Electrode tab guide device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrode tab guide device, and more particularly to an electrode tab guide device that can effectively measure and control the gap of the tab guide in order to prevent breakage of the electrode tab. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrode tab guide device is provided for pressurizing and collecting a plurality of electrode tabs that protrude from an electrode assembly spaced apart vertically, comprising: an upper guide that descends from above toward the electrode tabs and applies pressure; a lower guide that rises from below toward the electrode tabs and applies pressure while maintaining a tab guide spacing between itself and the upper guide; a detection member that moves in conjunction with the lower guide; and a sensor located above the upper guide that detects the distance to the detection member in order to determine whether the tab guide spacing is appropriate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrode tab guide device, and more particularly to an electrode tab guide device that can effectively measure and manage the gap of a tab guide in order to prevent disconnection of an electrode tab.

Background Art

[0002] Rechargeable secondary batteries have been widely used in various devices in recent years. Secondary batteries are attracting attention as an environmentally friendly energy source that can reduce air pollution, such as conventional automobiles that use fossil fuels.

[0003] Secondary batteries can be classified into lithium-ion batteries, lithium-ion polymer batteries, etc. according to the composition of the electrodes and electrolyte, and can be classified into square batteries, pouch-type batteries, cylindrical batteries, etc. according to the form of the battery case.

[0004] The electrode assembly built into the battery case has a structure composed of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and can be said to be a power generation element capable of charge and discharge. The electrode assembly can be classified into a jelly roll type in which a separator is interposed between long sheet-like positive and negative electrodes coated with an active material and wound up, and a stack type in which a plurality of positive and negative electrodes are sequentially laminated in a state arranged on the separator.

[0005] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an electrode tab manufacturing apparatus including a conventional electrode tab guide.

[0006] The electrode assembly (10) is manufactured by collecting and welding electrode tabs (20) provided at the ends of a plurality of electrodes and connecting them to an electrode lead. The electrode tabs of the positive electrode and the negative electrode are distinguished from each other and are connected to the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead, respectively.

[0007] Before welding the electrode tabs to the electrode leads, a pre-welding process is performed. The pre-welding process involves gathering the electrode tabs and welding them together by applying ultrasonic vibrations using a horn and anvil. Subsequently, the electrode leads are welded to the lower or upper part of the welded area (A) where the electrode tabs (20) are welded, thereby manufacturing the electrode assembly. The tab guiding process and the pre-welding process can be performed through a single apparatus, which can be called an electrode tab guiding apparatus.

[0008] If the electrode tabs are not sufficiently gathered during the pre-welding process, vibrations from ultrasonic welding may cause disconnection of the electrode tabs in the outer casing.

[0009] The electrode tabs are positioned between the vertically moving upper guide (1) and lower guide (2), and then converge as the gap between the upper guide (1) and lower guide (2) narrows. The upper and lower guides can be called tab guides.

[0010] Figure 2 shows an example of a conventional electrode tab guide, namely an upper guide (1) and a lower guide (2).

[0011] The upper guide (1) is formed in a flat plate shape overall and may include a body (1a) that is attached to a lifting device (not shown) and fastening holes (1b) formed in the body (1a). A transition surface (1c) is formed at the lower part of the body (1a), and a tab blade (1d) may be formed at the end of the transition surface (1c). The tab blade (1d) is configured to pressurize the electrode tab from top to bottom, and the transition surface (1c) may be provided to mitigate the sharp bending of the electrode tab located at the upper outer corner.

[0012] The lower guide (2) is formed in a flat plate shape overall and may include a body (2a) that is attached to a lifting device (not shown) and fastening holes (2b) formed in the body (2a). A transition surface (2c) is formed on the upper part of the body (2a), and a tab blade (2d) may be formed at the end of the transition surface (2c). The tab blade (2d) is configured to pressurize the electrode tab from bottom to top, and the transition surface (2c) may be provided to mitigate the sharp bending of the electrode tab located at the lower outer corner.

[0013] To guide the electrode tab, the upper guide (1) moves downward and the lower guide (2) moves upward. At this time, the gap (tab guide spacing) between the upper guide (1) and the lower guide (2) decreases. In other words, the electrode tab is guided by the reduction in tab guide spacing.

[0014] However, conventional electrode tab guide devices only detect the vertical movement of the upper guide (1) and lower guide (2), and do not optimally manage the tab guide spacing. In other words, it was common to adjust the tab guide spacing retrospectively and manually.

[0015] If the tab guide spacing is too narrow or too wide when the tab guiding is complete, improper guiding of the electrode tabs may lead to disconnection and poor fusion of the electrode tabs. Therefore, if such defects occur, it is common practice to readjust the tab guide spacing by adjusting the vertical movement interval between the upper guide (1) and the lower guide (2) afterward.

[0016] Therefore, it is necessary to establish a method for proactively managing the spacing of the tab guides to prevent electrode tab breakage and fusion failure in advance. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0017] The present invention aims to solve the problems of conventional electrode tab guide devices.

[0018] One embodiment of the present invention aims to provide an electrode tab guide device that can sense the actual tab guide spacing and prevent errors from occurring between the actual tab guide spacing and a preset tab guide spacing.

[0019] One embodiment of the present invention aims to provide an electrode tab guide device that allows for easy monitoring of tab guide spacing while utilizing the basic configuration of a conventional electrode tab guide device.

[0020] One embodiment of the present invention aims to provide an electrode tab guide device that can measure the distance between guide tabs and effectively manage the tab pressing amount even in a limited space, by providing a lower guide that can be raised and lowered more stably, and by forming a detection member that is integrally linked with the lower guide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0021] To achieve the above objective, according to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrode tab guide device is provided for pressurizing and collecting a plurality of electrode tabs that protrude from an electrode assembly spaced apart vertically, comprising: an upper guide that descends from above toward the electrode tabs and applies pressure; a lower guide that rises from below toward the electrode tabs and applies pressure with a tab guide spacing between itself and the upper guide; a detection member that moves in conjunction with the lower guide; and a sensor located above the upper guide that detects the distance to the detection member in order to determine whether the tab guide spacing is appropriate.

[0022] The upper and lower guides may each move from their standby positions to their working positions to perform tab guiding. After tab guiding is complete, the upper and lower guides may each move from their working positions to their standby positions.

[0023] The tab guide spacing is minimized at the work position, and this spacing is predetermined and requires very precise control. For this purpose, the sensor can detect the tab guide spacing at the work position.

[0024] The upper guide and the lower guide may each have a plate shape with a longer width than height so as to correspond to the length of the width of the electrode tab.

[0025] The upper guide and the lower guide may each include a main body and a tab blade configured to directly press the electrode tab against the lower or upper part of the main body.

[0026] The sensor is preferably a laser displacement sensor including a sensor body having a sensing surface provided with a light projecting part and a light receiving part at the lower part.

[0027] The detection member preferably has a horizontal plane configured to face the sensing surface of the sensor. Therefore, the sensor may be provided to sense the vertical distance between the light receiving part and the horizontal plane.

[0028] The sensor is preferably provided such that the projection area of the light projecting part is included in or overlaps with the horizontal plane directly above the horizontal plane. In particular, it is preferable that the center of the light projecting part is projected onto the horizontal plane and the overlapping area is larger than the non-overlapping area.

[0029] The light receiving part is located in front of the light projecting part, and the sensor may be provided such that the projection area of the light receiving part deviates from the horizontal plane.

[0030] The detection member may be provided so as to further protrude forward from the front surface of the lower guide.

[0031] The detection member preferably has the horizontal plane at the same height as the upper end of the tab blade of the lower guide.

[0032] The detection member may be integrally formed with the lower guide.

[0033] Preferably, the detection members are provided on both sides of the lower guide, and the sensors are provided on both sides of the upper guide, corresponding to the detection members.

[0034] The electrode tabs of the inserted electrode assembly are positioned between the sensing members. Therefore, no configuration that would interfere with sensing is placed in the space between the sensor and the sensing members.

[0035] The sensor may be attached to the upper guide at a position higher than the lower end of the upper guide.

[0036] The upper guide is provided in front of the upper part and includes a fixed horizontal frame, the sensor of which may be mounted on the horizontal frame.

[0037] A cylinder for raising and lowering the upper guide may be attached to the rear surface of the horizontal frame, and the sensors may be attached to both sides of the rear surface of the horizontal frame via sensor brackets.

[0038] The system includes a lower frame, a horizontal base fixed to the upper part of the lower frame, and a vertical frame extending vertically upward from the horizontal base, wherein the horizontal frame may extend horizontally from the upper part of the vertical frame toward the front upper part of the upper guide and be fixed.

[0039] To achieve the above objective, according to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrode tab guide device can be provided which includes a lower frame, a horizontal base fixed to the upper part of the lower frame, a vertical frame extending vertically upward from the horizontal base, an upper guide provided on the horizontal base and configured to descend from the top toward the electrode tab to pressurize the electrode tab, a lower guide provided on the horizontal base and configured to rise from the bottom toward the electrode tab to pressurize the electrode tab with a tab guide gap between it and the upper guide, a detection member that moves in conjunction with the lower guide, a sensor located above the upper guide that detects the distance to the detection member in order to determine whether the tab guide gap is appropriate, and a horizontal frame that extends horizontally from the top of the vertical frame toward the front upper part of the upper guide and is fixed, and the sensor is mounted directly above the detection member.

[0040] The sensor may always be fixed regardless of the movement of the upper and lower guides for the electrode tab guide. The wires connecting to the sensor may be fixed to the horizontal frame.

[0041] Preferably, the sensors are mounted on both sides of the rear surface of the horizontal frame via sensor brackets, and the left-right and front-back positions of the sensors are adjustable via the sensor brackets.

[0042] Preferably, the detection member is provided so as to protrude further forward from the front surface of the lower guide and has a horizontal surface that is at the same height as the upper end of the lower guide and faces perpendicularly to the light-emitting part of the sensor.

[0043] Preferably, the detection member is formed integrally with the lower guide.

[0044] Preferably, the detection member is formed in a block shape at both ends of the lower guide to reinforce the rigidity of the lower guide, and the horizontal surface is formed on the uppermost end surface of the block shape.

[0045] Preferably, the detection member is formed extending from both ends of the lower guide over its entire vertical length, and the horizontal plane is positioned on the same line as the uppermost end of the lower guide. [Effects of the Invention]

[0046] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrode tab guide device can be provided that can sense the actual tab guide spacing and prevent errors from occurring between the actual tab guide spacing and a preset tab guide spacing.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrode tab guide device can be provided that allows for easy monitoring of the tab guide spacing while utilizing the basic configuration of a conventional electrode tab guide device.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a lower guide that can be raised and lowered more stably is provided, and at the same time, a detection member that is integrally linked with the lower guide is formed, thereby providing an electrode tab guide device that can measure the distance between guide tabs and effectively manage the amount of tab pressing even in a limited space. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0049] [Figure 1] This is a conceptual diagram of a conventional tab guide and pre-welding. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the conventional upper and lower guides. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the upper and lower guides of a guide device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows the projection areas of the detection member, the light-emitting part of the sensor, and the light-receiving part of the sensor in a guide device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure shows the relationship between the guide tab spacing between the upper and lower guides shown in Figure 3, the sensor's focal length, and the sensing position. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a guide device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]This is a magnified section of Figure 6. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view showing the mounting positions of the upper guide, lower guide, and sensor of a guide device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This figure shows the relationship between the guide tab spacing between the upper and lower guides shown in Figure 8, and the sensor's focal length and sensing position. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0050] Hereinafter, an electrode tab guide device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode tab guide device may be the same as or similar to a conventional electrode tab guide device, but may further include a sensor and a detection member capable of sensing the tab guide spacing.

[0052] Figure 3 shows an upper guide (100), a lower guide (200), and a sensor (300) that can be applied to this embodiment.

[0053] As shown in the figure, the shape and size of the upper guide (100) applied to this embodiment can be the same as or similar to that of a conventional upper guide. Similarly, the shape and size of the lower guide (200) applied to this embodiment can be the same as or similar to that of a conventional lower guide. Therefore, the spacing of the tab guides can be controlled by minimizing changes to the detailed configuration of conventional electrode tab guide devices.

[0054] Specifically, according to this embodiment, the upper guide (100) and the lower guide (200) are provided to be vertically movable, with the upper guide (100) descending and the lower guide (200) rising for the tab guide. At this time, the downward separation distance of the upper guide (100) and the upward separation distance of the lower guide (200) may be predetermined. Therefore, the distance between the upper guide (100) and the lower guide (200) for the tab guide, i.e., the tab guide spacing, may be optimally preset to match the current electrode assembly.

[0055] Once the tab guide is completed through the upper guide (100) and lower guide (200), pre-welding can be performed. After pre-welding is complete, the upper guide (100) rises and the lower guide (200) descends. The electrode assembly with completed tab guiding and pre-welding is then transferred to the next process. A new electrode assembly is then transferred to the electrode tab guiding device, and tab guiding and pre-welding can be performed in the same order.

[0056] As mentioned above, the upper guide (100) and lower guide (200) move up and down repeatedly, and vibrations may be transmitted to the upper guide (100) and lower guide (200) during ultrasonic welding. Therefore, repeated tab guiding and pre-welding may cause errors in the optimally preset tab guide spacing.

[0057] As shown in Figure 3, the upper guide (100) and lower guide (200) are formed to be elongated in the x-axis direction, i.e., in the width direction of the electrode assembly or the width direction of the electrode, and the tab guide spacing may be set in the z-axis direction. Therefore, errors may occur in the tab guide spacing set in the vertical direction of the upper guide (100) and lower guide (200), and deviations in the tab guide spacing on both sides of the tab guides (100, 200). In other words, the tab guide spacing may differ between the left end and the right end in the x-axis direction, which can lead to problems in guiding the electrode tabs uniformly overall. Such problems can cause issues such as wire breakage of the outermost electrode tabs during the pre-welding process, and the only option is to readjust the tab guide spacing manually afterward, making it difficult to perform an efficient automated process.

[0058] To solve these problems, the present embodiment may include a detection member (250). The detection member (250) may be provided to provide a reference for sensing the tab guide spacing.

[0059] The detection member (250) may be configured to move in conjunction with the lower guide (200). In particular, the detection member (250) may be configured to move integrally with the lower guide (200). Therefore, the vertical displacement of the detection member (250) can be the same as the vertical displacement of the lower guide (200).

[0060] Specifically, the lower guide (200) may include a plate-shaped body (210). The body (210) has a plurality of fastening holes (220), and the body (210) can be connected to a lifting device (not shown) via the fastening holes (220).

[0061] The upper part of the main body (210) is provided with a tab blade (240), and the end of the tab blade (240) can directly press against the lower part of the electrode tab. The thickness of the main body (210) is formed to be greater than the thickness of the tab blade (240), so that the main body (210) can be firmly coupled to the lifting device.

[0062] A transition surface (230) may be formed between the main body (210) and the tab blade (240). The main body (210) and the tab blade (240) may be formed in a planar shape, and as shown in the figure, the tab blade may be positioned at the upper rear of the main body (210). Therefore, the transition surface (230) can be formed in a curved or inclined shape to connect the main body (210) and the tab blade (240). The transition surface (230) may be provided to gently bend the electrode tab located below the center of the electrode assembly.

[0063] The detection member (250) may include a horizontal plane (260) formed at the same height as the upper end of the tab blade (240). The tab guide spacing refers to the distance between the lower end of the tab blade (140) of the lower guide and the upper end of the tab blade (240) of the upper guide. In particular, the tab guide spacing at the working position needs to be set and controlled with great precision. The horizontal plane (260) of the detection member (250) and the tab blade (240) are formed at the same height, and the horizontal plane (260) forms a reference point or reference position for determining the tab guide spacing. In particular, by providing the detection member (250) to move up and down integrally with the lower guide (200), no error or deviation occurs between the upper end of the tab blade (240) and the horizontal plane (250).

[0064] Preferably, the detection member (250) is formed to have substantially the same height as the lower guide (200). That is, the detection member (250) may be provided to have a height that matches the height from the lower end of the main body (210) to the upper end of the tab blade (240).

[0065] The detection member (250) may be provided projecting forward of the lower guide (250). The detection member (250) may be formed in a block shape, with its upper surface being the horizontal plane (260) and its front surface (261) positioned in front of the lower guide (200). That is, the front surface (261) may be positioned in front of the front surface of the main body (210) of the lower guide (250).

[0066] Furthermore, the inner surface (263) of the detection member (250) may communicate with the main body (210) and tab blade (240) of the lower guide (200).

[0067] The detection member (250) may be provided on both sides of the lower guide (200). When the detection member (250) is coupled to or integrally formed with the lower guide (200), the detection member (250) and the lower guide (200) can be called a lower guide module. Therefore, the front surface of the detection member (250) may form the foremost surface of the lower guide module, and the outer surface (262) of the detection member (250) may form the side surfaces of both ends of the lower guide module. Furthermore, the horizontal surfaces (260) on both sides of the detection member (250) and the upper end of the tab blade (240) between them can form the uppermost end surface of the lower guide module.

[0068] The shape of the detection member (250) is intended to ensure stable mounting and stable raising and lowering of the lower guide (200).

[0069] Referring to Figures 3 and 7, the lower guide (200) can be guided to move up and down through the front guide (57) and the rear guide (58). In particular, the front guide (57) can guide the inner surface of the detection member (250), and the rear guide (58) can guide the outer surface of the detection member (250). Therefore, the lower guide (200) can move up and down very stably.

[0070] According to this embodiment, a sensor (300) located on the upper part of the upper guide (100) may be provided to detect changes in distance from the detection member (250). The change in distance between the detection member (250) and the sensor (300) may be detected in order to measure the spacing of the tab guides.

[0071] As an example, as shown in Figure 3, the sensor (300) may be fixed to the upper guide (100).

[0072] Specifically, the upper guide (100) may include a plate-shaped body (110). The body (110) has a plurality of fastening holes (120), and the body (110) can be connected to a lifting device (not shown) via the fastening holes (120).

[0073] A tab blade (140) is provided at the lower part of the main body (110), and the end of the tab blade (140) can directly press on the upper part of the electrode tab. The thickness of the main body (110) is formed to be greater than the thickness of the tab blade (140), so that the main body (110) can be firmly coupled to the lifting device.

[0074] A transition surface (130) may be formed between the main body (110) and the tab blade (140). The main body (110) and the tab blade (140) may be formed in a planar shape, and as shown in the figure, the tab blade may be positioned at the lower rear of the main body (110). Therefore, the transition surface (130) can be formed in a curved or inclined shape to connect the main body (110) and the tab blade (140). The transition surface (130) may be provided to gently bend the electrode tab located below the center of the electrode assembly.

[0075] A rectangular stepped portion (115) may be formed in the upper center of the main body (110). The stepped portion (115) may be formed in a rectangular recessed shape. This may be a structure that allows the upper guide (100) to be stably connected to the lifting device and to be lifted and lowered stably.

[0076] A sensor (300) may be attached to the front of the main unit (110).

[0077] The sensor (300) includes a sensor body (310), and the bottom surface (310) of the sensor body (310) may be positioned to face the horizontal surface (260) of the detection member (250).

[0078] The sensor (300) may be fixedly attached to the upper guide (100) by passing through the rear surface of the sensor body (310). The sensor (300) may be attached so as to protrude forward from the upper guide (100). The front upper part of the sensor body (310) may be connected to a wire via a wire connection part (350) for power supply and data communication.

[0079] The bottom surface (310) may be provided with a light-emitting unit (330) and a light-receiving unit (340). The light-emitting unit (330) is configured to emit a laser beam onto the object to be measured, and the light-receiving unit (340) is configured to receive the laser beam reflected from the object to be measured. This makes it possible to measure the displacement between the light-receiving unit (340) and the object to be measured.

[0080] The light-emitting unit (330) and the light-receiving unit (340) are provided parallel to the bottom surface (310), and it is preferable that the projected area of ​​the light-receiving unit (340) is larger than the projected area of ​​the light-emitting unit (330). Furthermore, it is preferable that the light-receiving unit (340) is positioned in front of the light-emitting unit (330).

[0081] Here, for more accurate displacement measurement, the area of ​​the light-emitting section (330) and the horizontal plane (260), as well as the projection area, may be important. Furthermore, the protruding length of the lower guide (200), and especially the protruding length of the detection member (250), may also be important.

[0082] First, the greater the forward protrusion length of the sensor (300) from the front of the upper guide (100), the greater the forward protrusion length of the detection member (250) from the front of the lower guide (200). The lower guide (200) is configured to move up and down, and the area in front of the upper guide (100) and the lower guide (200) is the region in which the electrode assembly moves. Specifically, the pallet on which the electrode assembly is placed and transported moves in the x-axis direction. Therefore, in order to eliminate interference with the moving pallet, there is a certain limit to the increase in the protrusion length of the detection member (250), i.e., the protrusion length in the y-direction.

[0083] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is preferable that the main body (110) of the upper guide (100) has a recessed portion (150) that is recessed to the rear, and that the sensor (300) is attached to the recessed portion (150). That is, it is preferable that the rear surface of the sensor body (310) is inserted into the recessed portion (150). This makes it possible to shorten the protruding length of the sensor (300). In other words, by shortening the protruding length of the sensor, the protruding length of the detection member can be shortened.

[0084] Figure 4 shows the projection areas of the horizontal plane (260), the light-emitting section (330), and the light-receiving section (340) in the vertical direction.

[0085] It is preferable that the projection area of ​​the light-emitting unit (330) on the horizontal plane (260) is included in the horizontal plane (260) or partially overlaps with it. Of course, it is preferable that the center position of the light-emitting unit (330) is located within the internal region of the horizontal plane (260).

[0086] The front-to-back width (b, y-direction width) of the horizontal plane (260) is preferably greater than the center distance (a) of the projection area. Here, the center distance (a) of the projection area is a fixed value for a pre-manufactured sensor (300). However, the center distance (a) may change depending on the reference line, i.e., the rear surface position of the sensor (300). As mentioned above, there is a limit to the increase in the b value. Therefore, it is desirable to have a relatively small a value. For this reason, the sensor (300) may be mounted recessed in the recess (150), thereby making the a value smaller than the b value.

[0087] On the other hand, it is preferable that the projection area of ​​the light-receiving unit (340) is located in front of the horizontal plane (260).

[0088] Figure 5 shows the positions of the upper guide (100), lower guide (200), and sensor (300) based on the working position (B) where the tab guide is performed.

[0089] The upper guide (100) has a lifting distance set to approximately 15 mm, and similarly, the lower guide (200) can have a lifting distance set to approximately 15 mm. The upper guide (100) can descend approximately 15 mm from the standby position to reach the working position, and the lower guide (200) can rise approximately 15 mm from the standby position to reach the working position. The guide tab spacing (G) at the working position may be set in advance, for example, to 0.5 mm. Of course, the guide tab spacing (G) can be further increased as the thickness of the electrode assembly increases.

[0090] According to this embodiment, the vertical distance (h1) between the sensor (300) and the working position (B) of the lower guide can be determined and fixed by the mounting of the sensor. Of course, the vertical distance between the sensor (300) and the working position (B) of the upper guide can also be determined and fixed. Based on the vertical distance (h1), the measurement range of the sensor can be set within an error of approximately 20%.

[0091] For example, if h1 is 50 mm and G is 0.5 mm, the distance from the sensor (300) to the horizontal plane (260) can be measured as 50.0 mm. In this case, the sensor (300) can be used to confirm that electrode tab guiding is currently being performed with the correct guide tab spacing.

[0092] On the other hand, according to this embodiment, accurate guide tab spacing can be measured at the work position through h1, G, and the sensor measurement range. However, when the lower guide (200) is in the standby position, the distance between the sensor (300) and the horizontal plane (260) may fall outside the sensor measurement range. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is difficult to obtain data on the change in guide tab spacing between the standby position and the work position. However, at the work position, very accurate data on guide tab spacing can be obtained.

[0093] Figure 6 shows an example of an electrode tab guide device including the upper guide (100) and lower guide (200). Figure 7 is a partially enlarged view of the electrode tab guide device.

[0094] The electrode tab guide device (50) can be configured to include a lower frame (51) and a horizontal base (52). The lower frame (51) is configured to support the horizontal base (52) with respect to the ground, and the horizontal base (52) is configured to be supported with a configuration for electrode tab guiding and a configuration for pre-welding.

[0095] An upper guide (100) and a lower guide (200) may be provided in front of the horizontal base (52), and an ultrasonic fusion device (60) for pre-welding may be provided behind the horizontal base (52).

[0096] The electrode assembly is transported along the length of the upper guide (100) and lower guide (200), i.e., in the x-axis direction, and then fixed in place. Afterward, it is pre-welded to the electrode tab guide, and once pre-welding is complete, it is transported further along the x-axis direction and fed into the next process.

[0097] On the other hand, since the upper guide (100) and the lower guide (200) are configured to move up and down, they are connected to a separate lifting device. The lifting device (not shown) for raising and lowering the lower guide (200) can be mounted using a horizontal base (52), and therefore can be mounted very stably.

[0098] On the other hand, it is not easy to mount the lifting device for raising and lowering the upper guide (100) using the horizontal base (52). Therefore, in this embodiment, the lifting device for the upper guide (100) can be mounted using the vertical frame (53).

[0099] The vertical frame (53) may be provided extending upward from one side of the horizontal frame (51). In particular, the vertical frame may be provided biased towards the position from which the electrode assembly (10, see Figure 8) is discharged. The vertical extension length of the vertical frame (53) can determine the mounting height of the lifting device (56) at the vertical upper part of the upper guide (100).

[0100] The vertical frame (53) can be connected to an extension frame (54). The extension frame (54) may be provided to determine the mounting position, i.e., the front-to-back position, of the lifting device (56). The extension frame (54) may be formed extending forward from the upper part of the vertical frame (53).

[0101] The extension frame (54) can be connected to the horizontal frame (55). The horizontal frame (55), after extending horizontally, will be located in front of and above the upper guide (100).

[0102] A lifting device (56) for raising and lowering the upper guide (100) may be attached to the rear surface of the horizontal frame (55). In other words, the lifting device (56) must be fixed to the front upper part of the upper guide (100), and the vertical frame (53), extension frame (54), and horizontal frame (55) may be provided for such fixing.

[0103] The horizontal frame (55) may be used for fixing and mounting the sensor (300).

[0104] Figure 8 shows the upper guide (100), lower guide (200), horizontal frame (55), and sensor (300) mounted on the horizontal frame.

[0105] In the above-described embodiment, the sensor (300) is attached to and fixed to the upper guide (100). Since the upper guide itself has a structure that moves up and down, the sensor (300) also moves up and down in conjunction with it. Consequently, the wire connected to the sensor (300) also moves, resulting in the problem that fixing the wire is not easy. In addition, the distance between the sensor (300) and the detection member (250) is relatively short, resulting in a narrow focal length range of the sensor. For these reasons, there is a problem in that it is difficult to measure the separation distance when the lower guide (200) is moved to the standby position. This is because when the lower guide (200) is moved to the standby position, it falls outside the focal length range.

[0106] In this embodiment, the sensor (300) is fixedly mounted through the horizontal frame (55), so that the sensor (300) itself can be fixed in place. This makes it easy to fix the wire and allows for a wider focal length range of the sensor.

[0107] As shown in the figure, one side of the horizontal frame (55) may be provided with at least one sensor bracket (70, 71). Specifically, the sensor bracket may include a vertical bracket (70) and a horizontal bracket (71).

[0108] The vertical bracket (70) may be provided to determine the mounting height of the sensor, and the horizontal bracket (71) may be provided to determine the left-right position of the sensor. Furthermore, by adjusting the thickness of the vertical bracket (70) or the mounting position of the sensor relative to the horizontal bracket (71), the horizontal plane of the sensor can be positioned directly above the detection member. In this case, only the vertical distance between the sensor and the detection member changes, and the projection position remains the same as in Figure 4.

[0109] Figure 9 shows the positions of the upper guide (100), lower guide (200), and sensor (300) based on the working position (B) where the tab guide is performed. Unlike the previously described embodiment, the sensor (300) may be mounted and fixed separately from the upper guide (100) and its position may always be fixed.

[0110] The upper guide (100) has a lifting distance set to approximately 15 mm, and similarly, the lower guide (200) can have a lifting distance set to approximately 15 mm. The upper guide (100) can descend approximately 15 mm from the standby position to reach the working position, and the lower guide (200) can rise approximately 15 mm from the standby position to reach the working position. The guide tab spacing (G) at the working position may be set in advance, for example, to 0.5 mm.

[0111] According to this embodiment, the vertical distance (h2) between the sensor (300) and the working position (B) of the lower guide can be determined and fixed by the mounting of the sensor. Of course, the vertical distance between the sensor (300) and the working position (B) of the upper guide can also be determined and fixed. Based on the vertical distance (h2), the measurement range of the sensor may be set within an error of approximately 35%.

[0112] For example, if h1 is 100 mm and G is 0.5 mm, the distance from the sensor (300) to the horizontal plane (260) can be measured as 100.0 mm. In this case, the sensor (300) can be used to confirm that the electrode tabs are currently being guided with the correct guide tab spacing.

[0113] On the other hand, according to this embodiment, the guide tab spacing can be accurately measured at the work position through the measurement ranges of h2, G, and the sensor. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the focal length of the sensor may be set based on approximately 100 mm. This means that the measurement range also increases with increasing focal length.

[0114] Here, it can be seen that if the vertical movement interval of the lower guide is approximately 15 mm, the sensor (300) can measure the tab guide interval not only in the working position of the lower guide but also in the standby position. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to acquire data on the change in tab guide interval between the working position and the standby position.

[0115] However, according to this embodiment, since the sensor is always fixed, it becomes difficult to check whether or not the upper guide (100) is misaligned.

[0116] The inventors investigated the reliability of measuring the tab guide spacing using a sensor when the tab guide spacing was set to 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, and 1.5 mm in the two different embodiments described above.

[0117] In all cases, the linearity of the laser displacement sensor could be confirmed, and the reference error was measured at 0.10 to 0.53 μm, thus confirming its reliability. [Industrial applicability]

[0118] This is described in the detailed description of the invention.

Claims

1. In an electrode tab guide device that pressurizes and collects multiple electrode tabs that protrude from an electrode assembly, spaced apart from each other vertically, An upper guide that descends from the top toward the electrode tab and applies pressure, A lower guide rises from the bottom toward the electrode tab and applies pressure with a tab guide gap between it and the upper guide, A detection member that moves in conjunction with the lower guide, and An electrode tab guide device including a sensor located above the upper guide that detects the distance from the detection member in order to determine whether the tab guide spacing is appropriate.

2. The electrode tab guide device according to claim 1, wherein the upper guide and the lower guide each have a plate shape with a width longer than the height so as to correspond to the width of the electrode tab.

3. The electrode tab guide device according to claim 2, wherein the upper guide and the lower guide each include a main body and a tab blade provided to directly press the electrode tab against the lower or upper part of the main body.

4. The electrode tab guide device according to claim 3, wherein the sensor is a laser displacement sensor including a sensor body having a sensing surface with a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section at its lower part.

5. The electrode tab guide device according to claim 4, wherein the detection member has a horizontal surface that is positioned opposite to the sensing surface of the sensor.

6. The electrode tab guide device according to claim 5, wherein the sensor is provided so that the projection area of ​​the light-emitting unit is included in or overlaps with the horizontal plane, directly above the horizontal plane.

7. The electrode tab guide device according to claim 6, wherein the light receiving unit is located in front of the light emitting unit, and the sensor is provided such that the projection area of ​​the light receiving unit is off the horizontal plane.

8. The electrode tab guide device according to claim 5, wherein the detection member is provided so as to protrude further forward from the front surface of the lower guide.

9. The electrode tab guide device according to claim 8, wherein the detection member has the horizontal plane at the same height as the upper end of the tab blade of the lower guide.

10. The electrode tab guide device according to claim 8, wherein the detection member is formed integrally with the lower guide.

11. The electrode tab guide device according to claim 8, wherein the detection members are provided on both sides of the lower guide, and the sensors are provided on both sides of the upper guide corresponding to the detection members.

12. The electrode tab guide device according to claim 11, wherein the sensor is attached to the upper guide at a position higher than the lower end of the upper guide.

13. The electrode tab guide device according to claim 11, comprising a horizontal frame provided and fixed to the front upper part of the upper guide, wherein the sensor is mounted on the horizontal frame.

14. A cylinder for raising and lowering the upper guide is attached to the rear surface of the horizontal frame. The electrode tab guide device according to claim 13, wherein the sensors are each attached to both sides of the rear surface of the horizontal frame via sensor brackets.

15. The electrode tab guide device according to claim 14, comprising a lower frame, a horizontal base fixed to the upper part of the lower frame, and a vertical frame extending vertically upward from the horizontal base, wherein the horizontal frame extends horizontally from the upper part of the vertical frame toward the front upper part of the upper guide and is fixed.

16. Lower frame and A horizontal base is fixed to the upper part of the lower frame, A vertical frame extending vertically upward from the horizontal base, An upper guide provided on the horizontal base, which is provided to descend from the top toward the electrode tab and pressurize the electrode tab, A lower guide is provided on the horizontal base, rises from below toward the electrode tab, has a tab guide gap between it and the upper guide, and is configured to pressurize the electrode tab, A detection member that moves in conjunction with the lower guide, A sensor located above the upper guide detects the distance to the detection member in order to determine whether the tab guide spacing is appropriate, and An electrode tab guide device including a horizontal frame that extends horizontally from the top of the vertical frame toward the front upper part of the upper guide and is fixed thereto, and is provided so that the sensor is mounted directly above the detection member.

17. The electrode tab guide device according to claim 16, wherein the sensors are each attached to both sides of the rear surface of the horizontal frame via sensor brackets, and the left-right and front-back positions of the sensors are adjustable via the sensor brackets.

18. The electrode tab guide device according to claim 16, wherein the detection member is provided projecting further forward from the front surface of the lower guide and has a horizontal surface that is at the same height as the upper end of the lower guide and faces perpendicularly to the light-emitting portion of the sensor.

19. The electrode tab guide device according to claim 18, wherein the detection member is formed integrally with the lower guide.

20. The electrode tab guide device according to claim 19, wherein the detection member is formed in a block shape at both ends of the lower guide to reinforce the rigidity of the lower guide, and the horizontal surface is formed on the uppermost end surface of the block shape.

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