to the pressure supply units 1160 at respective corners, and the pressure can be adjusted more effectively according to the pressure deviation applied to the battery cells 100.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 11, in the manufacturing apparatus 1000 for a secondary battery according to this embodiment, with reference to the pressure application surface of the pressure application unit 1100, unlike the above-described embodiments, the pressure supply unit 1160 can include one pressure supply unit, and the pressure supply unit 1160 can be positioned at the center of the pressure application unit 1100.

[0101] Here, as shown in FIG. 11(a), a pair of first pressure relief units 1190a can be positioned at the upper part of the pressure application unit 1100, and a pair of second pressure relief units 1190b can be positioned at the lower part of the pressure application unit 1100. Also, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the first pressure relief unit 1190a can be positioned at the upper part of the pressure application unit 1100, the second pressure relief unit 1190b can be positioned at the lower part of the pressure application unit 1100, and the pressure supply unit 1160 can be positioned between the first pressure relief unit 1190a and the second pressure relief unit 1190b.

[0102] In this case, unlike the embodiment of FIG. 10, the pressure provided by the pressure supply unit 1160 is not relatively uniformly provided, but the pressure relief units 1190 are positioned at respective corners or upper and lower parts with reference to the pressure application surface of the pressure application unit 1100, and the pressure can be appropriately adjusted according to the pressure deviation applied to the battery cells 100.

[0103] FIG. 12 is a drawing showing a manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 12, the manufacturing apparatus 2000 for secondary batteries according to this embodiment can be described in almost the same way as the manufacturing apparatus 1000 for secondary batteries described in FIGS. 1 to 11, and only the different parts will be described hereinafter.

[0105] Referring to FIG. 12, in the manufacturing apparatus 2000 for secondary batteries according to this embodiment, in the chamber part 2600, at least one pressurizing part 2100 may be arranged such that the pressurizing direction and the gravitational direction of each of the at least one pressurizing part 2100 are the same.

[0106] As an example, as shown in FIG. 12, at least one pressurizing part 2100 may include a first pressurizing part 2100a, a second pressurizing part 2100b, a third pressurizing part 2100c, and a fourth pressurizing part 2100d. At this time, the first pressurizing part 2100a, the second pressurizing part 2100b, the third pressurizing part 2100c, and the fourth pressurizing part 2100d may all be arranged such that the pressurizing direction and the gravitational direction are the same. Also, the first pressurizing part 2100a, the second pressurizing part 2100b, the third pressurizing part 2100c, and the fourth pressurizing part 2100d may be spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction.

[0107] Thereby, in the manufacturing apparatus 2000 for secondary batteries according to this embodiment, the pressurizing direction and the gravitational direction of the pressurizing part 2100 are perpendicular, and the pressurizing part 2100 can pressurize a plurality of battery cells 100 with a relatively small pressure due to the gravity of the self-weight of the plurality of battery cells 100.

[0108] However, in the manufacturing apparatus 2000 for secondary batteries according to this embodiment, the number, position, and arrangement direction, etc. of the pressurizing part 2100 are not limited to this, and the number, position, and arrangement direction, etc. of the pressurizing part 2100 can be changed and applied as needed.

[0109] As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail. However, the scope of the rights of the present invention is not limited to this, 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 the rights of the present invention.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0110] 100 battery cells Manufacturing apparatus for 1000 and 2000 secondary batteries Pressing parts 1100 and 2100 Pressing block 1110 Pressing plate 1111 Pressure sensor part 1115 Protective pad part 1119 Side plate 1120 First guide member 1130 Pressure supply part 1140 Pressure supply plate 1150 Pressure supply unit 1160 Load cell 1170 Second guide member 1180 Pressure relief part 1190 Pressure information acquisition part 1200 Pressure adjustment part 1300 Temperature adjustment part 1400 Control part 1500 Chamber parts 1600 and 2600

Claims

1. In a state where a plurality of battery cells are installed, it includes at least one pressurizing unit that pressurizes the plurality of battery cells, The pressurizing unit includes a plurality of pressurizing blocks respectively positioned between the outermost shells of the plurality of battery cells and between the plurality of battery cells, and a pressure supply unit that applies pressure to the plurality of pressurizing blocks, The pressurizing block has a pressurizing plate and a pressure sensor unit positioned on one surface of the pressurizing plate, The pressure sensor unit corresponds to the body surface of the battery cell, and is a manufacturing apparatus for secondary batteries.

2. The manufacturing apparatus for secondary batteries according to claim 1, wherein the pressurizing block further includes a protective pad unit attached to the surface of the pressurizing plate facing the body surface of the battery cell.

3. It further includes a pair of side plates respectively positioned on the outermost shells of the plurality of battery cells, The manufacturing apparatus for secondary batteries according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of pressurizing blocks are positioned between the pair of side plates.

4. The manufacturing apparatus for secondary batteries according to claim 3, further including a first guide member that connects the pair of side plates to each other at the upper and lower parts of the plurality of pressurizing blocks.

5. The pressure supply unit includes a pressure supply plate and at least two pressure supply units positioned on one surface of the pressure supply plate, The manufacturing apparatus for secondary batteries according to claim 1, wherein the pressure supply plate faces the pressurizing block positioned on the outermost shell among the plurality of pressurizing blocks.

6. In the pressure supply unit, the pressure supply unit includes one or more selected from a servo motor, a pneumatic cylinder, and a hydraulic press. The manufacturing apparatus for secondary batteries according to claim 5.

7. The at least two pressure supply units include a first pressure supply unit and a second pressure supply unit, On one surface of the pressure supply plate, the first pressure supply unit and the second pressure supply unit are arranged at intervals from each other in the vertical direction. The manufacturing apparatus for secondary batteries according to claim 5.

8. The at least two pressure supply units include a pair of first pressure supply units and a pair of second pressure supply units, On the upper part of one surface of the pressure supply plate, the pair of first pressure supply units are arranged at intervals from each other, The manufacturing apparatus for secondary batteries according to claim 5, wherein the pair of second pressure supply units are spaced apart from each other at a lower portion of one surface of the pressure supply plate.

9. The pressure supply unit further includes a load cell connected to a pressure application block located at the outermost periphery among the plurality of pressure application blocks, The other surface of the pressure supply plate is connected to the load cell and applies pressure to the plurality of pressure application blocks. The manufacturing apparatus for secondary batteries according to claim 5.

10. The manufacturing apparatus for secondary batteries according to claim 9, further including a second guide member that connects the pressure supply plate and the plurality of pressure application blocks to each other at upper and lower portions of the load cell.

11. The manufacturing apparatus for secondary batteries according to claim 1, further including at least a pair of pressure relief portions located between a pair of adjacent pressure application blocks among the plurality of pressure application blocks, The at least a pair of pressure relief portions are respectively located at upper and lower portions of the pair of pressure application blocks.

12. The at least a pair of pressure relief portions include a pair of first pressure relief portions and a pair of second pressure relief portions, The pair of first pressure relief portions are located adjacent to one side surface of the pair of pressure application blocks, The manufacturing apparatus for secondary batteries according to claim 11, wherein the pair of second pressure relief portions are located adjacent to the other side surface of the pair of pressure application blocks.

13. The pressure relief portion includes a rotating roll and a rotating shaft passing through the center of the rotating roll, The rolling surface of the rotating roll rotates along the space between the pair of pressure application blocks. The manufacturing apparatus for secondary batteries according to claim 11.

14. The cross-section of the rotating roll cut with reference to the pressure application direction of the pressure application block has an elliptical shape. The manufacturing apparatus for secondary batteries according to claim 13.

15. A chamber portion in which at least one pressure application portion is arranged spaced apart from each other, and The manufacturing apparatus for secondary batteries according to claim 1, including a temperature adjustment portion for adjusting the temperature inside the chamber portion.

16. In the chamber portion, the at least one pressure application portion is arranged such that the pressure application direction of each pressure application portion is perpendicular to the gravity direction. The manufacturing apparatus for secondary batteries according to claim 15.

17. The manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery according to claim 15, wherein in the chamber portion, each of the at least one pressurizing portion is arranged such that the pressurizing direction of each of the at least one pressurizing portion is the same as the direction of gravity.

18. The manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure information acquisition unit that acquires pressure information measured by the pressure sensor unit, and a pressure adjustment unit that adjusts the pressure applied to the battery cell based on the pressure information acquired by the pressure information acquisition unit.

19. The manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor unit acquires pressure information with respect to the entire body surface of the battery cell.

20. The manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery according to claim 19, wherein the pressure sensor unit measures the surface pressure of the battery cell in a grid pattern.

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