Molding apparatus, molding system, and molding method

Abstract

The molding apparatus according to the present invention includes a die with an upper surface provided for pressurizing an object to be pressed, a stripper that pressurizes the object to be pressed opposite the die, and a punch provided inside the stripper for pressurizing the object to be pressed, wherein the die includes a projection formed on the innermost part of the upper surface that pressurizes the object to be pressed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0074430 filed on June 9, 2023, and all the contents disclosed in the Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a molding device, a molding system, and a molding method, and more particularly, to a molding device, a molding system, and a molding method capable of molding a pressurization target.

Background Art

[0003] In recent years, with the depletion of fossil fuels, the price of energy sources has soared, concerns about environmental pollution have amplified, and the need for environmentally friendly alternative energy sources has become an essential factor for future life. Therefore, research on various power generation technologies such as solar, wind, and tidal power has continued, and there has also been a great deal of interest in power storage devices such as batteries for more efficiently using the electrical energy produced in this way.

[0004] Furthermore, with the development of technologies related to electronic mobile devices using batteries and the increasing demand for battery electric vehicles, the demand for batteries as an energy source has increased rapidly, and accordingly, various studies on batteries that can meet various needs have been conducted.

[0005] Batteries have received a lot of attention as an energy source in various product groups such as various mobile devices and electric vehicles. In particular, secondary batteries are excellent energy resources that can be used instead of existing products using fossil fuels, do not generate by-products associated with energy use, and have been in the spotlight as an environmentally friendly energy source.

[0006] On the other hand, secondary batteries are also attracting attention as a power source for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (Plug-In HEVs), which are being proposed as a way to solve problems such as air pollution caused by existing gasoline and diesel vehicles that use fossil fuels. In other words, such secondary batteries are used in the form of battery packs containing a large number of battery modules.

[0007] Generally, pouch-type battery cases are manufactured by pressing a pouch film to form a cup portion. Once the cup portion is formed, the electrode assembly is housed inside the cup portion, and the sides are sealed to manufacture a secondary battery.

[0008] Traditionally, the pouch film was formed by punching it while the pouch was fixed in place with a die and stripper. Pouch film mainly contains aluminum, but when the punch presses and forms the pouch film, the aluminum at the corner edges of the punch is stretched, resulting in a problem of low aluminum retention. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The present invention has been derived to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a molding apparatus, molding system, and molding method that can increase the retention rate of the stretched portion in the object to be pressed by applying pressure to the object in a primary and secondary stage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a die having an upper surface provided for pressurizing an object to be pressed, and a stripper facing the die and pressurizing the object to be pressed, The die includes a punch provided to pressurize the object to be pressed inside the stripper, and the die may include a projection formed on the innermost part of the upper surface that pressurizes the object to be pressed.

[0011] The stripper may have a recessed portion formed in the part corresponding to the protruding portion.

[0012] The recessed portion can be opened to the inside of the stripper.

[0013] The die may have a through-hole that penetrates the protrusion and maintains a low-pressure state so that the object to be pressurized adheres tightly to it.

[0014] Multiple through-holes can be formed along the peripheral edge direction of the upper surface of the die.

[0015] The protrusion can be formed along the peripheral edge direction of the upper surface of the die.

[0016] The punch can apply pressure to the object to be pressed from the inside of the protruding portion.

[0017] The system may further include a drive unit that transmits force to the die so that the die moves up and down.

[0018] A molding system according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a first molding apparatus and a second molding apparatus for pressurizing an object to be pressed, the first molding apparatus includes a first die provided for pressurizing the object to be pressed, a first stripper facing the first die and for pressurizing the object to be pressed, and a first punch provided inside the first stripper and for pressurizing the object to be pressed, the first die includes a projection formed on the innermost part of its upper surface, and the second molding apparatus may include a second stripper and a second die for pressurizing the object to be pressed, and a second punch provided for further pressurizing the object that has been pressurized by the first molding apparatus.

[0019] The first stripper may include a recess formed in a portion corresponding to the protruding portion.

[0020] Through holes may be formed in the protruding portion to maintain a low pressure state so as to closely attach the pressurization target to the first die.

[0021] The upper surface of the second die may be formed flat, and the lower surface of the second stripper facing the second die may also be formed flat.

[0022] Through holes may be formed in the protruding portion to maintain a low pressure state so as to closely attach the pressurization target to the first die.

[0023] A molding method according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a step of fixing a pressurization target with a first die and a first stripper, and a step of pressurizing the pressurization target with a first punch. The first die includes a protruding portion formed on the innermost side of the upper surface, and the first stripper may include a recess formed in a portion corresponding to the protruding portion.

[0024] The method may further include a step of disposing and fixing the pressurized pressurization target between a second die and a second stripper, and a step of further pressurizing the pressurization target with a second punch.

Effect of the Invention

[0025] The molding apparatus, molding system, and molding method according to the present invention can perform primary molding and secondary molding. Since the pressurization target is pressurized in two stages, the stretched portions can also be dispersed. Since the stretched portions are dispersed, the remaining rate after the pressurization target is pressurized becomes high. Since the remaining rate of the pressurization target becomes high, there is an effect that forming can be performed deeper than existing ones.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further understand the technical idea of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention to be described later. The present invention should not be construed as being limited only to the matters described in such drawings.

[0027] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram of a molding apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a plan view of the die shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a schematic diagram showing that the object to be pressed is pressed by the punch shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a schematic diagram of a second molding apparatus of a molding system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a schematic diagram showing that the object to be pressed is pressed by the second punch. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart of a molding method according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can easily implement it. However, the present invention can be realized in various different forms and is not limited or restricted by the following embodiments.

[0029] For the purpose of clearly explaining the present invention, a detailed description of parts not related to the explanation or related known technologies that may obscure the gist of the present invention is omitted. When assigning reference numerals to the components of each drawing in this specification, the same or similar reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0030] Furthermore, the terms and words used in this specification and in the claims should not be interpreted in a manner limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but rather should be interpreted in a manner consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that inventors may define the concepts of terms as appropriate to best describe their invention.

[0031] Embodiment 1 In the following, the molding apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a molding apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, Figure 2 is a plan view showing the die shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating that the object to be pressed has been pressed by the punch shown in Figure 1.

[0033] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the molding apparatus 10 can pressurize the object to be pressed A. Such a molding apparatus 10 may include a die 11, a stripper 12, and a punch 13.

[0034] The die 11, together with the stripper 12 described later, can fix the object to be pressed A. The die 11 can pressurize the object to be pressed A. The die 11 may be provided with an upper surface 114 that is provided to pressurize the object to be pressed A. The die 11 may include a protrusion 111 on the upper surface 114. The die 11 may have a protrusion 111 formed on the innermost part of the upper surface 114. In the molding apparatus 10, the die 11 and the stripper 12 described later may be arranged on the outermost side, and the punch 13 may be arranged on the innermost side.

[0035] The protrusion 111 can be formed along the periphery of the upper surface 114 of the die 11. A through-hole 112 can be formed in the protrusion 111. The pressurized object A can be pressurized by the protrusion 111.

[0036] The through-hole 112 can maintain a low pressure state so that the pressurized object adheres tightly. The through-hole 112 can be formed to penetrate the projection 111. Multiple through-holes 112 can be formed along the periphery of the upper surface 114 of the die 11. The through-hole 112 can be connected to a pressure regulating device so that the pressure can be regulated.

[0037] If the upper end of the protrusion 111 is formed in a rounded shape, the pressurized object A may not be stably placed on the portion of the protrusion 111. To improve this, a through-hole 112 can be formed on the portion of the protrusion 111 so that the pressurized object A can be properly placed by adjusting the pressure.

[0038] The stripper 12 can pressurize the material to be pressed A. The stripper 12 can pressurize the material to be pressed A opposite to the die 11. The stripper 12 can receive pressure from a cylinder or the like from above and pressurize the material to be pressed A together with the die 11. A recessed portion 121 can be formed in the stripper 12. The stripper 12 can be positioned to surround the punch 13 of the molding apparatus 10. The bottom surface of the stripper 12 can be formed flat. The portion corresponding to the protrusion 111 can also be formed flat.

[0039] The recessed portion 121 can be formed in a portion corresponding to the protruding portion 111. The recessed portion 121 can be formed to open to the inside of the stripper 12. When the recessed portion 121 is open to the inside of the stripper 12, a shape like that of pressurized object A in Figure 3 can be formed when pressurized object A is pressurized.

[0040] The punch 13 can pressurize the object to be pressed A. The punch 13 can pressurize the object to be pressed A inside the stripper 12. The punch 13 can pressurize the object to be pressed A inside the protrusion 111. A molding space 113 can be formed in the die 11. The punch 13 can be inserted into the molding space 113. The object to be pressed A is pressurized in the molding space 113. The molding space can be a space that penetrates or is recessed downward from the upper surface of the die 11.

[0041] In the molding apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the punch 13 is fixed, and both the die 11 and the stripper 12 rise, allowing the object to be pressed A to be pressed by the punch 13. However, it is not limited to this, and it is also possible for the die 11 and the stripper 12 to be fixed, and the punch 13 to descend to pressurize the object to be pressed A.

[0042] The molding apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may further include a drive unit 14. The drive unit 14 can be provided to transmit force to the die 11 so that the die 11 moves up and down.

[0043] The pressurized object A, which is pressurized by the molding apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, may include a first region A1, a second region A2, and a third region A3 that will be pressurized. The pressurized object A may be a pouch film. The pouch film includes a first resin layer forming the upper surface, a second resin layer forming the bottom surface, and a metal layer located between the first resin layer and the second resin layer.

[0044] The first region A1 is the area that is pressurized and fixed by the die 11 and the stripper 12. The pressurized object A is fixed in the first region A1, and stretching can be performed in the second region A2 and the third region A3. The degree of stretching performed in the first region A1 may be less than that in the second region A2 and the third region A3.

[0045] The second region A2 is the portion of the die 11 that is stretched in the area corresponding to the protruding portion 111 and the recessed portion 121. In other words, it is the portion that is pressurized by the protruding portion 111.

[0046] The third region A3 is the area in the molding space 113 that is pressed and stretched by the lower edge of the punch 13. Since stretching occurs in both the second region A2 and the third region A3, the stretched portion can be dispersed. Because the stretched portion is dispersed, excessive reduction in the remaining thickness of each part in the second region A2 and the third region A3 is prevented.

[0047] The molding apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes a die 11 with a protrusion 111 and a stripper 12 in which a recessed portion 121 is formed. This increases the portion of the pressurized object A that is pressed and stretched, and prevents the thickness of the pressurized object A from becoming thinner in specific parts. Because it prevents the thickness from becoming thinner, it has the effect of allowing the pressurized object A to be formed to a deeper depth than in conventional methods.

[0048] Embodiment 2 In the following, the molding system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figures 3 to 5.

[0049] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating that the object to be pressed has been pressed by the punch shown in Figure 1, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the second molding apparatus of the molding system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating that the object to be pressed has been pressed by the second punch.

[0050] The molding system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention includes a first molding apparatus 10 and a second molding apparatus 20. The pressurized object A can be pressurized by the first molding apparatus 10 and the second molding apparatus 20. In the molding system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the first molding apparatus 10 has the same configuration as the molding apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Therefore, the first molding apparatus 10 and the components included in the first molding apparatus 10 are based on the configuration of the molding apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Also, for convenience of explanation, the die 11, stripper 12, and punch 13 included in the first molding apparatus 10 will be referred to as the first die 11, the first stripper 12, and the first punch 13, respectively.

[0051] The second molding apparatus 20 may include a second stripper 22, a second die 21, and a second punch 23. The second molding apparatus 20 can apply a second pressurization to the pressurized object A that has been pressurized by the first molding apparatus 10.

[0052] When secondary pressurization is performed, the first region A1 of the pressurized object A can be pressurized and fixed by the second die 21 and the second stripper 22. The second region A2 can be pressurized in the direction of the second punch 23 while its shape is deformed by the second punch 23.

[0053] The second die 21 can pressurize the object to be pressed A. The second stripper 22 can pressurize the first region A1 of the object to be pressed A. The upper surface of the second die 21 can be formed flat.

[0054] The second stripper 22 and the second die 21 can pressurize and fix the object to be pressed A while facing each other. The lower surface of the second stripper 22 facing the second die 21 can be formed flat.

[0055] The second punch 23 can be provided to further pressurize the pressurized object A that has been pressurized by the first molding apparatus. The second punch 23 can pressurize the third region A3 while simultaneously pressurizing the pressurized object A. The second punch 23 can also pressurize the second region A2 of the pressurized object A. Here, sufficient clearance can be ensured between the second punch 23 and the second die 21 and the second stripper 22. The second punch 23 can be formed to be longer in width and depth than the first punch 13.

[0056] During the primary molding process of the pressurized object A, the second region A2 can be stretched while being pressed by the protrusion 111. Because stretching occurs in both the second region A2 and the third region A3, the thickness of the second region A2 and the third region A3 can not be reduced as much as when stretching occurs only in the third region A3. Therefore, during the secondary molding process of the pressurized object A, the shape can be deformed by the second punch 23. In other words, the pressurized object A can be molded deeper in the lower part without further reduction of the remaining thickness of the pressurized object A.

[0057] As shown in Figure 5, the second region A2, which has been subjected to primary pressurization, can expand to the midpoint of the second die 21 as it is pressurized by the second punch 23.

[0058] The molding system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention includes a first molding apparatus 10 and a second molding apparatus 20. In existing forming processes, the material to be pressed was pressed only once, so the stretching was concentrated in the area where the punch pressed the material. Consequently, the thickness of the material to be pressed became thinner in the area where the stretching was concentrated, resulting in a phenomenon where the remaining percentage of the material to be pressed was low after the pressing process. As a result, cracks occurred in the stretched region of the material to be pressed, leading to electrolyte leakage and other problems, and a decrease in insulation resistance.

[0059] To solve this problem, in Embodiment 2 of the present invention, the object to be pressed A is pressed in the first molding device 10, and then pressed again in the second molding device 20, thereby increasing the area stretched in the object to be pressed A compared to the existing method, and thus increasing the retention rate of the object to be pressed A. As the retention rate of the object to be pressed A increases, it is also possible to mold it to have a deeper shape than in the existing method.

[0060] Embodiment 3 The molding method will be explained in detail below with reference to Figure 6.

[0061] Figure 6 is a flowchart of the molding method according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0062] Hereinafter, the molding method carried out by the molding system according to Embodiment 2 described above will be described as Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0063] Referring to Figure 6, the molding method according to the present invention may include the steps of: fixing the object to be pressed A with a first die 11 and a first stripper 12 (S1); pressurizing the object to be pressed A with a first punch 13 (S2); positioning and fixing the object to be pressed A between a second die 21 and a second stripper 22 (S3); and further pressurizing the object to be pressed A with a second punch 23 (S4).

[0064] In step (S1), the pressurized object A is fixed by the first die 11 and the first stripper 12, allowing the pressurized object A to be placed in the molding system. After the pressurized object A is placed, the first die 11 is raised by the drive unit 14, and together with the first stripper 12, pressurizes the pressurized object A. Here, the first die 11 and the first stripper 12 can pressurize and fix the first region A1 of the pressurized object A.

[0065] In step (S2) where the object to be pressed A is pressed by the first punch 13, the drive unit 14 further raises the first die 11 and the first stripper 12, allowing the object to be pressed A to be pressed by the first punch 13. In particular, the second region A2 can be pressed by the protrusion 111. The third region A3 can be pressed by the lower edge of the first punch 13. However, it is not limited to this, and the object to be pressed A can also be pressed by the first punch 13 descending.

[0066] In the step of placing the pressurized object A between the second die 21 and the second stripper 22, the pressurized object A, which has undergone primary molding by the first molding apparatus 10, can be placed in the second molding apparatus 20. Here, the second die 21 and the second stripper 22 can pressurize the first region A1. The second region A2, which has undergone primary molding and stretching, can be placed inside the second die 21 and the second stripper 22, that is, towards the second punch 23.

[0067] In the step where the object to be pressurized A is further pressurized by the second punch 23, the object to be pressurized A can be pressurized by the second punch 23 while the second die 21 and the second stripper 22 are rising. However, it is not limited to this, and the object to be pressurized A can also be pressurized by the second punch 23 descending.

[0068] Since the first die 11 includes a projection 111 on the innermost part of its upper surface 114, the portion to be stretched as described above can be dispersed in the step (S2) in which the pressurized object A is pressurized by the first punch 13. The first stripper 12 also has a recessed portion 121 formed in the part corresponding to the projection 111, so the pressurized object A can be pressurized by both the projection 111 and the recessed portion 121.

[0069] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various implementations are possible by persons with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains, within the equivalent scope of the technical concept of the present invention and the claims described below. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0070] 10 Molding equipment 11 Dies 111 Protrusion 112 Through-holes 113 Molding space 114 Top surface 12 Strippers 121 Sinkhole 13 punches 14 Drive Unit 20 Second molding device 21 Second Dive 22. Second Stripper 23 Second punch A. Subject to pressurization A1 1st area A2 2nd area A3 3rd area

Claims

1. A die having an upper surface provided for pressurizing an object to be pressurized, A stripper facing the die and applying pressure to the object to be pressed, The stripper includes a punch provided to pressurize the object to be pressed inside the stripper, A molding apparatus in which the die includes a protrusion formed on the innermost part of the upper surface that pressurizes the object to be pressed.

2. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stripper has a recessed portion formed in a portion corresponding to the protruding portion.

3. The molding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the recessed portion is open to the inside of the stripper.

4. The die includes, The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a through-hole is formed that penetrates the protruding portion and maintains a low-pressure state so that the object to be pressed adheres tightly.

5. The molding apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of through-holes are formed along the peripheral edge direction of the upper surface of the die.

6. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion is formed along the peripheral edge direction of the upper surface of the die.

7. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the punch pressurizes the object to be pressed from the inside of the protrusion.

8. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a drive unit provided to transmit force to the die so that the die moves up and down.

9. A molding system including a first molding apparatus and a second molding apparatus for pressurizing an object to be pressurized, The first molding apparatus is A first die is provided to pressurize the object to be pressurized, A first stripper facing the first die and applying pressure to the object to be pressed, It includes a first punch provided inside the first stripper to pressurize the object to be pressed, The first die includes a projection formed on the innermost part of the upper surface, The aforementioned second molding apparatus is A second stripper and a second die that pressurize the object to be pressurized, A molding system comprising a second punch provided for further pressurizing the object to be pressed by the first molding apparatus.

10. The molding system according to claim 9, wherein the first stripper includes a recess formed in a portion corresponding to the protruding portion.

11. The molding system according to claim 9, wherein the protruding portion has a through-hole formed therein, which maintains a low-pressure state so as to tightly adhere the object to be pressed to the first die.

12. The upper surface of the second die is formed flat, The molding system according to claim 9, wherein the lower surface of the second stripper facing the second die is also formed flat.

13. The steps include fixing the object to be pressurized with the first die and the first stripper, The step includes the step of pressurizing the object to be pressed by a first punch, The first die includes a projection formed on the innermost part of the upper surface, A molding method comprising the first stripper including a recessed portion formed in a portion corresponding to the protruding portion.

14. The steps include: positioning and fixing the pressurized object between the second die and the second stripper; The molding method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of further pressurizing the object to be pressed by a second punch.

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