Side sealing device for stacked electrode body, secondary battery having stacked electrode body, and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

A sealing device for a stacked electrode body according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention may include a placement section on which a stacked electrode body in which a positive electrode, a separation film and a negative electrode are cross-stacked is placed, a pressing section that presses both sides of a non-electrode side of the stacked electrode body from above and below so that ends of the separation film abut against each other from above and below and adhere closely to each other to form a sealing surface composed of the separation film, and a reinforcing section that applies an adhesive force between the separation films that form the sealing surface to strengthen the sealing surface.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a side sealing device for a stacked electrode body, a secondary battery including the stacked electrode body, and a manufacturing method thereof, and more specifically to a side sealing device and a manufacturing method for forming a strong sealing surface on the non-electrode side of the stacked electrode body.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0051767, filed on April 27, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the documents of this Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] Generally, types of secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and lithium-ion polymer batteries.

[0004] These secondary batteries are attracting attention not only for use in small products such as digital cameras, P-DVDs, MP3 players, mobile phones, PDAs (registered trademark), portable game devices, power tools, and e-bikes, but also as power sources for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and parallel hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).

[0005] In medium- to large-sized devices such as automobiles, medium- to large-sized battery modules in which multiple battery cells are electrically connected are used due to the need for high output and large capacity. However, since medium- to large-sized battery modules are preferably manufactured as small and lightweight as possible, prismatic batteries and pouch-shaped batteries, which can be charged with a high degree of integration and are light compared to their capacity, are mainly used as battery cells for medium- to large-sized battery modules.

[0006] To manufacture these secondary batteries, first, an electrode active material slurry is applied to a positive electrode current collector and a negative electrode current collector to form a cathode and an anode, which are then stacked on both sides of a separator to form a stacked electrode assembly of a predetermined shape, which is then housed in a battery case, filled with an electrolyte, and sealed.

[0007] The stack / fold type electrode assemblies disclosed in the applicant's Korean Patent Publication Nos. 2001-0082059 and 2001-0082060 have a full cell structure in which a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode are sequentially stacked as a unit cell, and are manufactured by repeatedly winding up a separator sheet by a unit length with a plurality of full cells arranged on the separator sheet.

[0008] In such a stack / folding type electrode assembly, the outer periphery of every full cell is surrounded by a separator sheet, so that the relative positions of the layers constituting the electrode assembly are fixed.

[0009] 1 and 2 are diagrams illustrating a taping structure of a stacked electrode assembly according to the prior art.

[0010] Unlike stack / fold type electrode assemblies, the relative positions of the electrodes and separator are not fixed, so the sides of the electrode assembly are taped with tape to fix the relative positions of each layer. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, conventionally, tapes 21 and 22 surround the stack type electrode assembly in a strip shape.

[0011] 2, the stacked electrode assembly is formed by sequentially stacking a positive electrode 11, a separator 12, and a negative electrode 13. The separator 12 is disposed between the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 13 to prevent an electrical short circuit due to physical contact between the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 13.

[0012] In the case of such a stacked electrode assembly, the separator 12 is generally manufactured to be wider in width and length than the electrodes (positive electrode 11, negative electrode 13). The separator is stacked in a magazine or jig having a width corresponding to the width or length of the separator, and the electrodes are stacked on top of the separator, and this process is repeated to manufacture the stacked electrode assembly. The stacked electrode assembly is then fed into a subsequent process to manufacture a secondary battery.

[0013] Since the stacked electrode assembly is fed into a subsequent process as a single assembly, it is preferable to prevent the laminations from twisting during the subsequent process. To this end, conventionally, tape has been used to fix the laminations of the stacked electrode assembly so that they do not twist.

[0014] Specifically, tapes 21 and 22 are taped around the outer surface of the stacked electrode body, and at this time, the ends of the tapes overlap, creating a step equal to the thickness of the overlapping tapes. The step caused by the taping can lead to defects due to lithium deposition at the step area (see A in Figure 1).

[0015] Furthermore, during a taping process after the stacking process, the separators located at the top and bottom of the stacked electrode assembly may peel off or break, exposing the electrodes and causing defects.

[0016] Furthermore, when the electrolyte is injected into the battery case during the packaging process, the long side (non-electrode side) is not sealed, which can cause the end separator to peel off, resulting in electrode exposure. Furthermore, when the secondary battery is transported after packaging is complete, the vibrations in the electrolyte can cause waves, which can affect the peeled separator and cause it to break.

[0017] Furthermore, conventional stacked electrode bodies do not prevent foreign matter from entering the sides, and as foreign matter enters the stacked electrode body over time, there is a problem of low voltage failure due to the foreign matter. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0018] The present invention aims to provide a side sealing device and manufacturing method for a stacked electrode assembly that can prevent the tearing of the separator that can occur on the long side (non-electrode side) of the stacked electrode assembly.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a side sealing device for a stacked electrode body, which first forms the long side of the stacked electrode body so that a sealing surface is formed on the long side of the stacked electrode body, and then applies pressure and heat to firmly maintain the sealing surface formed by a separation membrane.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a stacked electrode assembly in which separators are continuously and closely attached to each other on the long side to form a sealing surface, and in which the separators are prevented from being damaged, and a secondary battery including the same are provided.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a side sealing device and method that can effectively and easily impart rigidity to an extension portion of a separation membrane on a long side by vertically pressing and laterally pressing the extension portion of the separation membrane on the long side.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a stacked electrode assembly and a secondary battery including the same, which can effectively and easily protect a separator on the long side through vertical pressure and lateral heat pressure of the separator while using a conventional separator as is. [Means for solving the problem]

[0023] To achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a side-sealing device for a stacked electrode body, comprising: a mounting section for mounting a stacked electrode body in which a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode are cross-stacked; a pressing section for applying pressure to both sides of a non-electrode side of the stacked electrode body from above and below, so that ends of the separators come into close contact with each other from above and below to form a sealing surface made of the separator; and a reinforcing section for applying an adhesive force between the separators forming the sealing surface to strengthen the sealing surface.

[0024] The press unit may be configured to pressurize an extension of the separator that extends further in the width direction of the stacked electrode body than the positive electrode or the negative electrode. The separator may be a conventional separator, i.e., additional changes to the structure or shape or material for forming a sealing surface, or the addition of a coating layer or adhesive layer, may not be necessary.

[0025] The press unit may include a roller unit that applies rotational pressure.

[0026] The roller unit preferably applies pressure to the separator such that the degree of bending increases from the center to the upper and lower ends in the height direction of the stacked electrode assembly, i.e., the ends of the separator are preferably formed to converge toward the center in the height direction of the stacked electrode assembly.

[0027] The reinforcement unit preferably includes a heating unit that heats the end of the separation membrane to impart adhesive strength.

[0028] The heating unit preferably presses an end of the separator toward the center of the stacked electrode body based on the width direction of the stacked electrode body, and forms the sealing surface by thermally sealing the separator.

[0029] The heat-sealed sealing surface is formed over the entire extension of the upper and lower stacked separators, and the cross section of the non-electrode edge side of the stacked electrode body may be formed into a trapezoidal shape by the upper and lower separators and the sealing surface.

[0030] The heating unit may include a heating bar arranged in line with the longitudinal direction of the stacked electrode body, and a front-rear moving member that moves the heating bar back and forth in the width direction of the stacked electrode body.

[0031] It is preferable that the stacked electrode assembly further includes an inspection unit that generates alignment information for the stacked electrode assembly placed on the placement unit.

[0032] It is preferable that the apparatus further includes a control unit that controls the operations of the pressing unit and the strengthening unit and corrects the positions and angles of the pressing unit and the strengthening unit based on the alignment information generated by the inspection unit.

[0033] It is preferable that the apparatus further includes a main body frame on which the pressing unit and the strengthening unit are provided, and a main body portion for adjusting the positions and angles of the pressing unit and the strengthening unit by moving and rotating the main body frame.

[0034] The main body is preferably provided on each side of the placement portion.

[0035] The pressing portions may be provided extending downward and upward from upper and lower ends of the main body frame, respectively, and the reinforcing portions may be provided extending laterally from the main body frame toward the stacked electrode body.

[0036] The electrode assembly may include a position adjusting unit connected to the main body frame to move the main body frame together back and forth in a width direction of the stacked electrode assembly.

[0037] The apparatus may include an angle adjusting unit connected to the main body frame to rotate the main body frame in a horizontal direction.

[0038] It is preferable that the position adjustment unit and the main body frame are connected to each other via the angle adjustment unit.

[0039] The position adjustment unit may include a Y-axis guide rail arranged above the main body frame and aligned in the width direction of the stacked electrode body, a Y-axis moving member movably mounted on the Y-axis guide rail, and a drive motor that provides driving force to the Y-axis moving member.

[0040] The mounting portion may include a gripper for fixing an electrode edge of the stacked electrode assembly mounted on the mounting portion.

[0041] To achieve the above object, according to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a secondary battery including a stacked electrode assembly formed by cross-stacking a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode, wherein sealing surfaces are provided on both sides of a non-electrode edge of the stacked electrode assembly, where extensions of the separator are in close contact with each other at the top and bottom, and the degree of curvature of the extensions of the separator increases from the center of the height of the stacked electrode assembly to the top and bottom ends, and a fastening force is applied between the extensions of the separator to the sealing surfaces by heat and pressure.

[0042] The sealing surface formed by the hot pressing is preferably formed on the entire extension of the upper and lower stacked separators, and the cross section of the non-electrode edge side of the stacked electrode body is preferably formed into a trapezoidal shape by the upper and lower separators and the sealing surface.

[0043] A sealing device for a stacked electrode body according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterized by including: a placing unit for placing a stacked electrode body in which a positive electrode, a separation membrane, and a negative electrode are cross-stacked; a rolling unit for pre-forming the stacked electrode body by vertically pressing and rolling the long sides of the stacked electrode body so that ends of the separation membranes abut against each other to form a sealing surface composed of the separation membrane; and a heating unit for heating the sealing surface while making surface contact with the sealing surface to seal the long sides of the stacked electrode body.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rolling unit includes an upper roller arranged in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the stacked electrode body and pressing and rolling the upper surface of the stacked electrode body while moving downward in the height direction of the stacked electrode body, and a lower roller arranged parallel to but facing the upper roller and pressing and rolling the lower surface of the stacked electrode body while moving upward in the height direction of the stacked electrode body, wherein the upper roller and the lower roller press and roll the stacked electrode body up and down while moving toward the outside of the stacked electrode body in the width direction of the stacked electrode body, and the long sides of the stacked electrode body are pre-shaped so that ends of the separators abut against each other to form a sealing surface.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the heating unit includes a heating bar arranged in line with the longitudinal direction of the stacked electrode body and in surface contact with the sealing surface, and a heating bar front-rear moving member connected to the heating bar and moving the heating bar back and forth in the width direction of the stacked electrode body, wherein the heating bar is moved forward toward the long side of the stacked electrode body by the heating bar front-rear moving member while making surface contact with the sealing surface and pressurizing and heating the sealing surface.

[0046] A sealing device for a stacked electrode body according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a vision inspection unit that photographs the stacked electrode body above the mounting unit and inspects the alignment of the long side of the stacked electrode body with respect to the alignment line of the mounting unit, and a main body frame in which a rolling unit and a heating unit are provided, and is characterized by further including a main body unit that adjusts the position of the main body frame so that the rolling unit and the heating unit are arranged side by side on the long side of the stacked electrode body based on the long side alignment information of the vision inspection unit.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device includes an angle adjustment unit that is coupled to the main body frame and rotates the main body frame by an alignment angle θ from a reference position based on long side alignment information, and a position adjustment unit that is coupled to the angle adjustment unit and connected to the main body frame and moves the main body frame back and forth in the width direction of the stacked electrode body to adjust the position of the rolling unit relative to the stacked electrode body, wherein the reference position is a position where the main body frame is arranged alongside the alignment line of the mounting unit, and the alignment angle θ is the angle of the long side of the stacked electrode body relative to the alignment line of the mounting unit.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device further includes a control unit that receives long side alignment information from the vision inspection unit, calculates the alignment angle θ, the entry position, and the heating position, and controls the operations of the angle adjustment unit, position adjustment unit, rolling unit, and heating unit in predetermined steps, wherein the entry position is a position set between the long side of the stacked electrode body and the center of the stacked electrode body, and the heating position is a position of the sealing surface.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit controls the operation of the main body unit and the rolling unit so that the main body frame is rotated by the alignment angle θ from the reference position by the angle adjustment unit, the position adjustment unit moves the stacked electrode body forward in the width direction from the reference position to the entry position, the rolling unit presses the stacked electrode body up and down at the entry position, and the main body frame is moved backward from the entry position to the reference position by the position adjustment unit while the rolling unit presses and rolls the long side of the stacked electrode body up and down.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit controls the operation of the heating unit so that, after the operation of the rolling unit is completed, the heating bar of the heating unit moves forward in the width direction of the stacked electrode body to the heating position, comes into surface contact with the sealing surface at the heating position, and pressurizes and heats the sealing surface for a preset heating time.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main frame has a structure in which the portion facing the long side of the stacked electrode body is open, and on the open side of the main frame, a rolling section is provided that can be raised and lowered in the height direction of the stacked electrode body, and a heating section is provided that can be moved back and forth in the width direction of the stacked electrode body.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the position adjustment unit includes a Y-axis guide rail arranged on the top of the main frame in line with the width direction of the stacked electrode body, a Y-axis moving member attached to the Y-axis guide rail so as to be movable back and forth in the width direction of the stacked electrode body and connected to the angle adjustment unit, and a drive motor connected to the Y-axis moving member and providing driving force to the Y-axis moving member, and is characterized in that the position of the main frame is adjusted so that the main frame moves toward or away from the stacked electrode body by controlling the rotation direction and rotation speed of the drive motor.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rolling unit includes an upper roller that is arranged at the upper end of the main frame, aligned in the longitudinal direction of the stacked electrode body, and that applies pressure and rolling to the upper surface of the stacked electrode body; an upper lifting member that is connected to the upper roller at the upper end of the main frame and that raises and lowers the upper roller in the height direction of the stacked electrode body; a lower roller that is arranged at the lower end of the main frame alongside and facing the upper roller, and that applies pressure and rolling to the lower surface of the stacked electrode body; and a lower lifting member that is connected to the lower roller at the lower end of the main frame and that raises and lowers the lower roller in the height direction of the stacked electrode body, and is characterized in that when the main frame reaches an entry position, the upper roller is lowered by the upper lifting member and the lower roller is raised by the lower lifting member, operating to apply pressure to the stacked electrode body from above and below, and the entry position is a position set between the long side of the stacked electrode body and the center of the stacked electrode body.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rolling unit is characterized in that when the main frame moves to the reference position, the upper roller is raised by the upper lifting member and the lower roller is lowered by the lower lifting member, thereby releasing the pressure on the stacked electrode body.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main body portion includes a first main body portion provided with a first heating portion that seals one side of the long side of the pre-formed stacked electrode body, and a second main body portion provided with a second heating portion that seals the other side of the long side of the pre-formed stacked electrode body, and the first main body portion and the second main body portion are arranged to face each other across the mounting portion and operate to simultaneously seal both sides of the long side of the stacked electrode body.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first main body unit includes a first main body frame in which a first heating unit and a first rolling unit are provided, a first angle adjustment unit coupled to the first main body frame and configured to adjust the rotation angle of the first main body frame to correspond to one side of the long side of the stacked electrode body based on long side alignment information, and a first position adjustment unit coupled to the first angle adjustment unit and connected to the first main body frame and configured to move the first main body frame back and forth in the width direction of the stacked electrode body.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first position adjustment unit includes a first Y-axis guide rail arranged on top of the first main frame and aligned in the width direction of the stacked electrode body, a first Y-axis moving member mounted on the first Y-axis guide rail so as to be movable back and forth in the width direction of the stacked electrode body and coupled to the first angle adjustment unit, and a first drive motor coupled to the first Y-axis moving member and providing driving force to the first Y-axis moving member, wherein the position of the main frame is adjusted by controlling the rotation direction and rotation speed of the first drive motor so that the first Y-axis moving member moves forward from a first reference position to a first entry position and moves backward from the first entry position to the first reference position, and the first reference position is a position where the first main frame is arranged aligned with the alignment line of the mounting unit, and the first entry position is a position between one side of the long side of the stacked electrode body and the center of the stacked electrode body.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first rolling unit includes a first upper roller and a first lower roller arranged to face each other, and the first upper roller and the first lower roller pressurize and roll the stacked electrode body up and down, thereby pre-forming one side of the long side of the stacked electrode body so that a first sealing surface is formed on one side of the long side of the stacked electrode body.

[0059] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first heating section includes a first heating bar in surface contact with the first sealing surface, and a first heating bar front-rear moving member connected to the first heating bar and the first main frame, which moves the first heating bar back and forth relative to the first main frame in the width direction of the stacked electrode body, and the first heating bar is moved forward to a first heating position by the first heating bar front-rear moving member toward one side of the long side of the stacked electrode body, and comes into surface contact with the first sealing surface on one side of the long side of the stacked electrode body, and pressurizes and heats the first sealing surface to seal one side of the long side of the stacked electrode body, and the first heating position is a position on one side of the long side of the stacked electrode body.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second main body portion includes a second main body frame in which a second heating portion and a second rolling portion are provided, a second angle adjustment portion coupled to the second main body frame and configured to adjust the rotation angle of the second main body frame to correspond to the other side of the long side of the stacked electrode body based on the long side alignment information, and a second position adjustment portion coupled to the second angle adjustment portion and connected to the second main body frame and configured to move the second main body frame back and forth in the width direction of the stacked electrode body.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second position adjustment unit includes a second Y-axis guide rail arranged on top of the second main frame in line with the width direction of the stacked electrode body, a second Y-axis moving member mounted on the second Y-axis guide rail so as to be movable back and forth in the width direction of the stacked electrode body and connected to the second angle adjustment unit, and a second drive motor connected to the second Y-axis moving member and providing driving force to the second Y-axis moving member, and is characterized in that the position of the main frame is adjusted by controlling the rotation direction and rotation speed of the second drive motor so that the second Y-axis moving member moves forward from the second reference position to the second entry position and moves backward from the second entry position to the second reference position, and the second reference position is a position where the second main frame is arranged in line with the alignment line of the mounting unit, and the second entry position is a position between the other side of the long side of the stacked electrode body and the center of the stacked electrode body.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second rolling unit includes a second upper roller and a second lower roller arranged to face each other, and the second upper roller and the second lower roller pressurize and roll the stacked electrode body up and down, thereby pre-forming the other side of the long side of the stacked electrode body so that a second sealing surface is formed on the other side of the long side of the stacked electrode body.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second heating section includes a second heating bar in surface contact with the second sealing surface, and a second heating bar front-rear moving member connected to the second heating bar and the second main frame, which moves the second heating bar back and forth relative to the second main frame in the width direction of the stacked electrode body, and the second heating bar is moved forward by the second heating bar front-rear moving member toward the other side of the long side of the stacked electrode body to a second heating position, where it comes into surface contact with the second sealing surface on the other side of the long side of the stacked electrode body and pressurizes and heats the second sealing surface to seal the other side of the long side of the stacked electrode body, and the second heating position is a position on the other side of the long side of the stacked electrode body.

[0064] A sealing device for a stacked electrode body according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it further includes a gripper provided on the placing part for gripping the short side of the stacked electrode body and restricting the movement of the stacked electrode body.

[0065] A stacked electrode assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it is manufactured using the sealing device for the stacked electrode assembly.

[0066] A method for manufacturing a stacked electrode assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the stacked electrode assembly is manufactured using the sealing device for the stacked electrode assembly. [Effects of the Invention]

[0067] The present invention provides a side sealing device and a manufacturing method for a stacked electrode assembly that can prevent the separator from breaking on the long side (non-electrode side) of the stacked electrode assembly.

[0068] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a side sealing device for a stacked electrode body may be provided, which pre-forms the long side of the stacked electrode body so that a sealing surface is formed on the long side of the stacked electrode body, and then applies pressure and heat so that the sealing surface formed by a separator is firmly maintained.

[0069] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a sealing surface is formed by separators being continuously and closely attached to each other on the long side, thereby preventing separator damage, and a secondary battery including the same may be provided.

[0070] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a side sealing device and method can be provided that can effectively and easily impart rigidity to an extension portion of a separation membrane on a long side by vertically pressing and laterally pressing the extension portion of the separation membrane on the long side.

[0071] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a stacked electrode assembly and a secondary battery including the same, which can effectively and easily protect a separator on a long side through vertical pressure and lateral heat pressure of the separator while using a conventional separator as is. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0072] [Figure 1] 1 is a view illustrating a taping structure of a stacked electrode assembly according to the prior art; [Figure 2] 1 is a view illustrating a taping structure of a stacked electrode assembly according to the prior art; [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a side sealing device for a stacked electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a side sealing device of a stacked electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a side sealing device of a stacked electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a reference position, an approach position, and a heating position for a stacked electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the position adjustment of the main body with respect to the stacked electrode assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]10 is a diagram illustrating a process in which the first main body frame is moved to a first approach position and the second main body frame is moved to a second approach position in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] 4 is a view illustrating a process in which a first rolling unit and a second rolling unit pressurize and roll a stacked electrode assembly in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] 4 is a view illustrating a process in which a first rolling unit and a second rolling unit pressurize and roll a stacked electrode assembly in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 11] 4 is a view illustrating a process in which a first rolling unit and a second rolling unit pressurize and roll a stacked electrode assembly in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 12] (a) shows a schematic cross-section of a stacked electrode body before pre-forming according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (b) shows a schematic cross-section of a stacked electrode body pre-formed by a first rolling section and a second rolling section according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 1A and 1B are schematic perspective views of a preformed stacked electrode assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are views illustrating a process in which the first and second heating units are moved to a heating position and both sides of the long side of the stacked electrode assembly are sealed according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 1A and 1B are schematic perspective views of a stacked electrode assembly fabricated according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 16] 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line xx in FIG. 15. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0073] Hereinafter, a side-sealing device for a stacked electrode assembly, a stacked electrode assembly, and a method for manufacturing the stacked electrode assembly according to preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only, and the scope of the side-sealing device for a stacked electrode assembly, the stacked electrode assembly, and the method for manufacturing the stacked electrode assembly of the present application is not limited to the accompanying drawings.

[0074] 3 to 5, a side sealing device 100 for a stacked electrode assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a mounting unit 110 and a control unit 130 for controlling the operation of the sealing device.

[0075] A stacked electrode assembly 200, in which a positive electrode 212, a separator 211, and a negative electrode 213 are cross-laminated, is placed on the placement unit 110. Sealing is performed on the long side of the stacked electrode assembly 200 placed on the placement unit 110. Therefore, the placement unit 110 can be called a side sealing station.

[0076] The mounting unit 110 may be provided with a gripper 115. The gripper 115 may fix the stacked electrode assembly 200 at the side sealing station. Specifically, the gripper 115 may be provided to grip both short sides of the stacked electrode assembly 200 to restrict movement of the stacked electrode assembly 200. Here, the short sides of the stacked electrode assembly 200 refer to side portions on which lead tabs are provided, and the long sides refer to side portions on which lead tabs are not provided. As shown in the figure, lead tabs may be formed on opposing short sides of the rectangular stacked electrode assembly 200, or on only one of the short sides. In some cases, a stacked electrode assembly may be manufactured with lead tabs formed on the long sides; however, for convenience, the term "long sides" used herein refers to opposing non-electrode sides.

[0077] The side sealing device 100 for a stacked electrode assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention may include pressing parts 150a and 150b.

[0078] The width of the separator is greater than the width of the positive and negative electrodes on the long sides of the stacked electrode assembly. That is, on the long sides of the stacked electrode assembly, the separator extends further on both sides than the positive and negative electrodes to form ends, which can be called separator extensions. In other words, on the long sides, the positive and negative electrodes are not located directly above and below the separator extensions from the separator ends, and a gap is formed between the separators depending on the height or thickness of the positive and negative electrodes. The separator ends or extensions may be damaged due to their weak rigidity. This may cause twisting in the stacked state during subsequent processes.

[0079] The press units 150a and 150b may be configured to press the plurality of separators positioned at the long side with a gap between them to form a sealing surface, that is, to press the plurality of separators so that they are bent or curved, more specifically, to press the bent separators so that they are in close contact with each other.

[0080] It is preferable that the pressure of the press units 150a and 150b is transmitted from the separators at the top and bottom to the central separator based on the height, i.e., thickness, of the stacked electrode assembly. The bending angle of the separator at the top and bottom is the largest, and the bending angle of the separator at the center is the smallest or maintained horizontally.

[0081] That is, by applying pressure from the press units 150a and 150b, all of the remaining separators except for the top and bottom separators can be pressed so as to be in close contact with the separators adjacent above and below. The separator located at the top is pressed downward by the separator directly above it due to the pressure of the press, and presses the separator directly below it downward. The separator located at the bottom is pressed upward by the separator directly below it due to the pressure of the press, and presses the separator directly above it upward. Through this pressing process, the separators are in close contact with each other vertically and converge toward the center. Therefore, due to this close contact, the separators on the long sides form a sealing surface.

[0082] The press units 150a and 150b may be in the form of press blocks or rollers, as will be described in detail below.

[0083] The side sealing device 100 for a stacked electrode assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention may include reinforcing portions 160a and 160b that strengthen the sealing surfaces formed through the pressing portions 150a and 150b.

[0084] The sealing surface is formed by the separators, which are bent by applying pressure to the ends or extensions of the separators through the press units 150a and 150b, and are then tightly adhered to each other. However, over time, the bent separators tend to return to their original shape, and this tendency may become more pronounced at the top and bottom ends. In other words, the adhesion of the separators may be released.

[0085] Therefore, a method for maintaining the tighter adhesion of the separator is required, and for this purpose, the present embodiment may include a sealing surface reinforcement portion.

[0086] The reinforcing portions 160a and 160b may be provided to form or provide adhesion between the ends of the separators at a sealing surface formed by the ends of the separators. Such adhesion may be formed by heat sealing, and the adhesion may be provided in the form of a heating bar. The reinforcing portions will be described in detail below.

[0087] The side sealing device 100 for a stacked electrode assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention may include an inspection unit 120 that inspects the alignment of the stacked electrode assembly. The inspection unit 120 may inspect the alignment using vision. Therefore, the inspection unit 120 may be referred to as a vision inspection unit 120. The vision inspection unit 120 may be installed above the mounting unit 110. The vision inspection unit 120 photographs the stacked electrode assembly 200 and inspects the alignment of the long side of the stacked electrode assembly 200 based on the mounting unit 110. The vision inspection unit 120 may inspect the degree to which the long side of the stacked electrode assembly 200 is matched with a preset alignment line L.

[0088] 7, the vision inspection unit 120 calculates the alignment angle θ of the long side of the stacked electrode body 200 with respect to the alignment line L of the mounting unit 110. The alignment angle θ is the angle of the long side of the stacked electrode body 200 with respect to the alignment line L of the mounting unit 110.

[0089] For example, when the long side of the stacked electrode assembly 200 is aligned with the predetermined alignment line L, the alignment angle θ is calculated as "0." When the long side of the stacked electrode assembly 200 is twisted by 5° with respect to the predetermined alignment line L, the alignment angle θ is calculated as "5°."

[0090] The side sealing device 100 according to this embodiment is an apparatus for forming a sealing surface on the long side of the stacked electrode assembly 200 and reinforcing the sealing surface. The formation and reinforcement of the sealing surface must be performed uniformly along the entire length of both long sides. Therefore, it is preferable to perform sealing after aligning the stacked electrode assembly 200, or to perform sealing by reflecting and correcting misalignment.

[0091] The control unit 130 can control the subsequent side sealing process to be performed precisely by receiving the long side alignment information detected by the vision inspection unit 120. Specific details of performing the sealing surface forming process based on the alignment information will be described later.

[0092] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the side sealing device may include a main body and main body portions 140a and 140b for performing the sealing surface forming process. Since the sealing surface forming process can be performed on both of the two opposing long sides of the stacked electrode assembly 200, a pair of main bodies is preferably provided. The two main bodies 140a and 140b are arranged facing the long sides of the stacked electrode assembly 200 across the mounting portion 110, allowing sealing surfaces to be formed simultaneously on both long sides of the stacked electrode assembly 200. Of course, one main body may be provided and a sealing surface may be formed on one side of the long side, followed by a sealing surface on the other side of the long side. In this case, the entire main body or the mounting portion may be movable. Specifically, the main body or the mounting portion may be rotated 180 degrees.

[0093] In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that two main bodies 140a and 140b are provided, and in this case, they can be referred to as "first main body 140a" and "second main body 140b." The two main bodies are formed symmetrically to each other and can operate symmetrically. Therefore, a redundant description will be omitted except for the differences between the first main body 140a and the second main body 140b.

[0094] The body portion and the structure forming the body portion described below may be a first body portion and the structure forming the body portion, or may be a single body portion and the structure forming the body portion.

[0095] The main body 140 a may be provided on one side of the mounting portion 110 to face one side of the long side of the stacked electrode assembly 200 .

[0096] The body part 140a includes a body frame 141a, and the body frame 141a may include a pressing part 150a and a strengthening part 160a. The pressing part 150a and the strengthening part 160a may move relative to each other in the body frame 141a to form and strengthen a sealing surface.

[0097] Furthermore, the main body 140a may be a device for adjusting the positions and angles of the pressing part 150a and the reinforcing part 160a. That is, the main body 140a may be a device for adjusting the positions and angles of the pressing part 150a and the reinforcing part 160a based on alignment information so that the sealing surface is formed and reinforced by the pressing part 150a and the reinforcing part 160a being positioned and angled appropriately.

[0098] As described above, the pressing unit 150a may include a roller unit and may be a device that applies pressure using a pressure roller. The pressing unit 150a may also be referred to as a rolling unit 150a. The strengthening unit 160a may also include a heating unit that heats the separator. Specifically, the strengthening unit 160a may include a heating unit that heats and fuses the end of the separator that forms the sealing surface. The strengthening unit 160a may also be referred to as a heating unit 160a. The heating unit 160a may include a heater and a heating block.

[0099] The main body frame 141a may be provided with a rolling unit 150a and a heating unit 160a. The main body frame 141a may be coupled to an angle adjustment unit 143a and a position adjustment unit 145a. The main body frame 141a may have a U-shaped structure with an open portion facing the long side of the stacked electrode body 200.

[0100] On the open side of the main body frame 141a, a rolling unit 150a may be provided so as to be movable up and down in the height direction z of the stacked electrode body, and a heating unit 160a may be provided so as to be movable back and forth in the width direction y of the stacked electrode body.

[0101] Specifically, the rolling unit 150a may include an upper roller 152a and a lower roller 154a.

[0102] The upper roller 152a may be positioned by extending downward from the upper side of the body frame 141a, and the lower roller 154a may be positioned by extending upward from the lower side of the body frame 141a.

[0103] The heating unit 160a may be positioned by extending from the middle of the main body frame toward the mounting unit, and may be positioned between the upper roller 152a and the lower roller 154a.

[0104] The rolling unit 150a and the heating unit 160a are attached to the body frame 141a and can be moved integrally with the body frame 141a.

[0105] Meanwhile, as described above, the vision inspection unit may generate alignment information for the electrode body on which the sealing surface is formed. Based on the alignment information, the control unit 130 may need to correct the positions and / or angles of the rolling unit 150a and the heating unit 160a.

[0106] According to this embodiment, the rolling unit 150a and the heating unit 160a are attached to the main body frame 141a, and therefore the positions and / or angles of the rolling unit 150a and the heating unit 160a can be corrected by adjusting the position and / or angle of the main body frame 141a. This is to form a uniform sealing surface along the entire long side, i.e., to apply pressure to the same depth at the same position along the entire long side.

[0107] 7, the angle adjusting unit 143a is coupled to the main body frame 141a and can rotate the main body frame 141a by an alignment angle θ from a first reference position P-1A based on the long side alignment information. Here, the first reference position P-1A may refer to a position where the main body frame 141a is arranged in line with the alignment line L of the mounting unit 110.

[0108] That is, the angle adjusting unit 143a can adjust the position of the main frame 141a so that the rolling unit 150a and the heating unit 160a provided on the main frame 141a are positioned side by side on one side of the long side of the stacked electrode assembly 200.

[0109] 4, the position adjustment unit 145a may be coupled to the angle adjustment unit 143a and connected to the main body frame 141a. The position adjustment unit 145a may include a Y-axis guide rail 146a, a Y-axis moving member 147a, and a drive motor 148a.

[0110] The Y-axis guide rail 146a may be provided above the main body frame 141a in the width direction y of the stacked electrode body. A Y-axis moving member 147a may be provided on the Y-axis guide rail 146a so as to be movable back and forth.

[0111] The Y-axis guide rail 146a can be fixed to the ceiling surface in a permanently fixed configuration.

[0112] The Y-axis moving member 147a is coupled to a driving motor 148a and can move forward or backward along the Y-axis guide rail 146a when the driving motor 148a is operated. The Y-axis moving member 147a is connected to the main body frame 141a. Therefore, when the driving motor 148a is operated, the main body frame as a whole can move forward or backward toward the electrode body. This refers to the forward or backward movement of the rolling unit 150a and the heating unit 160a, and the forward or backward movement here does not refer to movement directly for forming a sealing surface, but rather to movement for position correction before forming the sealing surface.

[0113] The Y-axis moving member 147a may be coupled with an angle adjusting portion 143a, that is, the angle adjusting portion 143a may be provided between the Y-axis moving member 147a and the main body frame 141a.

[0114] The main body frame 141a is coupled to the angle adjustment portion 143a and can be connected to the Y-axis moving member 147a. The position of the main body frame 141a relative to the stacked electrode assembly 200 is adjusted while moving in the movement direction of the Y-axis moving member 147a.

[0115] The angle adjustment portion 143a may be provided to rotate the main body frame 141a clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0116] The position adjustment unit 145a and the angle adjustment unit 143a can adjust the angle and position of the main body frame 141a in steps preset in the control unit .

[0117] 8, for example, when preforming the long side of the stacked electrode assembly 200, the position adjuster 145a controls the operation of the drive motor 148a so that the Y-axis moving member 147a moves from the first reference position P-1A to the first entry position P-2A along the Y-axis guide rail 146a. Here, the entry position P-2A is a position preset by the controller 130 between the center of the stacked electrode assembly 200 and one side of the long side of the stacked electrode assembly 200.

[0118] When the Y-axis moving member 147a reaches the first approach position P-2A, the position adjustment unit 145a stops the operation of the drive motor 148a. When the rolling unit 150a applies pressure to the stacked electrode body 200 in the vertical direction, the position adjustment unit 145a controls the operation of the first drive motor 148a so that the Y-axis moving member 147a moves backward from the first approach position P-2A toward the first reference position P-1A.

[0119] 11, during this process, the rolling unit 150a moves backward together with the main frame 141a, and pressurizes and rolls the stacked electrode assembly 200 up and down, thereby preforming one side of the long side of the stacked electrode assembly 200 so that the ends of the separators 211 on one side of the long side of the stacked electrode assembly 200 come together toward the outside of the stacked electrode assembly 200 and abut against each other, thereby forming a sealing surface.

[0120] The ends of the separators 211 of the pre-formed stacked electrode body 200 come into close contact with each other to form sealing surfaces. For example, the long sides of the pre-formed stacked electrode body 200 may have a triangular or trapezoidal cross section. In this embodiment, for ease of explanation, the surfaces formed by the ends of the separators 211 on one side of the long sides of the stacked electrode body 200 are referred to as "sealing surfaces 211a, 211b."

[0121] 9 and 10, the rolling unit 150a may include an upper lifting member 151a, an upper roller 152a, a lower lifting member 153a, and a lower roller 154a.

[0122] The upper roller 152a may be provided at the upper end of the main body frame 141a in the longitudinal direction x of the stacked electrode assembly 200. The upper roller 152a is a roller that pressurizes and rolls the extension of the separator on the top of the stacked electrode assembly 200.

[0123] The upper lifting member 151a is connected to the upper end of the main body frame 141a and the upper roller 152a. The upper lifting member 151a raises or lowers the upper roller 152a in the height direction z of the stacked electrode assembly.

[0124] When the Y-axis moving member 147a reaches the first entrance position P-2A, the upper lifting member 151a operates to pressurize the extension of the separator above the stacked electrode assembly 200 as the upper roller 152a descends.

[0125] When the Y-axis moving member 147a moves from the first entrance position P-2A to the first reference position P-1A, the upper lifting member 151a lifts the upper roller 152a. When the upper lifting member 151a lifts, the pressure of the upper roller 152a against the stacked electrode assembly 200 is released. Here, it is preferable that the pressure from the upper roller 152a is not applied directly to the electrodes, but is applied only to the extension of the separator.

[0126] The lower roller 154a is provided on the main body frame 141a in line with the longitudinal direction x of the stacked electrode assembly. The lower roller 154a is a roller that pressurizes and rolls upward the extension of the separation membrane at the bottom of the stacked electrode assembly 200. The lower roller 154a is provided at the lower end of the main body frame 141a so as to face the upper roller 152a.

[0127] The lower lifting member 153a is connected to the lower end of the main body frame 141a and the lower roller 154a. The lower lifting member 153a raises or lowers the lower roller 154a in the height direction z of the stacked electrode assembly.

[0128] When the Y-axis moving member 147a reaches the first entrance position P-2A, the lower lifting member 153a operates to pressurize the extension of the separator from the bottom of the stacked electrode assembly 200 upward as the lower roller 154a rises.

[0129] When the Y-axis moving member 147a moves from the first approach position P-2A to the first reference position P-1A, the lower lifting member 153a lowers the lower roller 154a. When the lower lifting member 153a lowers, the pressure applied by the lower roller 154a to the stacked electrode body 200 is released.

[0130] Referring to FIG. 12, through the operation of the main body 140a and the rolling unit 150a as described above, the ends of the separators 211 abut against each other at the top and bottom on one side of the long side of the stacked electrode body 200, thereby preforming the sealing surface 211a.

[0131] 14, the heating unit 160a may apply pressure and heat to the sealing surface 211a to strengthen the sealing surface on one of the long sides of the stacked electrode body 200. That is, the sealing surface may be strengthened by further imparting adhesive force to the formed sealing surface.

[0132] The heating unit 160a may be provided on the main body frame 141a and may include a heating bar 161a and a heating bar front-rear moving member 163a.

[0133] The heating bar 161a applies pressure and heat to the first sealing surface 211a while being in surface contact with the sealing surface 211a of the stacked electrode body 200. The heating bar 161a is arranged alongside one of the long sides of the stacked electrode body 200 by adjusting the position of the main body 140a as described above.

[0134] The heating bar front-rear moving member 163a may be coupled to the heating bar 161a and the main body frame, and moves the first heating bar 161a back and forth in the width direction y of the stacked electrode body.

[0135] After the rolling unit 150a has completed its operation, the heating unit 160a controls the operation of the heating bar front-rear moving member 163a so that the heating bar 161a moves to the first heating position P-3A, where P-3A refers to the position of the sealing surface 211a.

[0136] The heating bar 161a is moved forward to the first heating position P-3A by the heating bar forward / backward moving member 163a. ​​Then, the heating bar 161a is in surface contact with the sealing surface 211a at the first heating position P-3A and supplies heat to the sealing surface 211a for a preset heating time.

[0137] After a preset heating time has elapsed, the heating bar 161a is moved backward from the first heating position P-3A to its original position by the heating bar forward / backward moving member 163a.

[0138] By the operation of the heating unit 160a as described above, the sealing surface on one side of the long side of the stacked electrode body 200 can be further strengthened.

[0139] On the other hand, the sealing surface 211a is a sealing surface that is finally formed by the heat and pressure of a heating bar, and may have a different shape from the sealing surface that is pre-formed by the pressure of a roller.

[0140] Specifically, the sealing surface formed by pressure using rollers is formed by bending the extension of the separator and then applying pressure to the extension. If the extension of the separator has the same length before pressure application, the extension length after bending may be different. That is, the extension length becomes smaller toward the upper and lower ends and longer toward the center. In this case, the cross section of the sealing surface formed by the extension may have a substantially triangular shape.

[0141] After applying pressure with the roller, the heating bar must move a sufficient distance. If the heating bar does not move enough when applying pressure, only the extension of the separation membrane in the center portion may be heated, and the extensions of the separation membrane at the upper and lower ends may not be heated. Therefore, when applying pressure with the heating bar, it is preferable that the heating bar move sufficiently so that it can contact the extensions of the separation membrane at the upper and lower ends.

[0142] A sealing surface having a substantially trapezoidal cross section can be finally formed by heat sealing using a heating bar. The adjacent separator extensions on the upper and lower sides of the sealing surface are connected to each other by heat sealing. That is, the separator extensions are all connected by heat sealing, so that the entire sealing surface forms connecting ribs and connecting walls that connect all of the separator extensions. This effectively reinforces the rigidity of the separator extensions.

[0143] As described above, in this embodiment, the main body units 140a, 140b are provided as a pair, and therefore each configuration can be provided symmetrically. The position and angle of the main body frames 141a, 141b can be adjusted simultaneously on both sides, and the rolling units 150a, 150b and heating units 160a, 160b can also be driven simultaneously on both sides.

[0144] Therefore, a description of the second main body portion 140b, its configuration, and its operation will be omitted.

[0145] Hereinafter, the method for controlling a sealing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail.

[0146] The control unit 130 receives long side alignment information from the vision inspection unit, calculates the alignment angle θ, the entry position, and the heating position, and controls the operations of the angle adjustment units 143a and 143b, the position adjustment units 145a and 145b, the rolling units 150a and 150b, and the heating units 160a and 160b in preset steps.

[0147] Here, the entry position is a position set between the long side of the stacked electrode body 200 and the center of the stacked electrode body 200. The heating position is a position on the long side of the stacked electrode body 200 where the sealing surface is provided.

[0148] In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the entry positions are divided into a "first entry position P-2A" and a "second entry position P-2B." Referring to Fig. 6, the first entry position P-2A is an arbitrary position on one side of the long side of the stacked electrode assembly 200. The second entry position P-2B is an arbitrary position on the other side of the long side of the stacked electrode assembly 200.

[0149] The control unit 130 controls the operation of the angle adjustment units 143a and 143b so that the main body frames 141a and 141b rotate by the alignment angle θ from the reference position. The control unit 130 controls the operation of the position adjustment units 145a and 145b so that the main body frames 141a and 141b move forward from the reference position to the entry position in the width direction y of the stacked electrode body.

[0150] Following this, the control unit 130 controls the operation of the position adjustment units 145a, 145b and the rolling units 150a, 150b so that the rolling units 150a, 150b apply pressure up and down to the stacked electrode body 200 at the entry position, and the main frame 141a, 141b is moved backward from the entry position to the reference position by the position adjustment units 145a, 145b, while the rolling units 150a, 150b apply pressure up and down to roll the long side of the stacked electrode body 200.

[0151] Next, the control unit 130 controls the operation of the heating front-rear moving members 163a, 163b and the position adjustment units 145a, 145b of the heating unit so that the heating bars 161a, 161b of the heating unit are moved to the heating position by the main frame 141a, 141b after the operation of the rolling units 150a, 150b is completed.

[0152] Next, when the heating bars 161a, 161b reach the heating position, the control unit 130 controls the operation of the heating units 160a, 160b by bringing them into surface contact with the sealing surface of the stacked electrode body 200 and pressurizing and heating the sealing surface for a preset heating time and heating temperature.

[0153] In a conventional sealing process of a stacked electrode body 200, the adhesive tape may damage the upper and lower separators 211 of the stacked electrode body 200. However, referring to Figures 15 and 16, according to one embodiment of the present invention, both sides of the stacked electrode body 200 are sealed by a heat method, so that it is possible to provide a stacked electrode body and a secondary battery including the same that can effectively prevent separator damage.

[0154] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the stacked electrode body 200 is fixed by heating both sides of the stacked electrode body 200, eliminating the step at the contact surface between the adhesive tape and the stacked electrode body 200 and the step at the overlap between the adhesive tapes, thereby preventing lithium deposition that occurs in the adhesive portion with the stacked electrode body 200 in the conventional adhesive tape.

[0155] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the stacked electrode body 200 is fixed by heating both sides of the stacked electrode body 200, thereby ensuring uniformity of the J / F surface pressure applied to the stacked electrode body 200 during the jig formation process for the stacked electrode body 200.

[0156] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the stacked electrode body 200 is fixed by heating both sides of the stacked electrode body 200, thereby preventing foreign matter from entering the stacked electrode body 200 during the activation process.

[0157] Furthermore, compared to conventional methods in which the stacked electrode body 200 is sealed using adhesive tape, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the separation membrane 211 constituting the stacked electrode body 200 is sealed on the long side of the stacked electrode body 200, thereby reducing the thickness of the stacked electrode body 200 by the thickness of the adhesive tape surrounding the stacked electrode body 200, thereby making it possible to make the stacked electrode body 200 extremely slim.

[0158] In the conventional stacked electrode body 200, when adhesive tape is sealed around the outer surface of the stacked electrode body 200, there was a risk that twisting would occur in the separation membrane 211, positive electrode 212, and negative electrode 213 that make up the stacked electrode body 200 during the process of the adhesive tape adhering to the stacked electrode body 200.

[0159] In contrast, according to one embodiment of the present invention, as the gripper 115 grips the short side of the stacked electrode body 200 and seals the long side of the stacked electrode body 200, twisting of the separation membrane 211, positive electrode 212, and negative electrode 213 that make up the stacked electrode body 200 can be prevented, thereby improving the quality of the stacked electrode body 200.

[0160] The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims that follow rather than by the detailed description, and all modifications and variations that fall within the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0161] This is described in the detailed description of the invention.

Claims

1. a mounting portion for mounting a stacked electrode body in which a positive electrode, a separation membrane, and a negative electrode are cross-laminated; a press unit that applies pressure to both sides of the non-electrode side of the stacked electrode body in an up-down direction, so that the ends of the separator come into close contact with each other at the top and bottom to form a sealing surface made of the separator; a reinforcing portion that applies adhesive force between the separation membranes that form the sealing surface to strengthen the sealing surface, the reinforcement unit includes a heating unit that heats an end of the separation membrane to impart adhesive strength, The heating unit presses the end of the separation membrane toward the center of the stacked electrode body based on the width direction of the stacked electrode body, and forms the sealing surface by thermally sealing the separation membrane.

2. A mounting portion for mounting a stacked electrode body in which a positive electrode, a separation membrane, and a negative electrode are cross-laminated; a press unit that applies pressure to both sides of the non-electrode side of the stacked electrode body in an up-down direction, so that the ends of the separator come into close contact with each other at the top and bottom to form a sealing surface made of the separator; a reinforcing portion that applies adhesive force between the separation membranes that form the sealing surface to strengthen the sealing surface, an inspection unit that generates alignment information of the stacked electrode body placed on the placement unit, A side sealing device for a stacked electrode body, including a control unit that controls the operation of the pressing unit and the reinforcing unit and controls the positions and angles of the pressing unit and the reinforcing unit to be corrected based on alignment information generated by the inspection unit.

3. A mounting portion for mounting a stacked electrode body in which a positive electrode, a separation membrane, and a negative electrode are cross-laminated; a press unit that applies pressure to both sides of the non-electrode side of the stacked electrode body in an up-down direction, so that the ends of the separator come into close contact with each other at the top and bottom to form a sealing surface made of the separator; a reinforcing portion that applies adhesive force between the separation membranes that form the sealing surface to strengthen the sealing surface, A side sealing device for a stacked electrode body, comprising: a main body frame on which the pressing section and the reinforcing section are provided, and a main body portion that adjusts the position and angle of the pressing section and the reinforcing section by moving and rotating the main body frame.

4. 4. The side sealing device for a stacked electrode body according to claim 1, wherein the press unit is configured to pressurize an extension portion of the separator that extends further in the width direction of the stacked electrode body than the positive electrode or the negative electrode.

5. The side sealing device for a stacked electrode body according to claim 4 , wherein the press unit includes a roller unit that applies rotational pressure.

6. 6. The side sealing device for a stacked electrode assembly according to claim 5, wherein the roller unit applies pressure to the separator so that the degree of bending of the separator increases from the center to the upper end and the lower end in a height direction of the stacked electrode assembly.

7. The side sealing device for a stacked electrode assembly according to claim 6 , wherein the reinforcing portion includes a heating portion that heats an end of the separator to impart a fixing force.

8. 2. The side sealing device for a stacked electrode body according to claim 1, wherein the heat-sealed sealing surface is formed over the entire extension of the upper and lower stacked separation membranes, and the cross section of the non-electrode edge side of the stacked electrode body is formed into a trapezoidal shape by the upper and lower separation membranes and the sealing surfaces.

9. The heating unit is a heating bar arranged in line with the longitudinal direction of the stacked electrode body; 9. The side sealing device for a stacked electrode body according to claim 8, further comprising: a front-rear moving member that moves the heating bar back and forth in the width direction of the stacked electrode body.

10. The side sealing device for a stacked electrode body according to claim 1 , further comprising an inspection unit that generates alignment information for the stacked electrode body placed on the placement unit.

11. The side sealing device for a stacked electrode assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the main body is provided on each side of the placement portion.

12. 4. The side sealing device for a stacked electrode body according to claim 3, wherein the pressing portion is provided extending downward and upward from the upper and lower ends of the main body frame, respectively, and the reinforcing portion is provided extending laterally from the main body frame toward the stacked electrode body.

13. 4. The side sealing device for a stacked electrode body according to claim 3, further comprising a position adjusting part connected to the main body frame for integrally moving the main body frame back and forth in the width direction of the stacked electrode body.

14. The side sealing device for a stacked electrode body according to claim 13 , further comprising an angle adjusting unit connected to the main body frame to rotate the main body frame together in a horizontal direction.

15. The side sealing device for a stack-type electrode assembly according to claim 14 , wherein the position adjusting portion and the main body frame are connected to each other via the angle adjusting portion.

16. The position adjustment unit a Y-axis guide rail arranged in line with the width direction of the stacked electrode body and above the main body frame; a Y-axis moving member movably provided on the Y-axis guide rail; The side sealing device for a stack-type electrode assembly according to claim 13 , further comprising: a drive motor for providing a driving force to the Y-axis moving member.

17. The side sealing device for a stacked electrode body according to claim 1 , further comprising a gripper provided on the placing section for fixing an electrode side of the placed stacked electrode body.

18. A secondary battery including a stacked electrode assembly formed by cross-stacking a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode, The stacked electrode body has sealing surfaces on both sides of the non-electrode side, where the extensions of the separators are in close contact with each other above and below, The degree of bending of the extension of the separator increases from the center to the upper and lower ends of the stacked electrode body, The sealing surface is provided with a fixing force between the extensions of the separation membrane by heat and pressure, a sealing surface formed by the hot pressing over the entire extension of the separators stacked in the vertical direction, and a cross section of the non-electrode edge side of the stacked electrode body having a trapezoidal shape formed by the separators and the sealing surfaces at the upper and lower ends.

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