Electrolyte injection nozzle opening and closing device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a nozzle opening and closing device for injecting an electrolyte solution, the nozzle opening and closing device for injecting an electrolyte solution includes a nozzle having a discharge port for injecting an electrolyte solution into a battery assembly, an opening and closing plate rotatably mounted on the nozzle and configured to open or close the nozzle discharge port, and an opening and closing adjustment unit configured to adjust whether the opening and closing plate is opened or closed based on a weight of the electrolyte solution applied to the opening and closing plate.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrolyte injection nozzle opening and closing device, and more particularly to an electrolyte injection nozzle opening and closing device that can prevent leakage of residual electrolyte in a nozzle when the injection nozzle is moving or waiting for injection during an electrolyte injection process.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Utility Model Registration Application No. 20-2022-0000524 dated February 25, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the corresponding Korean Utility Model Registration Application are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art In general, as the popularity of small portable electrical and electronic devices increases, the development of new types of secondary batteries, such as nickel-metal hydride batteries and lithium secondary batteries, is actively progressing.

[0004] A lithium secondary battery is a battery that uses carbon such as graphite as the negative electrode active material, an oxide containing lithium as the positive electrode material, and a non-aqueous solvent as the electrolyte.

[0005] Such a secondary battery is manufactured in the form of a battery assembly in which an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode are sequentially measured is housed in an outer packaging material such as a pouch or a cylindrical can, and then a process of injecting an electrolyte into the battery assembly is performed using an electrolyte injection device.

[0006] In the conventional electrolyte injection process, the electrolyte is injected into the battery assembly using a nozzle.

[0007] At this time, the nozzle for injecting the electrolyte into the battery assembly is formed in a simple cylindrical shape.

[0008] Since the electrolyte injection nozzle is formed as a cylindrical nozzle having a simple shape, the remaining electrolyte in the electrolyte injection nozzle leaks out of the nozzle when the electrolyte injection nozzle moves and waits during the electrolyte injection process. Here, there is a problem that the electrolyte leaked out of the nozzle falls onto the equipment for the electrolyte injection process or the battery assembly. As a result, there are problems that the equipment for the electrolyte injection process is contaminated and corroded by the electrolyte that falls onto the equipment for the electrolyte injection process or the battery assembly, the pouch of the battery assembly is contaminated, and the printing on the battery assembly is erased.

[0009] In order to solve these problems, there is a demand for the development of an electrolyte injection nozzle opening and closing device that can prevent residual electrolyte from leaking out of the electrolyte injection nozzle and that can easily open and close the electrolyte injection nozzle. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide an electrolyte injection nozzle opening and closing device capable of preventing leakage of residual electrolyte in a nozzle when the injection nozzle is moving or waiting for injection during an electrolyte injection process.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrolyte injection nozzle opening and closing device that can easily open and close the electrolyte injection nozzle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electrolyte injection nozzle opening and closing device, comprising: a nozzle having an outlet for injecting electrolyte into a battery assembly; an opening and closing plate rotatably mounted on the nozzle and configured to open or close the outlet of the nozzle; and an opening and closing adjustment unit configured to adjust whether the opening and closing plate is opened or closed based on the weight of electrolyte applied to the opening and closing plate.

[0013] The opening / closing adjustment unit includes a weight member provided to apply a rotational moment in a closing direction of the opening / closing plate, and the weight member is provided so that a distance therebetween can be adjusted. Effect of the Invention

[0014] As described above, the nozzle opening and closing device for electrolyte injection according to at least one embodiment of the present invention has the following advantages.

[0015] During standby for electrolyte injection, it is possible to prevent the residual electrolyte in the electrolyte injection nozzle from leaking out of the electrolyte injection nozzle.

[0016] In addition, during the electrolyte injection process, the electrolyte injection nozzle may be automatically opened depending on the weight of the electrolyte.

[0017] In addition, after the electrolyte injection is completed, the electrolyte injection nozzle is automatically closed, thereby preventing contamination of the electrolyte injection process equipment and the battery assembly due to leakage of the electrolyte.

[0018] In addition, since the opening and closing of the electrolyte injection nozzle can be automatically controlled according to the weight of the electrolyte in the nozzle, the amount of electrolyte injected into the battery assembly can be controlled to a constant amount. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of an electrolytic solution injection nozzle opening and closing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram for explaining an opening / closing plate and an opening / closing adjustment part shown in FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] 3 is a side view of the opening / closing plate and the opening / closing adjustment part shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 is a plan view of the opening / closing plate and the opening / closing adjustment part shown in FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the fixing portion shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 3 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the opening / closing adjuster shown in FIG. 2 is used; [Figure 7] 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation state of the electrolyte injection nozzle opening and closing device illustrated in FIG. 1; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An electrolytic solution injection nozzle opening and closing device (hereinafter, also referred to as an "opening and closing device") according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0021] In addition, regardless of the drawing symbols, identical or corresponding components will be given the same or similar reference numbers, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted, and the size and shape of each component illustrated may be exaggerated or reduced for the convenience of explanation.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a front view of an electrolytic solution injection nozzle opening and closing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a view for explaining an opening and closing plate and an opening and closing adjustment unit shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a side view of the opening and closing plate and the opening and closing adjustment unit shown in Fig. 2.

[0023] Fig. 4 is a plan view of the opening / closing plate and the opening / closing adjustment part shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the fixing part shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 6 is a view for explaining the use state of the opening / closing adjustment part shown in Fig. 2.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, an opening and closing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a nozzle 110, an opening and closing plate 130, and an opening and closing adjustment part 150.

[0025] The opening and closing device 100 includes a nozzle 110 having an outlet 111 through which electrolyte E is supplied and through which the supplied electrolyte E is injected into the battery assembly 10, an opening and closing plate 130 rotatably mounted on the nozzle 110 and arranged to open or close the outlet 111 of the nozzle, and an opening and closing adjustment unit 150 arranged to adjust whether the opening and closing plate 130 is opened or closed based on the weight of electrolyte E applied to the opening and closing plate 130.

[0026] In addition, the opening / closing adjustment part 150 includes a weight member 140 provided to apply a rotational moment in the closing direction M1 of the opening / closing plate .

[0027] In addition, the weight member 140 is provided so that the distance between it and the opening / closing plate 130 can be adjusted.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, the nozzle 110 is a portion through which the electrolyte E to be injected into the battery assembly 10 is supplied.

[0029] One end of the nozzle 110 is connected to an electrolyte tank T to receive the electrolyte, and the other end of the nozzle 110 ejects the electrolyte to the outside.

[0030] At this time, the nozzle 110 has an outlet 111 at the other end. The outlet 111 of the nozzle 110 is closed by an opening and closing plate .

[0031] 2 to 4, the opening / closing plate 130 is provided in the form of a plate having at least one flat surface, and closes the outlet 111 of the nozzle 110. As shown in FIG.

[0032] The open / close plate 130 has a recess 132 formed on one surface 130a that contacts the discharge port 111 of the nozzle 110 when in the closed state.

[0033] In addition, the diameter of the recess 132 may be larger than the diameter of the outer circumferential surface 111 of the nozzle 110 , and the diameter of the recess 132 may be the same as or larger than the diameter of the outer circumferential surface 111 of the nozzle 110 .

[0034] When the outlet 111 of the nozzle 110 is closed by the opening / closing plate 130, the recess 132 comes into contact with the outlet 111 of the nozzle 110 and closes the outlet 111 of the nozzle 110. When the electrolyte leaks from the outlet 111 of the nozzle 110, the recess 132 stores the leaked electrolyte in the space within the recess, thereby preventing the electrolyte from dropping into an electrolyte injection process equipment (not shown) or the battery assembly 10.

[0035] Meanwhile, the opening and closing plate 130 is rotatably connected to a position adjacent to the outlet 111 of the nozzle 110 .

[0036] The opening / closing plate 130 is provided to maintain the outlet 111 of the nozzle 110 closed according to the weight of the electrolyte solution supplied into the nozzle 110, or to rotate in one direction to open the outlet 111 of the nozzle 110.

[0037] The opening and closing device 100 may include a fixed part 120 mounted on the nozzle 110, and the fixed part 120 may have a rotation shaft on which an opening and closing plate 130 is rotatably mounted. For example, the opening and closing plate 130 may be rotatably mounted on the rotation shaft through a pin.

[0038] The opening and closing plate 130 is attached to the nozzle 110 through a fixing part 120 .

[0039] 1 and 5, the fixing part 120 is coupled to a position adjacent to the outlet 111 of the nozzle 110 and is provided to surround the outer circumferential surface 111 of the nozzle 110.

[0040] The fixing portion 120 may include a fixing member 122 provided to surround the outer circumferential surface 111 of the nozzle 110 and a fixing means 124 for fixing the fixing member 122 to the outer circumferential surface 111 of the nozzle 110 .

[0041] As an example, the fixing member 122 may be provided with a band or belt that may encircle the nozzle 110. As an example, the fixing means 124 may be provided with a bolt that is provided with a tap (or thread).

[0042] Here, the fixing member 122 has a fastening hole 123 into which a fastening means 124 is inserted, and the fastening means 124 may be fastened to the fastening hole 123 so as to contact the outer circumferential surface 111 of the nozzle 110. The fastening hole 123 and the fastening means 124 may each be formed with a tap (or a screw thread).

[0043] In this structure, the fixing member 122 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface 11 of the nozzle 110 by fastening means 124 into the fastening hole 123 of the fixing member 122 .

[0044] On the other hand, an opening / closing plate 130 is rotatably attached to the fixed member 122 .

[0045] That is, the fixing means 124 may be coupled to one region of the fixing member 122, and the opening / closing plate 130 may be coupled to another region of the fixing member 122. The fixing member 122 is provided with a first coupling piece 121 having a first coupling hole 121a formed therethrough.

[0046] In addition, the opening and closing plate 130 may be provided with a second connecting piece 131 having a second connecting hole 131a formed therethrough. In this case, the opening and closing plate 130 may be rotatably mounted to the fixing part 120 through a pin (not shown) passing through the second connecting hole 131a and the first connecting hole 121a.

[0047] The opening / closing plate 130 is provided so that the outlet 111 of the nozzle 110 is closed and maintained in the closed state or rotates in one direction to open the outlet 111 of the nozzle 110 depending on the weight of the electrolyte inside the nozzle 110.

[0048] The opening / closing control unit 150 is provided to control whether the opening / closing plate 130 is opened or closed based on the weight of the electrolyte supplied to the nozzle 110 and applied to the opening / closing plate 130 .

[0049] The opening / closing adjustment unit 150 maintains the outlet 111 of the nozzle 110 in a closed state based on the weight of the electrolyte in the nozzle applied to the opening / closing plate, and to this end, supports the opening / closing plate 130 so as not to rotate, or rotates the opening / closing plate 130 so that the outlet 111 of the nozzle 110 is opened.

[0050] The opening and closing adjustment portion includes a rod 134 and a weight member 140 .

[0051] The opening / closing adjustment part 150 is formed to extend from the end 130b of the opening / closing plate 130 and includes a rod 134 on which the weight member 140 is movably mounted.

[0052] At this time, the opening / closing plate 130 and the rod 134 have the same center of rotation, and when the weight of the electrolyte is applied to the opening / closing plate 130, a rotational moment acts on the opening / closing plate 130 in the opening direction M2, and a rotational moment acts on the weight member 140 in the closing direction M1 of the opening / closing plate 130.

[0053] 2 and 6, when the weight member 140 moves on the rod 134 in a direction S1 away from the opening and closing plate 130, the rotation moment in the closing direction M1 of the opening and closing plate 130 increases. Conversely, when the weight member 140 moves on the rod 134 in a direction S2 toward the opening and closing plate 130, the rotation moment in the closing direction M1 of the opening and closing plate 130 decreases.

[0054] The rod 134 may be formed to extend in a direction different from the opening and closing plate 130 based on the center of rotation. For example, the rod 134 is formed to extend in a downward direction of the opening and closing plate 130 based on the opening and closing plate being in a closed state.

[0055] When the opening / closing plate 130 is in a closed state, the rod 134 and the opening / closing plate 130 can be located on the left and right of an imaginary line segment L that passes through the rotation center and is perpendicular to the opening / closing plate 130 .

[0056] For example, the rod 134 may be in the form of a stick having a predetermined length. Referring to FIG. 2, the rod 134 may be provided to be inclined at an oblique angle with respect to the opening and closing plate 130.

[0057] A weight member 140 is attached to the end of the rod 134 .

[0058] The weight member 140 has a weight corresponding to that of the opening and closing plate 130 so that the opening and closing plate 130 maintains a state in which the discharge port 111 of the nozzle 110 is closed.

[0059] The weight member 140 is inserted into and coupled to the rod 134, and is coupled to be movable along the length of the rod 134. When the distance between the weight member 140 and the opening / closing plate 130 is adjusted, the magnitude of the rotational moment generated in the closing direction M1 of the opening / closing plate 130 changes, so the distance of the weight member 140 can be adjusted in advance in consideration of the weight of the remaining electrolyte.

[0060] For example, as shown in Fig. 6(a), when the weight of the remaining electrolyte to be released by the opening and closing plate is set to be low, the weight member 140 may be located close to the opening and closing plate 130. Conversely, as shown in Fig. 6(b), when the weight of the remaining electrolyte to be released by the opening and closing plate is set to be high, the weight member 140 may be located far from the opening and closing plate 130.

[0061] The weight member 140 may be provided such that the entire area or a portion of the area is connected to the rod 134 .

[0062] 6, a first tap 133 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of a rod 134, and a weight member 140 has a fastening hole 142 into which the rod 134 is inserted and a second tap 141 formed in the fastening hole 142 and fastened to the first tap 133. In this case, the first tap 133 may be fastened to the entire area or a part of the area of ​​the second tap 141.

[0063] The area (or length) of the first tap 133 may be greater than the area (or length) of the second tap 141 .

[0064] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an operation state of the electrolyte injection nozzle opening and closing device shown in FIG.

[0065] 7, an electrolyte is supplied to the inside of the nozzle 110. The nozzle 110 adjusts whether the opening and closing plate 130 is open or closed based on the weight of the electrolyte supplied to the inside of the nozzle 110 by the opening and closing adjustment unit 150.

[0066] A rotational moment is generated in a closing direction M1 of the opening / closing plate 130 by the weight member 140 based on the center of rotation, and a rotational moment is generated in an opening direction M2 of the opening / closing plate 130 by the weight of the electrolyte applied to the opening / closing plate 130. In this structure, if the rotational moment generated in the closing direction M1 is greater than the rotational moment generated in the opening direction M2, the opening / closing plate can be maintained in a closed state. Conversely, if the rotational moment generated in the closing direction M1 is smaller than the rotational moment generated in the opening direction M2, the opening / closing plate is opened.

[0067] As described above, the magnitude of the rotational moment generated in the closing direction M1 can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the weight member 140 on the rod. That is, by setting the position of the weight member 140 in advance in consideration of the weight of the residual electrolyte when no electrolyte is injected, the opening and closing plate 130 can be set to close automatically.

[0068] As an example, referring to (a) of FIG. 7, when the weight of the electrolyte applied to the opening / closing plate 130 through the nozzle 110 is lighter than a preset weight, the outlet 111 of the nozzle 110 is not opened and remains closed.

[0069] 7(b), when the weight of the electrolyte applied to the opening / closing plate 130 through the nozzle 110 is greater than a preset weight, the outlet 111 of the nozzle 110 is opened. At this time, the electrolyte E is discharged from the nozzle 110 through the outlet 111 of the nozzle 110. The opening / closing plate 130 rotates in one direction (opening direction) due to the weight of the electrolyte E inside the nozzle 110, and the outlet 111 of the nozzle 110 is opened, and as a result, the electrolyte is discharged to the outside.

[0070] 7(c), when the discharge of the electrolyte E from the nozzle 110 is completed, the opening / closing plate 130 rotates to its original position to close the discharge port 111 of the nozzle 110.

[0071] On the other hand, even when the outlet 111 of the nozzle 110 is closed by the opening / closing plate 130, a small amount of residual electrolyte may remain inside the nozzle 110. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7(a), if the weight of the residual electrolyte applied to the opening / closing plate 130 through the nozzle 110 is lighter than a preset weight, the outlet 111 of the nozzle 110 is not opened and remains closed.

[0072] The preferred embodiments of the present invention described above have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, and those skilled in the art having ordinary knowledge of the present invention may make various modifications, changes, and additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications, changes, and additions should be understood to fall within the scope of the following claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0073] According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, the electrolyte injection nozzle opening and closing device can prevent residual electrolyte in the electrolyte injection nozzle from leaking out of the electrolyte injection nozzle when waiting for electrolyte injection.

Claims

1. a nozzle to which an electrolyte is supplied and having a discharge port for injecting the supplied electrolyte into a battery assembly; an opening / closing plate rotatably attached to the nozzle and adapted to open or close the outlet of the nozzle; and an opening / closing adjusting unit configured to adjust whether the opening / closing plate is opened or closed based on a weight of the electrolyte applied to the opening / closing plate, the opening / closing adjustment unit includes a weight member provided to apply a rotational moment in a closing direction of the opening / closing plate, The weight member is provided so that a distance between the weight member and the opening / closing plate can be adjusted.

2. the opening / closing adjustment portion is formed to extend from an end of the opening / closing plate and includes a rod on which the weight member is movably mounted, The opening and closing plate and the rod have the same center of rotation, 2. The electrolytic solution injection nozzle opening and closing device of claim 1, wherein when the weight of the electrolytic solution is applied to the opening and closing plate, a rotational moment acts on the opening and closing plate in an opening direction, and a rotational moment acts on the weight member in a closing direction of the opening and closing plate.

3. 3. The electrolytic solution injection nozzle opening and closing device according to claim 2, wherein when the weight member is moved on the rod in a direction away from the opening and closing plates, a rotational moment in the closing direction of the opening and closing plates increases.

4. 4. The electrolytic solution injection nozzle opening and closing device according to claim 3, wherein when the weight member is moved on the rod in a direction approaching the opening and closing plates, a rotational moment in the closing direction of the opening and closing plates is reduced.

5. 3. The device for opening and closing a nozzle for injecting an electrolyte solution as set forth in claim 2, wherein the rod extends in a direction different from that of the opening and closing plates with respect to a rotation center.

6. The apparatus for opening and closing a nozzle for injecting an electrolyte solution according to claim 2 , wherein the weight member is provided so that the entire area or a part of the weight member is connected to the rod.

7. A first tap is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rod, 7. The electrolytic solution injection nozzle opening and closing device according to claim 6, wherein the weight member has a bundling hole into which the rod is inserted and a second tap formed in the bundling hole and bundling with the first tap.

8. The device for opening and closing a nozzle for injecting an electrolyte solution according to claim 7 , wherein the first tap is bound to an entire area or a part of an area of ​​the second tap.

9. The nozzle further includes a fixing portion attached to the nozzle, 3. The electrolytic solution injection nozzle opening and closing device according to claim 2, wherein the fixed portion has a rotation shaft on which the opening and closing plate is rotatably mounted.

10. The fixing portion includes a fixing member provided to surround an outer circumferential surface of the nozzle; and 10. The electrolytic solution injection nozzle opening and closing device according to claim 9, further comprising a fixing means for fixing the fixing member to an outer circumferential surface of the nozzle.

11. The fixing member has a fastening hole into which a fixing means is inserted, The nozzle opening and closing device for electrolyte injection according to claim 10, wherein the fixing means is fastened to the fastening hole so as to contact an outer circumferential surface of the nozzle.

12. 2. The electrolytic solution injection nozzle opening and closing device according to claim 1, wherein the opening and closing plate has a recess formed on one surface that contacts the discharge port of the nozzle when the opening and closing plate is in a closed state.

13. The nozzle opening and closing device for electrolyte injection according to claim 12 , wherein the diameter of the recess is larger than the diameter of an outer circumferential surface of the nozzle.

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