Electrolyte removal device

Abstract

The electrolyte removal device of the present invention includes an electrolyte removal unit for removing electrolyte remaining in the opening and beading portion of a can, the electrolyte removal unit including an air injection passage for injecting air toward the opening and beading portion of the can to cause the electrolyte remaining in the opening and beading portion of the can to flow into the electrode assembly housing portion of the can and remove it.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0130845 filed on September 27, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0130643 filed on September 26, 2024, and all the contents disclosed in the documents of the Korean patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrolyte removing device capable of removing the electrolyte remaining in the opening and beading part of the can and the electrolyte remaining on the upper part of the insulator into the inside of the can after the electrolyte impregnation process.

Background Art

[0003] Generally, a secondary battery, unlike a primary battery that cannot be charged, is a battery capable of charging and discharging, and such secondary batteries are widely used in the field of advanced electronic devices such as mobile phones, notebook computers, and camcorders.

[0004] The secondary battery is classified into a can-type secondary battery in which an electrode assembly is built into a metal can and a pouch-type secondary battery in which an electrode assembly is built into a pouch.

[0005] The can-type secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, a can that houses the electrode assembly and the electrolyte, and a cap assembly mounted on the opening of the can. The pouch-type secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a pouch that houses the electrode assembly and the electrolyte.

[0006] On the other hand, the manufacturing method of the can-type secondary battery includes a step of manufacturing a can having an opening, a beading part, and a housing part, a step of housing an electrode assembly in the housing part of the can and disposing an insulator on the upper part of the electrode assembly, a step of injecting an electrolyte into the housing part to impregnate the electrode assembly, and a step of disposing a cap assembly on the opening of the can and then clamping and fixing the opening.

[0007] Here, the can manufacturing process includes the process of forming a plating layer on the surface of the can for rust prevention, and the process of cutting the edges of the can opening to improve quality.

[0008] However, after the electrolyte injection process, residual electrolyte in the can opening and beading area caused poor bonding between the can and the cap assembly, and residual electrolyte on the upper part of the insulator prevented the electrode assembly from being sufficiently impregnated with electrolyte. In particular, when the plating layer was removed by cutting the end of the opening, rust occurred at the end of the opening due to the residual electrolyte. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The present invention aims to provide an electrolyte removal device that can improve the bonding between the can and the cap assembly, enhance the impregnation of the electrolyte, and in particular prevent rust from forming at the edges of the can opening, by allowing electrolyte remaining in the can opening and beading area, as well as electrolyte remaining on the upper part of the insulator, to flow into the can and remove it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The electrolyte removal device of the present invention includes an electrolyte removal unit for removing electrolyte remaining in the opening and beading portion of a can, and the electrolyte removal unit may include an air injection passage for injecting air toward the opening and beading portion of the can to cause the electrolyte remaining in the opening and beading portion of the can to flow into the electrode assembly housing portion of the can and remove it.

[0011] The electrolyte removal unit may further include an air recovery passage for recovering air discharged from inside the can.

[0012] The electrolyte removal unit may have an air injection passage formed at its edge for injecting air toward the opening and beading portion of the can, and an air recovery passage formed further inward, closer to the center than the edge, for recovering air discharged from inside the can.

[0013] The electrolyte removal unit includes an outer tube located at the opening of the can and an inner tube provided inside the outer tube, which divides the outer tube so that air does not pass between the outer outlet and the outer recovery section. The air injection passage is formed between the outer outlet of the outer tube and the inner outlet of the inner tube and injects air toward the opening and beading section of the can. The air recovery passage is formed to connect from the inside of the inner tube to a recovery port formed in the outer recovery section of the outer tube and may recover air discharged from the inside of the can.

[0014] The outer diameter of the inner outlet portion may be formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the opening.

[0015] The inner outlet portion may be formed to protrude further toward the can than the outer outlet portion.

[0016] The inner diameter of the outer tube may be formed to be larger than the outer diameter of the opening of the can.

[0017] The inner tube includes an inner outlet portion provided at a predetermined distance from the outer outlet portion of the outer tube, an inner connecting portion connected to the outer tube and dividing it so that air cannot pass between the outer outlet portion and the outer recovery portion, and an inner connecting portion connecting the inner connecting portion and the inner outlet portion and having a smaller diameter than the inner outlet portion, and an air supply member that supplies air to the outside of the outer tube where the inner connecting portion is located may be connected.

[0018] The system may further include a sealing member that seals the space between the electrolyte removal unit and the opening of the can.

[0019] The sealing member may include a fixing portion fixed to the electrolytic solution removing unit and a supporting portion supported in a form surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the opening of the can.

[0020] A fixing groove may be formed outside the outer outlet portion, which is fixed by inserting the fixing portion.

[0021] The inner outlet portion may be formed to protrude further toward the can than the outer outlet portion, and the sealing member may further include a protruding portion inserted into a space formed by the difference in length between the inner outlet portion and the outer outlet portion and supported on the surface of the opening of the can.

[0022] The protruding portion may be provided on a part of the inner surface of the supporting portion corresponding to the space formed by the difference in length between the inner outlet portion and the outer outlet portion.

[0023] The electrolytic solution removing device may further include a jig unit for fixing the can so that it does not move.

[0024] The electrolytic solution removing device may further include a lifting unit for lowering the electrolytic solution removing unit toward the opening of the can or returning it to the original position.

[0025] The inner coupling portion may be coupled to the outer tube by a coupling bolt.

Advantages of the Invention

[0026] The electrolytic solution removing device of the present invention is characterized by including an electrolytic solution removing unit. With such a feature, the electrolytic solution remaining in the opening and beading portion of the can can be caused to flow into the inside of the can and removed, thereby enhancing the bonding property between the can and the cap assembly and enhancing the impregnation property of the electrolytic solution. In particular, it is possible to prevent rust from occurring at the end of the opening of the can.

[0027] In addition, the electrolytic solution removal unit of the electrolytic solution removal device of the present invention is characterized in that an air injection passage is formed at the edge and an air recovery passage is formed in the center. With such characteristics, the electrolytic solution remaining in the opening and beading portion of the can can be quickly removed, and the air discharged from the inside of the can can be quickly recovered.

[0028] Furthermore, the electrolytic solution removal unit of the electrolytic solution removal device of the present invention includes an outer tube and an inner tube having a double structure. The air injection passage is formed between the outer side outlet portion of the outer tube and the inner side outlet portion of the inner tube, and the air recovery passage is formed so as to be connected from the inside of the inner tube to the recovery port formed in the outer side recovery portion of the outer tube. With such characteristics, the air injection passage and the air recovery passage can be stably realized. As a result, the size of the electrolytic solution removal unit can be minimized and the manufacturing efficiency can be enhanced.

[0029] On the other hand, in the electrolytic solution removal unit of the electrolytic solution removal device of the present invention, the outer diameter of the inner side outlet portion of the inner tube is formed smaller than the inner diameter of the opening of the can. With such characteristics, air can be stably injected into the opening and beading portion of the can, and the occurrence of interference between the inner tube and the can can be prevented.

[0030] On the other hand, in the electrolytic solution removal unit of the electrolytic solution removal device of the present invention, the inner side outlet portion of the inner tube is formed to protrude further toward the can than the outer side outlet portion of the outer tube. With such characteristics, air can be stably induced to be injected up to the beading portion of the can. As a result, the electrolytic solution remaining in the beading portion can be perfectly removed.

[0031] On the other hand, in the electrolyte removal unit of the electrolyte removal apparatus of the present invention, the inner tube includes an inner outlet portion, an inner coupling portion, and an inner connecting portion having a smaller diameter than the inner outlet portion, and an air supply member is connected to the outside of the outer tube where the inner connecting portion is located. With these features, air supplied from the air supply member can be stably supplied to the air injection passage formed between the inner outlet portion of the inner tube and the outer outlet portion of the outer tube.

[0032] On the other hand, the electrolyte removal device of the present invention is further characterized by including a sealing member that seals the space between the electrolyte removal unit and the opening of the can. With this feature, the space between the can and the electrolyte removal unit can be sealed, thereby preventing the electrolyte remaining in the can from scattering in all directions due to the air sprayed from the electrolyte removal unit. In particular, the electrolyte remaining in the can and the electrolyte remaining on the upper part of the insulator arranged in the electrode assembly housing of the can can be guided into the electrode assembly housing of the can and removed. This can increase the impregnation power of the electrolyte.

[0033] On the other hand, in the electrolyte removal device of the present invention, the sealing member is inserted into the space created by the difference in length between the inner outlet of the inner tube and the outer outlet of the outer tube, and is characterized by including a projection that is supported on the upper surface of the opening of the can. With such features, collisions and noise generation between the can and the electrolyte removal unit can be prevented. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0034] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view showing a secondary battery according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing the can containing the electrode assembly after the electrolyte impregnation process. [Figure 3] This is a process diagram showing an electrolyte removal apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing the electrolyte removal unit of an electrolyte removal apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view of Figure 4. [Figure 6] This is an enlarged view of section A shown in Figure 5. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing a sealing member of an electrolyte removal device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view showing the usage state of the electrolyte removal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a magnified view of section B shown in Figure 8. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view showing an electrolyte removal unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily implement it. However, the present invention can be realized in a variety of different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described below. In the drawings, parts that are not relevant to the description have been omitted in order to clearly illustrate the present invention, and similar parts throughout the specification are denoted by similar reference numerals.

[0036] [Secondary battery according to the first embodiment of the present invention] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a secondary battery according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a can containing the electrode assembly after the electrolyte impregnation process.

[0037] As shown in Figure 1, the secondary battery 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode assembly 11, a can 12 that houses the electrode assembly 11, a cap assembly 13 mounted on the opening 122 of the can 12, and an insulator 14 that insulates the cap assembly 13 from the electrode assembly 11.

[0038] The electrode assembly 11 has a structure in which a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of separation membranes are arranged alternately, and the plurality of electrodes may be positive electrodes and negative electrodes.

[0039] The can 12 has a structure that opens in one direction (upward in Figure 1), and includes an opening 122 which is an inlet, an electrode assembly housing section 121 in which the electrode assembly 11 is housed, and a beading section 123 provided between the electrode assembly housing section 121 and the opening 122 to support the cap assembly 13. That is, referring to Figure 1, the can has a structure in which the opening 122, the beading section 123 and the electrode assembly housing section are arranged sequentially in the vertical direction.

[0040] A method for manufacturing a secondary battery having the structure described above includes the steps of: manufacturing a can 12 having an opening 122, a beading portion 123, and an electrode assembly housing portion 121; housing an electrode assembly 11 and an insulator 14 in the electrode assembly housing portion of the can 12; injecting an electrolyte 15 into the can 12 to impregnate the electrode assembly 11; and fixing the cap assembly 13 by inserting it into the opening 122 of the can 12 and clamping it.

[0041] Here, as shown in Figure 2, after the electrolyte 15 impregnation process, electrolyte 15 remains on the opening 122 and beading portion 123 of the can 12 and on the upper surface of the insulator 14. This remaining electrolyte 15 can cause poor bonding between the can 12 and the cap assembly 13, potentially leading to rust formation at the opening 122 of the can 12. In particular, the amount of electrolyte 15 impregnated into the electrode assembly 11 may decrease, resulting in impregnation failure.

[0042] To solve such problems, the present invention further includes a step of flowing the electrolyte 15 remaining in the can 12 and the insulator 14 into the electrode assembly housing section 121 of the can 12 to remove it, using the electrolyte removal device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] In other words, the electrolyte removal device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention removes the electrolyte 15 remaining in the opening 122 and beading portion 123 of the can 12 by allowing it to flow into the inside of the can, and in particular, by allowing the electrolyte 15 remaining on the upper surface of the insulator 14 to flow into the electrode assembly housing portion 121, it is possible to prevent poor impregnation of the electrolyte 15.

[0044] Hereinafter, an electrolyte removal device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0045] [Electrolyte removal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention] Figure 3 is a process diagram showing an electrolyte removal apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the electrolyte removal unit of the electrolyte removal apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 4, and Figure 6 is an enlarged view of part A shown in Figure 5.

[0046] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the electrolyte removal device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an electrolyte removal unit 21 that removes the electrolyte 15 remaining in the opening 122 and beading portion 123 of the can 12 by allowing it to flow into the inside of the can.

[0047] Electrolyte removal unit The electrolyte removal unit 21 has a structure that uses air to draw in and remove the electrolyte 15 remaining in the opening 122 and beading portion 123 of the can 12 and the insulator 14 into the inside of the can.

[0048] In other words, the electrolyte removal unit 21 has an air injection passage 3 that injects air toward the opening 122 and beading section 123 of the can 12 to cause the electrolyte 15 remaining in the opening 122 and beading section 123 of the can 12 to flow into the inside of the can and be removed, and an air recovery passage 4 that recovers the air discharged from inside the can 12.

[0049] Specifically, the electrolyte removal unit 21 injects air into the can 12 via the air injection passage 3 to draw in and remove the electrolyte 15 remaining in the opening 122, beading section 123, and insulator of the can 12. The air injected into the can 12 is then discharged to the outside, and at that time, the air discharged to the outside of the can 12 is recovered via the air recovery passage 4. This ensures that the electrolyte 15 remaining in the opening, beading section, and insulator of the can 12 can be removed stably.

[0050] More specifically, the electrolyte removal unit 21 has an air injection passage 3 formed at its edge that injects air toward the opening 122 and beading portion 123 of the can 12, and an air recovery passage 4 formed further inward (preferably in the center) closer to the center than the edge that recovers air discharged from inside the can 12. In other words, an air injection passage is formed at the edge of the electrolyte removal unit, and an air recovery passage is formed in the center. Therefore, the air injection passage 3 formed at the edge injects air to draw in and remove the electrolyte 15 remaining in the opening 122 and beading portion 123 of the can 12 and the insulator, and the air recovery passage 4 formed in the center recovers the air discharged from the can 12.

[0051] For example, the electrolyte removal unit 21 includes an outer tube 2111 located at the opening 122 of the can 12, and an inner tube 2112 provided inside the outer tube 2111, which divides the outer tube 2111 so that air cannot pass between the outer outlet portion 21111 and the outer recovery portion 21112. That is, the outer tube 2111 and the inner tube 2112 have a double-tube structure.

[0052] The outer tube 2111 has a structure that is open only in the direction toward the can 12, and includes an outer outlet portion 21111 to which the air supply member 212 is connected, and an outer recovery portion 21112 to which the air recovery member 213 is connected. That is, the outer outlet portion and the outer recovery portion have a structure that is connected in the longitudinal direction of the outer tube.

[0053] The inner tube 2112 includes an inner outlet portion 21121 provided at a predetermined distance from the outer outlet portion 21111 of the outer tube 2111, an inner connecting portion 21122 connected to the outer tube 2111 and separating the outer outlet portion 21111 and the outer recovery portion 21112 so that air cannot pass through, and an inner connecting portion 21123 connecting the inner connecting portion 21122 and the inner outlet portion 21121 and having a smaller diameter than the inner outlet portion 21121.

[0054] In other words, the outer circumferential surface of the inner connecting portion 21123 has a smaller diameter than the outer circumferential surface of the inner outlet portion 21121.

[0055] Here, the outer pipe 2111 and the inner joint portion 21122 of the inner pipe 2112 are connected using a connecting bolt 2113, thereby allowing the outer pipe 2111 and the inner pipe 2112 to be easily connected or separated. In other words, the connecting bolt 2113 penetrates the outer pipe 2111 and is connected to the inner joint portion 21122 of the inner pipe 2112.

[0056] Furthermore, an air supply member 212 is connected to the outside of the outer tube 2111 where the inner connecting portion 21123 is located, thereby ensuring an air-accommodating space between the inner tube 2112 and the outer tube 2111 that can adequately accommodate the air from the air supply member 212.

[0057] As a result, the air injection passage 3 is formed between the outer outlet portion 21111 of the outer tube 2111 and the inner outlet portion 21121 of the inner tube 2112, allowing the air supplied from the air supply member 212 to be injected toward the opening 122 and the beading portion 123 of the can 12. At that time, the injection force of the air injection passage 3 can be adjusted by the amount of air supplied from the air supply member 212.

[0058] Furthermore, the air recovery passage 4 is formed to connect from the center of the inner tube 2112 to the recovery port formed in the outer recovery section 21112 of the outer tube 2111. In other words, the air recovery passage 4 has a structure in which a passage formed in the center of the inner tube 2112 and a passage formed in the center of the air recovery section of the outer tube 2111 are connected. This makes it possible to recover the air discharged from inside the can 12.

[0059] On the other hand, the air recovery section of the can 12 is equipped with an air recovery member 213 for forcibly recovering air. That is, the air recovery member 213 uses its suction power to forcibly suck in and remove the air that flows into the air recovery section.

[0060] On the other hand, the outer diameter of the inner outlet portion 21121 may be formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the opening 122. This allows air to flow between the inner outlet portion 21121 and the opening 122, enabling a stable injection of air into the beading portion 123 of the can 12, and as a result, the electrolyte 15 remaining in the beading portion 123 can be effectively removed.

[0061] On the other hand, the inner outlet portion 21121 may be formed to protrude further toward the can 12 than the outer outlet portion 21111. That is, the end of the outer outlet portion 21111 may be located outside the can, and the end of the inner outlet portion 21121 may extend to be located inside the opening 122 of the can 12. This prevents the electrolyte removal unit from separating from the can 12 during the process of removing the electrolyte 15 remaining in the can 12 by the electrolyte removal unit 21. In particular, by spraying air toward the bent portion between the opening 122 and the beading portion 123 of the can 12, the electrolyte 15 remaining in the bent portion between the opening 122 and the beading portion 123 of the can 12 can be effectively removed.

[0062] On the other hand, the inner diameter of the outer tube 2111 may be formed to be larger than the outer diameter of the opening 122 of the can 12. This allows air to be stably injected into the entire opening 122 of the can 12 even when the outer tube 2111 and the opening 122 of the can 12 are separated by a predetermined distance on the same vertical line, and as a result, the electrolyte 15 remaining in the opening 122 of the can 12 can be effectively removed.

[0063] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the sealing member 214 of the electrolyte removal device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, a sealing member 214 may be further included to seal the space between the electrolyte removal unit 21 and the opening 122 of the can 12.

[0065] The sealing member 214 prevents the electrolyte from splashing out through the electrolyte removal unit 21 and the can 12, and also guides the electrolyte 15 remaining in the opening 122 and beading portion 123 of the can 12 to flow into the electrode assembly housing portion 121.

[0066] In other words, the sealing member 214 includes a fixing portion 2141 that is fixed to the electrolyte removal unit 21 and a support portion 2142 that is supported in a manner that surrounds the outer circumferential surface of the opening 122 of the can 12.

[0067] Here, the fixing portion 2141 may be fixed to the outer outlet portion 21111 of the electrolyte removal unit 21 using an adhesive or fixing means. In particular, the fixing portion 2141 may be detachably fixed to the electrolyte removal unit 21.

[0068] The support portion 2142 is supported by the opening 122 of the can 12, thereby preventing the electrolyte 15 and air from leaking between the sealing member 214 and the opening 122.

[0069] On the other hand, the sealing member 214 is made of a material that has cushioning properties. For example, the sealing member 214 may be made of polypropylene.

[0070] On the other hand, a fixing groove 21113 may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the outer outlet portion 21111 of the electrolyte removal unit 21, into which the fixing portion 2141 is fitted and fixed. This increases the fixing force of the sealing member 214.

[0071] On the other hand, the sealing member 214 may further include a projection 2143 that is inserted into the space created by the difference in length between the inner outlet portion 21121 and the outer outlet portion 21111 and is supported on the upper surface of the opening 122 of the can 12. That is, the projection 2143, being supported on the upper surface of the opening 122 of the can 12, can prevent the electrolyte removal unit 21 from colliding with the opening 122.

[0072] On the other hand, the projection 2143 may be provided on a part of the inner surface of the support portion 2142 that corresponds to the space created by the difference in length between the inner outlet portion 21121 and the outer outlet portion 21111. This allows the air injected from the air injection passage 3 to be injected into the opening 122 without interference from the projection 2143.

[0073] On the other hand, the electrolyte removal device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention further includes a jig unit 22 for fixing the can 12 so that it does not move, as shown in Figure 3.

[0074] Jig unit The jig unit 22 has at least one insertion groove 221 formed on its upper surface into which the can 12 is inserted, and while the lower end of the can 12 is inserted into the insertion groove 221, it is possible to prevent the can 12 from moving back and forth or side to side. Here, the insertion groove 221 may further include a pressurizing means (not shown) for pressurizing the lower end of the can 12.

[0075] On the other hand, the electrolyte removal device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a lifting unit that lowers the electrolyte removal unit 21 toward the opening 122 of the can 12 or returns it to its original position, as shown in Figure 3.

[0076] Lifting unit When the lifting unit 23 determines that it is necessary to remove the electrolyte 15 remaining in the can 12, it lowers the electrolyte removal unit 21 so that it approaches the opening 122 of the can 12. Once the removal of the electrolyte 15 is complete, it raises the electrolyte removal unit 21 so that it moves away from the opening 122 of the can 12.

[0077] On the other hand, the lifting unit 23 may be provided by a hydraulic cylinder.

[0078] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the usage state of the electrolyte removal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 9 is an enlarged view of portion B shown in Figure 8.

[0079] The usage state of the electrolyte removal device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which has such a structure, will be described.

[0080] First, the can 12, from which residual electrolyte needs to be removed, is inserted into the insertion groove 221 of the jig unit 22. Next, the electrolyte removal unit 21 is positioned close to the opening 122 of the can 12 using the lifting unit 23. As a result, the support portion 2142 provided on the sealing member 214 of the electrolyte removal unit 21 is supported by the opening 122 of the can 12, thereby sealing the space between the electrolyte removal unit 21 and the can 12.

[0081] Next, air is supplied by the air supply member 212. As a result, the air from the air supply member 212 is injected into the opening 122 and beading portion 123 of the can 12 via the air injection passage 3 (between the inner outlet portion 21121 of the inner tube 2112 and the outer outlet portion 21111 of the outer tube 2111), causing the electrolyte 15 remaining on the opening 122 and beading portion 123 of the can 12 and the insulator to scatter in all directions. Here, since the space between the electrolyte removal unit 21 and the can 12 is sealed by the sealing member 214, the remaining electrolyte 15 flows into the electrode assembly housing portion 121 of the can 12, and as a result, the electrolyte 15 remaining on the opening 122 and beading portion 123 of the can 12 can be removed. In particular, the air injected from the air injection passage 3 also moves the electrolyte 15 remaining on the upper surface of the insulator and flows into the electrode assembly housing portion 121 of the can 12. As a result, the electrolyte 15 remaining on the upper surface of the insulator can be removed.

[0082] Meanwhile, the air injected into the can 12 is discharged outside the can 12 and collected in the air recovery passage 4 (a passage connecting the center of the inner tube 2112 and the outer recovery section 21112 of the outer tube 2111), and then discharged to the outside via the air recovery member 213.

[0083] Therefore, the electrolyte removal device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can effectively remove the electrolyte 15 remaining in the opening 122 and beading portion 123 of the can 12 and insulator, and in particular can guide it to flow into the electrode assembly housing portion 121 of the can 12, thereby preventing poor electrolyte impregnation.

[0084] In describing other embodiments of the present invention below, the same reference numerals are used for components having the same function as those in the embodiments described above, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0085] [Electrolyte removal device according to a second embodiment of the present invention] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrolyte removal unit 21 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] As shown in Figure 10, the electrolyte removal device 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes an electrolyte removal unit 21, the electrolyte removal unit 21 including an outer tube 2111 and an inner tube 2112.

[0087] Here, a sealing pad 215 is provided between the inner joint 21122 of the inner tube 2112 and the outer tube 2111 to enhance the sealing force.

[0088] In other words, the sealing pad 215 prevents air from leaking between the inner joint 21122 of the inner tube 2112 and the outer tube 2111.

[0089] On the other hand, the sealing pad 215 may be made of the same material as the sealing member 214.

[0090] Therefore, the electrolyte removal device 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention can increase the sealing force between the inner joint portion 21122 of the inner tube 2112 and the outer tube 2111 by including the sealing pad 215.

[0091] The scope of the present invention is shown by the appended claims rather than by the above detailed description, and various embodiments are possible derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and the concept of equivalents thereof. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0092] 1 Secondary battery 11 Electrode assembly 12 cans 121 Electrode assembly housing section 122 Opening 123 Beading section 13 Cap Assembly 14 Insulator 15 Electrolyte 2 Electrolyte removal device 21 Electrolyte Removal Unit 2111 Outer tube 21111 Outer outlet 21112 External recovery section 21113 Fixed groove 2112 Inner tube 21121 Inner outlet section 21122 Inner joint 21123 Inner connecting section 212 Air supply component 213 Air recovery component 2113 Connecting bolts 214 Sealing member 2141 Fixed part 2142 Support part 2143 Protrusion 215 Sealing pad 22 Jig Unit 221 Insertion groove 23 Lifting Unit 3. Air injection passage 4. Air recovery passage

Claims

1. Includes an electrolyte removal unit that removes electrolyte remaining in the can opening and beading area. The aforementioned electrolyte removal unit is An electrolyte removal device including an air injection passage that injects air toward the opening and beading portion of the can to cause the electrolyte remaining in the opening and beading portion of the can to flow into the electrode assembly housing portion of the can and remove it.

2. The aforementioned electrolyte removal unit is The electrolyte removal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an air recovery passage for recovering air discharged from the inside of the can.

3. The aforementioned electrolyte removal unit is The electrolyte removal device according to claim 2, wherein an air injection passage is formed at the edge for injecting air toward the opening and beading portion of the can, and an air recovery passage is formed further inward, closer to the center than the edge, for recovering air discharged from inside the can.

4. The aforementioned electrolyte removal unit is The outer tube located at the opening of the can, It includes an inner tube provided inside the outer tube, which divides the outer tube so that no air passes between the outer outlet and the outer recovery section. The air injection passage is formed between the outer outlet of the outer tube and the inner outlet of the inner tube, and injects air toward the opening and beading portion of the can. The electrolyte removal apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the air recovery passage is formed to connect from the inside of the inner tube to a recovery port formed in the outer recovery portion of the outer tube, and recovers air discharged from the inside of the can.

5. The electrolyte removal device according to claim 4, wherein the outer diameter of the inner outlet portion is formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the opening.

6. The electrolyte removal device according to claim 4, wherein the inner outlet portion is formed to protrude further toward the can than the outer outlet portion.

7. The electrolyte removal device according to claim 4, wherein the inner diameter of the outer tube is formed to be larger than the outer diameter of the opening of the can.

8. The inner tube is, An inner outlet portion is provided at a predetermined distance from the outer outlet portion of the outer tube, An inner connecting portion is connected to the outer tube and divides the outer outlet portion and the outer recovery portion so that air cannot pass between them, The inner connecting portion and the inner outlet portion are connected, and the inner connecting portion has a smaller diameter than the inner outlet portion, The electrolyte removal apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an air supply member is connected to the outside of the outer tube where the inner connecting portion is located to supply air.

9. The electrolyte removal apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a sealing member for sealing the space between the electrolyte removal unit and the opening of the can.

10. The aforementioned sealing member is A fixing part fixed to the aforementioned electrolyte removal unit, The electrolyte removal apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a support portion supported in a manner that surrounds the outer circumferential surface of the opening of the can.

11. The electrolyte removal device according to claim 10, wherein a fixing groove is formed on the outside of the outer outlet portion, into which the fixing portion is inserted to secure it.

12. The inner outlet portion is formed to protrude further toward the can than the outer outlet portion. The electrolyte removal device according to claim 10, wherein the sealing member further includes a projection that is inserted into the space created by the difference in length between the inner outlet portion and the outer outlet portion and is supported on the surface of the opening of the can.

13. The electrolyte removal device according to claim 12, wherein the projection is provided on a part of the inner surface of the support portion corresponding to the space created by the difference in length between the inner outlet portion and the outer outlet portion.

14. The electrolyte removal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a jig unit for fixing the can in place so that it does not move.

15. The electrolyte removal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a lifting unit for lowering the electrolyte removal unit toward the opening of the can or returning it to its original position.

16. The electrolyte removal device according to claim 8, wherein the inner coupling portion is coupled to the outer tube by coupling bolts.

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