Jig and electrode manufacturing system including same

The jig addresses issues of space, damage, and cutting quality in electrode manufacturing by supporting electrodes with specific parts and managing foreign matter, enhancing cutting precision and efficiency.

JP2025541564APending Publication Date: 2025-12-19LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
View PDF 2 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2025536371
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-12-19
Filing Date
2023-12-20
Publication Date
2025-12-19

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing electrode manufacturing processes face issues such as excessive equipment space requirements, equipment damage from laser irradiation, incomplete cutting, electrode vibrations, and scattering of foreign matter during laser cutting, which affect cutting quality and efficiency.

Method used

A jig is designed to support electrodes with coated and uncoated portions, featuring a first support part for uncoated regions with a laser receiving part and a second support part with rollers, along with suction and blower units to manage foreign matter, preventing vibrations and scattering.

Benefits of technology

The jig minimizes electrode vibrations, prevents equipment damage, ensures complete cutting, and controls foreign matter scattering, optimizing the cutting process and maintaining equipment integrity.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 2025541564000001_ABST
    Figure 2025541564000001_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

A jig according to one embodiment of the present invention is a jig that is moved along a first direction and configured to support an electrode including a coated portion coated with an electrode active material and an uncoated portion not coated with the electrode active material, the jig including: a first support part configured to support a region of the electrode corresponding to the uncoated portion, the first support part including a laser receiving part formed at a position corresponding to a region where a laser is irradiated to cut the uncoated portion; and a second support part including at least one support roller configured to support a region of the electrode corresponding to the coated portion.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a jig and an electrode manufacturing system including the same.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0179670 filed on December 20, 2022 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0186390 filed on December 19, 2023, and the contents disclosed in the specifications and drawings of those applications are incorporated herein in their entirety. [Background technology]

[0003] A process of partially cutting an electrode may be applied to manufacture an electrode assembly for use in a secondary battery. For example, laser cutting may be applied as a cutting method. A large-sized raw electrode sheet may be cut to produce a plurality of unit electrodes, or a desired shape may be formed by partially cutting specific positions of the electrode.

[0004] As such, as equipment for laser cutting the electrodes, for example, drum type equipment or flying type equipment can be applied.

[0005] Referring to Figure 1, a drum-type laser cutting system is shown. This type of drum-type system has the advantages of enabling stable cutting and minimizing vibrations of the electrode during movement, since the drum directly supports the area of ​​the electrode where the laser is irradiated. However, this type of system requires a relatively large space for the drum, and the laser is irradiated on the area directly supported by the drum, which can result in incomplete cutting and can damage the drum.

[0006] Referring to FIG. 2, a flying-type apparatus for laser cutting is shown. The use of such flying-type apparatus has the advantage of being less space-constrained than drum-type apparatus, and is more likely to completely cut the electrode by laser irradiation. However, when using such apparatus, the electrode may vibrate significantly during movement. Such electrode vibrations can make it difficult to adjust the focal length during laser irradiation, which can result in a deterioration in the quality of the manufactured electrode.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to develop a jig that can minimize the vibrations that occur when the electrode travels as described above during electrode processing, prevent the space occupied by the equipment from becoming excessively large, prevent damage to the equipment due to laser irradiation, and prevent incomplete cutting due to laser irradiation. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to minimize the vibrations that occur during electrode travel when machining an electrode.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to prevent the space occupied by the equipment from becoming excessively large.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to prevent damage to equipment caused by laser irradiation.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to prevent incomplete cutting by laser irradiation.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to prevent damage to the electrodes while they are traveling.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to prevent damage to equipment caused by friction of the electrodes during travel.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to prevent problems caused by foreign matter, which is generated when cutting the non-coated portion by laser irradiation, scattering into the surrounding area.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to prevent vibrations from occurring in the electrodes during the process of absorbing foreign matter generated when cutting the uncoated portion by laser irradiation.

[0016] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a jig that is moved along a first direction and configured to support an electrode including a coated portion coated with an electrode active material and an uncoated portion not coated with the electrode active material, the jig including: a first support part configured to support a region of the electrode corresponding to the uncoated portion, the first support part including a laser receiving part formed at a position corresponding to a region where a laser is irradiated to cut the uncoated portion; and a second support part including at least one support roller configured to support a region of the electrode corresponding to the coated portion.

[0018] The laser receiving portion may be a hole penetrating the first support portion or a groove formed to a predetermined depth in the first support portion.

[0019] A plurality of the support rollers may be provided.

[0020] The multiple support rollers may be arranged so that an imaginary curved surface extending tangent to each of the outer peripheral surfaces of the multiple support rollers has substantially the same curvature as one surface of the first support portion facing the non-coated portion.

[0021] The imaginary curved surface may be located substantially flush with one surface of the first support portion facing the uncoated portion.

[0022] The jig may include a suction portion configured to suck in foreign matter generated by laser cutting the uncoated portion through the first support portion.

[0023] The suction portion may be provided on the outside of the first support portion along a direction from the second support portion toward the first support portion.

[0024] The suction portion may be configured to suck the foreign matter in a direction from the second support portion toward the first support portion.

[0025] The first support portion may include a foreign matter discharge portion communicating with the laser housing portion.

[0026] The suction section may be configured to suck air into the foreign object discharge section.

[0027] The jig may include a scattering blocking portion configured to prevent foreign matter generated by laser cutting the uncoated portion passing through the first support portion from scattering onto the coated portion.

[0028] The scattering blocking portion may be disposed in a boundary region between the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion, and may be spaced apart from the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion to maintain a predetermined distance from the electrode.

[0029] The jig may include a blower unit configured to prevent foreign matter generated by laser cutting the uncoated portion passing through the first support portion from scattering toward the second support portion.

[0030]

[0033] The electrode manufacturing system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the jig according to an embodiment of the present invention and a laser irradiation device provided at a position corresponding to the laser receiving part.

[0031] The laser irradiation device may be configured to partially cut the uncoated portion to form a repeating notch pattern in the uncoated portion along the first direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0032] According to one aspect of the present invention, when machining an electrode, it is possible to minimize the vibrations that occur during electrode travel as described above.

[0033] According to another aspect of the present invention, the space occupied by the equipment can be prevented from becoming excessively large.

[0034] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, damage to equipment caused by laser irradiation can be prevented.

[0035] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent incomplete cutting by laser irradiation.

[0036] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, damage to equipment caused by friction caused by the electrodes during travel can be prevented.

[0037] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, problems caused by foreign matter generated when cutting the uncoated portion by laser irradiation scattering into the surrounding area can be prevented.

[0038] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, vibration of the electrode can be prevented during the process of sucking in foreign matter generated when cutting the uncoated portion by laser irradiation.

[0039] However, the advantageous effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other advantageous effects of the present invention not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention.

[0040] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further understand the technical concept of the present invention, so the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the matters described in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0041] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conventional equipment, which is a schematic diagram of a drum-type equipment for performing laser cutting. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conventional equipment, which is a schematic diagram of a flying type equipment for performing laser cutting. [Figure 3] 1 is a conceptual diagram of a jig according to the present invention; [Figure 4] 1A and 1B show electrodes cut by the jig and electrode manufacturing system of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a jig of the present invention. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the jig of FIG. 5 taken along the line XX', illustrating a step of irradiating a laser onto an electrode supported by the jig of the present invention to partially cut it. FIG. [Figure 7] 6 is a diagram showing a jig to which a laser storage unit having a different structure compared to the jig shown in FIG. 5 is applied. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a view of the jig and electrodes of the present invention as seen from below the jig. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a view of the jig and electrodes of the present invention as seen from below the jig. [Figure 10] 4A and 4B are diagrams showing support rollers constituting the second support portion of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a structure in which a plurality of support rollers constituting the second support portion of the present invention are arranged. [Figure 12] 10 is a diagram for explaining the curvature of an extension line along the arrangement direction of a plurality of support rollers. FIG. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a structure capable of preventing problems caused by scattering of foreign matter when cutting an uncoated portion. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a structure capable of preventing problems caused by scattering of foreign matter when cutting an uncoated portion. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a structure capable of preventing problems caused by scattering of foreign matter when cutting an uncoated portion. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a structure capable of preventing problems caused by scattering of foreign matter when cutting an uncoated portion. [Figure 17] 1 is a diagram conceptually illustrating an electrode manufacturing system of the present invention. [Figure 18] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of the operation of the laser irradiation device of the present invention for forming a cutting line on an electrode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical ideas of the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best explain the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiment described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical ideas of the present invention, and therefore, various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0043] A jig 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram of the jig of the present invention, Figure 4 is a diagram showing the jig of the present invention and an electrode cut by the electrode manufacturing system, and Figure 5 is a plan view showing the jig of the present invention.

[0044] 3 to 5, a jig 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to support an electrode E transported along a first direction (a direction parallel to the X-axis). At least one guide roller R may be provided along the transport direction of the electrode E to ensure stable transport of the electrode E. Such a guide roller R may guide the transport of the electrode E. The guide roller R may be a drive roller connected to a drive device and configured to be rotatable.

[0045] The jig 1 may be configured to support an electrode E including a coated portion C coated with an electrode active material and an uncoated portion NC not coated with an electrode active material. The jig 1 may include a first support portion 10 and a second support portion 20.

[0046] The first support portion 10 may be configured to support a region of the electrode E that corresponds to the non-coating portion NC. The first support portion 10 may extend a predetermined length from one side end of the second support portion 20 along a second direction (a direction parallel to the Y-axis) that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction (a direction parallel to the X-axis).

[0047] The extension length D1 of the first support member 10 in the second direction (see FIG. 8 ) may be equal to or longer than the distance from the boundary between the uncoated portion NC and the coated portion C to the end of the uncoated portion NC before laser cutting. That is, the extension width (extension length parallel to the Y-axis) of the first support member 10 may be equal to or longer than the height (extension length in the Y-axis direction) of the uncoated portion NC of the electrode E before cutting. This allows the first support member 10 to stably support the entire uncoated portion NC when the electrode E is transported. However, the first support member 10 of the present invention is not limited to supporting only the uncoated portion NC. That is, the first support member 10 of the present invention may be configured to support a portion of the coated portion C in addition to the uncoated portion NC.

[0048] The second support member 20 may be configured to support a region of the electrode E corresponding to the coated portion C. The extension length of the second support member 20 along the second direction (a direction parallel to the Y-axis) may be equal to or longer than the distance from the boundary between the non-coated portion NC and the coated portion C to the end of the coated portion C. That is, the extension width (length extending in a direction parallel to the Y-axis) of the second support member 20 may be equal to or longer than the height (extension length in the Y-axis direction) of the coated portion C of the electrode E. This allows the second support member 20 to stably support the coated portion C as a whole when the electrode E is transported. However, the second support member 20 of the present invention is not limited to supporting only the coated portion C. That is, the second support member 20 of the present invention may be configured to support a portion of the non-coated portion NC in addition to the coated portion C.

[0049] The first support part 10 may include a laser receiving part 11 formed at a position corresponding to an area where a laser L for cutting the non-coated part NC is irradiated. The electrode E supported by the jig 1 of the present invention may be, for example, a double-sided coated electrode in which both sides of an electrode current collector are coated with an electrode active material.

[0050] As described above, the jig 1 of the present invention includes the laser receiving portion 11, which allows the laser L to penetrate the uncoated portion NC and ensure reliable cutting when the laser L is irradiated onto the uncoated portion NC to cut it into a desired pattern. If the laser receiving portion 11 were not provided, the side of the electrode E opposite to the side irradiated with the laser L would be supported by the jig 1, preventing the laser L from penetrating the electrode E and resulting in incomplete cutting.

[0051] According to another aspect of the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the surface of the jig 1 from being damaged by the laser L that penetrates the uncoated portion NC, thereby extending the service life of the equipment and preventing damage to the electrode E that passes through the surface of the damaged jig 1. Meanwhile, in the present invention, the target of laser cutting is not limited to the uncoated portion NC. That is, in the present invention, the target of laser cutting may include not only the uncoated portion NC but also a part of the coated portion C.

[0052] Next, the shape of the laser receiving portion 11 of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 5, Fig. 6, and Fig. 7. Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the process of irradiating a laser on an electrode supported by the jig of the present invention to perform partial cutting, and is a cross-sectional view of the jig of Fig. 5 taken along X-X'. Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a jig employing a laser receiving portion having a different structure compared to the jig shown in Fig. 5.

[0053] First, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the laser receiving part 11 may be a hole penetrating the first support part 10, or may be a groove formed in the first support part 10 to a predetermined depth.

[0054] If the laser receiving portion 11 is a hole, the jig 1 will not be damaged by the irradiated laser L. If the laser receiving portion 11 is a groove, the irradiated laser L may damage the inner surface of the groove. However, even in this case, there is no risk of the electrode E being damaged because the electrode E and the damaged portion of the jig 1 do not come into contact with each other when the electrode E is transferred.

[0055] 7, the laser receiving part 11 may have a notched shape extending inward from the outer end of the first support part 10 in the width direction (direction parallel to the Y-axis). This notch shape of the laser receiving part 11 is applicable to both cases where the laser receiving part 11 is a groove and where it is a hole.

[0056] 3 to 6, one surface of the jig 1 facing the electrode E may be configured to have a predetermined curvature along a direction parallel to the first direction, which is the direction of movement of the electrode E. The first support portion 10 and the second support portion 20 may have approximately the same curvature.

[0057] When one surface of the jig 1 has a curvature like this, the electrode E is likely to adhere to one surface of the jig 1 as it passes through the jig 1. During the process of cutting the non-coated portion NC by irradiating the laser L, if the electrode E is not in close contact with the jig 1, it may be difficult to accurately irradiate the laser L at the desired position. In particular, if wrinkles occur in the electrode E, the laser L may not be able to focus properly, which may result in a decrease in cutting quality.

[0058] The radius of curvature of the surface of the jig 1 facing the electrode E may be approximately 200 mm or more. If the radius of curvature is too small, the focal length of the laser L varies greatly depending on the cutting position when cutting the non-coated portion NC by irradiating the laser L, which may result in variations in cutting quality. Conversely, if the radius of curvature is too large, the electrode E may not adhere properly to the surface of the jig 1, which may cause vibration during the transfer process.

[0059] As described above, when the surface of the jig 1 is configured to have a curvature, the laser receiving portion 11 may be formed at the highest position along the height direction (direction parallel to the Z-axis) of the jig 1. Meanwhile, while FIG. 3 of the present invention illustrates a case in which the guide rollers R that guide the movement of the electrode E are located below the electrode E, the present invention is not limited thereto. The guide rollers R may be disposed above the electrode E on one and the other sides of the jig 1 along the movement direction (direction parallel to the X-axis) of the electrode E. In this case, the guide rollers R may be located below the highest position along the height direction (direction parallel to the Z-axis) of the jig 1. In this case, tension is generated in the electrode E by the guide rollers R, which allows the electrode E to easily adhere to the jig 1 at the position where the laser receiving portion 11 is formed.

[0060] Although not shown, a coating layer may be formed on one surface of the jig 1 of the present invention that faces the electrode E. The coating layer may be configured to have wear resistance and / or friction-reducing properties. The surface of the jig 1 of the present invention may be damaged by repeated friction with the electrode E that occurs during the transfer of the electrode E. In another aspect, the coating portion C of the electrode E may be damaged, such as by the electrode active material being peeled off, due to the frictional force that occurs during the transfer of the electrode E.

[0061] When a coating layer having wear resistance and / or friction reducing properties is at least partially formed on the surface of the jig 1, damage to the electrode E and / or the jig 1 due to such friction can be minimized.

[0062] Next, the relationship between the extension width D1 of the first support portion 10, the height D2 of the non-coated portion NC after laser cutting, the extension width D3 of the laser receiving portion 11, and the depth D4 of the notch in the non-coated portion NC after laser cutting will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Figures 8 and 9 are views showing the jig and electrode of the present invention as viewed from below the jig.

[0063] 8 and 9, the extension width D1 of the first support part 10 can be determined by taking into consideration the overall height (length extending in a direction parallel to the Y-axis) of the uncoated portion NC before laser cutting and the height D2 (length extending in a direction parallel to the Y-axis) of the uncoated portion NC after laser cutting. As described above, the extension width D1 of the first support part 10 can be formed to be approximately the same as or longer than the overall height of the uncoated portion NC before laser cutting, taking into consideration the running safety of the electrode E.

[0064] Meanwhile, the extension width D3 (length extending in a direction parallel to the Y-axis direction) of the laser receiving portion 11 can be determined in consideration of the depth D4 of the notch in the non-coating portion NC obtained by laser cutting. Because the electrode E moves only in the first direction (direction parallel to the X-axis), the extension width D3 of the laser receiving portion 11 can be formed to be greater than the depth of the notch in the non-coating portion NC obtained by laser cutting. If this condition is met, the process of cutting the non-coating portion NC through the laser receiving portion 11 into a desired pattern can be performed smoothly.

[0065] Next, the structure of the second support part 20 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 10 to Fig. 12. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a support roller constituting the second support part of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a structure in which a plurality of support rollers constituting the second support part of the present invention are arranged. Fig. 12 is a diagram for explaining the curvature of an extension line along the arrangement direction of a plurality of support rollers.

[0066] 10 to 12, along with Figures 4 and 9, the second support portion 20 of the present invention may include at least one support roller 21. The support roller 21 may be configured to support an area of ​​the electrode E corresponding to the coating portion C. The support roller 21 may be configured to have a radius of curvature of, for example, about 60 mm or more.

[0067] When the second support part 20 includes the support roller 21, the coated portion C of the electrode E passing through the jig 1 can be prevented from being damaged by friction. To smoothly cut the uncoated portion NC passing through the first support part 10, the first support part 10 needs to be configured to closely adhere to the uncoated portion NC in the remaining area, excluding the area where the laser receiving part 11 is formed. Furthermore, the area of ​​the electrode E where the uncoated portion NC is formed is made of metal foil and therefore closely adheres to the first support part 10, making it less susceptible to damage even when a certain amount of friction acts on it. However, the area where the coated portion C is formed is at greater risk of damage to the electrode active material when friction acts on it. Therefore, it may be more important for the second support part 20 to reduce the frictional force with the electrode E passing through the second support part 20 than to increase adhesion with the electrode E.

[0068] When the second support part 20 of the present invention includes a support roller 21 and is configured to minimize the frictional force applied to the coating part C as it passes through the support roller 21 by rolling, the risk of damage to the coating part C can be significantly reduced.

[0069] In the past, to reduce the risk of damage to the coating portion C, a floating method was sometimes used in which the electrode E was made to float by air blowing in the area supporting the coating portion C. However, this air flow method had a problem in that the air holes could become clogged with foreign matter as the equipment was used for a long time. When the air holes become clogged with foreign matter, the risk of damage to the coating portion passing through the jig can increase. However, this problem can be solved by configuring the second support portion 20 to reduce friction with the coating portion C by a rolling method, as in the present invention.

[0070] A plurality of support rollers 21 of the present invention may be provided. When a plurality of support rollers 21 are provided in this manner, the plurality of support rollers 21 may be arranged so that an imaginary curved surface ES extending so as to be tangent to the outer circumferential surfaces of the plurality of support rollers 21 has substantially the same curvature as one surface of the first support part 10 facing the non-coating part NC. In other aspects, the imaginary curved surface ES may be positioned substantially flush with the one surface of the first support part 10 facing the non-coating part NC. The plurality of support rollers 21 may be arranged, for example, so that the radius of curvature of the imaginary curved surface ES is approximately 200 mm or more.

[0071] When the multiple support rollers 21 are arranged in this manner so that the virtual curved surface ES has substantially the same curvature as the curvature of one surface of the first support part 10, the running direction of the coated part C passing through the second support part 20 and the running direction of the non-coated part NC passing through the first support part 10 become aligned, thereby preventing the electrode E from meandering when it runs and / or the electrode E from wrinkling.

[0072] On the other hand, the support rollers 21 may be connected to a drive device and configured to actively rotate in accordance with the transport speed of the electrode E. Alternatively, the support rollers 21 may be configured to passively rotate by the movement of the electrode E without being actively rotated by a separate drive device.

[0073] Next, with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16, a description will be given of a case where the jig 1 of the present invention has a structure capable of preventing problems caused by scattering of foreign matter that occurs when cutting the non-coated portion NC.

[0074] 13 to 16 are diagrams showing a structure that can prevent problems caused by scattering of foreign matter that occurs when cutting the non-coated portion.

[0075] 13 to 16, the jig 1 may include a foreign object discharge unit 12. In another aspect, the jig 1 may include a suction unit 30 and / or a blower unit 40 and / or a splash blocking unit 50.

[0076] In the jig 1, the suction unit 30 may be configured to suck in foreign matter generated by laser cutting the uncoated portion NC passing through the first support unit 10. The suction unit 30 may be provided on the outside of the first support unit 10 in a direction from the second support unit 20 toward the first support unit 10. The suction unit 30 may be configured to suck in foreign matter in a direction from the second support unit 20 toward the first support unit 10. The suction unit 30 may be configured to suck in foreign matter to the side of the area where laser cutting is performed, rather than below the area where laser cutting is performed. In this way, when the jig 1 of the present invention is provided with the suction unit 30, foreign matter generated during laser cutting is removed by the suction pressure of the suction unit 30, thereby eliminating the risk of foreign matter scattering into the area where the coated portion C is formed and causing problems, for example. When the suction by the suction part 30 is performed from the side instead of from below, suction pressure is applied to the electrode E passing over the first support part 10, thereby minimizing the occurrence of vibration when the electrode E moves.

[0077] The foreign object discharge unit 12 may be configured to communicate with the laser housing unit 11. When the foreign object discharge unit 12 and the suction unit 30 are both provided, the suction unit 30 may be configured to suck air from within the foreign object discharge unit 12. When the suction unit 30 is configured in this manner, foreign objects may be sucked from the laser housing unit 11 and the foreign object discharge unit 12 when the suction unit 30 sucks air. Meanwhile, the foreign object discharge unit 12 may have a shape that is open to the side of the first support unit 10 so that the suction pressure from the suction unit 30 acts laterally.

[0078] The blower unit 40 may be configured to prevent foreign matter generated by laser cutting the uncoated portion NC passing through the first support unit 10 from scattering toward the second support unit 20. The blower unit 40 may be disposed above the second support unit 20. The blower unit 40 may be configured to blow air from the second support unit 20 toward the first support unit 10. When the jig 1 of the present invention includes the blower unit 40, it is possible to prevent foreign matter generated during laser cutting from accumulating around the laser accommodation unit 11 and also to prevent the foreign matter from scattering toward the uncoated portion NC.

[0079] The splash blocking unit 50 may be configured to prevent foreign matter generated by laser cutting the non-coated portion NC passing through the first support unit 10 from scattering toward the coated portion C. The splash blocking unit 50 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the boundary region between the first support unit 10 and the second support unit 20. The splash blocking unit 50 may be positioned spaced apart upward from the first support unit 10 and the second support unit 20 to maintain a distance from the electrode E. When the splash blocking unit 50 is positioned spaced apart upward from the first support unit 10 and the second support unit 20 in this manner and the jig 1 of the present invention includes the blower unit 40, blow pressure can be transmitted to foreign matter generated during laser cutting.

[0080] Next, the electrode manufacturing system of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 17 and 18. Figure 17 is a conceptual diagram of the electrode manufacturing system of the present invention, and Figure 18 is a diagram showing the operation of the laser irradiation device of the present invention for forming a cutting line on an electrode.

[0081] 17, an electrode manufacturing system 3 of the present invention may include the jig 1 of the present invention as described above, and a laser irradiation device 2 provided at a position corresponding to the laser receiving portion 11 formed in the jig 1. The electrode manufacturing system 3 may include guide rollers R for stable transport of the electrode E transported along a first direction (a direction parallel to the X-axis). The guide rollers R may be configured to simply guide the transport of the electrode E, or to provide power for transporting the electrode E.

[0082] Referring to Figures 17 and 18, the laser irradiation device 2 can be configured to partially cut the uncoated portion NC of the electrode E to repeatedly form a notch pattern in the uncoated portion NC along a first direction (a direction parallel to the X-axis).

[0083] For example, when the electrode E is moved in the direction A, the laser irradiation point of the laser irradiation device 2 may move in the order of paths L1, L2, L3, and L4, repeatedly tracing an approximately ribbon shape. Movement along path L1 may be in the same direction as the direction A. Movement along path L2 may be in the opposite direction to the direction A and toward the second support part 20. Movement along path L3 may be in the same direction as the direction A. The movement distance along path L3 may be shorter than the movement distance along path L1. Movement along path L4 may be in the opposite direction to the direction A and away from the second support part 20. The movement distance along path L4 may be substantially the same as the movement distance along path L2.

[0084] The laser irradiation point of the laser irradiation device 2 moves along these paths L1, L2, L3, and L4 in this order, so that a cutting line CL having a specific pattern can be formed on the electrode E moving along direction A. A first cutting line C1 can be formed along path L1 of movement of the laser irradiation point. A second cutting line C2 can be formed along path L2 of movement of the laser irradiation point. A third cutting line C3 can be formed along path L3 of movement of the laser irradiation point. A fourth cutting line C4 can be formed along path L4 of movement of the laser irradiation point. Cut segments CS formed by these cutting lines CL can be removed, for example, by a separately provided suction device.

[0085] When the traveling speed of the electrode E along direction A is faster than the speed at which the irradiation point of the laser irradiation device 2 moves, the cutting of the uncoated portion NC by the movement of the laser irradiation point can form approximately rectangular uncoated portion segment pieces with a longer bottom edge and a shorter top edge.

[0086] However, the above-described traveling direction and speed of the electrode E and the moving direction and speed of the laser irradiation point are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0087] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is of course possible for a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains to make various modifications and variations within the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] A Electrode travel (transport) direction C Coating section CL cutting line CS cut segment C1 First Cutting Line C2 Second Cutting Line C3 3rd cutting line C4 4th cutting line D1 Extension width of the first support D2 Height of uncoated area after laser cutting D3 Laser housing extension width D4 Laser-cut notch depth in uncoated area E-electrode ES Virtual Surface IS Insulation L Laser L1, L2, L3, L4 Laser irradiation device laser irradiation point movement path NC Uncoated part R roller 1 jig 2. Laser irradiation device 3. Electrode manufacturing system 10 First support part 11 Laser housing 12 Foreign matter discharge section 20 Second support part 21 Support roller 30 Intake section 40 Blower section 50 Scattering blocking section

Claims

1. A jig configured to support an electrode that is moved along a first direction and includes a coated portion coated with an electrode active material and an uncoated portion not coated with the electrode active material, a first support portion configured to support a region of the electrode corresponding to the non-coated portion, the first support portion including a laser receiving portion formed at a position corresponding to a region where a laser for cutting the non-coated portion is irradiated; a second support portion including at least one support roller configured to support the electrode in an area corresponding to the coating portion.

2. The laser housing unit includes: The jig according to claim 1 , wherein the first support is a hole penetrating the first support or a groove formed to a predetermined depth in the first support.

3. 3. The jig according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the support rollers are provided.

4. The plurality of support rollers include: The jig according to claim 3, characterized in that imaginary curved surfaces extending tangent to the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of support rollers are arranged to have substantially the same curvature as one surface of the first support portion facing the uncoated portion.

5. The jig according to claim 4 , wherein the imaginary curved surface is positioned substantially flush with one surface of the first support portion facing the uncoated portion.

6. The jig is The jig according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a suction portion that sucks in foreign matter generated by laser cutting the uncoated portion that passes through the first support portion.

7. The suction portion is The jig according to claim 6 , wherein the jig is provided outside the first support portion in a direction from the second support portion toward the first support portion.

8. The jig according to claim 7 , wherein the suction portion is configured to suck the foreign matter in a direction from the second support portion toward the first support portion.

9. The jig according to claim 6 , wherein the first support portion includes a foreign matter discharge portion communicating with the laser housing portion.

10. The jig according to claim 9 , wherein the suction section is configured to suck air from the foreign object discharge section.

11. The jig is 3. The jig according to claim 1, further comprising a scattering blocking portion that prevents foreign matter generated by laser cutting the uncoated portion passing through the first support portion from scattering onto the coated portion.

12. 12. The jig of claim 11, wherein the scattering blocking portion is disposed in a boundary region between the first support portion and the second support portion, and is spaced apart from the first support portion and the second support portion to maintain a constant distance from the electrode.

13. The jig is 3. The jig according to claim 1, further comprising a blower configured to prevent foreign matter generated by laser cutting the uncoated portion passing through the first support portion from scattering toward the second support portion.

14. The jig according to claim 1 or 2; a laser irradiation device provided at a position corresponding to the laser accommodating section.

15. The laser irradiation device The electrode manufacturing system of claim 14 , configured to partially cut the uncoated portion to form a repeating notch pattern in the uncoated portion along the first direction.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Drum Type Pattern Jig for Laser Notching Process of Electrode Film for Secondary Battery, And Laser Notching System Having the Pattern Jig

    KR102158708B1

  • KR20210001077A