Battery cell fixing device and electrolyte impregnation device including the same

Abstract

A battery cell fixing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a battery cell fixing device including a plurality of holder units that are coupled to a cylindrical battery cell along an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical battery cell, and each of the plurality of holder units includes a holder body configured to cover a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical battery cell, and a beading fixing portion that protrudes from the holder body toward the cylindrical battery cell and is configured to be inserted into a beading portion formed by pressing the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical battery cell.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery cell fixing device and an electrolyte impregnation device including the same.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0075061, filed on June 9, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the specification and drawings. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries, which have high applicability to various products and electrical properties such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that are driven by electrical sources. These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source because they are environmentally friendly and improve energy efficiency as they do not produce any by-products associated with energy use, as well as having the primary advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels.

[0004] Currently, types of secondary batteries that are widely used include lithium ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, and nickel zinc batteries. The operating voltage of such a unit secondary battery cell, i.e., a unit battery cell, is about 2.5V to 4.5V. Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, a battery pack is constructed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series. Also, a battery pack may be constructed by connecting a plurality of battery cells in parallel according to a charge / discharge capacity required for the battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack can be variously set according to a required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0005] Meanwhile, in a typical secondary battery, an electrode assembly is impregnated with an electrolyte solution, so that lithium ions can move smoothly to generate a current. In this case, the electrolyte impregnation rate is a very important factor that affects the life and capacity of a battery, and a higher electrolyte impregnation rate is more advantageous.

[0006] Meanwhile, there may be limitations in completely impregnating the entire electrode assembly with the electrolyte by simply injecting the electrolyte into the upper part of the cylindrical battery cell and then performing a vacuum treatment and a pressurization treatment. For example, the impregnation rate of the electrolyte may differ between the upper and lower parts of the electrode assembly. More specifically, after the electrolyte is injected, the remaining electrolyte may gather at the lower part of the cylindrical battery cell, and the electrolyte may not be properly impregnated at the upper part. Alternatively, since the gap between the positive electrode plate, the separator, and the negative electrode plate constituting the electrode assembly is very narrow, the electrolyte injected from the upper opening of the battery can may remain only at the upper part of the battery can due to the capillary phenomenon, and may not be easily transferred to the lower part of the battery can.

[0007] Therefore, a method for uniformly impregnating the electrode assembly of a cylindrical battery cell with an electrolyte is required. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to improve the impregnation rate of the electrolyte in a cylindrical battery cell by uniformly impregnating an electrode assembly accommodated inside the cylindrical battery cell with an electrolyte throughout.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery cell fixing device and an electrolyte impregnation device that are compatible with various cylindrical battery cells by stably fixing various cylindrical battery cells regardless of the appearance and size of the cylindrical battery cells.

[0010] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the problems described above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To achieve the above object, a battery cell fixing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a battery cell fixing device including a plurality of holder units that are coupled to a cylindrical battery cell along an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical battery cell, and each of the plurality of holder units includes a holder body configured to cover a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical battery cell, and a beading fixing portion that protrudes from the holder body toward the cylindrical battery cell and is configured to be inserted into a beading portion formed by pressing the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0012] The battery cell fixing device may further include a vibration source connecting portion provided on an outer surface of the holder body of at least one of the plurality of holder units and configured to be connected to a vibration source.

[0013] The battery cell fixing device may further include a holder unit fastener configured to couple adjacent holder units to each other.

[0014] The holder body may have an elongated shape having a height corresponding to a height of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0015] The holder body may have a shape extending along an outer circumferential direction of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0016] The protruding length of the beading fixing portion may correspond to the press-fit depth of the beading portion.

[0017] The beading fixing portion may have a shape extending along an outer circumferential direction of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0018] The beading fixing portion may be configured to be movable and fixed along a radial direction of the cylindrical battery cell from the holder body.

[0019] The beading fixing portion may be configured to be fixed in a state where it is pulled out by a length corresponding to a press-fit depth of the beading portion of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0020] The holder unit fastening portion may be provided within the holder body of each of the plurality of holder units.

[0021] The holder unit fastening portion may be configured to move in a direction to be pulled out from the holder body and in a direction to be inserted into the inside of the holder body.

[0022] The holder unit fastening portion may be configured to move along a circumferential direction of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0023] The holder unit fastening parts may be provided on one and the other sides of the holder body, respectively.

[0024] The fastening portions provided on the adjacent vibration units may be configured to be drawn toward each other and coupled to each other.

[0025] The above-mentioned object of the present invention can also be achieved by an electrolyte impregnation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes the battery cell fixing device of the present invention, which is coupled to each of a plurality of cylindrical battery cells, and a rotator that rotates the holder unit around a predetermined rotation center axis.

[0026] The electrolyte impregnation device may further include a vibration source coupled to the battery cell fixing device.

[0027] The vibration sources may be provided in the same number as the holder units provided in one battery cell fixing device.

[0028] The holder body may be disposed such that one side end located near a region where the beading portion is formed faces the central axis of rotation at both ends in a height direction of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0029] The central axis of rotation may be disposed parallel to the ground.

[0030] The vibration source may be configured to be coupled to the battery cell fastening device after driving of the rotator stops.

[0031] The rotator may be configured to resume operation after the operation of the vibration source is terminated and the connection between the vibration source and the battery cell fixing device is released.

[0032] A plurality of the battery cell fastening devices may be configured to be alternately coupled to the vibration source.

[0033] The battery cell fixing device may be configured such that one side end located near a region where the beading portion is formed at both ends in a height direction of a cylindrical battery cell coupled to the battery cell fixing device is connected to the vibration source at a position facing the ground. Effect of the Invention

[0034] According to the present invention, the electrode assembly accommodated inside the cylindrical battery cell can be uniformly impregnated with the electrolyte throughout, thereby improving the impregnation rate of the electrolyte in the cylindrical battery cell.

[0035] In addition, according to the present invention, various cylindrical battery cells can be stably fixed regardless of the appearance and size of the cylindrical battery cells. Therefore, the battery cell fixing device according to the present invention is compatible with various cylindrical battery cells. In addition, since the battery cell fixing device can be in close contact with the cylindrical battery cells, vibrations generated from a vibration source can be more effectively transmitted to the cylindrical battery cells.

[0036] In addition, the present invention can provide various other effects, which will be described in each embodiment, or the description of effects that can be easily inferred by a person skilled in the art will be omitted.

[0037] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further understand the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to only the matters described in the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] 1 is a view illustrating a battery cell fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a view for explaining a process of coupling the battery cell fixing device of FIG. 1 to a battery cell; [Diagram 3] 2 is a view for explaining a process of coupling the battery cell fixing device of FIG. 1 to a battery cell; [Figure 4] 11A and 11B are views illustrating a battery cell fixing device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 2 is a diagram for explaining a connection relationship between the battery cell fixing device and a vibration source in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram for explaining an electrolyte impregnation device including the battery cell fixing device of FIG. 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in the specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as having meanings and concepts according to the technical ideas of the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe the invention.

[0040] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted for them at the time of this application.

[0041] In addition, in order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the accompanying drawings may not be drawn to scale, and the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated.

[0042] Fig. 1 is a view for explaining a battery cell fixing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figs. 2 and 3 are views for explaining a process of coupling a cylindrical battery cell with the battery cell fixing device of Fig. 1. Also, Fig. 4 is a view for explaining a battery cell fixing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] 1 to 3, a battery cell fixing device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of holder units 100 coupled to cylindrical battery cells C along an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical battery cells C. Meanwhile, the battery cell fixing device 10 may further include a vibration source connecting part 200 and / or a holder unit fastening part 300.

[0044] A plurality of holder units 100 may be provided. For example, as shown in Fig. 3, the battery cell fixing device 10 may include three holder units 100A, 100B, and 100C. The battery cell fixing device 10 of the present invention may include a plurality of holder units 100, thereby achieving an effect of being able to closely contact cylindrical battery cells C even if the cylindrical battery cells C have slightly different shapes and / or sizes. For example, even if the cylindrical battery cell C has a relatively large diameter, the plurality of holder units 100 may cover the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical battery cell C while being spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical battery cell C.

[0045] Meanwhile, the greater the number of holder units 100, the greater the effect of fixing the cylindrical battery cells C. For example, in a battery cell fixing device 10 including four holder units 100 as shown in Fig. 4, the fixing force of the cylindrical battery cells C may be further improved. Also, the greater the number of holder units 100, the greater the range of shapes and / or sizes of cylindrical battery cells C compatible with the battery cell fixing device 10.

[0046] The holder unit 100 includes a holder body 110 and a beading fixing part 120 .

[0047] 1 to 3, the holder body 110 is configured to cover a portion of an outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical battery cell C. The holder body 110 may have a shape extending along an outer circumferential direction of the cylindrical battery cell C. The holder body 110 may have an inner surface having a curvature substantially similar to that of the cylindrical battery cell C. Thus, the holder body 110 may be in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical battery cell C. This allows vibrations generated from a vibration source (see FIGS. 5 and 6) to be more efficiently transmitted to the cylindrical battery cell C.

[0048] The holder body 110 may have a shape that covers at least a part of the entire region in the height direction (direction parallel to the Z axis) of the cylindrical battery cell C. For example, referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the holder body 110 may cover only a part of the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical battery cell C adjacent to an upper portion where the beading portion B is located. The beading portion B is formed by pressing the outer circumferential surface of the battery can to a predetermined depth so that an electrode assembly (not shown) accommodated inside the battery can of the cylindrical battery cell C does not come out of the battery can. In the present invention, the upper portion of the battery cell C refers to one end portion located near the region where the beading portion B is formed among both ends of the battery cell C in the height direction (direction parallel to the Z axis).

[0049] Although not shown, in another embodiment of the present invention, the holder body 110 may have an elongated shape to have a height corresponding to the height of the cylindrical battery cell C. In this case, the area of ​​the holder body 110 that contacts the cylindrical battery cell C becomes larger, so that external vibrations can be more efficiently transmitted to the cylindrical battery cell C.

[0050] 1 to 3, the beading fixing part 120 may protrude from the holder body 110 toward the cylindrical battery cell C. The beading fixing part 120 may be inserted into the beading part B of the cylindrical battery cell C to accurately fix the position of the cylindrical battery cell C in the height direction (direction parallel to the Z axis). The protruding length of the beading fixing part 120 may correspond to the press-fit depth of the beading part B. When the protruding length of the beading fixing part 120 is substantially the same as the press-fit depth of the beading part B, the inner surface of the holder body 110 may be in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical battery cell C when the beading fixing part 120 is inserted maximally deep into the beading part B. This maximizes the fixing force of the cylindrical battery cell C, and vibrations from a vibration source 30, which will be described later, are easily transmitted to the cylindrical battery cell C.

[0051] Meanwhile, since the size of each cylindrical battery cell C may vary slightly, the battery cell fixing device 10 of the present invention must be configured to be able to universally and firmly fix all cylindrical battery cells C having different sizes. Accordingly, the beading fixing part 120 employed in the battery cell fixing device 10 of the present invention may be configured to be movable and fixed in the radial direction of the cylindrical battery cell C from the holder body 110. More specifically, the beading fixing part 120 may be pulled out from the holder body 110 in a sliding manner along the radial direction and fixed in the pulled out state. For example, referring to FIG. 3, the beading fixing part 120 may be fixed after being pulled out by a length corresponding to the press-fit depth of the beading part B of the cylindrical battery cell C to be coupled. Accordingly, according to the present invention, it is possible to universally apply to cylindrical battery cells C of different sizes and to accurately fix the position of the cylindrical battery cell C in the height direction (direction parallel to the Z axis). As described above, the battery cell fixing device 10 of the present invention has a structure capable of stably fixing the cylindrical battery cell C, and thus the process of efficiently impregnating the cylindrical battery cell C with the electrolyte can be stably performed.

[0052] 1 to 3, the vibration source connection part 200 may be provided on an outer surface of the holder body 110 of at least one of the holder units 100 and connected to the vibration source 30. That is, the vibration source connection part 200 may function as a fastening part provided on the holder body 110 and having a structure for easily fastening the vibration source 30 to the holder body 110. For example, the vibration source connection part 200 may be a rod-like part provided approximately perpendicularly to the outer surface of the holder body 110. However, the vibration source connection part 200 is not limited to such a rod-like part, and may have any structure as long as it is a structure for easily connecting the external vibration source 30 to the holder body 110.

[0053] The vibration source connection part 200 may be provided in at least one of the plurality of holder units 100. For example, referring to Figs. 1 to 3, the vibration source connection part 200 may be provided in only one of the three holder units 100 or only two of the holder units 100. Of course, the vibration source connection part 200 may be provided in all three holder units 100.

[0054] 1 to 3, the holder unit fastening part 300 may be configured to connect adjacent holder units 100 to each other. The holder unit fastening part 300 may be provided, for example, in the holder body 110. The holder unit fastening part 300 may be configured to move in a direction to be pulled out from the holder body 110 and in a direction to be inserted into the holder body 110. The holder unit fastening part 300 may be configured to move approximately along a circumferential direction of the cylindrical battery cell C.

[0055] The holder unit fastening parts 300 may be provided on one side and the other side of the holder body 110, for example. The holder unit fastening parts 300 provided on the adjacent holder units 100 may be pulled toward each other to be coupled to each other. The manner of mutual fastening of the holder unit fastening parts 300 provided on the adjacent holder units 100 is not limited, and may be configured to be buckled and / or hooked, for example. Alternatively, a magnet may be provided on the end of each holder unit fastening part 300, and when the adjacent holder units 100 are close to each other at a predetermined distance, they may be fastened to each other by magnetic force. In this way, the adjacent holder units 100 may be coupled to each other by the holder unit fastening parts 300 to form one battery cell fixing device 10. For example, when covering a cylindrical battery cell C having a relatively large diameter, a plurality of holder units 100 may be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval. In this case, the interval between the plurality of holder units 100 may vary depending on the circumferential length of the cylindrical battery cell C. According to the present invention, the holder unit fastening portion 300 is configured to connect a pair of holder units 100 between which the holder body is spaced apart, so that a cylindrical battery cell C having a relatively large diameter can also be covered by the battery cell fixing device 10 of the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a connection relationship between the battery cell fixing device and a vibration source in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an electrolyte impregnation device including the battery cell fixing device in FIG.

[0057] 5 and 6, an electrolyte impregnation apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least one battery cell fixing device 10 and a rotator 20. The electrolyte impregnation apparatus 1 may further include a vibration source 30.

[0058] In general, in a secondary battery, an electrode assembly is impregnated with an electrolyte to allow lithium ions to move smoothly and generate a current. In this regard, the electrolyte impregnation rate is a very important factor that affects the life and capacity of a battery, and a higher electrolyte impregnation rate is more advantageous.

[0059] Meanwhile, there may be a limit to completely impregnating the entire electrode assembly with the electrolyte by simply injecting the electrolyte from the top of the cylindrical battery cell C and then performing vacuum and pressurization processes. For example, the impregnation rate of the electrolyte may differ between the top and bottom of the electrode assembly. More specifically, after the electrolyte is injected, the remaining electrolyte may gather at the bottom of the cylindrical battery cell C, and the electrolyte may not be properly impregnated at the top. Alternatively, since the gap between the positive electrode plate, separator, and negative electrode plate constituting the electrode assembly is very narrow, the electrolyte injected from the top opening of the battery can may remain only at the top of the battery can due to capillary action and may not be easily transmitted to the bottom of the battery can. For this reason, it is necessary to rotate the cylindrical battery cell C into which the electrolyte has been injected, and use centrifugal force to uniformly impregnate the electrolyte over the entire area of ​​the electrode assembly. In addition, vibration may be applied to the cylindrical battery cell C for more efficient electrolyte impregnation. To this end, the electrolyte impregnation apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may connect a rotator 20 to a plurality of battery cell fixing devices 10, or connect the rotator 20 and a vibration source 30 together, thereby uniformly impregnating the electrolyte over the entire area of ​​the electrode assemblies accommodated inside the plurality of cylindrical battery cells C. In particular, the electrolyte impregnation apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of battery cell fixing devices 10. As a result, the impregnation rate of the electrolyte of the plurality of cylindrical battery cells C may be improved simultaneously.

[0060] 6, the rotator 20 may rotate the holder unit 100 around a predetermined rotation central axis. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the rotator 20 may include a driving part that drives around the rotation central axis, and may include a plurality of connecting rods that extend approximately radially from the driving part and grip the battery cell fixing device 10. However, the shape is not limited to this. For example, the rotator 20 may include a circumferential frame having a certain radius around a predetermined rotation central axis, and the circumferential frame may be connected to the driving part by a predetermined connecting part.

[0061] 6, the rotator 20 may rotate clockwise and / or counterclockwise. The rotator 20 may rotate continuously in a certain direction, or may rotate clockwise and then rotate counterclockwise after a certain number of rotations. For example, the rotator 20 may rotate continuously in the same direction like a waterwheel, or may continuously change rotation direction like an hourglass.

[0062] 6, the holder body 110 may be disposed such that an upper portion of the cylindrical battery cell C faces the central axis of rotation of the rotator 20. In this case, centrifugal force is generated as the battery cell fixing device 10 and the cylindrical battery cell C rotate about the central axis of rotation, and the electrolyte contained inside the cylindrical battery cell C may move toward the lower portion of the cylindrical battery cell C due to the centrifugal force. As a result, the electrolyte that has remained only at the upper portion of the cylindrical battery cell C can quickly move to the lower portion of the cylindrical battery cell C. Therefore, the impregnation rate of the electrolyte is improved overall in the cylindrical battery cell C.

[0063] Meanwhile, although not shown, unlike Fig. 6, the holder body 110 may be disposed such that the lower portion of the cylindrical battery cell C faces the central axis of rotation of the rotator 20. In this case, centrifugal force is generated as the battery cell fixing device 10 and the cylindrical battery cell C rotate about the central axis of rotation, and the electrolyte contained inside the cylindrical battery cell C may move toward the upper portion of the cylindrical battery cell C due to the centrifugal force. Thus, with this arrangement, it is possible to improve the impregnation rate of the electrolyte when the remaining electrolyte is collected at the lower portion of the cylindrical battery cell C after the electrolyte is injected and the electrolyte is not properly impregnated at the upper portion.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 6, the rotation central axis may be disposed approximately parallel to the ground. Thus, the rotation plane of the rotator 20 may be approximately perpendicular to the ground. Therefore, the cylindrical battery cell C coupled to the battery cell fixing device 10 connected to the rotator 20 may be in an inverted state during rotation. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the cylindrical battery cell C coupled to the battery cell fixing device 10 located at the top of the pair of rotators 20 has its top facing the rotation central axis. In this case, the cylindrical battery cell C may be in an inverted state. Meanwhile, the cylindrical battery cell C coupled to the battery cell fixing device 10 located at the bottom of the rotator 20 may be in an upright state.

[0065] 5 and 6, a vibration source 30 may be connected to the battery cell fastening device 10. In particular, the vibration source 30 may be connected to the vibration source connecting portion 200 of the battery cell fastening device 10. In this case, the vibration source 30 may be any source that generates vibration. For example, the vibration source 30 may be an ultrasonic generator or a device capable of vertical / horizontal movement. Alternatively, the vibration source 30 may be an oscillator.

[0066] Although not shown, the vibration sources 30 may be provided in the same number as the holder units 100 provided in one battery cell fastening device 10. Alternatively, the number of vibration sources 30 may be less than the number of holder units 100 provided in one battery cell fastening device 10. Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the vibration source 30 may be connected to only one of the holder units 100 provided in the corresponding battery cell fastening device 10.

[0067] 6, the vibration source 30 may be configured to be connected to the battery cell fixing device 10 after the driving of the rotator 20 is stopped. More specifically, the vibration source 30 may be configured to be connected to the battery cell fixing device 10 after the driving of the rotator 20 is stopped, and to be disconnected from the battery cell fixing device 10 before the driving of the rotator 20 is started again. Also, the battery cell fixing device 10 may be configured to be connected to the vibration source 30 at a position where an upper portion of the cylindrical battery cell C connected to the battery cell fixing device 10, i.e., one end portion located near a region where the beading portion B is formed among both ends in the height direction of the battery cell C, faces the ground. That is, the battery cell fixing device 10 may be connected to the vibration source 30 at a position where the cylindrical battery cell C connected to the battery cell fixing device 10 is in an inverted state.

[0068] 6, during rotation of the rotator 20, the rotation may be temporarily stopped, and when the battery cell fixing device 10 is located at the top of the rotator 20, the battery cell fixing device 10 may be connected to the vibration source 30. At this time, the electrolyte that has been concentrated at the bottom of the cylindrical battery cell C due to centrifugal force may flow down in the direction of gravity due to vibration from the vibration source 30. As a result, the electrolyte may repeatedly move from one side to the other side along the height direction (direction parallel to the Z-axis) of the cylindrical battery cell C, thereby enabling the entire area of ​​the electrode assembly to be uniformly impregnated.

[0069] Meanwhile, the vibration source 30 may be configured to be disconnected from the battery cell fixing device 10 after operating for a predetermined time. At this time, the rotator 20 may start to operate again. As a result, the cylindrical battery cell C may be subjected to centrifugal force due to rotation again.

[0070] The plurality of battery cell fastening devices 10 may be configured to be alternately connected to the vibration source 30. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the vibration source 30 may be configured to be connected to the battery cell fastening devices 10 only at the upper portion of the rotator 20, i.e., at the position farthest from the ground. In this way, the plurality of battery cell fastening devices 10 during rotation may be alternately connected to the vibration source 30.

[0071] Meanwhile, in the case of an electrolyte impregnation apparatus 1 including four battery cell fixing devices 10 as shown in FIG. 6, when the driving stop period of the rotator 20 is one rotation, only one of the battery cell fixing devices 10 is connected to the vibration source 30, so that the impregnation rate may differ for each cylindrical battery cell C. Accordingly, the driving stop period of the rotator 20 may be, for example, 3 / 4 rotation. In this case, the rotator 20 stops after 3 / 4 rotation, and the battery cell fixing device 10 located at the top at the time of stopping is connected to the vibration source 30, so that all the battery cell fixing devices 10 may be alternately connected to the vibration source 30. However, the driving stop period of the rotator 20 is not limited thereto, and may be any period as long as all the battery cell fixing devices 10 included in the electrolyte impregnation apparatus 1 can be alternately connected to the vibration source 30. In this manner, the electrolyte impregnation apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to stably couple with a plurality of cylindrical battery cells C to rotate the battery cells C. As a result, the electrolyte impregnation apparatus 1 can smoothly move the electrolyte injected from the upper part of the battery cell C to the lower part of the battery cell C. Meanwhile, the electrolyte impregnation apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be configured to apply vibration to the battery cell C. As a result, the electrolyte impregnation apparatus 1 can quickly move the electrolyte concentrated in the lower part of the battery cell C to the upper part by applying centrifugal force due to a rotational motion to the battery cell C, thereby uniformly impregnating the electrolyte over the entire area of ​​the electrode assembly.

[0072] Although terms indicating directions such as up and down are used in this specification, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such terms indicate relative positions and are used only for convenience of explanation, and may change depending on the position of the object in question, the position of the observer, etc.

[0073] As described above, the present invention has been described using limited embodiments and drawings. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that various modifications and variations can be made by a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs within the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims described below. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1. Electrolyte impregnation device 10 Battery cell fixing device 100, 100A, 100B, 100C Holder Unit 110 Holder body 120 Beading fixing part 200 Vibration source connection part 300 Holder unit fastening part 20 Rotator 30 Vibration source C Battery Cell B Beading section

Claims

1. A battery cell fixing device including a plurality of holder units coupled to a cylindrical battery cell along an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical battery cell, Each of the plurality of holder units includes: A holder body configured to cover a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical battery cell; a beading fixing part protruding from the holder body toward the cylindrical battery cell and configured to be inserted into a beading part formed by pressing an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical battery cell, The battery cell fixing device includes: Further comprising a vibration source connection part provided on an outer surface of the holder body of at least one of the plurality of holder units and configured to be connected to a vibration source. Battery cell fixing device.

2. The battery cell fixing device includes: further comprising a holder unit fastening portion configured to connect adjacent holder units to each other; The battery cell fastening device according to claim 1 .

3. A battery cell fixing device including a plurality of holder units coupled to a cylindrical battery cell along an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical battery cell, Each of the plurality of holder units includes: A holder body configured to cover a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical battery cell; a beading fixing part protruding from the holder body toward the cylindrical battery cell and configured to be inserted into a beading part formed by pressing an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical battery cell, The holder body is having an elongated shape having a height corresponding to a height of the cylindrical battery cell; Battery cell fixing device.

4. The holder body is The cylindrical battery cell has a shape extending along an outer circumferential direction thereof. The battery cell fastening device according to claim 1 .

5. The protruding length of the beading fixing portion is Corresponding to the press-in depth of the beading portion, The battery cell fastening device according to claim 1 .

6. The beading fixing portion is The cylindrical battery cell has a shape extending along an outer circumferential direction thereof. The battery cell fastening device according to claim 1 .

7. The beading fixing portion is The holder body is configured to be movable and fixed along a radial direction of the cylindrical battery cell. The battery cell fastening device according to claim 1 .

8. A battery cell fixing device including a plurality of holder units coupled to a cylindrical battery cell along an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical battery cell, Each of the plurality of holder units includes: A holder body configured to cover a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical battery cell; a beading fixing part protruding from the holder body toward the cylindrical battery cell and configured to be inserted into a beading part formed by pressing an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical battery cell, The beading fixing portion is The holder body is configured to be movable and fixed along a radial direction of the cylindrical battery cell, The beading fixing portion is The cylindrical battery cell is configured to be fixed in a state where the cylindrical battery cell is pulled out by a length corresponding to a press-fit depth of the beading portion. Battery cell fixing device.

9. A battery cell fixing device including a plurality of holder units coupled to a cylindrical battery cell along an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical battery cell, Each of the plurality of holder units includes: A holder body configured to cover a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical battery cell; a beading fixing part protruding from the holder body toward the cylindrical battery cell and configured to be inserted into a beading part formed by pressing an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical battery cell, The battery cell fixing device includes: Further comprising a holder unit fastening portion configured to connect adjacent holder units to each other, The holder unit fastening portion is provided within the holder body of each of the plurality of holder units; Battery cell fixing device.

10. The holder unit fastening portion is The holder is configured to move in a direction to be pulled out from the holder body and in a direction to be inserted into the holder body. The battery cell fastening device according to claim 9.

11. The holder unit fastening portion is configured to move along a circumferential direction of the cylindrical battery cell; The battery cell fastening device according to claim 10.

12. The holder unit fastening portion is The holder body is provided on one side and the other side, The battery cell fixing device according to claim 2 .

13. A plurality of the battery cell fixing devices according to any one of claims 1 to 12, each of which is coupled to a plurality of cylindrical battery cells; and a rotator that rotates the holder unit about a predetermined central axis of rotation.

14. The electrolyte impregnation device is further comprising a vibration source coupled to the battery cell fastening device; 14. The electrolyte impregnation device according to claim 13.

15. The vibration source includes: The number of the holder units provided in one battery cell fixing device is equal to the number of the holder units provided in one battery cell fixing device.

15. The electrolyte impregnation device according to claim 14.

16. the holder body is disposed such that one end portion located near a region where the beading portion is formed faces the rotation central axis at both ends in a height direction of the cylindrical battery cell, 14. The electrolyte impregnation device according to claim 13.

17. The rotation axis is parallel to the ground.

15. The electrolyte impregnation device according to claim 14.

18. The vibration source is configured to be coupled to the battery cell fixing device after the driving of the rotator stops.

18. The electrolyte impregnation device according to claim 17.

19. The rotator is The driving of the vibration source is terminated, and the driving is resumed after the connection between the vibration source and the battery cell fixing device is released.

20. The electrolyte impregnation device according to claim 18.

20. A plurality of the battery cell fixing devices Alternately configured to be coupled to the vibration source; 20. The electrolyte impregnation device according to claim 19.

21. The battery cell fixing device includes: At both ends in a height direction of the cylindrical battery cell coupled to the battery cell fixing device, one side end located near a region where the beading portion is formed is configured to be connected to the vibration source at a position facing the ground.

21. The electrolyte impregnation device according to claim 20.

Images