Apparatus for manufacturing electrode for secondary battery

Abstract

To provide an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode for a secondary battery, in particular, an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode for a secondary battery used for manufacturing a secondary battery.SOLUTION: The apparatus for manufacturing an electrode for a secondary battery according to the present invention has an advantage in that a notching process of an electrode film for manufacturing an electrode for a secondary battery used in the manufacture of a secondary battery may be performed with high quality. In addition, according to the apparatus for manufacturing an electrode for a secondary battery of the present invention, the apparatus capable of performing the notching process on the electrode film with high quality and high productivity may be manufactured at a low cost.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing electrodes for secondary batteries, and more particularly to an apparatus for manufacturing electrodes for secondary batteries used in the manufacture of secondary batteries. [Background technology]

[0002] Secondary batteries have many advantages, including high energy density, high operating voltage, and excellent storage and life characteristics, and are widely used in a variety of portable electronic devices, including personal computers, camcorders, mobile phones, portable CD players, and PDAs, as well as in electric vehicles.

[0003] Examples of secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and lithium batteries. Lithium secondary batteries are used in many fields because they can be manufactured to have higher energy density and longer life than other types of secondary batteries.

[0004] A lithium secondary battery includes a case filled with an electrolyte and an electrode assembly housed inside the case. The electrode assembly is a stack of a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode, wound in a jelly-roll or stacked structure.

[0005] Typically, to manufacture the positive or negative electrode of a lithium secondary battery, electrode plates undergo a coating process in which positive or negative electrode material is coated on an aluminum or copper film and dried, followed by a notching process in which the portions of each electrode plate that are not coated with the positive or negative electrode material (also called uncoated portions) are removed except for portions for grounding tabs.

[0006] The notching step also includes a cutting step in which the electrode film that has been subjected to the notching step is cut into a unit cell size to provide an electrode sheet.

[0007] Although a laser is widely used for the notching process, it has problems such as the generation of pollutants or harmful substances during the laser cutting process, and also poses process management challenges in that it is difficult to synchronize the operation of the electrode sheet and the laser beam during the laser notching process.

[0008] Another method of notching involves applying pressure to an electrode sheet using a notching die. In this case, a notching die is fabricated in the shape of the electrode, and then the notching die is raised and lowered relative to the electrode sheet to apply pressure, thereby punching out the electrode. This method involves the need to fabricate a new die for each electrode size and shape, resulting in high process costs and low productivity. Furthermore, the pressure applied to the die shortens the die's lifespan, which increases the cost of fabricating a new die each time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0015647 (February 7, 2014) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and its purpose is to provide a manufacturing apparatus for electrodes for secondary batteries that has a structure that can effectively perform the notching process while extending the life of the mold. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a notching device for manufacturing secondary battery electrodes that notches an electrode film so that the electrode film can be punched out to form an electrode sheet, the notching device comprising: a first pressure roller that is formed in a cylindrical shape and rotatably mounted; a second pressure roller that is rotatably mounted and arranged parallel to the first pressure roller so as to face the first pressure roller at a distance; a first notching member that is formed in a flat shape and detachably mounted on the first pressure roller and that has a first notching portion shaped like the electrode sheet so that the electrode film passing between the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller can be pressed against the second pressure roller to notch it; and a second notching member that is formed in a flat shape and detachably mounted on the second pressure roller and that has a second notching portion formed in a shape corresponding to the first notching portion.

[0012] The present invention also provides a notching device for manufacturing secondary battery electrodes that notches an electrode film so that the electrode film can be punched out to form an electrode sheet, the notching device comprising: a first pressure roller that is formed in a cylindrical shape and rotatably mounted; a second pressure roller that is rotatably mounted and arranged parallel to the first pressure roller so as to face the first pressure roller at a distance; and a notching member that is formed in a flat plate shape and detachably mounted on the first pressure roller, and that has an electrode sheet-shaped notching portion so that the electrode film passing between the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller can be pressed against the second pressure roller to notch it. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The secondary battery electrode manufacturing apparatus of the present invention has the advantage that it can perform a high-quality notching process of an electrode film for manufacturing secondary battery electrodes used in the manufacture of secondary batteries.

[0014] Furthermore, the manufacturing apparatus for secondary battery electrodes of the present invention has the advantage that an apparatus capable of performing a notching process on an electrode film with high quality and high productivity can be manufactured at low cost. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery electrode according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the manufacturing apparatus for the secondary battery electrode shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the secondary battery electrode manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery electrode according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the manufacturing apparatus for the secondary battery electrode shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, the manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery electrode according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] First, the structure of a manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery electrode according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery electrode according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery electrode shown in FIG.

[0019] The manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery electrode according to the first embodiment comprises a first pressure roller 110, a second pressure roller 120, a first notching member 130, and a second notching member 140.

[0020] The first pressure roller 110 and the second pressure roller 120 are disposed parallel to each other and are provided close to each other. The first pressure roller 110 and the second pressure roller 120 are rotatably provided with both ends supported by a support member (not shown). The support member is configured to allow the distance between the first pressure roller 110 and the second pressure roller 120 to be adjustable, and supports the first pressure roller 110 and the second pressure roller 120.

[0021] The first pressure roller 110 includes a first roller body 111 and a first magnet portion 112. The first roller body 111 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a constant outer diameter along the longitudinal direction. The first magnet portion 112 is made of a magnetic magnet and is provided on the first roller body 111. In this embodiment, a plurality of first magnet portions 112 are provided so as to be exposed on the surface of the first roller body 111 and are distributed at regular intervals.

[0022] The second pressure roller 120 is configured in the same manner as the first pressure roller 110. The second pressure roller 120 includes a second roller body 121 and a second magnet portion 122. The second roller body 121 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a constant outer diameter along the longitudinal direction. The second magnet portion 122 is made of a magnetic magnet and is provided on the second roller body 121. In this embodiment, a plurality of second magnet portions 122 are provided so as to be exposed on the surface of the second roller body 121 and are distributed at regular intervals.

[0023] The first notching member 130 is formed in the shape of a metal plate and is detachably attached to the first pressure roller 110. In this embodiment, the first notching member 130 is attached to the first pressure roller 110 by the magnetism of the first magnet portion 112 of the first pressure roller 110. For this purpose, the first notching member 130 is formed of a ferromagnetic material that can be attached to a magnet. The first notching member 130 is also formed of an elastically bendable material so that it can be curved to fit the outer diameter of the first roller body 111. A first notching portion 131 is formed on the surface of the first notching member 130. The first notching portion 131 is formed in the shape of a blade having an electrode sheet-like pattern so that it can pressurize the electrode film S passing between the first pressure roller 110 and the second pressure roller 120 and notch it into the shape of the electrode sheet. The first notching member 130 can be manufactured by various methods. In this embodiment, the first notching member 130 is manufactured by etching the remaining portions except for the first notching portion 131 using an etching method.

[0024] The second notching member 140 is also formed in the shape of a metal flat plate and is detachably attached to the second pressure roller 120. The second notching member 140 is also detachably attached to the second pressure roller 120 by being attached by the magnetism of the second magnet portion 122 of the second pressure roller 120. The second notching member 140 is also formed of a ferromagnetic material. The second notching member 140 is also formed of an elastically bendable material so that it can be curved to fit the outer diameter of the second roller body 121 when attached. A second notching portion 141 is formed on the surface of the second notching member 140. The second notching portion 141 is formed in a shape corresponding to the first notching portion 131. Referring to FIG. 3, when the blade-shaped first notching portion 131 penetrates and notches the electrode film S, the second notching portion 141 is recessed in a shape that can accommodate the protruding portion of the first notching portion 131 at a corresponding position so that the second notching portion 141 can effectively support that portion of the electrode film S.

[0025] 2, the first pressure roller 110 and the first notching member 130 are respectively formed with guide protrusions 113 and guide grooves 133 so that the position of the first notching member 130 relative to the first pressure roller 110 can be fixed. The first pressure roller 110 is formed with four protruding guide protrusions 113 that protrude from the surface of the first roller body 111. The guide protrusions 113 are arranged at positions corresponding to the four corners of the first notching member 130. The first notching member 130 is formed with four guide grooves 133. The guide grooves 133 and 143 are respectively arranged at positions corresponding to the guide protrusions 113 of the first pressure roller 110. The guide grooves 133 and 143 are formed to penetrate the first notching member 130. With this structure, the first notching member 130 is positioned relative to the first pressure roller 110 so that the guide protrusions 113 are fitted into the guide grooves 133, thereby fixing the position of the first notching member 130 relative to the first pressure roller 110. The guide protrusions 113 and the guide grooves 133 may be formed in different positions. For example, it is also possible to configure the first notching member 130 so that the guide protrusions are formed in the first notching member 130 and the guide grooves are formed in the first pressure roller 110.

[0026] The guide protrusions 123 and guide grooves 143 having the above-described structures are also formed on the second pressure roller 120 and the second notching member 140, respectively. Using this configuration, the position of the second notching member 140 relative to the second pressure roller 120 can be easily fixed.

[0027] Hereinafter, a process of notching the electrode film S into a shape that makes it easy to cut the electrode sheet from the electrode film S using the manufacturing apparatus for secondary battery electrodes configured as described above will be described.

[0028] First, referring to FIG. 2, the first notching member 130 and the second notching member 140 are attached to the first pressure roller 110 and the second pressure roller 120, respectively. As described above, the guide protrusions 113 of the first pressure roller 110 are fitted into the guide grooves 133 of the first notching member 130, thereby enabling accurate adjustment of the position of the first notching member 130 relative to the first pressure roller 110. Furthermore, the first notching member 130 is attached by the first magnet portion 112 provided on the first pressure roller 110, thereby maintaining the first notching member 130 in close contact with the first pressure roller 110. The second notching member 140 is attached to the second pressure roller 120 in a similar manner.

[0029] When the first notching member 130 and the second notching member 140 are attached to the first pressure roller 110 and the second pressure roller 120, respectively, the first pressure roller 110 and the second pressure roller 120 are installed parallel to each other and in close proximity to each other, as shown in Fig. 1. The distance between the first pressure roller 110 and the second pressure roller 120 can be adjusted depending on the thickness of the electrode film S to be processed.

[0030] In this state, as shown in FIG. 1 , the end of the electrode film S is pressed between the first pressure roller 110 and the second pressure roller 120, and either the first pressure roller 110 or the second pressure roller 120 is rotated. For example, in the case of this embodiment, the first pressure roller 110 is rotated. The first pressure roller 110 may be rotated manually or may be rotated by being connected to a motor. Even if an external force is applied to only one of the first pressure roller 110 or the second pressure roller 120 to rotate it, the other roller will also rotate in conjunction with it due to the pressure and frictional force on the electrode film S.

[0031] In this way, while the electrode film S is sandwiched between the first pressure roller 110 and the second pressure roller 120 and moves forward, notching is performed on the electrode film S by the action of the first notching member 130 and the second notching member 140. In particular, even if the electrode film S is relatively thick, as shown in FIG. 3, the first notching portion 131 and the second notching portion 141 on both sides of the electrode film S fit together in a male-female structure, allowing notching of the electrode film S to a sufficient depth.

[0032] As described above, the manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery electrode according to this embodiment performs the notching process by applying pressure to the electrode film S using a roller structure, which has the advantage of being able to efficiently perform continuous, accurate notching on the electrode film S. In addition, the present invention has the advantage of being able to perform the electrode notching process with high productivity and quality in accordance with the characteristics of the electrode film S without damaging the electrode portion of the electrode film S by adjusting the rotation speed of the rollers or the pressure applied by the rollers.

[0033] Additionally, because the first notching member 130 and the second notching member 140 are detachably attached to the first pressure roller 110 and the second pressure roller 120, respectively, there is an advantage in that the pattern of the electrode film S to be notched can be easily changed. When notching the electrode film S for a long period of time, the first notching portion 131 and the second notching portion 141 may become worn. In this case, the manufacturing apparatus for secondary battery electrodes according to this embodiment allows the entire configuration including the first pressure roller 110 and the second pressure roller 120 to be maintained while only the first notching member 130 and the second notching member 140 are newly manufactured and replaced, thereby significantly reducing process costs. Instead of newly manufacturing and replacing roller-shaped molds, only the first notching member 130 and the second notching member 140, which are formed in a thin, flat plate shape, are separately manufactured and replaced, thereby significantly reducing mold replacement costs. As described above, the first notching member 130 and the second notching member 140 can be manufactured quickly and effectively by etching a sheet metal, and have the advantage of being able to be manufactured with precision.

[0034] Although the preferred examples of the manufacturing apparatus for secondary battery electrodes according to the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the shapes described and illustrated above.

[0035] For example, while it has been described above that the first pressure roller 110 and the first notching member 130 are respectively formed with guide protrusions 113 and guide grooves 133, and the second pressure roller 120 and the second notching member 140 are respectively formed with guide protrusions 123 and guide grooves 143, the positions of the first notching member 130 and the second notching member 140 relative to the first pressure roller 110 and the second pressure roller 120 may be fixed by methods other than these structures. For example, a structure may be used in which seating recesses are formed in the first roller body of the first pressure roller and the second roller body of the second pressure roller, respectively. In this case, the first notching member and the second notching member are fitted into the seating recesses of the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller, respectively, to fix their positions.

[0036] Additionally, while it has been described above that the first notching member 130 and the second notching member 140 are detachably attached to the first pressure roller 110 and the second pressure roller 120, respectively, using the first magnet portion 112 and the second magnet portion 122, in some cases, the first notching member and the second notching member may be detachably attached to the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller, respectively, using a structure other than such a magnet-based method. For example, the first notching member and the second notching member may be detachably attached to the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller, respectively, using a separate fastening device by a fitting method or a suction method.

[0037] Furthermore, the structures of the first notching member 130 and the second notching member 140 can be changed to various structures depending on the characteristics of the electrode film S, such as its thickness.

[0038] In some cases, it is also possible to configure and implement a secondary battery electrode manufacturing apparatus without a second notching member, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. In particular, when the thickness of the electrode film S is relatively thin, the secondary battery electrode manufacturing apparatus of the present invention can be implemented by providing a notching member 230 only on the first pressure roller 210, as shown in Figure 4.

[0039] 4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating a manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery electrode according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As described above, a notching member 230 is provided on only one of the two pressure rollers. In this embodiment, the notching member 230 is detachably provided on only the first pressure roller 210. The first pressure roller 210 includes a cylindrical first roller body 211. A magnet portion 212 is provided on the first roller body 211, and the notching member 230 is detachably provided on the first roller body 211. A guide protrusion 213 is also formed on the first roller body 211 of the first pressure roller 210, and the position of the notching member 230 relative to the first pressure roller 210 is fixed by fitting the guide protrusion 213 into the guide groove 233 of the notching member 230. A notching portion 231 is formed on the notching member 230. The second pressure roller 220 includes a cylindrical second roller body 221. As the first pressure roller 210 rotates, the notching portion 231 of the notching member 230 presses the electrode film S against the second pressure roller 220 to form a notching pattern on the electrode sheet.

[0040] As described above, the manufacturing device for a secondary battery electrode according to the second embodiment can also be modified in various ways in design, such as the detachable structure of the notching member and the structure of forming the notching portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 110, 210 First pressure roller 111, 211 First roller body 112 First magnet section 120, 220 Second pressure roller 121, 221 Second roller body 113, 123 Guide protrusions 122 Second magnet section 130 first notching member 131 First notching section 140 Second notching member 141 Second notching section 133, 143 Guide groove S electrode film 230 Notching member 231 Notching section

Claims

1. 1. A notching device for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode that notches an electrode film so as to punch out the electrode film to form an electrode sheet, a first pressure roller formed in a cylindrical shape and rotatably provided; a second pressure roller that is rotatably provided and arranged parallel to the first pressure roller so as to face the first pressure roller at a distance; a first notching member formed in a flat plate shape and detachably provided on the first pressure roller, the first notching member including a first notching portion shaped like the electrode sheet so as to press the electrode film passing between the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller against the second pressure roller and notch the electrode film; a second notching member formed in a flat plate shape and detachably attached to the second pressure roller, the second notching member having a second notching portion formed in a shape corresponding to the first notching portion.

2. the first pressure roller includes a cylindrical first roller body and a first magnet portion provided on the first roller body and having magnetism, the second pressure roller includes a cylindrical second roller body and a second magnet portion provided on the second roller body and having magnetism, the first notching member is attached to the first pressure roller by the first magnet portion of the first pressure roller, The manufacturing device for a secondary battery electrode according to claim 1 , wherein the second notching member is attached to the second pressure roller by the second magnet portion of the second pressure roller.

3. the first notching member is formed of an elastically bendable material and structure so as to be curved and attached to fit the outer diameter of the first roller body by the magnetism of the first magnet portion of the first pressure roller, 3. The manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery electrode according to claim 2, wherein the second notching member is formed of an elastically bendable material and structure so that it can be curved and attached to fit the outer diameter of the second roller body by the magnetism of the second magnet portion of the second pressure roller.

4. a protruding guide protrusion is formed on one of the first pressure roller and the first notching member so as to be able to guide the position of the first notching member attached to the first pressure roller, and a guide groove into which the guide protrusion is fitted is formed on the other; 3. The manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery electrode according to claim 2, wherein a separate protruding guide protrusion is formed on one of the second pressure roller and the second notching member, and a separate guide groove into which the guide protrusion is fitted is formed on the other, so as to be able to guide the position of the second notching member attached to the second pressure roller.

5. a seating recess formed in the first roller body of the first pressure roller and a seating recess formed in the second roller body of the second pressure roller, respectively; 2. The manufacturing device for a secondary battery electrode according to claim 1, wherein the first notching member and the second notching member are fitted into the seating recesses of the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller, respectively, and their positions are fixed.

6. 1. A notching device for manufacturing a secondary battery electrode that notches an electrode film so as to punch out the electrode film to form an electrode sheet, a first pressure roller formed in a cylindrical shape and rotatably installed; a second pressure roller that is rotatably provided and arranged parallel to the first pressure roller so as to face the first pressure roller at a distance; a notching member formed in a flat plate shape and detachably attached to the first pressure roller, the notching member having an electrode sheet-like notching portion so that the electrode film passing between the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller can be pressed against the second pressure roller to notch the electrode film.

7. the first pressure roller includes a cylindrical roller body and a magnet portion provided on the roller body and having magnetic properties, The manufacturing device for a secondary battery electrode according to claim 6 , wherein the notching member is attached to the first pressure roller by the magnet portion of the first pressure roller.

8. 8. The manufacturing apparatus for a secondary battery electrode according to claim 7, wherein the notching member is formed of a material and structure that is elastically bendable so that it can be curved and attached to fit the outer diameter of the roller body by the magnetism of the magnet portion of the first pressure roller.

9. 8. The manufacturing apparatus for electrodes for secondary batteries according to claim 7, wherein a protruding guide protrusion is formed on one of the first pressure roller and the notching member, and a guide groove into which the guide protrusion is fitted is formed on the other, so that the position of the notching member attached to the first pressure roller can be guided relative to the first pressure roller.

10. the first pressure roller further includes a cylindrical roller body and a seating recess recessed in the roller body, 7. The manufacturing device for a secondary battery electrode according to claim 6, wherein the notching member is fitted into the seating recess of the first pressure roller to fix its position.

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