Electrode tab guide device, electrode tab manufacturing device using the same, and method for manufacturing electrode assembly

Abstract

The electrode tab guide device according to the present invention is an electrode tab guide device that pressurizes and gathers a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from an electrode assembly when the electrode tabs are welded at a welding portion, and includes first and second tab guides that move from above and below the electrode tabs toward the electrode tabs to pressurize and gather the electrode tabs, and moving means that moves the first and second tab guides, wherein the moving means includes vertical moving means that moves the first and second tab guides up and down, and horizontal moving means that moves at least one of the first and second tab guides horizontally.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrode tab guide device.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to an electrode tab guide device in which at least one of a first tab guide and a second tab guide located above and below the electrode tab moves horizontally toward an electrode assembly to extend the electrode tab and prevent the electrode tab from being broken.

[0003] The present invention also relates to an electrode tab manufacturing apparatus and an electrode assembly manufacturing method using the electrode tab guide apparatus.

[0004] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0117219 dated September 2, 2021, and all contents disclosed in the documents of that Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0005] In recent years, rechargeable secondary batteries have been widely used as energy sources for wireless mobile devices. Secondary batteries are also attracting attention as energy sources for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, which are proposed as a solution to address air pollution caused by existing gasoline and diesel vehicles that use fossil fuels. Therefore, the types of applications that use secondary batteries are becoming increasingly diverse due to the advantages of secondary batteries, and it is expected that secondary batteries will be applied to more fields and products in the future.

[0006] These secondary batteries can be classified into lithium ion batteries, lithium ion polymer batteries, lithium polymer batteries, etc. depending on the configuration of the electrodes and electrolyte. Among them, the use of lithium ion polymer batteries, which are less likely to leak electrolyte and are easier to manufacture, is increasing.

[0007] In general, secondary batteries are classified into cylindrical batteries and prismatic batteries in which an electrode assembly is housed in a cylindrical or prismatic metal can, and pouch-type batteries in which an electrode assembly is housed in a pouch-type case made of an aluminum laminate sheet, depending on the shape of the battery case. The electrode assembly housed in the battery case is a chargeable and dischargeable power generating element having a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator structure interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and is classified into a jelly roll type in which a separator is interposed between a long sheet-like positive electrode and a negative electrode coated with an active material and then wound up, and a stack type in which a number of positive electrodes and negative electrodes of a predetermined size are stacked in sequence with a separator interposed between them.

[0008] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram showing an electrode tab manufacturing apparatus according to the prior art.

[0009] Referring to FIG. 1, the electrode assembly 10 includes electrode tabs 20 provided at the ends of a plurality of electrodes, which are gathered and welded to be connected to an electrode lead. When the electrode assembly is housed in a battery case and sealed, it can be electrically connected to the outside through the electrode lead. Before welding the electrode tabs to the electrode lead, the electrode tabs are gathered and a pre-welding process is performed using a horn and an anvil. During the pre-welding process, dust from the outside may flow toward the electrode assembly, thereby degrading the quality of the electrode assembly. To prevent this, as shown in FIG. 1, the electrode tabs 20 are pressed and gathered together by tab guides 100 (first tab guide 110, second tab guide 120) having a bar shape located at the top and bottom of the electrode tabs 20 to form an electrode tab stack. Then, the anvil 320 supports the portion A to be welded, and the horn 310 applies ultrasonic vibration to the portion A to be welded to weld the electrode tabs 20. Thereafter, an electrode lead (not shown) is welded to the upper or lower part of the welding target portion A to which the electrode tab 20 is welded, thereby manufacturing an electrode assembly.

[0010] The tab guides 110 and 120 having the bar shape contact each other and apply a certain pressure to the electrode tab 20, so that the electrode tab 20 is elongated. However, such electrode tab elongation is limited depending on the model, so the margin rate of the length of the outermost tab (straight length of the outermost tab by the tab guide / tab length of the swollen cell) is low. In this case, when a tensile force is applied due to a post-process after welding, there is a high possibility that a defect such as tab breakage will occur. To prevent this, the electrode tab needs to be further elongated and welded. However, since the conventional tab guides only move up and down, there is a limit in that the length of the electrode tab that can be elongated when the electrode tab guide applies pressure cannot be extended beyond a certain length.

[0011] Therefore, there is a need to develop a technology that can reduce the occurrence of tab breakage due to tensile force by increasing the length of the outermost electrode tab during the pre-welding process. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0054617 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrode tab guide device that can prevent tab breakage caused by pre-welding.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrode tab manufacturing apparatus including the above-mentioned electrode tab guide apparatus.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which the electrode tab can be welded with a long length. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] To solve the above problems, the electrode tab guide device according to the present invention is an electrode tab guide device that pressurizes and gathers a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from an electrode assembly when the electrode tabs are welded at a welding portion, and includes first and second tab guides that move from upper and lower parts of the electrode tabs toward the electrode tabs to pressurize and gather the electrode tabs, and moving means for moving the first and second tab guides, the moving means comprising vertical moving means for moving the first and second tab guides up and down, and horizontal moving means for moving at least one of the first and second tab guides horizontally.

[0017] As an example, the vertical movement means may include first lifting means for lifting and lowering the first tab guide, and second lifting means for lifting and lowering the second tab guide.

[0018] As another example, the vertical movement means may cause the first tab guide to rise and the second tab guide to fall, and the first tab guide to fall and the second tab guide to rise, simultaneously.

[0019] Specifically, the vertical movement means may be an air chuck cylinder.

[0020] More specifically, the air chuck cylinder may be provided at its end with a first cantilever arm and a second cantilever arm that rotate to move toward and away from each other by air pressure, and the first tab guide and the second tab guide may be coupled to the first cantilever arm and the second cantilever arm, respectively.

[0021] As a specific example, the vertical movement means is connected to the horizontal movement means, and when the first tab guide and the second tab guide are lowered and raised, respectively, by the vertical movement means to pressurize the electrode tab, at least one of the first tab guide and the second tab guide can be moved horizontally toward the electrode assembly.

[0022] As an example, the horizontal moving means may include a drive section and a linear moving means, and the vertical moving means may be coupled to an end of the linear moving means.

[0023] As an example, the first tab guide and the second tab guide may have curved surfaces formed on the pressure surfaces of the ends that come into contact with the electrode tabs.

[0024] As another example, the first tab guide and the second tab guide may have a protrusion protruding in one direction on a pressing surface of an end portion that contacts the electrode tab.

[0025] As another example, the width of the second tab guide may be greater than the width of the first tab guide, and the area of ​​the pressure surface of the second tab guide may be greater than the area of ​​the pressure surface of the first tab guide.

[0026] In another aspect of the present invention, an electrode tab manufacturing apparatus for an electrode assembly having a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from at least one side includes a tab guide unit including first and second tab guides moving from upper and lower parts of the electrode tabs toward the electrode tabs and pressurizing and gathering the electrode tabs, and moving means for moving the first and second tab guides, and a welding unit for welding the gathered electrode tabs, wherein the moving means may include vertical moving means for moving the first and second tab guides up and down, and horizontal moving means for moving at least one of the first and second tab guides horizontally.

[0027] As an example, the tab guide portion may be located between the electrode assembly and the weld portion.

[0028] As an example, the weld may be an ultrasonic weld that ultrasonically welds the electrode tabs with a horn and anvil.

[0029] Specifically, the vertical movement means may be coupled to the horizontal movement means and may horizontally move at least one of the first tab guide and the second tab guide toward the electrode assembly when the first tab guide and the second tab guide are lowered and raised, respectively, by the vertical movement means to pressurize the electrode tab.

[0030] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly having a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from at least one side may include the steps of: positioning portions of the electrode tabs to be welded on a weld portion; pressing the electrode tab by moving first and second tab guides from upper and lower portions of the electrode tab toward the electrode tab; and extending the electrode tab by horizontally moving at least one of the first and second tab guides toward the electrode assembly while the portions of the electrode tabs to be welded are fixed to the weld portion.

[0031] The method of manufacturing the electrode assembly may further include welding the electrode tabs in a stretched state. Effect of the Invention

[0032] According to the present invention, an electrode tab guide is configured to move horizontally toward the electrode assembly during a pre-welding process in which the electrode tabs are welded to each other, thereby extending the electrode tabs much longer than in the past, thereby manufacturing an electrode assembly with improved durability against tab breakage. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] 1 is an exemplary diagram of an electrode tab manufacturing apparatus according to the prior art; [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an electrode tab manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an electrode tab guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 13 is a schematic view showing an electrode tab manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an electrode tab guide device according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] The present invention will be described in detail below. Before that, the terms and words used in the specification and claims should not be interpreted limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that are consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, based on the principle that an inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe his own invention.

[0035] As used throughout the present specification, terms such as "comprise" and "have" are intended to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof set forth in the specification, but should be understood as not precluding the presence or additional possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0036] Furthermore, when a layer, film, region, plate, or other part is described as being "on" another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly on" the other part, but also the case where there is another part in between. Conversely, when a layer, film, region, plate, or other part is described as being "under" another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly under" the other part, but also the case where there is another part in between. Furthermore, in the specification of the present invention, being "on" can include not only the case where it is located at the top, but also the case where it is located at the bottom.

[0037] Meanwhile, in this application, the term "horizontal direction" refers to the direction in which the electrode tabs are pulled out, and the term "vertical direction" refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction.

[0038] The electrode tab guide device according to the present invention is an electrode tab guide device which pressurizes and gathers a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from an electrode assembly when the electrode tabs are welded at a welding portion, and includes first and second tab guides which move from upper and lower parts of the electrode tabs toward the electrode tabs to pressurize and gather the electrode tabs, and moving means for moving the first and second tab guides, the moving means comprising vertical moving means which moves the first and second tab guides up and down, and horizontal moving means which moves at least one of the first and second tab guides horizontally.

[0039] As described above, when the electrode tab is pressed by the bar-shaped tab guide during the conventional pre-welding process, there is a limit to the extension of the electrode tab.

[0040] Therefore, the present invention improves durability against tab breakage by extending the electrode tab further by moving at least one of the first tab guide and the second tab guide horizontally toward the electrode assembly. Specifically, when the electrode tab is extended, tension applied to the electrode tab adjacent to the electrode assembly is alleviated, thereby reducing the possibility of the tab breaking due to external impact. In addition, the load applied when welding the end of the electrode tab is not directly transferred to the electrode tab adjacent to the electrode, so the risk of breakage is greatly reduced. In addition, the failure of tab breakage can be prevented even when a tensile force is applied due to a post-welding process.

[0041] The detailed configuration of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings and embodiments. In each drawing, similar reference numerals are used for similar components. In the attached drawings, the dimensions of the structures are illustrated larger than in reality for clarity of the present invention. Terms such as first and second can be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component. For example, the first component can be named as the second component, and the second component can be named as the first component, without departing from the scope of the present invention. A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0042] The present invention will be described in detail below.

[0043] (First embodiment) FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an electrode tab manufacturing apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] The electrode tab manufacturing apparatus 1000 of the present embodiment is an electrode tab manufacturing apparatus for an electrode assembly 10 having a plurality of electrode tabs 20 protruding from at least one side, and includes a tab guide unit 1100 including a first tab guide 1110 and a second tab guide 1120 which move toward the electrode tabs 20 from the upper and lower parts of the electrode tabs 20 and pressurize and gather the electrode tabs 20, and a moving means for moving the first tab guide 1110 and the second tab guide 1120, and a welding unit 1300 which welds the gathered electrode tabs, and the moving means includes a vertical moving means 1210 which moves the first tab guide 1110 and the second tab guide 1120 up and down, and a horizontal moving means 1220 which moves at least one of the first tab guide 1110 and the second tab guide 1120 horizontally.

[0045] The tab guide part 1100 is located between the electrode assembly 10 and the welding part 1300, and serves to pressurize and stretch the electrode tab 20 before the electrode tab 20 is welded.

[0046] The welding unit 1300 is an ultrasonic welding unit that ultrasonically welds the electrode tab 20 using a horn 1310 and an anvil 1320. That is, the welding unit 1300 is located away from the electrode assembly 10 from the tab guide unit 1100 and serves to weld the end of the electrode tab 20. Specifically, the welding unit 1300 includes an anvil 1320 on which the electrode tab 20 is mounted, and a horn 1310 that is located above the electrode tab 20 and applies ultrasonic waves while applying pressure to the electrode tab 20 located on the upper surface of the anvil 1320 by descending. Specifically, the horn 1310 applies ultrasonic vibration to the electrode tab 20 to weld it, and the anvil 1320 supports the electrode tab 20 so that the vibration energy of the ultrasonic waves is effectively transmitted to the electrode tab 20 by maintaining the pressure transmitted to the electrode tab 20.

[0047] 2 shows a first tab guide 1110 and a second tab guide 1120 which move from the upper and lower parts of the electrode tab 20 toward the electrode tab 20 and pressurize and gather the electrode tab 20. That is, based on the electrode tab 20, the first tab guide 1110 corresponds to an upper tab guide and the second tab guide 1120 corresponds to a lower tab guide. The first tab guide 1110 and the second tab guide 1120 are provided with a vertical movement means 1210 and can move up and down to pressurize the electrode tab 20. In the initial position, the first tab guide 1110 and the second tab guide 1120 are disposed facing each other vertically with the electrode tab 20 therebetween.

[0048] In this embodiment, the first tab guide 1110 is configured to be capable of horizontal movement in addition to vertical movement. The second tab guide 1120 is only capable of vertical movement. When the vertical movement means 1210 lowers and raises the first tab guide 1110 and the second tab guide 1120, as shown by the dotted line in Fig. 2, the first tab guide 1110 and the second tab guide 1120 can pressurize the electrode tab 20 with the electrode tab 20 placed therebetween. Conventionally, the first tab guide and the second tab guide only moved up and down, so there was a limit to the extension length of the electrode tab.

[0049] However, in the present invention, the first tab guide 1110 is configured to move horizontally again toward the electrode assembly 10 in a lowered state. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 2, it can be seen that the length of the electrode tab 20 pressed by the first tab guide 1110 is greatly extended. That is, it can be seen that the length of the electrode tab 20 extended by the upper first tab guide 1110 is longer than the length of the electrode tab 20 extended by the lower second tab guide 1120. As described above, the tab guide moving means of the present embodiment includes a vertical moving means for moving the first tab guide 1110 and the second tab guide 1120 up and down, and a horizontal moving means for moving the first tab guide 1110 horizontally.

[0050] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an electrode tab guide device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] 3, the electrode tab guide device according to the present invention is an electrode tab guide device for pressing and gathering a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from an electrode assembly when the electrode tabs are welded at a welding portion, and includes a first tab guide 1110 and a second tab guide 1120 which move from the upper and lower parts of the electrode tabs toward the electrode tabs to press and gather the electrode tabs, and a moving means 1200 for moving the first tab guide 1110 and the second tab guide 1120. The moving means 1200 includes a vertical moving means 1210 for moving the first tab guide 1110 and the second tab guide 1120 up and down, and a horizontal moving means 1220 for moving at least one of the first tab guide 1110 and the second tab guide 1120 horizontally. In the present embodiment, only the first tab guide 1110 is configured to move up and down and horizontally.

[0052] 3, the first tab guide 1110 includes a vertical moving means (first vertical moving means 1211) capable of moving up and down and a horizontal moving means 1220 capable of moving horizontally. The horizontal moving means 1220 may be composed of a ball screw shaft 1220a connected to a driving unit 1220c, which is, for example, a servo motor, and a horizontal guide block 1220b moved along the ball screw shaft 1220a. The vertical moving means 1211 may be a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 1211a connected to the horizontal guide block 1220b, and a vertical guide block 1211b connected to an end of the cylinder 1211a. The first tab guide 1110 provided on the upper part of the electrode tab 20 is attached to the vertical guide block 1211b.

[0053] Meanwhile, the second tab guide 1120 only includes a vertical movement means (second vertical movement means 1212) capable of moving up and down. The vertical movement means 1212 includes an air or hydraulic cylinder 1212a installed on a support stand 1212c, and a vertical guide block 1212b that moves up and down according to the movement of the air or hydraulic cylinder 1212a. The second tab guide 1120 installed under the electrode tab 20 is attached to the vertical guide block 1212b.

[0054] In this embodiment, the above-mentioned two-axis transport mechanism is described as an example, but any other configuration capable of reciprocating translational motion in the vertical and horizontal directions can be adopted. In addition, a person skilled in the art will naturally know that when performing such motion, a driving unit such as a linear motor and a control unit for controlling the movement of the driving unit are naturally included.

[0055] Also, instead of using a ball screw or cylinder, a two-axis transfer mechanism can be embodied by using an LM guide, a numerically controlled track, and a servo motor, and adopting a linear movement means having various known mechanical structures such as a belt and bearings linked thereto. Since this is a known mechanical coupling method, further detailed description will be omitted.

[0056] The vertical movement means 1210 brings the tab guide close to the electrode tab 20 when the electrode tab 20 is pressed, and separates the tab guide from the electrode tab 20 when the welding process is completed. Specifically, when the electrode tab 20 is pressed, the vertical movement means 1211 attached to the first tab guide 1110 lowers the first tab guide 1110 toward the electrode tab 20, and the vertical movement means 1212 attached to the second tab guide 1120 raises the second tab guide 1120 toward the electrode tab 20. Meanwhile, when the welding process is completed, the vertical movement means 1211 attached to the first tab guide 1110 raises the first tab guide 1110 from the electrode tab 20, and the vertical movement means 1212 attached to the second tab guide 1120 lowers the second tab guide 1120 from the electrode tab 20 so that the electrode tab 20 can be separated from the electrode tab 20.

[0057] The horizontal movement means 1220 plays a role in horizontally moving the first tab guide 1110 toward the electrode assembly 10 to extend the electrode tab 20. At this time, the horizontal movement distance may be within a suitable range according to the specifications of the electrode assembly 10 to be manufactured, for example, 0.5 to 2 mm.

[0058] Meanwhile, when the first tab guide 1110 moves horizontally, the first tab guide 1110 and the second tab guide 1120 may move while maintaining a constant vertical separation distance. For example, the vertical separation distance may be 0.5 to 1.5 mm. If it is closer than 0.5 mm, excessive pressure may be applied to the electrode tabs, which may result in disconnection, and if it is farther than 1.5 mm, the electrode tabs may not be stretched sufficiently.

[0059] 2, the first tab guide 1110 and the second tab guide 1120 have curved surfaces formed on the pressure surfaces that come into contact with the electrode tab 20. As a result, when the first tab guide 1110 and the second tab guide 1120 come into contact with and press the electrode tab 20, the electrode tab 20 can be effectively extended with less risk of breakage compared to a bar-shaped case.

[0060] 2, the first tab guide 1110 and the second tab guide 1120 have different pressure surface areas and width lengths in contact with the electrode tab 20. Specifically, the area of ​​the pressure surface of the second tab guide 1120 located under the electrode tab 20 may be larger than that of the first tab guide 1110, and the width length of the second tab guide 1120 may be larger than that of the first tab guide 1110. By configuring the pressure surface area and width length of the second tab guide 1120 to be larger than those of the first tab guide 1110, the second tab guide 1120 can stably support the electrode tab 20 when the first tab guide 1110 moves horizontally.

[0061] Second embodiment FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrode tab manufacturing apparatus 2000 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] The electrode tab manufacturing apparatus 2000 of the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a convex portion C protruding to one side is formed on the pressing surfaces where the first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120 contact the electrode tab 20, and in that the first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120 simultaneously move horizontally toward the electrode assembly 10. In the second embodiment, components common to the first embodiment are denoted by common reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0063] 4, the first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120 have a protrusion C protruding from one side on a pressure surface that contacts the electrode tab 20. Specifically, the protrusion C is formed by protruding in a direction toward the electrode assembly, so that the electrode tab 20 can be more effectively extended during horizontal movement.

[0064] In addition, the first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120 move horizontally at the same time. More specifically, the first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120 move horizontally toward the electrode assembly 10 while maintaining their opposing positions, thereby extending the electrode tabs 20. That is, due to the horizontal movement, the first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120 are all positioned closer to the electrode assembly 10. As a result, the lower electrode tabs 20 are also extended longer, effectively improving the margin rate of the length of the outermost tabs.

[0065] In this embodiment, the first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120 are moved vertically up and down and then moved horizontally again. In this case, horizontal movement means 1220 (horizontal movement means 2220) as shown in Fig. 3 may be installed on the upper first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120, respectively. At this time, since the first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120 need to move toward the electrode assembly 10 at the same time, the horizontal movement means of the first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120 may be operated synchronously.

[0066] Third embodiment FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an electrode tab guide apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] 3, if separate vertical movement means 1211, 1212 are coupled to first tab guide 1110 and second tab guide 1120, it is difficult to simultaneously raise and lower each tab guide. Also, two lifting members and drive units are required for the horizontal movement of the first tab guide and second tab guide.

[0068] In this embodiment, the vertical movement means 2210 is configured so that the ascent of the first tab guide 2110 and the descent of the second tab guide 2120, and the descent of the first tab guide 2110 and the ascent of the second tab guide 2120 are performed simultaneously.

[0069] The vertical moving means 2210 in this embodiment is an air chuck cylinder.

[0070] The air chuck cylinder 2210 has at its end a first cantilever arm 2211 and a second cantilever arm 2212 which rotate to move closer to and away from each other by air pressure. The first and second tab guides 2110 and 2120 are coupled to the other ends of the cantilever arms 2211 and 2212 of the air chuck cylinder 2210. Therefore, in response to the rotation of the cantilever arms 2211 and 2212, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 5, the first tab guide 2110 rises and the second tab guide 2120 falls, and the first tab guide 2110 falls and the second tab guide 2120 rises at the same time.

[0071] Specifically, the air chuck cylinder 2210 includes a piston rod 2213b supported by an internal elastic member 2213a and moving forward against the elastic force of the elastic member 2213a by air pressure applied to the inside of the cylinder body 2213, and a movable member 2213c attached to the front end of the piston rod 2213b. One ends of the first and second cantilever arms 2211 and 2212 are hinge-coupled to the movable member 2213c. One ends of the first and second cantilever arms 2211 and 2212 are provided with first hinge coupling parts 2211a and 2212a coupled to the movable member 2213c and second hinge coupling parts 2211b and 2212b coupled to the air chuck cylinder body 2213. When air pressure is applied to the inside of the air chuck cylinder body 2213, the piston rod 2213b and the movable member 2213c attached thereto move forward, and thus the first hinge coupling parts 2211a, 2212a of the first and second cantilever arms 2211, 2212 move forward. Since the first and second hinge coupling parts 2211a, 2212a, 2211b, 2212b are located at one ends of the first and second cantilever arms 2211, 2212, the one ends of the first and second cantilever arms 2211, 2212 rotate around the first and second hinge coupling parts 2211a, 2212a, 2211b, 2212b due to the forward force of the first hinge coupling parts 2211a, 2212a. Therefore, the first and second cantilever arms 2211, 2212 rotate up and down around the second hinge coupling parts 2211b, 2212b, and the other ends of the first and second cantilever arms 2211, 2212 rotate to move away from each other. As a result, the first and second tab guides 2110, 2120 coupled to the other ends of the first and second cantilever arms 2211, 2212 move away from each other.

[0072] When the air pressure is removed, the elastic force of the elastic member 2213a acts, causing the first and second cantilever arms 2211 and 2212 to rotate in opposite directions around the first and second hinge joints 2211a, 2212a, 2211b, and 2212b. In this case, the first and second tab guides 2110 and 2120 attached to the other ends of the first and second cantilever arms 2211 and 2212 approach each other.

[0073] At this time, the air chuck cylinder body 2213 is coupled to a linear movement mechanism 2222 such as the above-mentioned ball screw, and can be moved in the horizontal direction by a driving part 2221 .

[0074] According to this embodiment, the up and down movements of the first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120 are synchronized, so that the electrode tabs can be pressed more simply.

[0075] The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, which will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0076] The manufacturing method of the electrode assembly of the present invention is a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly 10 having a plurality of electrode tabs 20 protruding from at least one side, and includes the steps of positioning a portion A to be welded of the electrode tab 20 on a welded portion 2300, moving a first tab guide 2110' and a second tab guide 2120' from the upper and lower parts of the electrode tab 20 toward the electrode tab 20 to pressurize the electrode tab 20, and horizontally moving the first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120 toward the electrode assembly with the portion A to be welded of the electrode tab 20 fixed to the welded portion 2300, to extend the electrode tab 20.

[0077] 4, a portion A to be welded of the electrode tab 20 can be positioned on the anvil 2320. In this case, the anvil 2320 can be provided so as to be movable up and down, and the anvil 2320 can be raised for welding to position the electrode tab 20 on the anvil 2320.

[0078] Thereafter, the first tab guide 2110' and the second tab guide 2120' are moved from the upper and lower parts of the electrode tab 20 toward the electrode tab 20 to apply pressure to the electrode tab 20. The first tab guide 2110' and the second tab guide 2120' can be moved up and down by the vertical movement means as described above. At this time, welding by the welding part 2300 has not yet started.

[0079] Next, in a state where the welding target portion A of the electrode tab 20 is fixed to the welding portion 2300, the first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120 are moved horizontally toward the electrode assembly 10 to extend the electrode tab 20. When the first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120 are moved to the electrode assembly 10 by the horizontal moving means, if the end of the electrode tab 20 is not fixed, the position of the welding target portion A located at the welding portion 2300 will be displaced, so the welding target portion A is fixed to the welding portion 2300 before the horizontal movement. That is, the horn 2310 is lowered onto the anvil 2320 so that the welding target portion A is pressed between the horn 2310 and the anvil 2320. In this manner, in a state where the welding target portion A is fixed, one (see FIG. 2) or two or all of the first tab guide and the second tab guide (see FIG. 4) are moved toward the electrode assembly 10. This allows the electrode tabs 20 of the electrode assembly 10 to be extended longer than before.

[0080] Thereafter, the electrode tab 20 can be welded at the welding portion 2300 in the extended state.

[0081] In addition, after the step of extending the electrode tab 20, the method may further include the steps of returning the first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120 to their original positions 2110', 2120', raising the horn 2310 to separate it from the electrode tab 20, raising and lowering the first tab guide 2110 and the second tab guide 2120, respectively, to separate it from the electrode tab 20, and lowering the anvil 2320 to separate it from the electrode tab 20.

[0082] The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs may make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the drawings disclosed in the present invention are for the purpose of explanation, not for the purpose of limiting the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited by such drawings. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted by the claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent range should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

[0083] In this specification, terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are used for convenience of explanation, but it is self-evident that these terms may change depending on the position of the object in question, the position of the observer, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 10: Electrode assembly 20: Electrode tab 100: Tab Guide 110: First tab guide 120: Second tab guide 300: Welded parts 310: Horn 320: Anvil 1000: Electrode tab manufacturing equipment 1100: Tab guide part 1110: First tab guide 1120: 2nd Tab Guide 1200:Transportation 1210:Vertical transportation means 1211: First vertical movement means 1211a: Pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders 1211b: Vertical guide block 1212:Second vertical movement means 1212a: Pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders 1212b: Vertical guide block 1212c: Support stand 1220: Horizontal movement means 1220a: Ball screw shaft 1220b: Horizontal guide block 1220c: Drive unit 1300: Welded parts 1310: Horn 1320: Anvil 2000: Electrode tab manufacturing equipment 2100: Tab Guide 2110: First Tab Guide 2120: 2nd Tab Guide 2200:Transportation 2210: Vertical movement means (air chuck cylinder) 2211: First cantilever arm 2212: 2nd cantilever arm 2211a, 2212a: first hinge joint 2211b, 2212b: second hinge joint 2213: Air chuck cylinder body 2213a: Elastic member 2213b:Piston rod 2213c: Movable parts 2220: Horizontal movement means 2221: Drive unit 2222: Linear movement mechanism 2300: Welding 2310: Horn 2320: Anvil A: Part to be welded C: Convex part

Claims

1. An electrode tab guide device for pressurizing and gathering a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from an electrode assembly when the electrode tabs are welded to a welding portion, comprising: a first tab guide and a second tab guide that move toward the electrode tabs from the upper and lower parts of the electrode tabs and pressurize and gather the electrode tabs; a moving means for moving the first tab guide and the second tab guide, the moving means includes vertical moving means for moving the first tab guide and the second tab guide up and down, and horizontal moving means for moving at least one of the first tab guide and the second tab guide horizontally, the vertical movement means causes the first tab guide to rise and the second tab guide to fall, and the first tab guide to fall and the second tab guide to rise, simultaneously; Electrode tab guide device.

2. 2. The electrode tab guide apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vertical movement means includes a first lifting means for lifting and lowering the first tab guide, and a second lifting means for lifting and lowering the second tab guide.

3. 2. The electrode tab guide apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said vertical moving means is an air chuck cylinder.

4. 4. The electrode tab guide device of claim 3, wherein the air chuck cylinder has a first cantilever arm and a second cantilever arm at an end thereof that rotate to move toward and away from each other by air pressure, and the first tab guide and the second tab guide are coupled to the first cantilever arm and the second cantilever arm, respectively.

5. An electrode tab guide device for pressurizing and gathering a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from an electrode assembly when the electrode tabs are welded at a welding portion, comprising: a first tab guide and a second tab guide that move toward the electrode tabs from the upper and lower parts of the electrode tabs and pressurize and gather the electrode tabs; a moving means for moving the first tab guide and the second tab guide, the moving means includes vertical moving means for moving the first tab guide and the second tab guide up and down, and horizontal moving means for moving at least one of the first tab guide and the second tab guide horizontally, the vertical movement means is coupled to the horizontal movement means, and when the first tab guide and the second tab guide are lowered and raised, respectively, by the vertical movement means to pressurize the electrode tab, at least one of the first tab guide and the second tab guide is horizontally moved toward the electrode assembly.

6. An electrode tab guide device for pressurizing and gathering a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from an electrode assembly when the electrode tabs are welded at a welding portion, comprising: a first tab guide and a second tab guide that move toward the electrode tabs from the upper and lower parts of the electrode tabs and pressurize and gather the electrode tabs; a moving means for moving the first tab guide and the second tab guide, the moving means includes vertical moving means for moving the first tab guide and the second tab guide up and down, and horizontal moving means for moving at least one of the first tab guide and the second tab guide horizontally, The horizontal movement means includes a drive section and a linear movement means, and the vertical movement means is coupled to an end of the linear movement means.

7. The electrode tab guide device according to claim 1 , wherein the first tab guide and the second tab guide have curved pressure surfaces at the ends thereof that come into contact with the electrode tab.

8. 7. The electrode tab guide device of claim 1, wherein the first tab guide and the second tab guide have protrusions protruding in one direction on pressure surfaces of ends that contact the electrode tabs.

9. An electrode tab guide device for pressurizing and gathering a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from an electrode assembly when the electrode tabs are welded at a welding portion, comprising: a first tab guide and a second tab guide that move toward the electrode tabs from the upper and lower parts of the electrode tabs and pressurize and gather the electrode tabs; a moving means for moving the first tab guide and the second tab guide, the moving means includes vertical moving means for moving the first tab guide and the second tab guide up and down, and horizontal moving means for moving at least one of the first tab guide and the second tab guide horizontally, an electrode tab guide device, wherein a width of the second tab guide is greater than a width of the first tab guide, and an area of ​​a pressure surface of the second tab guide is greater than an area of ​​a pressure surface of the first tab guide;

10. 1. An electrode tab manufacturing apparatus for an electrode assembly having a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from at least one side, a tab guide unit including a first tab guide and a second tab guide that move toward the electrode tabs from the upper and lower parts of the electrode tabs and pressurize and gather the electrode tabs, and a moving means that moves the first tab guide and the second tab guide; a welding portion for welding the collected electrode tabs together; the moving means includes vertical moving means for moving the first tab guide and the second tab guide up and down, and horizontal moving means for moving at least one of the first tab guide and the second tab guide horizontally, The tab guide portion is located between the electrode assembly and the weld portion. Electrode tab manufacturing equipment.

11. An electrode tab manufacturing apparatus for an electrode assembly having a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from at least one side, comprising: a tab guide unit including a first tab guide and a second tab guide that move toward the electrode tabs from the upper and lower parts of the electrode tabs and pressurize and gather the electrode tabs, and a moving means that moves the first tab guide and the second tab guide; a welding portion for welding the collected electrode tabs together; the moving means includes vertical moving means for moving the first tab guide and the second tab guide up and down, and horizontal moving means for moving at least one of the first tab guide and the second tab guide horizontally, the welding section is an ultrasonic welding section that ultrasonically welds the electrode tabs using a horn and an anvil;

12. 12. The electrode tab manufacturing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the vertical movement means is coupled to the horizontal movement means, and when the first tab guide and the second tab guide are lowered and raised by the vertical movement means, respectively, to pressurize the electrode tab, at least one of the first tab guide and the second tab guide is horizontally moved toward the electrode assembly.

13. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly having a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from at least one side, comprising: positioning a portion of the electrode tab to be welded over a welded portion; a first tab guide and a second tab guide are simultaneously moved from the upper and lower parts of the electrode tab toward the electrode tab to pressurize the electrode tab; and horizontally moving at least one of the first tab guide and the second tab guide toward the electrode assembly while a portion to be welded of the electrode tab is fixed to the weld portion, thereby extending the electrode tab.

14. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly having a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from at least one side, comprising the steps of: positioning a portion of the electrode tab to be welded over a welded portion; a step of applying pressure to the electrode tab by moving the first tab guide and the second tab guide from the upper and lower parts of the electrode tab toward the electrode tab using a vertical movement means that moves the first tab guide and the second tab guide up and down; and horizontally moving at least one of the first tab guide and the second tab guide toward an electrode assembly in a state in which a portion to be welded of the electrode tab is fixed to the weld portion, by a horizontal moving means that horizontally moves at least one of the first tab guide and the second tab guide, thereby extending the electrode tab, said vertical movement means being coupled to said horizontal movement means; A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly.

15. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly having a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from at least one side, comprising the steps of: positioning a portion of the electrode tab to be welded over a welded portion; a first tab guide and a second tab guide are moved from the upper and lower portions of the electrode tab toward the electrode tab to apply pressure to the electrode tab; and horizontally moving at least one of the first tab guide and the second tab guide toward an electrode assembly to extend the electrode tab while a portion to be welded of the electrode tab is fixed to the weld portion, a width of the second tab guide is greater than a width of the first tab guide, and an area of ​​a pressure surface of the second tab guide is greater than an area of ​​a pressure surface of the first tab guide; A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly.

16. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly having a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from at least one side, comprising the steps of: positioning a portion of the electrode tab to be welded over a welded portion; a first tab guide and a second tab guide are moved from the upper and lower portions of the electrode tab toward the electrode tab to apply pressure to the electrode tab; and horizontally moving at least one of the first tab guide and the second tab guide toward an electrode assembly to extend the electrode tab while a portion to be welded of the electrode tab is fixed to the weld portion, the first tab guide and the second tab guide are positioned between the electrode assembly and the weld portion; A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly.

17. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly having a plurality of electrode tabs protruding from at least one side, comprising the steps of: positioning a portion of the electrode tab to be welded over a welded portion; a first tab guide and a second tab guide are moved from the upper and lower portions of the electrode tab toward the electrode tab to apply pressure to the electrode tab; and horizontally moving at least one of the first tab guide and the second tab guide toward an electrode assembly to extend the electrode tab while a portion to be welded of the electrode tab is fixed to the weld portion, The welding portion is an ultrasonic welding portion that ultrasonically welds the electrode tab by a horn and an anvil. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly.

18. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 13 , further comprising the step of welding the electrode tabs while the electrode tabs are in an extended state.

Images