Ultra-small cell assembly device and electrode stack manufacturing method using the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a micro-cell assembly device and a method for manufacturing an electrode stack using the same, the micro-cell assembly device including a jig part having a flat upper surface on which electrodes and separators are stacked, a laser irradiation unit located above the jig part, a support part having a jig groove into which the jig part is inserted and including vacuum suction units located on both side surfaces of the jig groove, and a display unit that measures and displays a relative height of the jig part or the support part, wherein the jig part or the support part can be relatively moved in position in a vertical direction, and a method for manufacturing an electrode stack using the same.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0114355, filed September 8, 2022, and all contents disclosed in that Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a micro-cell assembly device and an electrode stack manufacturing method using the same, and more particularly to a micro-cell assembly device that can prevent an overhang inversion phenomenon caused by electrode position displacement during the manufacturing of an electrode stack to be mounted on a micro-cell, and an electrode stack manufacturing method using the same. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries are used in a variety of devices, from mobile devices to electric vehicles. Small devices are equipped with a large number of battery cells, while automobiles and other devices use a battery module that electrically connects a large number of battery cells or a battery pack that includes a large number of such battery modules.

[0004] Small devices such as VR glasses use particularly small micro battery cells (hereinafter referred to as "micro cells"). Due to their small size, micro cells can easily cause defects such as overhang inversion due to minute errors in the electrode position within the electrode assembly.

[0005] Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a conventional electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus, which includes a table 10, a gripper 20 that transfers a laminate onto the upper surface of the table 10, and a measuring member 30 that photographs the laminate.

[0006] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to Patent Document 1 places a stack of stacked bodies on a loading member (not shown) on a table 10 using a gripper 30, and then determines whether the stack has deviated from its position by comparing a reference line with the contour line of the stack using measuring members 30, such as vision cameras, positioned above and below the table 10.

[0007] Conventional electrode assembly manufacturing apparatuses prevent overhang inversion by checking and readjusting the positions of the electrodes and separators using a measuring member 30. However, since the measuring member 30 is used to detect deviations in position and then to readjust the positions later, this increases the time required for the process and reduces manufacturing efficiency.

[0008] Furthermore, when laminating electrodes, there is a margin of error due to the size of the electrodes themselves, so a certain degree of error will not result in defects.

[0009] When manufacturing micro-cells using an apparatus such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, defects are likely to occur due to very small alignment errors, and therefore, when manufacturing micro-cells using conventional apparatus, the defect rate increases sharply. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0061112 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a micro-cell assembly device that can prevent defects such as wrinkles and displacement of separators due to static electricity and electrode misalignment when stacking electrodes and separators, and a method for manufacturing an electrode stack using the same.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a micro-cell assembly device and an electrode stack manufacturing method using the same, which improves manufacturing process efficiency by aligning the positions of electrodes during stacking of electrodes and separators. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a microcell assembly device including a jig unit (100) having a flat upper surface on which electrodes and separators are stacked, a laser irradiation unit (200) located above the jig unit (100), a support unit (300) having a jig groove (310) into which the jig unit (100) is inserted and including vacuum suction units (320) located on both sides of the jig groove (310), and a display unit (400) for measuring and displaying the relative height of the jig unit (100) or the support unit (300), wherein the jig unit (100) or the support unit (300) can be moved relatively in the vertical direction.

[0014] The laser irradiation unit (200) can irradiate the laser along at least one side of the jig unit (100).

[0015] The negative electrode (A) of the microcell is larger than the positive electrode (C), and the laser irradiation unit (200) can irradiate the laser along one side where the negative electrode (A) is disposed.

[0016] The jig part (100) may include a jig center part (110) on which the electrodes and the separator are stacked, and an auxiliary jig part (120) disposed on one side of the jig center part (110) and on which the electrode tabs of the electrodes are disposed.

[0017] The positive and negative electrode tabs of the electrodes may be located on the same side.

[0018] The vacuum suction unit (320) may include a vacuum nozzle (321) having a number of holes or gaps, and a vacuum pad (322) disposed on the upper surface of the vacuum nozzle (321) and including a porous material.

[0019] The device may further include an electrode transfer unit (500) that transfers the electrode to the zig unit (100), and a separator lamination unit that unrolls a separator from a separator roll disposed on the upper surface of the support unit (300) and laminates the separator in a zigzag pattern on the electrode.

[0020] The microcell may have a rectangular electrode with a long side length of 10 cm or less and a short side length of 2 cm or less.

[0021] The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing an electrode stack, including: 1) irradiating a position guideline using the laser irradiation unit (200); 2) arranging the electrode on the jig unit (100) in accordance with the position guideline; 3) placing the separation membrane on the electrode and fixing the separation membrane via a vacuum pad; and 4) lowering the jig unit to a certain height or raising the support unit to a certain height.

[0022] The separation membrane is arranged in a zigzag shape, and the zig portion or the support portion can be moved while grasping a length change value according to the display unit when the zig portion is lowered to a certain height or the support portion is raised to a certain height.

[0023] The positioning guideline is a guideline for one side of the negative electrode, and the positive electrode can be positioned at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the guideline, or one side of the positive electrode can be positioned parallel to the positioning guideline after inserting the positive electrode tab into a groove of a jig in the support part into which the electrode tab is inserted.

[0024] The present invention can also be provided as a configuration in which the above-mentioned problems to be solved are combined arbitrarily. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] As described above, the present invention has an advantage that the separation membrane can be fixed by using a vacuum suction portion, and therefore wrinkles and defects in the separation membrane caused by static electricity or the like can be prevented.

[0026] In addition, the present invention has the advantage that the position where the electrodes are stacked can be guided by the laser irradiation unit, and the electrodes can be stacked in an aligned state during the electrode stack manufacturing process, thereby eliminating the need for an additional process for preventing the overhang inversion phenomenon, thereby improving the efficiency of the manufacturing process. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the prior art. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a micro-cell manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing a micro-cell manufacturing method using a micro-cell manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a jig portion according to the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is an enlarged plan view showing an electrode stack placed on a jig according to the present invention; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a detailed description will be given of an embodiment of the present invention that will enable a person skilled in the art to easily carry out the present invention. However, in describing the operation principle of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in detail, detailed description of related well-known functions or configurations will be omitted if it is determined that such detailed description may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention.

[0029] Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings for parts that have similar functions and actions. Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be connected to another part, this includes not only a direct connection but also an indirect connection via another element between them. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, "including a certain element" does not mean that other elements are excluded, but that other elements may also be included.

[0030] Hereinafter, a micro-cell assembly device and an electrode stack manufacturing method using the same according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] FIG. 2 is an oblique view showing a microcell manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a microcell manufacturing method using the microcell manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of a jig part according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view showing an electrode stack arranged on a jig part according to the present invention.

[0032] 2 to 5, the micro-cell manufacturing apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a jig unit 100, a laser irradiation unit 200, a support unit 300, a display unit 400, and an electrode transport unit 500.

[0033] The jig part 100 has an electrode and a separator laminated on its upper surface, and may include a jig central part 110 and an auxiliary jig part 120 .

[0034] The jig central part 110 can support a coating part in which an electrode active material is applied to an electrode current collector and a separator S in an electrode placed in the jig part 100 .

[0035] The auxiliary jig portion 120 may have a pair of flat plate shapes that protrude from one side of the jig central portion 110 and are spaced apart by a predetermined distance, and may support electrode tabs that extend toward one side from the electrodes arranged in the jig central portion 110.

[0036] The jig part 100 may have a shape similar to that of the electrodes to be stacked, and the areas may be the same or different from each other.

[0037] The laser irradiation unit 200 is for irradiating a linear laser to guide the stacking position of the electrodes, and can irradiate the laser along one side of the jig unit 100 .

[0038] For example, although one laser irradiation unit 200 is shown in Fig. 2, two laser irradiation units 200 may be provided as needed. Here, one laser irradiation unit 200 may guide the position of one surface of the negative electrode A to be stacked, and the other laser irradiation unit 200 may guide the position of one surface of the positive electrode to be stacked.

[0039] In addition, when two laser irradiation units 200 are provided, the colors of the irradiated lasers may be different from each other to more clearly distinguish them.

[0040] The support unit 300 has a flat plate shape and can be moved vertically by a hydraulic device or the like, and can be formed with a jig groove 310, a vacuum suction unit 320, and an extension unit 330. The support unit 300 can move vertically, or the jig unit 100 can move vertically relative to the support unit 300.

[0041] The jig groove 310 is formed by cutting a part of the support part 300 , and the jig part 100 can be positioned in the jig groove 310 .

[0042] Therefore, the shape of the jig groove 310 may be the same as the shape of the edge of the jig unit 100, and the area may be larger than the area of ​​the jig unit 100. This is to prevent damage to the equipment due to friction occurring between the jig groove 310 and the jig unit 100 when the support unit 300 moves vertically.

[0043] The vacuum suction unit 320 fixes the separation membrane S when the electrodes and the separation membrane S are stacked to form an electrode stack, thereby preventing defects such as the separation membrane S becoming dislocated or wrinkled due to static electricity, etc., and includes a vacuum nozzle 321 and a vacuum pad 322.

[0044] The vacuum nozzle 321 is a pipe having a number of holes or gaps, one side of which is connected to the lower surface of the vacuum pad 322 and the other side of which is connected to a vacuum pump (not shown).

[0045] The vacuum pads 322 may have a flat plate shape and may be made of a porous material, and may be formed on both sides of the jig groove 310 at a predetermined distance apart.

[0046] The vacuum pad 322 is inserted into the support part 300 and is formed to have the same height as the support part 300. The vacuum nozzle 321 sucks in air located on the upper surface of the vacuum pad 322 to fix the separation membrane S, which has the advantage of preventing displacement and wrinkling due to static electricity, etc.

[0047] The extension 330 may have a rod shape that extends and protrudes from one side edge of the support 300, or may have a rod shape that protrudes integrally with the support 300, or the individual rod-shaped extension 330 may be attached to the support 300. 300 The protective cover 10 can be formed on one side edge of the protective cover 10 by fastening with bolts or welding.

[0048] Here, the extension 330 may be formed to have the same height as the support 300 .

[0049] The display unit 400 measures and displays the relative height of the jig unit 100 or the support unit 300, and may include a columnar measuring unit 410 extending a certain length from the top.

[0050] The display unit 400 can be positioned above the extension unit 330, and the lower end of the measuring unit 410 can be in close contact with the upper surface of the extension unit 330, and when the extension unit 330 rises, the display unit 400 can measure the relative height of the jig unit 100 or the support unit 300.

[0051] For example, although the measuring unit 410 in Fig. 2 is formed in a pillar shape, it may be formed as a measuring unit 410 that measures distance by irradiating a laser, as needed, and is not limited thereto as long as it can measure the change in height of the extension unit 330. Alternatively, the height of one side of the support unit 300 can be measured directly without a separate extension unit 330. Fig. 2 is an example in which a separate extension unit 330 is provided to provide space for stacking a separator, electrode, etc.

[0052] The electrode transfer unit 500 transfers the positive electrode C and the negative electrode A and stacks them on the upper surface of the jig unit 100. When connected to a vacuum pump, the electrode transfer unit 500 can transfer the positive electrode C and the negative electrode A by vacuum suction. The electrode transfer unit 500 can transfer the electrodes using physical force in addition to using vacuum. This can be the same as a conventional means used in an electrode stacking device.

[0053] The method for manufacturing an electrode stack using the microcell assembly device according to the present invention includes the steps of: 1) irradiating a position guideline using a laser irradiation unit 200; 2) aligning an electrode with the jig unit 100 in accordance with the position guideline; 3) placing a separator on the top surface of the electrode and fixing the separator with a vacuum pad; and 4) lowering the jig unit to a certain height or raising the support unit to a certain height.

[0054] 1) In the step of irradiating a position guideline by the laser irradiation unit 200, as shown in FIG. 5, a linear laser is irradiated onto one side of the jig unit 100 or the jig groove 310 to form a negative guideline L1.

[0055] In FIG. 5, the lines where the electrode tabs are located indicate the jig groove, auxiliary jig part, and electrode, in that order from the outer edge.

[0056] For example, although only the negative electrode guideline L1 is shown in Fig. 5, if necessary, one laser irradiation unit 200 may be added to further provide a positive electrode guideline that guides the stacking position of the positive electrode C. Here, the laser color of the negative electrode guideline L1 and the laser color of the positive electrode guideline may be different from each other for easy distinction.

[0057] 2) In the step of arranging the electrode on the jig unit 100 in accordance with the position guideline, the negative electrode A is positioned and stacked on the upper surface of the jig unit 100 by the electrode transfer unit 500. Here, the negative electrode A can be positioned and stacked in accordance with the negative electrode guideline L1 shown in FIG.

[0058] Here, prior to placing the negative electrode A on the jig part 100, the separator S may already be placed on the jig part 100 (see FIG. 3(a)).

[0059] 3) In the step of placing a separator on the upper surface of the electrode and fixing the separator with a vacuum pad, the separator S is placed on the upper surface of the placed negative electrode A, and then the separator S is adsorbed and fixed by the vacuum pad 322 located at a distance near the jig groove 310, thereby preventing the separator S from becoming dislocated or wrinkled due to static electricity, etc. (see FIG. 3(b)).

[0060] negative electrode A The separation membrane S seated on the upper surface of the negative electrode A can be folded near the separation membrane guide line L2 to cover the upper surface of the negative electrode A.

[0061] 4) The step of lowering the jig unit to a certain height or raising the support unit to a certain height is a step of lowering the jig unit 100 or raising the height of the support unit 300 by a controller (not shown), and the height to which the jig unit 100 is moved is a step of moving the electrode stack so that the height of the electrode stack placed on the jig unit 100 is the same as the height of the support unit 300, or so that the highest part of the electrode stack is lower than the top surface of the support unit 300.

[0062] Here, the height formed by the movement is controlled by grasping the length change value through the display unit 400 located near the support unit 300.

[0063] Then, a positive electrode C is stacked on the upper surface of the separator S using the electrode transfer unit 500. The positive electrode C can be positioned at a predetermined distance from the negative electrode guide line L1, or inserted into the jig groove 310 of the support unit 300, into which the electrode tab is inserted, and then inserted and positioned in the auxiliary jig unit 120 that supports the electrode tab, and then one side of the positive electrode C can be positioned parallel to the negative electrode guide line L1 (see FIG. 3(c)).

[0064] Furthermore, the separation membrane S covering the upper surface of the positive electrode C can be folded near the separation membrane guide line L2 to cover the upper surface of the positive electrode C (see (d) of FIG. 3).

[0065] That is, the separators S may be stacked in a zigzag pattern, and the positive electrode C and the negative electrode A may be positioned between the separators S.

[0066] Furthermore, the microcell manufactured using the microcell assembly device according to the present invention may have rectangular electrodes, and may be a microcell with a long side length of 10 cm or less and a short side length of 2 cm or less.

[0067] Although certain parts of the present invention have been described in detail above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such specific descriptions are merely preferred embodiments and do not limit the scope of the present invention. It is possible to make various changes and modifications within the scope and technical spirit of the present invention, and it goes without saying that such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 100 Jig part 110 Jig center 120 Auxiliary jig part 200 Laser irradiation unit 300 Support part 310 Jig groove 320 Vacuum suction part 321 Vacuum Nozzle 322 Vacuum Pad 330 Extension 400 Display 410 Measuring section 500 Electrode transfer section A negative electrode C positive electrode S separation membrane L1 Negative Electrode Guidelines L2 Separation Membrane Guidelines

Claims

1. a jig having a flat upper surface on which the electrodes and the separation membrane are stacked; a laser irradiation unit located above the jig unit; a support part including a jig groove into which the jig part is inserted, the support part including vacuum suction parts located on both side surfaces of the jig groove; a display unit for measuring and displaying the relative height of the jig unit or the support unit; A micro-cell assembly device comprising: The jig part or the support part may be relatively movable in a vertical direction; The micro-cell assembly device is such that the electrodes of the micro-cell have a rectangular shape, with the long side being 10 cm or less and the short side being 2 cm or less.

2. The micro-cell assembly device according to claim 1 , wherein the laser irradiation unit irradiates the laser along at least one side surface of the jig unit.

3. the negative electrode of the microcell is larger than the positive electrode; The micro-cell assembly device according to claim 2 , wherein the laser irradiation unit irradiates the laser along one side surface on which the negative electrode is disposed.

4. The jig portion is a jig center portion where the electrode and the separation membrane are stacked; an auxiliary jig portion disposed on one side of the jig center portion, on which an electrode tab of the electrode is disposed; The micro-cell assembly device of claim 1 , comprising:

5. The micro-cell assembly device according to claim 4 , wherein the positive and negative electrode tabs of the electrodes are both located on the same side.

6. The vacuum suction unit is a vacuum nozzle having a number of holes or gaps; a vacuum pad disposed on an upper surface of the vacuum nozzle and including a porous material; The micro-cell assembly device of claim 1 , comprising:

7. an electrode transfer unit that transfers the electrode to the jig unit; a separation membrane lamination unit that unrolls a separation membrane from a separation membrane roll disposed on an upper surface of the support unit and laminates the membrane in a zigzag pattern on the electrode; The microcell assembly device of claim 1 , further comprising:

8. An electrode stack manufacturing method using the micro-cell assembly apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising: 1) irradiating a position guideline by the laser irradiation unit; 2) placing the electrode on the jig in accordance with the position guideline; 3) placing the separation membrane on the upper surface of the electrode and fixing the separation membrane via a vacuum pad; 4) lowering the jig unit to a certain height or raising the support unit to a certain height; An electrode stack manufacturing method comprising:

9. The separation membranes are arranged in a zigzag pattern, 9. The electrode stack manufacturing method of claim 8, wherein the jig unit or the support unit moves while grasping a length change value displayed on the display unit when the jig unit is lowered to a certain height or the support unit is raised to a certain height.

10. The position guideline is a guideline for one side of the negative electrode, 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the positive electrode is positioned at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the guideline, or a positive electrode tab is inserted into a groove of the jig groove of the support part into which the electrode tab is inserted, and then one side of the positive electrode is positioned parallel to the position guideline.

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