Electrode manufacturing equipment

Abstract

The present invention provides an electrode manufacturing apparatus that can improve the problem of lithium metal not being properly cut due to distance deviation or meandering in a battery system using lithium metal as the negative electrode, and can improve various problems that may occur during cutting due to the soft properties of lithium metal. This application provides an electrode manufacturing apparatus that includes a sheet supply unit for supplying a lithium metal sheet, an ultrasonic cutting unit for repeatedly approaching the supplied lithium metal sheet and cutting the lithium metal sheet, and a blade provided in the cutting unit for forming a cutting line in the lithium metal sheet, wherein the cutting line CL is formed inside the outer boundary OL of the supplied lithium metal sheet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2024 - 0008004, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on January 18, 2024, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application.

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] This application relates to an electrode manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode containing lithium metal.

Background Art

[0005] In recent years, the demand for mobile devices such as smartphones, tablet PCs, and wireless earphones has been increasing. Also, with the full - scale development of electric vehicles, energy - storage batteries, robots, and satellites, research on high - performance secondary batteries capable of repeated charging and discharging as an energy source has been actively carried out.

[0006] Currently, commercially available secondary batteries include nickel - cadmium batteries, nickel - metal hydride batteries, nickel - zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Among these, lithium secondary batteries have the advantages of almost no memory effect compared to nickel - based secondary batteries, allowing free charging and discharging, a very low self - discharge rate, and a high energy density.

[0007] On the other hand, lithium metal batteries may use lithium metal for the anode. Lithium metal is very advantageous for increasing the energy density, but conventionally has softer characteristics compared to copper (Cu) which has been mainly used. Due to such characteristics of lithium metal, there have been difficulties in the cutting process for forming electrode tabs.

[0008] To efficiently manufacture anodes containing lithium metal, a roll-to-roll process may be used. In a roll-to-roll process, lithium metal in roll form is unrolled and continuously supplied in sheet form, and the supplied sheet is cut as the process progresses. However, problems can arise where the sheet is not cut correctly due to distance deviations or meandering during cutting. In addition, due to the soft nature of lithium metal, the cutting equipment and lithium metal may adhere during cutting, or the residue generated after cutting may become entangled, making processing difficult. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Korean Published Patent No. 10-2022-0035741 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] This application provides an electrode manufacturing apparatus that can improve the problem of lithium metal not being properly cut due to distance deviation or meandering in a battery system using lithium metal as the negative electrode, and can improve various problems that may occur during cutting due to the soft properties of lithium metal. Furthermore, this application can provide an electrode manufacturing method using the electrode manufacturing apparatus, or an electrode manufactured by the electrode manufacturing apparatus or electrode manufacturing method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] An electrode manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of this application includes a sheet supply unit for supplying a lithium metal sheet, an ultrasonic cutting unit for repeatedly approaching the supplied lithium metal sheet and cutting the lithium metal sheet, and a blade provided in the cutting unit for forming a cutting line on the lithium metal sheet, wherein the cutting line CL may be formed inside the outer boundary OL of the supplied lithium metal sheet.

[0012] In an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of this application, the cutting line CL includes a protruding line PL corresponding to an electrode tab and an extension line EL corresponding to one side end of the electrode extending from the protruding line PL, and the blade may include a first cutting portion that forms the extension line EL and a second cutting portion that forms the protruding line PL.

[0013] In an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present application, at least a portion of the extension line EL includes a first parallel line CLP1 parallel to the supply direction MD of the lithium metal sheet, at least a portion of the protruding line PL includes a second parallel line CLP2 parallel to the supply direction MD of the lithium metal sheet, the first cutting portion further includes a first parallel cutting portion that forms the first parallel line CLP1, and the second cutting portion may further include a second parallel cutting portion that forms the second parallel line CLP2.

[0014] In an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of this application, the cutting line CL further includes a first auxiliary line CLA1 provided at the end of the extension line EL so as to face outward in the width direction of the lithium metal sheet, and the first cutting portion may further include a first auxiliary cutting portion that forms the first auxiliary line CLA1.

[0015] In an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of this application, the cutting line CL further includes a separation line DL that is separated from the extension line EL in the width direction TD and corresponds to the other end of the electrode, and the blade may further include a third blade that is separated from the first blade and cuts the opposite boundary of the lithium metal sheet to form the separation line DL.

[0016] In an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of this application, at least a portion of the separation line DL includes a third parallel line CLP3 parallel to the supply direction MD of the lithium metal sheet, and the third cutting portion may further include a third parallel cutting portion that forms the third parallel line CLP3.

[0017] In an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of this application, the cutting line CL further includes a second auxiliary line CLA2 provided at the end of the separation line DL so as to face outward in the width direction of the lithium metal sheet, and the third cutting portion may further include a second auxiliary cutting portion that forms the second auxiliary line CLA2.

[0018] In an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of this application, the cutting line CL further includes a first auxiliary line CLA1 provided at the end of the extension line EL so as to face outward in the width direction of the lithium metal sheet, and the directions in which the first auxiliary line CLA1 and the second auxiliary line CLA2 face may be opposite.

[0019] In an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of this application, the separation distance between the first cutting edge and the third cutting edge may be shorter than the length TD in the width direction of the lithium metal sheet before cutting.

[0020] In an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of this application, two adjacent cutting lines CL formed by two consecutive approaches of the cutting section may include a margin region M that overlaps at least a portion with respect to the supply direction MD of the lithium metal sheet.

[0021] In an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of this application, a lithium metal sheet is cut by the first blade and the second blade while a first residual sheet is formed, and the first residual sheet formed by the continuous approach of the cutting parts may have a single, integrated form.

[0022] In an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of this application, a second residual sheet is formed while a lithium metal sheet is cut by the third cutting portion, and the second residual sheet formed by the continuous approach of the cutting portion may have a single, integrated form. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] This application can improve the problem that lithium metal is not correctly cut due to distance deviation or meandering in a battery system using lithium metal as the negative electrode, and can improve various problems that may occur during cutting in consideration of the soft characteristics of lithium metal.

[0024] The drawings shown in this application relate to the exemplification of this application. The ratio of the width, width, or thickness (or height) of each component is for the purpose of explaining this application in detail, and these ratios may differ from the actual situation. Also, in the coordinate system shown in the drawings, each axis is perpendicular to each other, the direction pointed by the arrow is the + direction, and the direction opposite to the direction pointed by the arrow (the direction rotated 180 degrees) may be the - direction.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing at least a part of an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 2] In one embodiment of this application, it is a plan view showing a planned or formed cutting line formed on a lithium metal sheet. [Figure 3] It is a plan view showing a part of the cutting portion of an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 4] In one embodiment of this application, it is a plan view showing a planned or formed cutting line formed on a lithium metal sheet. [Figure 5] In one embodiment of this application, it is a plan view showing a state in which a lithium metal sheet is cut along a cutting line. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view showing at least a part of an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of this application.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] Prior to a detailed description of the present invention, terms and words used herein and in the claims may not be construed to be limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings. Furthermore, the inventors should interpret terms and concepts in a way that is consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, based on the principle that terms can be appropriately defined in terms of concepts in order to best describe their own invention. The embodiments described herein and configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of this application and may not represent all of the technical idea of ​​this application. Accordingly, there may be a variety of equivalents and modifications that can be substituted for these at the time of filing of this application.

[0027] The same reference numerals or symbols in each of the drawings attached to this specification may indicate parts or components that perform substantially the same function. For the sake of explanation and understanding, different embodiments may also be described using the same reference numerals or symbols. That is, even if components with the same reference numerals are illustrated in multiple drawings, not all of the drawings may represent a single embodiment.

[0028] In the following description, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms such as “contains” or “constitutes” are intended to specify the existence of features, figures, stages, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should not be understood as preemptively excluding the existence or possibility of adding one or more different features, figures, stages, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0029] Furthermore, in the following explanation, terms such as upper, top, lower, bottom, side, front, and rear are used based on the direction shown in the drawing, and may be expressed differently if the direction of the object changes.

[0030] Furthermore, in this specification and claims, terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to distinguish between components. Such ordinal numbers are used to distinguish identical or similar components from one another, and the use of such ordinal numbers should not restrict the meaning of the terms. For example, components combined with such ordinal numbers should not be restricted in terms of their order of use or arrangement by the numbers. Where necessary, the ordinal numbers may be used alternately with each other.

[0031] The embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. However, the concept of this application may not be limited to the embodiments presented. For example, a person skilled in the art who understands the concept of this application may propose other embodiments that fall within the scope of the concept of this application through additions, modifications, or deletions of components, and these too would fall within the scope of the concept of this application. In the drawings, the shape and size of elements, etc., may be exaggerated for clearer explanation.

[0032] In this specification, "battery" may be used interchangeably with "cell." Furthermore, "battery" or "cell" may be a general term referring to these units: a battery cell, a battery module containing a battery cell, or a battery pack.

[0033] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating at least a part of an electrode manufacturing apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present application. The electrode manufacturing apparatus 10 may include a sheet supply unit 100 for supplying lithium metal sheets 110. The method of supplying the lithium metal sheets 110 is not particularly limited, but it may be a method of unrolling roll-shaped lithium metal 120 at a constant speed. The sheet supply unit 100 may include a device for unrolling roll-shaped lithium metal 120 so that lithium metal sheets 110 are continuously supplied, and a moving device for moving the unrolled lithium metal 110 in the supply direction MD. The sheet supply unit 100 may use a so-called roll-to-roll method.

[0034] The electrode manufacturing apparatus 10 may include a cutting unit 200 that repeatedly approaches the supplied lithium metal sheet 110. The cutting unit 200 can cut the lithium metal sheet 110. The cutting unit 200 is not particularly limited as long as it is used in the industry, but an ultrasonic method may be used considering the soft properties of lithium metal. For example, the ultrasonic method can be found in Korean Published Patent No. 10-2022-0035741.

[0035] The cutting unit 200 can perform ultrasonic cutting. The cutting unit 200 may include an ultrasonic generator 210 capable of ultrasonic cutting. The ultrasonic generator 210 may include an oscillator 211 that generates ultrasonic waves, a booster 213 that amplifies or reduces the vibration energy generated by the oscillator 211, and a horn 212 that transmits the vibration energy of the booster 213 to the blade 220, which will be described later. The ultrasonic generator 210 may further include a vision inspection device 214 capable of vision inspection to check the cutting quality as needed. The oscillator 211 can generate ultrasonic waves having a frequency of 15 kHz to 40 kHz and an amplitude of 10 μm to 60 μm. The ultrasonic method can cut the lithium metal sheet 110 with ultrasonic vibration energy, and can cut the lithium metal while minimizing problems such as burning, even with the soft properties of lithium metal.

[0036] The cutting unit 200 is positioned perpendicularly away from one surface of the supplied lithium metal sheet 110 and can repeatedly approach the lithium metal sheet 110 for cutting. Approach to the lithium metal sheet 110 can be achieved by a moving device, and the movement of the cutting unit 200 can be perpendicular to one surface of the lithium metal sheet 110. That is, the supply direction MD of the lithium metal sheet 110 and the direction of movement of the cutting unit 200 can be perpendicular to each other.

[0037] The sheet supply unit 100 can continuously supply lithium metal sheets 110, and the cutting unit 200 can repeatedly approach the continuously supplied lithium metal sheets 110 and cut them. As a result, the lithium metal sheets 110 can form cutting lines CL along the supply direction MD.

[0038] The sheet supply unit 100 can temporarily suspend the supply of lithium metal sheets 110 when the cutting unit 200 comes into contact with the lithium metal sheet 110, thereby securing time for cutting. The sheet supply unit 100 can resume the supply of lithium metal sheets 110 when the cutting unit 200, which was in contact with the lithium metal sheet 110, returns to its original position after the contact with the lithium metal sheet 110 is released.

[0039] For example, referring to Figure 1, the lithium metal sheet 110 can be supplied in the +x direction through the sheet supply unit 100. The cutting unit 200 can approach the supplied lithium metal sheet 110 by moving in the -z direction from a position a predetermined distance away from the supplied lithium metal sheet 110 in the +z direction perpendicular to it. Once the cutting unit 200 has approached the lithium metal sheet 110 and made contact with it, it can move again in the +z direction to return to its original position. The cutting unit 200 can repeatedly approach the supplied lithium metal sheet 110 by moving again in the -z direction to approach it. While the cutting unit 200 is approaching again, the lithium metal sheet 110 is supplied in the +x direction, and the cutting line CL relative to the supply direction MD can be continued.

[0040] The cutting section 200 may include a blade 220 that forms a cutting line CL in the lithium metal sheet 110. The blade 220 can contact the supplied lithium metal sheet 110 to form a cutting line CL in the lithium metal sheet 110, that is, it can cut the lithium metal sheet 110.

[0041] The cutting line CL formed by the blade 220 may be formed inside the outer boundary OL in the width direction TD of the supplied lithium metal sheet 110. This prevents the residue in the region between the cutting line CL and the outer boundary OL of the lithium metal sheet 110 from being fragmented, and instead forms a single unit, which may allow for easier processing. Further details regarding this will be described later.

[0042] Figure 2 is a plan view illustrating a cutting line CL that is planned to be formed or has been formed on a lithium metal sheet 110 in one embodiment of this application. Figure 3 is a plan view illustrating a part of the cutting section 200 of an electrode manufacturing apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of this application, specifically showing the portion where the blade 220 is provided.

[0043] The electrode manufacturing apparatus 10 can manufacture electrodes, and in particular, it can manufacture negative electrodes using lithium metal. The electrodes may include electrode tabs, and the electrode manufacturing apparatus 10 can form the electrode tabs by cutting a lithium metal sheet 110, and can also naturally form the electrode ends.

[0044] The cutting line CL may include a protruding line PL corresponding to the electrode tab. The portion of the lithium metal sheet 110 cut by the protruding line PL may become the electrode tab. The cutting line CL may also include an extension line EL corresponding to one end of the electrode. The portion of the lithium metal sheet 110 cut by the extension line EL may become one end of the electrode. The extension line EL may extend from the protruding line PL.

[0045] The blade 220 may include a first blade portion 221 that forms an extension line EL on the supplied lithium metal sheet 110. The blade 220 may also include a second blade portion 222 that forms a protruding line PL on the supplied lithium metal sheet 110. The first blade portion 221 and the second blade portion 222 are connected to each other, so that the extension line EL can continue from the protruding line PL. The first blade portion 221 and the second blade portion 222 may be integrated.

[0046] At least a portion of the extension line EL may include a first parallel line CLP1 parallel to the supply direction MD of the lithium metal sheet 110. At least a portion of the protruding line PL may include a second parallel line CLP2 parallel to the supply direction MD of the lithium metal sheet 110. The first parallel line CLP1 may be formed further away from the adjacent outer boundary OL of the supplied lithium metal sheet 110 than the second parallel line CLP2.

[0047] The first cutting edge 221 may further include a first parallel cutting edge 221P that forms a first parallel line CLP1. The second cutting edge 222 may further include a second parallel cutting edge 222P that forms a second parallel line CLP2. The first parallel cutting edge 221P may be positioned further away from the outer boundary OL of the supplied lithium metal sheet 110 than the second parallel cutting edge 222P.

[0048] The protruding line PL may further include a connecting line CLC parallel to the width direction TD of the lithium metal sheet 110. The connecting line CLC can be connected such that a first parallel line CLP1 and a second parallel line CLP2 are successive to each other.

[0049] The second cutting edge 222 may further include a connecting cutting edge 222C that forms a connecting line CLC. The connecting cutting edge 222C can be connected such that the first parallel cutting edge 221P and the second parallel cutting edge 222P are continuous with each other. The first cutting edge 221 and the second cutting edge 222 may be an integrated unit connected to each other through the connecting cutting edge 222C.

[0050] The cutting line CL may further include a first auxiliary line CLA1 provided at the end of the extension line EL so as to face outward in the width direction TD of the lithium metal sheet 110. The first cutting edge 221 may further include a first auxiliary cutting edge 221A that forms the first auxiliary line CLA1.

[0051] By including the first auxiliary line CLA1 in the cutting line CL, the problem of the lithium metal sheet 110 not being cut correctly due to distance deviations or meandering during cutting can be minimized. In particular, when supplying the lithium metal sheet 110 in a roll-to-roll process, the supplied lithium metal sheet 110 may move a small distance in the width direction TD. This is called meandering, and if cutting is performed when meandering occurs, the previous cutting line CL and the subsequent cutting line CL may not be continuous with each other, a part of the lithium metal sheet 110 may not be cut, or an electrode of an unintended shape may be obtained. The first auxiliary line CLA1 is oriented in the width direction TD of the lithium metal sheet 110, increasing the likelihood that the previous cutting line CL and the subsequent cutting line CL will be continuous with each other even if such meandering occurs, thereby minimizing the problem of the lithium metal sheet 110 not being cut correctly.

[0052] In this case, the first auxiliary line CLA1 can be positioned so that it faces outward in the width direction TD of the lithium metal sheet 110, so as not to affect the shape of the electrodes to be formed in the future when electrodes are being continuously produced.

[0053] The first auxiliary line CLA1 may be positioned closer to the adjacent outer boundary OL of the lithium metal sheet 110 supplied by the first parallel line CLP1. The first auxiliary line CLA1 may not be positioned further away from the adjacent outer boundary OL of the lithium metal sheet 110 supplied by the first parallel line CLP1. Through this positional relationship between the first auxiliary line CLA1 and the first parallel line CLP1, the first auxiliary line CLA1 may not affect the shape of the electrodes to be formed in the future when electrodes are produced in continuous production.

[0054] The first auxiliary line CLA1 may be formed parallel to the width direction TD. Alternatively, the first auxiliary line CLA1 may form a predetermined angle with the width direction TD. Alternatively, the first auxiliary line CLA1 may have a curved shape that starts along the length direction of the cutting line CL and continues naturally toward the adjacent outer boundary OL of the lithium metal sheet 110.

[0055] The cutting line CL is separated from the extension line EL in the width direction TD of the lithium metal sheet 110 and may include a separation line DL corresponding to the other end of the electrode. The other end of the electrode may mean the other side of one end of the portion cut along the extension line EL.

[0056] The blade 220 may include a third blade portion 223 that is separated from the first blade portion 221 and cuts the opposite boundary of the lithium metal sheet 110 to form a separation line DL. The opposite boundary of the lithium metal sheet 110 may mean the boundary located on the opposite side of the boundary of the lithium metal sheet 110 adjacent to the first blade portion 221. The first blade portion 221 and the third blade portion 223 may not be connected to each other. Also, the second blade portion 222, which is integral with the first blade portion 221, may not be connected to the third blade portion 223.

[0057] At least a portion of the separation line DL includes a third parallel line CLP3 parallel to the supply direction MD of the lithium metal sheet 110, and the third cutting edge 223 may further include a third parallel cutting edge 223P that forms the third parallel line CLP3.

[0058] The separation line DL is formed so that even if meandering occurs, one end and the other end of the electrode can remain parallel. For example, if a separation line DL is not provided separately, and the outer boundary OL of the supplied lithium metal sheet 110 forms the other end of the electrode, when meandering occurs, the extension line EL of the cutting line CL and the other boundary end of the lithium metal sheet 110 are not parallel, which can lead to a problem where one end and the other end of the final cut lithium metal sheet 110 become non-parallel.

[0059] On the other hand, the length of the supply direction MD of the third parallel line CLP3 may be the same as the sum of the total length of the supply direction MD of the first parallel line CLP1 and the total length of the supply direction MD of the second parallel line CLP2. Here, being the same means being substantially the same, and the error may be around 5%.

[0060] The cutting line CL may further include a second auxiliary line CLA2 provided at the end of the separation line DL so as to face outward in the width direction TD of the lithium metal sheet 110. The third cutting edge 223 may further include a second auxiliary cutting edge 223A that forms the second auxiliary line CLA2.

[0061] By including the second auxiliary line CLA2 in the cutting line CL, problems such as the lithium metal sheet 110 not being properly cut due to distance deviations and meandering during cutting can be minimized, similar to the first auxiliary line CLA1. The second auxiliary line CLA2 can be oriented in the width direction TD of the lithium metal sheet 110, further minimizing problems such as the lithium metal sheet 110 not being properly cut. In addition, by oriented so that the second auxiliary line CLA2 faces outward in the width direction TD of the lithium metal sheet 110, it may not affect the shape of future electrodes when electrodes are continuously produced.

[0062] The second auxiliary line CLA2 may be positioned closer to the adjacent outer boundary OL of the lithium metal sheet 110 supplied by the third parallel line CLP3. That is, the second auxiliary line CLA2 may not be positioned further away from the adjacent outer boundary OL of the lithium metal sheet 110 supplied by the third parallel line CLP3. Through this positional relationship between the second auxiliary line CLA2 and the third parallel line CLP3, the second auxiliary line CLA2 may not affect the shape of the electrodes to be formed in the future when electrodes are produced in continuous production.

[0063] The directions that the first auxiliary line CLA1 and the second auxiliary line CLA2 point in may be opposite to each other. The direction that the first auxiliary line CLA1 points in may mean the direction in which the first auxiliary line CLA1 extends from the width direction TD with respect to the first parallel line CLP1. Similarly, the direction that the second auxiliary line CLA2 points in may mean the direction in which the second auxiliary line CLA2 extends from the width direction TD with respect to the third parallel line CLP3. That is, referring to Figure 2, the direction that the first auxiliary line CLA1 points in may be the +y direction, and the direction that the second auxiliary line CLA2 points in may be the -y direction.

[0064] Since the first auxiliary line CLA1 and the second auxiliary line CLA2 face in opposite directions, even if meandering occurs, a sufficient cutting area can be provided, minimizing the problem of the lithium metal sheet 110 not being cut correctly, and potentially not affecting the shape of future electrodes when electrodes are produced continuously.

[0065] On the other hand, the separation distance between the first cutting edge 221 and the third cutting edge 223 may be shorter than the length TD in the width direction of the lithium metal sheet 110 before cutting. Through this, the cutting line CL can be formed inside the outer boundary OL of the lithium metal sheet 110 to which it is supplied, and a solid residue is formed instead of a fragmentary residue, which may allow for easier processing.

[0066] Figure 4 is a plan view illustrating a cutting line CL that is planned to be formed or has been formed on a lithium metal sheet 110 in one embodiment of this application.

[0067] Two consecutive approaches by the cutting section 200 can form two cutting lines CL. Two adjacent cutting lines CL thus formed can include a margin region M that overlaps at least partially with respect to the supply direction MD of the lithium metal sheet 110. Including a margin region M in the cutting lines CL provides a cutting area with ample margin even if meandering occurs, and minimizes the problem of the lithium metal sheet 110 not being cut correctly due to the separation of the previous cutting line CL and the subsequent cutting line CL caused by errors such as the approach interval of the cutting section 200 and the supply speed of the lithium metal sheet 110.

[0068] The margin region M may be formed by the overlapping of portions of extension lines EL in two adjacent cutting lines CL. The margin region M may also be formed by the overlapping of portions of separation lines DL in two adjacent cutting lines CL.

[0069] Figure 5 is a plan view illustrating a configuration in which a lithium metal sheet 110 is cut along a cutting line CL in one embodiment of this application. Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating at least a part of an electrode manufacturing apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of this application.

[0070] As the lithium metal sheet 110 supplied by the first cutting portion 221 and the second cutting portion 222 is cut, a first residual sheet S1 can be formed, excluding the electrode portion. The first residual sheet S1 may have a one-piece form. That is, since the first residual sheet S1 is formed in a one-piece form rather than in a fragmented form, the first residual sheet S1 may be even easier to process.

[0071] As the lithium metal sheet 110 supplied by the third cutting edge 223 is cut, a second residual sheet S2, excluding the electrode portion, can be formed. The second residual sheet S2 may have a single, integrated form. That is, since the second residual sheet S2 is formed as a single, integrated form rather than in fragmentary form, the first residual sheet S2 may be even easier to process.

[0072] In addition to the sheet supply unit 100 and the cutting unit 200, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 10 may also include a slitter 300 that slits the cut lithium metal sheet 110 to a specified size to form an electrode 50. Here, the electrode 50 may be in the form of a finished product with an active material layer formed, or in the form of a semi-finished product without an active material layer formed. The electrode 50 manufactured by the electrode manufacturing apparatus 10 may be used as the negative electrode of a battery cell. The slitter 300 can form a slit line STL on the cut lithium metal sheet 110. The slitter 300 can also use an ultrasonic method, similar to the cutting unit 200. Furthermore, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 10 is not limited to the sheet supply unit 100, the cutting unit, and the slitter 300, but may further include a variety of equipment that can be used in electrode processes widely known in the industry.

[0073] An electrode manufacturing apparatus 10 according to an example of this application can be used to manufacture electrodes containing lithium metal. In particular, the manufactured electrodes can be used as the negative electrode of a battery cell. When lithium metal is used as the negative electrode of a battery cell in this way, the battery cell can be called a lithium metal battery. The type of lithium metal battery is not particularly limited, but it may be a lithium-sulfur battery or a lithium-air battery, etc.

[0074] An electrode manufacturing apparatus according to one example of this application can be widely applied to electric vehicles, battery charging stations, and other green technology fields such as solar and wind power generation that use batteries. Furthermore, an electrode manufacturing apparatus according to one example of this application can be applied to eco-friendly electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles that suppress air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and prevent climate change.

[0075] Although various embodiments of this application have been described in detail above, the scope of rights of this application is not limited thereto, and it will be obvious to anyone with average knowledge of the art that various modifications and variations are possible as long as they do not deviate from the technical idea of ​​this application as described in the claims. Furthermore, some components of the embodiments described above may be omitted, and each embodiment may be combined with one another. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 10: Electrode manufacturing equipment 50: Electrode 100: Sheet supply unit 110: Lithium metal sheet 120: Lithium metal roll 200: Cutting part 210: Ultrasonic generator 220: Blade 221: 1st blade part 221P: 1st parallel blade part 221A: 1st auxiliary blade part 222:Second blade part 222P: 2nd parallel blade part 222C: Connecting blade section 223: 3rd blade part 223P: 3rd parallel blade part 223A: 2nd auxiliary blade part 300: Slitter S1: First remaining sheet S2: Second remaining sheet

Claims

1. A sheet supply unit that supplies lithium metal sheets, An ultrasonic cutting unit that repeatedly approaches the supplied lithium metal sheet and cuts the lithium metal sheet, The cutting section includes a blade that forms a cutting line CL on the lithium metal sheet, An electrode manufacturing apparatus wherein the cutting line CL is formed inside the outer boundary OL of the supplied lithium metal sheet.

2. The cutting line CL includes a protruding line PL corresponding to the electrode tab and an extension line EL corresponding to one side end of the electrode, which extends from the protruding line PL. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blade includes a first blade portion that forms the extension line EL and a second blade portion that forms the protruding line PL.

3. At least a portion of the extension line EL includes a first parallel line CLP1 parallel to the supply direction MD of the lithium metal sheet, and at least a portion of the protruding line PL includes a second parallel line CLP2 parallel to the supply direction MD of the lithium metal sheet. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first blade portion further includes a first parallel blade portion that forms the first parallel line CLP1, and the second blade portion further includes a second parallel blade portion that forms the second parallel line CLP2.

4. The cutting line CL further includes a first auxiliary line CLA1 provided at the end of the extension line EL so as to face outward in the width direction of the lithium metal sheet, The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first blade portion further includes a first auxiliary blade portion that forms the first auxiliary line CLA1.

5. The cutting line CL is separated from the extension line EL in the width direction TD and further includes a separation line DL corresponding to the other end of the electrode. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the blade further includes a third blade portion that is separated from the first blade portion and cuts the boundary on the opposite side of the lithium metal sheet to form the separation line DL.

6. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the separation line DL includes a third parallel line CLP3 parallel to the supply direction MD of the lithium metal sheet, and the third cutting portion further includes a third parallel cutting portion that forms the third parallel line CLP3.

7. The cutting line CL further includes a second auxiliary line CLA2 provided at the end of the separation line DL so as to face outward in the width direction of the lithium metal sheet, The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the third cutting portion further includes a second auxiliary cutting portion that forms the second auxiliary line CLA2.

8. The cutting line CL further includes a first auxiliary line CLA1 provided at the end of the extension line EL so as to face outward in the width direction of the lithium metal sheet, The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the directions toward the first auxiliary line CLA1 and the second auxiliary line CLA2 are opposite.

9. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the separation distance between the first cutting portion and the third cutting portion is shorter than the length of the width direction TD of the lithium metal sheet before cutting.

10. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein two adjacent cutting lines CL formed by two consecutive approaches of the cutting section include a margin region M that overlaps at least a portion with respect to the supply direction MD of the lithium metal sheet.

11. The lithium metal sheet is cut by the first and second cutting portions, forming a first residual sheet. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first residual sheet formed by the continuous approach of the cutting portion has an integral form.

12. The lithium metal sheet is cut by the third cutting edge while a second residual sheet is formed. The electrode manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second residual sheet formed by the continuous approach of the cutting portion has an integral form.

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