Battery module assembly device with improved productivity and assembly method using the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery module assembly apparatus with improved productivity and an assembly method using the same, and more particularly to a battery module assembly apparatus including a transfer unit (200) that moves a battery module (100) housing cylindrical battery cells (120) while seated on a module carrier (220), a vision unit (300) that checks position information of the battery module (100) and the module carrier (220), and a bonding unit (400) that electrically connects electrodes of the cylindrical battery cells (120) housed in the battery module (100) to bus bars (130), the bonding unit (400) including one or more bonding units, and the position information checked by the vision unit (300) is transmitted to the bonding unit (400), and a method of assembly using the same.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 2021-0092662 filed on July 15, 2021, and all contents disclosed in the documents of that Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery module assembling apparatus and an assembling method using the same, which has improved productivity and, more particularly, to a battery module assembling apparatus and an assembling method using the same, which has two or more bonding parts and can electrically connect battery cells and bus bars by individually supplying battery modules to each bonding part. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that are driven by electric sources. Secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source that not only has the primary advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels but also improves environmental friendliness and energy efficiency because they do not produce any by-products from energy use.

[0004] Types of secondary batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The operating voltage of such unit secondary battery cells, i.e., unit battery cells, is approximately 2.5V to 4.5V, so if a higher output voltage is required, a battery module can be configured by connecting multiple battery cells in series. Also, a battery pack can be configured by connecting multiple battery modules in parallel or series depending on the required charge / discharge capacity.

[0005] A battery module for achieving a required output voltage contains multiple cylindrical battery cells, which are electrically connected to each other via bus bars. However, in the case of cylindrical battery cells, the positive and negative electrodes are located very close to each other, and the area of ​​the portion bearing the corresponding polarity is small, making it difficult to connect the battery cells to the bus bars.

[0006] In this regard, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional battery cell bonding apparatus. Referring to FIG. 1, the battery module assembly apparatus includes a supply unit that supplies battery modules 10 to the apparatus, a transport unit 20 that moves the supplied battery modules to a work position, a vision unit 30 including a vision-based camera that scans the transported battery modules, and a welding unit 40 that performs the battery module bonding operation. The apparatus scans the battery modules transported by the transport unit with the vision-based camera to set coordinates, and then moves to the welding position based on that information to perform the bonding operation. The conventional apparatus performs the bonding operation for the welding position using a basic configuration of one welding unit and one vision-based camera. The battery module assembly apparatus shown in FIG. 1 has the following drawbacks: 1) because it initially sets coordinates using only one vision unit for scanning, it lacks the ability to correct errors during actual welding; 2) the operation is performed in a line, resulting in low productivity; and 3) it is difficult to assemble battery modules of various specifications.

[0007] Patent Document 1 discloses a wire bonder logistics system that uses a magazine transfer robot to continuously provide magazines to wire bonders, allowing the wire bonders to perform work continuously without downtime, improving work efficiency. Specifically, it discloses a magazine transfer robot device configuration that includes multiple wire bonders, a stocker with a magazine buffer that stores magazines provided to the wire bonders, and a gripper that grips the magazines with the stocker or wire bonders and supplies or discharges them.

[0008] Patent Document 2 discloses a wire bonding apparatus that does not require a separate substrate transfer device and is connected to a wire bonding apparatus in-line. Specifically, it discloses a configuration including a material transfer unit that transfers substrates between wire bonding apparatuses, and a detection sensor located above the material transfer unit that detects whether wire bonding is possible on a substrate entering the wire bonding apparatus.

[0009] Patent Document 1 describes a technology that uses a vision device to identify the direction of an arrow formed on the top of a magazine, and if the arrow is in the wrong direction, rotates the magazine 180 degrees using a motor in a rotation device to perform bonding. Patent Document 2 describes a technology that uses a vision device to perform wire bonding and then distinguishes between boards that have been wire bonded and those that have not.

[0010] The present invention recognizes that a key issue has yet to be addressed: a technology for a battery module assembly apparatus that can simultaneously perform wire bonding operations on a large number of battery modules to improve productivity and that can perform wire bonding operations on battery modules composed of battery cells of different specifications. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1824069 [Patent Document 2] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2007-0094259 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has an object to provide a battery module assembly device and an assembly method using the same, which can bond battery cells and bus bars at predetermined positions by accurately scanning the positions of a module carrier and a large number of battery cells housed in the module carrier, thereby improving productivity.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery module assembly device and an assembly method using the same that have multiple bonding sections and that improve productivity by continuously performing bonding operations at the bonding sections and scanning operations at the vision section.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery module assembling device and an assembly method using the same that are applicable to battery modules composed of cylindrical battery cells of various height specifications by including a height adjustment unit that can move a module carrier up and down. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] To achieve the above object, the battery module assembling apparatus according to the present invention includes a transfer unit (200) that moves a battery module (100) containing cylindrical battery cells (120) seated on a module carrier (220), a vision unit (300) that confirms position information of the battery module (100) and the module carrier (220), and a bonding unit (400) that electrically connects electrodes of the cylindrical battery cells (120) contained in the battery module (100) to bus bars (130), and the bonding unit (400) includes one or more bonding parts, and the position information confirmed by the vision unit (300) can be transmitted to the bonding unit (400).

[0016] The transfer unit (200) may include a battery module (100) located at its upper end and a height adjustment unit (240) for vertically moving the module carrier (220) up and down.

[0017] The transfer unit 200 is arranged in separate zones and can be operated independently in each zone.

[0018] The transport unit (200) can move back and forth or left and right.

[0019] The module carrier 220 includes a fixed guard and a movable guard, and the movable guard can be moved back and forth or left and right to fix the battery module housed therein.

[0020] The outer portion of the fixed guard may include one or more reference portions (230).

[0021] A marker for determining the position may be formed on the upper surface of the reference portion 230. A non-limiting example of the marker may be an "L" shaped marker.

[0022] The vision unit (300) can scan the markers for determining the position, the positions of the electrodes of the cylindrical battery cells (120), and the positions of the bus bars provided on the battery module (100).

[0023] The bonding unit (400) and the vision unit (300) are located on the transfer unit (200) arranged in a straight line, and an additional bonding unit may be included on the transfer unit branched from the vision unit (300).

[0024] The bonding part 400 may include a separate bonding vision part for determining the position when electrically connecting the electrode and the bus bar 130 .

[0025] The present invention may provide a battery module assembling method including: a step (s1) of seating a battery module (100) containing battery cells (120) on a module carrier (220); a step (s2) of moving the module carrier (220) using a transfer unit (200); a step (s3) of scanning a reference unit (230) of the module carrier (220) and an upper end surface of the battery module (100) using a vision unit (300); and a step (s4) of wire-bonding electrodes of the battery cells (120) contained in the battery module (100) to bus bars (130) using a bonding unit (400).

[0026] The step (s1) may include a step of moving a moving guard of the module carrier (220) to fix the battery module (100) to the module carrier (220).

[0027] Between the steps (s3) and (s4), a step of transferring the module carrier (220) that has been scanned by the vision unit (300) to one of a plurality of bonding units (400) may be included.

[0028] The present invention can provide a battery pack including a battery module obtained by the above assembly method.

[0029] Furthermore, the present invention can also be provided in the form of various combinations of the above means for solving the problems. [Effects of the Invention]

[0030] As described above, the battery module assembly apparatus according to the present invention has the advantage of being able to improve bonding accuracy by utilizing a vision unit for precision scanning and separate bonding vision units for each welding.

[0031] In addition, by providing a single vision unit and a plurality of bonding units, the production time of the battery module can be reduced, thereby improving productivity.

[0032] In addition, the battery module assembly device according to the present invention is provided with a height adjustment unit that can move the battery module up and down, thereby enabling assembly of battery modules including battery cells of various specifications. This eliminates the need to configure a separate assembly device according to the battery cell specifications, thereby improving economy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a prior art apparatus for bonding battery cells; [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view showing a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a plan view of a battery module assembly apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a front view of a battery module assembly apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of a module carrier housing a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a battery module assembly apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] 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.

[0035] Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings for parts having 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 therebetween. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, "including a certain element" does not mean that other elements are excluded, but that other elements may also be included.

[0036] Furthermore, descriptions that limit or add specific elements are applicable to all inventions and are not limited to a particular invention unless otherwise specified.

[0037] Furthermore, throughout the description of the present invention and the claims, the singular includes the plural unless otherwise stated.

[0038] Furthermore, throughout the description of the present invention and the claims, unless otherwise specified, "or" includes "and." Therefore, "including A or B" means the three cases of including A, including B, or including both A and B.

[0039] Furthermore, all numerical ranges include both endpoints and all intermediate values ​​therebetween unless expressly stated to the contrary.

[0040] Hereinafter, a battery module assembling apparatus and an assembling method using the same according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a battery cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a battery module 100 according to the present invention includes a module case 110, cylindrical battery cells 120, and bus bars .

[0043] First, the module case 110, which has an approximately hexahedral outer shape, has a storage section for storing the cylindrical battery cells 120, and a number of openings (not shown) are formed at the upper end of the module case so that the cylindrical battery cells 120 can remain upright with their terminals exposed to the outside.

[0044] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 3, the battery cell housed in the battery module of the present invention is a cylindrical battery cell 120, which can be manufactured by housing a wound-type electrode assembly 121 in a metal can 122, injecting an electrolyte into the metal can 122, and then attaching a cap assembly 123 having an electrode terminal formed thereon to the open top end of the metal can 122.

[0045] Here, the electrode assembly 121 is manufactured by stacking a positive electrode 121(a), a negative electrode 121(b), and a separator 121(c) in order and winding them into a round shape.

[0046] A cylindrical center pin 125 is inserted into a through-type winding core 124 formed in the center of the electrode assembly 121. The center pin 125 is generally made of a metal material to provide a certain strength. The center pin 125 not only serves to fix and support the electrode assembly 121, but also acts as a passage for releasing gas generated by internal reactions during charging, discharging, and operation.

[0047] Meanwhile, a protruding positive electrode terminal 123(a) is formed at the center of the upper end of the cap assembly 123, and the remaining portion of the metal can 122 forms a negative electrode terminal 123(b).

[0048] Of course, there is no particular limitation as long as the cylindrical battery cell 120 has the positive terminal 123(a) and the negative terminal 123(b) exposed or protruding from the upper end of the cap assembly 123.

[0049] The busbars 130 for connecting the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 120 in series or parallel are positioned next to each other at a predetermined distance from the cylindrical battery cells 120. The busbar 130 shown in FIG. 2 is a very simplified form, and the busbar 130 basically has a plurality of coupling portions that can be coupled with electrode terminals of the cylindrical battery cells 120 to connect the plurality of cylindrical battery cells 120 in series or parallel, and the coupling portions are connected in series or parallel. The busbar 130 shown in FIG. 2 also omits specific coupling portions for electrically connecting the cylindrical battery cells 120, and the form of the busbar 130 can be modified in various ways as needed.

[0050] Although not shown in the drawings, the battery module of the present invention may include a cover case (not shown). The cover case (not shown) is for protecting the upper portions of the cylindrical battery cells 120 housed in the module case 110, and has openings for exposing the upper surfaces of the cylindrical battery cells 120. The upper portion has a plurality of protrusions formed at a predetermined height to protect the cylindrical battery cells 120 from external impact.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a battery module assembly apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a front view of a battery module assembly apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a module carrier accommodating battery modules according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] 4 and 5, the battery module assembling apparatus according to the present invention may include a transfer unit 200, a vision unit 300, and a bonding unit 400. The transfer unit 200, the vision unit 300, and the bonding unit 400 may be arranged in a straight line, which is advantageous in minimizing shaking of the battery modules during the transfer process and improving production quality.

[0053] First, the transport unit 200 will be described in detail.

[0054] The transfer unit 200 is configured to transfer the battery modules 100 in the process flow direction, and includes a conveyor 210 that provides a path for the battery modules 100 to move, and a module carrier 220 that is attached to the upper end of the conveyor 210 .

[0055] The module carrier 220 can be attached to and detached from the upper end of the conveyor 210 and can have a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a receiving portion formed therein that can receive the battery module 100 by a vertically arranged guard, which will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 6.

[0056] The conveyor 210 transports the battery modules 100 from the front end of the battery module assembly apparatus to the discharge section (not shown) of the bonding section 400 at the rear, and is configured to be connected to the entire apparatus. The conveyor 210 may be provided in separate sections in the vision section 300 and the bonding section 400, and each section may operate independently. The conveyors 210 located in the separate sections may be connected to each other to continuously transport the battery modules located at the top. The conveyor 210 is connected to a drive section (not shown) for operation, and the drive section may be connected to a control section (not shown) for automatic control.

[0057] A height adjustment unit 240 may be located at the bottom of the conveyor 210, and the height adjustment unit 240 may raise or lower the upper conveyor 210 in the vertical direction (z-axis direction). The height adjustment unit 240 may raise or lower the conveyor 210 in the vertical direction by using the height adjustment unit 240. Therefore, the height adjustment unit 240 can be adjusted up or down depending on the size of the battery cells 120 positioned vertically on the battery module 100 positioned at the top of the conveyor 210, i.e., the height of the battery cells, to adjust the vertical position of the battery cells 120 at the bonding unit 400, which is advantageous for efficient bonding operations. The height adjustment unit 240 is connected to a control unit (not shown) and can be raised or lowered by the control unit.

[0058] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a module carrier housing a battery module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] 6, the module carrier 220 according to the present invention may have a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open top, capable of accommodating a battery module 100 therein and moving along the conveyor 210. The module carrier 220 may include a first fixed guard 221 fixed and positioned vertically at the front end in the moving direction of the conveyor 210, a first moving guard 223 positioned parallel to and facing the first fixed guard 221, and a second fixed guard 222 and a second moving guard 224 positioned parallel to and between the first fixed guard 221 and the first moving guard 223. The battery module 100 may be positioned in the receiving portion of the module carrier 220 in close contact with a corner where the first fixed guard 221 and the second fixed guard 222 are adjacent to each other. In addition, the first moving guard 223 and the second moving guard 224 can move toward the battery module 100 accommodated in the receiving portion of the module carrier 220 and be positioned in close contact with the battery module 100, thereby fixing the battery module 100 inside the module carrier 220. Here, a fixing means can be provided to fix the first moving guard 223 and the second moving guard 224 to the first fixed guard 221 and the second fixed guard 222, respectively. In the present invention, the fixing means can be an electromagnet.

[0060] In the present invention, the first moving guard 223 and the second moving guard 224 can be variably positioned horizontally and vertically. With the wide surfaces of the first moving guard 223 and the second moving guard 224 positioned horizontally, the battery module 100 can be moved horizontally and placed in an internal receiving portion (not shown) of the module carrier 220.

[0061] After the battery module 100 is positioned in the receiving portion of the module carrier 220 with the first fixed guard 221 and the second fixed guard 222 closely contacting the adjacent corner, the first moving guard 223 and the second moving guard 224 may rotate 90 degrees so that the wide surface is positioned vertically instead of horizontally. Then, the first moving guard 223 and the second moving guard 224 move toward the battery module 100 received in the receiving portion of the module carrier 220 and come into close contact with the battery module 100, thereby fixing the battery module 100 inside the module carrier 220.

[0062] In the present invention, one or more reference portions 230 may be located on the surface of the second fixing guard 222 opposite the surface facing the receiving portion that receives the battery module 100, and an "L"-shaped marker may be located on the upper surface of the reference portion 230. This will be described later. Here, the reference portion 230 may be located at a midpoint between a pair of battery cell rows arranged parallel to the first fixing guard 221. Also, in the present invention, the battery module 100 may be divided based on a pair of battery cell rows arranged parallel to the first fixing guard 221. In FIG. 6, a module first region 101, a module second region 102, and a module third region 103 are shown in a direction away from the first fixing guard 221, but this is merely an example of the present invention and is not limited to these regions.

[0063] In addition, the present invention may include one or more battery cell rows positioned alongside the first fixed guard, and more particularly, may include an even number of battery cell rows.

[0064] The vision unit 300 will now be described in detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5. The vision unit 300 can scan the upper surface of the module carrier 220 housing the battery modules 100 transported by the conveyor 210 and transmit the battery modules 100 to the bonding unit 400 at the rear. Although not shown in the drawings, the vision unit 300 can include a vision camera (not shown) and an illumination unit (not shown) located at the bottom of the vision camera.

[0065] The vision camera scans the position where the module case 110 is placed and the positions of the battery cells 120 housed in the module case 110, using the "L"-shaped marker on the reference portion 230 of the module carrier 220 as a reference. In particular, the vision camera can scan the "L"-shaped marker on the reference portion 230 and the positions of each battery cell 120 included in the battery cell row arranged alongside the first fixed guards 221 on both sides of the reference portion 230. More particularly, the vision camera can scan the "L"-shaped marker on the reference portion 230, the positions of the positive and negative terminals of the battery cells 120, and the relative positions of the positive and negative terminals of each battery cell 120 from the "L"-shaped marker on the reference portion 230.

[0066] The scan information obtained by the vision unit 300 is transmitted to the bonding unit 400 at the rear.

[0067] The bonding unit 400 electrically connects the positive electrode of the battery cell 120 to the bus bar 130 and the negative electrode of the battery cell 120 to the bus bar 130. Although not shown in the drawings, the bonding unit 400 has a nozzle unit (not shown) with a pointed end at its lower end, through which molten conductive metal is ejected.

[0068] The bonding unit 400 is movable in the left-right and front-back directions to perform wire bonding operations for each module area.

[0069] A bonding vision unit may be added to the bonding unit 400. A camera is installed in the bonding vision unit to photograph the top surface of the module carrier 220 housing the battery module 100 transferred to the bonding unit 400. The photographed data is compared with top surface scan information of the module carrier 220 housing the battery module 100 transmitted from the vision unit 300 in front to confirm the wire bonding position, and then the wire bonding operation is performed.

[0070] The battery module assembling apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes one vision unit 300 and two bonding units 400, that is, a first bonding unit 401 and a second bonding unit 402.

[0071] The vision unit 300 scans the top surface of the module carrier 220 housing the first battery module 100, moves the module carrier 220 housing the first battery module 100 backward, and then receives the module carrier 220 housing the second battery module 100, scans the top surface of the module carrier 220, and moves it backward.

[0072] The module carrier 220 housing the first battery module 100 is transferred to the rear first bonding unit 401, and the scan information of the top surface of the module carrier 220 housing the first battery module 100 scanned by the vision unit 300 is transmitted to the first bonding unit 401, and the module carrier 220 housing the second battery module 100 is transferred to the rear second bonding unit 402, and the scan information of the top surface of the module carrier 220 housing the second battery module 100 scanned by the vision unit 300 is transmitted to the second bonding unit 402.

[0073] The module carrier 220 housing the first battery module 100 transferred to the first bonding unit 401 performs a wire bonding operation using the photographic information of the first camera 411 and the scan information transmitted from the vision unit 300, and the module carrier 220 housing the second battery module 100 transferred to the second bonding unit 402 performs a wire bonding operation using the photographic information of the second camera 412 and the scan information transmitted from the vision unit 300. Through this operation, the bonding operation of the battery modules 100 can be performed continuously, thereby improving the productivity of the battery modules.

[0074] FIG. 7 is a front view of a battery module assembly apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the third bonding unit 1403 and the fourth bonding unit 1404 are arranged in parallel to the first bonding unit 1401 and the second bonding unit 1402 in the process flow direction (x-axis direction), and a parallel transfer unit 1420 is provided to transfer the module carrier 1220 containing the battery module discharged from the vision unit 1300 to the third bonding unit 1403 and the fourth bonding unit 1404. Except for this, the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment described with reference to Figures 2 to 6, and therefore, only the third bonding unit 1403, the fourth bonding unit 1404, and the parallel transfer unit 1420 will be described below.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 7, the module assembly apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention may include a third bonding part 1403 and a fourth bonding part 1404 positioned parallel to a first bonding part 1401 and a second bonding part 1402 .

[0077] Like the first bonding unit 1401 and the second bonding unit 1402, the third bonding unit 1403 and the fourth bonding unit 1404 use the scan information transmitted from the vision unit 1300 and the information captured by the third camera 1413 and the fourth camera 1414 disposed at the third bonding unit 1403 and the fourth bonding unit 1404, respectively, to confirm and analyze the reference portion of the module carrier, the position of the battery cell, and the relative position between the negative and positive electrodes, and then perform the wire bonding operation.

[0078] The module carrier 1220 housing the battery module scanned by the vision unit 1300 is then transferred to the production line where the third bonding unit 1403 and the fourth bonding unit 1404 are located by the parallel transfer unit 1420. The parallel transfer unit 1420 may be positioned perpendicular to the transfer unit 1200 where the first bonding unit 1401 and the second bonding unit 1402 are located, and may be a conveyor type. Between the transfer unit 1200 and the parallel transfer unit 1420, and between the parallel transfer unit 1420 and a transfer unit (not shown) where the third bonding unit 1403 and the fourth bonding unit 1404 are located, moving means may be further provided to minimize shaking of the battery modules and battery cells housed in the upper module carrier 1220.

[0079] By configuring the bonding portions in series and parallel in this way, the overall productivity of the battery module assembly process can be improved.

[0080] An assembly method using the battery module assembly apparatus according to the present invention may include a step (s1) of seating a battery module 100 housing battery cells 120 on a module carrier 220, a step (s2) of moving the module carrier using a transport unit 200, a step (s3) of scanning the reference unit 230 and the upper end surface of the battery module 100 using a vision unit 300, and a step (s4) of wire-bonding electrodes of the battery cells 120 housed in the battery module 100 to bus bars 130.

[0081] Meanwhile, in the step (s1), a step of moving the moving guard of the module carrier 220 to fix the battery module 100 to the module carrier 220 may be further performed.

[0082] In step (s3), the vision unit 300 scans the upper surface of the module carrier 220 housing the battery modules 100 continuously supplied thereto, and then supplies the battery modules to different bonding units.

[0083] One or more battery modules assembled by the battery module assembling method according to the present invention can be assembled to form a battery pack.

[0084] Although specific parts of the present invention have been described in detail above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such specific techniques 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 accompanying claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 10 Battery Module 20 Transfer section 21 Rail 22 Seating die 23 Guide section 30 Vision Department 31 Vision Camera 32 Vision Lighting Department 40 Bonding section 100 battery modules 101 Module 1 Area 102 Module 2nd Area 103 Module 3 Area 110 Module Case 120 battery cells 121 Electrode assembly 121(a) Positive electrode 121(b) Negative pole 121(c) Separation membrane 122 Metal can 123 Cap Assembly 123(a) Positive terminal 124 Winding core 125 center pin 130 Busbar 200, 1200 Transfer section 210, 1210 Conveyor 220, 1220 module carrier 221 First Fixed Guard 222 Second Fixed Guard 223 First Moving Guard 224 Second Moving Guard 230 Reference section 240 Height adjustment part 300, 1300 Vision Department 400 Bonding Section 401, 1401 First Bonding Section 402, 1402 Second bonding section 411, 1411 Camera 1 412, 1412 2nd camera 1403 3rd Bonding Department 1404 4th Bonding Section 1413 Third Camera 1414 4th Camera 1420 Parallel transfer section

Claims

1. a transport unit that moves a battery module containing cylindrical battery cells while seated on a module carrier; a vision unit that checks the position information of the battery module and the module carrier; one or more bonding portions that electrically connect electrodes of cylindrical battery cells housed in the battery module to bus bars; Including, the position information confirmed by the vision unit is transmitted to each of the bonding units, and the bonding units electrically connect electrodes of cylindrical battery cells housed in the battery modules to bus bars based on the confirmed position information of the battery modules and module carriers.

2. The battery module assembling apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the transfer unit includes a height adjustment unit that moves the battery modules and the module carriers located at an upper end thereof up and down in a vertical direction.

3. The battery module assembling apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the transfer units are arranged in separate zones and operate independently in the zones.

4. The battery module assembling apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the transfer unit is movable back and forth or left and right.

5. the module carrier includes a fixed guard and a moving guard; The battery module assembling device according to claim 1 , wherein the movable guard is moved back and forth or left and right to fix the battery modules housed therein.

6. A transport unit that moves a battery module containing cylindrical battery cells while seated on a module carrier; a vision unit that checks the position information of the battery module and the module carrier; one or more bonding portions that electrically connect electrodes of cylindrical battery cells housed in the battery module to bus bars; Including, a battery module assembling device that transmits position information confirmed by the vision unit to each of the bonding units, the module carrier includes a fixed guard and a moving guard; The movable guard is moved back and forth or left and right to fix the battery module housed therein; The battery module assembling device includes one or more reference portions on the outer side of the fixed guard.

7. The battery module assembly device according to claim 6 , wherein a marker for determining a position is formed on an upper surface of the reference portion.

8. The battery module assembling device according to claim 7 , wherein the vision unit scans the markers for determining the positions, the positions of the electrodes of the cylindrical battery cells, and the positions of bus bars provided on the battery modules.

9. A transport unit that moves a battery module containing cylindrical battery cells while seated on a module carrier; a vision unit that checks the position information of the battery module and the module carrier; one or more bonding portions that electrically connect electrodes of cylindrical battery cells housed in the battery module to bus bars; Including, a battery module assembling device that transmits position information confirmed by the vision unit to each of the bonding units, The bonding unit and the vision unit are located on a transfer unit that is aligned in a straight line, The battery module assembling apparatus includes an additional bonding section on a transfer section branched from the vision section.

10. The battery module assembling apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the bonding unit includes a separate bonding vision unit for determining a position when the electrode and the bus bar are electrically connected.

11. A battery module assembling method for assembling a battery module by the battery module assembling apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: a step (s1) of seating a battery module containing battery cells on a module carrier; (s2) moving the module carrier using a transfer unit; (s3) scanning the reference portion of the module carrier and the upper end surface of the battery module using a vision unit; a step (s4) of wire-bonding the electrodes of the battery cells housed in the battery module to bus bars at bonding portions; A battery module assembling method comprising:

12. The battery module assembling method according to claim 11, wherein step (s1) further comprises the step of moving a moving guard of the module carrier to fix the battery module to the module carrier.

13. 12. The battery module assembling method of claim 11, further comprising, between steps (s3) and (s4), a step of transferring the module carrier that has been scanned by the vision unit to one of a plurality of bonding units.

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