Electrode lead alignment masking device

Abstract

The present invention discloses an electrode lead alignment and masking device, which aligns an electrode lead bent to a bus bar in a welding process of the electrode lead, and includes a pair of alignment jigs that are inserted into slots between the bus bars to align the positions of the electrode leads, and a masking jig that is disposed between the pair of alignment jigs and surrounds the welding site of the electrode lead.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0022936 filed on February 22, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the documents of this Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrode lead alignment masking device, and more particularly to an electrode lead alignment masking device that can accurately align electrode leads bent to bus bars, thereby significantly reducing the welding defect rate and preventing damage to electrode ribs. [Background technology]

[0003] Typically, a secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte, and generates electrical energy through a chemical reaction. Secondary batteries are gradually becoming more widely used due to their rechargeable / dischargeable nature. Among these secondary batteries, lithium secondary batteries, due to their high energy density per unit weight, are widely used as power sources for electronic communication devices and as driving sources for high-power hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, and the like.

[0004] In terms of the shape of these secondary batteries, there is increasing demand for prismatic and pouch-type secondary batteries, which are thin and applicable to products such as mobile phones, etc. In terms of secondary battery materials, there is increasing demand for lithium secondary batteries such as lithium-ion batteries and lithium-ion polymer batteries, which have high energy density, stable discharge voltage, and output.

[0005] A plurality of battery cells are stacked inside a battery case of a secondary battery. Electrode tabs are formed protruding from each of the battery cells, and electrode leads are welded to each electrode tab. In a bending process, the negative and positive electrode leads are bent using a bending tool so that they overlap with the bus bar. In a welding process following the bending process, the bent negative and positive electrode leads are welded to the bus bar using a welding tool while overlapping the bus bar.

[0006] However, in the past, when a welding process was performed after bending the electrode leads, the bent electrode leads were welded to the bus bar in a misaligned state, which resulted in different welding lengths of the electrode leads even when the lengths of the electrode leads were standardized to the same length, which could increase the rate of welding defects.

[0007] Furthermore, if the pair of electrode leads are bent in a state in which they are open outward in the width direction of the bus bar, the overlapping length of the pair of electrode leads becomes shorter. In this case, if the overlapping portion is welded while being pressed by a masking jig, the actual welded section becomes shorter than the designed welded section, and the joining strength of the welded portion significantly decreases.

[0008] Furthermore, if the pair of electrode leads are bent together on both sides of the bus bar in the width direction, the overlapping length of the pair of electrode leads becomes excessively long. In this case, the ends of the pair of electrode leads overlap the rounded bent portion, which may cause the overlapping portion of the pair of electrode leads to locally lift up or create a gap. This may weaken the bonding strength of the weld. Furthermore, welding sparks and spatter may fly to the surrounding area, increasing the rate of welding defects.

[0009] Furthermore, since the welding lengths of the pair of electrode leads in each bus bar may differ from each other, the actual welding length may deviate from the required design dimension, and the welding defect rate may increase.

[0010] The background art of the present invention is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 2019-0097614 (published on August 21, 2019, title of invention: spot welding jig). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrode lead alignment masking device that can accurately align electrode leads bent to bus bars, thereby significantly reducing the rate of welding defects.

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an electrode lead alignment masking device that allows the actual welding length of the electrode lead to match the design welding length.

[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide an electrode lead alignment masking device that can prevent the electrode leads from opening outward in the width direction of the bus bar, thereby preventing a decrease in the joining area and joining strength of the welded portion.

[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide an electrode lead alignment masking device that can prevent the overlapping portion of a pair of electrode leads from lifting up locally or from having a gap.

[0015] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an electrode lead alignment masking device that can prevent damage to the electrode leads and the alignment jig. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an electrode lead alignment and masking device according to the present invention is an electrode lead alignment and masking device that aligns electrode leads bent to bus bars in an electrode lead welding process, and includes a pair of alignment jigs that are inserted into slots between the bus bars to align the positions of the electrode leads, and a masking jig that is disposed between the pair of alignment jigs and surrounds welding portions of the electrode leads.

[0017] The pair of alignment jigs may be coupled to both sides of the masking jig in the width direction.

[0018] The alignment jig can be inserted from the slot to the outside of the electrode leads and can gather the electrode leads toward the bus bar.

[0019] The alignment jig may include alignment body portions facing each other on both sides of the masking jig, and alignment ribs extending from the alignment body portions, formed thinner than the thickness of the alignment body portions, and inserted into the slots to align the electrode leads.

[0020] An alignment tapered portion can be formed on the inner side of the alignment rib in the thickness direction so as to gather the electrode leads together on the bus bar side.

[0021] A step portion may be formed below the alignment body portion so as to be spaced apart from the bent portion of the electrode lead, and a pressure surface portion of the masking jig may be positioned lower than the step portion.

[0022] The alignment jig may be formed in the shape of a square panel.

[0023] A welding space portion that penetrates vertically can be formed inside the masking jig.

[0024] The masking jig may be formed in a rectangular tubular shape aligned along the length of the bus bar, and the welding spaces may be formed aligned along the length of the bus bar.

[0025] The masking jig can crimp the electrode leads to the bus bars.

[0026] The electrode lead alignment and masking device according to the present invention is an electrode lead alignment and masking device for aligning electrode leads bent to bus bars in an electrode lead welding process, and includes: a pair of alignment jigs that are inserted into slots between the bus bars to align the positions of the electrode leads; a masking jig that is disposed between the pair of alignment jigs and installed to surround the welding portion of the electrode lead, and to which the alignment jigs are movably connected; and at least two or more elastic members that are installed on both sides of the masking jig to elastically support the pair of alignment jigs.

[0027] The masking jig may include a masking body portion having a welding space portion penetrating in a vertical direction; and slide guide portions disposed on both sides of the masking body portion and forming slide grooves into which the alignment jigs are slidably coupled.

[0028] The alignment jig may include alignment body portions facing both sides of the masking jig; alignment ribs extending downward from the alignment body portions, formed thinner than the thickness of the alignment body portions, and inserted into the slots to align the electrode leads; and sliders extending upward from the alignment body portions and slidably coupled to the slide groove portions.

[0029] The alignment rib can be inserted from the slot to the outside of the electrode leads and can gather the electrode leads toward the bus bar.

[0030] An alignment tapered portion can be formed on the inner side of the alignment rib in the thickness direction so as to gather the electrode leads together on the bus bar side.

[0031] The slider may be formed to have a thickness smaller than that of the alignment body portion.

[0032] A movement limiting portion may be formed on the upper side of the alignment body portion to be caught on the lower end of the slide guide portion and limit the movement distance of the alignment jig.

[0033] The elastic member may be supported by an upper end of the alignment body portion and an upper end of the slide groove portion.

[0034] The elastic members may be disposed on both sides of the alignment body in the longitudinal direction.

[0035] A step portion may be formed below the alignment body portion so as to be spaced apart from the bent portion of the electrode lead, and a pressure surface portion of the masking jig may be positioned lower than the step portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0036] According to the present invention, the pair of alignment jigs align the positions of the bent electrode leads, the masking jig crimps the bent electrode leads, and then the welding tool welds the electrode leads, so that the bent electrode leads can be welded to accurate positions on the bus bar.

[0037] According to the present invention, since the electrode leads are welded to the bus bars at accurate positions, the actual welding length of the electrode leads can match the designed welding length, and the welding length of the electrode leads on each bus bar can be uniform.

[0038] According to the present invention, the electrode leads are welded together to the bus bar, so that it is possible to prevent a decrease in the joining area and joining strength of the welded portion.

[0039] According to the present invention, the bent end of the electrode lead does not overlap with the rounded bent portion of the opposing electrode lead, which prevents the overlapping portion of the pair of electrode leads from lifting up locally or creating a gap, thereby increasing the joining strength of the welded portion.

[0040] According to the present invention, the alignment jig is movably connected to the masking jig and is elastically supported by the elastic member, so that the impact between the alignment jig and the electrode leads can be buffered, thereby preventing damage to the alignment jig and the electrode leads.

[0041] The above-mentioned effects and specific effects of the present invention will be described in conjunction with the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0042] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view schematically showing a secondary battery module according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which an electrode lead alignment masking device in a secondary battery module according to the present invention is disposed above a bus bar. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an electrode lead alignment masking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing an electrode lead alignment masking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 1 is a front view schematically showing an electrode lead alignment masking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 1 is a view schematically illustrating a state in which an electrode lead alignment masking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is positioned above electrode leads. [Figure 7] 1 is a view schematically illustrating a state in which an alignment league of an electrode lead alignment masking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is inserted into a slot to align electrode leads; [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing an electrode lead alignment masking device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an electrode lead alignment masking device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a front view schematically showing an electrode lead alignment masking device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the electrode lead alignment masking device of FIG. 10 is cut along line 11-11. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the electrode lead alignment masking device of FIG. 11 has cut the electrode lead along line 12-12. [Figure 13] 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the electrode lead alignment masking device of FIG. 11 has cut the electrode lead along line 13-13. FIG. [Figure 14] 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which electrode leads of a battery cell in a secondary battery module according to the present invention are sandwiched between slots of a bus bar. [Figure 15] 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which electrode leads of battery cells in a secondary battery module according to the present invention are bent to bus bars. [Figure 16] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which an alignment masking device according to the present invention is positioned above a bus bar. [Figure 17] 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which an alignment jig of the alignment masking device according to the present invention is sandwiched in a slot between bus bars. [Figure 18] 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which a stepped portion of an alignment jig of an alignment masking device according to the present invention presses a bent portion of an electrode lead. [Figure 19] 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which a pressure surface of a masking jig of an alignment masking device according to the present invention presses an electrode lead. [Figure 20] 4 is a view schematically illustrating a state in which an electrode lead is welded to a bus bar through a welding space of a masking jig according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be embodied in various different forms and with various modifications. However, the present embodiments are provided to complete the disclosure of the present invention and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives within the technical spirit and scope of the present invention, as well as the substitution or addition of the configuration of any embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment.

[0045] The accompanying drawings are intended to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and should not be construed as limiting the technical ideas disclosed in this specification, but should be understood to include any modifications, equivalents, or alternatives that fall within the idea and technical scope of the present invention. The components in the drawings may be exaggerated in size or thickness for ease of understanding, but this should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0046] The terms used in this specification are merely used to describe particular embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, singular terms include plural terms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Terms such as "comprises," "includes," and "comprises" in the specification are intended to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification. In other words, terms such as "comprises," "includes," and "comprises" in the specification should not be understood to preclude the presence or possibility of adding one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0047] Although terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, the components are not limited by the terms and are used only to distinguish one component from another.

[0048] When a component is referred to as being "coupled" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly coupled or connected to the other component, but that there may be other components between them. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components between them.

[0049] When a component is referred to as being "on top of" or "under" another component, it should be understood that there may be other components between them, not just directly on top of them.

[0050] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms commonly used and similar to dictionary definitions should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense in this application unless expressly defined.

[0051] Hereinafter, an electrode lead alignment masking device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0052] FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing a secondary battery module according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which an electrode lead alignment masking device in a secondary battery module according to the present invention is disposed above a bus bar.

[0053] 1 and 2, a secondary battery module 1 has a plurality of battery cells 30 stacked inside a case 10. An electrode tab 31 protrudes from each battery cell 30 and is welded to an electrode lead 33. A bus bar frame 20 is assembled to the battery cell stack (not shown). A plurality of bus bars 21 are arranged side by side on the bus bar frame 20. Slots 23 are formed between the plurality of bus bars 21 in the bus bar frame 20. The width of the slots 23 can be approximately 5 to 7 times the thickness of the electrode leads 33. When the bus bar frame 20 is assembled to the battery cell stack, the plurality of electrode leads 33 pass through the slots 23 and protrude perpendicularly or nearly perpendicularly to the outside of the bus bar frame 20.

[0054] In the bending process, these battery cell stacks are bent using a bending tool (not shown) so that the electrode leads 33 are in close contact with the busbars 21. A pair of electrode leads 33 are bent in each busbar 21 in the width direction of the busbar 21 so that they overlap each other. Once the electrode leads 33 have been bent onto the busbars 21, a welding process is performed. In the welding process, an electrode lead alignment masking device 100 welds the bent electrode leads 33 to the busbars 21 while aligning them with the busbars 21. This will be described in detail below.

[0055] The electrode lead aligning and masking apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for aligning and masking electrode leads 33 bent on bus bars 21 of a secondary battery module 1 in a welding process of the electrode leads 33. In this case, electrode leads 33 of the same polarity or electrode leads 33 of opposite polarity may be bent on the bus bars 21. Alternatively, electrode leads 33 of the same polarity may be bent on some bus bars 21, and electrode leads 33 of opposite polarity may be bent on other bus bars 21.

[0056] FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing an electrode lead alignment masking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing an electrode lead alignment masking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a front view schematically showing an electrode lead alignment masking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing a state in which an electrode lead alignment masking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is positioned above an electrode lead, and FIG. 7 is a view schematically showing a state in which an alignment ring of the electrode lead alignment masking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is inserted into a slot to align the electrode leads.

[0057] An electrode lead alignment masking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[0058] 3 to 7, an electrode lead aligning and masking apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of an aligning jig 110 and a masking jig 120. As shown in FIG.

[0059] The pair of alignment jigs 110 are inserted into the slots 23 on both sides of the bus bar 21 to align the positions of the pair of electrode leads 33. The pair of alignment jigs 110 align the bent electrode leads 33 inserted into the slots 23 to both widthwise sides of the bus bar 21. At this time, the pair of electrode leads 33 can be aligned in close contact with both widthwise sides of the bus bar 21 or slightly spaced apart. In addition, the pair of electrode leads 33 have a length such that, when bent into the bus bar 21, the end of one electrode lead 33 is spaced a predetermined distance from the bent portion 34 of the other electrode lead 33.

[0060] The masking jig 120 is coupled to the alignment jig 110 and is formed to surround the welding portion of the electrode lead 33. The masking jig 120 shields the area around the welding portion to prevent sparks and spatter from escaping the welding portion when the electrode lead 33 is welded to the bus bar 21. This prevents spatter and sparks generated during welding from flying to surrounding structures, significantly reducing the rate of welding defects.

[0061] As described above, the pair of alignment jigs 110 align the positions of the bent electrode leads 33, the masking jig 120 crimps the bent electrode leads 33, and then a welding tool (not shown) welds the electrode leads 33. This allows the bent electrode leads 33 to be welded at accurate positions on the bus bar 21. In addition, the actual weld length of the electrode leads 33 may match the designed weld length. The weld length refers to the length that is welded in line with the widthwise length of the bus bar 21. In addition, the electrode leads 33 can be prevented from spreading outward in the widthwise direction of the bus bar 21. This prevents a decrease in the joining area and joining strength of the welded portion, thereby reducing the rate of welding defects.

[0062] Furthermore, the bent end of the electrode lead 33 does not overlap with the rounded bent portion 34 of the opposing electrode lead 33, which prevents the overlapping portion of the pair of electrode leads 33 from lifting up locally or creating a gap, thereby increasing the joining strength of the welded portion.

[0063] Furthermore, since the welding length of the pair of electrode leads 33 in each bus bar 21 is uniform, the actual welding length matches the required design dimension, and the rate of defective welding can be reduced.

[0064] The pair of alignment jigs 110 are coupled to both sides of the masking jig 120 in the width direction. At this time, the pair of alignment jigs 110 may be welded or glued to both sides of the masking jig 120 in the width direction, or may be coupled with fastening members such as screws or rivets. As a result, the alignment jig 110 and the masking jig 120 can be lifted and moved by a single moving device (not shown) to align and weld the electrode leads 33.

[0065] The alignment jigs 110 are inserted outside the electrode leads 33 in the slots 23 and gather the electrode leads 33 toward the bus bar 21. At this time, the outer sides of the pair of alignment jigs 110 in the thickness direction may be in contact with or spaced apart from the outer surfaces of the slots 23. Furthermore, the inner sides of the pair of alignment jigs 110 in the thickness direction may be in contact with the outer surfaces of the electrode leads 33. This allows the pair of electrode leads 33 to be aligned while being gathered toward the bus bar 21 as the alignment jig 110 descends.

[0066] The alignment jig 110 includes an alignment body portion 111 and an alignment rib 113 .

[0067] The alignment body portions 111 face both sides of the masking jig 120. The alignment body portions 111 may be fixed to both sides of the masking jig 120 in the width direction by welding or adhesive, or the masking jig 120 may be fixed to both sides of the masking jig in the width direction by fastening members such as screws or rivets.

[0068] The alignment rib 113 extends downward from the alignment body portion 111 and is formed to be thinner than the thickness of the alignment body portion 111. The alignment rib 113 aligns the electrode lead 33 while being inserted into the slot 23. The alignment rib 113 presses the outer surface of the electrode lead 33 toward the bus bar 21, so that the electrode lead 33 can be closely attached to the bus bar 21 or can be aligned with a small gap. Whether the electrode lead 33 and the bus bar 21 contact each other can be determined by the thickness of the alignment jig.

[0069] An alignment tapered portion 114 is formed on the inner side of the alignment rib 113 in the thickness direction so as to gather the electrode leads 33 toward the bus bar 21. The alignment tapered portion 114 causes the alignment rib 113 to be gradually thinner as it goes downward. This allows the lower end of the alignment rib 113 to be easily inserted between the outer surface of the electrode lead 33 and the outer surface of the slot 23, and the lower the alignment rib 113, the more it presses the electrode lead 33 toward the bus bar 21 and aligns it. Furthermore, when the alignment rib 113 is inserted into the slot 23, the end of the alignment rib 113 gets caught on the bent portion 34 of the electrode lead 33, preventing damage or breakage of the alignment rib 113 or the electrode lead 33.

[0070] A step portion 115 may be formed on the underside of the alignment body portion 111 to be spaced apart from the bent portion 34 of the electrode lead 33. In this case, the pressing surface portion 123 of the masking jig 120 is positioned lower than the step portion 115. The step portion 115 may be formed parallel to the pressing surface portion 123 or slightly oblique to the pressing surface portion 123. As a result, when the pressing surface portion 123 of the masking jig 120 presses the electrode lead 33, the bent portion 34 of the electrode lead 33 is spaced a certain distance from the step portion 115, thereby preventing the alignment body portion 111 from pressing the bent portion 34 of the electrode lead 33. Furthermore, the electrode lead 33 and the electrode tab 31 may be prevented from being bent or damaged by the pressing force of the alignment body portion 111.

[0071] The alignment jig 110 is formed in the shape of a square panel. The length of the alignment jig 110 may be slightly shorter than the length of the slot 23. The length of the alignment jig 110 may also be the same as or slightly longer than the length of the electrode lead 33. Of course, the alignment jig 110 may be formed in various shapes, such as a sawtooth shape or a plurality of bars arranged in a row, as long as it is inserted into the slot 23 and aligns the electrode lead 33.

[0072] A welding space 121 that penetrates vertically is formed inside the masking jig 120. A welding tool can pass through the welding space 121 to weld the bent electrode lead 33 to the bus bar 21. The welding tool may be a laser welding tool that irradiates the electrode lead 33 with a laser to weld it, or a spot welding tool that applies a current to the electrode lead 33 to weld it. Various types of welding can be applied depending on the materials of the electrode lead 33 and the bus bar 21. As described above, the welding tool enters the welding space 121 to weld the electrode lead 33, which prevents spatter and welding sparks from flying around the electrode lead 33.

[0073] The masking jig 120 can be formed in a rectangular tubular shape aligned with the length of the bus bar 21. The welding spaces 121 are formed in a line along the length of the bus bar 21. The width of the masking jig 120 can be formed narrower than the width of the bus bar 21. The width of the welding space 121 can be formed narrower than the width of the bus bar 21. The length of the welding space 121 can be formed slightly shorter than the length of the electrode lead 33. The cross section of the welding space 121 can be formed in a rectangular shape aligned with the length of the bus bar 21. Because the masking jig 120 is formed in a rectangular tubular shape, the overlapping portions of the electrode leads 33 can be welded in the length direction.

[0074] The masking jig 120 presses the bent electrode lead 33 onto the bus bar 21. This prevents the overlapping portions of the electrode lead 33 from lifting up or separating when the welding tool welds the electrode lead 33. Furthermore, it prevents a decrease in the welding strength of the overlapping portions of the electrode lead 33. It also prevents local temperature deviations in the electrode lead 33 caused by the lifting up or separation of the electrode lead 33, thereby preventing welding defects.

[0075] The electrode lead aligning and masking apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above can include a pair of alignment jigs 110 and one masking jig 120 so as to align a pair of electrode leads 33 on one bus bar 21. The electrode lead aligning and masking apparatus 100 aligns and masks an electrode lead 33 on one bus bar 21 each time it descends.

[0076] In addition, the electrode lead alignment masking apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be manufactured in a form in which four or more alignment jigs 110 and two or more masking jigs 120 are arranged so as to align a pair of electrode leads 33 on at least two or more bus bars 21. The electrode lead alignment masking apparatus 100 may simultaneously align the electrode leads 33 on two or more bus bars 21 each time it is lowered.

[0077] Next, an electrode lead alignment masking device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0078] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic representation of an electrode lead alignment masking device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a schematic representation of an electrode lead alignment masking device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a front view showing a schematic representation of an electrode lead alignment masking device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic representation of the state in which the electrode lead alignment masking device of FIG. 10 has cut along the 11-11 line, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic representation of the state in which the electrode lead alignment masking device of FIG. 11 has cut along the 12-12 line in the electrode lead, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic representation of the state in which the electrode lead alignment masking device of FIG. 11 has cut along the 13-13 line in the electrode lead.

[0079] 8 to 13, an electrode lead aligning and masking device 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of aligning jigs 110, a masking jig 120, and at least two elastic members 130.

[0080] The pair of alignment jigs 110 are inserted into the slots 23 on both sides of the bus bar 21 to align the positions of the pair of electrode leads 33. The pair of alignment jigs 110 align the bent electrode leads 33 inserted into the slots 23 to both widthwise sides of the bus bar 21. At this time, the pair of electrode leads 33 may be aligned closely to both widthwise sides of the bus bar 21 or slightly spaced apart. In addition, when the pair of electrode leads 33 are bent into the bus bar 21, the length of the pair of electrode leads 33 may be such that an end of one electrode lead 33 is spaced a predetermined distance from the bent portion 34 of the other electrode lead 33.

[0081] The masking jig 120 is disposed between the pair of alignment jigs 110 and is formed to surround the welding portion of the electrode lead 33. The alignment jig 110 is movably coupled to the masking jig 120. The masking jig 120 shields (masks) the area around the welding portion to prevent sparks and spatter from straying from the welding portion when welding the electrode lead 33 to the bus bar 21. This prevents spatter and sparks generated during welding from flying to surrounding structures, thereby significantly reducing the rate of welding defects.

[0082] At least two elastic members 130 are installed on both sides of the masking jig 120 to elastically support the pair of alignment jigs 110. The elastic members 130 may be coil springs that connect the masking jig 120 and the alignment jig 110. These elastic members 130 can be applied in various shapes and positions as long as they elastically support the alignment jig 110.

[0083] As described above, the alignment jig 110 is movably connected to the masking jig 120 and is elastically supported by the elastic member 130. As a result, the alignment jig 110 aligns the electrode leads 33 while moving up and down, thereby minimizing deformation of the electrode leads 33. In addition, the alignment jig 110 buffers the impact between the alignment jig 110 and the electrode leads 33 when pressure is applied to the electrode leads 33, thereby preventing damage to the alignment jig 110 and the electrode leads 33. In addition, scratches on the surface of the electrode leads 33 can be prevented, significantly reducing the possibility of overheating and fire of the electrode leads 33.

[0084] Furthermore, a pair of alignment jigs 110 align the positions of the bent electrode leads 33, and a masking jig 120 crimps the bent electrode leads 33, and a welding tool (not shown) welds the electrode leads 33. This allows the bent electrode leads 33 to be welded at accurate positions on the busbar 21. The actual weld length of the electrode leads 33 may match the designed weld length. The weld length refers to the length that is welded in line with the width of the busbar 21. This also prevents the electrode leads 33 from opening outward in the width direction of the busbar 21. This prevents a decrease in the joining area and joining strength of the welded portion, thereby reducing the rate of welding defects.

[0085] Furthermore, the bent end of the electrode lead 33 does not overlap with the rounded bent portion 34 of the opposing electrode lead 33, which prevents the overlapping portion of the pair of electrode leads 33 from lifting up locally or creating a gap, thereby increasing the joining strength of the welded portion.

[0086] Furthermore, since the welding length of the pair of electrode leads 33 in each bus bar 21 becomes uniform, the actual welding length matches the required design dimension, and the rate of defective welding can be reduced.

[0087] The masking jig 120 includes a masking body portion 122 and a slide guide portion 125 .

[0088] A welding space 121 that penetrates vertically is formed in the masking body portion 122. The welding space 121 can be formed in the shape of an elongated hole aligned with the longitudinal direction of the masking body portion 122. This allows the welding tool to approach the electrode lead 33 through the welding space 121 and perform welding.

[0089] The welding tool may be a laser welding tool that irradiates the electrode lead 33 with a laser to weld, or a spot welding tool that applies a current to the electrode lead 33 to weld. Various types of these welding methods can be applied depending on the types of materials of the electrode lead 33 and the bus bar 21. As described above, the welding tool enters the welding space 121 to weld the electrode lead 33, so that spatter and welding sparks can be prevented from flying around the electrode lead 33.

[0090] The slide guide parts 125 are disposed on both sides of the masking body part 122. Slide groove parts 126 are formed in the slide guide parts 125 so that the alignment jigs 110 can be slidably coupled thereto. The slide groove part 126 is a space surrounded by the side surface of the masking body part 122 and the inner surface of the slide guide part 125. The slide groove part 126 is formed in the shape of an elongated hole along the length of the masking body part 122. The bottom side of the slide groove part 126 is open. The slide guide parts 125 support the alignment jig 110 to prevent it from shaking.

[0091] The alignment jigs 110 are inserted outside the electrode leads 33 in the slots 23 and gather the electrode leads 33 toward the bus bar 21. At this time, the outer sides of the pair of alignment jigs 110 in the thickness direction may be in contact with or spaced apart from the outer surfaces of the slots 23. Furthermore, the inner sides of the pair of alignment jigs 110 in the thickness direction may be in contact with the outer surfaces of the electrode leads 33. This allows the pair of electrode leads 33 to be aligned while being gathered toward the bus bar 21 as the alignment jig 110 descends.

[0092] The alignment jig 110 includes an alignment body portion 111, an alignment rib 113, and a slider 116. The alignment jig 110 may be formed in the shape of a square panel overall.

[0093] The alignment body parts 111 face both sides of the masking jig 120. The inner surfaces of the alignment body parts 111 are formed in a flat plate shape so as to come into surface contact with the side surfaces of the masking jig 120 when the alignment jig 110 is moved up and down.

[0094] The alignment ribs 113 extend downward from the alignment body portion 111 and are formed to be thinner than the thickness of the alignment body portion 111. The alignment ribs 113 align the electrode leads 33 by being inserted into the slots 23 between the bus bars 21. The alignment ribs 113 can be formed to have the same length as the alignment body portion 111 or a slightly different length.

[0095] The slider 116 extends upward from the alignment body portion 111 and is slidably coupled to the slide groove portion 126. The slider 116 can be formed in a plate shape so as to be sandwiched between the slide groove portion 126. The length of the slider 116 can be formed slightly shorter than the length of the slide groove portion 126.

[0096] The thickness of the slider 116 may be formed thinner than the thickness of the alignment body portion 111. As a result, a step may be formed between the lower end of the slider 116 and the upper end of the alignment body portion 111. Furthermore, because the thickness of the slider 116 is formed thin, it is possible to prevent the width of the slide guide portion 125 and the width of the slide groove portion 126 from unnecessarily increasing.

[0097] An alignment tapered portion 114 is formed on the inner side of the alignment rib 113 in the thickness direction so as to gather the electrode leads 33 toward the bus bar 21. The alignment tapered portion 114 causes the alignment rib 113 to be gradually thinner as it goes downward. This allows the lower end of the alignment rib 113 to be easily inserted between the outer surface of the electrode lead 33 and the outer surface of the slot 23, and the lower the alignment rib 113, the more it presses the electrode lead 33 toward the bus bar 21 and aligns it. Furthermore, when the alignment rib 113 is inserted into the slot 23, the end of the alignment rib 113 gets caught on the bent portion 34 of the electrode lead 33, preventing the alignment rib 113 and the electrode lead 33 from being damaged or broken.

[0098] A movement limiting portion 112 is formed on the upper side of the alignment body portion 111 to catch on the lower end of the slide guide portion 125 and limit the movement distance of the alignment jig 110. The movement limiting portion 112 may be a step formed at the boundary between the upper end of the alignment body portion 111 and the lower end of the slider 116. These movement limiting portions 112 may be formed in various structures on the alignment body portion 111 or the slider 116.

[0099] A step portion 115 may be formed on the underside of the alignment body portion 111 to be spaced apart from the bent portion 34 of the electrode lead 33. In this case, the pressing surface portion 123 of the masking jig 120 is positioned lower than the step portion 115. The step portion 115 may be formed parallel to the pressing surface portion 123 or slightly obliquely. As a result, when the pressing surface portion 123 of the masking jig 120 presses the electrode lead 33, the bent portion 34 of the electrode lead 33 is spaced a certain distance from the step portion 115, thereby preventing the alignment body portion 111 from pressing the bent portion 34 of the electrode lead 33. Furthermore, the electrode lead 33 and the electrode tab 31 may be prevented from being bent or damaged by the pressing force of the alignment body portion 111.

[0100] The length of the alignment jig 110 may be slightly shorter than the length of the slot 23. The length of the alignment jig 110 may also be the same as or slightly longer than the length of the electrode lead 33. Of course, the alignment jig 110 may be formed in various shapes, such as a sawtooth shape or a plurality of bars arranged in a row, as long as it is inserted into the slot 23 and aligns the electrode lead 33.

[0101] The masking jig 120 can be formed in a rectangular tubular shape aligned with the length of the bus bar 21. The width of the masking jig 120 can be formed narrower than the width of the bus bar 21. The width of the welding space 121 can be formed narrower than the width of the bus bar 21. The length of the welding space 121 can be formed slightly shorter than the length of the electrode lead 33. The cross section of the welding space 121 can be formed in a rectangular shape aligned with the length of the bus bar 21. Because the masking jig 120 is formed in a rectangular tubular shape, the overlapping portions of the electrode leads 33 can be welded in the length direction.

[0102] The masking jig 120 presses the bent electrode lead 33 onto the bus bar 21. This prevents the overlapping portions of the electrode lead 33 from lifting up or separating when the welding tool welds the electrode lead 33. Furthermore, it prevents a decrease in the welding strength of the overlapping portions of the electrode lead 33. It also prevents local temperature deviations in the electrode lead 33 caused by the lifting up or separation of the electrode lead 33, thereby preventing welding defects.

[0103] The elastic member 130 may be supported by the upper end of the alignment body portion 111 and the upper end of the slide groove portion 126. The elastic member 130 may be disposed on both ends of the alignment body portion 111 in the longitudinal direction. Since the elastic members 130 are disposed on both ends of the alignment body portion 111 in the longitudinal direction, the alignment jig 110 may be slightly tilted to one side in the longitudinal direction. As a result, even if the electrode leads 33 or the bus bars 21 are slightly tilted, the alignment jig 110 can align the electrode leads 33 by being slightly tilted to one side in the longitudinal direction.

[0104] The electrode lead aligning and masking apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above can include a pair of alignment jigs 110 and one masking jig 120 so as to align a pair of electrode leads 33 on one bus bar 21. The electrode lead aligning and masking apparatus 100 aligns and masks an electrode lead 33 on one bus bar 21 each time it descends.

[0105] Furthermore, the electrode lead alignment masking apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention may be manufactured in a form in which four or more alignment jigs 110 and two or more masking jigs 120 are arranged so as to align a pair of electrode leads 33 on at least two or more bus bars 21. The electrode lead alignment masking apparatus 100 may simultaneously align the electrode leads 33 on two or more bus bars 21 each time it is lowered.

[0106] The operation of the thus configured alignment mask device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[0107] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the state in which an electrode lead of a battery cell in a secondary battery module according to the present invention is sandwiched in a slot of a bus bar, FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the state in which an electrode lead of a battery cell in a secondary battery module according to the present invention is bent to a bus bar, FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the state in which an alignment masking device according to the present invention is positioned above a bus bar, FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the state in which an alignment jig of the alignment masking device according to the present invention is sandwiched in a slot between bus bars, FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the state in which a stepped portion of the alignment jig of the alignment masking device according to the present invention presses the bent portion of the electrode lead, FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the state in which a pressure surface of the masking jig of the alignment masking device according to the present invention presses the electrode lead, and FIG. 20 is a drawing schematically showing the state in which an electrode lead is welded to a bus bar through a welding space portion of the masking jig according to the present invention.

[0108] 14 to 20, the electrode leads 33 of the battery cells 30 are inserted into the slots 23 on both sides of the bus bar 21. At this time, the electrode leads 33 can be inserted vertically into both sides of the bus bar 21.

[0109] A bending device (not shown) bends the electrode leads 33 by applying pressure to the bus bar 21. At this time, the pair of electrode leads 33 may be open on both sides of the bus bar 21 or may be spaced apart on both sides of the bus bar 21 (see FIG. 15).

[0110] The alignment masking device 100 is moved to the upper side of the bus bar 21. At this time, the alignment jig 110 maintains the lowest position in the slide guide portion 25 due to the elastic force of the elastic member 130.

[0111] When the alignment masking device 100 descends, the alignment jig 110 is inserted into the slots 23 on both sides of the bus bar 21. At this time, when an impact is applied to the bending portion 34 of the electrode lead 33, the alignment tapered portion 114 of the alignment jig 110 causes the elastic member 130 to contract slightly, thereby cushioning the impact applied to the electrode lead 33.

[0112] Alignment tapered portion 114 of alignment jig 110 smoothly descends while sliding along bent portions 34 of electrode leads 33. Alignment tapered portion 114 applies pressure to the outside of electrode leads 33, gathering electrode leads 33 toward bus bar 21.

[0113] As the alignment jig 110 further descends, the electrode leads 33 come into close contact with both side surfaces of the bus bar 21 (see FIG. 17). At this time, the electrode leads 33 may be floating on the upper surface of the bus bar 21 or may be separated therefrom.

[0114] When the alignment jig 110 is completely inserted into the slot 23, the step portion 115 of the alignment jig 110 comes into close contact with the bent portion 34 of the electrode lead 33 (FIG. 18). At this time, the pressure force of the alignment masking device 100 is applied to the bent portion 34 of the electrode lead 33.

[0115] The masking jig 120 descends with the stepped portion 115 of the alignment jig 110 hooked onto the bent portion 34 of the electrode lead 33. When the masking jig 120 descends while the alignment jig 110 remains stationary, the elastic member 130 contracts in the longitudinal direction. When the lower pressure surface 123 of the masking jig 120 presses the electrode lead 33, the electrode lead 33 comes into tight contact with the upper surface of the bus bar 21. Next, the welding tool welds the electrode lead 33 to the upper surface of the bus bar 21 through the welding space 121 of the masking jig 120 (see FIG. 20 ). This allows the electrode lead 33 to be welded to the bus bar 21 in tight contact with both side surfaces and the upper surface of the bus bar 21.

[0116] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to illustrative drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and drawings disclosed in this specification, and it is obvious that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Furthermore, even if the effects of the configuration of the present invention are not explicitly described and explained while describing the embodiments of the present invention, it is natural that the effects that can be predicted by the configuration should also be recognized. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 1 Secondary battery module 10 cases 20 Busbar Frame 21 Busbar 23 slots 30 battery cells 31 Electrode tab 31a First electrode tab 31b Second electrode tab 33 Electrode Lead 33a First electrode lead 33b Second electrode lead 34 Bending Section 100 Electrode lead alignment masking device 110 Alignment Jig 111 Alignment body part 112 Movement restriction section 113 Alignment Rib 114 Aligned tapered section 115 Step 116 Slider 120 Masking Jig 121 Welding space 122 Masking body part 123 Pressure surface 125 Slide guide part 126 Slide groove 130 Elastic member

Claims

1. An electrode lead alignment masking device for aligning bent electrode leads to a bus bar in a welding process of the electrode leads, The electrode lead alignment masking device includes: a pair of alignment jigs inserted into slots between the bus bars to align the positions of the electrode leads; and a masking jig disposed between the pair of alignment jigs and surrounding the welding site of the electrode lead; Including, the alignment jig is inserted from the slot to the outside of the electrode leads and aligns the electrode leads toward the bus bar; The alignment jig is Opposing alignment body portions on both sides of the masking jig; and an alignment rib extending from the alignment body portion and formed thinner than the thickness of the alignment body portion, the alignment rib aligning the electrode lead while being inserted into the slot; Including, An electrode lead alignment masking device, wherein an alignment tapered portion is formed on the inner side of the alignment rib in the thickness direction so as to gather the electrode leads together on the bus bar side.

2. The pair of alignment jigs are coupled to both sides of the masking jig in the width direction.

2. The electrode lead alignment masking device of claim 1.

3. a step portion is formed on a lower side of the alignment body portion so as to be spaced apart from the bending portion of the electrode lead; a pressure surface portion of the masking jig is disposed at a position lower than the step portion; 2. The electrode lead alignment masking device of claim 1.

4. The alignment jig is formed in the shape of a square panel.

2. The electrode lead alignment masking device of claim 1.

5. A welding space portion penetrating in the vertical direction is formed inside the masking jig.

5. The electrode lead alignment masking device according to claim 1.

6. The masking jig is formed in a rectangular tubular shape aligned with the length direction of the bus bar, The welding spaces are formed side by side along the length direction of the bus bar.

6. The electrode lead alignment masking device according to claim 5.

7. The masking jig crimps the electrode leads to the bus bars.

2. The electrode lead alignment masking device of claim 1.

8. An electrode lead alignment masking device for aligning bent electrode leads to a bus bar in a welding process of the electrode leads, a pair of alignment jigs that are inserted into slots between the bus bars to align the positions of the electrode leads; a masking jig disposed between the pair of alignment jigs, installed to surround the welding portion of the electrode lead, and movably coupled to the alignment jigs; and at least two or more elastic members respectively installed on both sides of the masking jig to elastically support the pair of alignment jigs; Including, Electrode lead alignment masking device.

9. The masking jig is A masking body portion in which a welding space portion penetrating in the vertical direction is formed, and slide guides disposed on both sides of the masking body and having slide grooves to which the alignment jigs are slidably coupled; Including, 9. The electrode lead alignment masking device of claim 8.

10. The alignment jig is Alignment body portions facing each other on both sides of the masking jig; an alignment rib extending downward from the alignment body portion, the alignment rib being thinner than the alignment body portion, and being inserted into the slot to align the electrode lead; a slider extending upward from the alignment body portion and slidably coupled to the slide groove portion; Including, 10. The electrode lead alignment masking device of claim 9.

11. the alignment rib is inserted from the slot to the outside of the electrode leads and gathers the electrode leads toward the bus bar.

11. The electrode lead alignment masking device of claim 10.

12. An alignment tapered portion is formed on the inner side of the alignment rib in the thickness direction so as to gather the electrode leads together toward the bus bar.

11. The electrode lead alignment masking device of claim 10.

13. The slider has a thickness smaller than that of the alignment body portion.

13. The electrode lead alignment masking device of claim 12.

14. a movement limiting portion is formed on the upper side of the alignment body portion, the movement limiting portion being caught on the lower end of the slide guide portion to limit the movement distance of the alignment jig; 11. The electrode lead alignment masking device of claim 10.

15. The elastic member is supported by an upper end of the alignment body portion and an upper end of the slide groove portion. The electrode lead alignment masking device according to any one of claims 10 to 14.

16. The elastic members are disposed on both sides of the alignment body portion in the longitudinal direction.

16. The electrode lead alignment masking device of claim 15.

17. a step portion is formed on a lower side of the alignment body portion so as to be spaced apart from the bending portion of the electrode lead; a pressure surface portion of the masking jig is disposed at a position lower than the step portion; 11. The electrode lead alignment masking device of claim 10.

18. An electrode lead alignment masking device for aligning bent electrode leads to a bus bar in a welding process of the electrode leads, comprising: a pair of alignment jigs inserted into slots between the bus bars to align the positions of the electrode leads; and a masking jig disposed between the pair of alignment jigs to surround the welding portion of the electrode lead, the masking jig being coupled to the pair of alignment jigs so as to be vertically movable; Including, Electrode lead alignment masking device.

19. An elastic member that elastically supports the pair of alignment jigs so that they can descend; Including, 20. The electrode lead alignment masking device of claim 18.

20. The alignment jig is elastically supported by the elastic members respectively arranged on both sides of the alignment jig in the longitudinal direction.

20. The electrode lead alignment masking device of claim 19.

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