A jig used for welding cylindrical battery cells, a method for manufacturing cylindrical battery cells using the same, and cylindrical battery cells and battery packs including cylindrical battery cells produced thereby, as well as automobiles.

Abstract

Disclosed are a jig used for welding cylindrical battery cells, a method for manufacturing cylindrical battery cells using the same, cylindrical battery cells and battery packs including cylindrical battery cells produced thereby, and automobiles. A jig used for welding cylindrical battery cells according to one embodiment of the present invention is a jig used when welding a current collector plate electrically connected to an electrode assembly of a cylindrical battery cell to a battery can, and includes a main body portion that contacts and presses the current collector plate and has through holes formed for welding, and a positioning portion that is connected to at least one of the ends of the main body portion and contacts the end of the current collector plate so that the current collector plate is fixed in the correct position during welding.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0070167 filed on May 31, 2023, and all the content disclosed in the specification and drawings of the said application is incorporated into this application.

[0002] The present invention relates to a jig used for welding a cylindrical battery cell, a method for manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using the same, a cylindrical battery cell produced thereby, a battery pack including the cylindrical battery cell, and an automobile. More specifically, the present invention relates to a jig used for welding a cylindrical battery cell capable of improving welding quality and the stability of the battery cell, a method for manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using the same, a cylindrical battery cell produced thereby, a battery pack including the cylindrical battery cell, and an automobile.

Background Art

[0003] Secondary batteries, which are highly applicable depending on the product group and have electrical characteristics such as high energy density, are generally used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) driven by an electric drive source.

[0004] Such secondary batteries not only have the temporary advantage of significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels but also have the advantage of producing no by-products associated with energy use. Therefore, they are attracting attention as a new energy source for environmental friendliness and improved energy efficiency.

[0005] Examples of currently widely used secondary battery types include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, nickel zinc batteries, etc. The operating voltage of such a unit secondary battery cell, that is, a unit battery cell, is about 2.5V to 4.5V.

[0006] Therefore, if an even higher output voltage is required, multiple battery cells can be connected in series to form a battery pack. Furthermore, depending on the required charge and discharge capacity of the battery pack, multiple battery cells can also be connected in parallel to form a battery pack. Thus, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack and the electrical connection configuration can be set in various ways depending on at least one of the required output voltage and charge / discharge capacity.

[0007] Cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch-type battery cells are known as secondary battery cells. In the case of cylindrical battery cells, an insulating separator is sandwiched between the positive and negative electrodes, and this is wound up to form a jelly roll-shaped electrode assembly. This assembly is then inserted into a battery case along with the electrolyte to constitute the battery.

[0008] Conventionally, welding jigs have been used to weld the current collector plates of cylindrical battery cells to the battery can. However, because the current collector plates move from side to side while being pressed by the welding jig, it is difficult to accurately align the center of the current collector plate with the center of the jelly roll type electrode assembly. As a result, the welding position differs, leading to welding defects. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] Therefore, the technical problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a jig used for welding cylindrical battery cells that can improve welding quality by ensuring that the current collector plate is fixed in the correct position when welding the current collector plate to the battery can, a method for manufacturing cylindrical battery cells using the same, and a cylindrical battery cell and a battery pack including the cylindrical battery cell produced thereby, as well as an automobile. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a jig for welding a current collector plate electrically connected to an electrode assembly of a cylindrical battery cell to a battery can is provided, comprising: a main body portion that contacts and presses against the current collector plate and has through holes formed therein for welding; and a positioning portion that is coupled to at least one of the ends of the main body portion and contacts the end of the current collector plate to ensure that the current collector plate is fixed in the correct position during welding.

[0011] In one embodiment, the battery can includes a beading portion formed to be pushed inward, the current collector plate includes a first portion that contacts the beading portion, a second portion that contacts the electrode assembly, and a third portion that connects the first portion and the second portion, and the main body can be pressed so that the first portion of the current collector plate contacts the beading portion.

[0012] In one embodiment, the length of the lower part of the main body in the left-right direction may be configured to correspond to the length of the first part of the current collector plate in the left-right direction.

[0013] In one embodiment, the positioning portion may include at least one of a first positioning portion coupled to the left side of the main body and a second positioning portion coupled to the right side of the main body.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first positioning portion is formed with a first projection that protrudes below the main body portion, and the first projection can contact the left end of the first portion of the current collector plate.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first positioning portion and the first projection formed on the first positioning portion may be separated from the battery can.

[0016] In one embodiment, the second positioning portion is formed with a second projection that protrudes below the main body portion, and the second projection can contact the right end of the first portion of the current collector plate.

[0017] In one embodiment, the second positioning portion may contact the third portion of the current collector plate.

[0018] In one embodiment, the beading portion includes a horizontally formed portion, and the first portion of the current collector plate can be welded while resting on the horizontal portion of the beading portion.

[0019] In one embodiment, the beading portion may have a curved, rounded portion formed on at least a part of it.

[0020] On the other hand, according to another aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using a jig is provided, which includes the steps of: electrically connecting one side of the current collector plate to an electrode assembly; pressing the other side of the current collector plate against a jig used for welding the cylindrical battery cell so that the current collector plate comes into contact with the battery can; fixing the current collector plate in an accurate position with the jig; and welding the current collector plate to the battery can via the jig.

[0021] In one embodiment, the jig may include a main body having through holes for welding, and a positioning portion coupled to at least one of the ends of the main body and protruding from the main body, and may include the steps of the main body contacting the current collector plate and pressing the current collector plate, and the positioning portion contacting the end of the current collector plate so that the current collector plate is fixed in the correct position during welding.

[0022] On the other hand, according to yet another aspect of the present invention, a cylindrical battery cell produced by the above-described method for manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell may be provided, a battery pack including the above-described cylindrical battery cell may be provided, and an automobile including the above-described cylindrical battery cell may be provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention have the effect of improving the welding quality by fixing the current collector plate at an accurate position during welding with the battery can.

[0024] The drawings attached to this specification illustrate desirable embodiments of the present invention and are for the purpose of further understanding the technical idea of the present invention together with the content of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not construed as being limited only to the matters described in the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] It is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cylindrical battery cell produced according to a manufacturing method of a cylindrical battery cell using a jig used for welding of a cylindrical battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing a process of manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using a jig used for welding of a cylindrical battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing a process of manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using a jig used for welding of a cylindrical battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing a process of manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using a jig used for welding of a cylindrical battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing a process of manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using a jig used for welding of a cylindrical battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing a process of manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using a jig used for welding of a cylindrical battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing a process of manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using a jig used for welding of a cylindrical battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating an automobile that includes a battery pack. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0026] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Terms and words used in this specification and in the claims are not to be interpreted in their ordinary or dictionary sense, but rather in accordance with the principle that inventors may appropriately define the concepts of terms to best describe their invention, and are to be interpreted in a sense corresponding to the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the drawings represent only preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention; it should be understood that there may be a variety of equivalent and modified embodiments that can be substituted for these at the time of filing.

[0027] In the figures, the size of each component or specific part of a component is sometimes exaggerated, omitted, or shown schematically for ease of explanation and clarity. Therefore, the size of each component does not fully reflect its actual size. Detailed explanations of related known functions or configurations are omitted if it is deemed that such explanations would obscure the gist of the present invention.

[0028] As used herein, the terms “joining” or “connecting” include not only cases where one member is directly joined or connected to another member, but also cases where one member is indirectly joined or connected to another member via a connecting member.

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cylindrical battery cell produced according to a method for manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using a jig used for welding a cylindrical battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figures 2 to 7 show the process of manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using a jig used for welding a cylindrical battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] A jig used for welding cylindrical battery cells according to one embodiment of the present invention ensures that the current collector plate is fixed in the correct position during welding of the current collector plate to the battery can. The details of this will be described below.

[0031] Referring to Figure 1, a cylindrical battery cell 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may be composed of an electrode assembly 110, a battery can 150, a current collector plate 160, and cell terminals 199. Details of the cylindrical battery cell 10 and the specific components included in the cylindrical battery cell 10 will be described later.

[0032] The cylindrical battery cell 10 in Figure 1 includes a current collector plate 160, which may include a positive electrode current collector plate electrically connected to the positive electrode plate 120 and a negative electrode current collector plate electrically connected to the negative electrode plate 130. The current collector plate 160 may be made from a conductive metallic material.

[0033] Referring to Figure 1, the current collector plate 160 is in contact with the beading portion 151. Here, the current collector plate 160 may be a positive electrode current collector plate or a negative electrode current collector plate.

[0034] Referring to Figure 2, the current collector plate 160 may be composed of a first part 161, a second part 162, and a third part 163. Referring to Figure 5, the first part 161 contacts the beading portion 151, for example, the horizontal portion 156 of the beading portion 151, and may be joined to the horizontal portion 156 of the beading portion 151 by welding. Referring to Figures 1 and 7, the second part 162 contacts the electrode assembly 110 and is electrically connected. Referring to Figure 2, the third part 163 connects the first part 161 and the second part 162.

[0035] The beading portion 151 is formed by pushing the outer surface of the battery can 150 inward in the region adjacent to the opening of the battery can 150. The beading portion 151 supports the electrode assembly 110, which has a size approximately corresponding to the width of the battery can 150, to prevent it from coming out through the opening of the battery can 150, and can also function as a support portion on which the cap plate 180 is placed. The beading portion 151 can also support the outer surface of the sealing gasket 190. Details of the cap plate 180 and the sealing gasket 190 will be described later.

[0036] Referring to Figure 2, a curved, rounded portion 157 may be formed on at least a portion of the beading portion 151. The rounded portion 157 formed on the beading portion 151 may be formed during the manufacturing process of the cylindrical battery cell 10. Due to the gap between the battery can 150 and the current collector plate 160 formed by such a rounded portion 157, more specifically, the gap between the rounded portion 157 of the battery can 150 and the first portion 161 of the current collector plate 160, the current collector plate 160 moves from side to side on the beading portion 151.

[0037] As described above, if the current collector plate 160 moves from side to side on the beading portion 151, the center of the current collector plate 160 and the center of the electrode assembly 110 will not align. When a laser is irradiated for welding, the laser will miss the irradiation position, which may cause penetration or localized weak points in the battery can 150. This ultimately leads to a problem of reduced welding quality of the cylindrical battery cell 10. Furthermore, if the center of the current collector plate 160 and the center of the electrode assembly 110 do not align, it may result in defects in the cylindrical battery cell 10 itself, which may negatively affect the stability of the battery cell.

[0038] However, the jig 20 used for welding cylindrical battery cells according to one embodiment of the present invention can prevent the current collector plate 160 from moving left or right, even if a rounded portion 157 is formed on the beading portion 151, so that the current collector plate 160 is placed in the correct position. This improves the quality of the welding, ultimately preventing defects in the cylindrical battery cell 10 itself and improving its stability.

[0039] On the other hand, even if a rounded portion 157 is not formed on the beading portion 151, a gap may be formed between the battery can 150 and the current collector plate 160 due to processing errors or design tolerances, and as mentioned above, there is a risk that the current collector plate 160 may move along such a gap. Even in such a case, the jig 20 used for welding a cylindrical battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention can prevent the current collector plate 160 from moving from side to side, so that the current collector plate 160 is placed in the correct position.

[0040] Referring to Figure 2, the beading portion 151 may include a horizontally formed horizontal portion 156. However, since the shape of the beading portion 151 can be changed in various ways, it does not necessarily have to be formed horizontally. However, before the first part 161 of the current collector plate 160 is welded to the beading portion 151 of the battery can 150, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, it is advantageous for welding if the beading portion 151 includes a horizontally formed horizontal portion 156. However, it is not limited to this. Then, as shown in Figure 5, with the first part 161 of the current collector plate 160 placed on the horizontal portion 156 of the beading portion 151, welding can be performed as indicated by the arrow in Figure 6.

[0041] Referring to Figure 1, one side of the current collector plate 160 is electrically connected to the electrode assembly 110. The other side of the current collector plate 160 is coupled to the battery can 150. Referring to Figure 7, the first part 161 of the current collector plate 160 may be coupled to the horizontal part 156 of the beading part 151 of the battery can 150. The current collector plate 160 can be coupled to the beading part 151 of the battery can 150 by various methods, for example, various welding methods (see arrows in Figure 6) as shown in Figure 6. Specifically, for example, the current collector plate 160 can be coupled to the beading part 151 of the battery can 150 by laser welding. In the following, we will focus on the case where the current collector plate 160 is coupled to the beading part 151 of the battery can 150 by laser welding. However, the coupling method of the current collector plate 160 is not limited to laser welding.

[0042] Here, a jig 20 is used to weld the current collector plate 160 to the beading portion 151 of the battery can 150. The jig 20 used for welding a cylindrical battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention is a jig 20 used when welding the current collector plate 160 to the battery can 150, and may be configured to include a main body portion 210 and a positioning portion 220.

[0043] Referring to Figure 3, for the sake of clarity, the main body 210 and the positioning part 220 are separated by a dashed line. However, the main body 210 and the positioning part 220 may be manufactured as a single unit, or they may be manufactured separately and detachably mounted.

[0044] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the main body 210 contacts the current collector plate 160 and presses it against the current collector plate 160. Specifically, the main body 210 contacts the first portion 161 of the current collector plate 160 and presses it against the first portion 161 of the current collector plate 160. When the main body 210 presses the current collector plate 160 against it, the current collector plate 160, which was previously separated from the battery can 150, moves and comes into contact with the beading portion 151 of the battery can 150. In other words, the main body 210 presses the current collector plate 160 so that the first portion 161 of the current collector plate 160 comes into contact with the horizontal portion 156 of the beading portion 151.

[0045] Here, the length of the lower side of the main body 210 in the left-right direction may be configured to correspond to the length of the first part 161 of the current collector plate 160 in the left-right direction. The fact that the length of the lower side of the main body 210 in the left-right direction corresponds to the length of the first part 161 of the current collector plate 160 means that the main body 210 can have various lengths that allow it to contact and press against the current collector plate 160, and does not necessarily mean that the length of the lower side of the main body 210 in the left-right direction must be equal to the length of the first part 161 of the current collector plate 160.

[0046] Then, through holes 211 for welding are formed in the main body portion 210. Specifically, referring to Figure 6, a laser (see arrow in Figure 6) passes through the through holes 211 in the main body portion 210 and connects the first portion 161 of the current collector plate 160 to the horizontal portion 156 of the beading portion 151 of the battery can 150.

[0047] Referring to Figure 3, the positioning portion 220 is coupled to at least one of the two ends of the main body portion 210. That is, the positioning portion 220 may be coupled to both ends of the main body portion 210, or, in some cases, to only one end of the main body portion 210. The positioning portion 220 may be coupled to the main body portion 210, or it may be manufactured integrally with the main body portion 210 so as to extend from the main body portion 210.

[0048] The positioning unit 220 may be configured to include, for example, at least one of a first positioning unit 221 coupled to the left side of the main body unit 210 and a second positioning unit 225 coupled to the right side of the main body unit 210.

[0049] Since the jig 20 can be configured to move vertically in the up-down direction, when the first positioning portion 221 and the second positioning portion 225 protrude below the main body portion 210 and contact both ends of the current collector plate 160 respectively, the current collector plate 160 can be fixed in the correct position.

[0050] For example, referring to Figure 3, the aforementioned first positioning portion 221 may have a first projection 222 that protrudes below the main body portion 210, and referring to Figure 4, the first projection 222 may be configured to contact the left end of the first portion 161 of the current collector plate 160. In this way, if the first projection 222 contacts the left end of the first portion 161 of the current collector plate 160, the current collector plate 160 that is in contact with the first projection 222 is fixed and cannot move to the left.

[0051] Here, if the first positioning portion 221 and the first projection 222 formed on the first positioning portion 221, which are included in the jig 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention, were to come into contact with the battery can 150, there is a risk of damage to the battery can 150. Therefore, the first positioning portion 221 is kept away from the battery can 150, and the first projection 222 is also kept away from the battery can 150. For example, the thickness of the first projection 222 may be formed to be thinner than the thickness of the first portion 161 of the current collector plate 160. As a result, as shown in Figure 5, the first projection 222 does not come into contact with the beading portion 151, for example, the horizontal portion 156.

[0052] Returning to Figure 3, for example, the second positioning portion 225 has a second projection 226 that protrudes below the main body portion 210. Referring to Figure 4, the second projection 226 may be configured to contact the right end of the first portion 161 of the current collector plate 160. Referring to Figure 5, the second positioning portion 225 may be configured to contact the third portion 163 of the current collector plate 160.

[0053] In this manner, when the second projection 226 contacts the right end of the first portion 161 of the current collector plate 160, and the second positioning portion 225 contacts the third portion 163 of the current collector plate 160, the current collector plate 160 that is in contact with the second projection 226 is fixed in place and cannot move to the right.

[0054] As mentioned above, when the current collector plate 160 is fixed in an accurate position by the first positioning unit 221 and the second positioning unit 225 in a state where it cannot move left or right, welding is performed at the accurate position, which improves the quality of the welding and ultimately prevents defects in the cylindrical battery cell 10 itself, as well as improving stability.

[0055] Needless to say, the position in which the current collector plate 160 is fixed by the first positioning unit 221 and the second positioning unit 225 is the position in which the center of the current collector plate 160 coincides with the center of the electrode assembly 110.

[0056] However, if the current collector plate 160 is formed to move only in either the left or right direction, then only one of the first positioning portion 221 and the second positioning portion 225 may be provided.

[0057] The configuration and effects of a jig 20 used for welding cylindrical battery cells according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0058] A jig 20 used for welding cylindrical battery cells according to one embodiment of the present invention can be used for various types of cylindrical battery cells 10. For example, with the recent application of cylindrical battery cells 10 to electric vehicles, the form factor of cylindrical battery cells 10 has been increasing.

[0059] Here, form factor refers to a value that indicates the diameter and height of a cylindrical battery cell 10. That is, in the numerical value indicating the form factor, the first two digits indicate the diameter of the cell, the next two digits indicate the height of the cell, and the last digit 0 indicates that the cross-section of the cell is circular. When the height of the cell exceeds 100 meters (m), a three-digit number is required to indicate the height, so the last digit can be omitted.

[0060] Furthermore, the diameter and height of the cylindrical battery cell 10 are increased compared to conventional cylindrical battery cells 10 having form factors such as 18650 and 21700. The cylindrical battery cells 10 that can be used with the aforementioned jig 20 may include not only cylindrical battery cells 10 with conventional form factors, but also cylindrical battery cells 10 with increased form factors, such as 48750 cells, 48110 cells, 48800 cells, and 46800 cells.

[0061] In the manufacturing process of the cylindrical battery cell 10, the current collector plate 160 can be joined to the beading portion 151 of the battery can 150 by laser welding. At this time, due to processing errors, design tolerances, or gaps between the battery can 150 and the current collector plate 160 caused by the rounded portion 157 formed on the beading portion 151, the current collector plate 160 may move from side to side on the beading portion 151. To prevent such movement of the current collector plate 160 and to ensure that the center of the current collector plate 160 coincides with the center of the electrode assembly 110, the jig 20 may include a main body portion 210 and a positioning portion 220.

[0062] A positioning portion 220 is coupled to the main body portion 210, and the positioning portion 220 may be configured to include at least one of a first positioning portion 221 and a second positioning portion 225. The first positioning portion 221 may have a first projection 222 that protrudes below the main body portion 210, and the first projection 222 may be configured to contact the left end of the first portion 161 of the current collector plate 160. The second positioning portion 225 may have a second projection 226 that protrudes below the main body portion 210, and the second projection 226 may be configured to contact the right end of the first portion 161 of the current collector plate 160.

[0063] In this way, the first positioning unit 221 restrains the left end of the current collector plate 160, and the second positioning unit 225 restrains the right end of the current collector plate 160. As a result, the current collector plate 160 cannot move in the left-right direction, and it becomes possible to fix the current collector plate 160 in the correct position during welding. Furthermore, since welding is performed with the current collector plate 160 fixed in the correct position, there is an effect of improving the welding quality.

[0064] The configuration and effects of a method for manufacturing cylindrical battery cells using a jig 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. However, any parts that are common with the description of the jig 20 used for welding cylindrical battery cells according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as jig 20) described above will be replaced by the description above.

[0065] Furthermore, of the contents described in the method for manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using the jig 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention, those contents that are applicable to the jig 20 used for welding the cylindrical battery cell according to the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention are applicable to the jig 20 described above.

[0066] Referring to Figure 2, the first part 161 of the current collector plate 160 is separated from the beading portion 151.

[0067] Referring to Figure 3, the jig 20 is inserted into the battery can 150. The jig 20 may consist of a main body 210 with through holes 211 formed therein for welding, and a positioning portion 220 that is coupled to at least one of the ends on either side of the main body 210. Details of the main body 210 and the positioning portion 220 are provided in the preceding description.

[0068] Referring to Figure 4, the main body portion 210 contacts the other side of the current collector plate 160, for example, the first portion 161 of the current collector plate 160, and presses against the first portion 161 of the current collector plate 160. As a result, as shown in Figure 5, the first portion 161 of the current collector plate 160 comes into contact with the horizontal portion 156 of the beading portion 151.

[0069] At this time, the positioning portion 220 (for example, the first positioning portion 221 or the second positioning portion 225) coupled to the main body portion 210 contacts the left end or the right end of the first portion 161 of the current collector plate 160, thereby restricting the movement of the current collector plate 160 in the left-right direction, and thereby enabling the current collector plate 160 to be fixed in an accurate position.

[0070] Referring to Figure 6, a laser can be irradiated through the through hole 211 formed in the main body 210, and the current collector plate 160 can be welded to the beading portion 151 of the battery can 150.

[0071] Furthermore, if necessary, as shown in Figure 7, if the current collector plate 160 is connected to the beading portion 151 of the battery can 150, the beading portion 151 may bend and its shape may be deformed. However, it is not limited to this.

[0072] The following describes the structure and effects of a cylindrical battery cell 10 produced according to a method for manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention. However, any parts that are common with the description of at least one of the jig 20 used for welding the cylindrical battery cell according to the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention and the method for manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using the jig 20 according to the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention will be replaced by the description above.

[0073] Furthermore, any part of the description of the cylindrical battery cell 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention that is applicable to at least one of the jig 20 used for welding the cylindrical battery cell according to the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention and the method for manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using the jig according to one embodiment of the present invention is applicable to the aforementioned jig 20 or method.

[0074] Hereinafter, even when simply referred to as a cylindrical battery cell 10, it should be understood that this refers to a cylindrical battery cell 10 produced according to a method for manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] As mentioned above, referring to Figure 1, a cylindrical battery cell 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may be composed of an electrode assembly 110, a battery can 150, a current collector plate 160, and cell terminals 199. It may further include an insulator 170, a cap plate 180, and a sealing gasket 190.

[0076] The electrode assembly 110 includes a positive electrode plate 120, a negative electrode plate 130, and a separator 140, and may be configured such that the separator 140 is sandwiched between the positive electrode plate 120 and the negative electrode plate 130 and wound in one direction.

[0077] In other words, the electrode assembly 110 can be formed as a jelly roll type in which a separator 140 is sandwiched between a long sheet-like positive electrode plate 120 coated with electrode active material and a negative electrode plate 130, and then wound up.

[0078] Here, when winding the electrode assembly 110, a winding core is placed at one end of the electrode assembly 110, the electrode assembly 110 is wound around the winding core, and then the winding core is removed. A central opening is formed in the central area where the winding core was removed.

[0079] The positive electrode plate 120 has a positive electrode active material layer formed on at least one side of the positive electrode current collector, which includes the positive electrode active material. A positive electrode tab can be attached to the positive electrode plate 120, and the positive electrode tab can be attached to a blank area of ​​the positive electrode current collector where the positive electrode active material is not applied, by methods such as ultrasonic fusion. However, the present invention does not necessarily require the formation of a blank area, nor is it limited by the positive electrode tab attachment method described above, and a wide variety of tab attachment techniques known at the time of filing the present invention can be used in the present invention.

[0080] On the other hand, a thin metal sheet with excellent conductivity, such as aluminum (Al) foil, can be used as the positive electrode current collector, and the positive electrode tab can be made from aluminum (Al), for example.

[0081] The negative electrode plate 130 is formed by coating at least one side of the negative electrode current collector with negative electrode active material, and a negative electrode tab is attached to the negative electrode plate 130. Similar to the positive electrode tab, such a negative electrode tab can be attached to a plain area of ​​the negative electrode current collector where negative electrode active material is not coated, and a wide variety of attachment methods, such as ultrasonic fusion, can be applied.

[0082] Furthermore, similar to the description of the positive electrode plate 120, the negative electrode plate 130 does not necessarily have to have a blank area formed thereon, nor is it limited by the negative electrode tab mounting method described above. A wide variety of tab mounting techniques known at the time of filing the present invention can be used in this invention.

[0083] Furthermore, a conductive metal foil, such as copper (Cu) or nickel (Ni), can be used as the negative electrode current collector, and the negative electrode tab can be made from nickel (Ni), for example.

[0084] The separator 140 is placed between the positive electrode plate 120 and the negative electrode plate 130 to insulate them and allow for the exchange of active material ions between them. The separator 140 can be used without any particular restrictions, as long as it is the type of separator 140 that is normally used in lithium secondary batteries.

[0085] Specifically, the separator 140 can be a porous polymer film, for example, a porous polymer film made from polyolefin polymers such as ethylene homopolymer, propylene homopolymer, ethylene / butene copolymer, ethylene / hexene copolymer, and ethylene / methacrylate copolymer, or a laminated structure of two or more layers thereof.

[0086] In addition, conventional porous nonwoven fabrics, such as those made from high-melting-point glass fibers or polyethylene terephthalate fibers, may be used. Furthermore, to ensure heat resistance or mechanical strength, separators 140 coated with a coating layer containing heat-resistant polymer substances such as ceramic components or engineering plastics may be used.

[0087] The battery can 150 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a through-opening to house the electrode assembly 110. For example, the battery can 150 is formed in a cylindrical shape with the electrode assembly 110 housed inside, and can be electrically connected to the negative electrode plate 130 or negative electrode current collector plate 160 of the electrode assembly 110. This allows the battery can 150 to have the same polarity as the negative electrode plate 130, i.e., to have a negative electrode. However, the present invention is not limited in any way thereto.

[0088] Here, the diameter of the battery can 150 is formed to be larger than the diameter of the electrode assembly 110. A gap of a predetermined size is formed between the battery can 150 and the electrode assembly 110 (or between the battery can 150 and the positive electrode current collector plate if a positive electrode current collector plate is connected to the electrode assembly 110), and an insulator 170 can be interposed in the gap.

[0089] The battery canister 150 may be made from a conductive material such as metal. The material of the battery canister 150 may be a conductive metal such as aluminum, steel, or stainless steel, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0090] The cell terminal 199 is made of a conductive metal material and can be coupled to a through-opening formed in the battery can 150, thereby electrically connecting to the positive electrode current collector plate. The cell terminal 199 is then electrically connected to the positive electrode plate 120 of the electrode assembly 110 via the positive electrode current collector plate, thereby having positive polarity. In other words, the cell terminal 199 can function as a positive electrode terminal.

[0091] On the other hand, referring to Figure 1, a crimping portion 152 may be formed adjacent to the aforementioned beading portion 151. The crimping portion 152 extends inward into the battery can 150 and is bent to wrap around and secure the peripheral edge of the cap plate 180 together with the sealing gasket 190.

[0092] Here, the crimping portion 152 is formed on the upper part of the battery can 150, based on the arrangement of the battery can 150 in Figure 1. For example, if the battery can 150 is arranged so that the cell terminals 199 are located at the bottom, as shown in Figure 1, the crimping portion 152 is formed on the upper part of the battery can 150, based on Figure 1. Then, as shown in Figure 1, the crimping portion 152 is formed on the upper part of the beading portion 151. Here, the crimping portion 152 has a bent shape that extends around the periphery of the cap plate 180, which is positioned on the upper part of the beading portion 151. However, if the battery can 150 is arranged upside down in the arrangement shown in Figure 1, the crimping portion 152 is formed on the lower part of the battery can 150.

[0093] The cap plate 180 is configured to seal the opening of the battery can 150. The cap plate 180 may be made of a metal material, for example, to ensure rigidity. The cap plate 180 may be provided separately from the electrode assembly 110 and in a non-polar manner. That is, the cap plate 180 does not have to be polar, even if it is made of a conductive metal material. The fact that the cap plate 180 does not have polarity means that the cap plate 180 is electrically insulated from the battery can 150 and the cell terminals 199. Thus, the cap plate 180 does not have to be polar, and its material does not necessarily have to be a conductive metal.

[0094] The cap plate 180 can be placed and supported on a beading portion 151 formed on the battery can 150. The cap plate 180 is also fixed by a crimping portion 152. A sealing gasket 190 may be interposed between the cap plate 180 and the crimping portion 152 of the battery can 150 to ensure airtightness of the battery can 150. That is, the sealing gasket 190 may be provided so as to be interposed between the peripheral edge of the cap plate 180 and the open portion of the battery can 150.

[0095] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating an automobile including the battery pack of Figure 8.

[0096] Referring to Figure 8, a battery pack 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more cylindrical battery cells 10 according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention. The battery pack 30 may further include a pack housing 31 for housing the cylindrical battery cells 10, various devices for controlling the charging and discharging of the cylindrical battery cells 10, a so-called battery management system (BMS), a current sensor, a fuse, and the like.

[0097] Referring to Figure 9, an automobile 40 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include the aforementioned cylindrical battery cell 10 or battery pack 30. The cylindrical battery cell 10 or battery pack 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention can be applied to an automobile 40, for example, a predetermined automobile 40 that is equipped to use electricity, such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.

[0098] Although the present invention has been described above with limited embodiments and drawings, the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited in any way to these, and it goes without saying that it is possible for a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs to to implement the invention with various modifications and variations within the equivalent scope of the technical idea and claims of the present invention.

[0099] On the other hand, while directional terms such as up, down, left, right, front, and back have been used in this specification, these terms are merely used for ease of explanation, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that they may vary depending on the position of the object in question, the observer's position, etc. [Industrial applicability]

[0100] This invention relates to a jig used for welding cylindrical battery cells, a method for manufacturing cylindrical battery cells using the same, cylindrical battery cells produced thereby, a battery pack containing cylindrical battery cells, and automobiles, and is particularly applicable to industries related to secondary batteries. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 10 cylindrical battery cells 20 jigs 30 Battery Packs 31 Pack Housing 40 Automobiles 110 Electrode assembly 120 Positive Plate 130 Negative plate 140 Separators 150 Battery Can 151 Beading section 152 Crimping section 156 Horizontal part 157 Attachment part 160 Current collector plate 160 Negative electrode current collector plate 161 Part 1 162 Part 2 163 Part 3 170 Insulators 180 Cap Plate 190 Sealing Gasket 199 cell terminals 210 Main body 211 Through hole 220 Positioning section 221 First positioning unit 222 First projection 225 Second positioning section 226 Second projection

Claims

1. A jig used when welding a current collector plate electrically connected to the electrode assembly of a cylindrical battery cell to a battery can, A main body portion configured to contact and press against the current collector plate, the main body portion having through holes formed for welding, A positioning portion connected to at least one of the ends of the main body, the positioning portion contacts the end of the current collector plate and is configured to fix the current collector plate in the correct position during welding, A jig used for welding cylindrical battery cells, including [specific component].

2. The battery can includes a beading portion formed to be pushed inward, The current collector plate includes a first part that contacts the beading portion, a second part that contacts the electrode assembly, and a third part that connects the first part and the second part. The jig used for welding a cylindrical battery cell according to claim 1, wherein the main body is pressed against the first part of the current collector plate so as to contact the beading portion.

3. The jig used for welding a cylindrical battery cell according to claim 2, wherein the length of the lower part of the main body in the left-right direction is configured to correspond to the length of the first part of the current collector plate in the left-right direction.

4. The jig used for welding cylindrical battery cells according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the positioning portion includes at least one of a first positioning portion coupled to the left side of the main body and a second positioning portion coupled to the right side of the main body.

5. The first positioning portion has a first projection that protrudes downward from the main body portion. The jig used for welding a cylindrical battery cell according to claim 4, wherein the first protrusion is in contact with the left end of the first part of the current collector plate.

6. The jig used for welding a cylindrical battery cell according to claim 5, wherein the first positioning portion and the first protrusion formed on the first positioning portion are separated from the battery can.

7. The second positioning portion has a second projection that protrudes downward from the main body portion. The jig used for welding a cylindrical battery cell according to claim 4, wherein the second protrusion is in contact with the right end of the first part of the current collector plate.

8. The jig used for welding a cylindrical battery cell according to claim 7, wherein the second positioning portion is in contact with the third portion of the current collector plate.

9. The beading portion includes a horizontally formed horizontal portion, A jig used for welding a cylindrical battery cell according to claim 2, wherein the first part of the current collector plate is placed on the horizontal part of the beading portion for welding.

10. The jig used for welding cylindrical battery cells according to claim 2, wherein the beading portion has a curved, rounded portion formed in at least a part of it.

11. A step in which a jig used for welding a cylindrical battery cell according to any one of claims 1 to 10 presses the other side of the current collector plate so that the current collector plate comes into contact with the battery can, The steps include: fixing the current collector plate in the correct position using the jig; The steps include welding the current collector plate to the battery can via the jig, A method for manufacturing cylindrical battery cells using a jig, including the method described above.

12. The jig includes a main body portion having through holes for welding, and a positioning portion connected to at least one of the ends of the main body portion. The steps include: the main body contacting the current collector plate and pressing it against the current collector plate; The positioning part contacts the end of the current collector plate so that the current collector plate is fixed in the correct position during welding, A method for manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell using the jig described in claim 11, including the method described in claim 11.

13. A cylindrical battery cell produced by the method for manufacturing a cylindrical battery cell described in claim 11.

14. A battery pack comprising the cylindrical battery cell described in claim 13.

15. An automobile comprising the cylindrical battery cell described in claim 13.

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