Cell Packaging Equipment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cell packaging device, and according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cell packaging device including a cell grip unit including a first member having a roller, a second member arranged opposite the first member at a fixed distance to provide an insertion space for a cell, a cell grip part including a gap adjustment part that adjusts the gap between the first member and the second member, and a transport part that transports the cell grip unit.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to a cell packaging apparatus.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0028709, filed on March 7, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the documents of said Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] A lithium secondary battery is generally manufactured by housing an electrode assembly (hereinafter also referred to as a "cell"), in which a cathode, a separator, and an anode are stacked, in a pouch.

[0004] Among lithium secondary batteries, pouch-type cells in particular are in increasing demand due to their low manufacturing costs and light weight.

[0005] In the manufacturing process of pouch-type cells, a cell with the cathode, separator, and anode stacked is transported to a pouch while being sucked into a gripper using a vacuum suction method, and the cell gripped by the gripper is inserted into the pouch.

[0006] However, when cells are transported using the vacuum suction method, there is a problem that the cells may be damaged during the process of being inserted into the pouch, and the vacuum suction method cannot transport heavy cells. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a cell packaging device that can prevent damage to cells during the process of inserting cells into a pouch. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, a cell packaging device is provided that includes a cell grip unit including a first member having a roller, a second member that is arranged opposite the first member at a fixed distance to provide an insertion space for a cell, a cell grip part that includes a gap adjustment part that adjusts the gap between the first member and the second member, and a transport part that transports the cell grip unit.

[0009] The gap adjusting portion may be configured to adjust the gap by moving the second member.

[0010] The roller may also be located at the entry end where the cell enters the insertion space.

[0011] In addition, the transport unit may be configured to rotate the cell grip unit along the thickness direction or width direction of the cell during the transport process.

[0012] The transport unit may include a plurality of rotating units that are provided to rotate along the thickness direction and width direction of the cell, respectively, and a link that connects the adjacent rotating units.

[0013] The cell packaging device may also include the cell grip unit and a control unit that controls the transfer unit.

[0014] The control unit can transport the cell grip unit so that the cell on the cell supply unit is positioned in the insertion space between the first member and the second member.

[0015] The control unit may be configured to narrow the gap between the first member and the second member after the cell is seated on the first member.

[0016] In addition, the control unit can transport the cell grip unit so that the cells on the cell supply unit are seated on the first member while contacting the rollers.

[0017] In addition, the control unit may move the cell grip unit so that a portion of the cell contacts the pouch while the cell is gripped.

[0018] The control unit may be configured to increase the gap between the first member and the second member to release the grip on the cell when a partial area of ​​the cell is in contact with the pouch.

[0019] In addition, the control unit can transport the cell grip unit so that the cell is inserted into the pouch while contacting the roller when the cell grip is released.

[0020] The roller may also be attached to the first member so as to be able to idle rotate.

[0021] The distance adjusting portion may be provided to move the second member in a direction toward or away from the first member.

[0022] The cell grip unit may include a support connected to the transport unit, and a plurality of cell grips may be provided on the support at predetermined intervals. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] As described above, the cell packaging device according to at least one embodiment of the present invention can prevent damage to the cells during the process of inserting the cells into the pouch, and can also transport heavy cells into the pouch. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a cell packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part of the cell grip unit shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 3 is a perspective view showing a first member of the cell grip unit shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4]1 is a schematic diagram for explaining one operating state of a cell packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining one operating state of a cell packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining one operating state of a cell packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining one operating state of a cell packaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A cell packaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0026] Regardless of the drawing symbols, identical or corresponding components will be given the same or similar reference numbers, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted. The size and shape of each component shown may be exaggerated or reduced for the sake of convenience.

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic diagram of a cell packaging device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a main part of the cell grip unit 200 shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the first member 211 of the cell grip unit shown in Figure 2.

[0028] 4 to 7 are schematic diagrams for explaining one operating state of the cell packaging device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, a cell packaging apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a cell gripping unit 200 and a transfer section 300. The cell gripping unit 200 and a transfer section 300 are similar to those shown in FIG.

[0030] The cell packaging device 10 includes a cell grip unit 200 including a first member 211 having rollers 2111, a second member 212 arranged opposite the first member 211 at a fixed distance to provide an insertion space 2151 for the cell 1, a cell grip unit 200 including a cell grip part 210 including a gap adjustment part 213 that adjusts the gap between the first member 211 and the second member 212, and a transport part 300 that transports the cell grip unit 200.

[0031] The cell grip unit 200 may also include a support part 220 connected to the transport part 300. A plurality of cell grip parts 210 may be installed on the support part 220 at predetermined intervals.

[0032] The cell grip unit 200 grips the cell 1 placed on the cell supply unit 100 , transfers the cell 1 to the pouch 400 , and then inserts the cell 1 into the receiving portion 401 of the pouch 400 .

[0033] The cell grip part 210 includes a first member 211, a second member 212, and a distance adjusting part 213. The cell grip part 210 is a part that directly grips the cell 1, and a plurality of the cell grip parts 210 may be provided on the support part 220.

[0034] In addition, the support part 220 supports the cell grip part 210 , and for example, the support part 220 may be connected to the distance adjustment part 213 .

[0035] The first member 211 is a member on which the cell 1 is seated and functions to support the cell 1. The first member 211 includes one or more rollers 2111, and the rollers 2111 may be attached to the first member 211 to be able to idle rotate.

[0036] The roller 2111 functions to minimize impact on the cell 1 when gripping or releasing the cell 1, and may be disposed at the entry end where the cell 1 enters the insertion space 2151. In this case, the roller 2111 can rotate in contact with the cell 1 when inserting the cell 1 into the cell grip unit 200 or when ejecting the cell 1 from the cell grip unit 200. This can minimize damage to the cell 1 when gripping or releasing the cell.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 3, the first member 211 may have a plate shape, and one end of the first member 211 may be fixedly connected to the lower part of the gap adjustment part 213, and the other end located opposite to the one end may be provided with the roller 2111.

[0038] The second member 212 is a member for providing an insertion space for the cell 1, and may be provided to grip or release the grip of the cell 1 seated on the first member 211. For this purpose, the second member 212 is disposed opposite the first member 211 with a predetermined gap therebetween.

[0039] For example, the second member 212 may have a plate shape, and one end thereof may be connected to the upper portion of the gap adjusting portion 213 .

[0040] The gap adjusting portion 213 is a portion that adjusts the gap between the first member 211 and the second member 212, and is provided to adjust the size of the cell insertion space 2151. The gap adjusting portion 213 is connected to each of the first member 211 and the second member 212.

[0041] For example, the gap adjusting unit 213 may be provided to adjust the gap between the first member and the second member by moving the second member 212. The gap adjusting unit 213 may include a driving source such as a motor for moving the second member 212, and a guide rail for guiding the movement of the second member 212.

[0042] In addition, the gap adjusting unit 213 may be configured to move the second member 212 in a direction toward or away from the first member 211. Specifically, when gripping a cell 1 on the cell supply unit 100, the gap adjusting unit 213 may move the second member 212 toward the first member 211 to narrow the gap. Conversely, when releasing the grip on the cell 1 on the pouch 400, the gap adjusting unit 213 may move the second member 212 away from the first member 211.

[0043] The cell 1 is an electrode assembly in which a cathode, a separator, and an anode are stacked.

[0044] 1, the cell 1 may be supplied from a cell supply unit 100. The transfer unit 300 transfers the cell grip unit 200 to the cell supply unit 100 or the pouch 400 in order to insert the cell 1 into the pouch 400.

[0045] Specifically, the transfer unit 300 can transfer the cell grip unit 200 to the cell supply unit 100 to grip the cell 1 on the cell supply unit 100, and can transfer the cell grip unit 200 to the pouch 400 to insert the cell 1 into the pouch.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, the conveying part 300 may be configured to rotate the cell grip unit 200 along the thickness direction T or width direction W of the cell 1 during the conveying process.

[0047] In this specification, the term "rotating along the thickness direction of the cell" means rotating along the thickness direction with a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the cell as the rotation axis. Note that in this specification, the term "rotating along the width direction of the cell" means rotating along the width direction with a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the cell as the rotation axis.

[0048] The transport unit 300 can adjust the angle of the cell 1 relative to the receiving portion 401 of the pouch when inserting the cell 1 into the pouch by rotating the cell grip unit 200.

[0049] For example, the conveying unit 300 may include a plurality of rotating units that are provided to rotate along the thickness direction T and width direction W of the cell, respectively, and links that connect adjacent rotating units. In this case, the number of rotating units, the range of rotation angles, and the length of the links may be adjusted according to the working environment.

[0050] 1 , the plurality of rotating parts may include a first rotating part 311, a second rotating part 312, and a third rotating part 313. The plurality of links may also include a first link 321 connecting the first rotating part 311 and the second rotating part 312, and a second link 322 connecting the second rotating part 312 and the third rotating part 313.

[0051] The first rotating part 311 may be connected to the cell grip unit 200 and configured to rotate along at least one selected from the thickness direction and width direction of the cell.

[0052] The second rotating part 312 is connected to the first link 321 and serves to control the movable range of the first link, and may be provided to rotate along the thickness direction of the cell.

[0053] The third rotation part 313 is a part for controlling the movable range of the second link 322, and may be provided to rotate along at least one selected from the thickness direction and width direction of the cell. The third rotation part 313 may be connected to an installation surface on which the other end located in the opposite direction to the one end to which the second link 322 is connected is installed.

[0054] 4 to 7, the pouch 400 includes a receiving portion 401 in which the cell 1 is seated, and the receiving portion 401 may be formed as a recess through a forming process, etc. The cell gripping unit 200 grips the cell 1 on the cell supply unit 100, transfers the gripped cell 1 to the pouch 400, and then releases the grip on the cell 1 on the pouch 400, thereby inserting the cell 1 into the receiving portion 401 of the pouch 400.

[0055] The cell packaging apparatus 10 may also include a control unit 40 that controls the cell grip unit 200 and the transport unit 300 .

[0056] The control unit 40 is a part that controls the operations of the cell grip unit 200 and the transport unit 300, and is electrically connected to the cell grip unit 200 and the transport unit 300.

[0057] To explain the gripping process of the cell 1, the control unit 40 can move the cell grip unit 200 so that the cell 1 on the cell supply unit 100 is positioned in the insertion space 2151 between the first member 211 and the second member 212.

[0058] In addition, the control unit 40 may be configured to narrow the gap between the first member 211 and the second member 212 after the cell 1 is seated on the first member 211. That is, the control unit 40 may control the gap adjustment unit 213 to move the second member 212 toward the first member 211.

[0059] In this case, the control unit 40 can transfer the cell grip unit 200 so that the cell 1 on the cell supply unit 100 contacts the roller 2111 and is seated on the first member 211. As an example, when the transfer unit 300 transfers the cell grip unit 200 to the cell 1 on the cell supply unit 100, the first link 321 and the second link 322 can rotate along at least one direction selected from the thickness direction and width direction of the cell. Through this process, the angle and direction of entry of the cell grip unit 200 into the cell 1 loaded on the cell supply unit 100 can be adjusted.

[0060] The process by which the cell grip unit 200 releases the grip of the cell 1 on the pouch 400 will be described below.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 4, the control unit 40 can move the cell grip unit 200 so that a portion of the cell 1 contacts the pouch 400 while the cell 1 is gripped by the cell grip unit 200 .

[0062] 5 to 7, the control unit 40 may be configured to release the grip of the cell 1 by widening the gap between the first member 211 and the second member 212 while a portion of the cell 1 is in contact with the pouch 400. Furthermore, when releasing the cell grip, the control unit 40 may move the cell grip unit 200 so that the cell 1 is inserted into the pouch 400 while contacting the rollers 2111.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 5, the control unit 40 can control the cell 1 to be inserted into the receiving portion 401 of the pouch 400 after the second member 212 is moved to increase the distance between the first member 211 and the second member 212 while the cell 1 is gripped, thereby releasing the grip on the cell.

[0064] Next, referring to Fig. 6, the control unit 40 can tilt the cell grip unit 200 so that the second member 220 is approximately parallel to the pouch 400. Next, referring to Fig. 7, the control unit 40 can adjust the position and direction of the cell grip unit 200 so that the cell 1 contacts the roller 2111 during the process of being transferred to the pouch 400 by the cell grip unit 200.

[0065] The cell packaging method may include a first transferring step, a gripping step, a second transferring step, and an inserting step.

[0066] The first transfer step is a step of transferring the cell grip unit 200 to a cell on the cell supply unit through the transfer unit 300. The first transfer step can be performed by transferring the cell grip unit 200 to the cell 1 using the transfer unit so that the cell 1 is positioned between a first member 211 and a second member 212.

[0067] The gripping step is a step of gripping a cell with the cell gripping unit 200, and is performed by gripping the cell with the cell gripping unit. The gripping step can be performed by seating the cell on the first member 211 and then moving the second member 212 so that the gap between the first member 211 and the second member 212 is narrowed by the gap adjusting part 213.

[0068] The second transport step is a step of transporting the cell gripped in the gripping step to the pouch 400, and is performed by transporting the cell grip unit 200 with the cell gripped to the pouch side using the transport part 300.

[0069] The inserting step is a step for inserting the cell 1 into the pouch 400. The inserting step can be performed by transferring the cell to the receiving portion of the pouch, and then moving the second member to increase the distance between the first member and the second member, thereby releasing the grip on the cell.

[0070] The preferred embodiments of the present invention described above have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, and those skilled in the art having ordinary skill in the art may make various modifications, changes, and additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications, changes, and additions should be considered to fall within the scope of the following claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0071] According to at least one embodiment of the cell packaging device of the present invention, damage to the cells can be prevented during the process of inserting the cells into the pouch, and even heavy cells can be transferred into the pouch.

Claims

1. a cell grip unit including a first member having a roller, a second member disposed opposite the first member at a predetermined interval to provide an insertion space for a cell, and a cell grip portion including a gap adjusting portion for adjusting the gap between the first member and the second member; a transport unit that transports the cell grip unit, The roller rotates in contact with the cell while the cell is being inserted into the cell grip unit or ejected from the cell grip unit.

2. The cell packaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the gap adjusting unit is configured to adjust the gap by moving the second member.

3. The cell packaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the roller is disposed at an entrance end where the cell enters the insertion space.

4. The cell packaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the transporting unit is configured to rotate the cell gripping unit along a thickness direction or a width direction of the cell during transporting.

5. The transport unit includes a plurality of rotating units that are provided to rotate along the thickness direction and the width direction of the cell, respectively; The cell packaging device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a link connecting adjacent rotating portions.

6. a control unit that controls the cell grip unit and the transport unit, The cell packaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit moves the cell grip unit so that the cell on the cell supply unit is positioned in the insertion space between the first member and the second member.

7. The cell packaging apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the control unit is configured to narrow the gap between the first member and the second member after the cell is seated on the first member.

8. The cell packaging apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the control unit transports the cell grip unit so that the cells on the cell supply unit are seated on the first member while contacting the roller.

9. The cell packaging device according to claim 7 , wherein the control unit moves the cell gripping unit so that a portion of the cell contacts a pouch in a gripped state.

10. The cell packaging device according to claim 9 , wherein the control unit is configured to widen the gap between the first member and the second member when a portion of the cell is in contact with the pouch, thereby releasing the grip of the cell.

11. The cell packaging device according to claim 10 , wherein the control unit, when releasing the cell grip, moves the cell grip unit so that the cell is inserted into the pouch while contacting the roller.

12. The cell packaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the roller is attached to the first member so as to be rotatable in an idle state.

13. The cell packaging device according to claim 2 , wherein the gap adjusting unit is provided to move the second member in a direction toward or away from the first member.

14. The cell grip unit includes a support part connected to the transfer part, 2. The cell packaging device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the cell gripping portions are provided on the support portion at predetermined intervals.

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