Electrode sheet processing device equipped with multiple detection members and electrode sheet processing method using the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrode sheet processing device equipped with a plurality of detection members and an electrode sheet processing method using the same, and more specifically to an electrode sheet processing device including an unwinder unit that supplies an electrode sheet, a notching unit that notches the electrode sheet, a drying unit that dries the notched electrode sheet, and a rewinder unit that winds up the dried electrode sheet, wherein a second detection member that inspects the state of the electrode sheet being wound up is located between the drying unit and the rewinder unit, and an electrode sheet processing method using the same.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0060457, filed May 10, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrode sheet processing device equipped with a plurality of detection members and an electrode sheet processing method using the same, and more particularly to an electrode sheet processing device equipped with a plurality of detection members that can reduce the occurrence of electrode sheet defects and an electrode sheet processing method using the same. [Background technology]

[0003] Recently, due to air pollution and energy depletion caused by the use of fossil fuels, there has been an increasing demand for secondary batteries capable of storing electrical energy produced by the development of alternative energy sources.

[0004] Secondary batteries are used as energy sources for various electronic devices that are essential in modern society, and the required capacity is increasing due to the increasing use and complexity of mobile devices and the development of electric vehicles, etc. To meet user demands, small devices are equipped with multiple battery cells, while automobiles and the like use battery modules in which multiple battery cells are electrically connected, or battery packs equipped with multiple such battery modules.

[0005] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 1, which is a side view showing a notching device for secondary batteries according to the prior art, the notching device includes a notching unit 10 that cuts and processes an electrode sheet 1, a drying unit 20 that has a heating element 21 and a lamp unit 22 that dissipates heat, and a recovery unit 30 that winds up the dried electrode sheet 1.

[0006] On the other hand, after the drying process in the drying unit 20, the overall length, shoulder line, and surface condition of the electrode may change due to drying, and the electrode sheet 1 may shift during the transport process, resulting in it not being properly wound up in the recovery unit 30.

[0007] However, the conventional notching device for secondary batteries does not have a proper testing device to solve the above-mentioned problems, and therefore there is a high possibility of defective electrodes occurring. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0133530 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrode sheet processing device having a plurality of detection members that can inspect the quality of an electrode sheet and minimize the production of defective electrodes, and an electrode sheet processing method using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve the above-mentioned object, the electrode sheet processing device according to the present invention includes an unwinder unit (100) that supplies an electrode sheet (S), a notching unit (200) that notches the electrode sheet (S), a drying unit (300) that dries the notched electrode sheet (S), and a rewinder unit (400) that winds up the dried electrode sheet (S), and is characterized in that a second detection member (700) that photographs the state of the electrode sheet (S) being wound up is located between the drying unit (300) and the rewinder unit (400).

[0011] In addition, the electrode sheet processing device according to the present invention is characterized in that a guide roller (500) for changing the moving direction of the electrode sheet (S) is located adjacent to the rewinder unit (400).

[0012] In addition, in the electrode sheet processing device according to the present invention, the second detection member (700) is located in a state of being housed inside the guide roller (500).

[0013] In addition, in the electrode sheet processing device according to the present invention, the guide roller (500) includes a second drum (510) having a space therein and a pair of second shafts (520) located on both side ends of the second drum (510), and the second drum (510) is made of a transparent material.

[0014] In the electrode sheet processing device according to the present invention, the transparent material includes at least one of glass, quartz, acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide, and polystyrene.

[0015] In addition, in the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the present invention, the second detection member (700) is characterized by including a detector body (710) located in the internal space of the second drum (510) and a third shaft (720) located on both side ends of the detector body (710).

[0016] In addition, in the electrode sheet processing device according to the present invention, the detector body (710) is a bar-shaped vision camera.

[0017] In addition, in the electrode sheet processing device according to the present invention, the detector body (710) is characterized in that it photographs at least one piece of information from the overall length, shoulder line, tab height, and surface condition of the electrode sheet (S).

[0018] In addition, in the electrode sheet processing device according to the present invention, the detector body (710) has a length that exceeds the width of the electrode sheet (S).

[0019] In addition, in the electrode sheet processing device according to the present invention, the third shaft (720) is positioned to penetrate the inside of the second shaft (520) so that the guide roller (500) and the second detection member (700) can be driven independently.

[0020] The electrode sheet processing device according to the present invention is characterized in that it further comprises a first detection member (600) between the unwinder unit (100) and the drying unit (300).

[0021] The electrode sheet processing device according to the present invention is characterized by further comprising a third detection member (800) for photographing the state of the electrode sheet (S) wound on the rewinder unit (400).

[0022] In addition, the electrode sheet processing method according to the present invention includes a first step of supplying an electrode sheet through an unwinder unit, a second step of notching the supplied electrode sheet, a third step of drying the notched electrode sheet, and a fourth step of winding up the dried electrode sheet through a rewinder unit, and is characterized by including a step of inspecting the condition of the dried electrode sheet (S) between the third step and the fourth step.

[0023] In addition, in the electrode sheet processing method according to the present invention, the step of inspecting the state of the electrode sheet (S) is characterized by obtaining information on at least one of the total length, shoulder line, tab height, and surface of the electrode sheet (S).

[0024] In the electrode sheet processing method according to the present invention, if the acquired information is outside a set value, the process is temporarily stopped. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] As described above, according to the electrode sheet processing device equipped with multiple detection members of the present invention and the electrode sheet processing method using the same, since detection members are provided between the drying unit and the rewinder unit, there is an advantage in that defects that occur after the drying process can be detected.

[0026] In addition, according to the electrode sheet processing device equipped with multiple detection members and the electrode sheet processing method using the same of the present invention, the detection members are housed inside the guide roller, which has the advantage that additional space is not required for installing the detection members. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a notching device for a secondary battery according to the prior art.

[0028] [Figure 2] 1 is a side view of an electrode sheet processing device according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a state in which an electrode sheet that has been notched by an electrode sheet processing device according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is being wound up. FIG.

[0030] [Figure 4] 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a guide roller in a state in which a detection member is housed in an electrode sheet processing device according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

[0031] [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of the guide roller shown in FIG. 4 (a is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA, and b is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB).

[0032] [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a side view of an electrode sheet processing device according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a side view of an electrode sheet processing device according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for processing an electrode sheet according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a detailed description will be given of an embodiment of the present invention that will enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to easily carry out the present invention. However, in describing the operation principle of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in detail, detailed description of related well-known functions or configurations will be omitted if it is determined that such detailed description may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention.

[0036] Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings for parts having similar functions and actions. Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be connected to another part, this includes not only a direct connection but also an indirect connection via another element therebetween. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, "including a certain element" does not mean that other elements are excluded, but that other elements may also be included.

[0037] Hereinafter, an electrode sheet processing device provided with a plurality of detection members and an electrode sheet processing method using the same according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] Figure 2 is a side view of an electrode sheet processing device according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of an electrode sheet that has been notched by the electrode sheet processing device according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention being wound up.

[0039] Also, Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a guide roller containing a detection member in an electrode sheet processing device according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the guide roller shown in Figure 4 (a is a cross-sectional view along line AA, and b is a cross-sectional view along line BB).

[0040] Referring to Figures 2 to 5, the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention may include an unwinder unit 100, a notching unit 200, a drying unit 300, a rewinder unit 400, a guide roller 500, a first detection member 600, and a second detection member 700.

[0041] The unwinder unit 100 is a unit that supplies an electrode sheet to be processed.

[0042] For example, the unwinder unit 100 may be configured to unwind the electrode sheet S from the outermost periphery when the electrode sheet S is wound around a cylindrical drum and supply the wound electrode sheet S to a notching unit located in front.

[0043] Here, the electrode sheet S may be a negative electrode sheet or a positive electrode sheet manufactured by applying a slurry in which an active material and a binder are mixed onto an electrode current collector.

[0044] Specifically, the negative electrode sheet is produced by applying a slurry in which a negative electrode active material and a binder are mixed onto a negative electrode current collector.

[0045] Here, examples of the negative electrode active material include carbon such as non-graphitizable carbon and graphite-based carbon; Li x Fe2O3(0≦x≦1), Li x WO2(0≦x≦1), Sn x Me 1-x Me' y O zMetal composite oxides such as (Me: Mn, Fe, Pb, Ge; Me': Al, B, P, Si, Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 elements of the periodic table, halogen; 0 < x ≤ 1; 1 ≤ y ≤ 3; 1 ≤ z ≤ 8); lithium metal; lithium alloy; silicon-based alloy; tin-based alloy; metal oxides such as SnO, SnO2, PbO, PbO2, Pb2O3, Pb3O4, Sb2O3, Sb2O4, Sb2O5, GeO, GeO2, Bi2O3, Bi2O4, Bi2O5; conductive polymers such as polyacetylene; Li-Co-Ni-based materials; Si-based materials such as Si, SiO, SiO2 alone or mixtures thereof can be used, but are not limited thereto.

[0046] The positive electrode sheet is manufactured by applying a slurry in which a positive electrode active material and a binder are mixed to a positive electrode current collector.

[0047] As the positive electrode active material, layered compounds such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2), lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2) or compounds substituted with one or more transition metals; chemical formula Li 1+x Mn 2-x O4 (where x is 0 to 0.33), lithium manganese oxides such as LiMnO3, LiMn2O3, LiMnO2; lithium copper oxide (Li2CuO2); vanadium oxides such as LiV3O8, V2O5, Cu2V2O7; chemical formula LiNi 1-x MxO2 (where M = Co, Mn, Al, Cu, Fe, Mg, B or Ga and x = 0.01 to 0.3) nickel-site type lithium nickel oxides represented by; chemical formula LiMn 2-x M x O2 (where M = Co, Ni, Fe, Cr, Zn or Ta and x = 0.01 to 0.1) or lithium manganese composite oxides represented by Li2Mn3MO8 (where M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu or Zn); LiMn2O4 in which a part of the Li in the chemical formula is substituted with an alkaline earth metal ion; disulfide compounds; Fe2(MoO4)3 and the like can be mentioned, but are not limited thereto.

[0048] The notching unit 200, located in front of the unwinder unit 100, is a unit that notches the uncoated areas of the electrode sheet S, which is transported and supplied by the unwinder unit 100, where no active material is applied, to form the electrode tab T.

[0049] The notching unit 200 may be a punching device that cuts the plain portion by punching in the shape of an electrode tab, or a laser processing device that cuts the plain portion into the shape of an electrode tab by irradiating a laser, but is not limited to these as long as it can form an electrode tab in the plain portion.

[0050] For example, although not shown in the drawings, it is clear that a separate drive means such as a motor for rotating the unwinder unit 100 must be provided.

[0051] The drying unit 300, located in front of the notching unit 200, is configured to dry the electrode sheet S notched by the notching unit 200 while it is being transported, and heats the electrode sheet S to more strongly bond and fix the electrode current collector and the electrode active material.

[0052] Here, the drying unit 300 may be provided with a hot air blower that blows hot air onto the electrode sheet S or an infrared lamp that irradiates infrared rays to apply heat to the electrode sheet S, but is not particularly limited as long as it can apply heat to the electrode sheet S.

[0053] The rewinder unit 400, located in front of the drying unit 300, is configured to rewind the dried electrode sheet S while passing through the drying unit 300, and may include a first drum 410 and a first shaft 420.

[0054] The first drum 410 has a cylindrical shape, and the electrode sheet S is wound up in a tightly contacted state. The first shaft 420 is formed at one end of the first drum 410, more preferably at both end portions.

[0055] For example, although not shown in the drawings, a separate driving means such as a motor is connected to the first shaft 420, thereby rotating the first drum 410.

[0056] Next, the guide roller 500 is located adjacent to the rewinder unit 400 and is configured to apply a certain amount of pressure to the electrode sheet S being wound onto the first drum 410 to prevent the electrode sheet S from meandering and also to change the direction of movement.

[0057] In the first embodiment of the present invention, a guide roller 500 is located below the rewinder unit 400, so that the dried electrode sheet S is redirected to the upper side where the guide roller 500 is located.

[0058] Such a guide roller 500 may include a second drum 510 and a second shaft 520 .

[0059] The second drum 510 is cylindrical and is arranged so as to come into close contact with the upper surface of the electrode sheet S being transported, thereby moving the electrode sheet S toward the rewinder unit 400 .

[0060] Here, the second drum 510 has a structure with a space inside, which is for accommodating the second detection member 700 .

[0061] In addition, it is preferable that a part or all of the second drum 510 is made of a transparent material so that the second detection member 700 housed therein can photograph various information about the electrode sheet S and obtain the results. For example, the second drum 510 may include one or more of glass, quartz, acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide, and polystyrene, but is not limited to these, as long as it is a transparent material that can maintain a state of close contact with the electrode sheet S.

[0062] Here, the second shaft 520 is cylindrical with an empty interior, which is for accommodating the third shaft 720 of the second detection member 700 .

[0063] Next, the first detection member 600 is located between the notching unit 200 and the drying unit 300, and is configured to inspect the notched electrode sheet S, and may be a vision camera, for example.

[0064] Here, the first detection member 600 photographs one or more pieces of information from the total length, shoulder line, tab height, and surface condition of the notched electrode sheet S, and inspects whether or not they satisfy a set reference value.

[0065] The second detection member 700 is located between the drying unit 300 and the rewinder unit 400 and is configured to inspect the electrode sheet S in a dry state, and may include a detector body 710 and a third shaft 720.

[0066] In detail, the detector body 710 is located in the internal space of the second drum 510 of the guide roller 500, but is spaced a certain distance from the inner surface of the second drum 510 so as not to come into contact with it, and inspects the electrode sheet S being transported to the first drum 410.

[0067] Here, it is preferable that the length of the detector body 710 is equal to or greater than the width of the electrode sheet S to be transferred. This is because if the length of the detector body 710 is less than the width of the electrode sheet S, there may be portions that are not inspected by the detector body 710, i.e., portions that are not inspected.

[0068] The detector body 710 that performs the above-described functions is a bar-shaped vision camera, and can inspect at least one of the overall length, shoulder line, tab height, and surface condition of the electrode sheet S.

[0069] The third shaft 720 is a long rod-shaped shaft located at both ends of the detector body 710 to support and fix the detector body 710 .

[0070] In particular, the third shaft 720 is positioned to penetrate the inside of the second shaft 520 of the guide roller 500 and is spaced a certain distance from the inner surface of the second shaft 520 so as not to come into contact with the second shaft 520 .

[0071] Therefore, even if the second detection member 700 is housed inside the guide roller 500, they can move independently. In other words, when the electrode sheet S moves continuously toward the rewinder unit 400, the guide roller 500 can rotate but the second detection member 700 cannot rotate.

[0072] As described above, when the second detection member 700 is accommodated inside the guide roller 500, there is an advantage that no additional space for installing the second detection member 700 is required.

[0073] FIG. 6 is a side view of an electrode sheet processing device according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] Referring to Figure 6, the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the preferred second embodiment of the present invention is similar to the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the first embodiment described in Figures 2 to 6, except for the positions of the guide roller and rewinder unit, so a description of the same configuration will be omitted.

[0075] In the electrode sheet processing device according to the second embodiment, the rewinder unit 400 is positioned below the transported electrode sheet S, and the guide roller 500 is structured to be in close contact with the underside of the electrode sheet S so that the electrode sheet S can move downward.

[0076] FIG. 7 is a side view of an electrode sheet processing device according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] Referring to Figure 7, the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to a preferred third embodiment of the present invention is similar to the electrode sheet processing apparatus according to the first embodiment described in Figures 2 to 6, except that it further includes a third detection member, and therefore a description of the same configuration will be omitted.

[0078] The electrode sheet processing device according to the third embodiment further includes a third detection member 800 that can inspect the electrode sheet S in a state where it is wound around the first drum 410.

[0079] The third detection member 800 may be the same vision camera as the first detection member 600, and inspects for wrinkles in the uncoated portions of the electrode tabs T that may occur during or after the electrode sheet S is wound onto the first drum 410.

[0080] Of course, similar to the first detection member 600 and the second detection member 700, the third detection member 800 can also photograph and acquire information on one or more of the total length, shoulder line, tab height, and surface condition of the electrode sheet S.

[0081] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for processing an electrode sheet according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] A method for processing an electrode sheet using the electrode processing apparatus according to the first or second embodiment can include a first step of supplying an electrode sheet through an unwinder unit, a second step of notching the supplied electrode sheet, a third step of drying the notched electrode sheet, and a fourth step of winding up the dried electrode sheet through a rewinder unit.

[0083] The first step of supplying the electrode sheet through the unwinder unit is a step in which the unwinder unit rotates in a direction in which the electrode sheet unwinds to supply the electrode sheet toward the notching unit.

[0084] The second step of notching the supplied electrode sheet is a step of forming electrode tabs in the uncoated portion of the electrode sheet supplied from the unwinder unit by the notching unit.

[0085] Meanwhile, it is preferable to perform an inspection step on the notched electrode sheet, in which information on one or more of the total length, shoulder line, tab height, and surface condition of the electrode sheet is acquired using a first detection unit, for example, a vision camera.

[0086] Here, if the information obtained from the first detecting member is outside the set value, the process can be temporarily stopped.

[0087] The third step of drying the notched electrode sheet involves transporting the notched electrode sheet and drying it with heat applied by a drying unit to improve the adhesive strength between the electrode current collector and the electrode active material.

[0088] The fourth stage of winding the dried electrode sheet through the rewinder unit is to wind the dried electrode sheet onto the first drum of the rewinder unit.

[0089] Meanwhile, prior to the fourth step, it is preferable to further perform a step of inspecting the state of the dried electrode sheet using a second detection member such as a vision camera housed inside a guide roll located adjacent to the rewinder unit.

[0090] In addition, if any one or more pieces of information among the total length, shoulder line, tab height, and surface condition of the dried electrode sheet are outside of the set values, the process may be temporarily suspended.

[0091] Those skilled in the art will be able to make various applications and modifications within the scope of the present invention based on the above content. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 100 Unwinder Unit

[0093] 200 Notching Unit

[0094] 300 Drying Unit

[0095] 400 Rewinder Unit

[0096] 410 First Drum 420 1st shaft

[0097] 500 guide roller

[0098] 510 Second Drum 520 Second Shaft

[0099] 600 First detection member

[0100] 700 second detection member

[0101] 710 Detector body 720 3rd shaft

[0102] 800 third detection member

[0103] S electrode sheet

[0104] T electrode tab

Claims

1. an unwinder unit for supplying an electrode sheet; a notching unit that notches the electrode sheet; a drying unit for drying the notched electrode sheet; a rewinder unit that winds up the dried electrode sheet, The electrode sheet processing device further comprises a second detection member located between the drying unit and the rewinder unit, the second detection member inspecting the state of the electrode sheet being wound up.

2. The electrode sheet processing device according to claim 1 , further comprising a guide roller for changing the moving direction of the electrode sheet, located adjacent to the rewinder unit.

3. The electrode sheet processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the second detection member is located in a state of being housed inside the guide roller.

4. 4. The electrode sheet processing device according to claim 3, wherein the guide roller includes a second drum having a space therein and a pair of second shafts located at both end portions of the second drum, and the second drum is made of a transparent material.

5. The electrode sheet processing device according to claim 4 , wherein the transparent material includes at least one of glass, quartz, acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide, and polystyrene.

6. The electrode sheet processing device according to claim 4 , wherein the second detection member includes a detector body located in the internal space of the second drum and a third shaft located at both side ends of the detector body.

7. 7. The electrode sheet processing device according to claim 6, wherein the detector body is a bar-shaped vision camera.

8. The electrode sheet processing device of claim 7 , wherein the detector body acquires information on at least one of the overall length, shoulder line, tab height, and surface of the electrode sheet.

9. The electrode sheet processing device according to claim 7 , wherein the detector body has a length that exceeds a width of the electrode sheet.

10. The electrode sheet processing device according to claim 6 , wherein the third shaft is positioned to pass through the inside of the second shaft so that the guide roller and the second detection member can be driven independently.

11. The electrode sheet processing device according to claim 1 , further comprising a first detection member between the unwinder unit and the drying unit.

12. The electrode sheet processing device according to claim 11 , further comprising a third detection member that inspects the state of the electrode sheet wound on the rewinder unit.

13. a first stage of feeding an electrode sheet through an unwinder unit; a second step of notching the provided electrode sheet; a third step of drying the notched electrode sheet; a fourth step of winding the dried electrode sheet through a rewinder unit; The electrode sheet processing method further includes a step of inspecting the state of the dried electrode sheet between the third step and the fourth step.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the inspecting the state of the electrode sheet includes acquiring information on at least one of an overall length, a shoulder line, a tab height, and a surface.

15. The electrode sheet processing method according to claim 14, wherein the process is temporarily suspended if the acquired information is outside a set value.

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