Apparatus for manufacturing electrode assemblies and method for manufacturing electrode assemblies

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing electrode assemblies and a method for manufacturing electrode assemblies that can improve the efficiency and economics of the process by reducing the amount of film discarded during the manufacturing process of electrode assemblies. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention may include a separator winding unit from which a wound separator and protective film are unwound; a separator supply unit provided for providing the separator unwound from the separator winding unit; an electrode supply unit for supplying electrodes to the separator at predetermined intervals; and a film supply unit provided for providing the protective film unwound from the separator winding unit to the electrodes or the separator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0133634 filed on October 6, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0089906 filed on July 8, 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 apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly and a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, and more particularly, to an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly used in manufacturing a secondary battery capable of charging and discharging and a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly using the same.

Background Art

[0003] In recent years, the rising value of energy sources due to the depletion of fossil fuels and the increasing concern about environmental pollution have amplified the need for environmentally friendly alternative energy sources, which has become an essential and indispensable 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, as the technological development and demand for electronic mobile devices and electric vehicles using batteries increase, the demand for batteries as an energy source has increased rapidly, and accordingly, many studies have been conducted on batteries that can meet various needs.

[0005] Batteries for storing electrical energy are generally classified into primary batteries and secondary batteries. Primary batteries are disposable consumable batteries, while secondary batteries are rechargeable batteries manufactured using materials in which the processes of oxidation and reduction of current and substances can be repeated. That is, when a reduction reaction is performed on the material by current, the power source is charged, and when an oxidation reaction is performed on the material, the power source is discharged, and such charging and discharging are repeated to generate electricity.

[0006] Rechargeable batteries can be classified into cylindrical cells, pouch cells, prismatic cells, and other types depending on their form. Regardless of the form, an electrode assembly is required inside the outer casing to manufacture a rechargeable battery. The electrode assembly can include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator. The electrode assembly can have various forms, such as a form in which the positive electrode, negative electrode, and separator are all wound together, or a form in which they are stacked in parallel.

[0007] On the other hand, the separator used in the manufacturing process of the electrode assembly can be supplied unwound from a state where it is wound together with a protective film. Here, the protective film wound together with the separator can be recovered and disposed of. Furthermore, when laminating the electrodes and separator, additional films may be provided.

[0008] Traditionally, the protective film wound together with the separator for protection was discarded, and additional film used in the manufacturing process of the electrode assembly was provided, resulting in poor process efficiency and economic efficiency.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need for electrode assembly manufacturing equipment and electrode assembly manufacturing methods that can reduce the amount of film discarded during the electrode assembly manufacturing process and improve the efficiency and economic viability of the process. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for manufacturing electrode assemblies and a method for manufacturing electrode assemblies that can reduce the amount of film discarded in the manufacturing process of electrode assemblies, thereby improving the efficiency and economic viability of the process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention may include a separator winding unit from which a wound separator and protective film are unwound; a separator supply unit provided to provide the separator unwound from the separator winding unit; an electrode supply unit for supplying electrodes to the separator at predetermined intervals; and a film supply unit provided to provide the protective film unwound from the separator winding unit to the electrodes or the separator.

[0012] The electrode includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and the electrode supply unit may further include a first electrode moving unit provided to move the first electrode in accordance with the speed at which the separator is provided by the separator supply unit, and a second electrode moving unit provided to move the second electrode such that the second electrode is positioned on the opposite side of the first electrode with respect to the separator provided by the separator supply unit.

[0013] The separator winding section may include a first separator winding section and a second separator winding section arranged at a distance from each other.

[0014] The separator providing section may include a first separator providing section provided for placement on one surface of the first electrode that moves the separator unwound from the first separator winding section, and a second separator providing section provided for placement on one surface of the second electrode that moves the separator unwound from the second separator winding section.

[0015] The film providing section includes a first film providing section provided for placing the protective film on one side of the separator bonded to one side of the first electrode, and a second film providing section provided for placing the protective film on the other side of the second electrode, wherein the protective film can be provided so as to be placed on both sides of the assembly composed of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator.

[0016] The apparatus for manufacturing the electrode assembly may further include a heater provided for applying heat to the assembly, on which the protective film is arranged on both sides.

[0017] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus may further include pressure rolls provided for applying pressure to both sides of the assembly, which has been heated by the heater, in order to bond the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator together.

[0018] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus may further include a film recovery unit provided for recovering the protective film placed on both sides of the assembly that has been pressurized by the pressure roll.

[0019] The film recovery unit may include a first film recovery unit provided for recovering the protective film provided by the first film supply unit, and a second film recovery unit provided for recovering the protective film provided by the second film supply unit.

[0020] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus may further include a first film winding unit provided for winding up the protective film recovered from the first film recovery unit, and a second film winding unit provided for winding up the protective film recovered from the second film recovery unit.

[0021] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus may further include a cutting section provided for cutting the collection of the protective film to a predetermined length.

[0022] The film supply unit may include a plurality of film rolls provided to guide the protective film unwound from the separator winding unit by rotation.

[0023] The film roll may be provided to change the direction of movement of the protective film.

[0024] The manufacturing apparatus of the electrode assembly body can further include a first electrode cutter provided for cutting the first electrode moved by the first electrode moving part to a preset length, and a second electrode cutter provided for cutting the second electrode moved by the second electrode moving part to a preset length.

[0025] The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly body according to the present invention is a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly body including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator, the method including: laminating the separator provided from a separator winding part around which the separator and a protective film are wound between the moving first electrode and second electrode; laminating the protective film provided from the separator winding part so as to be disposed on the outer surface of the assembly in which the first electrode, second electrode, and separator are laminated; laminating the assembly covered with the protective film; and recovering the protective film disposed on the outer surface of the laminated assembly.

Advantages of the Invention

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, by reusing the film wound together with the separator, the amount of film to be discarded can be reduced.

[0027] Thereby, the efficiency and economy of the manufacturing process of the electrode assembly body can be improved.

[0028] Also, equipment replacement can be minimized, and it is applicable when manufacturing electrode assembly bodies in various forms.

[0029] Also, in the manufacturing process of the electrode assembly body, damage to the electrodes and the separator can be prevented.

[0030] The effects according to the present invention are not limited to the contents exemplified above, and various other effects are included in this specification.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view illustrating a manufacturing apparatus for an electrode assembly according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic side view illustrating a manufacturing apparatus for an electrode assembly according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic side view illustrating a manufacturing apparatus for an electrode assembly according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 4] This flowchart schematically illustrates the method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, so that they can be easily implemented by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. However, the present invention can be realized in a variety of different forms and is not limited or restricted by the following embodiments.

[0033] For the purpose of clearly describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related known technologies that are irrelevant to the description or that could obscure the gist of the invention have been omitted. In this specification, when assigning reference numerals to components in each drawing, the same or similar reference numerals are used throughout the specification for components that are the same or similar.

[0034] 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.

[0035] Embodiment 1 Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a schematic side view illustrating the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Note that the transfer unit 330 is not shown in Figure 1.

[0036] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 according to the present invention may mean an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly used in the manufacture of a rechargeable secondary battery. That is, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 may mean an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator. Here, during the manufacture of the secondary battery, the electrode assembly may be arranged in a form that is housed inside an outer casing. Specifically, the electrode assembly and electrolyte are housed inside the outer casing, and the outer casing is sealed to manufacture the secondary battery.

[0037] Furthermore, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may mean an apparatus for manufacturing a laminate of electrodes and separators necessary for the process of manufacturing an electrode assembly in which multiple electrodes and separators are stacked. The form of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 is merely an example and can be applied to manufacturing processes for various forms of electrode assemblies.

[0038] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may include a separator winding unit 100, a separator supply unit 200, a film supply unit 300, and an electrode supply unit 400.

[0039] The separator winding unit 100 may include a wound separator S and a protective film F. Specifically, the separator winding unit 100 may be in a form in which the protective film F, which is placed on the surface of the separator S, is wound together with the separator S for the protection of the separator S. That is, the separator winding unit 100 may be in a roll form in which the sheet-form separator S and the protective film F are wound together.

[0040] The separator supply unit 200 can guide the transfer of the separator S unwound from the separator winding unit 100. In other words, the separator supply unit 200 can be provided so that the separator S unwound from the separator winding unit 100 is supplied to the electrode described later.

[0041] For example, the separator supply unit 200 can guide the transfer direction of the separator S toward the electrode. This allows the separator S to be supplied to the electrode. In this embodiment, the driving force for unwinding and transferring the separator S from the separator winding unit 100 may be, but is not limited to, the force provided by the transfer unit 330, which will be described later. For example, the driving force for transferring the separator S may be generated from the separator supply unit 200.

[0042] The electrode supply unit 400 can supply electrodes to the separator S at predetermined intervals. The electrodes may include a first electrode A and a second electrode C. Here, the first electrode A and the second electrode C can be negative or positive electrodes. There may be various methods by which the electrode supply unit 400 supplies electrodes, and in this invention, an example will be given in which the electrode supply unit 400 supplies and moves electrodes using a conveyor belt.

[0043] Conventionally, in order to protect the separator S, the film wound together with the separator S was discarded after being unwound to provide the separator S. Therefore, a process for recovering the film was necessary, reducing the efficiency of the process, and the economic efficiency of the process was also reduced by the discarded film.

[0044] As an example of a configuration to prevent the film from being discarded, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may include a film supply unit 300.

[0045] The film supply unit 300 can guide the protective film F unwound from the separator winding unit 100. Specifically, the film supply unit 300 can be provided so that the protective film F unwound from the separator winding unit 100 is supplied to the electrode or separator S. That is, in the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the protective film F wound together with the separator S can be guided to the electrode or separator S side via the film supply unit 300 for the protection of the separator S. The protective film F supplied to the electrode or separator S can prevent damage and bending of the electrode and separator S during the manufacturing process of the electrode assembly. Here, in this embodiment, the driving force for unwinding and transporting the protective film F from the separator winding unit 100 may be, but is not limited to, the force provided by the transport unit 330 described later. For example, the driving force for transporting the protective film F may be generated by the film supply unit 300.

[0046] The shapes of each component will be described in detail below.

[0047] The electrode supply unit 400 of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 may include a first electrode moving unit 410 and a second electrode moving unit 420. The first electrode moving unit 410 may be configured to move the first electrode A in accordance with the speed at which the separator S is supplied by the separator supply unit 200. The second electrode moving unit 420 may be configured to move the second electrode C with respect to the separator S supplied from the separator supply unit 200 so that the second electrode C is positioned on the opposite side of the first electrode A. That is, the separator S can be positioned between the first electrode A and the second electrode C. Specifically, the assembly including the first electrode A, the second electrode C, and the separator S can be moved with the separator S positioned between the first electrode A and the second electrode C.

[0048] The moving electrode can be moved together with the separator S after being cut to a predetermined length. Here, in order to cut the moving electrode to a predetermined length, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 may further include a first electrode cutter 401 and a second electrode cutter 402. Specifically, the first electrode cutter 401 can cut the first electrode A, which is moved by the first electrode moving unit 410, to a predetermined length. The second electrode cutter 402 can cut the second electrode C, which is moved by the second electrode moving unit 420, to a predetermined length. Here, there can be various methods by which the first electrode cutter 401 and the second electrode cutter 402 cut the electrodes.

[0049] The separator winding section 100 may include a first separator winding section 110 and a second separator winding section 120 that are spaced apart from each other. In this invention, the case in which the second separator winding section 120 is positioned on the opposite side of the first separator winding section 110 with respect to the moving first electrode A will be described as an example.

[0050] The first separator providing section 210 can be provided to provide the separator S unwound from the first separator winding section 110 so as to be positioned on one surface of the first electrode A on which the separator S moves. The second separator providing section 220 can be provided to provide the separator S unwound from the second separator winding section 120 so as to be positioned on one surface of the second electrode C on which the separator S moves. Specifically, the separator S unwound from the first separator winding section 110, the first electrode A, the separator S unwound from the second separator winding section 120, and the second electrode C can be stacked in that order. As an example, the first and second separator providing sections 210 and 220 may include guide rollers, but the configuration of the separator providing section 200 is not limited thereto.

[0051] As described above, in order to protect the assembly in which the separator S, the first electrode A, and the second electrode C are stacked, the film supply unit 300 of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention can supply the assembly with a protective film F unwound from the separator winding unit 100.

[0052] In this regard, the film supply unit 300 may include a first film supply unit 310 and a second film supply unit 320. The first film supply unit 310 can provide a protective film F such that the protective film F is positioned on one side of the separator S bonded to one side of the first electrode A. The second film supply unit 320 can provide a protective film F such that the protective film F is positioned on the other side of the second electrode C.

[0053] Therefore, the protective film F can be provided so as to be placed on both sides of the assembly consisting of the first electrode A, the second electrode C, and the separator S. Specifically, the separator S placed on one side of the first electrode A may have the protective film F on the other side and the first electrode A on the other side. Similarly, the second electrode C may have the separator S on one side and the protective film F on the other side.

[0054] During the manufacturing process of the electrode assembly, protective films F are placed on both sides of the assembly, which consists of the first electrode A, the second electrode C, and the separator S. This prevents damage to the electrodes and separator S. Furthermore, the protective films F maintain the shape of the assembly, preventing the electrodes and separator S from bending during the manufacturing process.

[0055] The first film supply unit 310 and the second film supply unit 320 of the film supply unit 300 can each include a plurality of film rolls 301. The film rolls 301 can change the transport direction of the protective film F. For example, the film rolls 301 can have a cylindrical shape.

[0056] The lamination process for manufacturing an electrode assembly consisting of a first electrode A, a second electrode C, and a separator S requires heat and pressure.

[0057] To provide the heat required for the laminating process, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 may further include a heater 500. The heater 500 can be configured to apply heat to an assembly on which protective films F are arranged on both sides. Specifically, the heater 500 can be configured in pairs and positioned on each side of the moving assembly.

[0058] To provide the pressure required for the laminating process, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 may further include pressure rolls 600. The pressure rolls 600 may be configured to apply pressure to the assembly, which has been heated by a heater 500. Specifically, the pressure rolls 600 may consist of a pair and be positioned on opposite sides of the moving assembly. Alternatively, the pressure rolls 600 may be substantially cylindrical rolls that pressurize the assembly by rotation. This is merely one example, and the pressure rolls 600 may pressurize the assembly in other ways.

[0059] After the assembly is laminated by the heater 500 and the pressure roll 600, the protective film F placed on both sides of the assembly is no longer needed and can be recovered. As an example of a configuration for recovering the protective film F, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may further include a film recovery unit 700. Specifically, the film recovery unit 700 can be provided to recover the protective film F placed on both sides of the assembly that has been pressurized by the pressure roll 600.

[0060] The film recovery unit 700 may include a first film recovery unit 710 and a second film recovery unit 720. The first film recovery unit 710 can recover protective film F provided from the first film supply unit 310, and the second film recovery unit 720 can recover protective film F provided from the second film supply unit 320. Therefore, the heater 500, the pressure roll 600, and the film recovery unit 700 can be arranged in order along the direction in which the assembly moves.

[0061] As an example of a configuration for winding up the protective film F recovered via the film recovery unit 700, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may further include a first film winding unit 810 and a second film winding unit 820. The first film winding unit 810 can wind up the protective film F recovered from the first film recovery unit 710, and the second film winding unit 820 can wind up the protective film F recovered from the second film recovery unit 720.

[0062] The assembly, with the protective film F on both sides removed, can be cut to a predetermined length. As an example of a configuration for cutting the assembly, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may further include a cutting unit 900. The cutting unit 900 can cut the assembly to a predetermined length after the protective film F has been recovered from the film recovery unit 700.

[0063] A portion of the assembly, cut to a predetermined length by the cutting unit 900, can be assembled to form an electrode assembly.

[0064] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention can reuse the protective film F wound together with the separator S, thereby reducing the amount of protective film F that is discarded. This improves the efficiency and economics of the electrode assembly manufacturing process. Furthermore, since the process for discarding the protective film F is omitted, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 can be applied to the manufacture of various types of electrode assemblies while minimizing the need to change equipment. In addition, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 can efficiently prevent damage to the electrodes and separator S during the electrode assembly manufacturing process.

[0065] On the other hand, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention may include a transfer unit 330. The transfer unit 330 may be configured for transferring electrodes, separators and / or protective films.

[0066] In this embodiment, the transfer unit 330 may consist of a conveyor belt provided along the transfer direction of the electrodes, separator, and / or protective film. The transfer unit 330 may be provided symmetrically on either side of the electrodes, separator, and / or protective film. However, the specific configuration of the transfer unit 330 is not particularly limited as long as it can transfer the electrodes, separator, and / or protective film.

[0067] Embodiment 2 Figure 3 is a schematic side view illustrating the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10' according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0068] In the following, a detailed explanation of the configurations identical to those of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be omitted, and the focus will be on the differences.

[0069] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10' according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention may differ from the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in whether or not it includes a configuration for further supplying the second electrodes C and C'.

[0070] Referring to Figure 3, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10' according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention can supply the second electrodes C and C' such that separators S are placed on both sides of the first electrode A, and the second electrodes C and C' are placed on opposite sides of the first electrode A with respect to the separators S on both sides. Specifically, with respect to Figure 3, the second electrode moving unit 420 can move the second electrode C from the top of the first electrode A while supplying it, and the second electrode moving unit 420' can move the second electrode C' from the bottom of the first electrode A while supplying it. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10' may further include a second electrode cutter 402' for cutting the second electrode C'.

[0071] The assembly present during the manufacturing process by the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 10' according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention can consist of two separators S, one first electrode A, and two second electrodes C and C'.

[0072] In this way, by changing a part of the configuration of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the assembly used for manufacturing the electrode assembly can be configured in a variety of ways.

[0073] Embodiment 3 Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a schematic method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0074] Detailed explanations of aspects that can be understood from the descriptions in Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention are omitted below.

[0075] A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention may include the step of stacking a separator S between a moving first electrode A and a second electrode C. Specifically, the method for manufacturing an electrode assembly may include the step (S1) of stacking a separator S provided from a separator winding unit 100, where the separator S and protective film F are wound, between a moving first electrode A and a second electrode C. Thus, the first electrode A and the second electrode C can be physically separated from each other via the separator S.

[0076] A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly may include the step (S2) of laminating a protective film F provided from a separator winding unit 100 so that it is positioned on the outer surface of the assembly in which the first electrode A, the second electrode C, and the separator S are laminated.

[0077] In connection with this, the separator winding section 100 is unwound while the separator S is provided, and the protective film F can be unwound together with the separator S. Here, the protective film F unwound together with the separator S can be placed on the outer surface of the assembly to protect the assembly in which the first electrode A, the second electrode C, and the separator S are laminated. Specifically, the protective film F can be placed on both sides of the assembly.

[0078] To bond the first electrode A, the second electrode C, and the separator S, the method for manufacturing the electrode assembly may include the step (S3) of laminating the assembly covered with a protective film F. Here, heat and pressure may be applied for lamination of the assembly. Here, the protective film F placed on both sides of the assembly can prevent damage to the assembly due to heat and pressure.

[0079] A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly may include the step (S4) of recovering the protective film F placed on both sides of the assembly after the assembly has been laminated. After the protective film F has been recovered, the assembly may be cut to a predetermined length, and one or more of the cut parts of the assembly can be assembled to manufacture an electrode assembly.

[0080] In the electrode assembly manufacturing method according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, the protective film F wound together with the separator S is not discarded but can be reused in the process to protect the assembly. Therefore, the efficiency and economics of the electrode assembly manufacturing process can be improved by this electrode assembly manufacturing method.

[0081] 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]

[0082] 10, 10' Electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 Separator winding section 110 First separator winding section 120 Second separator winding section 200 Separator Supply Department 210 First Separator Supply Department 220 Second Separator Supply Department 300 Film Supply Department 301 Film Roll 310 First Film Supply Department 320 Second Film Supply Department 330 Transfer section 400, 400' electrode supply section 401 First Electrode Cutter 402, 402' Second electrode cutter 410 First electrode moving part 420, 420' 2nd electrode moving part 500 Heater 600 Pressure Roll 700 Film Recovery Unit 710 First Film Recovery Unit 720 Second Film Recovery Unit 810 First film winding section 820 Second film winding section 900 Cutting section A 1st electrode C, C' 2nd electrode F Protective Film S Separator

Claims

1. A separator winding section from which the wound-up separator and protective film are unwound, A separator providing section is provided to provide the separator unwound from the separator winding section, An electrode supply unit for supplying electrodes to the separator at predetermined intervals, An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly, comprising: a film supply unit provided for supplying the protective film unwound from the separator winding unit to the electrode or the separator.

2. The electrode includes a first electrode and a second electrode, The electrode supply unit is A first electrode moving unit is provided to move the first electrode in accordance with the speed at which the separator is provided by the separator providing unit, The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second electrode moving unit provided for moving the second electrode so that the second electrode is positioned on the opposite side of the first electrode, with respect to the separator provided by the separator providing unit.

3. The separator winding section is, The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, comprising a first separator winding section and a second separator winding section arranged at a distance from each other.

4. The separator providing section is, A first separator providing section is provided for positioning the separator unwound from the first separator winding section on one surface of the moving first electrode, An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a second separator supply unit provided for positioning the separator unwound from the second separator winding unit onto one surface of the moving second electrode.

5. The aforementioned film supply unit is A first film providing section is provided for positioning the protective film on one surface of the separator bonded to one surface of the first electrode, The second electrode includes a second film providing portion provided for positioning the protective film on the other side of the second electrode, The apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 4, wherein the protective film is provided so as to be placed on both sides of the assembly comprising the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator.

6. The apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 5, further comprising a heater provided for applying heat to the assembly on which the protective film is arranged on both sides.

7. The apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 6, further comprising a pressure roll provided for applying pressure on both sides of the assembly, which has been heated by the heater, in order to bond the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator together.

8. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a film recovery unit for recovering the protective film disposed on both sides of the assembly that has been pressurized by the pressure roll.

9. The aforementioned film recovery unit is A first film recovery unit is provided for recovering the protective film provided by the first film supply unit, The apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 8, further comprising a second film recovery unit provided for recovering the protective film provided by the second film supply unit.

10. A first film winding unit is provided for winding up the protective film recovered from the first film recovery unit, The apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 9, further comprising a second film winding unit provided for winding up the protective film recovered from the second film recovery unit.

11. The apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 8, further comprising a cutting section provided for cutting the collected protective film assembly to a predetermined length.

12. The aforementioned film supply unit is The apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of film rolls provided for guiding the protective film unwound from the separator winding section by rotation.

13. The aforementioned film roll is The apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 12, provided for changing the direction of movement of the protective film.

14. A first electrode cutter is provided to cut the first electrode, which is moved by the first electrode moving part, to a predetermined length. The apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a second electrode cutter provided for cutting the second electrode, which is moved by the second electrode moving unit, to a predetermined length.

15. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator, The steps include stacking the separator, provided from a separator winding section where the separator and protective film are wound, between the moving first electrode and second electrode, The steps include: laminating the protective film provided from the separator winding section so that it is positioned on the outer surface of the assembly in which the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator are laminated; The steps include laminating the assembly covered with the protective film, A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, comprising the step of recovering the protective film disposed on the outer surface of the laminated assembly.

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