Pouch forming apparatus and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pouch forming apparatus and method, and more particularly to a pouch forming apparatus and method that can increase the depth and capacity of a pouch cup portion by improving the formability of the pouch and thereby deforming the pouch by adding a specific process during the pouch forming process, thereby securing a larger amount of clearance than before and increasing the capacity in a state that is favorable for forming the depth. The pouch forming apparatus of the present invention includes a die having a die groove formed into the shape of a pouch to be formed, and a punch arranged above the die groove, and the punch includes a main body portion that is inserted into the die groove together with a pouch film that is arranged between the die and the punch, and a pressure portion that is provided on each side of the main body portion and pressurizes the pouch film toward the inner surface of the die groove.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] [CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0183205 filed on December 20, 2021, and all contents disclosed in the documents of that Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a pouch forming apparatus and method, and more particularly to a pouch forming apparatus and method for forming pouches used in the manufacture of secondary batteries. [Background technology]

[0003] In recent years, with rising energy prices due to the depletion of fossil fuels and growing concern over environmental pollution, the demand for eco-friendly alternative energy sources has become an essential factor for future life. Therefore, research into various power generation technologies such as solar, wind, and tidal power has been ongoing, and there has also been great interest in power storage devices such as batteries to more efficiently use the electrical energy produced in this way.

[0004] Furthermore, as technological development and demand for battery-based electronic mobile devices and electric vehicles increases, the demand for batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing, and much research is being conducted on batteries that can meet the various demands.

[0005] Batteries that store electrical energy can generally be divided into primary batteries and secondary batteries. Primary batteries are disposable, consumable batteries, while secondary batteries are rechargeable batteries manufactured using materials that can undergo repeated oxidation and reduction processes between electric current and materials. That is, when a reduction reaction occurs on a material due to electric current, the power source is charged, and when an oxidation reaction occurs on the material, the power source is discharged. Electricity is generated by repeating this charge-discharge cycle.

[0006] Typically, types of secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, lithium ion batteries, and lithium ion polymer batteries. In particular, in terms of materials, there is a high demand for lithium secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries and lithium ion polymer batteries, which have advantages such as high energy density, discharge voltage, and output stability.

[0007] Secondary batteries are manufactured by housing an electrode assembly, which is made up of stacked unit cells, in a specific case. Secondary batteries are classified into pouch type, can type, etc. depending on the material of the case that houses the electrode assembly.

[0008] Among them, a pouch-type secondary battery is manufactured by accommodating an electrode assembly in a pouch made of a flexible polymer material that does not have a uniform shape. The pouch, which is the case of the pouch-type secondary battery, is manufactured by forming a cup part in a pouch film made of a flexible material. That is, when a cup part having an accommodating space for accommodating the electrode assembly is formed in the pouch film, the electrode assembly is accommodated in the accommodating space of the cup part, and the sealing part is sealed to manufacture the secondary battery.

[0009] As described above, a pouch forming device is required in the process of forming a cup portion in the pouch film, and there has been a problem in that the cup portion formed by the conventional pouch forming device does not have sufficient depth and capacity.

[0010] In order to solve these problems, a method is needed to increase the molding depth and capacity of the cup portion formed by pouch molding. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pouch forming apparatus and method that can increase the depth and capacity of the pouch cup by improving the formability of the pouch and thereby securing a larger amount of clearance than before and deforming the pouch to increase the capacity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The pouch forming apparatus of the present invention includes a die having a die groove formed into the shape of a pouch to be formed, and a punch arranged above the die groove, and the punch may include a main body portion inserted into the die groove together with a pouch film arranged between the die and the punch, and a pressure portion provided on each side of the main body portion for applying pressure to the pouch film toward the inner surface of the die groove.

[0013] The punch may have a bottom surface of the body portion and a bottom surface of the pressure portion positioned on the same plane.

[0014] The pressing portion may include a horizontal portion located on an upper side of the main body portion, and a vertical portion extending downward from one side of the horizontal portion, positioned on an outer surface of the main body portion, and pressing an inner surface of the pouch film.

[0015] The punch may have a bottom surface of the horizontal portion and an upper surface of the body portion spaced apart from each other.

[0016] The punch may further include a linear motion guide disposed between the top surface of the main body portion and the bottom surface of the horizontal portion, for guiding the movement of the pressure portion.

[0017] The punch may further include a heating section disposed adjacent to the pressure section and configured to apply heat to the pouch film pressed by the pressure section.

[0018] The heating portion may be disposed on an opposite side of the body portion relative to the pressure portion.

[0019] The pouch forming device may further include a cylinder disposed above the main body portion and configured to move the pressure portion toward the inner surface of the die groove.

[0020] The pouch-forming apparatus may further include an elevator coupled to the top of the punch for moving the punch toward and away from the die groove, and the cylinder may be coupled to a periphery of the elevator.

[0021] The punch may further include a connecting portion that connects the cylinder and the pressure portion.

[0022] The pouch forming method according to the present invention may include a positioning step of positioning a pouch film between a die having a die groove formed therein and a punch arranged above the die groove, a primary forming step of forming the pouch film while a main body of the punch is inserted into the die groove together with the pouch film, and a secondary forming step of, after the primary forming step, pressing portions provided on both side surfaces of the main body pressurize the pouch film toward the inner surface of the die groove.

[0023] In the secondary forming step, a pressurizing unit (a plurality of pressurizing units) may pressurize the pouch film while a heating unit provided in the pressurizing unit may apply heat.

[0024] In the secondary forming step, the pressure unit (or a plurality of pressure units) may maintain a state in which the pouch film is pressed against the inner surface of the die groove for a preset time. Effect of the Invention

[0025] The pouch forming apparatus of the present invention includes a die having a die groove formed into the shape of a pouch to be formed, and a punch arranged above the die groove, and the punch includes a main body portion that is inserted into the die groove together with a pouch film that is arranged between the die and the punch, and a pressure portion that is provided on each side of the main body portion and pressurizes the pouch film toward the inner surface of the die groove.

[0026] As a result, the pouch forming device adds a specific process in the pouch forming process to deform the pouch, thereby securing a larger amount of clearance than before, which is advantageous for forming the depth, and thus the capacity can be increased. Therefore, by improving the formability of the pouch, the depth and capacity of the pouch cup portion can be increased. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a pouch forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view showing a schematic view of part A in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a state in which a punch of the pouch forming device according to the first embodiment of the present invention approaches a die groove. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a schematic view of a manner in which a pressure unit of the pouch forming device according to the first embodiment of the present invention presses a pouch film. [Diagram 5] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a pouch forming method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the following embodiments.

[0029] In order to clearly explain the present invention, detailed descriptions of parts that are not relevant to the description or of related known technologies that may obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted, and when adding reference symbols to components in each drawing in this specification, the same or similar reference symbols will be used for the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0030] Furthermore, the terms and words used in this specification and the claims should not be interpreted limited to their ordinary and dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a way that is consistent with the technical ideas of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor himself / herself can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to explain the invention in the best possible manner.

[0031] Example 1 The present invention provides a pouch forming apparatus as a first embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a front view that diagrammatically illustrates a pouch forming apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] The pouch forming apparatus 10 is an apparatus for forming a pouch used in manufacturing a secondary battery, and specifically, may be used for forming a cup portion having an accommodation space for accommodating an electrode assembly. Referring to FIG. 1, the pouch forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include a die 100, a punch 200, and an elevator 300.

[0034] The pouch forming apparatus 10 may need a recessed space having the same shape as the accommodation space for accommodating the electrode assembly in order to form a pouch. As an example of a configuration including such a space, the pouch forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include a die 100.

[0035] The die 100 is configured to be disposed at the bottom of the pouch forming apparatus 10, and may have a flat plate-like surface facing the punch 200 described below. However, this is merely an example and is not necessarily limited to this.

[0036] The die 100 may have a die groove 110 formed in the center of the upper surface, which is recessed into a shape in which the pouch film 20 is formed. That is, the die groove 110 may be formed as a space into which the punch 200 can enter. The punch 200 may pressurize the pouch film 20 disposed on the upper part of the die 100 while moving into the die groove 110 formed in the die 100, and thus the pouch film 20 may be formed into the shape of the die groove 110.

[0037] Generally, a pouch used in manufacturing a pouch-type secondary battery may include a space having a rectangular shape when viewed from above in order to accommodate an electrode assembly. Therefore, the die groove 110 formed in the die 100 of the present invention may form a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped empty space. However, the space of the die groove 110 is not necessarily limited thereto, and may vary depending on the shape of the required pouch.

[0038] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view that shows a schematic view of part A in FIG.

[0039] As an example of a configuration for applying pressure to the die 100 described above, the pouch forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include a punch 200.

[0040] The punch 200 forms the pouch film 20 while being inserted into the die groove 110 formed in the die 100, and therefore may have the same shape as the space formed by the die groove 110. However, since the punch 200 presses the pouch film 20 while entering the inside of the die groove 110, the area of ​​the bottom surface of the punch 200 may be smaller than the area of ​​the bottom surface of the die groove 110.

[0041] As an example of a method in which the punch 200 pressurizes the pouch film 20, not only the punch 200 is lowered and inserted into the die groove 110, but also a method in which the die 100 is raised and the punch 200 is inserted into the die groove 110 while pressing the pouch film 20 is being pressed therewith is possible. In the present invention, a case in which the punch 200 is lowered and inserted into the die groove 110 to a specific depth will be described as an example.

[0042] The punch 200 may be disposed above the die groove 110 and move up and down. The pouch film 20 to be formed may be disposed on the upper surface of the die 100 or between the die 100 and the punch 200, and the punch 200 may descend toward the pouch film 20 disposed at a predetermined position. The punch 200 may descend together with the pouch film 20 from the moment it descends toward the pouch film 20 and contacts the pouch film 20. The punch 200 may descend together with the pouch film 20 to the inside of the die groove 110 at a set depth, and after the pouch film 20 is formed while descending together with the punch 20 to the set depth, the descent of the punch 200 can be stopped. When the formation of the pouch film 20 is completed, the punch 200 can rise again toward the original position.

[0043] As an example of a configuration for vertically moving the punch 200 arranged above the die groove 110, the pouch forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include an elevator 300.

[0044] The elevator 300 may be connected to the upper portion of the punch 200 and move the punch 200 up and down to approach and move away from the die groove 110.

[0045] The elevator 300 is not particularly limited in shape as long as it is connected to the punch 200 and can move the punch 200. Preferably, the elevator 300 may have a cylindrical shape that can move the punch 200 up and down using pressure or the like.

[0046] 2, the punch 200 may include various components required for the pouch forming process. Among these, the body 210 of the punch 200 may be inserted into the die groove 110 together with the pouch film 20 disposed between the die 100 and the punch 200.

[0047] The main body 210 may have a shape that allows the pouch film 20 to be easily inserted into the die groove 110 by applying pressure thereto. As an example, the main body 210 may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Therefore, since the bottom surface of the main body 210 applies pressure to the pouch film 20 to lower it to the inside of the die groove 110 at a set depth, the main body 210 may preferably have a flat bottom surface. The shape of the main body 210 described in the present invention is merely an example and is not limited thereto.

[0048] The pouch forming apparatus 10 of the present invention is characterized in that it can perform an additional forming process of applying pressure to both sides after forming by lowering the punch 200. As an example of a configuration for such an additional forming process, the punch 200 may include a pressure unit 220.

[0049] The pressure applying units 220 may be provided on both side surfaces of the main body unit 210, and may pressurize the pouch film 20 toward the inner surface of the die groove 110. Specifically, after the punch 200 and the pouch film 20 are lowered to the inside of the die groove 110 at a set depth, the pressure applying units 220 may pressurize the pouch film 20 toward the inner surfaces formed on both sides of the die groove 110.

[0050] Here, when main body portion 210 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a rectangular bottom surface, of the four sides of the rectangular bottom surface, the two side surfaces including the two longer sides may become both side surfaces of main body portion 210.

[0051] Through a process in which the pressure unit 220 of the punch 200 presses the pouch film 20 toward the inner surface of the die groove 110, the distance between the pressure unit 220 and the die groove 110 can be reduced. That is, the distance between the pouch film 20 and the inner surface of the die groove 110 is reduced, and the formed volume of the pouch film 20 can be increased.

[0052] As an example of deformation due to pressure, the distance between the pressure part 220 and the die groove 110, which was about 2.5 mm before pressure was applied by the pressure part 220, may be reduced to about 0.5 mm after pressure is applied. In other words, the distance between the pressure part 220 and the die groove 110, including both sides, may be reduced by about 4 mm, and the forming position of the pouch film 20 may be changed accordingly.

[0053] When forming a pouch for use in a pouch-type secondary battery, it may be advantageous to significantly secure a clearance between the die 100 and the punch 200 in order to form the depth of the space in which the electrode assembly is housed. The pouch forming apparatus 10 of the present invention can generate an effect of increasing the capacity while securing the clearance through a forming process using the pressure unit 220 of the punch 200.

[0054] As an example of a configuration for forming the lower part of the pouch film 20 into a flat shape when the punch 200 descends to form the pouch film 20, the punch 200 of the pouch forming apparatus 10 according to Example 1 of the present invention may have the bottom surface of the main body portion 210 and the bottom surface of the pressure portion 220 positioned on the same plane.

[0055] The main body 210 and the pressing unit 220 of the punch 200 may simultaneously descend to press the pouch film 20. Therefore, the bottom surfaces of the main body 210 and the pressing unit 220 can both come into contact with the pouch film 20. When the bottom surfaces of the main body 210 and the pressing unit 220 are positioned on a single plane, one side of the pouch film 20 pressed by the bottom surfaces of the main body 210 and the pressing unit 220 may be formed into a flat surface. However, when the bottom surfaces of the main body 210 and the pressing unit 220 are not positioned on a single plane, an uneven surface may be formed on one side of the pouch film 20 due to the difference in height between the respective bottom surfaces.

[0056] Therefore, the bottom surfaces of the main body portion 210 and the pressure portion 220 lying in one plane can create the effect of forming a flat surface of the molded pouch.

[0057] The corners of the bottom surface of the pressing unit 220 that come into contact with the pouch film 20 may have a rounded shape. The process in which the pressing unit 220 presses the pouch film 20 toward the inner surface of the die groove 110 is an additional process that is performed after the punch 200 presses the pouch film 20 while descending. Therefore, problems such as tearing of the surface of the pouch film 20 that has already been formed due to the corners of the bottom surface of the pressing unit 220 that come into contact with the pouch film 20 may occur. In order to reduce the possibility of such problems occurring, some of the corners of the pressing unit 220 may be rounded.

[0058] As an example of a configuration that allows the pressure applying portion 220 of the punch 200 to easily apply pressure to the pouch film 20 in the horizontal direction toward the inner surface of the die groove 110 , the pressure applying portion 220 of the punch 200 of the present invention may include a horizontal portion 221 and a vertical portion 222 .

[0059] The horizontal portion 221 may be located on an upper side of the body portion 210 , and the vertical portion 222 may extend downward from one side of the horizontal portion 221 and be located on an outer surface of the body portion 210 .

[0060] The horizontal portion 221 may be a rectangular parallelepiped having a rectangular cross section with the width longer than the height when viewed from the front based on Fig. 2, and the vertical portion 222 may be a rectangular parallelepiped having a rectangular cross section with the width shorter than the height when viewed from the front based on Fig. 2. Therefore, the pressure unit 220 may have a cross section with an r shape or an inverted r shape when viewed from the front. The shape of the pressure unit 220 according to the first embodiment is merely an example and is not limited thereto.

[0061] The pressure applying unit 220 may have an effect that the force required for horizontal pressure application is easily transmitted by the horizontal portion 221 of the pressure applying unit 220, and that the vertical portion 222 easily applies pressure to the inner surface of the pouch film 20.

[0062] As an example of a configuration for easily moving the pressure applying portion 220 in the horizontal direction, the punch 200 of the pouch forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may have a bottom surface of the horizontal portion 221 and an upper surface of the main body portion 210 spaced apart from each other.

[0063] When the bottom surface of the horizontal portion 221 and the top surface of the main body portion 210 are disposed apart from each other and an empty space is formed between the horizontal portion 221 and the main body portion 210, friction is not generated between the horizontal portion 221 and the main body portion 210 when the pressure unit 220 moves in the horizontal direction to pressurize the pouch film 20, so that the horizontal movement of the pressure unit 220 may be efficient. In addition, an additional configuration may be arranged to increase the efficiency of the horizontal movement of the pressure unit 220.

[0064] As an example of an additional configuration for increasing the efficiency of the horizontal movement of the pressure unit 220, the punch 200 of the pouch forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a linear motion guide 230. The linear motion guide 230 is configured to guide a linear motion, and can perform a linear motion that helps the internal ball to perform an infinite circular motion.

[0065] The linear motion guide 230 may be disposed between the upper surface of the body portion 210 and the bottom surface of the horizontal portion 221. As described above, when the bottom surface of the horizontal portion 221 and the upper surface of the body portion 210 are disposed apart from each other, the linear motion guide 230 may be disposed in an empty space formed between the horizontal portion 221 and the body portion 210.

[0066] The linear motion guide 230 can guide the horizontal movement of the pressure unit 220. That is, when the pressure unit 220 presses the pouch film 20 toward the inner surface of the die groove 110, the movement of the pressure unit 220 can have an efficient effect.

[0067] As an example of a configuration used for an additional process for efficiently forming the shape of the pouch film 20, the punch 200 of the pouch forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a heating section 240.

[0068] The heating unit 240 may be disposed adjacent to the pressing unit 220 and may apply heat to the pouch film 20 pressed by the pressing unit 220. That is, the heating unit 240 may further apply heat to the pouch film 20 after the pressing unit 220 has performed a process of pressing the pouch film 20.

[0069] The application of heat by the heating unit 240 may have the effect of increasing the efficiency of forming the pouch film 20 compared to forming the pouch film 20 by pressure alone.

[0070] There are various ways in which the heating unit 240 applies heat to the pouch film 20, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0071] As an example of a configuration for efficiently applying heat to the pouch film 20, the heating unit 240 may be disposed on the opposite side of the main body unit 210 based on the pressure unit 220. That is, the heating unit 240 may be disposed so as to be in contact with the inner surface of the pouch film 20 that is to be pressed by the pressure unit 220.

[0072] When the heating section 240 is positioned on the opposite side of the main body section 210 based on the pressure applying section 220, the heating section 240 may apply heat after pressing the inner surface of the pouch film 20 together with the pressure applying section 220 pressing the inner surface of the pouch film 20.

[0073] The heating section 240 may be disposed on a part of the surface on which the pressure section 220 presses the inner surface of the pouch film 20, or may be disposed on the entire surface.

[0074] Such an arrangement of the heating unit 240 allows the heating unit 240 to directly apply heat to the surface of the pouch film 20, which may result in increased efficiency of the heat application process.

[0075] As an example of a configuration in which the pressure unit 220 applies pressure to the inner surface of the pouch film 20 , the pouch forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a cylinder 400 .

[0076] The cylinder 400 is disposed on the upper side of the main body part 210 and can move the pressure part 220 toward the inner surface of the die groove 110 so that the pressure part 220 presses the inner surface of the pouch film 20. That is, the cylinder 400 can provide a force for moving the pressure part 220 in the horizontal direction.

[0077] The cylinder 400 must be able to push the pressure unit 220 toward the inner surface of the die groove 110 or pull the pressure unit 220 back to its original position. For example, the cylinder 400 may be a pressure cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder that can provide a horizontal force to the pressure unit 220 using a piston or other structure. A pressure cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder is a commonly used and well-known structure, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted. This is merely an example of the cylinder 400, and is not necessarily limited thereto, and force can be provided to the pressure unit 220 in other ways.

[0078] To ensure stability, the cylinder 400 may be coupled to the periphery of the elevator 300. When the cylinder 400 is coupled to the elevator 300, movement such as vibration that may occur in the cylinder 400 when the cylinder 400 provides a force for moving the pressure unit 220 can be reduced.

[0079] As an example of a configuration for efficiently moving the pressure unit 220 by the cylinder 400, the punch 200 of the pouch forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a connecting unit 250.

[0080] The coupling part 250 is disposed on the upper side of the horizontal part 221, and can couple the cylinder 400 and the pressure part 220. Specifically, the coupling part 250 can be connected to the pressure part 220 at one side and to the cylinder 400 at the other side, and can couple the pressure part 220 and the cylinder 400. When one side of the coupling part 250 is connected to the pressure part 220, a part such as a pin or a bolt can penetrate one side of the coupling part 250 and the horizontal part 221 of the pressure part 220 in the vertical direction to couple them to each other. Also, when the other side of the coupling part 250 is connected to the cylinder 400, a part of the cylinder 400 extending toward the coupling part 250 can be connected in such a manner that it is sandwiched. This is merely one example of a coupling method, and there are various methods for coupling the coupling part 250 and the pressure part 220, and the coupling part 250 and the cylinder 400.

[0081] If an additional component such as the linear motion guide 230 is disposed below the horizontal portion 221, it may be difficult to apply force to the cylinder 400 by directly connecting it to the pressure unit 220. Even in this case, the coupling portion 250 may provide an effect that the force provided by the cylinder 400 can be efficiently transmitted to the pressure unit 220.

[0082] FIG. 3 is a front view showing, in outline, the manner in which the punch of the pouch forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention approaches the die groove, and FIG. 4 is a front view showing, in outline, the manner in which the side portion of the pouch forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention pressurizes the pouch film.

[0083] The state of the pouch-forming apparatus 10 in each step will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0084] 3, in the pouch forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the punch 200 is lowered toward the die 100 by the elevator 300, and a portion of the pouch punch 200 can be inserted into the die groove 110 formed in the die 100 together with the pouch film 20. Therefore, the bottom surface of the punch 200 can be lowered together with the pouch film 20 to the inside of the die groove 110 of a set depth. Through this process, the forming depth can be ensured.

[0085] 4, in the pouch forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the bottom surface of the punch 200 is lowered to the inside of the die groove 110 of a set depth formed in the die 100, the pressing unit 220 of the punch 200 can press the pouch film 20 toward the inner surface of the die groove 110. Specifically, when the cylinder 400 presses the coupling unit 250, the pressing unit 220 connected to the coupling unit 250 can press the pouch film 20 while moving toward the inner surface of the die groove 110 by the linear motion guide 230.

[0086] Furthermore, while the pressure unit 220 is applying pressure to the pouch film 20 , the heating unit 240 can apply heat to the pouch film 20 .

[0087] The pouch forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can increase the forming depth and capacity of the pouch, thereby improving the formability for the space that accommodates the electrode assembly.

[0088] Example 2 The present invention provides a pouch forming method as Example 2.

[0089] Hereinafter, detailed description of the same configuration as that of the pouch forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be omitted.

[0090] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a pouch forming method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 5, the pouch forming method may include a placement step (S10), a first forming step (S20), and a second forming step (S30).

[0092] First, a step of placing the pouch film 20 to be formed in the pouch forming apparatus 10 may be performed. In the placing step (S10), the pouch film 20 may be placed between the die 100 in which the die groove 110 is formed and the punch 200 placed above the die groove 110.

[0093] When positioning the pouch film 20, the pouch film may be positioned so as to contact the upper surface of the die 100 above the die groove 110, or may be positioned in other configurations so as not to contact the die 100 between the die 100 and the punch 200 in an expanded state.

[0094] After the placement step (S10) of placing the pouch film 20, a primary molding step (S20) may be performed. In the primary molding step (S20), the pouch film 20 may be molded while the body portion 210 of the punch 200 is inserted into the die groove 110 together with the pouch film 20.

[0095] The punch 200 is configured to be inserted into the die groove 110 together with the pouch film 20, and to form a space capable of accommodating an electrode assembly in the pouch film 20. An elevator 300 connected to an upper portion of the punch 200 may move the punch 200 up and down, and the punch 200 may proceed with the first forming step (S20) while descending by the elevator 300.

[0096] The body part 210 may contact the pouch film 20 at the bottom of the punch 200 to apply pressure to the pouch film 20. Therefore, after the primary forming step (S20) is performed, the bottom surface of the body part 210 may be lowered to the inside of the die groove 110 at a set depth.

[0097] After the depth of the pouch film 20 is formed through the primary forming step (S20), the secondary forming step (S30) can be performed. In the secondary forming step (S30), a plurality of pressure units 220 provided on both sides of the body part 210 after the primary forming step (S20) can pressurize the pouch film 20 toward the inner side of the die groove 110.

[0098] The pressure unit 220 may be provided on each of both sides of the body unit 210. The pressure unit 220 applies pressure to the pouch film 20 while moving horizontally away from the body unit 210, so that the pouch film 20 can be additionally formed.

[0099] The space for accommodating the electrode assembly formed in the pouch through the secondary molding step (S30) can have a larger capacity.

[0100] In the secondary forming step (S30) of the pouch forming method according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the heating unit 240 can apply heat to the pouch film 20 while the pressure unit 220 presses the pouch film 20.

[0101] Specifically, the heating unit 240 is provided on the outer surface of the pressurizing unit 220 and can apply heat to the pouch film 20. When the heating unit 240 is provided on the outer surface of the pressurizing unit 220, when the pressurizing unit 220 pressurizes the pouch film 20, the heating unit 240 also comes into contact with the pouch film 20 and can pressurize the pouch film 20 together with the pressurizing unit 220, and can simultaneously apply heat to the pouch film 20.

[0102] When the pressure unit 220 applies pressure to the pouch film 20 and the heating unit 240 simultaneously applies heat to the pouch film 20, the molding efficiency of the process in the secondary molding step can be improved.

[0103] In the pouch forming method according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in the secondary forming step (S30), the pressurizing unit 220 may maintain the state in which the pouch film 20 is pressed for a certain period of time.

[0104] In other words, while the pressure applying unit 220 is moving toward the inner surface of the die groove 110 and applying pressure to the pouch film 20, the pressure applying unit 220 can be stopped for a preset certain period of time, and after the certain period of time has elapsed, the pressure applying unit 220 can be moved to its original position.

[0105] The pouch forming method according to the second embodiment of the present invention may further include a step of moving the punch 200 away from the die 100 by the upward movement of the elevator 300 after the secondary forming step (S30) and then ascending to the original position. Thus, detailed description of the steps that may be generally included will be omitted.

[0106] The pouch forming method according to the second embodiment of the present invention can advantageously secure a large clearance and molding depth in the first molding step (S20), and can increase the capacity by the second molding step (S30).

[0107] Furthermore, the shape of the pouch formed by the pouch forming method using the pouch forming apparatus of the present invention can be formed so that the inner surface of the pouch film 20 is closer to the shape of the outer surface of the punch 200 than when the process of the pressure section 220 of the punch 200 pressing the pouch film 20 is not added.

[0108] Although the present invention has been described above using limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various implementations are possible within the technical spirit of the present invention and the scope of the claims set forth below, by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 10 Pouch forming device 20 Pouch Film 100 Die 110 Die groove 200 punch 210 Main body 220 Pressurizing section 221 Horizontal part 222 Vertical section 230 Linear Motion Guide 240 Heating section 250 Joint 300 Elevator 400 cylinders

Claims

1. A die having a die groove formed in a shape in which a pouch is to be formed; A punch disposed above the die groove; The punch is A body portion that is inserted into the die groove together with a pouch film that is disposed between the die and the punch; A pressure unit is provided on each side of the main body and presses the pouch film toward the inner surface of the die groove, The punch is The pouch film further includes a heating unit disposed adjacent to the pressure unit and applying heat to the pouch film pressed by the pressure unit; The heating unit includes: Located on the opposite side of the body portion based on the pressure unit, Pouch forming device.

2. The punch is The pouch forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a bottom surface of the main body portion and a bottom surface of the pressure portion are positioned on the same plane.

3. The pressure applying unit is A horizontal portion located on an upper side of the main body portion; The pouch forming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: a vertical portion extending downward from one side of the horizontal portion and positioned on an outer surface of the main body portion to press an inner surface of the pouch film.

4. The punch is The pouch forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein a bottom surface of the horizontal portion and a top surface of the main body portion are spaced apart from each other.

5. The punch is The pouch forming apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising a linear motion guide disposed between an upper surface of the main body portion and a bottom surface of the horizontal portion, the linear motion guide guiding a movement of the pressure unit.

6. A pouch forming apparatus, A die having a die groove formed in a shape in which a pouch is to be formed; A punch disposed above the die groove; The punch is A body portion that is inserted into the die groove together with a pouch film that is disposed between the die and the punch; A pressure unit is provided on each side of the main body and presses the pouch film toward the inner surface of the die groove, The pouch forming device is A cylinder disposed on the upper side of the main body portion and configured to move the pressure unit toward the inner surface of the die groove; an elevator connected to an upper portion of the punch to move the punch toward and away from the die groove; The cylinder is coupled to a periphery of the elevator; Pouch forming device.

7. The punch is The pouch forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a connecting portion for connecting the cylinder and the pressure unit.

8. A positioning step of positioning the pouch film between a die having a die groove and a punch disposed above the die groove; a primary forming step of forming the pouch film while the body of the punch is inserted into the die groove together with the pouch film; and a secondary forming step in which a plurality of pressure units provided on both sides of the body press the pouch film toward an inner side of the die groove after the primary forming step, The secondary molding step includes: The plurality of pressure applying units apply heat to the pouch film at the same time that the plurality of pressure applying units apply heat to the pouch film. Pouch forming method.

9. The secondary molding step includes: The pouch forming method according to claim 8 , wherein the plurality of pressure units press the pouch film against the inner surface of the die groove and maintain the state for a preset time.

10. The method includes a step of forming a cup portion in a pouch film, A method for producing a pouch, wherein the step of forming a cup portion in the pouch film is carried out by the pouch forming method according to claim 8 or 9.

11. forming a cup portion on the pouch film; placing the electrode assembly in the cup portion; sealing the sealing portion; A method for producing a secondary battery, wherein the step of forming a cup portion in the pouch film is carried out by the pouch forming method according to claim 8 or 9.

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