Electrode processing equipment

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrode processing device, and provides an electrode processing device including an electrode cutting unit including a first cutter that cuts an electrode, and a deburring unit including a second cutter that cuts off burrs protruding from the cut surface of the electrode in the cutting direction of the first cutter.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0099241, filed on July 28, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrode processing device, and more particularly to an electrode processing device capable of cutting an electrode and removing burrs generated from the electrode when the electrode is cut. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries are highly applicable to a wide variety of products and have electrical properties with high energy density. They are used not only in portable electronic devices but also in electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles powered by electrical sources, power storage devices, etc. Secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source that is environmentally friendly and improves energy efficiency because they produce no by-products due to energy consumption, in addition to their primary advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels.

[0004] The electrode assembly included in the secondary battery includes a separator and an electrode, and depending on the manufacturing method of the electrode assembly, it can be classified into a jelly-roll type in which a separator is interposed between a sheet-like positive electrode and a negative electrode coated with an electrode active material and wound up, a stack type in which multiple positive electrodes and negative electrodes are stacked in order with a separator interposed therebetween, and a stack / folding type in which a stack type unit cell is wound up on a long separating film.

[0005] The manufacturing process of a jelly roll-type electrode assembly requires a process of cutting electrodes to be included in the electrode assembly to the desired length. Cutting an uncoated portion of an electrode, which is not coated with an electrode active material, does not result in the problem of burrs forming on the cut surface. However, cutting a coated portion, which is coated with an electrode active material, can result in burrs protruding from the electrode active material along the cutting direction on the cut surface. The burrs generated by cutting the coated portion of an electrode can cause damage to the separator, such as by compressing the adjacent separator in an electrode assembly manufactured by winding the electrode and separator. Therefore, there is a need to develop a technology to solve these problems. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrode processing device that can remove burrs generated from the cut surface when cutting the ground portion of an electrode, which is the area coated with an electrode active material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] As a first embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides an electrode processing device including: an electrode cutting unit including a first cutter that cuts an electrode; and a deburring unit including a second cutter that cuts off burrs protruding from the cut surface of the electrode in the cutting direction of the first cutter.

[0008] The electrode cutting unit may further include a pair of first holders coupled to both sides of the first cutter, and a first support unit having a first guide rail formed thereon to guide the first holders.

[0009] Also, the second cutter may be driven in a direction intersecting a direction in which the first cutter cuts the electrode.

[0010] The second cutter may be driven in a direction aligned with the direction in which the electrodes are arranged.

[0011] The deburring unit may further include a pair of second holders coupled to both sides of the second cutter, and a second support unit having a second guide rail formed thereon to guide the second holders.

[0012] The second cutter may protrude from the second holder in a direction in which the second cutter cuts off the burr.

[0013] Also, the end of the second cutter may be disposed closer to the electrode than the second holder.

[0014] The second cutter may be disposed next to the electrode, and the surface facing the electrode may be flat.

[0015] The second cutter may include a first part coupled to the second holder, a second part having one end connected to the first part and forming a predetermined angle with respect to the first part in a direction approaching the electrode, and a third part having one end connected to the second part and arranged alongside the electrode.

[0016] The third portion may have a flat surface facing the electrode and the other end extending linearly along the length direction.

[0017] In addition, a guard groove recessed along the length direction is formed on one surface of the first cutter, and the second cutter can be driven so that an end portion thereof is inserted into the guard groove.

[0018] The deburring unit may be driven by cutting the electrode.

[0019] Also, the first cutter may be fixed in position for a predetermined time after cutting the electrode.

[0020] In addition, the second cutter is driven to move toward one side surface of the first cutter whose position is fixed, and can cut off the burrs located on one side surface of the first cutter.

[0021] Furthermore, the second cutter can cut off the burr by coming into contact with one side surface of the first cutter located forward in the moving direction of the second cutter.

[0022] The cutting device may further include a pressurizing unit that pressurizes the electrode from which the burr has been cut.

[0023] The electrode assembly may further include a winding unit for winding the compressed electrode together with the separator.

[0024] Furthermore, the winding section can wind the electrode so that the area where the burr has been cut faces outward.

[0025] As a second embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides an electrode assembly in which at least one of an electrode and a separator is stacked and wound, the electrode including a current collector and an electrode active material coated on an inner surface and an outer surface of the current collector, and the electrode active material located on the outer surface of an end of the electrode has a higher density than an adjacent region. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] The present invention can manufacture an electrode having a flat surface by removing burrs protruding from the cut surface along the cutting direction when cutting the ground region of the electrode, which is the region coated with the electrode active material, and can manufacture an electrode assembly with reduced risk of damage to the separator.

[0027] Furthermore, by cutting the electrode so that the landed portions are located at both ends of the electrode, the proportion of the total area of ​​the electrode occupied by the landed portions that generate electrical energy can be maximized, allowing for the production of a secondary battery with increased electrical energy capacity for the same volume. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 3A to 3C are cross-sectional views sequentially showing the process of machining an electrode by the electrode cutting device of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the shapes of an electrode and an electrode cutting device in a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a shape in which a second cutter moves to cut burrs after a first cutter cuts an electrode in a method for driving an electrode cutting device of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the shape of the second cutter coming into contact with the first cutter to cut off the burr in the method for driving the electrode cutting device of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a shape in which the first cutter returns to its original position after the second cutter cuts off the burr in the method for driving the electrode cutting device of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a shape in which the second cutter returns to its original position after cutting off the burr in the method for driving the electrode cutting device of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area "A" in FIG. 4. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the shapes of a first cutter and a first holder according to the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the shape of a first embodiment of a second cutter of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the shape of a second embodiment of the second cutter of the present invention. [Figure 11] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the shape of an electrode processed by an electrode cutting section and a deburring section when the electrode is inserted into a pressure section. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0030] In order to clearly explain the present invention, detailed descriptions of parts that are not relevant to the explanation or related known technologies that may obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted, and in this specification, when adding reference symbols to components in each drawing, the same or similar reference symbols will be used throughout the specification to refer to the same or similar components.

[0031] Furthermore, the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted in a limited way 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 an inventor can appropriately define the concept of a term in order to best explain his or her invention.

[0032] First embodiment Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, an electrode processing device 10 of the present invention can include an electrode cutting unit 200 and a deburring unit 300.

[0033] The electrode processing apparatus 10 of the present invention can be an apparatus for cutting an electrode 100 and processing both ends of the cut electrode 100 to be flat.

[0034] The electrode cutting unit 200 can cut the electrode 100. More specifically, it can cut the region of the electrode 100 coated with the electrode active material 120 from the region of the electrode 100 where the electrode active material 120 is coated on the current collector 110. The electrode 100 can include a landed region, which is a region where the electrode active material 120 is coated on one or both sides of the current collector 110, and a plain region, which is a region where the electrode active material 120 is not coated. The electrode cutting unit 200 can be provided to cut the landed region, which is a region where the electrode active material 120 is coated, from the plain and landed regions of the electrode 100. By cutting the landed region with the electrode cutting unit 200, both ends of the electrode 100 can be formed as landed regions. By forming the ends of the electrode 100 as landed regions rather than plain regions, the proportion of the landed region capable of generating electrical energy can be maximized relative to the total area of ​​the electrode 100. This allows a secondary battery to have a larger electrical energy capacity for the same volume.

[0035] The electrode cutting unit 200 may include a first cutter 210 that cuts the electrode 100. The first cutter 210 may be driven to move in a direction closer to the electrode 100 or in a direction farther away from the electrode 100. The first cutter 210 may cut the electrode 100 by moving in a direction closer to the electrode 100. The first cutter 210 may be located above or below the electrode 100. The first cutter 210 may be driven to move back and forth in a direction closer to the electrode 100 or in a direction farther away from the electrode 100 so as to repeatedly cut the electrode 100.

[0036] The first cutter 210 may be at a predetermined angle to one surface of the electrode 100 .

[0037] 2, in one embodiment, the first cutter 210 may be disposed in a direction perpendicular to one surface of the electrode 100 so that the end where the blade is formed faces the one surface of the electrode 100. Because the first cutter 210 is driven to move along the direction perpendicular to the one surface of the electrode 100, the first cutter 210 can cut the land region of the electrode 100 so that the cutting surface of the electrode 100 is perpendicular to the one surface of the electrode 100. The end of the first cutter 210 may extend linearly along the length direction.

[0038] In another embodiment, the first cutter 210 may be disposed in a diagonal direction on one surface of the electrode 100. The first cutter 210 may be driven along a diagonal direction on one surface of the electrode 100, and an inclined surface may be formed on one surface of the electrode 100 at a cut surface of the electrode 100 cut by the first cutter 210.

[0039] The electrode cutting unit 200 may further include a pair of a first holder 211 and a first support 230 .

[0040] 8, the pair of first holders 211 may be respectively coupled to one side and the other side of the length direction of the first cutter 210. The length direction of the first cutter 210 may be a direction forming the longest length of the first cutter 210, and may be a direction in which the blade located at the end of the first cutter 210 is formed along one direction.

[0041] The pair of first holders 211 can have one end connected to the first cutter 210 and the other end protruding outward beyond the first cutter 210 along the length direction of the first cutter 210 .

[0042] The first cutter 210 can be coupled such that the end facing the electrode 100 protrudes beyond the first holder 211 along the width direction of the first cutter 210. The width direction of the first cutter 210 is a direction perpendicular to the length direction and thickness direction, and may refer to the direction in which the first cutter 210 cuts the electrode 100.

[0043] The other end of the first holder 211 is positioned on a first guide rail 231 formed on the first support part 230 , and the first holder 211 can be guided along the first guide rail 231 .

[0044] A pair of first support portions 230 may be provided, and the pair of first support portions 230 may be spaced apart by a predetermined distance so that the first cutter 210 is disposed therebetween.

[0045] The first support portion 230 may be disposed such that its length direction is aligned with the direction in which the first cutter 210 cuts the electrode 100 .

[0046] The first support portion 230 may be formed with a first guide rail 231 along the length direction of the first support portion 230 .

[0047] The first guide rail 231 may be formed on the surfaces of the pair of first support parts 230 facing each other.

[0048] The first guide rail 231 may be recessed to a predetermined depth along the length of the first support portion 230 on the surfaces of the pair of first support portions 230 facing each other.

[0049] The other end of the first holder 211 is inserted into the first guide rail 231, and the first holder 211 can be guided along the length direction of the first guide rail 231. Since the pair of first holders 211 are coupled to both sides of the first cutter 210, the first holders 211 are guided by the first guide rail 231, and thus the first cutter 210 can be guided together with the first holders 211.

[0050] The first cutter 210 is guided by the first holder 211 and can move closer to or farther from the electrode 100. The first cutter 210 can cut the electrode 100 by moving closer to the electrode 100.

[0051] The deburring unit 300 may be provided to cut off burrs 130 protruding from the cut surface of the electrode 100 cut by the first cutter 210 in the cutting direction of the first cutter 210.

[0052] As the first cutter 210 cuts the ground portion of the electrode 100, the electrode active material 120 coated on one or both sides of the current collector 110 is cut by the first cutter 210. As the first cutter 210 moves while cutting the electrode 100, the edge of the electrode active material 120 located at the cut surface may protrude in the cutting direction of the first cutter 210. The electrode active material 120 protruding in the cutting direction may form burrs 130. Due to their protruding shape, the burrs 130 may apply pressure to and damage the separators 600 and 610 that contact the burrs 130 in the electrode assembly. Damage to the separators 600 and 610 may electrically connect electrodes 100 of different polarities, resulting in an electrical short circuit.

[0053] The deburring section may include second cutters 310 and 320 that cut off burrs 130 protruding from the cut surface of the electrode 100 .

[0054] The second cutters 310 and 320 can be driven to move in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first cutter 210 cuts the electrode 100 so as to cut off the burrs 130 protruding from the electrode 100 .

[0055] The second cutters 310, 320 can be driven to move along a direction aligned with the direction in which the electrode 100 is arranged, and by moving the second cutters 310, 320 so as to come close to the burr 130, the burr 130 protruding from the electrode 100 can be cut off.

[0056] The second cutters 310 and 320 may be disposed above or below the electrode 100 depending on the direction in which the first cutter 210 cuts the electrode 100. In one embodiment, when the first cutter 210 is positioned above the electrode 100 and cuts the electrode 100 by moving from the top to the bottom of the electrode 100, the second cutters 310 and 320 may be disposed below the electrode 100. In another embodiment, when the first cutter 210 is positioned below the electrode 100 and cuts the electrode 100 by moving from the bottom to the top of the electrode 100, the second cutters 310 and 320 may be disposed above the electrode 100.

[0057] When the first cutter 210 cuts the land area of ​​the electrode 100 , burrs 130 may protrude from the cut surface of the electrode active material 120 along the cutting direction of the first cutter 210 .

[0058] 3 to 6, after cutting the electrode 100, the first cutter 210 is fixed in position for a predetermined time with one side adjacent to the cut surface of the electrode 100. At this time, a burr 130 protruding from the electrode 100 may be located on one side of the first cutter 210. The second cutters 310 and 320 are driven to move toward the fixed side of the first cutter 210 and cut off the burr 130 located on one side of the first cutter 210. The second cutters 310 and 320 come into contact with or collide with the side of the first cutter 210 located ahead in the movement direction of the second cutters 310 and 320, thereby reliably cutting and removing the burr 130. After the burr 130 is cut off, the first cutter 210 and the second cutters 310 and 320 may return to their positions before cutting the electrode 100 and the burr 130.

[0059] 4, 7, and 8, the second cutters 310, 320 can cut off protruding burrs 130 by contacting or colliding with one side of the first cutter 210 at their bladed ends. The second cutters 310, 320 can be configured to reciprocate to continuously and repeatedly cut off each burr 130 formed on the electrode 100 cut by the electrode cutting unit 200. As the second cutters 310, 320 continuously and repeatedly cut off the burrs 130, they repeatedly come into contact with or collide with one side of the first cutter 210, which can easily damage the ends of the second cutters 310, 320 that come into contact with the first cutter 210. Therefore, the first cutter 210 can be formed with a guard groove 212 to prevent damage due to collision.

[0060] The guard groove 212 may be a recessed groove extending along the length of one side of the first cutter 210 so that the ends of the second cutters 310 and 320 can be inserted therein. After the second cutters 310 and 320 cut the burrs 130, the ends of the second cutters 310 and 320 are inserted into the guard groove 212, thereby preventing damage due to contact or collision with the first cutter 210.

[0061] The deburring unit 300 may further include a pair of a second holder 311 and a second support unit 330 .

[0062] The pair of second holders 311 may be spaced apart by a predetermined distance so as to be coupled to one side and the other side of the length direction of the second cutters 310 and 320. The length direction of the second cutters 310 and 320 may be a direction in which the second cutters 310 and 320 have the longest length, and may be a direction in which the blades located at the ends of the second cutters 310 and 320 are formed in one direction.

[0063] The pair of second holders 311 have one end connected to the second cutters 310, 320, and the other end protruding outward beyond the second cutters 310, 320 along the length direction of the second cutters 310, 320.

[0064] The other end of the second holder 311 is positioned on the second guide rail 331 of the second support part 330, and the second holder 311 may be guided along the length direction of the second guide rail 331. As the second holder 311 is guided along the length direction of the second guide rail 331, the second cutters 310 and 320 coupled to the second holder 311 may also be guided together with the second holder 311 in the direction in which the second guide rail 331 is formed.

[0065] The second support portion 330 can support the second cutters 310, 320 and the pair of second holders 311 so that the second cutters 310, 320 and the pair of second holders 311 move in a direction parallel to the arrangement direction of the electrodes 100.

[0066] A pair of second support portions 330 may be provided, and the pair of second support portions 330 may be spaced apart by a predetermined distance so that the second cutters 310 and 320 are disposed between them along the length direction. The pair of second support portions 330 may be disposed so that their opposing surfaces are aligned, and the distance between them along the length direction may be maintained constant.

[0067] The second support part 330 can be arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the second support part 330 is aligned with the direction in which the second cutters 310, 320 move to cut the burr 130, and the second support part 330 can be arranged so that it is parallel to the direction in which the electrode 100 is arranged on the electrode processing device 10.

[0068] The second support portion 330 may have a second guide rail 331 formed along the length direction of the second support portion 330. The second guide rail 331 may be formed parallel to the direction in which the electrodes 100 are arranged. The pair of second support portions 330 may have a second guide rail 331 formed on each of their opposing surfaces.

[0069] The second guide rail 331 may be recessed to a predetermined depth on the outer surface of the second support part 330 along the length of the second support part 330 .

[0070] The other end of the second holder 311 is inserted into the second guide rail 331, and the second holder 311 can be guided along the length direction of the second guide rail 331. Since the pair of second holders 311 are coupled to both sides of the second cutters 310 and 320, the second holders 311 are guided by the second guide rail 331, and the second cutters 310 and 320 can be guided together with the second holder 311. The second cutters 310 and 320 can move along the arrangement direction of the electrode 100 by being guided together with the second holder 311.

[0071] The second cutters 310, 320 are guided by the second holder 311 and can move closer to or farther from the burr 130 protruding from the electrode 100. The second cutters 310, 320 can cut the electrode 100 by moving closer to the burr 130.

[0072] The second cutters 310, 320 may be disposed so as to further protrude from the second holder 311 in the direction in which the second cutters 310, 320 cut the burrs 130. That is, the second cutters 310, 320 may protrude beyond the second holder 311 along the width direction of the second cutters 310, 320. The width direction of the second cutters 310, 320 is a direction perpendicular to the length direction and thickness direction, and may refer to the direction in which the second cutters 310, 320 move to cut the burrs 130. The second cutters 310, 320 cut the protruding burrs 130 by contacting or colliding with one side of the first cutter 210 with their ends, and therefore the second cutters 310, 320 may be disposed so as to protrude beyond the second holder 311 so that their ends come into contact with or collide with one side of the first cutter 210.

[0073] The bladed ends of the second cutters 310 and 320 may be disposed closer to the electrode 100 than the second holder 311. The bladed ends of the second cutters 310 and 320 may be disposed as close as possible to the electrode 100 so that burrs 130 protruding from the electrode active material 120 can be removed as much as possible.

[0074] 9 , in a first embodiment of the second cutter 310, the second holder 311 is coupled to a surface facing the electrode 100, so that the second cutter 310 can be positioned closer to the electrode 100 than the second holder 311 and can cut off the burr 130 protruding from the electrode 100. The surface of the second cutter 310 facing the electrode 100 is formed flat, so that the second cutter 310 can be positioned alongside the electrode 100. The second cutter 310 can move in a direction aligned with the electrode 100 by being guided by the second holder 311. Furthermore, the second cutter 310 protrudes further than the second holder 311 in the direction in which the second cutter 310 cuts the burr 130, so that the second cutter 310 can come into contact with or collide with the first cutter 210 and cut off the burr 130. The second cutter 310 may have an end that extends linearly along the length direction so that the end contacts or collides with one side surface of the first cutter 210 to cut off the burr 130 .

[0075] Referring to FIG. 10, in a second implementation example of the second cutter 320, the second cutter 320 can include a first portion 321, a second portion 322, and a third portion 323 so that the end on which the blade is formed can be positioned further adjacent to the electrode 100.

[0076] The first part 321 may be coupled to a surface of the second holder 311 facing the electrode 100. One end of the first part 321 may be coupled to the second holder 311, and the other end may protrude from the second holder 311 in a direction in which the second cutter 320 cuts the burr 130. The first part 321 may stably support the second part 322 and the third part 323 connected to the first part 321 when the third part 323 cuts the burr 130 protruding from the electrode 100.

[0077] The second part 322 is disposed between the first part 321 and the third part 323, and one end of the second part 322 may be connected to the first part 321 and the other end of the second part 322 may be connected to the third part 323. The second part 322 may be formed to form a predetermined angle with respect to the first part 321 in a direction approaching the electrode 100 and extend toward the electrode 100. The second part 322 may be positioned as close as possible to the electrode 100 so that the third part 323, which cuts off the burrs 130, can cut off as many of the burrs 130 protruding from the electrode 100 as possible. The predetermined angle formed by the second part 322 with respect to the first part 321 may be a right angle, an acute angle, an obtuse angle, or the like, as long as the third part 323 can be close to the electrode 100.

[0078] The third part 323 may have one end connected to the second part 322 and be arranged to be aligned with the direction in which the electrode 100 is arranged. A blade is formed on the other end of the third part 323, so that the third part 323 can cut off burrs 130 protruding from the electrode 100. By being coupled to the second part 322, the surface of the third part 323 facing the electrode 100 may be arranged very close to the electrode 100, so that the burrs 130 protruding from the electrode 100 can be cut off to the maximum extent. The other end of the third part 323 may represent the end of the second cutter 320.

[0079] The third part 323 may have a flat surface facing the electrode 100, and the other end may extend linearly along the length direction so that the other end may contact or collide with one side of the first cutter 210 to cut the burr 130. The third part 323 may be arranged to be aligned with the direction in which the electrode 100 is arranged, and may be driven to move along the direction in which the electrode 100 is arranged.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 11 , the electrode processing apparatus 10 may further include a pressure unit. The pressure unit applies pressure to the electrode from which burrs have been removed by the deburring unit 300, thereby removing the protruding remnant 132 from the electrode. The pressure unit includes a pair of pressure rollers 400, which can rotate in opposite directions. The pair of pressure rollers 400 can pressurize the electrode 100 located therebetween and simultaneously move in one direction. When the electrode 100 is pressed by the pair of pressure rollers 400, the protruding remnant 132 is pressed, so that both ends of the electrode 100 where the remnant 132 was located can be formed with a higher density than the adjacent regions.

[0081] The electrode processing apparatus 10 may further include a winding unit 500 that winds up the electrode 100 pressed by the pressure roller 400 together with the separators 600, 610. The winding unit 500 may wind up at least one of the electrode 100 and the separators 600, 610. More specifically, the winding unit 500 may wind up the electrode 100, the separators 600, 610, and the other electrode 620 in a state in which the separators 600, 610 are positioned between the electrode 100 and the other electrode 620 so that the electrode 100 and the other electrode 620 do not contact each other.

[0082] Second embodiment In a second embodiment of the present invention, an electrode assembly (not shown) of the present invention may include at least one of an electrode 100 and a separator 600, 610. The electrode assembly may be in the form of a jelly roll in which the electrode 100 and the separator 600, 610 are stacked and wound up. The electrode 100 may be manufactured using an electrode processing apparatus 10, and the above description of the electrode processing apparatus 10 is incorporated by reference.

[0083] The wound electrode 100 included in the electrode assembly may include a wound current collector 110 and an electrode active material 120 coated on the inner and outer surfaces of the wound current collector 110. The electrode active material 120 located on the outer surface of the end of the electrode 100 may be formed with a higher density than adjacent regions by cutting off burrs 130 using second cutters 310 and 320 and applying pressure using a pressure roller 400.

[0084] Third embodiment Referring to Figures 1 and 3 to 6, in a third embodiment of the present invention, a method for driving an electrode processing device can include an electrode cutting step, a burr cutting step, a pressure applying step, and a winding step.

[0085] The electrode cutting step may be a step in which the first cutter 210 cuts the ground region of the electrode 100. As the first cutter 210 cuts the ground region of the electrode 100, burrs may protrude from the electrode 100 from the electrode active material 120 along the cutting direction of the first cutter 210. After cutting the electrode 100, the first cutter 210 may be fixed in position adjacent to the cut surface of the electrode 100 for a predetermined time.

[0086] The burr cutting step may be a step in which the first cutter 210 cuts the electrode 100, thereby driving the deburring unit 300. As the deburring unit 300 is driven, the second cutters 310 and 320 may be driven to move toward one side of the first cutter 210, whose position is fixed, to cut off the burr 130 generated in the electrode cutting step. The ends of the second cutters 310 and 320 may come into contact with one side of the first cutter 210, thereby cutting off the burr 130. The burr 130 may be cut by the second cutters 310 and 320 to form a separated portion 131 separated from the burr 130, and a remaining portion 132 located between the second cutters 310 and 320 and the electrode 100 and not removed by the second cutters 310 and 320. The remaining portion 132 still protrudes from the electrode 100 by a predetermined height.

[0087] The pressing step may be a step for removing the remaining portion 132 that could not be removed by the second cutter. In the pressing step, the electrode 100 may be pressed by a pair of pressure rollers 400. The pair of pressure rollers 400 rotate in opposite directions to each other, thereby moving and pressing the electrode 100 positioned between the pair of pressure rollers 400 in one direction. The pair of pressure rollers 400 press the remaining portion 132 protruding from the electrode 100, thereby forming the electrode 100 with a uniform thickness. As the remaining portion 132 is pressed by the pair of pressure rollers 400, the electrode active material 120 at both ends of the electrode 100 may have a higher density than the adjacent regions.

[0088] The winding step may be a step of winding the electrode 100 processed through the electrode cutting step, the burr cutting step, and the pressing step together with the separators 600, 610. More specifically, the winding step may be a step of forming an electrode assembly (not shown) by winding at least one of the electrode 100 processed through the electrode cutting step, the burr cutting step, and the pressing step, the plurality of separators 600, 610, and another electrode 620.

[0089] In the winding step, when the electrode 100 processed through the electrode cutting step, burr cutting step, and pressing step is wound up, it can be wound so that the area where the burr 130 has been cut from the electrode 100 faces outward. If the electrode 100 that has been through the burr cutting step and pressing step still has a remnant portion 132, by winding it so that the remnant portion 132 faces outward of the electrode assembly, it can be wound up so that the electrode 100, separators 600, 610, and other electrodes 620 positioned outside the remnant portion 132 press against the remnant portion 132.

[0090] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to 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 equivalents of the appended claims by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 10 Electrode processing equipment 100 electrodes 110 Current collector 120 Electrode active material 130 Bali 131 Separation section 132 Remainder 200 Electrode cutting section 210 First cutter 211 First Holder 212 Guard groove 230 1st support part 231 First guide rail 310, 320 Second cutter 311 Second Holder 321 Part 1 322 Part 2 323 Part 3 330 Second support part 331 Second guide rail 400 pressure roller 600, 610 separator 620 Other electrodes

Claims

1. an electrode cutting unit including a first cutter that cuts the electrode; and a deburring unit including a second cutter that cuts off burrs protruding from the cut surface of the electrode in the cutting direction of the first cutter.

2. The electrode cutting portion is a pair of first holders coupled to both sides of the first cutter; The electrode processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: a first support portion having a first guide rail formed thereon for guiding the first holder.

3. The electrode processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the second cutter is driven in a direction intersecting a direction in which the first cutter cuts the electrode.

4. The electrode processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the second cutter is driven in a direction aligned with the direction in which the electrodes are arranged.

5. The deburring unit includes: a pair of second holders coupled to both sides of the second cutter; The electrode processing apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising: a second support portion on which a second guide rail for guiding the second holder is formed.

6. The electrode processing device according to claim 5 , wherein the second cutter protrudes from the second holder in a direction in which the second cutter cuts off the burr.

7. The electrode processing device according to claim 5 , wherein an end of the second cutter is disposed closer to the electrode than the second holder.

8. The electrode processing device according to claim 7 , wherein the second cutter is arranged alongside the electrode, and a surface facing the electrode is formed flat.

9. The second cutter is a first part coupled to the second holder; a second portion having one end connected to the first portion and forming a predetermined angle with the first portion in a direction approaching the electrode; The electrode processing apparatus according to claim 7 , further comprising: a third portion having one end connected to the second portion and disposed alongside the electrode.

10. The third part comprises: The surface facing the electrode is formed flat, The electrode processing device according to claim 9 , wherein the other end extends linearly along the length direction.

11. A guard groove recessed along the length direction is formed on one surface of the first cutter, The electrode processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the second cutter is driven so that an end thereof is inserted into the guard groove.

12. The electrode processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the deburring unit is driven by cutting the electrode.

13. The electrode processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the first cutter is fixed in position for a predetermined time after cutting the electrode.

14. The second cutter is The first cutter is driven to move toward one side of the fixed first cutter, The electrode processing device according to claim 13 , wherein the burr located on one side surface of the first cutter is cut off.

15. The second cutter is The electrode processing device according to claim 14 , wherein the burr is cut off by contacting with one side surface of the first cutter located forward in the movement direction of the second cutter.

16. The electrode processing apparatus according to claim 15 , further comprising a pressure unit that applies pressure to the electrode from which the burrs have been cut off.

17. The electrode processing apparatus according to claim 16 , further comprising a winding section that winds up the pressurized electrode together with a separator.

18. The electrode processing device according to claim 17 , wherein the winding section winds up the electrode so that the region where the burr has been cut faces outward.

19. An electrode assembly in which at least one of an electrode and a separator is stacked and wound, The electrode is A current collector; an electrode active material coated on the inner and outer surfaces of the current collector; An electrode assembly, wherein the electrode active material located on the outer surface of the end of the electrode has a higher density than adjacent regions.

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