Electrode supply device, electrode assembly manufacturing device using the same, electrode supply method, and electrode assembly manufacturing method using the same

Abstract

The present invention is characterized in that the electrode supply device includes: an electrode magazine unit in which a plurality of electrodes are stacked; an electrode pickup unit that picks up a first electrode on the uppermost side among the plurality of electrodes; and at least one of the electrode magazine unit and the electrode pickup unit includes a heating unit that heats the first electrode and a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode to expand an air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention claims the benefit of the filing date of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0184454, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 26, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrode supplying device, an electrode assembly manufacturing device using the same, an electrode supplying method, and an electrode assembly manufacturing method using the same. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries, unlike primary batteries, are rechargeable and have the potential to be small and have large capacities. As technological development and demand for mobile devices increases, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing.

[0004] Secondary batteries are classified into coin-type batteries, cylindrical batteries, prismatic batteries, and pouch-type batteries depending on the shape of the battery case. The electrode assembly attached to the inside of the battery case in a secondary battery is a power generating element that can be charged and discharged and is made up of a laminated structure of electrodes and a separator.

[0005] The electrode assemblies can be roughly classified into a jelly-roll type in which a sheet-type positive electrode and a negative electrode coated with an active material are wound up with a separator interposed between them, a stack type in which a number of positive electrodes and a negative electrodes are stacked in order with a separator interposed between them, and a stack-and-fold type in which a stack-type unit cell is wound up with a long separator film.

[0006] In most cases, the electrode assemblies are manufactured by supplying individual electrodes from a magazine in which a plurality of individual electrodes are stacked. During this process, there is a problem that the electrodes to be supplied are not completely separated from the plurality of individual electrodes stacked in the magazine, resulting in defective electrode assemblies.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a technology for appropriately separating electrodes for supply among a plurality of electrodes stacked in a magazine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0027918 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an electrode supplying device, an electrode assembly manufacturing device using the same, an electrode supplying method, and an electrode assembly manufacturing method using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode supply device including: an electrode magazine unit in which a plurality of electrodes are stacked; and an electrode pickup unit that picks up a first electrode that is the uppermost of the plurality of electrodes; and at least one of the electrode magazine unit and the electrode pickup unit includes a heating unit that heats the first electrode and a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode and expands an air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0011] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately arranged between folded separators, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus including: a positive electrode supply unit that supplies the positive electrodes to a stack table; a negative electrode supply unit that supplies the negative electrodes to the stack table; a separator supply unit that supplies the separator to the stack table; a stack table that manufactures a stack of positive electrodes, separators, and negative electrodes in such a manner that the positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separators; and a press unit that heats and pressurizes the stack to bond the positive electrodes, separators, and negative electrodes to manufacture an electrode assembly, wherein at least one of the positive electrode supply unit and the negative electrode supply unit includes the electrode supply device.

[0012] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode supply method including the steps of: heating a first electrode that is the uppermost of a plurality of electrodes stacked in an electrode magazine section and a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode to expand an air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode; and picking up and transporting the first electrode to supply the electrode to a stack table side.

[0013] Finally, one embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which positive and negative electrodes are alternately arranged between folded separators, the method comprising: supplying the positive electrode to a stacking table; supplying the negative electrode to a stacking table; supplying the separator to a stacking table; stacking the positive electrode, separator, and negative electrode on a stacking table so that the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separators to form a stack; and a heat pressing step of heating and pressurizing the stack to bond the positive electrode, separator, and negative electrode to form an electrode assembly, wherein at least one of the steps of supplying the positive electrode to the stacking table and supplying the negative electrode to the stacking table includes the electrode supplying method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The electrode supplying method and electrode supplying device according to the embodiments of the present invention, the electrode assembly manufacturing device using the same, and the electrode assembly manufacturing method using the same can prevent problems with separation of multiple sheets due to contact between electrode surfaces or between the electrode surfaces and a separator.

[0015] The electrode gap method and electrode gap device according to the embodiments of the present invention, the electrode assembly manufacturing device using the device, and the electrode assembly manufacturing method using the method can prevent the problem of separation of multiple sheets, thereby improving productivity. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 3A to 3C are views illustrating a process of separating electrodes in a method and apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view illustrating an example of an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a front view illustrating a concept of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a conventional electrode assembly. [Figure 5] 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a pressing process of a method or apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1(a) is a perspective view showing a first press section 50 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view showing a second press section 60 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view showing a stack table in an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] 1 is a perspective view showing a positive electrode mounting table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view showing a negative electrode mounting table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] 1 is a perspective view showing a first suction head of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 11] 1 is a bottom view showing a first suction head of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 12] 1 is a plan view showing a holding mechanism and a stack table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Explanation of symbols]

[0017] 1. Electrode pickup section 2...1st electrode 3...Second electrode 4. Other electrodes 5 Temperature sensor section 6 Temperature control unit 7 Electrode magazine 10...electrode assembly 11...Positive electrode 11a Positive electrode tab 12...Negative electrode 12a Negative electrode tab 14...Separation membrane 50 ···First Press Department 50a, 50b...First pressure block 51 Gripper 51a Main body 51b...Fixed part 60 ···Second Press Department 60a, 60b: Second pressure block 100...Electrode assembly manufacturing equipment 110 Stack Table 111 Table body 112 Stack Table Heater 120...Separation membrane supply section 121 Separation membrane heating section 122 Separation membrane roll 130 Positive electrode supply unit 131 Positive electrode placement table 132 Positive heater 133 Positive electrode roll 134 First cutter 135 First conveyor belt 136 Positive electrode supply head 140 Negative electrode supply unit 141 Negative electrode placing table 142 Negative electrode heater 143 Negative electrode roll 144 Second cutter 145 Second conveyor belt 146 Negative electrode supply head 150 Positive electrode stack section 151 First suction head 151a...Vacuum inlet 151b...Bottom surface 152 First head heater 153 First moving part 160 Negative electrode stack section 161 Second suction head 162 Second head heater 163 Second moving part 170 ···Holding mechanism 171 First holding mechanism 172 Second holding mechanism 180 ···Press Department 181 First pressure block 182 Second pressure block 183,184 Press heater S ···Laminate A: A thin layer of air A': Expanded air layer DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0019] In this specification, when a part is said to "comprise" a certain component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but that it may further include other components, unless otherwise specified.

[0020] In this specification, "p to q" means "not less than p and not more than q."

[0021] In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related known technologies that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted.

[0022] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode supply device including: an electrode magazine section in which a plurality of electrodes are stacked; and an electrode pickup section that picks up a first electrode that is the uppermost of the plurality of electrodes; and at least one of the electrode magazine section and the electrode pickup section includes a heating section that heats the first electrode and a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode and expands an air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0023] In this specification, the term "electrode" refers to the electrode and / or a semi-finished electrode product. Also, the semi-finished electrode product refers to an electrode assembly and all semi-assembled products related to electrodes, such as coated electrodes, rolled electrodes, notched electrodes, mono-cells, half-cells, and bi-cells, which are manufactured in the process of manufacturing a secondary battery including the electrode assembly. That is, in this specification, electrodes or semi-finished electrode products may be stacked in the electrode magazine.

[0024] In an embodiment of the electrode supply device according to the present invention, at least one of the electrode magazine unit and the electrode pickup unit includes the heating unit, which can heat the uppermost first electrode and the second electrode adjacent to the first electrode among the plurality of electrodes stacked in the electrode magazine unit to expand the air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. This has the advantage that only the uppermost electrode can be separated by expanding the air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. When only the uppermost electrode is separated in this way, separation of multiple sheets due to contact between electrode surfaces or between the electrode surface and a separator can be prevented.

[0025] As a result, when using the electrode supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention and the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus using the same, productivity can be improved.

[0026] At least one of the electrode magazine unit and the electrode pickup unit of the electrode supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a heating unit that heats the first electrode and the second electrode and expands the air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode magazine may include a heating unit that heats an uppermost first electrode and a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode among the plurality of electrodes stacked in the electrode magazine, thereby expanding an air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. When the electrode magazine includes a heating unit, there is an advantage that the uppermost first electrode and the area between the uppermost first electrode and the adjacent second electrode can be easily heated by the heating unit regardless of the height of the electrodes stacked inside the electrode magazine.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode pickup unit may include a heating unit that heats an uppermost first electrode and a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode among the plurality of electrodes stacked in the electrode magazine unit to expand an air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. When the electrode pickup unit includes a heating unit, the heating unit expands an air layer between the uppermost first electrode and the second electrode adjacent to the uppermost first electrode, thereby facilitating separation of the electrodes. This also has the advantage of enabling preheating of individual electrodes and facilitating uniform bonding when the stack including the electrodes and separator is subsequently heated and pressurized to bond the electrodes and separator.

[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode magazine unit and the electrode pickup unit may include a heating unit that heats a first electrode that is an uppermost electrode among the plurality of electrodes stacked in the electrode magazine unit and a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode, thereby expanding an air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. Since both the electrode magazine unit and the electrode pickup unit include heating units, the above-mentioned advantages can be simultaneously achieved.

[0030] The electrode supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an electrode pickup unit configured to pick up a first electrode located at the top of the plurality of electrodes stacked in the electrode magazine unit.

[0031] More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode pickup unit may include an electrode fixing unit that fixes the first electrode; and an electrode transport unit that transports the first electrode fixed by the fixing unit toward the stack table.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus may further include an electrode placement table on which the electrodes transferred by the electrode pickup unit are placed and aligned, and the electrodes placed on the electrode placement table may be stacked on a stack table by an electrode stack unit (described later).

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heating element may further include a temperature sensor unit that measures the surface temperatures of the first electrode and the second electrode; and a temperature control unit that adjusts the temperature of the heating unit so that the surface temperatures measured by the temperature sensor unit fall within a controlled temperature range.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the controlled temperature range may be 40° C. to 140° C., preferably 50° C. to 120° C., and more preferably 60° C. to 100° C. When the temperature of the heating unit is adjusted within a range in which the surface temperatures of the first electrode and the second electrode satisfy the controlled temperature range, there is an advantage in that the air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode can be expanded in a short time without damaging the electrodes themselves, making it easier to separate the electrodes.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heating unit may include a non-contact heat source that is not in physical contact with the first electrode and the second electrode. Using a non-contact heat source has the advantage of easily transferring heat to the electrodes only when needed.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, the non-contact heat source may be, but is not limited to, a radiant heat source, an induction heating heat source, or a laser heat source, and an appropriate heat source may be selected depending on the application environment.

[0037] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately arranged between folded separators, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus including: a positive electrode supply unit that supplies the positive electrodes to a stack table; a negative electrode supply unit that supplies the negative electrodes to the stack table; a separator supply unit that supplies the separator to the stack table; a stack table that manufactures a stack of positive electrodes, separators, and negative electrodes in such a manner that the positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separators; and a press unit that heats and pressurizes the stack to bond the positive electrodes, separators, and negative electrodes to manufacture an electrode assembly; and at least one of the positive electrode supply unit and the negative electrode supply unit includes the electrode supply device.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode supply section includes the electrode supply device.

[0039] In one embodiment of the present invention, the negative electrode supply unit includes the electrode supply device.

[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode supply section and the negative electrode supply section each include the electrode supply device.

[0041] That is, the positive electrode supply unit and the negative electrode supply unit may both supply positive and negative electrodes, respectively, using the electrode supply device according to the present invention.

[0042] In other words, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an electrode supplying unit that supplies electrodes to a stack table, and the electrode supplying unit may include an electrode placing table on which the electrodes are placed before being stacked on the stack table by the electrode stacking unit. The electrodes transferred by the electrode supplying apparatus according to the present invention may be placed on the electrode placing table and aligned. The aligned electrodes may be stacked on the stack table by the electrode stacking unit. The electrodes may be positive or negative.

[0043] In this specification, the process of manufacturing a stack in which the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separators is referred to as zigzag folding.

[0044] In this specification, the laminate may correspond to an unfinished electrode assembly, and the uppermost and lowermost ends of the electrode assembly may correspond to the upper and lower surfaces of the laminate, respectively, or the bottom and top surfaces of the unfinished electrode assembly.

[0045] That is, an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly in a form in which positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately arranged between folded separators, and includes: a stack table in which the positive electrodes, the separators, and the negative electrodes are stacked in a stacked form in which the positive electrodes and the negative electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separators; a positive electrode supply unit that supplies the positive electrodes to the stack table; a negative electrode supply unit that supplies the negative electrodes to the stack table; a separator supply unit that supplies the separators to the stack table; and a press unit that heats and presses the stack to bond the positive electrodes, the separators, and the negative electrodes, and the positive electrode supply unit is configured to: a positive electrode magazine unit in which the plurality of positive electrodes are stacked; and a pick-up unit that picks up an uppermost first positive electrode from the plurality of positive electrodes stacked in the positive electrode magazine unit. and a positive electrode pickup unit that picks up and transports the uppermost first negative electrode of the plurality of negative electrodes stacked in the negative electrode magazine; and at least one of the positive electrode magazine and the positive electrode pickup unit includes a first heating unit that heats an uppermost first positive electrode and a second positive electrode adjacent to the first positive electrode among the plurality of positive electrodes stacked in the positive electrode magazine, thereby expanding an air layer between the first positive electrode and the second positive electrode. The negative electrode supply unit may include a negative electrode magazine in which a plurality of negative electrodes are stacked; and a negative electrode pickup unit that picks up and transports the uppermost first negative electrode of the plurality of negative electrodes stacked in the negative electrode magazine; and at least one of the negative electrode magazine and the negative electrode pickup unit may include a second heating unit that heats an uppermost first negative electrode and a second negative electrode adjacent to the first negative electrode among the plurality of negative electrodes stacked in the negative electrode magazine, thereby expanding an air layer between the first negative electrode and the second negative electrode.

[0046] In addition, in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode supply unit may include a positive electrode placing table on which the positive electrode is placed before being stacked on the stack table by the positive electrode stacking unit, and the negative electrode supply unit may include a negative electrode placing table on which the negative electrode is placed before being stacked on the stack table by the negative electrode stacking unit.

[0047] In one embodiment of the present invention, in order to stack the positive electrode, the separator, and the negative electrode so that the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separator, a method in which the stack table moves left and right, a method in which the separator moves left and right, or a method in which the stack table rotates may be used, and conventional techniques in the art may be applied to this.

[0048] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a stack table moving unit that moves the stack table left and right, or a separation membrane guide unit that moves the separation membrane left and right. The stack table moving unit and the separation membrane guide unit may be configured in any manner as long as they perform the function of moving the stack table and the separation membrane left and right, respectively, and may be any device commonly used in the art.

[0049] In one embodiment of the present invention, the press unit may further include a pair of pressure blocks and a press heater for heating the pressure blocks, the pair of pressure blocks moving in directions opposite to each other to apply surface pressure to the laminate, and the laminate may be heated by the press heaters. In this case, in one embodiment of the present invention, the pair of pressure blocks may include the press heaters therein.

[0050] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heating of the stack may be performed by a heater contained within the stack table.

[0051] The pressure and temperature conditions of the heat and pressure applied by the press unit may be the same as those of the heat pressing step described below, as well as the time (time conditions) for applying the heat and pressure.

[0052] Here, the pressure condition refers to the pressure applied by the pair of pressurizing blocks (or the pressurizing block for the stack table), and the temperature condition refers to the temperature of heat applied by a press heater or a heater included inside the stack table.

[0053] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heat-pressing device may further include a gripper for fixing the stack of the positive electrode, the separator, and the negative electrode during the heating and pressurizing process by the press unit. Specifically, the gripper may be applied in a first heat-pressing step described below.

[0054] In one embodiment of the present invention, the press unit may include a first press unit and a second press unit. Specifically, the first press unit and the second press unit may be applied to a first heat pressing stage and a second heat pressing stage, respectively, as described below, and the heating conditions and pressure conditions for the first heat pressing stage and the second heat pressing stage may be applied.

[0055] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first press unit may include a pair of first press blocks, and the press surfaces of the pair of first press blocks may include grooves corresponding to the grippers, and the press surfaces other than the grooves may be flat. That is, the first press unit may be used in the first heat pressing step described above.

[0056] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second press unit may include a pair of second press blocks, and the press surfaces of the pair of second press blocks may be flat. That is, the second press unit may be used in the second heat pressing step described above.

[0057] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a holding mechanism that holds and fixes the laminate during the manufacturing process of the laminate.

[0058] In this specification, the term "holding mechanism" refers to a mechanism that grips the stacked electrode stack on the stack table to stack the positive electrode or negative electrode during the process of manufacturing a stack in which the positive electrode, separator, and negative electrode are stacked so that the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately arranged between the separators folded on the stack table. The function of the holding mechanism is different from that of a gripper that grips the stack during the process of heating and pressurizing the stack. For specific operation of the holding mechanism, please refer to the description of the method for manufacturing an electrode assembly described below.

[0059] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode supply method including the steps of: heating a first electrode that is the uppermost of a plurality of electrodes stacked in an electrode magazine section and a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode to expand an air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode; and picking up and transporting the first electrode and supplying it to a stack table.

[0060] In an electrode assembly manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention, the uppermost first electrode among the plurality of electrodes stacked in the electrode magazine and the second electrode adjacent to the first electrode can be heated to expand the air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. By expanding the air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, only the uppermost electrode can be separated. Separating only the uppermost electrode in this manner can prevent separation of multiple sheets due to contact between electrode surfaces or between the electrode surface and the separator.

[0061] As a result, when using the electrode supply method and the electrode assembly manufacturing method using the same according to the embodiments of the present invention, productivity can be improved.

[0062] In one embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include stacking electrodes in the electrode magazine unit. More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include stacking two or more electrodes in the electrode magazine unit.

[0063] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of picking up and transporting the uppermost first electrode among the electrodes stacked in the electrode magazine unit and supplying it to the stack table side may include the steps of fixing the first electrode; and transporting the fixed first electrode to the stack table side.

[0064] In one embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include aligning the positions of the transferred electrodes before supplying the electrodes to the stack table, to which the above description of the electrode placement table may be applied.

[0065] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of heating the uppermost first electrode and the second electrode adjacent to the first electrode among the plurality of electrodes stacked in the electrode magazine unit may include measuring the surface temperatures of the first electrode and the second electrode; and adjusting the temperature of the heat source so that the measured surface temperatures fall within a controlled temperature range. In this case, in one embodiment of the present invention, the controlled temperature range may be 40°C to 140°C, preferably 50°C to 120°C, and more preferably 60°C to 100°C. As described above, when the temperature of the heating unit is adjusted within a range in which the surface temperatures of the uppermost first electrode and the second electrode adjacent to the first electrode fall within the controlled temperature range, the air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode can be expanded quickly without damaging the electrodes themselves, which has the advantage of making electrode separation easier.

[0066] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heat source may be a non-contact heat source that does not physically contact the first electrode and the second electrode. The non-contact heat source may be, but is not limited to, a radiant heat source, an induction heating heat source, or a laser heat source. An appropriate heat source may be selected depending on the application environment. As described above, using a non-contact heat source has the advantage of easily transferring heat to the electrodes only when needed.

[0067] One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which positive and negative electrodes are alternately arranged between folded separators, the method comprising: supplying the positive electrode to a stacking table; supplying the negative electrode to a stacking table; supplying the separator to a stacking table; stacking the positive electrode, separator, and negative electrode on a stacking table so that the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separators to form a stack; and a heat pressing step of heating and pressurizing the stack to bond the positive electrode, separator, and negative electrode to form an electrode assembly, wherein at least one of the steps of supplying the positive electrode to the stacking table and supplying the negative electrode to the stacking table includes the electrode supplying method.

[0068] That is, in the method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, the electrode may refer to a positive electrode or a negative electrode, and the step of supplying the electrodes to a stacking table may include supplying a positive electrode to the stacking table and supplying a negative electrode to the stacking table, and the method may further include supplying a separator to the stacking table; stacking the positive electrode, separator, and negative electrode on the stacking table so that the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separators to form a stack; and heating and pressurizing the stack to bond the positive electrode, separator, and negative electrode together to form an electrode assembly. In this case, the step of heating and pressurizing the stack to bond the positive electrode, separator, and negative electrode together to form an electrode assembly may be referred to as a heat pressing step.

[0069] That is, a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention is a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly in a form in which positive electrodes and negative electrodes are alternately arranged between folded separators, the method including: supplying the separator to a stack table; supplying the positive electrode to the stack table; supplying the negative electrode to the stack table; stacking the positive electrodes, separators, and negative electrodes on the stack table so that the positive electrodes and the negative electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separators to manufacture a stack; and heat pressing the stack; wherein the step of supplying the positive electrode to the stack table includes heating an uppermost first positive electrode and a second positive electrode adjacent to the first positive electrode among the plurality of positive electrodes stacked in the positive electrode magazine section to expand an air layer between the first positive electrode and the second positive electrode; and picking up the uppermost first positive electrode among the plurality of positive electrodes stacked in the positive electrode magazine section. the step of supplying the negative electrodes to the stack table may include the steps of: heating an uppermost first negative electrode among the plurality of negative electrodes stacked in the negative electrode magazine section and a second negative electrode adjacent to the first negative electrode to expand an air layer between the first negative electrode and the second negative electrode; and picking up and transporting the uppermost first negative electrode among the negative electrodes stacked in the negative electrode magazine section to supply the first negative electrode to the stack table.

[0070] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of supplying the positive electrode to the stack table side includes the electrode supply method.

[0071] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of supplying the negative electrode to the stack table side includes the electrode supply method.

[0072] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of supplying the positive electrode to the stack table side and the step of supplying the negative electrode to the stack table side each include the electrode supply method.

[0073] That is, the steps of supplying the positive electrode to the stack table and the negative electrode to the stack table may be performed by using the electrode supply method according to the present invention to supply the positive electrode and the negative electrode, respectively.

[0074] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of stacking the positive electrode, the separator, and the negative electrode on a stack table so that the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separators to manufacture a stack includes: (S1) stacking the negative electrodes on the stack table; (S2) stacking the separator on the stack table so that the separator covers an upper surface of the negative electrode stacked on the stack table; (S3) stacking a positive electrode on the surface of the separator covering the top surface of the negative electrode opposite to the surface that contacts the negative electrode; (S4) providing the separator to cover the upper surface of the positive electrode; (S5) stacking the negative electrode on the surface of the separator covering the upper surface of the positive electrode opposite to the surface that comes into contact with the positive electrode; and (S6) providing the separator to cover the upper surface of the negative electrode; The steps (S1) to (S6) may be repeated one or more times, which means that the electrodes are first stacked on the stack table.

[0075] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of stacking the positive electrode, the separator, and the negative electrode on a stack table so that the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separators to manufacture a stack includes: (SS1) stacking a separation membrane on the stack table; (SS2) stacking a positive electrode on the separator; (SS3) providing the separator to cover the upper surface of the positive electrode; (SS4) stacking the negative electrode on the surface of the separator covering the upper surface of the positive electrode opposite to the surface that comes into contact with the positive electrode; and (SS5) providing the separator to cover the upper surface of the negative electrode; The steps (SS1) to (SS5) may be repeated one or more times, which means that the separation membrane is first stacked on the stack table.

[0076] In one embodiment of the present invention, steps (S4), (S6), (SS3), and (SS5), i.e., steps of additionally supplying the separator to cover the upper surface of the positive electrode or the negative electrode, may be performed by moving the stack table left and right, moving the separator left and right, or rotating the stack table, respectively.

[0077] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separation membrane may be provided in the form of a separation membrane sheet. That is, the additional separation membrane may be provided in a continuous form. Also, the "upper surface" may refer to the surface of the separation membrane or electrode opposite to the surface facing the stack table.

[0078] That is, in order to stack the positive electrode, the separator, and the negative electrode in a form in which the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separator, a method in which the stack table moves left and right, a method in which the separator moves left and right, or a method in which the stack table rotates may be used, and conventional techniques in the art may be applied to this.

[0079] In this case, the stack may be held by a holding mechanism to maintain the alignment of the stack while the positive electrode, negative electrode, and separator are being added, and a stack in which the positive electrode and negative electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separators may be manufactured.

[0080] In one embodiment of the present application, the method for manufacturing the electrode assembly may further include a heat pressing step of applying heat and pressure to the laminate along a lamination axis.

[0081] In addition, in one embodiment of the present application, the heat pressing step of applying heat and pressure along the lamination axis may include the steps of: moving the laminate between a pair of pressure blocks including a press heater; moving the pair of pressure blocks in directions opposite to each other along the lamination axis to apply surface pressure to the laminate; and heating the laminate with the press heater.

[0082] Additionally, in one embodiment of the present application, the heat pressing step may include a first heat pressing step in which the laminate is gripped with grippers and heated and pressurized; and a second heat pressing step in which, after the first heat pressing step, the gripping by the grippers is stopped and the laminate is heated and pressurized.

[0083] In one embodiment of the present application, the first heat pressing step may include the steps of: pressing the upper surface of the laminate using a gripper to fix the laminate; moving the laminate fixed by the gripper between a pair of pressure blocks including a press heater; moving the pair of pressure blocks in directions opposite to each other along the lamination axis of the laminate to apply surface pressure to the fixed laminate; and heating the fixed laminate by the press heater.

[0084] In one embodiment of the present application, the second heat pressing step may include the steps of: ceasing heating and pressing the laminate after the first heat pressing step; separating the grippers from the laminate; moving the laminate from which the grippers have been separated between a pair of pressure blocks including a press heater; pressing the laminate by moving the pair of pressure blocks in opposite directions along the lamination axis of the laminate from which the grippers have been separated; and heating the laminate with the press heater.

[0085] In one embodiment of the present application, the pressurizing block used in the first heat pressing step may have grooves corresponding to the grippers.

[0086] In one embodiment of the present application, the step of moving the gripper away from the stack may include the steps of: ceasing to apply pressure to the top surface of the stack using the gripper; and moving the gripper away from the stack.

[0087] In addition, in the heat pressing step (including the first and second heat pressing steps), the step of moving the laminate between a pair of pressure blocks including a press heater may include not only moving the laminate itself but also moving the laminate together with a stack table while being placed on it. In this case, the objects to be heated and pressed by the pair of pressure blocks and the press heater may refer to the laminate and the stack table.

[0088] In one embodiment of the present application, the first heat pressing step may involve heating and pressing the laminate at a temperature of 65°C to 90°C and a pressure of 1 MPa to 3 MPa for 10 to 30 seconds, or more preferably at a temperature of 65°C to 75°C and a pressure of 1.5 MPa to 2 MPa for 10 to 20 seconds.

[0089] In one embodiment of the present application, the secondary heat pressing step may involve heating and pressing the laminate at a temperature of 50°C to 90°C and a pressure of 1 MPa to 6 MPa for 5 to 60 seconds, preferably at a temperature of 65°C to 90°C and a pressure of 1.5 MPa to 6 MPa for 5 to 30 seconds, and more preferably at a temperature of 65°C to 85°C and a pressure of 3 MPa to 5.5 MPa for 7 to 25 seconds.

[0090] When heating and pressurizing are performed while satisfying the above conditions, the electrodes and separator of the laminate of the positive electrode, separator, and negative electrode are easily bonded without damaging the positive electrode, separator, and negative electrode, resulting in excellent performance of the manufactured electrode assembly.

[0091] In one embodiment of the present application, the temperature, pressure, and time conditions of the heat pressing step may be the same as those of the second heat pressing step. That is, the heat pressing step may involve heating and pressing the laminate at a temperature of 50°C to 90°C and a pressure of 1 MPa to 6 MPa for 5 to 60 seconds, preferably at a temperature of 65°C to 90°C and a pressure of 1.5 MPa to 6 MPa for 5 to 30 seconds. More preferably, the heat pressing step may involve heating and pressing the laminate at a temperature of 65°C to 85°C and a pressure of 3 MPa to 5.5 MPa for 7 to 25 seconds.

[0092] Hereinafter, a method and an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

[0093] FIG. 1 illustrates an electrode supplying method and electrode supplying device according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a process for separating electrodes. As shown in FIG. 1, an electrode magazine unit 7 includes a first electrode 2, an uppermost electrode 3 adjacent to the first electrode, and a plurality of other electrodes 4. An electrode pickup unit 1 picks up and transports the uppermost first electrode 2 of the stacked electrodes. A thin layer of air A is formed between the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3. A heating unit (not shown) included in the electrode magazine unit 7 and / or the pickup unit 1 heats the thin layer of air A. A temperature sensor unit 5 measures the surface temperatures of the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3, and a temperature control unit 6, linked to the temperature sensor unit 5, adjusts the heating temperature of the heating unit (not shown) so that the surface temperatures measured by the temperature sensor unit 5 fall within a controlled temperature range.

[0094] As a result, the thin air layer A is heated and expands to form an air layer A', thereby widening the gap between the uppermost first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 adjacent to the first electrode among the multiple electrodes stacked in the electrode magazine section 7.

[0095] Since the gap between the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 is widened, the electrode pickup unit 1 can pick up and transfer only the uppermost first electrode 2 among the stacked electrodes.

[0096] Figure 2 is a plan view illustrating an exemplary apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a front view illustrating the concept of the apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. For convenience, the holding mechanism 170 shown in Figure 3 is omitted in Figure 2, the pressing unit 180 located at the rear side in the plan view is indicated by a dotted line, and the separator supply unit 120 shown in Figure 2 is omitted in Figure 3. For reference, the details described in Figure 1 may be applied to the portions indicated by dotted lines in Figures 2 and 3.

[0097] 1 to 3, an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a stack table 110, a separator supply unit 120 that supplies a separator 14, a cathode supply unit 130 that supplies a cathode 11, a cathode supply unit 140 that supplies anode 12, a cathode stacking unit 150 that stacks the cathode 11 on the stack table 110, anode stacking unit 160 that stacks the anode 12 on the stack table 110, and a press unit 180 that bonds the cathode 11, the separator 14, and the anode 12. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a holding mechanism 170 that secures the cathode 11 and the anode 12 when they are stacked on the stack table 110. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, the electrode magazine unit 7 heats the thin air layer A formed between the uppermost first electrode 2 of the stacked electrodes and the second electrode 3 adjacent to the first electrode to form an expanded air layer A', thereby widening the gap between the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3, and enabling the electrode pickup unit 1 to pick up and transport only the uppermost first electrode 2 of the stacked electrodes.

[0098] In one embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode, the separator, and the negative electrode may be supplied to a stack table while being heated.

[0099] That is, the separation membrane supply unit may supply the separation membrane to the stack table while heating it, and the positive electrode supply unit and the negative electrode supply unit may supply the positive electrode and the negative electrode to the stack table while heating them, respectively.

[0100] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an electrode assembly.

[0101] 2 to 4, an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly 10 by stacking a positive electrode 11, a separator 14, and a negative electrode 12.

[0102] As shown in Fig. 4, the electrode assembly 10 is generally a chargeable / dischargeable power generating element, and may be formed in a form in which a positive electrode 11, a separator 14, and a negative electrode 12 are alternately stacked and assembled. Here, the electrode assembly 10 may be formed in a form in which the separator 14 is folded in a zigzag pattern, and the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 are alternately arranged between the folded separator 14. In this case, as shown in Fig. 4, the electrode assembly 10 may be formed in a form in which the separator 14 surrounds the outermost surface.

[0103] In one embodiment of the present application, the separation membrane supply unit may further include a separation membrane roll on which the separation membrane is wound. The separation membrane wound on the separation membrane roll may be gradually unwound and supplied to the stack table. That is, the separation membrane may be in the form of a separation membrane sheet.

[0104] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a press unit of an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a state in which the press unit presses a laminate in the apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] 2, 3, and 5, the press unit 180 includes a pair of pressure blocks 181 and 182, which are moved toward each other, and a stack of the positive electrode 11, the separator 14, and the negative electrode 12 may be disposed between the pressure blocks 181 and 182. Thereafter, the press unit 180 applies heat and pressure to the stacked positive electrode 11, the separator 14, and the negative electrode 12, thereby bonding the positive electrode 11, the separator 14, and the negative electrode 12 together.

[0106] The press unit 180 further includes press heaters 183 and 184 for heating the pair of pressure blocks 181 and 182, which can heat and press the laminate. This allows for better thermal fusion between the positive electrode 11, the separator 14, and the negative electrode 12 in the laminate, resulting in stronger adhesion.

[0107] The pair of pressure blocks 181, 182 may be formed so that the horizontal and vertical lengths of the pressure surfaces are longer than the horizontal and vertical lengths of the laminate. The pair of pressure blocks 181, 182 may include a first pressure block 181 and a second pressure block 182, which may be rectangular blocks.

[0108] FIG. 6(a) is a perspective view showing a first press unit 50 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6(b) is a perspective view showing a second press unit 60 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0109] 6(a), the first press unit 50 can apply heat and pressure to the laminate S while it is fixed by the gripper 51. The first press unit 50 is composed of a pair of first pressure blocks 50a and 50b, and the pressure surfaces of the pair of first pressure blocks 50a and 50b are entirely flat except for a groove corresponding to the fixing portion 51b of the gripper 51.

[0110] The gripper 51 may include a main body 51a that corresponds to the length x and height y of the stack S or is wider than the length x and height y of the stack S, and a plurality of fixing portions 51b that are provided on one surface of the main body 51a and are columnar or plate-shaped along the width z direction of the stack S. Here, the length x of the stack S may refer to the longest part from one end to the other end of the stack S, the height y may refer to the distance in the stacking direction of the stack S, and the width z may refer to the distance across the top surface of the stack S.

[0111] The fixing part 51b can be adjusted in position along the height direction of the main body 51a, and the fixing part 51b can contact the upper and lower surfaces of the laminate S to fix the laminate S. Thereafter, a pair of first pressure blocks 50a and 50b included in the first press part 50 are moved in directions facing each other to apply surface pressure to at least one of the laminate S and the gripper 51, thereby bonding the electrodes and the separator included in the laminate S.

[0112] 6(b), the second press unit 60 may finally heat and press the laminate S that has been primarily heated and pressed by the first press unit 50. The second press unit 60 includes a pair of second press blocks 60a, 60b that are movable in opposite directions to apply surface pressure to the laminate S. In addition, the pair of second press blocks 60a, 60b included in the second press unit 60 may have pressure surfaces that contact and press the laminate S and are formed on the same plane.

[0113] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a stack table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0114] 2, 3, and 7, a stack table 110 may stack positive electrodes 11, separators 14, and negative electrodes 12 in a form in which the positive electrodes 11 and negative electrodes 12 are alternately arranged between folded separators 14.

[0115] The stack table 110 may also include a table main body 111 on which the positive electrode 11, the separation membrane 14, and the negative electrode 12 are stacked, and a stack table heater 112 that heats the table main body 111 and thereby heats the stacked stack S.

[0116] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a positive electrode mounting table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0117] 2, 3, and 8, the positive electrode supply unit 130 can supply the positive electrode 11 to the positive electrode stack unit 150 while heating it.

[0118] The positive electrode supply unit 130 may also include a positive electrode placement table 131 on which the positive electrode 11 is placed before being stacked on the stack table 110 by the positive electrode stack unit 150, and a positive electrode heater 132 that heats the positive electrode placement table 131 and thereby heats the positive electrode 11.

[0119] Meanwhile, the positive electrode supply unit 130 may further include a positive electrode roll 133 on which the positive electrode 11 is wound in sheet form, a first cutter 134 that cuts the sheet-form positive electrode 11 wound around the positive electrode roll 133 at predetermined intervals when it is unwound and supplied to form positive electrodes 11 of a predetermined size, a first conveyor belt 135 that moves the positive electrodes 11 cut by the first cutter 134, and a positive electrode supply head 136 that vacuum-sucks the positive electrodes 11 transported by the first conveyor belt 135 and places them on the positive electrode placement table 131. Here, the first cutter 134 may cut the sheet-form positive electrodes 11 so that positive electrode tabs 11a are formed protruding from the ends when cutting the sheet-form positive electrodes 11.

[0120] At this time, the cut positive electrodes 11 may be stacked in a positive electrode magazine, and the description of FIG. 1 may be applied to a method of picking up the stacked positive electrodes 11 in the positive electrode magazine.

[0121] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a negative electrode mounting table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0122] 2, 3, and 9, the negative electrode supply unit 140 can heat the negative electrode 12 and supply it to the negative electrode stack unit 160.

[0123] The negative electrode supply unit 140 may also include a negative electrode placing table 141 on which the negative electrode 12 is placed before being stacked on the stack table 110 by the negative electrode stack unit 160, and a negative electrode heater 142 that heats the negative electrode placing table 141 to heat the negative electrode 12.

[0124] Meanwhile, the negative electrode supply unit 140 may further include a negative electrode roll 143 on which the negative electrode 12 is wound in sheet form, a second cutter 144 that cuts the sheet-form negative electrode 12 wound around the negative electrode roll 143 at predetermined intervals when it is unwound and supplied to form negative electrodes 12 of a predetermined size, a second conveyor belt 145 that moves the negative electrodes 12 cut by the second cutter 144, and a negative electrode supply head 146 that vacuum-sucks the negative electrodes 12 transported by the second conveyor belt 145 and places them on the negative electrode placement table 141. Here, the second cutter 144 may cut the sheet-form negative electrodes 12 so that negative electrode tabs 12a protrude from the ends when cutting the sheet-form negative electrodes 12.

[0125] In this case, the cut negative electrodes 12 may be stacked in a negative electrode magazine unit, and the description of FIG. 1 may be applied to a method of picking up the negative electrodes 12 stacked in the negative electrode magazine unit.

[0126] In one embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode stack unit may include a first suction head that vacuum-sucks the positive electrode placed on the positive electrode placing table, and the negative electrode stack unit may include a second suction head that vacuum-sucks the negative electrode placed on the negative electrode placing table.

[0127] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a first suction head in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a bottom view showing the first suction head in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0128] 2, 3, 10 and 11, the positive electrode stacking unit 150 can stack the positive electrodes 11 on the stack table 110.

[0129] The positive electrode stack unit 150 may also include a first suction head 151 and a first moving unit 153.

[0130] The first suction head 151 can vacuum-suck the positive electrode 11 placed on the positive electrode placement table 131. In this case, the first suction head 151 has a vacuum suction port 151a formed on a bottom surface 151b thereof, and can suck the positive electrode 11 through the vacuum suction port 151a to fix the positive electrode 11 to the bottom surface 151b of the first suction head 151. Here, the first suction head 151 may have a passage formed therein that connects the vacuum suction port 151a to a vacuum suction device (not shown).

[0131] The first moving unit 153 can move the first suction head 151 to the stack table 110 so that the first suction head 151 can stack the positive electrode 11 placed on the positive electrode placing table 131 on the stack table 110.

[0132] The negative electrode stacking unit 160 can stack the negative electrodes 12 on the stack table 110. Here, the negative electrode stacking unit 160 may have the same structure as the positive electrode stacking unit 150. In this case, the negative electrode stacking unit 160 may include a second suction head 161 and a second moving unit 163.

[0133] The second suction head 161 can vacuum-suck the negative electrode 12 placed on the negative electrode placing table 141. At this time, the second moving unit 163 can move the second suction head 161 to the stack table 110 so that the second suction head 161 can stack the negative electrode 12 placed on the negative electrode placing table 141 on the stack table 110.

[0134] FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a holding mechanism and a stack table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0135] 2, 3, and 12, when the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 12 is stacked on the stack table 110, the holding mechanism 170 can hold the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 12 and fix it to the stack table 110.

[0136] In addition, when stacking the positive electrode 11 on the stack table 110, the holding mechanism 170 may pressurize and fix the upper surface of the positive electrode 11 stacked on the uppermost side of the stack table 110, and when stacking the negative electrode 12 on the stack table 110, the holding mechanism 170 may pressurize and fix the upper surface of the negative electrode 12 stacked on the uppermost side of the stack table 110. In addition, the holding mechanism 170 may pressurize and fix the upper surface of the stack of the positive electrode 11, the separator 14, and the negative electrode 12 stacked on the stack table 110.

[0137] That is, when the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 are positioned between the separators 14 and stacked to form a stack, the holding mechanism 170 holds the uppermost surface of the stack by applying pressure toward the stack table 110, thereby preventing the stack from being separated from the stack table 110.

[0138] Meanwhile, the holding mechanism 170 includes, for example, a first holding mechanism 171 and a second holding mechanism 172 and can fix both sides of the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 12 .

[0139] As described above, when zigzag folding is performed while the stack table 110 is rotating, for example, after the holding mechanism 170 holds the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 12, when the stack table 110 is rotated, the separation membrane 14 is unwound from the separation membrane roll 122 in proportion to the amount of rotation of the stack table 110 and can be supplied to the stack table 110 side.

[0140] Meanwhile, for example, the holding mechanism 170 and the stack table 110 may be connected or coupled to a rotation device (not shown), whereby the rotation device can rotate the holding mechanism 170 and the stack table 110 when the holding mechanism 170 grips the positive electrode 11 or the negative electrode 12.

[0141] Thereafter, when the stacking of the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 between the separator 14 is completed, the stack is fixed by a gripper and then moved to the press unit described above, and then the stack can be heated and pressed by the press unit.

[0142] In one embodiment of the present invention, the stacking device may further include a rotating unit that rotates the stack table, wherein a positive electrode stacking unit is provided on one side of the rotating unit and a negative electrode stacking unit is provided on the other side of the rotating unit so that the separator can be zigzag folded in a manner such that it is positioned between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and the rotating unit may alternately rotate the stack table to one side to face the first suction head of the positive electrode stacking unit when stacking the positive electrode, and rotate the stack table to the other side to face the second suction head of the negative electrode stacking unit when stacking the negative electrode.

[0143] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a vision device for performing a vision inspection of the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0144] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a rotating unit that rotates the stack table, and a vision device that performs a vision inspection of the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0145] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus may further include a stack table moving unit that moves the stack table left and right, or a separation membrane guide unit that moves the separator left and right, and a vision device that performs vision inspection of the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The stack table moving unit and the separation membrane guide unit are not limited in shape as long as they perform the function of moving the stack table and the separator left and right, respectively, and devices commonly used in the art may be used.

[0146] In one embodiment of the present invention, the stack table may include a stack table moving unit that moves the stack table left and right, wherein a positive electrode stacking unit is provided on one side of the stack table and a negative electrode stacking unit is provided on the other side of the stack table so that zigzag folding is possible in a manner in which the separator is positioned between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and the stack table moving unit may alternately move the stack table to one side to face the first suction head of the positive electrode stacking unit when stacking the positive electrode, and move the stack table to the other side to face the second suction head of the negative electrode stacking unit when stacking the negative electrode.

[0147] In one embodiment of the present invention, the stack table may include a separation membrane guide unit that moves the separation membrane left and right, and the separation membrane guide unit may repeatedly move the separation membrane supplied to the stack table left and right so that the separation membrane can be zigzag folded in a manner such that the separation membrane is positioned between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0148] That is, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include additional components depending on the manner in which the stack table is moved or the manner in which the separator is supplied.

[0149] In one embodiment of the present invention, the vision device may include a first camera and a second camera. The first camera can capture images of positive electrodes placed on a positive electrode placement table in the positive electrode supply unit, and the second camera can capture images of negative electrodes placed on a negative electrode placement table in the negative electrode supply unit. The stacking quality of the positive and negative electrodes can be inspected using image information acquired by the first and second cameras. More specifically, the placement positions, sizes, stacking conditions, etc. of the positive and negative electrodes can be inspected.

[0150] In this specification, a description of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus may be applied to an electrode assembly manufacturing method and the electrode assembly itself, and vice versa.

[0151] In one embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode is prepared by, for example, coating a mixture of a positive electrode active material, a conductive material, and a binder on a positive electrode current collector and then drying the mixture, and optionally adding a filler to the mixture. Materials commonly used in the art may be used for this purpose.

[0152] Specifically, the positive electrode active material is, for example, a layered compound such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) or lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2), or a compound substituted with one or more transition metals; 1+x Mn 2-x Lithium manganese oxides such as LiMnO4 (where x is 0 to 0.33), LiMnO3, LiMn2O3, and LiMnO2; lithium copper oxide (Li2CuO2); vanadium oxides such as LiV3O8, LiFe3O4, V2O5, and Cu2V2O7; and the chemical formula LiNi 1-x M x Ni-site type lithium nickel oxide represented by the chemical formula LiMnO2 (where M=Co, Mn, Al, Cu, Fe, Mg, B, or Ga, and x=0.01 to 0.3) 2-x M xExamples of the lithium manganese composite oxides include, but are not limited to, lithium manganese composite oxides represented by Li2Mn3MO8 (where M is Co, Ni, Fe, Cr, Zn, or Ta, and x is 0.01 to 0.1) or Li2Mn3MO8 (where M is Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn); LiMn2O4 in which part of the Li in the chemical formula is substituted with an alkaline earth metal ion; disulfide compounds; and Fe2(MoO4)3.

[0153] Specifically, the positive electrode current collector is not particularly limited as long as it has high conductivity without inducing chemical changes in the battery. For example, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, calcined carbon, or aluminum or stainless steel surface-treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver, etc. may be used, but in particular, aluminum may be used. The current collector may have fine irregularities on its surface to increase the adhesive strength of the positive electrode active material, and may be used in various forms such as a film, sheet, foil, net, porous material, foam, or nonwoven fabric. The positive electrode current collector may also have a thickness of typically 3 μm to 500 μm.

[0154] The conductive material may typically be added in an amount of 1 to 50 wt % based on the total weight of the mixture containing the positive electrode active material. Such a conductive material is not particularly limited as long as it is conductive without inducing chemical changes in the battery. Examples of such a conductive material include graphite such as natural graphite and artificial graphite; carbon black such as carbon black, acetylene black, ketjen black, channel black, furnace black, lamp black, and thermal black; conductive fibers such as carbon fiber and metal fiber; metal powders such as carbon fluoride, aluminum, and nickel powder; conductive whiskers such as zinc oxide and potassium titanate; conductive metal oxides such as titanium oxide; and conductive materials such as polyphenylene derivatives.

[0155] The binder is a component that helps bind the active material and conductive material and the current collector, and is typically added in an amount of 1 to 50 wt % based on the total weight of the mixture including the positive electrode active material. Examples of such binders include polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), starch, hydroxypropyl cellulose, regenerated cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, tetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM), sulfonated EPDM, styrene-butylene rubber, fluororubber, and various copolymers.

[0156] The filler is selectively used as a component to suppress expansion of the positive electrode, and is not particularly limited as long as it is a fibrous material that does not induce chemical changes in the battery. For example, olefin polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene; glass fiber, carbon fiber, and other fibrous materials may be used.

[0157] In one embodiment of the present invention, the negative electrode is prepared by coating the negative electrode active material on a negative electrode current collector, drying, and rolling, and may optionally further include the conductive material, binder, filler, etc. In this case, materials commonly used in the relevant field may be used.

[0158] Specifically, the negative electrode active material is, for example, carbon such as non-graphitizable carbon or graphite-based carbon; LixFe2O3 (0≦x≦1), Li x WO2(0≦x≦1), Sn x Me 1-x Me' y O z(Me: Mn, Fe, Pb, Ge; Me': Al, B, P, Si, Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 elements of the periodic table, halogen; 0 < x ≤ 1; 1 ≤ y ≤ 3; 1 ≤ z ≤ 8), etc. metal composite oxides; lithium metal; lithium alloy; silicon-based alloy; tin-based alloy; metal oxides such as SnO, SnO2, PbO, PbO2, Pb2O3, Pb3O4, Sb2O3, Sb2O4, Sb2O5, GeO, GeO2, Bi2O3, Bi2O4 and Bi2O5; conductive polymers such as polyacetylene; Li-Co-Ni-based materials, etc. may be used.

[0159] Such a negative electrode current collector is not particularly limited as long as it has conductivity while not inducing a chemical change in the battery. For example, copper, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, fired carbon, those surface-treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver, etc. on the surface of copper or stainless steel, aluminum-cadmium alloy, etc. may be used. Also, similar to the positive electrode current collector, fine irregularities can be formed on the surface to strengthen the binding force of the negative electrode active material, and it may be used in various forms such as films, sheets, foils, nets, porous bodies, foams, non-woven fabric bodies, etc. Further, the negative electrode current collector may generally have a thickness of 3 μm to 500 μm.

[0160] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separator may be an organic / inorganic composite porous SRS (Safety-Reinforcing Separators) separator. The SRS separator may have a structure in which a coating layer component containing inorganic particles and a binder polymer is applied on a polyolefin-based separator substrate.

[0161] Such an SRS separator does not generate high-temperature heat shrinkage due to the heat resistance of the inorganic particles, and can maintain the elongation rate of the safety separator even when the electrode assembly is penetrated by a needle-shaped conductor.

[0162] Such an SRS separator may have a uniform pore structure formed by the pore structure contained in the separator substrate itself and the interstitial volume between the inorganic particles that are components of the coating layer. The pores can not only significantly mitigate external impacts applied to the electrode assembly, but also allow smooth movement of lithium ions through the pores, allowing a large amount of electrolyte to be filled, resulting in a high impregnation rate, thereby improving battery performance.

[0163] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separator has a separator excess portion that extends beyond the width of the positive electrode and the negative electrode on both sides in the width direction, and a coating layer that is thicker than the separator is formed on one or both sides of the separator excess portion to prevent shrinkage of the separator.

[0164] In one embodiment of the present invention, the size of each of the excess parts of the separation membrane may be 5% to 12% based on the width of the separation membrane.

[0165] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coating layer may be coated on both sides of the separator with a width that is 50% to 90% of the width of the excess portion of the separator on one side, and the widths of the coating layers on both sides may be the same or different.

[0166] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coating layer may contain inorganic particles and a binder polymer.

[0167] In one embodiment of the present invention, examples of the polyolefin-based separation membrane component include high density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, polypropylene, or derivatives thereof.

[0168] In one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the coating layer may be smaller than the thickness of the positive electrode or negative electrode. In a specific example, the thickness of the coating layer may be 30% to 99% of the thickness of the positive electrode or negative electrode.

[0169] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coating layer can be formed by wet coating or dry coating.

[0170] In one embodiment of the present invention, the substrate and the coating layer are present in a form in which the pores on the surface of the polyolefin-based separator substrate and the coating layer are intertwined (anchoring), thereby firmly bonding the separator substrate and the active layer. In this case, the substrate and the active layer may have a thickness ratio of 9:1 to 1:9, specifically 5:5, taking into account the physical bonding strength and the pore structure on the separator.

[0171] In one embodiment of the present invention, the inorganic particles may be inorganic particles commonly used in the art. The inorganic particles form voids between the inorganic particles, thereby forming micropores and acting as a spacer that maintains the physical shape. In addition, the inorganic particles generally have the property of not changing their physical properties even at high temperatures of 200°C or higher, so the organic / inorganic composite porous film thus formed has excellent heat resistance.

[0172] Furthermore, the inorganic particles are not particularly limited as long as they are electrochemically stable. That is, the inorganic particles that can be used in the present invention are not particularly limited as long as they do not undergo oxidation and / or reduction reactions within the operating voltage range of the applied battery (e.g., 0 to 5 V based on Li / Li+). In particular, when inorganic particles with ion transfer ability are used, those with as high an ion conductivity as possible are preferred because they can increase the ion conductivity within the electrochemical device and improve performance. Furthermore, inorganic particles with high density are not only difficult to disperse during coating but also increase the weight during battery fabrication, so those with as low a density as possible are preferred. Furthermore, inorganic particles with high dielectric constants can contribute to increasing the degree of dissociation of electrolyte salts, such as lithium salts, in the liquid electrolyte, thereby improving the ion conductivity of the electrolyte solution.

[0173] For the reasons mentioned above, the inorganic particles may be one or more types selected from the group consisting of inorganic particles having piezoelectricity and inorganic particles having lithium ion transport ability.

[0174] The piezoelectric inorganic particles are non-conductors under normal pressure, but when a certain pressure is applied, they change their internal structure and become electrically conductive. They not only exhibit high dielectric constant characteristics with a dielectric constant of 100 or more, but also generate electric charges when stretched or compressed by applying a certain pressure, with one side becoming positively charged and the other side becoming negatively charged, generating a potential difference between the two sides.

[0175] When inorganic particles having the above characteristics are used as a coating layer component, if an internal short circuit occurs between the electrodes due to an external impact such as a needle-shaped conductor, the inorganic particles coated on the separator not only prevent direct contact between the positive and negative electrodes, but also generate a potential difference within the particles due to the piezoelectricity of the inorganic particles, thereby allowing electrons to move between the electrodes, i.e., a small current to flow, resulting in a gradual decrease in battery voltage and thereby improved safety.

[0176] Examples of inorganic particles having piezoelectricity include BaTiO3, Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT), Pb 1-x La x Zr 1-y Ti y O3(PLZT), PB(Mg 1 / 3 Nb 2 / 3 )O3-PbTiO3 (PMN-PT) and hafnia (HfO2), but is not limited thereto.

[0177] The inorganic particles having lithium ion transport ability refer to inorganic particles that contain lithium but have the function of transporting lithium ions without storing lithium. The inorganic particles having lithium ion transport ability can transport and transport lithium ions through a type of defect present inside the particle structure, thereby improving the lithium ion conductivity in the battery and thereby improving the battery performance.

[0178] Examples of inorganic particles having lithium ion transfer ability include lithium phosphate (Li3PO4), lithium titanium phosphate (Li x Ti y (PO4)3,0 <x<2、0<y<3)、リチウムアルミニウムチタンホスフェート(Li x Al y Ti z (PO4)3,0 <x<2、0<y<1、0<z<3)、(LiAlTiP) x O y Series Glass (0 <x<4、0<y<13)、リチウムランタンチタネート(Li x La y TiO3, 0 <x<2、0<y<3)、リチウムゲルマニウムチオホスフェート(Li x Ge y P z S w , 0 <x<4、0<y<1、0<z<1、0<w<5)、リチウムナイトライド(Li x N y, (0 < x < 4, 0 < y < 2), SiS2(Li x Si y S z , (0 < x < 3, 0 < y < 2, 0 < z < 4) series of glasses and P2S5(Li x P y S z , (0 < x < 3, 0 < y < 3, 0 < z < 7) series of glasses, and may be one or more selected from the group, but is not limited thereto.

[0179] The composition ratio of the inorganic particles and the binder polymer, which are the components of the coating layer, is not greatly restricted, but can be adjusted within the range of 10:90 to 99:1% by weight, and the range of 80:20 to 99:1% by weight is preferred. If it is less than 10:90% by weight, the content of the polymer is too high, and the size and porosity of the pores are reduced due to the decrease in the empty space formed between the inorganic particles, resulting in a decrease in the final battery performance. Conversely, if it exceeds 99:1% by weight, the content of the polymer is too low, so there is a risk that the mechanical properties of the final organic / inorganic composite porous separation membrane will be reduced due to the weakening of the adhesion between the inorganics.

[0180] In one embodiment of the present invention, as the binder polymer, a binder polymer commonly used in the art can be used.

[0181] The coating layer in the organic / inorganic composite porous separation membrane may further contain other commonly known additives in addition to the inorganic particles and the binder polymer.

[0182] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coating layer can also be said to be an active layer.

[0183] As described above, the present invention has been described in detail through specific embodiments, but this is for specifically explaining the present invention, and the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention is not limited thereto. Various implementations are possible by those with ordinary knowledge in the art within the technical idea of the present invention.

Claims

1. an electrode magazine section in which a plurality of electrodes are stacked; and an electrode pickup unit configured to pick up a first electrode located at the top of the plurality of electrodes; an electrode supply device, wherein at least one of the electrode magazine unit and the electrode pickup unit includes a heating unit that heats the first electrode and a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode, thereby expanding an air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode.

2. The electrode pickup unit an electrode fixing portion that fixes the first electrode; and an electrode transfer unit that transfers the first electrode fixed by the electrode fixing unit toward a stack table; 10. The electrode supply device of claim 1, comprising:

3. a temperature sensor unit for measuring the surface temperatures of the first electrode and the second electrode adjacent to the first electrode; and a temperature control unit that adjusts the temperature of the heating unit so that the surface temperature measured by the temperature sensor unit falls within a controlled temperature range; 10. The electrode feeder of claim 1, further comprising:

4. 4. The electrode supply device according to claim 3, wherein the controlled temperature range is 40°C to 140°C.

5. The electrode supply device according to claim 1 , wherein the heating unit includes a non-contact heat source that is not in physical contact with the first electrode and the second electrode.

6. 6. The electrode supply device according to claim 5, wherein the non-contact heat source is a radiant heat source, an induction heating heat source, or a laser heat source.

7. An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which positive and negative electrodes are alternately arranged between folded separators, a positive electrode supply unit that supplies the positive electrode to the stack table side; a negative electrode supply unit that supplies the negative electrodes to the stack table side; a separation membrane supply unit that supplies the separation membrane to the stack table side; a stack table on which a stack of the positive electrodes, the separators, and the negative electrodes is manufactured, in which the positive electrodes and the negative electrodes are alternately arranged between the folded separators; and a press unit that applies heat and pressure to the laminate to bond the positive electrode, the separator, and the negative electrode together, thereby manufacturing an electrode assembly; Including, 7. An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus, wherein at least one of the positive electrode supply unit and the negative electrode supply unit includes the electrode supply device according to claim 1.

8. a step of heating a first electrode at the top of the plurality of electrodes stacked in the electrode magazine section and a second electrode adjacent to the first electrode to expand an air layer between the first electrode and the second electrode; and picking up and transporting the first electrode and supplying it to a stack table; An electrode supply method comprising:

9. The step of picking up, transporting, and supplying the first electrode to a stack table includes: securing the first electrode; and transferring the fixed first electrode to a stack table; 9. The electrode supply method of claim 8, comprising:

10. The step of heating the first electrode and the second electrode includes: measuring the surface temperatures of the first electrode and the second electrode; and adjusting the temperature of the heat source so that the measured surface temperature falls within a controlled temperature range; 9. The electrode supply method of claim 8, comprising:

11. The electrode supply method according to claim 10, wherein the controlled temperature range is 40°C to 140°C.

12. The electrode supply method according to claim 10 , wherein the heat source is a non-contact heat source that is not in physical contact with the first electrode and the second electrode.

13. The electrode supply method according to claim 12, wherein the non-contact heat source is a radiant heat source, an induction heating heat source, or a laser heat source.

14. 1. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which positive and negative electrodes are alternately arranged between folded separators, comprising: supplying the positive electrode to a stack table side; supplying the negative electrode to the stack table side; supplying the separation membrane to the stack table; Stacking the positive electrode, the separator, and the negative electrode on the stack table so that the positive electrode and the negative electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separators to manufacture a stack; and a heat pressing step of applying heat and pressure to the laminate to bond the positive electrode, the separator, and the negative electrode together to form an electrode assembly; Including, 14. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, wherein at least one of the steps of supplying the positive electrode to the stack table side and supplying the negative electrode to the stack table side includes the electrode supply method according to any one of claims 8 to 13.

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