Battery Activation Device

Abstract

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a battery activation device is provided. The device includes a horizontal frame, a first clamp holder and a second clamp holder configured to move along the horizontal frame, a vertical frame positioned on the horizontal frame, a drive shaft coupled to the vertical frame, a first arm and a second arm coupled to the drive shaft, a first guide connected to the first arm, and a second guide connected to the second arm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery activation device. This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 2023 - 0046193, filed on April 7, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Background Art

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. Secondary batteries are widely used as an energy source for various wireless devices such as handsets, notebook computers, and wireless vacuum cleaners. In recent years, due to the improvement of energy density and economies of scale, the manufacturing cost per unit capacity of secondary batteries has decreased dramatically, and as the driving range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has increased to a level comparable to that of fuel vehicles, the main application of secondary batteries has shifted from mobile devices to mobility.

[0003] The manufacturing of secondary batteries includes an electrode process including mixing, coating, roll pressing, slitting, and notching processes, an assembly process of incorporating an electrode assembly into a case, and an activation process of electrically activating and stabilizing a battery cell. After the activation process, the battery cells can be stacked to form a cell stack. The cell stack can be mounted in a housing together with a module frame or directly mounted in the housing without a module frame.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the technical idea of the present invention is to provide a battery activation device with improved reliability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, a battery activation device is provided. The device includes a horizontal frame, a first clamp holder and a second clamp holder configured to move along the horizontal frame, a vertical frame positioned on the horizontal frame, a drive shaft coupled to the vertical frame, a first arm and a second arm coupled to the drive shaft, a first guide connected to the first arm, and a second guide connected to the second arm.

[0006] The first clamp holder and the second clamp holder described above are configured to secure the battery cell.

[0007] The first guide and the second guide described above are configured to secure the gas pocket of the battery cell.

[0008] The first guide described above is perpendicular to the first arm described above.

[0009] The second guide is perpendicular to the second arm.

[0010] The first arm and the second arm are configured to rotate relative to the drive shaft.

[0011] The first arm and the second arm are in contact with the first clamp holder and the second clamp holder.

[0012] The first arm and the second arm are configured to rotate by the first clamp holder and the second clamp holder.

[0013] The lengths of the first arm and the second arm described above are in the range of 100mm to 160mm.

[0014] The distance between the horizontal frame and the drive shaft is in the range of 40mm to 70mm.

[0015] The lengths of the first guide and the second guide are in the range of 50 mm to 100 mm.

[0016] The thickness of the first guide and the second guide described above are in the range of 2 mm to 3 mm.

[0017] Each of the first arm and the second arm is separated from the first clamp holder and the second clamp holder.

[0018] The drive shaft includes a shaft configured to rotate the first arm and the second arm.

[0019] According to an exemplary embodiment, a battery activation device is provided. The device includes a horizontal frame, a first clamp holder and a second clamp holder configured to move along the horizontal frame to secure battery cells, a first arm in contact with the first clamp holder, a second arm in contact with the second clamp holder, a first guide connected to the first arm, and a second guide connected to the second arm.

[0020] The first arm is configured to rotate as the first clamp holder moves.

[0021] The second arm is configured to rotate as the second clamp holder moves.

[0022] The first end of the first arm is in contact with the first clamp holder.

[0023] The second end of the first arm, opposite to the first end, is connected to the first guide. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] The battery activation device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a guide configured to flatten the gas pocket of a battery cell. Thereby, it is possible to prevent damage to the gas pocket and the battery cell during unloading of the battery cell.

[0025] The effects obtainable from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly derived and understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure belong from the following description. That is, unintended effects associated with implementing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be derived by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of a battery activation device according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a flowchart for explaining a method of manufacturing a secondary battery according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view for explaining a method of manufacturing a secondary battery according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view for explaining a method of manufacturing a secondary battery according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view of a battery activation device according to an exemplary embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before that, the terms and words used in this specification and the claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as meanings and concepts consistent with the technical idea of the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms in order to explain his own invention in the best way.

[0028] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the drawings represent only one of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the present invention; there are various equivalents and modifications that can substitute for them at the time of filing.

[0029] Furthermore, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known configuration or function would likely obscure the gist of the invention, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0030] Since embodiments of the present invention are provided to give a more complete explanation to a person of ordinary skill, the shapes and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or shown schematically for the sake of clarity. Accordingly, the sizes and proportions of each component do not fully reflect their actual sizes and proportions.

[0031] (First Embodiment) Figure 1 is a perspective view of a battery activation device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0032] Referring to Figure 1, the battery activation device 100 may include a horizontal frame 110, a first clamp holder 121, a first clamp 122, a second clamp holder 123, a second clamp 124, a vertical frame 130, a drive shaft 140, a first arm 151, a second arm 153, a first guide 161, and a second guide 163.

[0033] The battery activation device 100 may be configured to perform a battery cell formation process. Here, the battery cell formation process may include aging, charging, and discharging of the battery cells. Here, battery cell aging involves storing the battery cells at room temperature for a predetermined time (e.g., 30 minutes to 3 hours) so that the electrolyte injected in the assembly process can be properly absorbed into the positive and negative electrodes of the battery cells. Battery cell aging can evenly disperse the electrolyte inside the battery, thereby promoting the movement of ions between the positive and negative electrodes. Subsequently, repeated charging and discharging can decompose the electrolyte and form an SEI (Solid Electrolyte Interphase) film on the surface of the negative electrode. The SEI film can block electrons and allow lithium ions to pass through. The SEI film can enhance the safety of the battery cells and improve the performance and lifespan of the battery. The charged battery cells undergo secondary aging at a high temperature of 40 to 70°C, which can improve the uniformity (e.g., thickness uniformity) of the SEI film. The battery cell activation process may include degassing, which removes gases generated inside the battery during aging and charging.

[0034] The horizontal frame 110 can support other elements of the battery activation device 100. The horizontal frame 110 can be extended in the X direction.

[0035] The first clamp holder 121 and the second clamp holder 123 can be coupled to the horizontal frame 110. The first clamp holder 121 and the second clamp holder 123 can be configured to move along the horizontal frame 110 in the X direction. The first clamp holder 121 and the second clamp holder 123 can move toward each other or toward each other.

[0036] Each of the first clamp 122 and the second clamp 124 may have a plate shape. Each of the first clamp 122 and the second clamp 124 may be substantially perpendicular to the X direction. Each of the first clamp 122 and the second clamp 124 may be parallel to the Y and Z directions. The first clamp 122 and the second clamp 124 may be substantially parallel to each other.

[0037] Here, the X, Y, and Z directions may be substantially perpendicular to each other. The X and Y directions may each be substantially parallel to the ground in the space where the battery activation device 100 is installed. The Z direction may be substantially perpendicular to the ground in the space where the battery activation device 100 is installed.

[0038] The first clamp 122 can be connected to the first clamp holder 121. The second clamp 124 can be connected to the second clamp holder 123. The first clamp 122 and the second clamp 124 can be moved by the movement of the first clamp holder 121 and the second clamp holder 123. By bringing the first clamp 122 and the second clamp 124 closer together by the first clamp holder 121 and the second clamp holder 123, the first clamp 122 and the second clamp 124 can secure the battery cell BC (see Figure 4). The first clamp 122 and the second clamp 124 can secure the battery cell BC (see Figure 4) between them by pressurizing the battery cell BC (see Figure 4).

[0039] When the first clamp 122 and the second clamp 124 move toward or away from each other, the minimum and maximum distances between the first clamp 122 and the second clamp 124 may be determined by the width of the battery cell in the X direction to which it is fixed. The minimum distance between the first clamp 122 and the second clamp 124 may be less than or equal to the width of the battery cell BC (see Figure 4) in the X direction. The maximum distance between the first clamp 122 and the second clamp 124 may be in the range of approximately 35 mm to approximately 45 mm.

[0040] The vertical frame 130 may be positioned on the horizontal frame 110. The vertical frame 130 may include a support base 131 and a frame bar 133. The support base 131 may support the frame bar 133. The frame bar 133 may be connected to the support base. The frame bar 133 may have a rod shape extending along the Z direction.

[0041] The drive shaft 140 can be coupled to the frame bar 133. The drive shaft 140 can fix a portion of the first arm 151 coupled to the drive shaft 140, and a portion of the second arm 153 coupled to the drive shaft 140. According to an exemplary embodiment, the distance D1 between the horizontal frame 110 and the drive shaft 140 can be in the range of about 40 mm to about 70 mm.

[0042] The first arm 151 and the second arm 153 can be coupled to the drive shaft 140. Each of the first arm 151 and the second arm 153 can be configured to rotate about the drive shaft 140. According to an exemplary embodiment, the length L1 of each of the first arm 151 and the second arm 153 can be in the range of about 100 mm to about 160 mm.

[0043] According to an exemplary embodiment, the first arm 151 may be configured to rotate by the movement of the first clamp holder 121.

[0044] The first end of the first arm 151 may contact the first clamp holder 121. When the first clamp holder 121 moves toward the second clamp holder 123 in the X direction, the first clamp holder 121 can push the first end of the first arm 151 in the X direction. This can apply a clockwise torque to the first arm 151, causing the first arm 151 to rotate clockwise.

[0045] When the first clamp holder 121 moves in the X direction away from the second clamp holder 123, the first clamp holder 121 may provide space for the first arm 151 to rotate counterclockwise. The weight of the first guide 161 connected to the second end of the first arm 151 may apply a counterclockwise torque to the first arm 151, thereby causing the first arm 151 to rotate counterclockwise. That is, the first arm 151 can also rotate due to the movement of the first clamp holder 121 when the first clamp holder 121 moves in the X direction away from the second clamp holder 123. The first end and the second end of the first arm 151 may be opposite each other.

[0046] According to an exemplary embodiment, the second arm 153 may be configured to rotate by the movement of the second clamp holder 123. According to an exemplary embodiment, the second arm 153 may rotate by the movement of the second clamp holder 123.

[0047] The first end of the second arm 153 may contact the second clamp holder 123. When the second clamp holder 123 moves toward the first clamp holder 121 in the X direction, the second clamp holder 123 can push the first end of the second arm 153 in the X direction. This may apply a counterclockwise torque to the second arm 153, causing the second arm 153 to rotate counterclockwise.

[0048] When the second clamp holder 123 moves in the X direction away from the first clamp holder 121, the second clamp holder 123 may provide space for the second arm 153 to rotate clockwise. The weight of the second guide 163 connected to the second end of the second arm 153 may apply a clockwise torque to the second arm 153, thereby allowing the second arm 153 to rotate clockwise. That is, the second arm 153 can also rotate due to the movement of the second clamp holder 123 when the second clamp holder 123 moves in the X direction away from the first clamp holder 121. The first end and the second end of the second arm 153 may be opposite each other.

[0049] The above description of the rotational directions of the first arm 151 and the second arm 153 is intended to explain the relationship between the first arm 151 and the second arm 153 and the first clamp holder 121 and the second clamp holder 123, and does not limit the technical idea of ​​the present invention in any way. A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the clockwise and counterclockwise directions used to describe the rotation of the first arm 151 and the second arm 153 can vary depending on the direction from which the first arm 151 and the second arm 153 are viewed.

[0050] The first guide 161 may be connected to the first arm 151. The first guide 161 may be substantially perpendicular to the first arm 151, but is not limited thereto. The first guide 161 may also be oblique to the first arm 151. The second guide 163 may be connected to the second arm 153. The second guide 163 may be substantially perpendicular to the second arm 153, but is not limited thereto. The second guide 163 may also be oblique to the second arm 153.

[0051] According to an exemplary embodiment, the respective lengths L2 of the first guide 161 and the second guide 163 can be in the range of about 50 mm to about 100 mm. According to an exemplary embodiment, the respective thicknesses of the first guide 161 and the second guide 163 can be in the range of about 2 mm to about 3 mm.

[0052] (Second Embodiment) Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a secondary battery according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0053] Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views illustrating a method for manufacturing a secondary battery according to an exemplary embodiment. More specifically, Figures 3 and 4 show the operation of the battery activation device 100.

[0054] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, at P110, the battery cell BC can be loaded into the battery activation device 100. The loading of the battery cell BC can be performed by a pick-and-place machine.

[0055] The battery cell BC may include a body BD, a gas pocket GP, and electrode leads EL. In Figure 3, a bidirectional battery cell BC is loaded into the battery activation device 100, but a unidirectional battery cell may also be processed by the battery activation device 100. The gas pocket GP and electrode leads EL may be spaced apart from each other. The gas pocket GP and electrode leads EL may be located on different sides of the body BD.

[0056] The body BD of the battery cell BC loaded into the battery activator 100 may be interposed between the first clamp 122 and the second clamp 124. The gas pocket GP of the battery cell BC loaded into the battery activator 100 may be interposed between the first guide 161 and the second guide 163.

[0057] A battery cell BC is the basic unit of a lithium-ion battery, or secondary battery. A battery cell BC can be a pouch-type battery cell. A battery cell BC may include a pouch case and an electrode assembly contained within the pouch case. The electrode assembly contained within the pouch case includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator membrane interposed between the positive and negative electrodes.

[0058] A pouch case can be provided by forming and sealing a pouch film. The pouch film may include an internal resin layer, a metal layer, and an external resin layer. The internal resin layer may be heat-adhesive, thereby enabling the sealing of the pouch film. The internal resin layer may include, for example, a polyolefin-based material. The metal layer may include one of the following: an alloy of iron, carbon, chromium, and manganese; an alloy of iron, chromium, and nickel; and aluminum.

[0059] The electrode assembly may be, but is not limited to, a jelly roll type or a stack type. A jelly roll type electrode assembly includes a rolled positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator membrane interposed between them. A stack type electrode assembly includes multiple positive electrodes, multiple negative electrodes, and multiple separator membranes interposed between them, stacked sequentially. The battery cell BC in Figure 3 may be a workpiece after the pouch forming and electrolyte injection processes and before the activation process.

[0060] Next, referring to Figures 1, 2, and 4, at P120, the battery activation device 100 can fix the body BD of the battery cell BC and the gas pocket GP of the battery cell BC.

[0061] The body BD of the battery cell BC can be secured by a first clamp 122 and a second clamp 124. The first clamp 122 and the second clamp 124 can be moved by a first clamp holder 121 and a second clamp holder 123 to pressurize the gas pocket GP. The body BD of the battery cell BC can be pressurized laterally (e.g., in the X direction) by the first clamp 122 and the second clamp 124. This can prevent an increase in the volume of the body of the battery cell BC due to gases generated by the charging and discharging of the battery cell BC. The gases generated by the charging and discharging of the battery cell BC can be collected by the gas pocket GP. The collected gases can be removed by cutting off portions of the gas pocket after the activation process is complete.

[0062] The gas pocket GP of the battery cell BC can be secured by the first guide 161 and the second guide 163. The first arm 151 and the second arm 153 can rotate by the first clamp holder 121 and the second clamp holder 123, and the first guide 161 and the second guide 163 can secure the gas pocket GP by the rotation of the first arm 151 and the second arm 153.

[0063] The gas pocket of the battery cell BC is flexible because it contains only heat-sealed pouch film and gas. This allows the gas pocket GP of the battery cell BC to be easily bent during the process of the pick-and-place machine lowering the battery cell BC. When unloading the battery cell BC from the battery activator 100, the pick-and-place machine grips the gas pocket GP. This can impair the reliability of the pick-and-place machine's operation and induce damage to the gas pocket GP by the pick-and-place machine.

[0064] According to an exemplary embodiment, the first guide 161 and the second guide 163 can flatten the bent gas pocket GP in addition to securing it. This allows the battery activator 100 according to the exemplary embodiment to solve problems such as operational reliability and damage to the gas pocket GP that occur during the unloading of the battery cell BC.

[0065] As a non-restrictive example, the first clamp holder 121 and the second clamp holder 123 may move toward each other until the first arm 151 and the second arm 153 make contact with the support base 131. The size of the support base 131 may be determined such that when the first clamp holder 121 and the second clamp holder 123 move the minimum distance, the first clamp 122 and the second clamp 124 pressurize the body BD of the battery cell BC, and the first guide 161 and the second guide 163 flatten the gas pocket GP of the battery cell BC.

[0066] Next, at P130, an activation process may be performed on the battery cell BC. The activation process may include repeated charging and discharging of the battery cell BC as described above. Charging and discharging of the battery cell BC includes supplying current to the electrode leads EL. After charging and discharging is complete, the battery cell BC may be unloaded from the battery activation device 100 for an aging process or for cutting the gas pocket GP. Before unloading the battery cell BC, the first clamp holder 121 and the second clamp holder 123 may move away from each other. This may separate the first clamp 122 and the second clamp 124 from the body BD, and the first guide 161 and the second guide 163 from the gas pocket GP.

[0067] (Third embodiment) Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a battery activation device 101 according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0068] Referring to Figure 5, the battery activation device 101 may include a horizontal frame 110, a first clamp holder 121, a first clamp 122, a second clamp holder 123, a second clamp 124, a vertical frame 130, a drive shaft 141, a first arm 152, a second arm 154, a first guide 161, and a second guide 163.

[0069] The horizontal frame 110, the first clamp holder 121, the first clamp 122, the second clamp holder 123, the second clamp 124, the vertical frame 130, the first guide 161, and the second guide 163 are substantially the same as those described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, so redundant explanations of them will be omitted.

[0070] According to an exemplary embodiment, the first arm 152 may be separated from the first clamp holder 121, and the second arm 154 may be separated from the second clamp holder 123. According to an exemplary embodiment, the first arm 152 and the second arm 154 may be configured to rotate by power transmitted by the drive shaft 141. The battery activator 101 may include a motor (e.g., a servo motor) configured to supply torque to the drive shaft 141. According to an exemplary embodiment, the motor may be, but is not limited to, mounted within the vertical frame 130. The drive shaft 141 may include a shaft configured to transmit power from the motor.

[0071] The motor described above can, but is not limited to, synchronizing the rotation of the first arm 152 and the second arm 154 with the movement of the first clamp holder 121 and the second clamp holder 123. After the body BD (see Figure 4) of the battery cell BC (see Figure 4) is secured by the first clamp holder 121 and the second clamp holder 123, the first arm 152 and the second arm 154 can also rotate to flatten the gas pocket GP (see Figure 4).

[0072] The present invention has been described in more detail above through the drawings and embodiments. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments described herein are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the present invention. Therefore, at the time of filing, there may be various equivalents and modifications that can substitute for them.

Claims

1. Horizontal frame, A first clamp holder and a second clamp holder configured to move along the horizontal frame, A vertical frame is placed on the aforementioned horizontal frame, The drive shaft coupled to the aforementioned vertical frame, First arm and second arm coupled to the drive shaft, A first guide connected to the first arm, and A battery activation device including a second guide connected to the second arm.

2. The first clamp holder and the second clamp holder are configured to secure the battery cell, and The battery activation device according to claim 1, wherein the first guide and the second guide are configured to fix the gas pocket of the battery cell.

3. The first guide is perpendicular to the first arm, and The battery activation device according to claim 1, wherein the second guide is perpendicular to the second arm.

4. The battery activation device according to claim 1, wherein the first arm and the second arm are configured to rotate with respect to the drive shaft.

5. The battery activation device according to claim 1, wherein the first arm and the second arm are in contact with the first clamp holder and the second clamp holder.

6. The battery activation device according to claim 1, wherein the first arm and the second arm are configured to rotate by the first clamp holder and the second clamp holder.

7. The battery activation device according to claim 1, wherein the lengths of the first arm and the second arm are in the range of 100 mm to 160 mm.

8. The battery activation device according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the horizontal frame and the drive shaft is in the range of 40 mm to 70 mm.

9. The battery activation device according to claim 1, wherein the lengths of the first guide and the second guide are in the range of 50 mm to 100 mm.

10. The battery activation device according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the first guide and the second guide are in the range of 2 mm to 3 mm.

11. The battery activation device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first arm and the second arm is spaced apart from the first clamp holder and the second clamp holder.

12. The battery activation device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the drive shaft includes a shaft configured to rotate the first arm and the second arm.

13. Horizontal frame, A first clamp holder and a second clamp holder configured to move along the horizontal frame to secure the battery cell, The first arm in contact with the first clamp holder, The second arm in contact with the second clamp holder, A first guide connected to the first arm, and It includes a second guide connected to the second arm, The first arm is configured to rotate as the first clamp holder moves, and A battery activation device in which the second arm is configured to rotate by the movement of the second clamp holder.

14. The first end of the first arm is in contact with the first clamp holder, and The battery activation device according to claim 13, wherein the second end of the first arm opposite to the first end is connected to the first guide.

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