Molding apparatus and molding method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pressurizing device and a pressurizing method, and includes a first die, a second die that pressurizes an object to be pressed from inside the first die, a stripper that pressurizes an object to be pressed facing the first die and the second die, a connecting portion that connects the first die and the second die and is provided with a compression member, and a punch that pressurizes an object to be pressed from inside the second die, wherein the second die is configured to pressurize an object after the object to be pressed has been pressed against the first die and the stripper.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0073670 filed on June 8, 2023, and all the contents disclosed in the literature of the Korean patent application are incorporated herein as part of this specification.

[0002] The present invention relates to a molding device and a molding method, and to a device and a molding method for pressurizing a pressurization target.

Background Art

[0003] In recent years, with the depletion of fossil fuels, the soaring prices of energy sources and the growing concern about environmental pollution, 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 power, wind power, and tidal power has been continuously conducted, 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 been rapidly increasing, and accordingly, various studies on batteries that can meet various needs have been conducted.

[0005] Batteries have received a great deal 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 the use of energy, 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 presented 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 Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The present invention was derived to solve the above-mentioned problems, and relates to a molding apparatus and molding method that prevents cracks and breakage by applying pressure to the object to be pressed in two stages to increase the stretched area and disperse the areas where stress is concentrated, thereby enabling deeper forming and improving wrinkles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first die, a second die that pressurizes an object to be pressed from inside the first die, a stripper that pressurizes the object to be pressed from opposite the first die and the second die, a connecting portion that connects the first die and the second die and is provided with a compression member, and a punch that pressurizes the object to be pressed from inside the second die.

[0011] The second die can be configured to apply pressure to the object to be pressed after the object to be pressed has been pressed together by the first die and the stripper.

[0012] The second die may include a pressurizing portion for pressurizing the object to be pressurized and a support portion to which the connecting portion is connected.

[0013] The molding apparatus may further include a drive unit provided to transmit the force that causes the support portion to rise.

[0014] The compression member is positioned between the first die and the support portion at the connecting portion, and the first die can be configured to move up and down in response to force transmission from the compression member.

[0015] The compression member may include at least one of a spring or a cylinder.

[0016] Multiple connecting portions can be formed along the outer edge where the first die is positioned.

[0017] The connecting portion further includes a post provided to be coupled and connected to the first die and the support portion, and the compression member can be placed on the post.

[0018] The first die has a hole into which the post can be inserted, and the connecting portion may further include a bearing provided to prevent damage due to friction between the post and the hole.

[0019] The first die presses the object to be pressed outside the pressing portion, and the punch can press the object to be pressed inside the pressing portion.

[0020] The punch can be fixed so as not to move up and down, and the first die and the second die can be formed to move up and down.

[0021] The molding method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first step of fixing an object to be pressed by a stripper and a first die, a second step of pressing the object to be pressed by the stripper and a punch while a second die connected to the first die rises, and a third step of further pressing the object to be pressed by a pressing portion of the second die and the punch as the second die further rises. The pressing portion is disposed inside the first die, and the punch can be disposed inside the pressing portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] The molding apparatus and the molding method according to the present invention divide the process of pressing an object to be pressed into two stages, increase the stretching sites generated in the object to be pressed, prevent cracks and cuts that occur after the object to be pressed is pressed, and can increase the remaining rate of the object to be pressed after pressing, and have the effect of preventing the object to be pressed from being wrinkled.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and together with the detailed description of the invention described later, serve to further understand the technical idea of the present invention. The present invention should not be construed as being limited only to the matters described in such drawings.

[0024] [Figure 1] It is a plan view showing a first die and a second die of a molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a schematic view showing a cross section of a molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]It is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the connecting portion illustrated in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart showing a molding method according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] In the molding method according to another embodiment of the present invention, it is a view showing the first step process. [Figure 6] In the molding method according to another embodiment of the present invention, it is a view showing the second step process. [Figure 7] In the molding method according to another embodiment of the present invention, it is a view showing the third step process.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, referring to the accompanying 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.

[0026] 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, and when attaching reference numerals to the components of each drawing in this specification, the same or similar reference numerals are attached to the same or similar components throughout the specification. <000​​​​​​​​​​ Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating the first die and second die of a molding apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-section of the molding apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a modified example of the connecting portion shown in Figure 2.

[0030] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 5, the molding apparatus 1 according to the present invention may include a first die 10, a second die 20, a stripper 30, a connecting part 40, and a punch 50.

[0031] The first die 10 can fix the object to be pressed A. The first die 10 can be formed along the outermost periphery of the molding apparatus 1. The first die 10 can fix the object to be pressed A opposite the stripper 30. The first die 10 can be connected to the second die 20, which will be described later. The first die 10 can be connected to the second die 20 and move up and down. The first die 10 can be formed with a flat top surface. The edges of the first die 10 are formed in a curved shape to prevent stress from concentrating in a specific area when the object to be pressed A is pressed.

[0032] The second die 20 can pressurize the pressurized object A inside the first die 10. The second die 20 can move up and down by a drive unit 60, which will be described later. The second die 20 can be connected to the first die 10.

[0033] The stripper 30 can pressurize the object to be pressed A facing the first die 10. The stripper 30 can fix the object to be pressed A in place. Primarily, the stripper 30 can play a role in fixing the object to be pressed A together with the first die 10. The stripper 30 can pressurize the object to be pressed A facing the second die 20. The lower surface of the stripper 30 can be formed as a flat surface. The stripper 30 can receive a predetermined pressure from above by a cylinder or the like and apply a predetermined pressure to the object to be pressed A.

[0034] The connecting portion 40 may include a compression member 41. The connecting portion 40 may be provided to connect the first die 10 and the second die 20. Multiple connecting portions 40 may be formed along the outer periphery on which the first die 10 is positioned. The connecting portion 40 may further include a post 42. The post 42 is shown as a cylindrical column, but is not limited to this, and can have various shapes. The connecting portion 40 may further include a bearing (not shown). The bearing may be provided to prevent friction from occurring in the hole where the post 42 and the first die 10 are joined.

[0035] The connecting portion 40 connects the first die 10 and the second die 20, and when the second die 20 receives an upward force, that force can be transmitted to the first die 10. Multiple connecting portions 40 can be formed. The connecting portion 40 can have sufficient rigidity to withstand the force transmitted from the compression member 41. The connecting portion 40 can be coupled to the second die 20, and can be coupled to the first die 10 by being inserted into a hole described later.

[0036] The punch 50 can pressurize the object A inside the second die 20. The punch 50 can be fixed so that it does not move up and down. Because the punch 50 does not move up and down, the first die 10 and the second die 20 can pressurize the object A while moving up and down. The object A is pressed according to the shape of the punch 50, and the target shape can be formed.

[0037] The punch 50 has a flat bottom surface, allowing the object to be pressed, A, to be pressed. Since the object to be pressed, A, comes into direct contact with the punch 50 and is pressed, the edges of the punch 50 are formed in a curved shape rather than a completely angular shape, which prevents cracks or bursts from occurring when the object to be pressed, A, is pressed.

[0038] In the molding apparatus 1 according to the present invention, the second die 20 can be provided to pressurize the object to be pressed A after it has been pressed against the first die 10 and the stripper 30. Furthermore, as the second die 20 rises, the first die 10 also rises, and as a result, the object to be pressed A can be pressurized by the rise of the second die 20.

[0039] The second die 20 may include a pressurizing portion 21 and a support portion 22. The pressurizing portion 21 and the support portion 22 may be made of the same material. The pressurizing portion 21 and the support portion 22 may be formed integrally. The support portion 22 may be formed to protrude from the upper surface of the pressurizing portion 21.

[0040] The pressurizing section 21 can pressurize the object to be pressed A. The first die 10 can pressurize the object to be pressed A outside of the pressurizing section 21. The punch 50 can pressurize the object to be pressed A inside of the pressurizing section 21. The pressurizing section 21 needs to have sufficient rigidity to pressurize the object to be pressed A.

[0041] In the pressurizing section 21, the portion that directly pressurizes the object to be pressed A forms a curve, which allows the stress applied to the object to be pressed A to be distributed when the object to be pressed A is being pressed. The pressurizing section 21 can be formed to have sufficient height to pressurize the object to be pressed A together with the first die 10 when the compression member 41 is compressed to its maximum extent. When the compression member 41 is compressed to its maximum extent, the first die 10 and the pressurizing section 21 pressurize the object to be pressed A on the same plane, allowing the object to be pressed A to be pressed uniformly.

[0042] The support portion 22 can be connected to the connecting portion 40. The support portion 22 can receive power transmission from the drive portion 60, which will be described later. The support portion 22 can be positioned opposite the punch 50 to pressurize the object to be pressed A.

[0043] The molding apparatus 1 according to the present invention may further include a drive unit 60. The drive unit 60 may be provided to transmit the force that causes the support unit 22 to rise.

[0044] The compression member 41 can be positioned between the first die 10 and the support 22 in the connecting portion 40. The compression member 41 may include a spring, but is not limited thereto; as illustrated in Figure 3, the compression member 41 may include a cylinder. The compression member 41 can be positioned in the post 42. When the compression member 41 is compressed, it transmits the compressive force to the first die 10, thereby more effectively fixing and pressurizing the object to be pressurized A.

[0045] The first die 10 can be configured to move up and down in response to force transmission from the compression member 41. A hole can be formed in the first die 10 into which a post 42 can be inserted. A bearing can be provided to prevent damage due to friction between the post 42 and the hole.

[0046] The object to be pressed, A, can be a pouch film. The pouch film includes a first resin layer forming the top surface, a second resin layer forming the bottom surface, and a metal layer located between the first and second resin layers. The object to be pressed, A, can be pressed and stretched by the molding apparatus 1. The object to be pressed, A, can be the object for manufacturing a pouch battery case. Referring to Figures 5 to 7, the parts of the object to be pressed, A, that are mainly stretched by being pressed can be seen, and this will be explained in detail in the molding method described later.

[0047] The molding apparatus 1 according to the present invention includes a first die 10 and a second die 20, which can be connected by a connecting portion 40. The connecting portion 40 may include at least one of a spring or a cylinder. When the drive unit 60 transmits power to the second die 20, the second die 20 rises. If the connecting portion 40 includes a spring, the spring is compressed as the second die 20 rises, and the force due to the compression of the spring is transmitted to the first die 10.

[0048] In the process, it also has the effect of removing wrinkles that occur when the pressurized material A flows into the punch.

[0049] Molding method The molding method will be explained in detail below with reference to Figures 4 to 7.

[0050] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a molding method according to another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the first step process in a molding method according to another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the second step process in a molding method according to another embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the third step process in a molding method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] The molding method using the molding apparatus 1 described above will be explained below as another embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Referring to Figures 4 to 7, another embodiment of the present invention may include a first step R1, a second step R2, and a third step R3. By including the first step R1, the second step R2, and the third step R3, dip forming can be made possible by pressurizing the object to be pressed A into a desired shape and increasing the stretched portion of the object to be pressed A compared to conventional methods.

[0053] In the first step R1, the pressurized object A can be fixed in place by the stripper 30 and the first die 10. The first die 10 rises upon receiving power transmission from the drive unit 60. At this point, the stripper 30, which is facing the first die 10, can fix the pressurized object A in place at its upper end by pressure from a cylinder or the like. The pressurized object A is fixed and begins to be pressurized.

[0054] In the second step R2, the second die 20, which is connected to the first die 10, rises, allowing the material to be pressurized A by the stripper 30 and the punch 50. In the second step R2, the second die 20 rises higher than in the first step R1. As the second die 20 rises, the first die 10 also rises, and the height of the first die 10 becomes higher than the fixed punch 50, and the material to be pressurized A is pressurized. At this time, the material to be pressurized A is stretched, and a first stretched portion A1 and a second stretched portion A2 are formed.

[0055] In the second step R2, the gap between the first die 10 and the punch 50 is formed to be larger than in the conventional method. Therefore, since the angle at which the pressurized object A is stretched is small, a larger amount of the pressurized object A may flow into the punch 50 side.

[0056] The first stretched portion A1 is formed at the inner edge where the stripper 30 and the first die 10 face each other. The second stretched portion A2 is formed at the point where the pressurized object A comes into contact with the punch 50.

[0057] In the third step R3, the second die 20 rises further, allowing the pressurized object A to be further pressurized by the pressurizing portion 21 of the second die 20 and the punch 50. In the third step R3, the second die 20 rises further than in the second step R2, and the first die 10 also rises via the connecting portion 40 connected to the second die 20. The compression member 41 contained in the connecting portion 40 is compressed, thereby pressurizing the pressurized object A by the pressurizing portion 21 contained in the second die 20. Here, stretching occurs at the inner edge where the stripper 30 and the pressurizing portion 21 face each other, forming a third stretched portion A3. The first stretched portion A1 formed in the second step R2 allows the pressurized object A to flow further towards the punch 50 side and is positioned inside the pressurizing portion 21.

[0058] The pressurizing section 21 is positioned inside the first die 10, and the punch 50 can be positioned inside the pressurizing section 21. The first die 10 and the second die 20 can be connected by a connecting section 40 which is provided with a compression member 41.

[0059] The molding method according to the present invention includes a first die 10 and a second die 20, and is characterized by including a first step R1, a second step R2, and a third step R3. Including the second die 20, as described above, the distance between the first die 10 and the punch 50 increases at the height where the first die 10 and the stripper come into contact.

[0060] Therefore, since the angle at which the pressurized object A is stretched becomes smaller than before, the amount of pressurized object A flowing into the punch increases even further. In addition, by first pressurizing the pressurized object A with the first die 10 and the punch to form the first stretched part A1 and the second stretched part A2, and then second pressurizing the pressurized object A to form the third stretched part A3, the amount of pressurized object A flowing into the punch 50 can be increased, and the effect of adding stress concentration points can be achieved. Due to this effect, the pressurized object A can be dip formed, that is, formed to a deeper depth than the initial shape.

[0061] Furthermore, the addition of stress concentration points reduces the likelihood of the pressurized object A being cut or cracked due to the pressure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 1 Molding equipment 10 First Die 20 Second Die 21 Pressurized section 22 Support part 30 Strippers 40 Connection part 41 Compression member 42 posts 50 punches

Claims

1. First die and, A second die that pressurizes the object to be pressurized inside the first die, A stripper that pressurizes the object to be pressed, facing the first die and the second die, A connecting portion is provided, which connects the first die and the second die and is equipped with a compression member. The punch includes a punch that pressurizes the object to be pressed inside the second die, A molding apparatus in which the second die is configured to pressurize the object to be pressed after the object to be pressed has been pressed together by the first die and the stripper.

2. The aforementioned second die is A pressurizing unit for pressurizing the object to be pressurized, The molding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a support portion to which the connecting portion is connected.

3. The molding apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a drive unit provided to transmit the force that causes the support unit to rise.

4. The compression member is positioned between the first die and the support portion in the connecting portion. The molding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first die is provided to move up and down in response to force transmission from the compression member.

5. The molding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the compression member includes at least one of a spring or a cylinder.

6. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of connecting portions are formed along the outer peripheral edge on which the first die is arranged.

7. The connecting portion further includes a post provided to be coupled and connected to the first die and the support portion, The molding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the compression member is arranged on the post.

8. The first die has a hole into which the post can be inserted, The molding apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the connecting portion further includes a bearing provided to prevent damage due to friction between the post and the hole.

9. The first die pressurizes the object to be pressed outside the pressurizing section, The molding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the punch pressurizes the object to be pressed inside the pressurizing section.

10. The punch is fixed in place so as not to move up and down. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first die and the second die are formed to move up and down.

11. The first step involves fixing the object to be pressurized using a stripper and a first die, The second step involves the second die, which is connected to the first die, rising while the object to be pressed is pressurized by the stripper and punch, The process includes a third step in which the second die rises further, and the object to be pressed is further pressed by the pressurizing portion of the second die and the punch, The pressurizing section is located inside the first die, The punch is positioned inside the pressurizing section, A molding method in which the first die and the second die are connected by a connecting portion provided with a compression member.

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