Secondary battery sealing device and method for manufacturing secondary battery using the sealing device

Abstract

A sealing device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a support portion provided to support an open side portion of a secondary battery having an electrode assembly housed in a case facing upward, a sealing tool including a vertically extending rotation shaft and a rotor provided rotatably about the rotation shaft, and positioned on at least one side of the open side portion.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0052883, filed on April 21, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the documents of this Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a secondary battery sealing device and a method for manufacturing a secondary battery using the sealing device. [Background technology]

[0003] In order to prevent environmental pollution and develop alternative energy sources in response to the depletion of petroleum resources, research and development into power generation based on eco-friendly energy sources is underway. In particular, research into secondary batteries is actively underway, and various aspects of secondary battery materials, structures, processes, and stability are being studied.

[0004] In order to improve the structural stability of secondary batteries, research and development has been steadily conducted on structures and processes for sealing secondary batteries.

[0005] A sealing device may be used in the process of sealing the secondary battery. The sealing device may be a device that applies pressure and heat using a predetermined mold, and may be provided with a pair of sealing tools that can seal the area to be sealed.

[0006] According to conventional techniques, when a predetermined mold is used, it may be necessary to change it depending on the type, specification, and size of the secondary battery, and in the case of a large secondary battery for high capacity, it may be difficult to perform effective sealing with a mold of a limited size. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a sealing device for a secondary battery that can effectively and adaptively seal secondary batteries of different sizes, and a method for manufacturing a secondary battery using the sealing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A sealing device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a support portion provided to support an open side portion of a secondary battery having an electrode assembly housed in a case facing upward, a vertically extending rotation shaft, and a rotor provided rotatably about the rotation shaft, and may include a sealing tool located on at least one side of the open side portion.

[0009] A method for manufacturing a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a supporting step in which an open side portion of a secondary battery having an electrode assembly built into a case faces upward relative to the ground using a support, a moving step in which the support portion is moved in a predetermined direction to move the secondary battery in the predetermined direction, and a sealing step in which the side portion is sealed using a rotor disposed on both sides of the side portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, adaptive sealing can be performed for secondary batteries of different sizes.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, since a separate mold change is not required during the sealing process, process efficiency can be improved.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, uniform sealing quality can be obtained.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the structural stability of the secondary battery can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a sealing portion of the secondary battery. [Figure 2] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a rotating body according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily understand the preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the following embodiments.

[0016] In order to clearly explain the present invention, detailed descriptions of parts that are not relevant to the explanation or of related known technologies that may obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted, and in this specification, when adding reference numbers to components in each drawing, the same or similar reference numbers will be used for the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0017] Furthermore, the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted in a way that is limited to their ordinary and dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a way that is consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself / herself can appropriately define the concept of a term in order to explain the invention in the best possible way.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a sealing portion of a secondary battery.

[0019] The secondary battery 1 may include an electrode assembly 10. The electrode assembly 10 may have a structure in which positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately stacked with a separator sandwiched therebetween.

[0020] The secondary battery 1 may include an electrode lead 20. The electrode lead 20 may be connected to the electrode assembly 10 and may extend to electrically connect the electrode assembly 10 to the outside. For example, the electrode lead 20 may extend from the electrode assembly 10 to protrude to the outside of a case 30, which will be described later.

[0021] The secondary battery 1 may include a case 30. The case 30 may house the electrode assembly 10 therein. A portion of the electrode lead 20 may be located inside the case 30, and another portion may protrude outside the case 30.

[0022] The case 30 may be sealed after the electrode assembly 10 is installed. For example, the case 30 may include one side portion 31 and another side portion 32. The other side portion 32 may be located on the opposite side of the one side portion 31 with respect to the electrode assembly 10.

[0023] The one side portion 31 may be an open portion where sealing is performed, and the other side portion 32 may be a closed portion, but is not limited thereto.

[0024] An electrolyte may be built into the secondary battery 1. For example, the case 30 may contain both the electrode assembly 10 and the electrolyte.

[0025] The secondary battery 1 may include a sealing portion 40. The sealing portion 40 may be a portion sealed using a sealing device described below. In the secondary battery 1, a portion outside the sealing portion 40 may be removed after the sealing step, but is not limited thereto.

[0026] 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The explanations regarding the above-mentioned embodiments may be applied in the same or similar manner to this embodiment.

[0027] The sealing device may include a support 100 .

[0028] The support 100 may be provided to support the open side 31 of the secondary battery 1 having the electrode assembly 10 housed in the case 30, with the open side 31 facing upward. By the support 100 supporting the side 31, the electrolyte solution housed in the secondary battery 1 may not leak.

[0029] The support unit 100 may be a gripper that is provided so as to be movable in the up and down direction relative to the one side portion 31. An end of the gripper that grips the one side portion 31 may be in surface contact with the one side portion 31. By having the gripper in surface contact with the one side portion 31, the support unit 100 can stably support the one side portion 31 while preventing damage to the one side portion 31.

[0030] The sealing device may include a sealing tool. The sealing tool may be located on at least one side of the one side portion 31. The sealing tool may be provided to apply pressure and heat to the one side portion 31 on both sides of the one side portion 31.

[0031] The sealing tool may include a rotation axis. The rotation axis may extend vertically. For example, the rotation axis may extend a predetermined length in a direction perpendicular to the ground.

[0032] The sealing tool may include a rotating body, and the rotating body may be rotatable about a rotation axis.

[0033] The sealing tool will be described in more detail below.

[0034] The sealing tools may include a first sealing tool 110 and a second sealing tool 120 .

[0035] The first sealing tool 110 may include a first rotation shaft 111 extending vertically on one side of the one side portion 31 , and a first rotating body 112 arranged to rotate about the first rotation shaft 111 .

[0036] The second sealing tool 120 may include a second rotation shaft 121 extending vertically on the other side of the one side portion 31 , and a second rotating body 122 arranged to rotate about the second rotation shaft 121 .

[0037] The first rotating body 112 and the second rotating body 122 may seal the one side portion 31 along the longitudinal direction of the one side portion 31 through rotation. For example, the first rotating body 112 and the second rotating body 122 may seal the one side portion 31 by applying heat and / or pressure. The first rotating body 112 and the second rotating body 122 may form the sealing portion 40 through sealing.

[0038] The distance between the first rotating shaft 111 and the second rotating shaft 121 can be adjusted. By adjusting the distance between the first rotating shaft 111 and the second rotating shaft 121, the intensity of heating and / or pressure can be adjusted.

[0039] The first rotating shaft 111 and the second rotating shaft 121 can have different sealing strengths along the longitudinal direction of one side portion 31 by adjusting the distance between them. For example, the sealing strength can be increased by narrowing the distance between the first rotating shaft 111 and the second rotating shaft 121, and the sealing strength can be decreased by widening the distance between the first rotating shaft 111 and the second rotating shaft 121. The sealing strength along the longitudinal direction of one side portion 31 can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the first rotating shaft 111 and the second rotating shaft 121.

[0040] The heights of the first and second rotating bodies 112 and 122 may be adjustable. For example, the heights of the first and second rotating bodies 112 and 122 may be adjustable along the first and second rotation axes 111 and 121, respectively. By adjusting the heights of the first and second rotating bodies 112 and 122, the height of the sealing portion 40 formed on one side portion 31 can be adjusted.

[0041] The sealing device may include a moving unit 101. The moving unit 101 may be configured to move the support unit 100 in a predetermined direction. For example, the moving unit 101 may move the support unit 100 so that the support path along which the support unit 100 moves does not interfere with the first sealing tool 110 and the second sealing tool 120.

[0042] When the sealing device is equipped with a first rotating body 112 and a second rotating body 122 and performs sealing by rotation with one side portion 31 of the secondary battery 1 facing upward, sealing can be adaptively performed for secondary batteries of different sizes without wetting the electrolyte.

[0043] In addition, since the first and second rotating bodies 112 and 122 perform sealing through rotation, there is no need to change molds during the sealing process, which improves process efficiency and allows for uniform sealing quality.

[0044] When uniform sealing quality is achieved for the secondary battery 1, the structural stability of the secondary battery can be improved.

[0045] The sealing device may further include a trailer. For example, the trailer may be installed to support and move one side portion 32 installed on the opposite side of one side portion 31 with respect to the electrode assembly 10. In other words, for stable movement of the secondary battery 1, the one side portion 31 may be supported by the support portion 100, and the other side portion 32 may be supported by the trailer.

[0046] 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The explanations regarding the above-mentioned embodiments may be applied in the same or similar manner to this embodiment.

[0047] The sealing device may include a plurality of support portions. For example, the sealing device may include a first support portion 100-1 and a second support portion 100-2. The first support portion 100-1 and the second support portion 100-2 may each be in the shape of a gripper. In other words, the sealing device may include a plurality of gripper-shaped support portions 100-1, 100-2 along one side portion 31.

[0048] Although the above description has been given with reference to two support parts, the present invention is not limited to this. If the sealing device is provided with a plurality of support parts, one side part 31 of the secondary battery 1 can be more stably supported.

[0049] The secondary battery 1 can be manufactured by a manufacturing method including a sealing step using the above-mentioned sealing device.

[0050] The method for manufacturing a secondary battery may include a supporting step, which may be a step of supporting one open side portion 31 of the secondary battery 1, in which the electrode assembly 10 is housed in the case 30, using a support 100 so that the one open side portion 31 faces upward relative to the ground.

[0051] The method for manufacturing a secondary battery may include a moving step, which may be a step of moving the supporting part 100 in a predetermined direction to move the secondary battery 1 in the predetermined direction.

[0052] The method for manufacturing a secondary battery may include a sealing step, which may be a step of sealing one side portion 31 using a first rotating body 112 and a second rotating body 122 disposed on both sides of the one side portion 31.

[0053] The sealing step may include a non-uniform sealing process, which may be a process in which portions with different sealing strengths are formed along the longitudinal direction of one side portion 31 by adjusting the distance between the first rotating body 112 and the second rotating body 122.

[0054] The sealing step may include a process of selectively transferring heat and pressure to the first rotating body 112 and the second rotating body 122 to seal them. For example, the sealing portion 40 may be formed by transferring heat and pressure to only a portion of the first rotating body 112 and the second rotating body 122.

[0055] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing a rotor according to an embodiment of the present invention. The description of the above embodiment may be applied in the same or similar manner to this embodiment. FIGS. 4(a) to 4(e) may show side cross-sectional views of the first rotor 112 and the second rotor 122. The direction of the rotation axis may be formed in the vertical direction of the first rotor 112 and the second rotor 122 in FIGS. 4(a) to 4(e).

[0056] 4(a) to 4(c), the outer circumferential surfaces of the first rotor 112 and the second rotor 122 may be formed flat in the direction of the rotation axis. For example, the first rotor 112 and the second rotor 122 may press one side portion 31 so that flat surfaces (pressing surfaces) face each other when pressing the side portion 31.

[0057] 4(b), the outer circumferential surfaces of the first rotor 112 and the second rotor 122 may include rounded portions having rounded edges. For example, the rounded portions of the first rotor 112 and the second rotor 122 may be formed on the edges of the pressing surfaces.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 4(c), the outer circumferential surfaces of the first rotor 112 and the second rotor 122 may include inclined portions inclined with respect to the direction of the rotation axis.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 4(d), the outer circumferential surfaces of the first rotor 112 and the second rotor 122 may be formed in an inclined shape.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 4(e), the upper ends of the outer circumferential surfaces of the first rotor 112 and the second rotor 122 may be flat, and the remaining portions may be inclined.

[0061] The pressure application surfaces on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first rotor 112 and the second rotor 122 described above are merely examples, and are not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0062] When the one side portion 31 is pressed with a flat pressing surface, the pressed area of ​​the one side portion 31 can be effectively pressed with a predetermined pressure intensity.

[0063] When one side portion 31 is pressed with a pressing surface including an inclined shape, the sealing strength for a specific area can be increased, and the internal material (e.g., electrolyte) or foreign matter during sealing can be prevented from moving upward.

[0064] When the pressing surface includes a rounded shape, it is possible to prevent the surface of one side portion 31 from being damaged.

[0065] The pressure surfaces of the outer circumferential surfaces of the first rotating body 112 and the second rotating body 122 may be variously embodied depending on the sealing strength, sealing area, and characteristics of the secondary battery 1 .

[0066] 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The explanations regarding the above-mentioned embodiments may be applied in the same or similar manner to this embodiment.

[0067] The first rotating body 112a and the second rotating body 122a may be cylindrical with different heights. For example, the first rotating body 112a may be cylindrical with a first height (h1). The second rotating body 122a may be cylindrical with a second height (h2) that is smaller than the first height (h1).

[0068] The height of the second rotating body 122a may be adjusted. For example, the position where the second rotating body 122a faces the first rotating body 112a may be changed by adjusting the height of the second rotating body 122a along the second rotating shaft 121a. In this case, the position where the sealing portion 40 is formed may be adjusted.

[0069] The sealing strength of the sealing portion 40 can be adjusted by adjusting the separation distance (L1) between the first rotating body 112a and the second rotating body 122a.

[0070] 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The explanations regarding the above-mentioned embodiments may be applied in the same or similar manner to this embodiment.

[0071] The second rotating body 122b may include a plurality of rotating units. For example, the second rotating body 122b may include a plurality of rotating units 122-1b and 122-2b arranged along the second rotating shaft 121b. The plurality of rotating units may include an upper rotating unit 122-1b and a lower rotating unit 122-2b.

[0072] The first rotating body 112b may be cylindrical with a first height (h1). The upper rotating unit 122-1b may have a height of h21, and the lower rotating unit 122-2b may have a height of h22.

[0073] The sum of the height (h21) of the upper rotation unit 122-1b and the height (h22) of the lower rotation unit 122-2b may be smaller than the first height (h1), but is not limited to this.

[0074] If the sum of the height (h21) of the upper rotation unit 122-1b and the height (h22) of the lower rotation unit 122-2b is smaller than the first height (h1), the rotation units 122-1b and 122-2b can move along the second rotation shaft 121b within the range of the first height (h1) of the first rotor 112b. In this case, the degree of freedom in the formation range of the sealing portion 40 can be improved.

[0075] Heat and pressure may be transferred to only some of the rotation units 122-1b and 122-2b to form the sealing portion 40. In this case, the degree of freedom in the area in which the sealing portion 40 is formed may be improved.

[0076] There may be no particular limit on the number of multiple rotating units.

[0077] 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The explanations regarding the above-mentioned embodiments may be applied in the same or similar manner to this embodiment.

[0078] The first rotating body 112c may include a plurality of rotating units. For example, the first rotating body 112c may include a first rotating unit 112-1c and a second rotating unit 112-2c along the first rotating axis 111c.

[0079] The second rotating body 122c may include a plurality of rotating units, for example, the second rotating body 122c may include a third rotating unit 122-1c and a fourth rotating unit 122-2c along the second rotating shaft 121c.

[0080] Heat and pressure may be transferred to some of the rotation units, for example, the first rotation unit 112-1c, the second rotation unit 112-2c, the third rotation unit 122-1c, and the fourth rotation unit 122-2c, to form the sealing portion 40c.

[0081] Some of the rotating units to which heat and pressure are not transferred may also serve to support one side portion 31c, for example, some of the rotating units to which heat and pressure are not transferred may function as transport rollers.

[0082] 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a sealing device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The explanations regarding the above-mentioned embodiments may be applied in the same or similar manner to this embodiment.

[0083] The support portion 100d may include an adsorbent. For example, the support portion 100d may include an adsorbent attached to both sides of one side portion 31d. The adsorbents are attached to both sides of one side portion 31d and can support one side portion 31d.

[0084] When the support part 100d moves while supporting one side part 31d, the support part 100d may not interfere with the first rotating shaft 111d, the first rotating body 112d, the second rotating shaft 121d, and the second rotating body 122d on the path.

[0085] When the support portion 100d includes a suction device, it can have the effect of stably supporting the one side portion 31d.

[0086] Although the present invention has been described above using limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various implementations are possible within the technical spirit of the present invention and the scope of the claims set forth below by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1 Secondary battery 10, 10c, 10d electrode assembly 20, 20c, 20d electrode leads 30, 30c, 30d cases 31, 31c, 31d One side 32, 32c, 32d and other side parts 40, 40c, 40d sealing part 100, 100d support part 100-1 1st support part 100-2 Second support part 101 Mobile Division 110, 110a, 110b First sealing tool 111, 111a, 111b, 111c, 111d First rotation axis 112, 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d First rotating body 112-1c 1st rotating unit 112-2c Second rotating unit 120, 120a, 120b Second sealing tool 121, 121a, 121b, 121c, 121d Second rotation axis 122, 122a, 122b, 122c, 122d Second rotating body 122-1b Upper Rotating Unit 122-2b Lower Rotating Unit 122-1c 3rd rotating unit 122-2c 4th rotation unit

Claims

1. a support portion provided to support an open side portion of the secondary battery having the electrode assembly housed in the case, the open side portion facing upward; A sealing device comprising: a vertically extending rotation shaft; and a sealing tool including a rotating body rotatably mounted on the rotation shaft and positioned on at least one side of the one side portion.

2. The sealing tool comprises: a first sealing tool including a first rotation axis extending vertically at one side of the one side portion and a first rotating body arranged to rotate about the first rotation axis; 2. The sealing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second rotation axis extending vertically on the other side of the one side portion; and a second sealing tool provided with a second rotating body arranged to rotate about the second rotation axis.

3. The first rotating body and the second rotating body are The sealing device according to claim 2 , wherein the sealing device seals the one side portion along the longitudinal direction of the one side portion via rotation.

4. The first rotation axis and the second rotation axis are The sealing device according to claim 2 , wherein the mutual distance is adjusted so that portions with different sealing strengths are formed along the longitudinal direction of the one side portion.

5. The outer circumferential surface of the rotating body is The sealing device according to claim 1 , wherein the sealing device is formed flat relative to the direction of the axis of rotation.

6. The outer circumferential surface of the rotating body is The sealing device according to claim 5, comprising a rounded portion having a rounded periphery.

7. The outer circumferential surface of the rotating body is The sealing device according to claim 5 , further comprising an inclined portion inclined relative to the direction of the rotation axis.

8. The first rotating body and the second rotating body are 3. The sealing device of claim 2, wherein the height is adjustable.

9. The first rotating body and the second rotating body are 3. The sealing device of claim 2, wherein the sealing device is cylindrical with varying heights.

10. The first rotating body is a cylindrical shape of a first height; The second rotating body is The sealing device according to claim 9, comprising a plurality of cylindrical rotary units each having a second height smaller than the first height and arranged along the second rotary axis.

11. The sealing device according to claim 10 , wherein heat and pressure are transferred to some of the rotating units.

12. The support portion is 2. The sealing device according to claim 1, wherein the gripper is provided so as to be movable in the up and down direction relative to the one side portion.

13. The gripper is The sealing device of claim 12, wherein a plurality of sealing devices are provided along the one side portion.

14. The sealing device according to claim 12, wherein an end of the gripper that grips the one side portion and the one side portion are in surface contact with each other.

15. The support portion is The sealing device according to claim 1 , further comprising suction devices that are attached to both sides of the one side portion to support the one side portion.

16. The sealing device according to claim 1 , further comprising a moving part configured to move the support part in a predetermined direction.

17. A support path along which the support unit moves via the moving unit is 17. The sealing device of claim 16, configured to not interfere with the sealing tool.

18. 18. The sealing device according to claim 1, further comprising a trailer configured to support and move another side portion provided on the opposite side of the one side portion relative to the electrode assembly.

19. a supporting step in which an open side portion of the secondary battery having the electrode assembly housed in the case faces upward relative to the ground and is supported by a support; a moving step of moving the support in a predetermined direction to move the secondary battery in the predetermined direction; and sealing the one side portion using rotating bodies disposed on both sides of the one side portion.

20. The sealing step includes: The method of claim 19, further comprising a non-uniform sealing process in which a portion having different sealing strength along a longitudinal direction of the one side portion is formed by adjusting a distance between the rotating bodies.

21. The sealing step includes: The method for manufacturing a secondary battery according to claim 19 or 20, further comprising the step of selectively transferring heat and pressure to the rotating body to seal it.

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