Electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and electrode assembly manufacturing method

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly and a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention claims the benefit of the filing date of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0157594, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on November 22, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly and a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly. [Background technology]

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries are rechargeable and have the potential to be small and have large capacities. As technological development and demand for mobile devices increases, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing.

[0004] Secondary batteries are classified into coin-type batteries, cylindrical batteries, prismatic batteries, and pouch-type batteries depending on the shape of the battery case. The electrode assembly attached to the inside of the battery case in a secondary battery is a power generating element that can be charged and discharged and is made up of a laminated structure of electrodes and a separator.

[0005] Electrode assemblies can be broadly classified into a jelly-roll type in which a sheet-type positive electrode and negative electrode coated with an active material are wound up with a separator interposed between them, a stack type in which multiple positive electrodes and negative electrodes are stacked in order with a separator interposed between them, and a stack-and-fold type in which stack-type unit cells are wound up with a long separator film.

[0006] Here, in the stack-and-fold type electrode assembly, a separator is folded in a zigzag pattern and electrodes are positioned between the separators, and the electrode assembly is fabricated using a plurality of electrodes.

[0007] In this process, heat and pressure are applied to ensure adhesion between the electrodes and the separator. However, since a large number of electrodes are used, applying heat and pressure to ensure adhesion between the electrodes and the separator requires a long time, and there are problems such as uneven performance of the electrode assembly due to uneven temperature between the electrodes. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly and a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which a plurality of first electrodes including first electrode tabs and a plurality of second electrodes including second electrode tabs are alternately arranged between separators including a folded binder layer, the method including: (a) supplying the first electrodes to a stack table; (b) supplying the second electrodes to the stack table; (c) supplying the separator to the stack table; (d) stacking the first electrodes, separators, and second electrodes on the stack table so that the first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separators to manufacture a laminate; (e) pre-welding the first electrode tabs and the second electrode tabs, respectively; (f) heating the pre-welded portions of the first electrode tabs and the second electrode tabs to heat the first electrodes and the second electrodes, respectively; and (g) heating and pressurizing the laminate.

[0010] One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which a plurality of first electrodes including first electrode tabs and a plurality of second electrodes including second electrode tabs are alternately arranged between separators including a folded binder layer, the apparatus including: a stack table on which the first electrodes, separators, and second electrodes are stacked so as to manufacture a laminate in which the first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separators; a separation membrane supply unit that supplies the separation membrane to the stack table; a first electrode supply unit that supplies the first electrodes to the stack table; a second electrode supply unit that supplies the second electrodes to the stack table; a press unit that heats and pressurizes the laminate stacked on the stack table; a pre-welding unit that pre-welds the first electrode tabs and the second electrode tabs; and a heating unit that heats pre-welded portions of the first electrode tabs and the second electrode tabs to heat the first electrodes and the second electrodes, respectively. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and electrode assembly manufacturing method according to the embodiments of the present application can reduce the time required to manufacture the electrode assembly.

[0012] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and electrode assembly manufacturing method according to the embodiments of the present application can easily adjust the temperature of the electrodes to a specific temperature range and reduce the temperature deviation between the electrodes, thereby providing an electrode assembly with uniform performance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a front view showing the concept of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventional electrode assembly. [Figure 4]1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating an example of a process using a manufacturing method or apparatus for an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 1A to 1C are diagrams illustrating an example of a process using a manufacturing method or apparatus for an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a pressing process of a manufacturing method or apparatus for an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1A is a perspective view showing a first press unit 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a second press unit 60 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view showing a stack table of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view showing a first electrode mounting table of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 3 is a perspective view showing a second electrode mounting table of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a perspective view showing a first suction head of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 1 is a bottom view showing a first suction head of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 1 is a plan view showing a holding mechanism and a stack table of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 14] 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Explanation of symbols]

[0014] 10...electrode assembly 11...1st electrode 11a First electrode tab 12...Second electrode 12a Second electrode tab 14...Separation membrane 51 Gripper 51a Main body 51b...Fixed part 100 Electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 110 Stack Table 111 Table body 112 Stack Table Heater 120...Separation membrane supply section 121 Separation membrane heating section 122 Separation membrane roll 130...1st electrode supply section 131 First electrode placement table 132 First electrode heater 133 First electrode roll 134 First cutter 135 First conveyor belt 136 First electrode supply head 140...Second electrode supply section 141 Second electrode placement table 142 Second electrode heater 143 Second electrode roll 144 Second cutter 145 Second conveyor belt 146 Second electrode supply head 150 First electrode stack section 151 First suction head 151a...Vacuum inlet 151b...Bottom surface 152 First electrode non-contact heater 153 First moving part 160 Second electrode stack section 161 Second suction head 162 Second electrode non-contact heater 163 Second moving part 170 ···Holding mechanism 171 First holding mechanism 172 Second holding mechanism 180 ···Press Department 181 First pressure block 182 Second pressure block 183, 184 Press heater 190 Pre-weld 191...Heating section 191a Hot Wire Probe 191b Hot Wire Gripper S ···Laminate A Thermal Imaging Camera DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0016] In this specification, when a part is said to "comprise" a certain component, this does not mean that it may further include other components, unless specifically stated to the contrary, but rather that it does not exclude other components.

[0017] In this specification, the term "holding mechanism" refers to a mechanism that grips the stacked material on the stack table in order to stack the first electrodes or the second electrodes during the process of manufacturing a stacked material in which the first electrodes, the separation film, and the second electrodes are stacked, with the first electrodes and the second electrodes alternately arranged between the separation film folded on the stack table, and its function is different from that of a gripper that grips the stacked material during the process of heating and pressurizing the stacked material.

[0018] In this specification, "pre-welding" means welding electrode tabs together.

[0019] In this specification, "final welding" means welding the electrode tab and the electrode lead together.

[0020] <Method for manufacturing electrode assembly> One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which a plurality of first electrodes including first electrode tabs and a plurality of second electrodes including second electrode tabs are alternately disposed between separators including a folded binder layer, the method comprising steps (a) to (g), of which the method is mainly characterized by including steps (e) to (g).

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, step (f) of heating the pre-welded portions of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab to heat the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively, refers to a process in which the heat applied to the electrode tabs heats the entire electrodes through conduction.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, step (e) of pre-welding the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab may refer to pre-welding the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab included in the laminate.

[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of heating the first electrode and the second electrode may refer to the step of heating the first electrode and the second electrode included in the laminate, respectively. Also, the electrodes may each include an electrode tab.

[0024] In this specification, the stacking of the first electrode and the second electrode alternately between the folded separator is referred to as zigzag stacking.

[0025] The present invention is characterized in that a laminate is manufactured by stacking the first electrodes, the separators, and the second electrodes on a stack table so that the first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separators, pre-welding electrode tabs of the electrodes, and then adjusting the temperature of the electrodes in the laminate using the pre-welded portions before cutting the pre-welded portions. That is, the electrodes in the laminate are heated by applying heat to the pre-welded portions.

[0026] As a result, the method for manufacturing an electrode assembly of the present invention can shorten the time required to manufacture the electrode assembly, and since the temperature of the electrodes can be easily controlled within a specific temperature range, the electrode assembly manufactured thereby can reduce temperature deviation between the electrodes, thereby providing an electrode assembly with uniform performance.

[0027] In addition, by utilizing the adhesive force of the separator including the binder layer, the electrode assembly can align and fix the electrodes so that they do not shift, thereby improving energy density.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separation membrane may include a binder layer, which may include one or more particulate binder resins and one or more inorganic particles.

[0029] More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the separation membrane includes a porous polymer substrate and an organic / inorganic composite porous coating layer formed on at least one side of the polymer substrate, and the organic / inorganic composite porous coating layer may include one or more particulate binder resins and one or more inorganic particles.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, the inorganic particles contained in the organic / inorganic composite porous coating layer are not particularly limited as long as they are electrochemically stable. That is, the inorganic particles are suitable for use within the operating voltage range (e.g., Li / Li) of the applied electrochemical device.+ There are no particular limitations on the inorganic particles, as long as they do not undergo oxidation and / or reduction reactions at a voltage (0 to 5 V relative to the reference voltage). In particular, when inorganic particles with ion transfer ability are used, the ionic conductivity in the electrochemical element can be increased, thereby improving performance. Furthermore, when inorganic particles with a high dielectric constant are used as the inorganic particles, they can contribute to increasing the degree of dissociation of the electrolyte salt, for example, lithium salt, in the liquid electrolyte, thereby improving the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte solution.

[0031] For the reasons mentioned above, the inorganic particles may include high dielectric constant inorganic particles having a dielectric constant of 5 or more, or 10 or more, inorganic particles having lithium ion conductivity, or a mixture thereof. Non-limiting examples of inorganic particles having a dielectric constant of 5 or more include BaTiO3, Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT), Pb 1-x La x Zr 1-y Ti y O3(PLZT, where 0 <x<1、0<y<1である)、Pb(Mg 1 / 3 Nb 2 / 3 )O3-PbTiO3 (PMN-PT), hafnia (HfO2), SrTiO3, SnO2, CeO2, MgO, NiO, CaO, ZnO, ZrO2, Y2O3, Al2O3, SiC, TiO2, etc. may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Furthermore, when the above-mentioned high dielectric constant inorganic particles are used in combination with inorganic particles having lithium ion transport ability, the synergistic effect can be doubled.

[0032] Non-limiting examples of the inorganic particles having lithium ion transfer ability include lithium phosphate (LiPO), lithium titanium phosphate (Li x Ti y (PO4)3,0 <x<2、0<y<3)、リチウムアルミニウムチタニウムホスフェート(Li x Al y Ti z (PO4)3,0 <x<2、0<y<1、0<z<3)、14Li2O-9Al2O3-38TiO2-39P2O5などのような(LiAlTiP) x O ySeries of glass (0 < x < 4, 0 < y < 13), lithium lanthanum titanate (Li x La y TiO3, 0 < x < 2, 0 < y < 3), Li 3.25 Ge 0.25 P 0.75 S4, such as lithium germanium thiophosphate (Li x Ge y P z S w , 0 < x < 4, 0 < y < 1, 0 < z < 1, 0 < w < 5), lithium nitride such as Li3N (Li x N y , 0 < x < 4, 0 < y < 2), SiS2 series glass such as Li3PO4 - Li2S - SiS2 (Li x Si y S z , 0 < x < 3, 0 < y < 2, 0 < z < 4), P2S5 series glass such as LiI - Li2S - P2S5 (Li x P y S z , 0 < x < 3, 0 < y < 3, 0 < z < 7), or mixtures thereof, etc.

[0033] In the organic / inorganic composite porous coating layer, the content ratio of the inorganic particles is determined in consideration of the thickness, pore size, and porosity of the finally produced organic / inorganic composite porous coating layer, but the inorganic particles may be contained in the range of 70% to 99% by weight based on 100% by weight of the porous coating layer. When the content of the inorganic particles is less than 70% by weight, the heat resistance may decrease. On the other hand, when the content of the inorganic particles is too high, the amount of the binder is too small, and thus the adhesion of the porous coating layer may decrease.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the particulate binder resin may include at least one selected from the group consisting of fluorine-based polymer particles, acrylic polymer particles, and acrylic polymer hybrid particles. When the binder resin includes fluorine-based polymer and acrylic polymer particles or acrylic polymer hybrid particles, the adhesive strength of the separator can be maintained at a certain level or higher before and after impregnation with the electrolyte. This improves the dimensional stability of the electrode assembly, which further facilitates the provision of electrode assemblies with uniform performance.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the fluoropolymer may be a homopolymer of vinylidene fluoride, a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropylene, or a mixture of two or more of these. Because the fluoropolymer is insoluble in the electrolyte, even if the acrylic polymer is also contained, the hybrid polymer particles can be impregnated with the electrolyte, maintaining their adhesive strength and shape.

[0036] More specifically, the acrylic polymer constituting the hybrid polymer particles and the acrylic polymer constituting the acrylic polymer particles may each independently contain an alkyl (meth)acrylate repeating unit having an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms. The acrylic polymer particles can contribute to maintaining the adhesive strength of the separator to the electrode in a state before being immersed in the electrolyte, i.e., in a dry state.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode may be a positive electrode and the second electrode may be a negative electrode, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and for example, the first electrode may be a negative electrode and the second electrode may be a positive electrode. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode tab may be a positive electrode tab and the second electrode tab may be a negative electrode tab, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and for example, the first electrode tab may be a negative electrode tab and the second electrode tab may be a positive electrode tab.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode and the second electrode may comprise a first electrode tab and a second electrode tab, respectively, which may be a positive electrode tab or a negative electrode tab, as previously described.

[0039] In one embodiment of the present invention, in the step (f), the first electrode and the second electrode may be heated so that their temperatures satisfy the following formula 1:

[0040] [Formula 1] Tg-1 <T≦Tg+1

[0041] In Equation 1, Tg represents the glass transition temperature of the binder layer of the separator, and T represents the temperature of the heated first electrode or the heated second electrode.

[0042] When the temperature range is satisfied, the process speed of the method for manufacturing an electrode assembly of the present invention can be more effectively reduced, and the electrode assembly manufactured thereby can have less deviation in adhesive strength, excellent breathability, and excellent and uniform performance.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, step (f) may include measuring a temperature distribution on the upper surface of the laminate; setting a heating temperature according to the measured temperature distribution; and heating the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively. That is, the temperature distribution on the upper surface of the laminate may be measured, and the heating temperature may be set to adjust the temperature of the electrodes to a specific temperature using the temperature distribution. In this case, the condition of Equation 1 may be satisfied in the process of adjusting the temperature of the electrodes to a specific temperature.

[0044] As a result, the process speed of the electrode assembly manufacturing method of the present invention can be more effectively reduced, and the electrode assembly manufactured thereby can have less deviation in adhesive strength, excellent breathability, and excellent and uniform performance.

[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention, step (f) may comprise a hot wire probe or a hot wire gripper.

[0046] That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, in step (f), heating may be performed by connecting a hot wire probe or a hot wire gripper to the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab, respectively.

[0047] In one embodiment of the present invention, heat generated from the hot wire probe or hot wire gripper may be transferred to the first electrode and the second electrode via the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab.

[0048] In one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the laminate may be 1,000 μm or more and 50,000 μm or less. The thickness of the laminate refers to the thickness of the electrode portion of the electrode. The electrode portion refers to the electrode current collector and the portion formed by applying an active material to the electrode current collector, rather than the electrode tab portion of the electrode.

[0049] In one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the electrode tap portion may be 10 μm or more and 1,000 μm or less. The electrode tap portion refers to a region of an electrode that includes an electrode tap and corresponds to the electrode tap. The thickness of the electrode tap portion may be determined by the number of stacked electrodes.

[0050] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the thickness of the laminate is 1,000 μm or more and less than 3,000 μm, the step of heating the pre-welded portions of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab to heat the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively, may be performed by a hot wire probe.

[0051] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the thickness of the laminate is 3,000 μm or more and 50,000 μm or less, the step of heating the pre-welded portions of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab to heat the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively, may be performed by a hot wire gripper.

[0052] In one embodiment of the present invention, the laminate is not heated or pressed while the steps of heating the first electrode and the second electrode are being performed.

[0053] In another embodiment of the present invention, the steps of heating the first electrode and the second electrode and applying heat and pressure to the laminate may be performed simultaneously.

[0054] That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, the steps (f) and (g) may be performed sequentially, in reverse order, or simultaneously.

[0055] In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the heating temperatures of the first electrode and the second electrode may be adjusted based on the surface temperature of the laminate before the laminate is pressed.

[0056] That is, if the thickness of the laminate is not relatively thick, the temperature range of the electrodes in the laminate can be adjusted using only a hot wire probe, but if the thickness of the laminate is greater than a certain thickness, a separate device such as a hot wire gripper may be required.

[0057] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pre-welded position may be a position where the distance between the electrode tab and the end of the electrode assembly is 20% or more of the thickness of the electrode assembly.

[0058] If the pre-welding position is too close to the end of the electrode assembly, the electrode assembly itself may be damaged. Therefore, satisfying the above range is advantageous in terms of battery performance.

[0059] In one embodiment of the present application, the step (e) may be performed on the stack table.

[0060] In another embodiment of the present application, step (g) may be performed in a press unit, and the description of the press unit may be applied to the description of the press unit of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus described below.

[0061] In one embodiment of the present application, step (g) may include a first heat pressing step in which the laminate is gripped with grippers and heated and pressurized; and a second heat pressing step in which, after the first heat pressing step, the gripping by the grippers is stopped and the laminate is heated and pressurized.

[0062] In one embodiment of the present application, the first heat pressing step may include the steps of: pressing the upper surface of the laminate using a gripper to fix the laminate; moving the laminate fixed by the gripper between a pair of pressure blocks including a press heater; moving the pair of pressure blocks in directions opposite to each other along the lamination axis of the laminate to apply surface pressure to the fixed laminate; and heating the fixed laminate by the press heater.

[0063] In one embodiment of the present application, the second heat pressing step may include the steps of: ceasing heating and pressing the laminate after the first heat pressing step; separating the grippers from the laminate; moving the laminate from which the grippers have been separated between a pair of pressure blocks including a press heater; pressing the laminate by moving the pair of pressure blocks in opposite directions along the lamination axis of the laminate from which the grippers have been separated; and heating the laminate with the press heater.

[0064] In one embodiment of the present application, the pressurizing block used in the first heat pressing step may have grooves corresponding to the grippers.

[0065] In one embodiment of the present application, the step of moving the gripper away from the stack may include the steps of: ceasing to apply pressure to the top surface of the stack using the gripper; and moving the gripper away from the stack.

[0066] In addition, in the heat pressing step (including the first and second heat pressing steps), the step of moving the laminate between a pair of pressure blocks including a press heater may include not only moving the laminate itself but also moving the laminate together with a stack table while being placed on it. In this case, the objects to be heated and pressed by the pair of pressure blocks and the press heater may refer to the laminate and the stack table.

[0067] In one embodiment of the present invention, after step (g), the method may further include a step of cutting a part of the pre-welded portion.

[0068] In one embodiment of the present invention, after step (f), the method may further include a step of performing final welding to connect electrode leads to the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab, respectively.

[0069] Heating using the pre-welded portion allows for a larger area to be used than using the final welded portion, making heating easier, and the effects of the present invention can be achieved by heating before the final heating and pressure application.

[0070] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the preliminary welding and final welding may each be performed by ultrasonic welding. Ultrasonic welding is a technique that generates ultrasonic vibrations of 10 kHz to 75 kHz and welds metals by generating frictional heat between the metals due to ultrasonic vibrations. That is, in the final welding, when an ultrasonic welding device applies ultrasonic vibrations to an electrode tab and an electrode lead in contact with each other, frictional heat is generated at the contact surface between the electrode tab and the electrode lead, and the electrode tab and the electrode lead are welded to each other by this frictional heat. For this purpose, an ultrasonic welding device commonly used in the relevant field can be used.

[0071] In addition, the pre-welding may be the same as the final welding except that the electrode tabs are in contact with each other.

[0072] <Electrode assembly manufacturing equipment> One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which a plurality of first electrodes including first electrode tabs and a plurality of second electrodes including second electrode tabs are alternately arranged between separators including a folded binder layer, the apparatus including: a stack table on which the first electrodes, separators, and second electrodes are stacked so as to manufacture a laminate in which the first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separators; a separation membrane supply unit that supplies the separation membrane to the stack table; a first electrode supply unit that supplies the first electrodes to the stack table; a second electrode supply unit that supplies the second electrodes to the stack table; a press unit that heats and pressurizes the laminate stacked on the stack table; a pre-welding unit that pre-welds the first electrode tabs and the second electrode tabs; and a heating unit that heats pre-welded portions of the first electrode tabs and the second electrode tabs to heat the first electrodes and the second electrodes, respectively.

[0073] In this specification, the term "unit" refers to an interface that performs a specific function within an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus.

[0074] That is, in this specification, the "heating unit" refers to an interface that functions to adjust the temperature of the first electrode and the second electrode within a specific range using the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab.

[0075] In one embodiment of the present application, the temperatures of the first electrode and the second electrode heated by the heating unit may each satisfy the formula 1 above.

[0076] In one embodiment of the present application, the stacking device may further include a heating control unit that measures a temperature distribution on the top surface of the laminate and sets heating temperature conditions before heating by the heating unit. That is, in this specification, the "heating control unit" refers to an interface that performs the function of measuring a temperature distribution on the top surface of the laminate and setting heating temperature conditions before heating by the heating unit.

[0077] In one embodiment of the present application, the heating unit may be a hot wire probe attached to one surface of the press unit or a separate hot wire gripper, and in this regard, the above description of using a hot wire probe or a separate hot wire gripper depending on the thickness of the laminate may be applied.

[0078] In one embodiment of the present application, the press section may be composed of a pair of pressure blocks, which are moved in directions opposite to each other to apply surface pressure to the laminate stacked on the table.

[0079] In this specification, the separation membrane may be supplied in the form of a separation membrane sheet.

[0080] An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and an electrode assembly manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail below.

[0081] Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating an exemplary apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a front view illustrating the concept of the apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. For convenience, Fig. 1 omits the holding mechanism 170, pre-welding unit 190, and heating unit 191 shown in Fig. 2, the pressing unit 180 located at the rear side in the plan view is indicated by a dotted line, and Fig. 2 omits the separation membrane supply unit 120 shown in Fig. 1.

[0082] 1 and 2, an apparatus 100 for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a stack table 110, a separator supply unit 120 that heats and supplies a separator 14, a first electrode supply unit 130 that heats and supplies a first electrode 11, a second electrode supply unit 140 that heats and supplies a second electrode 12, a first electrode stacking unit 150 that stacks the first electrode 11 on the stack table 110, a second electrode stacking unit 160 that stacks the second electrode 12 on the stack table 110, and a press unit 180 that bonds the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12. The apparatus 100 for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a holding mechanism 170 that secures the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 when they are stacked on the stack table 110. The laminate further includes a pre-welding unit 190 that pre-welds the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab included in the laminate, and a heating unit 191 that heats the pre-welded portions of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab to heat the first electrode and the second electrode included in the laminate, respectively.

[0083] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an electrode assembly manufactured by an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly or a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] 1 to 3, an apparatus 100 for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly 10 by stacking a first electrode 11, a separator 14, and a second electrode 12.

[0085] 3, the electrode assembly 10 may be formed as a chargeable / dischargeable power generating element in the form of an alternately stacked assembly of a first electrode 11, a separator 14, and a second electrode 12. Here, the electrode assembly 10 may be formed, for example, in such a form that the separator 14 is folded in a zigzag pattern, and the first electrodes 11 and the second electrodes 12 are alternately arranged between the folded separator 14. In this case, the electrode assembly 10 may be provided in such a form that the outermost periphery is enclosed by the separator 14.

[0086] Meanwhile, the first electrode supply unit 130 may further include a first electrode roll 133 around which the first electrode 11 is wound in a sheet state, a first cutter 134 that cuts the sheet-like first electrode 11 wound around the first electrode roll 133 at regular intervals when it is unwound and supplied to form first electrodes 11 of a predetermined size, a first conveyor belt 135 that moves the first electrodes 11 cut by the first cutter 134, and a first electrode supply head 136 that vacuum-sucks the first electrodes 11 transported by the first conveyor belt 135 and places them on the first electrode placement table 131. Here, the first cutter 134 may cut the sheet-like first electrodes 11 so that first electrode tabs are formed protruding from the ends thereof when cutting the sheet-like first electrodes 11.

[0087] The second electrode supply unit 140 may further include a second electrode roll 143 on which the second electrode 12 is wound in sheet form, a second cutter 144 that cuts the sheet-like second electrode 12 wound around the second electrode roll 143 at regular intervals as it is unwound and supplied to form second electrodes 12 of a predetermined size, a second conveyor belt 145 that moves the second electrodes 12 cut by the second cutter 144, and a second electrode supply head 146 that vacuum-sucks the second electrodes 12 transported by the second conveyor belt 145 and places them on the second electrode placement table 141. Here, the second cutter 144 may cut the sheet-like second electrode 12 so that second electrode tabs are formed protruding from the ends.

[0088] 1 to 3, the operation of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is such that the separation membrane 14 wound around the separation membrane roll 122 is supplied through the separation membrane heating unit 121. That is, the separation membrane 14 is heated while passing through the separation membrane heating unit 121, and the heated separation membrane 14 is supplied to the stack table 110. The separation membrane 14 thus supplied is stacked on the stack table 110, and the heated stack table 110 heats the separation membrane 14.

[0089] Then, the first electrode 11 is heated and supplied from the first electrode supply unit 130 to the first electrode stack unit 150, where the first electrode 11 is heated and stacked on the upper surface of the separator 14 stacked on the stack table 110.

[0090] At this time, the holding mechanism 170 applies pressure to the upper surface of the first electrode 11 to fix the first electrode 11 so that it does not come off the stack table 110.

[0091] Thereafter, when the stack table 110 is rotated toward the second electrode stack unit 160 , the separation film 14 is continuously supplied to cover the upper surface of the first electrode 11 .

[0092] Then, the second electrode 12, which is heated and supplied from the second electrode supply unit 140, is stacked by the second electrode stack unit 160 on the portion of the separator 14 covering the upper surface of the first electrode 11. Here, in the second electrode stack unit 160, the second suction head 161 applies pressure to and heats the second electrode 12, thereby continuously heating the second electrode 12.

[0093] At this time, after the holding mechanism 170 that is applying pressure to the upper surface of the first electrode 11 is released from the pressure application area, pressure is applied to the upper surface of the second electrode 12 to prevent the stack including the second electrode 12 from being released from the stack table 110.

[0094] Thereafter, the process of stacking the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 is repeated to fold the separator 14 in a zigzag pattern, thereby forming a stack in which the separator 14 is positioned between the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12.

[0095] In this regard, in the case of the method or apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the thickness of the laminate is 1,000 μm or more and less than 3,000 μm (corresponding to a case where the thickness of the laminate is relatively small), as shown in FIG. 4, the step of heating the pre-welded portions of the first electrode tab 11a and the second electrode tab 12a to respectively heat the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 included in the laminate S may be performed by a hot wire probe 191a attached to an upper press block 182 of a pair of press blocks 181 and 182 constituting a press unit 180. Specifically, the laminate S includes electrode tabs 11a, 12a equal to the number of stacked electrodes, and the electrode tabs 11a, 12a are pre-welded by the pre-welding unit 190 to form one group. Thereafter, the laminate S is moved to the press unit 180 without cutting the pre-welded portions, and the hot wire probe 191a contacts the pre-welded portions of the electrode tabs 11a and 12a of the laminate, thereby proceeding with heating. At this time, the temperature conditions for proceeding with the heating can be set using a thermal imaging camera A, and more specifically, the temperature conditions can be set based on the surface temperature of the laminate S before pressing the laminate S. In addition, the hot wire probe 191a attached to the upper pressing block 182 is configured to first come into contact with the laminate S before it is pressed by the pair of pressing blocks 181 and 182.

[0096] For the sake of convenience, the hot wire probes in the press section have been omitted from the other drawings in this specification, except for FIG.

[0097] In addition, in the method or apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, when the thickness of the laminate is 3,000 μm or more and 50,000 μm or less (corresponding to a case where the thickness of the laminate is relatively large), the step of heating the pre-welded portions of the first electrode tabs 11a and the second electrode tabs 12a to heat the first electrodes 11 and the second electrodes 12 included in the laminate S may be performed by using a hot wire gripper 191b. Specifically, the laminate S includes electrode tabs 11a, 12a equal to the number of stacked electrodes, and the electrode tabs 11a, 12a are pre-welded to form a group by the pre-welding unit 190. Thereafter, the laminate S is moved to the pressing unit 180 without cutting the pre-welded portions, and the hot wire gripper 191b contacts the pre-welded portions of the electrode tabs 11a, 12a of the laminate, thereby allowing heating to proceed. At this time, the temperature conditions for the heating can be set using a thermal imaging camera A, and more specifically, the temperature conditions can be set based on the surface temperature of the laminate S before the laminate S is pressed. Unlike in FIG. 4, when the thickness of the laminate S is large, the hot wire probe 191a attached to the upper pressurizing block 182 cannot have a structure that first contacts the laminate S before it is pressed by the pair of pressurizing blocks 181 and 182, so heating may be performed by a separate hot wire gripper 191b.

[0098] For convenience, the hot wire gripper has been omitted from the other drawings in this specification, except for FIG.

[0099] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a press unit of an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a state in which the press unit presses a laminate in the apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] 1, 2, and 6, the laminate S manufactured as described above may be moved to a press unit 180, where the laminate S may be heated and pressurized to bond the heated first electrode 11, separator 14, and second electrode 12 together to manufacture an electrode assembly 10. In this case, the heated first electrode 11, separator 14, and second electrode 12 may be heat-sealed by applying heat and pressure through the press unit 180.

[0101] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above heats and stacks the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12, and then applies heat and pressure to the press unit 180 to bond the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 together, thereby preventing the electrode assembly 10 from unfolding and preventing the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 from shifting from their stacked positions in the electrode assembly 10.

[0102] More specifically, the press unit 180 may include a pair of pressure blocks 181 and 182, and a stack of the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 may be disposed between the pair of pressure blocks 181 and 182. Thereafter, the pair of pressure blocks 181 and 182 are moved in directions facing each other, and the press unit 180 heats and presses the stack, thereby bonding the stacked first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 together.

[0103] Furthermore, the press unit 180 further includes press heaters 183 and 184 that heat the pair of pressure blocks 181 and 182, which can heat and press the laminate. This improves thermal fusion between the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 in the laminate, allowing for stronger adhesion.

[0104] The pair of pressure blocks 181, 182 may be formed so that the horizontal and vertical lengths of the pressure surfaces are longer than the horizontal and vertical lengths of the laminate. The pair of pressure blocks 181, 182 may include a first pressure block 181 and a second pressure block 182, which may be provided in rectangular blocks having a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0105] The press section may further include a pair of pressure blocks and a press heater for heating the pressure blocks, and the pair of pressure blocks may be moved in directions opposite to each other to apply surface pressure to the laminate, and the laminate may be heated by the press heater.

[0106] In this case, in one embodiment of the present invention, the pair of pressurizing blocks may include the press heater therein.

[0107] In one embodiment of the present application, the press unit may include a first press unit and a second press unit. Specifically, the first press unit and the second press unit may be applied to the first heat press step and the second heat press step, respectively, and the above content may also be applied.

[0108] In one embodiment of the present application, the first press unit may include a pair of first press blocks, and the press surfaces of the pair of first press blocks may include grooves corresponding to the grippers, and the press surfaces other than the grooves may be flat. That is, the first press unit may be used in the first heat pressing step described above.

[0109] In one embodiment of the present application, the second press unit may include a pair of second press blocks, and the press surfaces of the pair of second press blocks may be flat. That is, the second press unit may be used in the second heat press step described above.

[0110] FIG. 7(a) is a perspective view showing a first press unit 50 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7(b) is a perspective view showing a second press unit 60 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0111] 7(a), the first press unit 50 can apply heat and pressure to the laminate S while it is fixed by the gripper 51. The first press unit 50 is composed of a pair of first pressure blocks 50a and 50b, and the pressure surfaces of the pair of first pressure blocks 50a and 50b are entirely flat except for a groove corresponding to the fixing portion 51b of the gripper 51.

[0112] The gripper 51 may include a main body 51a that corresponds to the length x and height y of the stack S or is wider than the length x and height y of the stack S, and a plurality of fixing portions 51b that are provided on one surface of the main body 51a and are provided in the shape of a pillar or plate along the width z direction of the stack S. Here, the length x of the stack S may refer to the longest part from one end to the other of the stack S, the height y may refer to the distance in the stacking direction of the stack S, and the width z may refer to the distance across the top surface of the stack S.

[0113] The fixing part 51b can be adjusted in position along the height direction of the main body 51a, and the fixing part 51b can contact the upper and lower surfaces of the laminate S to fix the laminate S. Thereafter, a pair of first pressure blocks 50a and 50b included in the first press part 50 are moved in directions facing each other to apply surface pressure to at least one of the laminate S and the gripper 51, thereby bonding the electrodes and the separator included in the laminate S.

[0114] 7(b), the second press unit 60 may finally heat and press the laminate S that has been primarily heated and pressed by the first press unit 50. The second press unit 60 includes a pair of second press blocks 60a and 60b, and the pair of press blocks 61 and 62 may move in opposite directions to press the laminate S. In addition, the pair of second press blocks 60a and 60b included in the second press unit 60 may have pressurizing surfaces that come into contact with and press the laminate S as flat surfaces.

[0115] Referring to Figures 2 and 8, the stack table 110 may have first electrodes 11, separators 14, and second electrodes 12 stacked in a manner such that the first electrodes 11 and the second electrodes 12 are alternately arranged between the folded separators 14.

[0116] The stack table 110 may also include a table body 111 on which the first electrode 11, the separation membrane 14, and the second electrode 12 are stacked, and a stack table heater 112 that heats the table body 111 and thereby heats the stacked stack S.

[0117] The first electrode 11 may be a positive electrode and the second electrode 12 may be a negative electrode, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the first electrode 11 may be a negative electrode and the second electrode 12 may be a positive electrode.

[0118] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a first electrode mounting table of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0119] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 9, the first electrode supply unit 130 can heat the first electrode 11 and supply it to the first electrode stack unit 150.

[0120] The first electrode supply unit 130 may also include a first electrode placing table 131 on which the first electrode 11 is placed before being stacked on the stack table 110 by the first electrode stack unit 150, and a first electrode heater 132 that heats the first electrode placing table 131 and thereby heats the first electrode 11.

[0121] Meanwhile, the first electrode supply unit 130 may further include a first electrode roll 133 around which the first electrode 11 is wound in a sheet state, a first cutter 134 that cuts the sheet-like first electrode 11 wound around the first electrode roll 133 at regular intervals as it is unwound and supplied to form first electrodes 11 of a predetermined size, a first conveyor belt 135 that moves the first electrodes 11 cut by the first cutter 134, and a first electrode supply head 136 that vacuum-sucks the first electrodes 11 transported by the first conveyor belt 135 and places them on the first electrode placement table 131. Here, the first cutter 134 may cut the sheet-like first electrodes 11 so that first electrode tabs 11a are formed protruding from the ends thereof when cutting the sheet-like first electrodes 11.

[0122] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a second electrode mounting table of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0123] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 10, the second electrode supply unit 140 can heat the second electrode 12 and supply it to the second electrode stack unit 160.

[0124] The second electrode supply unit 140 may also include a second electrode placing table 141 on which the second electrode 12 is placed before being stacked on the stack table 110 by the second electrode stack unit 160, and a second electrode heater 142 that heats the second electrode placing table 141 to heat the second electrode 12.

[0125] Meanwhile, the second electrode supply unit 140 may further include a second electrode roll 143 on which the second electrode 12 is wound in a sheet state, a second cutter 144 that cuts the sheet-like second electrode 12 wound around the second electrode roll 143 at regular intervals as it is unwound and supplied to form second electrodes 12 of a predetermined size, a second conveyor belt 145 that moves the second electrodes 12 cut by the second cutter 144, and a second electrode supply head 146 that vacuum-sucks the second electrodes 12 transported by the second conveyor belt 145 and places them on the second electrode placement table 141. Here, the second cutter 144 may cut the sheet-like second electrodes 12 so that second electrode tabs 12a are formed protruding from the ends thereof when cutting the sheet-like second electrodes 12.

[0126] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode stack section may include a first suction head that vacuum-sucks the first electrode placed on the first electrode placing table, and the second electrode stack section may include a second suction head that vacuum-sucks the second electrode placed on the second electrode placing table.

[0127] FIG. 11 is an oblique view showing a first suction head of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a bottom view showing the first suction head of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0128] 1, 2, 11, and 12, the first electrode stacking unit 150 can stack the first electrodes 11 on the stack table 110.

[0129] The first electrode stack unit 150 may include a first suction head 151 and a first moving unit 153.

[0130] The first suction head 151 can vacuum-suck the first electrode 11 placed on the first electrode placement table 131. In this case, the first suction head 151 has a vacuum suction port 151a formed on a bottom surface 151b thereof, and can suck the first electrode 11 through the vacuum suction port 151a to fix the first electrode 11 to the bottom surface 151b of the first suction head 151. Here, the first suction head 151 may have a passage formed therein that connects the vacuum suction port 151a to a vacuum suction device (not shown).

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

[0132] The second electrode stacking unit 160 can stack the second electrodes 12 on the stack table 110. Here, the second electrode stacking unit 160 may have the same structure as the above-described first electrode stacking unit 150. In this case, the second electrode stacking unit 160 may include a second suction head 161 and a second moving unit 163.

[0133] The second suction head 161 can vacuum-suck the second electrode 12 placed on the second electrode placement table 141 .

[0134] The second moving unit 163 can move the second suction head 161 to the stack table 110 so that the second suction head 161 can stack the second electrode 12 placed on the first electrode placing table 141 on the stack table 110.

[0135] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a holding mechanism and a stack table of an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0136] Referring to Figures 2 and 13, the holding mechanism 170 can grasp the first electrode 11 or the second electrode 12 and fix it to the stack table 110 when the first electrode 11 or the second electrode 12 is stacked on the stack table 110.

[0137] In addition, when stacking the first electrode 11 on the stack table 110, the holding mechanism 170 may pressurize and fix the upper surface of the first electrode 11 stacked on the uppermost side of the stack table 110, and when stacking the second electrode 12 on the stack table 110, the holding mechanism 170 may pressurize and fix the upper surface of the second electrode 12 stacked on the uppermost side of the stack table 110. In addition, the holding mechanism 170 may pressurize and fix the upper surface of the stack of the first electrode 11, the separator 14, and the second electrode 12 stacked on the stack table 110.

[0138] That is, when the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 are positioned between the separators 14 and stacked to form a stack, the holding mechanism 170 holds the uppermost surface of the stack by applying pressure toward the stack table 110, thereby preventing the stack from being detached from the stack table 110.

[0139] Meanwhile, the holding mechanism 170 may include, for example, a first holding mechanism 171 and a second holding mechanism 172 to fix both sides of the first electrode 11 or the second electrode 12 .

[0140] As described above, in the case where zigzag folding proceeds while the stack table 110 is rotating, after the holding mechanism 170 holds the first electrode 11 or the second electrode 12, when the stack table 110 is rotated, the separation membrane 14 can be unwound from the separation membrane roll 122 in proportion to the amount of rotation of the stack table 110 and supplied to the stack table 110 side.

[0141] Meanwhile, for example, the holding mechanism 170 and the stack table 110 may be connected or coupled to a rotation device (not shown), whereby when the holding mechanism 170 grips the first electrode 11 or the second electrode 12, the rotation device can rotate the holding mechanism 170 and the stack table 110.

[0142] Thereafter, when the stacking of the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 between the separator 14 is completed, the top and bottom surfaces of the stack may be heated and pressed by the press unit described above.

[0143] In addition, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a vision device for inspecting the first electrode or the second electrode. Figure 14 is a front view showing the concept of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus further including the vision device.

[0144] 14, for convenience, the holding mechanism 170, the preliminary welding section 190, and the heating section 191 are omitted, and the pressing section 180 located on the rear side in the plan view is indicated by a dotted line. Also, for convenience, the first electrode non-contact heater 152 and the second electrode non-contact heater 162 are omitted in FIG.

[0145] Referring to FIG. 14, an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 200 includes a stack table 110, a separation membrane supply unit 120 that supplies a separation membrane 14 to the stack table 110, a first electrode supply unit 130 that supplies a first electrode 11 to the stack table 110, a second electrode supply unit 140 that supplies a second electrode 12 to the stack table 110, a first electrode stacking unit 150 that stacks the first electrode 11 on the stack table 110, a second electrode stacking unit 160 that stacks the second electrode 12 on the stack table 110, a press unit 180 that bonds the first electrode 11, the separation membrane 14, and the second electrode 12, and a holding mechanism 170 that fixes the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 when they are stacked on the stack table 110, and may further include a rotation unit R that rotates the stack table 110, and a vision device 290 that inspects the first and second electrodes 11 and 12.

[0146] That is, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 200 of FIG. 14 differs from the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the above-described embodiment in that it further includes a rotating unit R and a vision device 290 .

[0147] More specifically, in the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention, the vision device 290 may include a first camera 291 and a second camera 292 .

[0148] The first camera 291 can photograph the first electrode 11 placed on the first electrode placing table 131 by the first electrode supply unit 130, and the second camera 292 can photograph the second electrode 12 placed on the second electrode placing table 141 by the second electrode supply unit 140.

[0149] The stacking quality of the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 can be inspected using the image information acquired by the first camera 291 and the second camera 292. At this time, the placement position, size, stacking state, etc. of the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 can be inspected.

[0150] The rotating unit R can rotate the stack table 110 in one direction r1 and the other direction r2. Here, the first electrode stack unit 150 may be provided on one side of the rotating unit R, and the second electrode stack unit 150 may be provided on the other side of the rotating unit R.

[0151] In addition, the rotating unit R may rotate the stack table 110 to one side to face the first suction head 151 when stacking the first electrode 11, and may rotate the stack table 110 to the other side to face the second suction head 161 when stacking the second electrode 12.

[0152] Furthermore, the rotating unit R rotates the stack table 110 alternately toward the first electrode stack unit 150 and the second electrode stack unit 160, thereby enabling zigzag folding in which the separator 14 is positioned between the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12.

[0153] The operation of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[0154] 1 and 14, the separation membrane 14 wound around the separation membrane roll 122 is supplied through a separation membrane heating unit 121. That is, the separation membrane 14 is heated while passing through the separation membrane heating unit 121, and the heated separation membrane 14 is supplied to a stack table 110. The separation membrane 14 thus supplied is stacked on the stack table 110, and the heated stack table 110 heats the separation membrane 14.

[0155] Furthermore, when the first electrode 11 is supplied and placed on the first electrode placing table 131 of the first electrode supply unit 130, the vision device 290 inspects the lamination quality of the first electrode 11. At this time, the first electrode 11 is heated by the first electrode placing table 131 heated by the first electrode heater 132.

[0156] The heated first electrode 11 is then supplied to the first electrode stacking unit 150 , where the first electrode 11 is stacked on the upper surface of the separator 14 stacked on the stack table 110 .

[0157] At this time, the holding mechanism 170 applies pressure to the upper surface of the first electrode 11 to fix the first electrode 11 so that it does not come off the stack table 110. Thereafter, when the rotating unit R rotates the stack table 110 toward the second electrode stack unit 160, the separation membrane 14 is continuously supplied to cover the upper surface of the first electrode 11.

[0158] Meanwhile, when the second electrode 12 is supplied and placed on the second placement table 141 of the second electrode supply unit 140, the vision device 290 inspects the lamination quality of the second electrode 12. At this time, the second electrode 12 is heated by the second electrode placement table 141 heated by the second electrode heater.

[0159] The heated second electrode 12 is then supplied to the second electrode stacking unit 160 , where the second electrode 12 is stacked on the upper surface of the separator 14 stacked on the stack table 110 .

[0160] At this time, after the holding mechanism 170 that is applying pressure to the upper surface of the first electrode 11 is released from the pressure application area, pressure is applied to the upper surface of the second electrode 12 to prevent the stack including the second electrode 12 from being released from the stack table 110.

[0161] Thereafter, the stack table 110 is rotated and the process of stacking the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 is repeated, whereby the separator 14 is zigzag folded to form a stack in which the separator 14 is positioned between the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12.

[0162] The laminate is then moved to a press unit 180, where the heated first electrode 11, separator 14, and second electrode 12 are bonded together while applying heat and pressure to the laminate in the press unit 180, thereby manufacturing the electrode assembly 10. In this case, the heated first electrode 11, separator 14, and second electrode 12 are thermally fused together while applying heat and pressure by the press unit 180 (Reference FIG. 3).

[0163] Also, in the case of FIG. 14, as described above, the first electrode stack unit 150 may include a first suction head 151, a first electrode non-contact heater 152, and a first moving unit 153, and the second electrode stack unit 160 may include a second suction head 161, a second electrode non-contact heater, and a second moving unit 163 (not shown), and the description of the first suction head 151, the first electrode non-contact heater 152, the first moving unit 153, the second suction head 161, the second electrode non-contact heater, and the second moving unit 163 is the same as described above.

[0164] In other words, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 200 of Figure 14 has the same configuration as the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the above-mentioned embodiment, except that it further includes a rotating unit R and a vision device 290.

[0165] For reference, in order to stack the first electrodes, the separator, and the second electrodes so that the first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separators, a method in which the stack table moves left and right, a method in which the separator moves left and right, or a method in which the stack table rotates may be used, and conventional techniques in the art may be applied to this. In the case of Figure 14, a method in which the stack table rotates may be exemplified.

[0166] In an embodiment of the present invention, the long side of the electrode assembly may have a length of 500 mm or more. The long side of the electrode assembly refers to the length in a direction perpendicular to the supply direction of the separator supplied during the manufacture of the electrode assembly.

[0167] In one embodiment of the present invention, the negative electrode current collector has a thickness of, for example, 3 to 500 μm. Such a negative electrode current collector is not particularly limited as long as it has conductivity without inducing chemical changes in the battery, and examples thereof include copper, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, fired carbon, those obtained by surface treatment of copper or stainless steel with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver, etc., aluminum-cadmium alloys, and the like. Also, similar to the positive electrode current collector described later, fine irregularities can be formed on the surface to strengthen the binding force of the negative electrode active material, and it may be used in various forms such as films, sheets, foils, nets, porous bodies, foams, non-woven fabric bodies, and the like.

[0168] The negative electrode active material is, for example, carbon such as graphitizable carbon, graphite-based carbon; Li x Fe2O3 (0 ≦ x ≦ 1), Li x WO2 (0 ≦ x ≦ 1), Sn x Me 1-x Me' y O z (Me: Mn, Fe, Pb, Ge; Me': Al, B, P, Si, elements of Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 of the periodic table, halogen; 0 < x ≦ 1; 1 ≦ y ≦ 3; 1 ≦ z ≦ 8) metal composite oxides; lithium metal; lithium alloys; silicon-based alloys; tin-based alloys; 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, etc. may be used.

[0169] In one embodiment of the present invention, the lower layer region may contain natural graphite as the negative electrode active material, and the upper layer region may contain artificial graphite as the negative electrode active material.

[0170] In one embodiment of the present invention, the lower layer region and the upper layer region may each independently further contain a silicon-based compound as the negative electrode active material.

[0171] In one embodiment of the present invention, the silicon-based compound may include one or more of SiOx (0≦x≦2) and SiC.

[0172] In one embodiment of the present invention, the silicon-based compound may include one or more of SiOx (x=0), SiOx (0≦x≦2) and SiC.

[0173] In one embodiment of the present invention, the silicon-based compound may contain 70 parts by weight or more, or 80 parts by weight or more, of SiOx (x=0) based on 100 parts by weight of the silicon-based compound. That is, the anode of the present invention is characterized by a high content of pure Si.

[0174] In one embodiment of the present invention, the negative electrode may be manufactured by coating a lower layer slurry containing a lower layer negative electrode active material on a current collector and drying the slurry to form a lower layer region, and then coating an upper layer slurry containing an upper layer negative electrode active material on the lower layer region and drying the slurry to form an upper layer region.

[0175] That is, one embodiment of the present invention may provide a method for manufacturing a negative electrode, including the steps of: preparing a lower layer slurry containing a lower layer negative electrode active material; and an upper layer slurry containing an upper layer negative electrode active material; coating one surface of a negative electrode current collector with the lower layer slurry, and simultaneously or after a predetermined time interval, coating the upper layer slurry on the lower layer slurry; and simultaneously drying the coated lower layer slurry and upper layer slurry to form an active material layer.

[0176] In this case, a mixed region (intermixing) where different types of active materials are mixed may be present at the contact point between the lower and upper layers of the negative electrode. This is because, when an active material layer is formed by simultaneously or successively coating a lower layer slurry containing a lower layer negative electrode active material and an upper layer slurry containing an upper layer negative electrode active material on a current collector and then simultaneously drying them, a predetermined mixed region is generated at the interface where the lower layer slurry and the upper layer slurry contact each other before drying, and then this mixed region is formed in the form of a layer of the mixed region as the slurry is dried.

[0177] In one embodiment of the present invention, in the active material layer of the negative electrode, the weight ratio (or ratio of loading amounts per unit area) of the upper layer region to the lower layer region may be 20:80 to 50:50, specifically 25:75 to 50:50.

[0178] The thicknesses of the lower and upper regions of the active material layer of the negative electrode of the present invention may not be completely equal to the thicknesses of the coated lower layer slurry and the coated upper layer slurry, but the thickness ratio of the lower and upper regions of the active material layer of the negative electrode of the present invention finally obtained after the drying or selective rolling process can be equal to the thickness ratio of the coated lower layer slurry and the coated upper layer slurry.

[0179] In one embodiment of the present invention, in the step of coating one surface of the negative electrode current collector with the lower layer slurry and simultaneously or after a predetermined time lag, coating the upper layer slurry on the lower layer slurry, the predetermined time lag may be 0.6 seconds or less, 0.02 to 0.6 seconds, 0.02 to 0.06 seconds, or 0.02 to 0.03 seconds. Most preferably, it may be 0 seconds. That is, simultaneous coating is most preferred. That is, since the time lag between the coating of the lower layer slurry and the upper layer slurry is due to the coating equipment, it is more preferred to coat the lower layer slurry and the upper layer slurry simultaneously. In this case, the method of coating the lower layer slurry and the upper layer slurry may use an apparatus such as a double slot die.

[0180] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of simultaneously drying the coated lower layer slurry and upper layer slurry to form an active material layer may include simultaneously drying the coated lower layer slurry and upper layer slurry, and rolling the active material layer after the drying step. In this case, the rolling step may be performed by a method commonly used in the art, such as roll pressing, at a pressure of 1 MPa to 20 MPa and a temperature of 15°C to 30°C, but is not limited thereto.

[0181] In this case, the step of simultaneously drying the coated lower layer slurry and upper layer slurry to form the active material layer may be performed by a method commonly used in the art using a combination of a hot air dryer and an infrared dryer.

[0182] In one embodiment of the present invention, the weight % of the first binder polymer in the solid content of the underlayer slurry may be the same as or greater than the weight % of the second binder polymer in the solid content of the overlayer slurry.

[0183] Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the weight percentage of the first binder polymer in the solid content of the lower layer slurry may be 1.0 to 4.2 times, or 1.5 to 3.6 times, or 1.5 to 3 times higher than the weight percentage of the second binder polymer in the solid content of the upper layer slurry.

[0184] In this case, when the weight percentage of the first binder in the coated lower layer slurry and the weight percentage of the second binder in the coated upper layer slurry satisfy this range, the binder in the lower layer region is too small to prevent detachment of the electrode layer, and the binder in the upper layer region is not too large to reduce the resistance of the upper layer of the electrode, which may be advantageous for fast charging performance.

[0185] In one embodiment of the present invention, the weight percentage of the first binder polymer in the solid content of the lower layer slurry may be 2 wt% to 30 wt%, or 5 wt% to 20 wt%, and the weight percentage of the second binder polymer in the solid content of the upper layer slurry may be 0.5 to 20 wt%, or 1 to 15 wt%, or 1 wt% to 10 wt%, or 2 wt% to 5 wt%.

[0186] In one embodiment of the present invention, the total ratio (wt%) of the first binder polymer and the second binder polymer to the total solid content of the lower layer slurry and the upper layer slurry may be 2 wt% to 20 wt%, or 5 wt% to 15 wt%.

[0187] In this specification, the first binder polymer and the second binder polymer simply refer to the binder polymer contained in the lower layer slurry and the binder polymer contained in the upper layer slurry, respectively, and do not refer to a specific order.

[0188] In one embodiment of the present invention, the binder polymer is a component that aids in binding between the electrode active material particles and the conductive material and between the electrode current collector, and is added in an amount of, for example, 1 to 50 wt % based on the total weight of the mixture including the electrode active material. Examples of such binder polymers include polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVdF), polyvinylidene fluoride-co-trichloroethylene, polymethylmethacrylate, polybutylacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylacetate, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (polyethylene-co-vinyl acetate), polyethylene oxide, polyarylate, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, and cellulose acetate propionate. The binder polymer may be any one selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate ester ...

[0189] In one embodiment of the present invention, the negative electrode is fabricated by coating negative electrode active material particles on a negative electrode current collector and drying the coating. If necessary, components such as a conductive material, a binder, and a solvent may be further included.

[0190] In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, within the scope of the above description, the negative electrode active material used in the negative electrode may be any active material known in the art, without limitation, and within the scope of the above description, the method for manufacturing the negative electrode may be any method known in the art, without limitation. In one embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode may include a positive electrode current collector; and a positive electrode active material layer located on at least one surface of the positive electrode current collector and including a positive electrode active material, a binder polymer, and a conductive material.

[0191] In one embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode current collector has a thickness of, for example, 3 to 500 μm. Such a positive electrode current collector is not particularly limited as long as it is conductive and does not induce chemical changes in the battery. For example, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, calcined carbon, or aluminum or stainless steel whose surface is treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver, or the like may be used. The electrode current collector may have fine irregularities on its surface to enhance the adhesive strength of the positive electrode active material, and may be in various forms such as a film, sheet, foil, net, porous material, foam, or nonwoven fabric.

[0192] In one embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode active material is a layered compound such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2), lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2), or a compound substituted with one or more transition metals; 1+x Mn 2-x Lithium manganese oxides such as LiMnO4 (where x is 0 to 0.33), LiMnO3, LiMn2O3, and LiMnO2; lithium copper oxide (Li2CuO2); vanadium oxides such as LiV3O8, LiFe3O4, V2O5, and Cu2V2O7; and the chemical formula LiNi 1-xNickel site-type lithium nickel oxide (lithiated nickel oxide) represented by MxO2 (where M=Co, Mn, Al, Cu, Fe, Mg, B, or Ga, and x=0.01 to 0.3); chemical formula: LiMn 2-x The lithium intercalation material may be a lithium manganese composite oxide represented by MxO2 (where M is Co, Ni, Fe, Cr, Zn, or Ta, and x is 0.01 to 0.1) or Li2Mn3MO8 (where M is Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn); LiMn2O4, in which part of the lithium in the chemical formula is substituted with an alkaline earth metal ion; disulfide compounds; Fe2(MoO4)3, or a composite oxide formed by a combination thereof, and the like. However, the lithium intercalation material may be a lithium manganese composite oxide represented by MxO2 (where M is Co, Ni, Fe, Cr, Zn, or Ta, and x is 0.01 to 0.1); Li2Mn3MO8 (where M is Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn); LiMn2O4, in which part of the lithium in the chemical formula is substituted with an alkaline earth metal ion; disulfide compounds; Fe2(MoO4)3; or a composite oxide formed by a combination thereof, and the like.

[0193] In one embodiment of the present invention, the conductive material is added in an amount of 1 wt % to 50 wt % based on the total weight of the mixture containing the positive electrode active material. Such a conductive material is not particularly limited as long as it has high conductivity and does not induce chemical changes in the battery. For example, graphite such as natural graphite or artificial graphite; carbon black such as carbon black, acetylene black, ketjen black, channel black, furnace black, lamp black, or summer black; conductive fiber such as carbon fiber or metal fiber; metal powder such as carbon fluoride, aluminum, or nickel powder; conductive whiskers such as zinc oxide or potassium titanate; conductive oxides such as titanium oxide; or conductive materials such as polyphenylene derivatives may be used.

[0194] In one embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode is fabricated by coating positive electrode active material particles on a positive electrode current collector and drying the coated positive electrode active material particles. If necessary, the coated positive electrode may further include components such as a conductive material, a binder, and a solvent.

[0195] In addition, in the present invention, the positive electrode active material used in manufacturing the positive electrode may be any active material known in the art, and the method for manufacturing the positive electrode may be any method known in the art, without limitation.

[0196] In one embodiment of the present invention, non-limiting examples of solvents used in the manufacture of the negative electrode or anode, i.e., electrode, include acetone, tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride, chloroform, dimethylformamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), cyclohexane, water, or a mixture thereof. Such solvents provide an appropriate level of viscosity so that a desired level of slurry coating layer can be formed on the surface of the electrode current collector.

[0197] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separator includes a porous polymer substrate and an organic / inorganic composite porous coating layer formed on at least one side of the polymer substrate, and the organic / inorganic composite porous coating layer may include a particulate binder resin and inorganic particles.

[0198] The material used for the separation membrane may be any of the materials commonly used in the art.

[0199] In addition, the description of the manufacturing apparatus for an electrode assembly according to the present invention and the configuration of the manufacturing apparatus can also be applied to the manufacturing method according to the present invention and the electrode assembly manufactured by the manufacturing method according to the present invention.

[0200] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope that does not deviate from the technical idea of ​​the present invention described in the claims.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which a plurality of first electrodes including first electrode tabs and a plurality of second electrodes including second electrode tabs are alternately arranged between separators including a folded binder layer, (a) providing the first electrode to a stack table; (b) providing the second electrode to the stack table; (c) feeding the separation membrane onto the stack table; (d) stacking the first electrodes, the separators, and the second electrodes on the stack table such that the first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separators to manufacture a stack; (e) pre-welding the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab; (f) heating the pre-welded portions of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab to heat the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively; and (g) applying heat and pressure to the laminate; A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, comprising:

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein in step (f), the first electrode and the second electrode are heated so that their temperatures satisfy the following formula 1: [Formula 1] Tg-1<T≦Tg+1 In Equation 1, Tg represents the glass transition temperature of the binder layer of the separator, and T represents the temperature of the heated first electrode or the heated second electrode.

3. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (f) comprises measuring a temperature distribution on the upper surface of the laminate; setting a heating temperature according to the measured temperature distribution; and heating the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively.

4. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein in step (f), heating is performed by connecting a hot wire probe or a hot wire gripper to the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab, respectively.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of cutting off a portion of the pre-welded portion of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab after step (g).

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (e) is performed on the stack table.

7. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising, after step (f), performing a final welding step to connect electrode leads to the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab, respectively.

8. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein steps (f) and (g) are performed sequentially, in reverse order, or simultaneously.

9. The method of manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 4 , wherein heat generated from the hot wire probe or hot wire gripper is transferred to the first electrode and the second electrode via the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab.

10. 1. An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which a plurality of first electrodes including first electrode tabs and a plurality of second electrodes including second electrode tabs are alternately arranged between separators including a folded binder layer, a stack table on which the first electrodes, the separators, and the second electrodes are stacked so as to produce a stack in which the first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separators; a separation membrane supply unit that supplies the separation membrane to the stack table; a first electrode supply unit that supplies the first electrode to the stack table; a second electrode supply unit that supplies the second electrode to the stack table; a press unit that heats and presses the laminated material stacked on the stack table; a preweld for prewelding the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab; and a heating unit that heats the pre-welded portions of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab to heat the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively; An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly, comprising:

11. 11. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the temperatures of the first electrode and the second electrode heated by the heating unit satisfy the following formula 1: [Formula 1] Tg-1<T≦Tg+1 In Equation 1, Tg represents the glass transition temperature of the binder layer of the separator, and T represents the temperature of the heated first electrode or the heated second electrode.

12. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising a heating control unit that measures a temperature distribution on the upper surface of the laminate before heating by the heating unit and sets heating temperature conditions.

13. 11. The apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 10, wherein the heating unit is a hot wire probe attached to one surface of the press unit or a separate hot wire gripper.

14. 14. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the press unit is composed of a pair of pressure blocks, and the pair of pressure blocks are moved in directions opposite to each other to apply surface pressure to the laminate stacked on the stack table.

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