Battery cell packaging device

Abstract

A battery cell packaging apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a supply unit that supplies an insulating tape; an image acquisition unit that captures an image of at least one of the insulating tape or a welding portion; an adsorption unit that includes an adsorption member that adsorbs the supplied insulating tape and packages the welding portion with the adsorbed insulating tape; and a cutting unit that cuts the insulating tape adsorbed to the adsorption member from the supply unit, wherein the adsorption member includes a first suction block and a second suction block that is foldably connected to the first suction block.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery cell packaging device, and more specifically, to a battery cell packaging device for packaging a welded portion between a tab of a battery cell and an electrode lead.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0120924 filed on September 23, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the literature of the Korean patent application are included as part of this specification.

Background Art

[0003] In the process of manufacturing a battery cell for an electric vehicle, after completing the electrode welding step and before completely assembling the battery cell case (e.g., pouch), a step of attaching an insulating tape to the end of the battery cell is performed.

[0004] In particular, since a battery applied to an electric vehicle is required to have a large capacity, a plurality of battery cells are gathered and configured in a single module shape. To configure in a module shape, insulation of the electrode leads exposed from the battery cells is necessary, and it is essential to attach an insulating tape for insulating the battery cells.

[0005] Conventionally, in the battery cell manufacturing process, after finishing the welding operation of the electrode leads, a work of attaching protective insulating tapes to the upper and lower surfaces of the electrode leads is performed, and such an attaching work is manually performed by an operator.

[0006] Specifically, the operator finishes the insulating tape attaching process by attaching the insulating tape cut to a predetermined size and supplied from an insulating tape supply device to the upper surface, which is one surface of the end of the battery cell, and then manually attaching the insulating tape to the lower surface, which is the other surface, respectively.

[0007] However, since the operation of attaching the insulating tape to the conventional battery cell is performed manually, the adhesive force of the insulating tape attached to both sides of the end of the battery cell is likely to become weak and fall off, and the meandering between the upper surface protection insulating tape and the lower surface protection insulating tape occurs, resulting in product defects.

[0008] In addition, since the attachment process proceeds by the manual work of the operator, the working time becomes relatively longer compared to the work of welding the electrode leads, resulting in a problem of reducing the working productivity and increasing the working load of the operator.

[0009] In recent years, in order to solve the problems of the insulating tape attachment process performed manually, automated battery cell packaging devices have been actively popularized.

[0010] FIGS. 1 to 4 are diagrams for explaining a conventional battery cell packaging device. FIG. 1 shows the supply process of the insulating tape, FIG. 2 shows the adsorption process of the adsorption member, FIG. 3 shows the cutting process of the insulating tape, and FIG. 4 shows the packaging process of the welding part.

[0011] In addition, FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the meandering of the tape occurring in the conventional battery cell packaging device.

[0012] The battery cell B can be, for example, a pouch-type battery cell. The battery cell B includes a cell body 1, a tab 2, an electrode lead 3, and a welding part 4 to which the tab 2 and the electrode lead 3 are attached. The existing battery cell packaging device sequentially executes the steps of FIGS. 1 to 4 to package the welding part 4 with an insulating tape.

[0013] In addition, the cell body 1 includes an electrode assembly and a pouch surrounding the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a plurality of positive electrodes, a plurality of negative electrodes, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and has a structure in which the positive electrode, the separator, and the negative electrode are alternately laminated. In addition, the tab 2 is electrically connected to the electrode assembly, and the tab 2 and the electrode lead 3 are exposed outside the pouch.

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a conventional battery cell packaging device includes an upper unit for attaching an upper insulating tape T1 to the upper part of the welding site 4 and a lower unit for attaching a lower insulating tape T2 to the lower part of the welding site 4.

[0015] Specifically, the upper unit includes an upper supply unit 10a that unwinds and supplies the upper insulating tape T1 in one direction from an upper tape roll 11a around which a certain amount of the upper insulating tape T1 is wound, an upper suction member 20a that sucks the unwound and supplied upper insulating tape T1, and an upper cutting unit 30a that is positioned between the upper suction member 20a and the upper tape roll 11a and cuts the upper insulating tape T1 along a cutting line when the insulating tape T1 is sucked. The upper supply unit 10a further includes an upper movable clamp 12a and an upper fixed clamp 13a for unwinding and fixing the upper insulating tape T1 by a certain length.

[0016] The lower unit includes a lower supply unit 10b that unwinds and supplies the lower insulating tape T2 in one direction from a lower tape roll 11b around which a certain amount of the lower insulating tape T2 is wound, a lower suction member 20b that sucks the unwound and supplied lower insulating tape T2, and a lower cutting unit 30b that is positioned between the lower suction member 20b and the lower tape roll 11b and cuts the lower insulating tape T2 along a cutting line when the lower insulating tape T2 is sucked. The lower supply unit 10b further includes a lower movable clamp 12b and a lower fixed clamp 13b for unwinding and fixing the lower insulating tape T2 by a certain length.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 4, the upper insulating tape T1 adsorbed by the upper suction member 20a adheres to the upper part of the welding site 4, and the lower insulating tape T2 adsorbed by the lower suction member 20b adheres to the lower part of the welding site 4.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 5, in a conventional battery cell packaging device, insulating tapes are respectively attached to the upper and lower parts of the welding site via an upper unit and a lower unit. However, due to mechanical defects, external impacts, etc., during the attachment process, the adsorption positions or attachment positions of the upper and lower adsorption members 20a and 20b shake, resulting in a problem of tape meandering where the attachment positions of the upper insulating tape T1 and the lower insulating tape T2 shift. Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0019] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery cell packaging device that can prevent tape meandering during packaging by adjusting the adsorption position and the close contact position of the adsorption member based on the image information of the insulating tape and the image information of the welding site. Means for Solving the Problems

[0020] To solve the above problems, a battery cell packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a supply unit for supplying an insulating tape, a video acquisition unit for photographing at least one of the insulating tape or the welding site, an adsorption unit including an adsorption member for adsorbing the supplied insulating tape and packaging the welding site with the adsorbed insulating tape, and a cutting unit for cutting the insulating tape adsorbed by the adsorption member from the supply unit. The adsorption member includes a first adsorption block and a second adsorption block foldably connected to the first adsorption block.

[0021] Further, the first adsorption block and the second adsorption block are each provided to adsorb the insulating tape.

[0022] Further, when folded, the adsorption surfaces of the first adsorption block and the second adsorption block can be arranged to face each other.

[0023] Further, the suction member may be provided to maintain the unfolded state in which the first suction block and the second suction block are not folded.

[0024] Further, when packaging the welding part, the insulating tape adsorbed on the first suction block may be attached to the upper part of the welding part, and the insulating tape adsorbed on the second suction block may be attached to the lower part of the welding part.

[0025] Further, the battery cell packaging device may include a control unit for packaging the welding part with the insulating tape adsorbed on the suction member by folding the suction member after completion of cutting.

[0026] Further, the video acquisition unit may be provided to capture the edge line of the insulating tape supplied from the supply unit to obtain first image information, and the control unit may be provided to adjust the position of the suction member in the suction standby state based on the first image information.

[0027] Further, the control unit can calculate a first angular difference Δθ1 between the longitudinal edge line of the suction member in the suction standby state and the longitudinal edge line of the insulating tape from the first image information.

[0028] Further, the control unit may rotate the suction member in the suction standby state by the first angular difference Δθ1 so that the longitudinal edge line of the suction member and the longitudinal edge line of the insulating tape are arranged in parallel.

[0029] Further, the control unit can adjust the position of the suction member so that the longitudinal edge line of the suction member and the longitudinal edge line of the insulating tape coincide.

[0030] Further, the video acquisition unit may be provided to capture the welding part of the battery cell to be packaged to obtain second image information, and the control unit can adjust the position of the suction member for close contact with the welding part based on the second image information.

[0031] Further, the control unit may be provided to calculate a second angular difference Δθ2 between the longitudinal edge line of the suction member in the close contact standby state and the longitudinal edge line of the welding part from the second image information.

[0032] Further, the control unit may rotate the suction member in the close contact standby state by the second angular difference Δθ2 to arrange the longitudinal edge line of the suction member and the longitudinal edge line of the welding part in parallel.

[0033] Further, the control unit can adjust the position of the suction member so that the center line of the welding part and the center line of the suction member coincide.

[0034] Further, after the first suction block is brought into close contact with the upper part of the welding part, the control unit can fold the second suction block so that the second suction block comes into close contact with the lower part of the welding part.

Advantages of the Invention

[0035] As described above, the battery cell packaging device according to at least one embodiment of the present invention has the following effects.

[0036] Automation of the packaging process and simplification of the device are possible.

[0037] Also, based on the image information of the insulating tape and the welding part acquired by the video acquisition unit, by adjusting the suction position of the suction member for sucking the insulating tape and the close contact position of the suction member for packaging the welding part with the insulating tape adsorbed on the suction member, the occurrence of meandering of the insulating tape can be prevented.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0038]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0039] Hereinafter, a battery cell packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] Also, regardless of the reference numerals in the drawings, the same or corresponding components are given the same or similar reference numerals, and duplicate explanations thereof are omitted. For the convenience of explanation, the sizes and shapes of the respective components shown can be exaggerated or reduced.

[0041] Throughout the specification, when a part includes a certain component, this means that, unless otherwise stated to the contrary, it may further include other components rather than excluding other components. Also, throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected" or "coupled" to another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly connected" or "directly coupled", but also the case where it is "connected with other components interposed therebetween".

[0042] Figures 6 to 10 are diagrams for explaining a battery cell packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Specifically, Figure 6 shows the supply process of the insulating tape, Figure 7 shows the process of acquiring first image information via the image acquisition unit, Figure 8 shows the adsorption process of the adsorption member, Figure 9 shows the cutting process of the insulating tape, and Figure 10 shows the packaging process of the welding site.

[0044] Also, Figure 11 is a diagram showing the structure of an exemplary adsorption member according to the present invention.

[0045] In this specification, the X-axis direction indicates the supply direction of the insulating tape T (also referred to as the extraction direction or the running direction), and the Y-axis direction indicates the vertical movement direction of the adsorption member 310 (also referred to as the lifting direction).

[0046] In this specification, the battery cell B may be, for example, a pouch-type battery cell. The battery cell B includes a cell body 1, a tab 2, an electrode lead 3, and a welding site 4 to which the tab 2 and the electrode lead 3 are attached (see Figures 5 and 10).

[0047] Further, the cell body 1 includes an electrode assembly and a pouch surrounding the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a plurality of positive electrodes, a plurality of negative electrodes, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and has a structure in which the positive electrode, the separator, and the negative electrode are alternately laminated. Further, the tab 2 is electrically connected to the electrode assembly, and the tab 2 and the electrode lead 3 are exposed outside the pouch.

[0048] The battery cell packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided to sequentially perform the steps shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, and packages the welding part 4 with the insulating tape T.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 10, a battery cell packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a supply unit 100 that supplies an insulating tape T, a video acquisition unit 200 that captures at least one of the insulating tape T or the welding part 4, and a suction unit 300 that includes a suction member 310 that sucks the supplied insulating tape and packages the welding part with the sucked insulating tape, and a cutting unit 400 that cuts the insulating tape T adsorbed to the suction member 310 from the supply unit.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 11, the suction member 310 includes a first suction block 311 and a second suction block 312 that is foldably connected to the first suction block 311. In one example, the first suction block 311 and the second suction block 312 may be provided to suck the insulating tape T, respectively.

[0051] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the position adjustment process of the suction member in the suction standby state, FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the folding structure of the suction member, and FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the position adjustment process of the suction member in the close contact standby state.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 13, the suction member 310 may include a hinge part 313 that rotatably connects the second suction block 312 to the first suction block 311 when folded.

[0053] Also, when folded, the adsorption surfaces 311a of the first adsorption block 311 and 312a of the second adsorption block 312 can be arranged to face each other.

[0054] Further, the adsorption member 310 can be provided to maintain the unfolded state in which the first adsorption block 311 and the second adsorption block 312 are not folded (the state shown in FIG. 11).

[0055] Also, the position of the adsorption member 310 can be primarily adjusted before adsorbing the insulating tape T, and the position of the adsorption member 310 can be secondarily adjusted in a state where the insulating tape T is adsorbed. Thus, in the process of adjusting the position of the adsorption member 310, the adsorption member 310 maintains the unfolded state in which the first adsorption block 311 and the second adsorption block 312 are not folded.

[0056] Also, based on the image information of the welding part 4 in a state where the insulating tape T is adsorbed, after the position of the adsorption member 310 is adjusted, the packaging of the welding part 4 is performed. Then, referring to FIG. 13, when packaging the welding part 4, the insulating tape adsorbed on the first adsorption block 311 adheres to the upper part of the welding part 4, and the insulating tape adsorbed on the second adsorption block 312 is provided to adhere to the lower part of the welding part 4.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 10, an exemplary battery cell packaging apparatus according to the present invention may include a supply unit 100, an image acquisition unit 200, an adsorption unit 300, and a cutting unit 400.

[0058] The supply unit 100 supplies the insulating tape T. The supply unit 100 is provided to supply the insulating tape T from a tape roll 110 around which a certain amount of the insulating tape T is wound. The supply unit 100 is provided to unwind the insulating tape T in one direction.

[0059] The supply unit 100 may include a movable clamp 120 and a fixed clamp 130. The movable clamp 120 clamps the tip of the insulating tape T wound around the tape roll 110 and unwinds the insulating tape T while moving in a direction away from the tape roll 110.

[0060] Also, the fixed clamp 130 clamps the rear end of the insulating tape T unwound by a certain length so that it cannot be unwound further. Through the movable clamp 120 and the fixed clamp 130, the supply unit 100 can unwind and supply the insulating tape T by a certain length according to the size of the welding site 4.

[0061] Also, the insulating tape T may be composed of a sheet surface and an adhesive surface. The adhesive surface is the surface for packaging the welding site 4, and the sheet surface may be the surface adsorbed by the adsorption member 310.

[0062] The video acquisition unit 200 photographs at least one of the insulating tape T or the welding site 4. For example, the video acquisition unit 200 can photograph at least one of the insulating tape T or the welding site 4 using a vision camera. The video acquired by the video acquisition unit 200 can be used to correct the adsorption position and the close contact position of the adsorption member 310.

[0063] The adsorption unit 300 includes an adsorption member 310 that adsorbs the supplied insulating tape T. The adsorption member 310 can adsorb the insulating tape T by a vacuum suction force, and the adsorption member 310 may be a porous block. The adsorption unit 300 may include a driving unit 320 that moves the adsorption member 310 up, down, left, and right and rotates it at a predetermined angle. Also, the adsorption unit 300 may include a vacuum device 330 that applies a vacuum pressure to the adsorption member 310.

[0064] In such a structure, the suction portion 300 can suction by applying a vacuum pressure to the suction member 310 in a state where the sheet surface of the insulating tape T to be suctioned is in contact with the suction surface of the suction member 310. The vacuum pressure can be applied in a state where the sheet surface of the insulating tape T is in contact with the suction surface of the suction member 310, or can be applied in advance before the contact. The vacuum pressure applied to the suction member 310 can be maintained until the suction member 310 adheres to the welding portion 4.

[0065] Further, the cutting portion 400 cuts the insulating tape T suctioned to the suction member 310 from the tape roll 110. The cutting portion 400 is located between the suction member 310 and the tape roll 110, and cuts the insulating tape T along the cutting line when the insulating tape T is suctioned. The cutting portion 400 may include a cutting blade and a lifting portion for lifting and lowering the cutting blade. The cutting blade cuts the insulating tape T while descending by the lifting portion, and the cutting blade can return to the original position when the cutting is completed. The insulating tape T cut along the cutting line has a length capable of packaging the welding portion 4, and the length can be changed according to the welding portion 4.

[0066] The battery cell packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the control portion 500 for packaging the welding portion 4 of the battery cell B with the insulating tape T suctioned to the suction member 310 after the cutting is completed.

[0067] In one embodiment, the video acquisition portion 200 is provided to capture the edge line Ti of the insulating tape T supplied from the supply portion 100 to acquire first image information, and the control portion 500 can adjust the position of the suction member 310 in the suction standby state based on the first image information.

[0068] The video acquisition portion 200 may capture the edge line Ti of the insulating tape T using a vision camera to acquire first image information. Further, the video acquisition portion 200 can capture the edge line 310i of the suction member 310 in the suction standby state, and can capture the edge line 310i of the member (suction member 310) in the close contact standby state respectively.

[0069] In this specification, the adsorption standby state of the adsorption member means the state before adsorbing the insulating tape, and the close contact standby state of the adsorption member means the state before packaging the welding site after adsorbing the insulating tape.

[0070] The first image information may include the edge line 310i of the adsorption member 310 in the adsorption standby state and the close contact standby state. In this specification, the edge line is interpreted based on the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction), and the edge line and the longitudinal edge line have the same meaning. The first image information can be used to correct the adsorption position and the close contact position of the adsorption member 310.

[0071] The adsorption standby state means the state before adsorbing the insulating tape T. The insulating tape T is not adsorbed to the adsorption member 310 in the adsorption standby state, and the adsorption member 310 in the adsorption standby state may be located at a predetermined distance from the sheet surface of the insulating tape T that is the adsorption target. In this specification, the position of the adsorption member 310 for adsorbing the insulating tape T is referred to as the "adsorption position".

[0072] The control unit 500 can control the adsorption position and the close contact position of the adsorption member 310 via a drive unit 320 that moves the adsorption member 310 up, down, left, and right and rotates it at a predetermined angle.

[0073] Also, the control unit 500 causes the adsorption surface of the adsorption member 310 to be in close contact with the welding site and packages the welding site 4 with the insulating tape T. Also, the vacuum pressure applied to the adsorption member 310 can be eliminated after the adsorption member 310 comes into close contact with the welding site 4.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 12, the control unit 500 can calculate a first angle difference Δθ1 between the longitudinal edge line 310i of the adsorption member 310 in the adsorption standby state and the longitudinal edge line Ti of the insulating tape T from the first image information.

[0075] While the insulating tape T unwinds from the tape roll, various external factors may cause the insulating tape T to unwind obliquely rather than in a straight line. In such a case, the unwound insulating tape T may have a situation where the front end and the rear end are not aligned in a straight line but are displaced at a predetermined angle. The greater the degree of displacement of the insulating tape T, the greater the first angle difference Δθ1. If the thus-displaced insulating tape T is adsorbed as it is to package the welding site 4, tape meandering may occur.

[0076] Further, the control unit 500 can prevent tape meandering by rotating the position of the adsorption member 310 before adsorption by the first angle difference Δθ1 so that it is placed at the correct adsorption position.

[0077] In the adsorption standby state of the adsorption member 310, the correct adsorption position may be a state where the edge line 310i in the longitudinal direction of the adsorption member 310 coincides with the edge line Ti in the longitudinal direction of the insulating tape T. At this time, the first angle difference Δθ1 can approach "0".

[0078] In one example, the control unit 500 rotates the adsorption member 310 in the adsorption standby state by the first angle difference Δθ1 so that the edge line 310i in the longitudinal direction of the adsorption member 310 and the edge line Ti in the longitudinal direction of the insulating tape T can be arranged in parallel.

[0079] In the present invention, the correct adsorption position means that the edge line 310i in the longitudinal direction of the adsorption member 310 and the edge line Ti in the longitudinal direction of the insulating tape T are arranged in parallel. Conversely, the incorrect adsorption position means that the edge line 310i in the longitudinal direction of the adsorption member 310 and the edge line Ti in the longitudinal direction of the insulating tape T are not arranged in parallel.

[0080] The battery cell packaging device according to the present invention can correct the incorrect adsorption position of the adsorption member 310 in the adsorption standby state to the correct adsorption position using the first image information.

[0081] On the one hand, in the present invention, an adsorbing member 310 that can be folded and unfolded can be used to attach insulating tapes T to the upper and lower parts of the welding site 4. That is, compared with the conventional battery cell packaging device that packages the welding site 4 through an upper unit and a lower unit, simplification can be achieved on the side surface of the device.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 13, the adsorbing member 310 according to the present invention includes a first adsorbing block 311 and a second adsorbing block 312 that is foldably connected to the first adsorbing block 311. When folded, the adsorbing surfaces of the first adsorbing block 311 and the second adsorbing block 312 can be arranged to face each other. The adsorbing surface means the surface that adsorbs the insulating tape T.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 13, when folded, while the adsorbing surface of the second adsorbing block 312 is folded in a direction approaching the adsorbing surface of the first adsorbing block 311, the adsorbing surfaces of the first adsorbing block 311 and the second adsorbing block 312 can come to face each other. The adsorbing member 310 can be in a state where the first adsorbing block 311 and the second adsorbing block 312 are unfolded without being folded in the adsorbing standby state. As shown in FIG. 11, in the unfolded state, the first adsorbing block 311 and the second adsorbing block 312 may be unfolded in a form where their respective adsorbing surfaces form substantially the same plane.

[0084] In one example, the insulating tape T adsorbed to the first adsorbing block 311 can be attached to the upper part of the welding site 4, and the insulating tape T adsorbed to the second adsorbing block 312 can be attached to the lower part of the welding site 4.

[0085] In such a structure, upper packaging for packaging the upper part of the welding site 4 and lower packaging for packaging the lower part of the welding site 4 can be sequentially performed.

[0086] For example, after the control unit 500 closely attaches the first adsorption block 311 to the upper part of the welding site 4, the second adsorption block 312 can be folded so that the second adsorption block 312 closely attaches to the lower part of the welding site 4. Specifically, the control unit 500 closely attaches the adsorption surface of the first adsorption block 311 to which the insulating tape T is adsorbed to the upper part of the welding site 4 to complete the upper packaging, and through folding, the insulating tape T can closely attach the adsorption surface of the second adsorption block 312 to the lower part of the welding site 4 to complete the lower packaging.

[0087] On the other hand, even if the position of the adsorption member 310 is adjusted based on the first image information so as to be in the correct adsorption position, if the close contact position of the adsorption member 310 does not exactly coincide with the welding site 4 to be packaged, meandering of the tape may occur. Accordingly, additionally adjusting the close contact position of the adsorption member 310 during the packaging process is more effective in preventing meandering of the tape.

[0088] Accordingly, the battery cell packaging device according to the present invention can more effectively prevent meandering of the tape by adjusting the position of the adsorption member 310 before packaging the welding site. The primary position adjustment is to adjust the adsorption position of the adsorption member 310 using the first image information, and the secondary position adjustment may be to adjust the close contact position of the adsorption member 310 using the second image information.

[0089] Specifically, the video acquisition unit 200 is provided to capture the welding site 4 of the battery cell B to be packaged to obtain the second image information, and the control unit 500 can adjust the position of the adsorption member 310 for closely attaching to the welding site 4 based on the second image information.

[0090] The video acquisition unit 200 may include a first imaging device that captures the first image information and a second imaging device that captures the second image information. The first and second imaging devices may be independent devices, or a single device may be able to capture the first and second image information respectively.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 14, the control unit 500 can adjust the position of the adsorption member 310 in the close contact standby state based on the second image information. The close contact standby state is the state before the insulating tape adsorbed by the adsorption member is brought into close contact with the welding site. The adsorption member in the close contact standby state can be positioned at a certain distance from the welding site while adsorbing the insulating tape. The position of the adsorption member 310 for contacting the welding site 4 is referred to as the "close contact position".

[0092] The control unit 500 can calculate a second angle difference Δθ2 between the longitudinal edge line 310i of the adsorption member 310 in the close contact standby state and the longitudinal edge line 4i of the welding site 4 from the second image information.

[0093] The control unit 500 can rotate the adsorption member 310 in the close contact standby state by the second angle difference Δθ2 so that the longitudinal edge line 310i of the adsorption member 310 and the longitudinal edge line 4i of the welding site 4 are arranged in parallel.

[0094] In one example, the control unit 500 can adjust the position (also referred to as the "close contact position") of the adsorption member 310 so that the center line 4c of the welding site 4 and the center line 310c of the adsorption member 310 coincide. The second image information may include the center line 310c of the adsorption member 310 in the close contact standby state with respect to the center line 4c of the welding site 4. The center line 4c of the welding site 4 means a line that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the welding site 4 and passes through the center, and the center line 310c of the adsorption member 310 means a line that is perpendicular to the length direction of the adsorption member and passes through the center.

[0095] Due to various external factors, a situation may occur where the adsorption member 310 is obliquely displaced with respect to the welding site 4 in the close contact standby state of the adsorption member 310. The greater the degree of displacement, the greater the second angle difference Δθ2. When the adsorption member 310 contacts the welding site 4 in such a displaced state, meandering of the tape may occur. The control unit 500 can prevent meandering of the tape by rotating the position of the adsorption member 310 before close contact by the second angle difference Δθ2 so that it is placed in the correct close contact position.

[0096] The battery cell packaging device according to the present invention can previously grasp the position of the suction member 310 with respect to the welding site in the close contact standby state based on the second image information, and when the suction member 310 is placed at an incorrect position, the position of the suction member 310 can be adjusted so that the close contact position of the suction member 310 is placed at the correct position by the method described above.

[0097] In the present invention, the correct close contact position may mean that the longitudinal edge line 310i of the suction member 310 and the longitudinal edge line 4i of the welding site 4 are parallel, and the center line 310c of the suction member 310 coincides with the center line 4c of the welding site 4. Conversely, the incorrect close contact position may mean that the longitudinal edge line 310i of the suction member 310 and the longitudinal edge line 4i of the welding site 4 are not parallel, and the center line 310c of the suction member 310 does not coincide with the center line 4c of the welding site 4.

[0098] In the correct close contact position in the close contact standby state of the suction member 310, the center line 310c of the suction member 310 and the center line 4c of the welding site 4 are arranged to coincide, and the longitudinal edge line 310i of the suction member 310 and the longitudinal edge line 4i of the welding site 4 are arranged in parallel. At this time, the second angle difference Δθ2 can approach "0".

[0099] The battery cell packaging device according to the present invention can correct the close contact position of the suction member 310 in the close contact standby state using the second image information.

[0100] Also, the correction of the close contact position can be performed on the first suction block 311 in the unfolded state.

[0101] On the other hand, the present application relates to a battery cell packaging device for packaging a welding site between a tab of another battery cell and an electrode lead.

[0102] The battery cell packaging device includes a supply unit 100, an image acquisition unit 200, a suction unit 300, and a cutting unit 400. Since detailed descriptions of the above components overlap with the content described above, they will be omitted below.

[0103] The battery cell packaging device includes a supply unit 100 that supplies an insulating tape, an image acquisition unit 200 that captures an image of a welding site of a battery cell to be packaged to obtain second image information, a suction unit 300 that includes a suction member 310 for sucking the supplied insulating tape T and packaging the welding site with the sucked insulating tape, and a cutting unit 400 for cutting the insulating tape T sucked to the suction member 310 from the supply unit 100.

[0104] Further, the battery cell packaging device may include a control unit 500 that packages the welding site with the insulating tape sucked to the suction member after cutting is completed.

[0105] Also, the control unit 500 can adjust the position of the suction member 310 to be in close contact with the welding site 4 based on the second image information.

[0106] The control unit 500 can calculate a second angle difference Δθ2 between a longitudinal edge line 310i of the suction block (suction member 310) in the close contact standby state and a longitudinal edge line 4i of the welding site 4 from the second image information.

[0107] The control unit 500 can adjust the close contact position of the suction block (suction member 310) by rotating the suction block (suction member 310) in the close contact standby state by the second angle difference Δθ2.

[0108] Also, the control unit 500 can adjust the close contact position of the suction member 310 so that the center line 4c of the welding site 4 coincides with the center line 310c of the suction block (suction member 310).

[0109] The adsorption member 310 includes a first adsorption block 311 and a second adsorption block 312 that is foldably connected to the first adsorption block 311. When folded, the adsorption surfaces of the first adsorption block 311 and the second adsorption block 312 can be arranged to face each other.

[0110] In one example, the insulating tape adsorbed to the first adsorption block 311 can adhere to the upper part of the welding site 4, and the insulating tape adsorbed to the second adsorption block 312 can adhere to the lower part of the welding site 4.

[0111] After the control unit 500 makes the first adsorption block 311 in close contact with the upper part of the welding site 4, the control unit 500 can fold the second adsorption block 312 so that the second adsorption block 312 is in close contact with the lower part of the welding site 4.

[0112] The preferred embodiments of the present invention described above are disclosed for illustrative purposes. Those skilled in the art with ordinary knowledge of the present invention can make various modifications, changes, and additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications, changes, and additions should be regarded as belonging to the following claims.

Claims

1. A battery cell packaging device for packaging a welded portion between a tab of a battery cell and an electrode lead, comprising: a supply unit for supplying an insulating tape; a video acquisition unit for photographing at least one of the insulating tape or the welded portion; a suction unit including a suction member for sucking the supplied insulating tape and packaging the welded portion with the sucked insulating tape; a cutting unit for cutting the insulating tape adsorbed to the suction member from the supply unit, wherein the suction member includes a first suction block and a second suction block foldably connected to the first suction block, in the battery cell packaging device.

2. The battery cell packaging device according to claim 1, wherein the first suction block and the second suction block are each provided to suck the insulating tape.

3. The battery cell packaging device according to claim 2, wherein the suction surfaces of the first suction block and the second suction block are arranged to face each other when folded.

4. The battery cell packaging device according to claim 2, wherein the suction member is provided to maintain an unfolded state in which the first suction block and the second suction block are not folded.

5. The battery cell packaging device according to claim 2, wherein when packaging the welded portion, the insulating tape adsorbed to the first suction block adheres to the upper part of the welded portion, and the insulating tape adsorbed to the second suction block adheres to the lower part of the welded portion.

6. The battery cell packaging device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit for packaging the welded portion with the insulating tape adsorbed to the suction member by folding the suction member after completion of cutting.

7. The video acquisition unit is provided to capture an edge line of the insulating tape supplied from the supply unit to obtain first image information, and the control unit is provided to adjust the position of the suction member in a suction standby state based on the first image information, in the battery cell packaging device according to claim 6.

8. The battery cell packaging device according to claim 7, wherein the control unit calculates a first angular difference Δθ1 between an edge line in the longitudinal direction of the suction member in the suction standby state and an edge line in the longitudinal direction of the insulating tape from the first image information.

9. The battery cell packaging device according to claim 8, wherein the control unit rotates the suction member in the suction standby state by the first angular difference Δθ1 to arrange an edge line in the longitudinal direction of the suction member and an edge line in the longitudinal direction of the insulating tape in parallel.

10. The battery cell packaging device according to claim 9, wherein the control unit adjusts the position of the suction member so that an edge line in the longitudinal direction of the suction member and an edge line in the longitudinal direction of the insulating tape coincide with each other.

11. The video acquisition unit is provided to capture a welding part of a battery cell to be packaged and acquire second image information. The battery cell packaging device according to claim 6, wherein the control unit adjusts the position of the suction member for closely adhering to the welding part based on the second image information.

12. The battery cell packaging device according to claim 11, wherein the control unit calculates a second angular difference Δθ2 between an edge line in the longitudinal direction of the suction member in the close adhesion standby state and an edge line in the longitudinal direction of the welding part from the second image information.

13. The battery cell packaging device according to claim 12, wherein the control unit rotates the suction member in the close adhesion standby state by the second angular difference Δθ2 to arrange an edge line in the longitudinal direction of the suction member and an edge line in the longitudinal direction of the welding part in parallel.

14. The battery cell packaging device according to claim 13, wherein the control unit adjusts the position of the suction member so that a center line of the welding part and a center line of the suction member coincide with each other.

15. The battery cell packaging device according to claim 14, wherein after the first suction block is closely adhered to the upper part of the welding part, the control unit folds the second suction block so that the second suction block is closely adhered to the lower part of the welding part.

16. It includes a welding process of an electrode lead, a process of attaching a protective insulating tape to each of the upper and lower surfaces of the electrode lead, and an assembling process of a battery cell case. The step of attaching the protective insulating tape is performed using the battery cell packaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, and is a method for manufacturing a battery cell.

Images