Electrode production apparatus and battery cells containing electrodes produced using the same, battery packs containing said battery cells and automobiles

Abstract

An electrode production apparatus and a battery cell containing electrodes produced using the same, a battery pack containing the battery cell, and an automobile are disclosed. An electrode production apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a transfer member for transporting an electrode foil coated with an electrode active material, a laser member for irradiating a laser toward the electrode foil, and a jig member positioned to contact the electrode foil and support the electrode foil, wherein the jig member has a foreign matter adhesion prevention portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0191780 filed on December 26, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0033438 filed on March 8, 2024, and all the contents disclosed in the specifications and drawings of the applications are incorporated into this application.

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrode production apparatus, a battery cell including an electrode produced using the same, a battery pack including the battery cell, and a vehicle. More specifically, the present invention relates to an electrode production apparatus capable of improving electrode quality, a battery cell including an electrode produced using the same, a battery pack including the battery cell, and a vehicle.

Background Art

[0003] Generally, a secondary battery refers to a battery capable of repeated charge and discharge, such as a lithium-ion battery, a lithium polymer battery, a nickel cadmium battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, or a nickel zinc battery.

[0004] Secondary batteries can be classified into cylindrical secondary batteries and prismatic secondary batteries in which an electrode assembly is built into a cylindrical or prismatic metal can depending on the shape of the battery case, and pouch-type secondary batteries in which the electrode assembly is built into a pouch of an aluminum laminate sheet.

[0005] Such secondary batteries can be manufactured by housing an electrode assembly including a positive electrode and a negative electrode laminated with each other with a separator and an electrolyte substance in cases of various forms and sealing the cases.

[0006] An electrode (positive electrode or negative electrode) of a secondary battery may include a coated portion in which an electrode active material coating layer is formed by pressing an electrode binder onto the surface of an electrode foil, and an uncoated portion where the coating layer is not formed.

[0007] On the other hand, the electrodes of a secondary battery can be produced by a roll-to-roll process in which an electrode foil, with a coating layer of electrode active material formed on its surface, is wound and moved between rolls. Furthermore, the electrodes may be partially cut in order to manufacture the electrode assembly; for example, they may be cut by a laser.

[0008] When cutting electrodes using a laser, jigs are sometimes used to prevent the electrodes from vibrating or shaking. However, conventional jigs have the problem that foreign matter (e.g., fumes) generated by laser cutting can adhere to them, causing electrode defects. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The present invention aims to provide an electrode production apparatus capable of preventing foreign matter from adhering to a jig member used in the process of cutting electrodes during the electrode production process, a battery cell containing electrodes produced using the apparatus, a battery pack containing the battery cell, and an automobile.

[0010] Another objective is to provide an electrode production apparatus capable of preventing electrode defects by preventing foreign matter from adhering to the jig member, and thereby improving electrode quality, as well as a battery cell containing electrodes produced using the apparatus, a battery pack containing said battery cell, and an automobile.

[0011] However, the technical problems that this invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, an electrode production apparatus can be provided that includes a transfer member for transferring an electrode foil coated with an electrode active material, a laser member for irradiating a laser toward the electrode foil, and a jig member positioned to contact the electrode foil and support the electrode foil, wherein the jig member is provided with a foreign matter adhesion prevention portion.

[0013] In one embodiment, the jig member may include a first part arranged vertically and having an inner groove, a second part connected to the first part at the top, and a third part connected to the first part at the bottom.

[0014] In one embodiment, the second part may include a second part body that is coupled to the first part, and a second part projection that protrudes downward from the second part body.

[0015] In one embodiment, the third part may include a third part body connected to the first part, and a third part projection projecting upward from the third part body.

[0016] In one embodiment, a gap may be formed between the second protrusion and the third protrusion.

[0017] In one embodiment, the foreign matter adhesion prevention portion may be provided as a first inclined portion formed at the end of the protruding portion of the second portion.

[0018] In one embodiment, the foreign matter adhesion prevention portion may be provided as a second inclined portion formed at the end of the protruding portion of the third portion.

[0019] In one embodiment, the foreign matter adhesion prevention portion may be provided as a third inclined portion formed in the inner groove so that the foreign matter slides downward.

[0020] In one embodiment, the third inclined portion may be formed to be inclined downward from the first portion toward the third portion.

[0021] In one embodiment, a foreign matter accumulation portion where the foreign matters gather may be formed at an end portion of the third inclined portion.

[0022] In one embodiment, a suction member for sucking the foreign matters is provided, and the suction member may be disposed close to the foreign matter accumulation portion.

[0023] In one embodiment, the transfer member includes a first transfer roll disposed above and a second transfer roll disposed below, and the electrode foil may move from above downward by the first transfer roll and the second transfer roll.

[0024] In one embodiment, the laser member may irradiate a laser in a lateral direction toward the electrode foil.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, a battery cell including an electrode produced using the electrode production apparatus described above is provided, a battery pack including at least one of the battery cells described above is provided, and an automobile including at least one of the battery cells described above may be provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0026] Embodiments of the present invention can prevent foreign matters from adhering to the jig member used in the process of cutting the electrode during the electrode production process.

[0027] Also, by preventing foreign matters from adhering to the jig member, electrode defects can be prevented, and thus the quality of the electrode can be improved.

[0028] However, the technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the above problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention.

[0029] The following drawings accompanying this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further illustrate the technical idea of ​​the invention. Therefore, the invention should not be construed as being limited solely to what is shown in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0030] [Figure 1] This is a schematic front view of an electrode production apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which the suction member is omitted. [Figure 2] This figure shows a jig member in an electrode production apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating how foreign matter is slit along the third inclined portion. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows how foreign matter moves along the third inclined section and then accumulates in the foreign matter accumulation section. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged view of section B in Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is a view from the direction of arrow A in Figure 2, and the suction member is shown. [Figure 6] This figure schematically shows the configuration of a battery pack including a battery cell equipped with electrodes produced using an electrode production apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an automobile that includes a battery pack. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0031] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, 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 in a manner consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself may appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entirety of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and that there may be a variety of equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therein at the time of this application.

[0032] The size of each component or specific part of a component in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or shown schematically for the sake of clarity and ease of explanation. Therefore, the size of each component may not fully reflect its actual size. Specific descriptions of known functions or configurations related to the present invention will be omitted if they are deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the invention.

[0033] As used herein, the terms “joining” or “connecting” include not only cases where one member is directly joined or directly connected to another member, but also cases where one member is indirectly joined or indirectly connected to another member via a connecting member.

[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic front view of an electrode production apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which the suction member is omitted. Figure 2 is a diagram showing a jig member in an electrode production apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing how foreign matter slides along the third inclined section. Figure 3 is a diagram showing how foreign matter accumulates in the foreign matter accumulation section after moving along the third inclined section in Figure 2. Figure 4 is an enlarged view of section B in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a view along section A in Figure 2, in which the suction member is shown.

[0035] Referring to Figure 1, an electrode production apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention relates to an apparatus for producing electrodes (positive or negative electrodes) by transporting an electrode foil 600 on which a coating layer of electrode active material has been formed. The term "electrode" is a concept that includes both wet electrodes and dry electrodes.

[0036] For example, a wet electrode is manufactured by applying an electrode mixture in a slurry state containing a solvent to the surface of an electrode substrate such as an electrode foil 600 to form a coating layer, and then drying the coating layer.

[0037] The dry electrode is manufactured through a process in which a solvent-free powder (powder mixture) electrode mixture is pressed onto the surface of the electrode foil 600 to form a coating layer. That is, the electrode mixture is mixed without any liquid medium such as a solvent or dispersion medium, and then the powdered electrode mixture is pressed onto the surface while passing it through a rolling mill.

[0038] Here, the electrode foil 600 may include a coated portion on which a coating layer of electrode active material is formed on its surface, and an uncoated portion on which a coating layer of electrode active material is not formed (for example, both ends of the electrode foil 600).

[0039] An electrode production apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention relates to an apparatus capable of preventing foreign matter 700 from adhering to a jig member 300 that supports an electrode foil 600 when the electrode foil 600 is cut by a laser while being transported. This will be described in detail below.

[0040] Referring to Figure 1, an electrode production apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a transfer member 100, a laser member 200, and a jig member 300.

[0041] The transfer member 100 transfers the electrode foil 600 coated with the electrode active material. The transfer member 100 can take various forms and may include, for example, multiple rollers to transfer the electrode foil 600 in a roll-to-roll manner. The transfer member 100 is not limited to this, but for the sake of explanation, an embodiment in which the transfer member 100 includes multiple rollers will be described below.

[0042] Referring to Figure 1, the transfer member 100 may include a first transfer roll 110 and a second transfer roll 120. Here, the first transfer roll 110 and the second transfer roll 120 can be arranged in various positions. For example, as shown in Figure 1, the first transfer roll 110 may be positioned above and the second transfer roll 120 may be positioned below.

[0043] In this embodiment, the electrode wheel 600 is transferred from the upper first transfer roll 110 to the lower second transfer roll 120. That is, the electrode wheel 600 moves from top to bottom by the first transfer roll 110 and the second transfer roll 120.

[0044] Referring to Figure 1, the laser member 200 is configured to irradiate the electrode wheel 600 with a laser. The laser member 200 may include various types of laser equipment. Referring to Figure 1, when the electrode wheel 600 is moved from top to bottom by the first transfer roll 110 and the second transfer roll 120, the laser member 200 may be configured to irradiate the electrode wheel 600 with a laser laterally relative to Figure 1.

[0045] Referring to Figure 1, the jig member 300 is positioned to contact the electrode wheel 600 and support the electrode wheel 600. When the electrode wheel 600 is cut by the laser member 200, the jig member 300 prevents vibration or oscillation of the electrode wheel 600, thereby preventing cutting defects such as uneven cutting or cutting of parts other than the preset parts when the electrode wheel 600 is cut by the laser member 200.

[0046] Furthermore, a foreign matter adhesion prevention section 350 is formed on the jig member 300. The foreign matter adhesion prevention section 350 will be described later.

[0047] The jig member 300 can be configured in various ways, and may include, for example, a first part 310, a second part 320, and a third part 330. Here, the first part 310, the second part 320, and the third part 330 are merely formal divisions of the jig member 300 for the sake of explanation, and there is no clear criterion for the division between the first part 310, the second part 320, and the third part 330. For example, the first part 310, the second part 320, and the third part 330 may be manufactured separately and then joined together to form the jig member 300, or the first part 310, the second part 320, and the third part 330 may be formed integrally from the manufacturing stage.

[0048] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the first part 310 is arranged in the vertical direction. An inner groove 311 is formed in the first part 310. Here, the inner groove 311 may be formed over the entirety of the first part 310, the second part 320, and the third part 330, or over any one of the first part 310, the second part 320, and the third part 330, or over two of the first part 310, the second part 320, and the third part 330. In other words, the inner groove 311 may be formed over one or more of the first part 310, the second part 320, and the third part 330.

[0049] Part 2 320 is joined to Part 1 310 above Part 3 330, using Figure 2 as a reference. Then, Part 3 330 is joined to Part 1 310 below Part 2 320, using Figure 2 as a reference.

[0050] Specifically, using Figure 2 as a reference, the second part 320 is positioned above, and the third part 330 is positioned below, and each is connected to the first part 310.

[0051] Referring to Figure 2, the second part 320 may include a second part body 321 and a second part projection 322. The second part body 321 is coupled to the first part 310. That is, the second part body 321 is coupled to the first part 310 above the third part body 331. The second part projection 322 then protrudes downward from the second part body 321.

[0052] Referring further to Figure 2, the third part 330 may include a third part body 331 and a third part projection 332. The third part body 331 is coupled to the first part 310. That is, the third part body 331 is coupled to the first part 310 below the second part body 321. The third part projection 332 then projects upward from the third part body 331.

[0053] Here, a gap 340 may be formed between the second protrusion 322 and the third protrusion 332, and the laser member 200 can irradiate the portion where the gap 340 between the second protrusion 322 and the third protrusion 332 is located with a laser.

[0054] Referring to Figure 4, the foreign matter adhesion prevention portion 350 may be provided as a first inclined portion 351 formed at the end of the second protruding portion 322. Alternatively, the foreign matter adhesion prevention portion 350 may be provided as a second inclined portion 352 formed at the end of the third protruding portion 332.

[0055] In other words, foreign matter 700 generated when the electrode foil 600 is cut by the laser can bond to and adhere to the jig member 300. In particular, the second protrusion 322 or the third protrusion 332, which are portions protruding from the jig member 300, come into direct contact with the electrode foil 600. If foreign matter 700 adheres to the second protrusion 322 or the third protrusion 332, it can induce defects in the electrode foil 600.

[0056] An electrode production apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention prevents foreign matter 700 from adhering by forming a first inclined portion 351 (foreign matter adhesion prevention portion 350) at the end of the second protruding portion 322, or by forming a second inclined portion 352 (foreign matter adhesion prevention portion 350) at the end of the third protruding portion 332.

[0057] In other words, when the first inclined portion 351 is formed on the second protrusion 322, or when the second inclined portion 352 is formed on the third protrusion 332, the area of ​​the second protrusion 322 is reduced compared to when the first inclined portion 351 is not formed, and the area of ​​the third protrusion 332 is reduced compared to when the second inclined portion 352 is not formed. As a result, it becomes difficult for foreign matter 700 to adhere to it.

[0058] In other words, if the first inclined portion 351 or the second inclined portion 352 is made very sharp, foreign matter 700 will be less likely to adhere to the first inclined portion 351 or the second inclined portion 352, thereby preventing the foreign matter 700 from becoming stuck. However, the degree of sharpness of the first inclined portion 351 or the second inclined portion 352 can be determined to such an extent that the electrode foil 600 is not damaged.

[0059] This prevents foreign matter 700 from adhering to the jig member 300, thereby preventing electrode defects and ultimately improving electrode quality.

[0060] On the other hand, the first inclined portion 351 can be formed in various ways. For example, the first inclined portion 351 may be formed to face outward from the second protrusion 322, or to face inward from the second protrusion 322, or to be formed entirely along the periphery of the second protrusion 322.

[0061] Furthermore, the second inclined portion 352 can be formed in a variety of ways, similar to the first inclined portion 351. For example, the second inclined portion 352 may be formed to face outward from the third protrusion 332, or to face inward from the third protrusion 332, or to be formed entirely along the periphery of the third protrusion 332.

[0062] In other words, the inclination direction of the first inclined portion 351 and the second inclined portion 352 may be any direction.

[0063] Referring to Figure 2, in another embodiment, the foreign matter adhesion prevention portion 350 may be provided as a third inclined portion 353 formed in the inner groove 311 so that the foreign matter slides downward.

[0064] For example, a third inclined portion 353 may be formed in the inner groove 311 of the jig member 300 so that foreign matter 700 slides downward. Here, the third inclined portion 353 may be formed to be inclined downward from the first portion 310 toward the third portion 330.

[0065] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the third inclined portion 353 formed in the inner groove 311 of the jig member 300 causes the foreign matter 700 that flows into the inner groove 311 to slide downward, thereby causing the foreign matter 700 to accumulate at a predetermined position.

[0066] In other words, the third inclined portion 353 can prevent foreign matter 700 from adhering to the inner groove 311 of the jig member 300.

[0067] For example, a foreign matter accumulation section 360 is formed at the end of the third inclined section 353, and foreign matter 700 that slides along the third inclined section 353 collects in the foreign matter accumulation section 360 (see Figure 3). In this way, when foreign matter 700 collects in the foreign matter accumulation section 360, it has the effect of making it easier to discharge the foreign matter 700.

[0068] Referring to Figure 5, the suction member 400 is provided for aspirating foreign matter 700 and may be positioned, for example, in close proximity to the foreign matter accumulation section 360. The suction member 400 can be configured in various ways and may include, for example, various types of suction devices (e.g., vacuum suction devices).

[0069] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a battery pack including a battery cell equipped with electrodes produced using an electrode production apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] Referring to Figure 6, a battery pack 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery cells 20. Here, the battery cell 20 includes electrodes produced using the electrode production apparatus 10 according to each embodiment of the present invention as described above.

[0071] Furthermore, the battery pack 30 may further include a pack housing 31 for housing the battery cells 20, and various types of devices for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery cells 20, such as a BMS, current sensors, fuses, and the like.

[0072] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6, a cylindrical battery cell is illustrated inside the pack housing 31, but the battery cell 20 is not limited to this and may include a pouch-type battery cell or a prismatic battery cell.

[0073] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the automobile including the battery pack shown in Figure 6.

[0074] Referring to Figure 7, an automobile 40 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery cells 20 or battery packs 30 containing electrodes produced using the electrode production apparatus 10 according to each embodiment of the present invention. Here, the automobile 40 includes various types of automobiles that use electricity, such as electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles.

[0075] In this specification, terms indicating direction such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are used. However, such terms indicate relative positions and are used only for the convenience of explanation. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that these positions can change depending on the position of the object in question, the observer's position, etc.

[0076] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and of course, various modifications and variations are possible within the equivalent scope of the technical concept of the present invention and the claims below by persons with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be considered from an explanatory rather than restrictive viewpoint. That is, the true technical concept of the present invention is shown in the claims, and all differences within the equivalent scope thereto should be interpreted as being included in the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0077] The present invention relates to an electrode production apparatus, a battery cell containing electrodes produced using the apparatus, a battery pack containing the battery cell, and an automobile, and is particularly applicable to the secondary battery industry. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 10 Electrode Production Equipment 20 battery cells 30 Battery Packs 31 Pack Housing 40 Automobiles 100 Transfer member 110 First transfer roll 120 Second transfer roll 200 Laser Components 300 Jig components 310 Part 1 311 Inner groove 320 Part 2 321 Part 2 Main Body 322 2nd part protrusion 330 Part 3 331 Part 3 Main Section 332 Third part protrusion 340 interval 350 Foreign matter adhesion prevention part 351 1st slope 352 2nd slope part 353 Third slope 360 Foreign matter accumulation section 400 Suction Member 600 Electrode Foil 700 Foreign matter A Arrow

Claims

1. A transfer member for transporting electrode foils coated with electrode active material, A laser member that irradiates a laser toward the electrode foil, The jig member is positioned to contact the electrode wheel and to support the electrode wheel, An electrode production apparatus characterized in that the jig member has a foreign matter adhesion prevention portion formed therein.

2. The jig member is, A first part is arranged vertically and has an inner groove formed therein, Part 2, which is above Part 1 and joins to Part 1, The electrode production apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by comprising a third part coupled to the first part below the first part.

3. The aforementioned Part 2 is, The second part, which is connected to the first part, The electrode production apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that it includes a second protruding portion that protrudes downward from the second main body portion.

4. The aforementioned Part 3 is, The third main body portion is connected to the first part, The electrode production apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that it includes a third projection that protrudes upward from the third main body.

5. The electrode production apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that a gap is formed between the second protrusion and the third protrusion.

6. The electrode production apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the foreign matter adhesion prevention portion is provided as a first inclined portion formed at the end of the protruding portion of the second portion.

7. The electrode production apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the foreign matter adhesion prevention portion is provided as a second inclined portion formed at the end of the protruding portion of the third portion.

8. The electrode production apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the foreign matter adhesion prevention portion is provided as a third inclined portion formed in the inner groove so that the foreign matter slides downward.

9. The electrode production apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the third inclined portion is formed to be inclined downward from the first portion toward the third portion.

10. The electrode production apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that a foreign matter accumulation portion is formed at the end of the third inclined portion, where the foreign matter accumulates.

11. A suction member for sucking up the aforementioned foreign matter is provided, The electrode production apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the suction member is arranged in close proximity to the foreign matter accumulation section.

12. The transfer member is It includes a first transfer roll positioned above and a second transfer roll positioned below, The electrode production apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrode wheel moves from top to bottom by a first transfer roll and a second transfer roll.

13. The electrode production apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the laser member irradiates the electrode foil with a laser in a lateral direction.

14. A battery cell comprising electrodes produced using an electrode production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A battery pack comprising at least one battery cell as described in claim 14.

16. An automobile comprising at least one battery cell as described in claim 14.

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