Electrode sheet notching device and notching method

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode sheet notching device including: a transfer unit including a first roller and a second roller for transporting an electrode sheet; a fixture unit including a fixture for supporting the electrode sheet; and a processing unit including a laser for processing the electrode sheet; wherein the fixture has a slit formed on a surface facing the electrode sheet and moves in the same plane as one surface of the electrode sheet so that the laser beam that has processed the electrode sheet passes through the slit.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0096910, filed July 23, 2021, and all contents disclosed in the documents of said Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrode sheet notching device and method. [Background technology]

[0003] As technological development and demand for mobile devices increases, rechargeable secondary batteries are widely used as energy sources for various mobile devices. Secondary batteries are also attracting attention as energy sources for electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, which are being proposed as a solution to address air pollution caused by existing gasoline and diesel vehicles.

[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 that the electrode assembly is built into. Generally, the electrode assembly built into the battery case is classified into a jelly roll type in which a separator is interposed between the positive and negative electrodes and the battery is wound up, a stack type in which multiple unit cells with a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrodes are stacked, and a stack / folding type in which unit cells are wound up with a separator film.

[0005] Such a secondary battery can be manufactured by coating an electrode mixture, which is a mixture of an electrode active material, a conductive agent, a binder, etc., on an electrode current collector and drying the mixture to manufacture an electrode, stacking the manufactured electrode together with a separator, and then incorporating and sealing the electrode together with an electrolyte into a battery case.

[0006] In this case, the electrode can be manufactured by notching an electrode sheet manufactured by applying an electrode active material to an electrode current collector having a long sheet shape, and then cutting the electrode sheet to a desired length.

[0007] Alternatively, notching can be performed by supporting an electrode sheet on a drum-shaped pattern jig with holes for laser processing and irradiating the electrode sheet with a laser beam. However, when notching an electrode sheet with a laser, foreign matter such as fumes and spatters can accumulate on the pattern jig, necessitating periodic cleaning of the jig and potentially resulting in equipment downtime due to jig replacement. Furthermore, foreign matter can damage the surface of the electrode sheet, resulting in defects. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0001077 [Patent Document 2] Korean Patent Registration No. 2158708 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an electrode sheet notching device and method that can minimize the accumulation of foreign matter generated during notching.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an electrode sheet notching device and method that can reduce losses caused by equipment immobilization due to jig replacement.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an electrode sheet notching device and method that can solve the problem of defects caused by surface damage to the electrode sheet due to foreign matter.

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an electrode sheet notching device and method that can improve notching stability by adjusting the tension of each region of the electrode sheet.

[0013] The present invention aims to provide an electrode sheet notching device and method that can provide stable discharge of scrap. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the above problem can be solved by providing a jig having a first roller, a second roller, and a slit, which are distinct from each other, instead of the drum-shaped pattern jig having holes for laser processing, which is the configuration described in the background of the invention.

[0015] For example, one embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode sheet notching device including: a transfer unit including a first roller and a second roller for transferring an electrode sheet; a jig unit including a jig for supporting the electrode sheet; and a processing unit including a laser for processing the electrode sheet; wherein the jig has a slit formed on a surface facing the electrode sheet and moves in the same plane as one surface of the electrode sheet so that the laser beam that processed the electrode sheet passes through the slit.

[0016] As another example, another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for notching an electrode sheet, including the steps of: rotating a first roller and a second roller to transport an electrode sheet; moving a jig having a slit formed on a surface facing the electrode sheet in the same plane as one surface of the electrode sheet so that a target processing area of ​​the electrode sheet and the slit overlap; and processing the electrode sheet with a laser. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] One advantage of the present invention is that it minimizes the accumulation of foreign matter that occurs during notching.

[0018] Another effect of the present invention is that it can reduce losses caused by equipment immobilization due to jig replacement.

[0019] Another effect of the present invention is that it can alleviate the problem of defects occurring due to damage to the surface of the electrode sheet caused by foreign matter.

[0020] Another advantage of the present invention is that the tension of the electrode sheet can be adjusted for each region to improve notching stability.

[0021] Another advantage of the present invention is that it can provide stable discharge of scrap.

[0022] However, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and may have other effects that can be recognized by those skilled in the art with reference to this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of an electrode sheet notching device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of an electrode sheet notching device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of an electrode sheet notching device according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the accompanying drawings or the contents described in this specification, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, components may be shown somewhat exaggerated and some components may be omitted to facilitate understanding.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a side view of an electrode sheet notching device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electrode sheet notching device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an electrode sheet notching device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] For ease of explanation, the x-direction may be referred to as the longitudinal direction, the y-direction as the width direction, and the z-direction as the thickness direction, based on the drawings. From the same perspective, the length in the x-direction may be referred to as the length, the length in the y-direction as the width, and the length in the z-direction as the thickness, based on the drawings.

[0029] Referring to the drawings, an electrode sheet notching device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a transfer unit 100 including a first roller 110 and a second roller 120 for transferring an electrode sheet 10; a jig unit 200 including a jig 210 arranged on one side of the electrode sheet 10 and supporting the electrode sheet 10; and a processing unit 300 including a laser for processing the electrode sheet.

[0030] In addition, the electrode sheet notching device according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a recovery unit 400 for recovering scraps 10s generated when the electrode sheet 10 is processed.

[0031] The electrode sheet 10 includes an electrode current collector layer 11 and an electrode active material layer 12 disposed on the electrode current collector layer 11. However, the structure of the electrode sheet 10 is not limited to the structure shown in the drawings, and may have a structure in which the electrode active material layers 12 are disposed on both sides of the electrode current collector layer 11, for example.

[0032] The electrode active material layer 12 may not be disposed on at least a portion of one end of the electrode current collector layer 11, and the electrode sheet 10 may have such an area as an uncoated portion. An electrode tab may be fabricated by notching the uncoated portion of one end of the electrode current collector layer 11. In this case, a portion of the electrode active material layer 12 may be notched together with the electrode current collector layer 11.

[0033] The scrap 10s is a region that is separated from the remaining portion of the electrode sheet 10 and collected separately as the electrode sheet 10 is processed during notching, and does not exist in the final electrode structure. As described above, an electrode tab can be processed by notching a plain portion where the electrode active material layer 12 is not disposed, and therefore the scrap 10s may be a partial region of the electrode current collector layer 11. However, since a portion of the electrode active material layer 12 may be notched together with the electrode current collector layer 11, the scrap 10s may also include the electrode active material layer 12.

[0034] The transfer unit 100 includes a first roller 110 and a second roller 120 that transfer the electrode sheet 10. Each of the first roller 110 and the second roller 120 rotates in one direction to transfer the electrode sheet 10 from the first roller 110 to the second roller 120, and transfer the electrode sheet 10 in the x direction based on the drawing.

[0035] The first roller 110 and the second roller 120 can be individually designed and controlled. For example, the speeds of the first roller 110 and the second roller 120 can be individually controlled, so that the first roller 110 and the second roller 120 can rotate in one direction at the same speed or at different speeds. In this way, by individually controlling the rotational speeds of the first roller 110 and the second roller 120, it is possible to individually adjust the tension T1 acting on the electrode sheet 10 in the region before it reaches the first roller 110, the tension T2 acting on the electrode sheet 10 in the region between the first roller 110 and the second roller 120, and the tension T3 acting on the electrode sheet 10 in the region before it reaches the second roller 120. For example, if the speed of the first roller 110, which has been rotating at the same speed as the first roller 110, is increased and then decreased back to its original speed, the tension T2 acting on the electrode sheet 10 in the region between the first roller 110 and the second roller 120 will be weaker. Similarly, if the speed of the second roller 120, which has been rotating at the same speed as the first roller 110 and the second roller 120, is increased and then decreased back to its original speed, the tension T2 acting on the electrode sheet 10 in the region between the first roller 110 and the second roller 120 will be stronger. In this way, notching stability can be improved by individually adjusting the tensions T1, T2, and T3 acting on each region of the electrode sheet 10.

[0036] Meanwhile, each of the first roller 110 and the second roller 120 may be a suction roller that attracts the electrode sheet 10. Therefore, each of the first roller 110 and the second roller 120 can attract and transport the electrode sheet 10. Furthermore, the second roller 120 can attract and transport scraps 10s generated when processing the electrode sheet 10, thereby stably discharging the scraps to the collection unit 400. In this case, each of the first roller 110 and the second roller 120 may attract the electrode sheet 10 with the same suction force or with different suction forces.

[0037] Each of the first roller 110 and the second roller 120 may use a vacuum to suck the electrode sheet 10. For example, a suction roller may be implemented to suck the electrode sheet 10 through vacuum holes formed on the surface of the roller and vacuum piping (not shown) connected to the vacuum holes. In this case, the first roller 110 and the second roller 120 may have regions 110e and 120e that come into contact with the electrode sheet 10 as suction effective regions. However, the shapes of the first roller 110 and the second roller 120 are not limited to those described above, and the first roller 110 and the second roller 120 may be implemented in various shapes to suck the electrode sheet 10.

[0038] The jig unit 200 includes a jig 210 and may further include a jig base 220 for fixing and supporting the jig 210 .

[0039] The jig 210 is disposed between the first roller 110 and the second roller 120. Specifically, the jig 210 is disposed on one side of the electrode sheet 10 in the region between the first roller 110 and the second roller 120 to support the electrode sheet 10. The jig 210 supports the region of the electrode sheet 10 to be processed by the laser, thereby preventing the electrode sheet 10 from wobbling during notching and increasing the accuracy of the notching position.

[0040] The jig 210 has a slit s formed on a surface facing the electrode sheet 10. The slit s may penetrate the jig 210 from the surface of the jig 210 facing the electrode sheet 10 to the surface opposite the surface facing the electrode sheet 10. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a jig suitable for laser processing of the electrode sheet 10 while having a simple shape can be provided by using the jig 210 having the slit s formed therein.

[0041] In order to prevent burning during laser processing, the jig 210 moves so that the laser beam that processes the electrode sheet 10 passes through the slit s. In other words, the slit s moves so that it at least partially overlaps with the area of ​​the electrode sheet 10 that is irradiated with the laser beam. At this time, the jig 210 moves on the same plane as one surface of the electrode sheet 10. With reference to the drawing, the jig 210 moves on the xy plane. As such, unlike a drum-shaped pattern jig, the jig 210 according to one embodiment of the present invention may be embodied to move through planar motion rather than rotational motion.

[0042] More specifically, the jig 210 may move in a direction 1 parallel to the transport direction of the electrode sheet 10. The direction 1 parallel to the transport direction of the electrode sheet 10 includes both a forward direction that is the same direction as the transport direction of the electrode sheet 10 and a reverse direction that is opposite to the transport direction of the electrode sheet 10. With reference to the drawing, the jig 210 may move in the x direction and the reverse direction on an xy plane. [Example]

[0043] Fig. 2 shows a state where the jig 210 has been moved to the maximum extent in the direction opposite to the x-direction, and Fig. 3 shows a state where the jig 210 has been moved to the maximum extent in the x-direction. Although not shown in the figures, it goes without saying that the jig 210 may be positioned between the positions shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

[0044] Meanwhile, the jig 210 may not move in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the electrode sheet 10 on a plane. With reference to the drawing, the jig 210 may not move in the y direction or the opposite direction on the xy plane. In this case, the width of the jig 210 may be the same as the width of the region of the electrode sheet 10 to be processed by the laser or may be wider than the width of the region of the electrode sheet 10 to be processed by the laser. The width of the jig 210 is not particularly limited, but may be in a range of 15 to 35 mm. The length of the jig 210 is also not particularly limited, but may be in a range of 2 to 5 mm. The width of the jig 210 may refer to the distance between the outermost regions in the width direction. The length of the jig 210 may refer to the distance between the outermost regions in the length direction. Alternatively, the width of the slit s may be the same as the width of the region of the electrode sheet 10 to be processed by the laser or may be wider than the width of the region of the electrode sheet 10 to be processed by the laser. This configuration simplifies the movement direction of the jig 210 during notching.

[0045] However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the jig 210 may also move in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the electrode sheet 10 on a plane depending on the design. Based on the drawing, the jig 210 may also move in the y direction and the opposite direction. Alternatively, the jig 210 may move without directional restrictions on a plane. Based on the drawing, the jig 210 may move freely without directional restrictions on the xy plane.

[0046] Meanwhile, the jig 210 may include a support part 211 that contacts the electrode sheet 10 and a suction part 212 that sucks in foreign matter generated when processing the electrode sheet 10. In this case, the suction part 212 can suck in foreign matter through the slits s. When the suction part 212 sucks in foreign matter, the electrode sheet 10 is fixed by the support part 211, thereby preventing the electrode sheet 10 from shaking.

[0047] The electrode sheet notching device according to an embodiment of the present invention can minimize the accumulation of foreign matter by immediately sucking the foreign matter generated during notching through the slits (s), thereby alleviating the problems of loss caused by equipment immobility due to jig replacement and defects caused by damage to the electrode sheet surface due to foreign matter.

[0048] Meanwhile, the suction unit 212 may be capable of sucking foreign matter using a vacuum. For example, the suction unit may be realized to suck foreign matter through a vacuum pipe (not shown) connected to the slit(s), but is not limited thereto.

[0049] The suction direction 2 of the suction unit 212 is not particularly limited, and may be a direction perpendicular to the electrode sheet 10. With reference to the drawing, the suction direction 2 of the suction unit 212 may be the z direction. Alternatively, the suction direction 2 of the suction unit 212 may be a direction between the x direction and the z direction or a direction between the y direction and the z direction.

[0050] The jig 210 may be a drive type jig that is moved by a motor. Therefore, the jig 210 may be moved by being supplied with power by a motor connected to the jig 210.

[0051] Meanwhile, in order to precisely control the movement of the jig 210 in accordance with the region where the laser beam is irradiated, a control unit may be provided to control the movement of the jig 210. For example, the control unit may recognize position information where the laser beam is irradiated, transmit the recognized position information to the jig 210, and precisely control the movement of the jig 210.

[0052] The jig base 220 may fix and support the jig 210. Alternatively, the jig base 220 may serve as a guide for the jig 210 to move along a moving path. Furthermore, the jig base 220 may serve as a passage for discharging foreign matter sucked through the suction portion 212 of the jig 210 to the outside of the jig unit 200.

[0053] The processing unit 300 is disposed on the other surface of the electrode sheet 10, which is the opposite surface to the one surface of the electrode sheet 10, and can therefore face the jig unit 200 with the electrode sheet 10 sandwiched between them.

[0054] The processing unit 300 includes a laser and irradiates a laser beam onto the electrode sheet 10 to perform notching. The processing pattern of the laser beam is not particularly limited, but the electrode sheet 10 can be processed by drawing a ribbon- or bowtie-shaped pattern.

[0055] The recovery unit 400 can recover scraps 10s generated when processing the electrode sheet 10. When the electrode sheet 10 is transferred from the first roller 110 to the second roller 120, the second roller 120 may transfer the scraps 10s to the recovery unit 400. Therefore, the scraps 10s can be transferred to the recovery unit 400 via the second roller 120.

[0056] As a non-limiting example, the collecting unit 400 may be in the form of a housing that collects the falling scraps 10s through an open area. Alternatively, the collecting unit 400 may be in the form of a roller that collects the scraps 10s by winding them up. However, the method of implementing the collecting unit 400 is not limited to the above example, and the collecting unit 400 may be implemented in various forms to collect the scraps 10s.

[0057] Meanwhile, the recovery unit 400 can suck the scraps 10s using a vacuum. If the recovery unit 400 is in the form of a housing, the scraps 10s can be sucked through a vacuum pipe in the housing. If the recovery unit 400 is in the form of a roller, the scraps 10s can be collected by sucking and winding the scraps 10s through vacuum holes formed on the surface of the roller and vacuum pipes connected to the vacuum holes.

[0058] A method for notching an electrode sheet according to one embodiment of the present invention may include the steps of: rotating a first roller 110 and a second roller 120 to transport an electrode sheet 10; moving a jig 210 having a slit s formed on a surface facing the electrode sheet 10 in the same plane as one surface of the electrode sheet 10 so that a target processing area of ​​the electrode sheet 10 and the slit (s) overlap; and processing the electrode sheet 10 with a laser.

[0059] Alternatively, the electrode sheet notching method according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include the step of suctioning foreign matter generated during processing of the electrode sheet 10 through the slits of the jig 210. Through this, foreign matter generated during notching can be immediately sucked through the slits s, thereby minimizing accumulation of foreign matter. Therefore, it is possible to alleviate the problems of loss caused by equipment immobility due to jig replacement and defects caused by damage to the surface of the electrode sheet by foreign matter.

[0060] Alternatively, the electrode sheet notching method according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include the step of sucking the electrode sheet 10 between the first roller 110 and the second roller 120. Through this, the first roller 110 and the second roller 120 can suck and transport the electrode sheet 10, respectively. Alternatively, the second roller 120 can suck and transport scraps 10s generated when processing the electrode sheet 10, thereby stably discharging the scraps to the collection unit 400.

[0061] Alternatively, the electrode sheet notching method according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a step of collecting scraps 10s generated when processing the electrode sheet 10. In this case, the scraps 10s may be collected using a vacuum, but the method is not limited thereto.

[0062] However, it goes without saying that the electrode sheet notching method according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include steps not described herein. Furthermore, some of the steps described above may be omitted, or the order of the steps may be changed. In some cases, two or more of the steps described above may be performed simultaneously. Furthermore, the details described for the electrode sheet notching device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be substantially similarly applied to the electrode sheet notching method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above as an example, it is not intended that the present invention be limited to the above embodiment. Those skilled in the art will be able to appropriately modify and implement the present invention and / or the configuration of the present invention by referring to this specification and the accompanying drawings, without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0064] In this specification, the terms "first," "second," etc. are used to distinguish components from one another and do not imply a priority or absolute order between components. A first component in one part of this specification may be referred to as a second component in another part of this specification.

[0065] The terms and expressions in this specification should be interpreted broadly and not in a restrictive sense. In this specification, the expression "comprise" does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components other than the mentioned configuration. In this specification, the singular expression includes the plural unless the context clearly excludes it.

[0066] The prior art documents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. a transfer unit including a first roller and a second roller for transferring the electrode sheet; a jig unit including a jig for supporting the electrode sheet; and a processing unit including a laser for processing the electrode sheet; The jig has a slit formed on a surface facing the electrode sheet, a laser beam that has processed the electrode sheet is moved in the same plane as one surface of the electrode sheet so as to pass through the slit; the jig is disposed between the first roller and the second roller; each of the first roller and the second roller is a suction roller that attracts the electrode sheet; The suction forces of the first roller and the second roller are individually controlled; the rotational speeds of the first roller and the second roller are individually controlled; the jig includes a support portion that comes into contact with the electrode sheet and a suction portion that sucks in foreign matter generated when the electrode sheet is processed, The suction unit sucks foreign matter through the slit. Electrode sheet notching device.

2. a transfer unit including a first roller and a second roller for transferring the electrode sheet; a jig unit including a jig for supporting the electrode sheet; and a processing unit including a laser for processing the electrode sheet; The jig has a slit formed on a surface facing the electrode sheet, a laser beam that has processed the electrode sheet is moved in the same plane as one surface of the electrode sheet so as to pass through the slit; the jig is disposed between the first roller and the second roller; each of the first roller and the second roller is a suction roller that attracts the electrode sheet; The suction forces of the first roller and the second roller are individually controlled; The rotational speeds of the first roller and the second roller are individually controlled. Electrode sheet notching device.

3. The jig moves in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the electrode sheet.

3. The electrode sheet notching device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The direction parallel to the electrode sheet transport direction includes a forward direction that is the same as the electrode sheet transport direction and a reverse direction that is opposite to the electrode sheet transport direction. The electrode sheet notching device according to claim 3.

5. the slit penetrates the jig from a surface of the jig facing the electrode sheet to a surface of the jig opposite to the surface facing the electrode sheet.

3. The electrode sheet notching device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. a recovery unit that recovers scrap generated when processing the electrode sheet; 3. The electrode sheet notching device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. the electrode sheet is transferred from the first roller to a second roller; the second roller transports the scrap to the recovery unit; The electrode sheet notching device according to claim 6.

8. rotating the first roller and the second roller to transport the electrode sheet; a step of moving a jig having a slit formed on a surface facing the electrode sheet on the same plane as one surface of the electrode sheet so that a region to be processed of the electrode sheet and the slit overlap; laser processing the electrode sheet; and a step of sucking foreign matter generated when processing the electrode sheet through the slit; the jig is disposed between the first roller and the second roller; each of the first roller and the second roller is a suction roller that attracts the electrode sheet; The suction forces of the first roller and the second roller are individually controlled; The rotational speeds of the first roller and the second roller are individually controlled. Electrode sheet notching method.

9. rotating the first roller and the second roller to transport the electrode sheet; a step of moving a jig having a slit formed on a surface facing the electrode sheet on the same plane as one surface of the electrode sheet so that a region to be processed of the electrode sheet and the slit overlap; processing the electrode sheet with a laser; the jig is disposed between the first roller and the second roller; each of the first roller and the second roller is a suction roller that attracts the electrode sheet; The suction forces of the first roller and the second roller are individually controlled; The rotational speeds of the first roller and the second roller are individually controlled. Electrode sheet notching method.

10. and collecting scrap generated during processing of the electrode sheet. The method for notching an electrode sheet according to claim 8 or 9.

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