Apparatus and method for manufacturing electrode assemblies

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly, the apparatus comprising: a winding core for winding an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a first separator, a second electrode, and a second separator; a first fixing part for fixing an outermost circumference of the electrode assembly; and a second fixing part located apart from the first fixing part along the circumference of the winding core and for fixing the first separator and the second separator, the first fixing part including a position adjusting part whose position is adjusted depending on a winding thickness of the electrode assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0184180, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 26, 2022, and all of its content is incorporated herein.

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly.

Background Art

[0003] Generally, a secondary battery, unlike a primary battery that cannot be charged, refers to a battery that can be charged and discharged, and such secondary batteries are widely used in the field of advanced electronic devices such as phones, laptops, and camcorders.

[0004] A secondary battery can ensure stability through a stability test in which one side is crimped with a crimping machine to measure internal short circuits.

[0005] Secondary batteries are classified into cylindrical batteries and prismatic batteries in which the electrode assembly is built into a cylindrical or prismatic metal battery case according to the shape of the battery case, and pouch-type batteries in which the electrode assembly is built into a pouch-type battery case made of an aluminum laminate sheet.

[0006] In addition, the electrode assembly built into the battery case is a power generation element capable of charge and discharge having a laminated structure of a positive electrode / separator / negative electrode, and is classified into a folding-type electrode assembly (jelly roll) wound through a separator between a long sheet-like positive electrode and a negative electrode coated with an active material, and a stack-type electrode assembly in which a large number of positive electrodes and negative electrodes of a predetermined size are sequentially laminated with a separator interposed therebetween. Among them, the jelly roll has the advantages of being easy to manufacture and having a high energy density per unit weight.

[0007] Conventional jelly roll electrode assemblies can be provided with a structure in which the positive electrode is shorter than the separation membrane and the outermost part is wound around the plain negative electrode section. Furthermore, conventional manufacturing equipment for jelly roll electrode assemblies includes a push roller that presses the outer casing of the jelly roll to prevent it from unraveling until the end of the plain negative electrode section is taped.

[0008] In conventional electrode assemblies, when the separation membrane is cut, the winding force of the separation membrane decreases, and the force with which the separation membrane presses against the positive electrode decreases.

[0009] The positive electrode, which was being wound under pressure towards the center of the core by the separation membrane, rotated in a section where it was not fixed to the push roller. At this time, the elastic force of the positive electrode causing it to unravel caused it to repel the separation membrane located on one side of the positive electrode, resulting in the separation membrane being bent in the direction of the positive electrode by the positive electrode's elastic force. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] Focusing on the problems of the conventional technology described above, the present invention aims to provide a manufacturing apparatus and method for an electrode assembly that suppresses the elastic force of the positive electrode until the winding of the separation membrane is completed, thereby preventing the separation membrane from folding. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly, comprising: a winding core for winding an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a first separator membrane, a second electrode, and a second separator membrane; a first fixing portion for fixing the outermost circumference of the electrode assembly; and a second fixing portion positioned along the circumference of the winding core at a distance from the first fixing portion and fixing the first separator membrane and the second separator membrane, wherein the first fixing portion includes a position adjustment portion whose position is adjusted according to the winding thickness of the electrode assembly.

[0012] One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly, wherein the first fixing portion includes a support portion and a fixing roller that contacts the outermost periphery of the electrode assembly to fix the electrode assembly, and the position adjustment portion is located between the support portion and the fixing roller.

[0013] One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly, wherein the first fixing portion further includes a connecting portion that connects the support portion and the fixing roller, and the connecting portion includes a first connecting portion with one end connected to the support portion, a second connecting portion with one end connected to the fixing roller and the other end connected to the first connecting portion, and a rotating portion with the second connecting portion movable by the position adjustment portion.

[0014] One embodiment of the present invention provides a manufacturing apparatus for an electrode assembly, further comprising a movable rail coupled to the first fixed part for moving the first fixed part.

[0015] One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly, further comprising a cutting unit for cutting the first separation membrane and the second separation membrane, wherein the cutting unit cuts the lengths of the first separation membrane and the second separation membrane to be longer than the length of the second electrode.

[0016] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus in which the first fixing part fixes the electrode assembly wound on the winding core before the winding ends of the first and second separation membranes are fixed to the second fixing part.

[0017] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, comprising: a winding step of winding a first electrode, a first separator membrane, a second electrode, and a second separator membrane onto a core to manufacture an electrode assembly; a first fixing step of fixing the outermost circumference of the electrode assembly with a first fixing part; and a second fixing step of rotating the core to fix the ends of the first separator membrane and the second separator membrane to the second fixing part.

[0018] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, wherein the first fixing step is to move the first fixing portion in the direction in which the core is located to bring the first fixing portion into contact with the wound product.

[0019] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, wherein the first separation membrane and the second separation membrane are fixed by the first fixing portion until the winding end is fixed to the second fixing portion.

[0020] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, wherein the first fixing step includes a cutting step of cutting the first separation membrane and the second separation membrane, and the cutting portion cuts the lengths of the first separation membrane and the second separation membrane longer than the length of the positive electrode.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] The manufacturing apparatus and method for an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention provide a first fixing portion that fixes the positive electrode until the end of the separation membrane is fixed to the second fixing portion, suppresses the elastic force of the positive electrode, and prevents the separation membrane from folding, thereby reducing defects in secondary batteries.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a cross-sectional view showing a manufacturing apparatus for an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view showing a first fixing portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view showing a first fixing portion according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view showing a first fixing portion according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] The detailed description of the present invention is for those with ordinary knowledge in the industry to fully explain the present invention. Throughout the specification, when a certain part "includes" a certain component, or when a certain structure and shape are "features", this means that, unless otherwise stated, other components are not excluded, and other structures and shapes are not excluded, but other components, structures, and shapes may also be included.

[0024] The present invention can be subjected to various transformations and can have various embodiments. Therefore, specific embodiments are presented and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the content of the invention according to the embodiments, and it should be understood that all transformations, equivalents, or alternatives included in the idea and technical scope of the present invention are encompassed.

[0025] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the drawings are for illustrative purposes of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the drawings.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a manufacturing apparatus of an electrode assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The manufacturing apparatus 100 of the electrode assembly includes a core 10, a cutting part (not shown), a first fixing part 20, and a second fixing part 30.

[0027] The core 10 winds up the first electrode 1, the first separator 3, the second electrode 2, and the second separator 4. In one embodiment, the core 10 may be cylindrical or rod-shaped. The core 10 may be provided with a groove of a certain length in the direction from the surface to the center, and the starting ends of winding up the first separator 3 and the second separator 4 may be fixed to the groove.

[0028] The core 10 can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise to wind up the first electrode, the first separator 3, the second electrode 2, and the second separator 4. The first electrode 1, the first separator 3, the second electrode 2, and the second separator 4 wound around the core 10 may be a precursor or a wound product of the electrode assembly. The precursor of the electrode assembly may be a jelly roll structure.

[0029] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present invention may further include a drive unit (not shown) for rotating the winding core 10. The drive unit may be coupled to one side of the winding core 10 and can provide rotational force to the winding core 10.

[0030] The electrode assembly according to the present invention is constructed by winding a first electrode 1, a first separator membrane 3, a second electrode 2, and a second separator membrane 4 in sequence, with the first electrode 1 or a plain portion of the first electrode wound around the outermost circumference. In one embodiment, the first electrode 1 is the negative electrode, and the plain portion of the first electrode is the negative electrode plain portion described later. That is, the electrode assembly according to the present invention includes a structure in which a negative electrode current collector is wound around the outermost circumference. In the present invention, the precursor of the electrode assembly means the state before the winding of the first electrode 1, the first separator membrane 3, the second electrode 2, and the second separator membrane 4 is completed, and the electrode assembly means the state in which the winding of the first electrode 1, the first separator membrane 3, the second electrode 2, and the second separator membrane 4 is completed and tape is attached to the winding end of the negative electrode plain portion.

[0031] The electrode assembly includes a second electrode 2, a first electrode 1, and separation membranes 3 and 4 located between the second electrode 2 and the first electrode 1, and is a power generation element capable of charging and discharging.

[0032] The second electrode 2, i.e., the positive electrode, may include a positive electrode current collector, a positive electrode active material portion, and a positive electrode blank portion. The positive electrode current collector is a thin metal plate with excellent conductivity, and may include, for example, aluminum (Al) foil.

[0033] Positive electrode 2 is a positive electrode current collector on which one or more sides are coated with positive electrode active material. The area coated with positive electrode active material is the positive electrode active material area, and the area not coated with positive electrode active material is the positive electrode plain area. Since the positive electrode plain area does not have a positive electrode active material layer applied to it, the first electrode tab can be joined to it.

[0034] The positive electrode active material may include lithium cobalt oxide, which has a high operating voltage and excellent capacity characteristics; lithium nickel oxide, which has high reversible capacity and facilitates the realization of high-capacity batteries; lithium nickel cobalt oxide, in which part of the nickel is replaced with cobalt; lithium nickel cobalt metal oxide, in which part of the nickel is replaced with manganese, cobalt, or aluminum; lithium manganese-based oxide, which has excellent thermal stability and is inexpensive; and lithium iron phosphorus oxide, which has excellent stability.

[0035] The first electrode, i.e., the negative electrode 1, may include a negative electrode current collector, a negative electrode active material portion, and a negative electrode plain portion. The negative electrode current collector may include a thin metal plate with excellent conductivity, such as copper (Cu) or nickel (Ni) foil.

[0036] The negative electrode 1 is a negative electrode current collector with negative electrode active material coated on one or both sides. The negative electrode active material portion is formed by coating or applying the negative electrode active material, while the negative electrode plain portion is an area where the negative electrode current collector is exposed and the negative electrode active material is not coated or applied. Since the negative electrode plain portion does not have the negative electrode active material applied, a second electrode tab can be joined to it.

[0037] The negative electrode active material may be, for example, carbon materials such as crystalline carbon, amorphous carbon, carbon composites, or carbon fibers, or lithium metal or lithium alloy. In this case, the negative electrode active material may further contain, for example, non-graphite-based SiO (silica) or SiC (silicon carbide) for high-capacity design.

[0038] The first electrode tab and the second electrode tab transmit electrons collected by the current collector to the external circuit, and may protrude in directions opposite to each other relative to the electrode assembly of the jelly roll structure.

[0039] The separation membranes 3 and 4 prevent internal short circuits that may occur due to contact between the positive electrode 2 and the negative electrode 1, and may contain porous materials to facilitate the movement of ions between the electrodes.

[0040] In one embodiment, the separation membranes 3 and 4 may include a porous substrate layer. The substrate layer may include, for example, one selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), and a copolymer of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).

[0041] In other embodiments, the separation membranes 3 and 4 may include SRS (Safety Reinforced Separator) separation membranes. That is, the separation membranes 3 and 4 may include a porous material substrate layer and a coating layer formed by coating the substrate layer with a mixed slurry of inorganic particles and a binder polymer. Preferably, the coating layer contains ceramic particles and has a uniform porous structure formed by the interstitial volume between the ceramic particles, which are the active layer components, along with the pore structure contained in the separation membrane substrate itself.

[0042] The coating layer may contain ceramic particles comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica, TiO2, SiC, and MgAl2O4. Including such a coating layer can enhance the safety of the electrode assembly. The coating layer may further contain lithium salts.

[0043] The cutting section cuts the first separation membrane 3 and the second separation membrane 4. The cutting section can cut the lengths of the first separation membrane 3 and the second separation membrane 4 to be longer than the lengths of the negative electrode active material portion and the positive electrode active material portion. Here, length refers to the distance between the ends of the negative electrode 1, the first separation membrane 3, the positive electrode 2, and the second separation membrane 4, which are located in the direction of movement toward the winding core 10.

[0044] The cutting section is not particularly limited in type or shape, as long as it can cut the first separation membrane 3 and the second separation membrane 4.

[0045] The first fixing part 20 can fix the outermost circumference of the electrode assembly. Specifically, the first fixing part 20 contacts the outermost circumference of the winding material and fixes it so that the winding material remains wound on the winding core 10. In other words, the first fixing part 20 can fix the winding form of the winding material by pressing the outermost circumference of the winding material toward the center of the winding core 10. Of the winding material, the part that comes into contact with the first fixing part 20 is the negative electrode, more specifically the blank portion of the negative electrode.

[0046] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the first fixing part 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the first fixing part 20 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the first fixing part 20 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] In one embodiment, the first fixing part 20 includes a support part 21, a fixing roller 23, and a position adjustment part 24. In other embodiments and yet another embodiment, the first fixing part 20 includes a support part 21, a connecting part 22, a fixing roller 23, and a position adjustment part 24.

[0048] The support portion 21 is fixed to other components, a wall, the ground, etc., to support the first fixing portion 20.

[0049] The connecting portion 22 connects the fixed roller 23 (described later) and the support portion 21, and is located on one side of the support portion 21. The connecting portion 22 may also include a first connecting portion 22a, one end of which is connected to the support portion 21; a second connecting portion 22b, one end of which is connected to the fixed roller 23 and the other end of which is connected to the first connecting portion 22a; and a rotating portion C, the second connecting portion 22b, which is movably provided by a position adjustment portion 24.

[0050] For example, the first connecting portion 22a may extend in a direction perpendicular to the support portion 21. In other words, the first connecting portion 22a may extend perpendicular to one surface of the support portion 21.

[0051] Alternatively, the first connecting portion 22a supports the second connecting portion 22b, is located parallel to the support portion 21 on one surface of the support portion 21, and extends in the opposite direction to the direction in which the position adjustment portion 24 is located. In this case, the first connecting portion 22a partially overlaps with the support portion 21, and the support portion 21 and the first connecting portion 22a may be connected by a hinge.

[0052] The second connecting portion 22b is located between the fixed roller 23 and the first connecting portion 22a, and can be rotated or moved by the position adjustment portion 24.

[0053] In other embodiments, the first fixing portion 20 is formed such that the connecting portion 22 extends vertically from the support portion 21, and in this case, the second connecting portion 22b can form an angle of 180° or less with the first connecting portion 22a. Preferably, the angle between the second connecting portion 22b and the first connecting portion 22a is 10° to 150°, and more preferably 30° to 120°.

[0054] In other embodiments, when the connecting portion 22 is formed extending horizontally from the support portion 21, the fixed roller 23, i.e., the second connecting portion 22b, can form an angle of 90° or less with the support portion 21 or the connecting portion 22. Preferably, the angle between the second connecting portion 22b and the support portion 21 or the first connecting portion 22a is 10° to 90°, and more preferably 30° to 90°.

[0055] The fixing roller 23 can contact the outermost circumference of the winding material wound onto the core 10 before or simultaneously with the cutting of the separation membranes 3 and 4, thereby fixing the winding material. In other words, the fixing roller 23 can press and fix the positive electrode 2 and the end of the winding of the separation membranes 3 and 4 within the winding material.

[0056] The first fixing part 20 according to the present invention fixes a part of the positive electrode 2, more specifically the winding end of the positive electrode 2, before or simultaneously with cutting the separation membranes 3 and 4, thereby preventing the positive electrode 2 from repelling the separation membranes 3 and 4 due to its elasticity, and preventing damage to the separation membranes 3 and 4 or breakage of the separation membranes 3 and 4.

[0057] The fixed roller 23 moves in the direction in which the winding core 10 is located, contacting and pressing a portion of the winding material wound on the winding core 10. At this time, the winding material has a structure in which the negative electrode 1, the first separator membrane 3, the positive electrode 2, and the second separator membrane 4 are wound multiple times, but the plain negative electrode portion does not wind the outermost edge of the winding material. Therefore, even if the thickness of the winding material increases due to the winding of the plain negative electrode portion, the fixed roller 23 can accept the change in the thickness of the winding material because it is rotatable by the rotation axis.

[0058] The position adjustment section 24 is located between one surface of the fixed roller 23 and one surface of the support section 21, and provides elastic force to the fixed roller 23. The position adjustment section 24 may include a material that has restoring force. For example, the position adjustment section 24 may include an elastic member, and the elastic member may include silicone, rubber, and a spring.

[0059] The fixed roller 23 can press the winding material by the restoring force of the position adjustment section 24. In one embodiment, the smaller the angle between the fixed roller 23 and the connecting section 22, the greater the elastic force or restoring force of the position adjustment section 24 can be. The elastic force or restoring force of the position adjustment section 24 pushes out the support section 21 and the fixed roller 23, and therefore the fixed roller 23 is provided with an elastic force from the position adjustment section 24 in the direction in which the winding material is positioned, thereby pressurizing and fixing the winding material.

[0060] The first fixing part 20 is movable in a first direction in which the winding core 10 is located and in a second direction which is the opposite direction. Therefore, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present invention may further include a movable rail (not shown) that is coupled to the first fixing part 20 and moves the first fixing part 20 in the first and second directions.

[0061] The second fixing part 30 is positioned along the circumference of the core 10, spaced apart from the first fixing part 20, and fixes the ends of the first separation membrane 3 and the second separation membrane 4. The second fixing part 30 can fix the ends of the first separation membrane 3 and the second separation membrane 4 by contacting the first fixing part 20 or by contacting a part of the winding material that is not fixed by the first fixing part 20.

[0062] The second fixing portion 30 can be moved in a third direction in which the winding core 10 is located and in a fourth direction opposite to that direction. Therefore, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 may further include a moving portion (not shown) for moving the second fixing portion 30 in the third and fourth directions. The form of the moving portion is not particularly limited as long as it can move the second fixing portion 30 in the third and fourth directions.

[0063] In the winding according to the present invention, the lengths of the first separation membrane 3 and the second separation membrane 4 may be longer than the length of the positive electrode 2. In other words, the first separation membrane 3 and the second separation membrane 4 may include a first portion in which the positive electrode 2 is located and a second portion in which the positive electrode 2 is not located. Furthermore, the length of the second portion may correspond to half the circumference of the winding.

[0064] For example, the circumference of a roll of material where the first separation membrane 3, the second separation membrane 4, and the unwinding end of the negative electrode plain section are not wound may be 50 mm to 80 mm. In this case, the length of the second section may be 25 mm to 40 mm, which is half the circumference of the roll.

[0065] Furthermore, the separation distance between the first fixing part 20 and the second fixing part 30 of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present invention can correspond to the length of the second portion of the first separation membrane 3 and the second separation membrane 4. That is, the separation distance between the first fixing part 20 and the second fixing part 30 may be a length corresponding to half the circumference of the winding material.

[0066] Since the separation distance between the first fixing part 20 and the second fixing part 30 corresponds to the length of the second portion of the first separation membrane 3 and the second separation membrane 4, the first fixing part 20 can pressurize and fix the negative electrode blank portion, the first separation membrane 3, the positive electrode 2, and the second separation membrane 4 until the ends of the first separation membrane 3 and the second separation membrane 4, i.e., the winding ends of the first separation membrane 3 and the second separation membrane 4, are fixed to the second fixing part 30.

[0067] Therefore, since the free rotation section does not decrease or occur until the positive electrode 2 has finished winding the first separation membrane 3 and the second separation membrane 4 and the plain negative electrode, the elastic force of the positive electrode 2 is prevented, and the positive electrode 2 is prevented from repelling the first separation membrane 3 and the second separation membrane 4 by the elastic force of the positive electrode 2, thereby preventing the first separation membrane 3 and the second separation membrane 4 from being bent. Here, the free rotation section refers to the section from the time the first separation membrane 3 and the second separation membrane 4 are cut until the positive electrode 2 is fixed by the first fixing part 20 or the second fixing part 30.

[0068] The fixed roller 23 and the second fixed part 30 may contain a substance that does not chemically react with the plain negative electrode portion. Furthermore, the fixed roller 23 and the second fixed part 30 may contain an elastic substance. For example, the fixed roller 23 and the second fixed part 30 may contain one or more of the following: urethane, silicon, carbon, aluminum, metal, and polymer.

[0069] Furthermore, if the fixed roller 23 and the second fixed part 30 are made of metal, the metal surface can be coated, plated, or physicochemically surface-treated to prevent chemical reaction with the plain part of the negative electrode.

[0070] The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to the present invention includes a winding step (S10) in which a positive electrode, a first separation membrane, a negative electrode, and a second separation membrane are wound onto a core to produce a winding material; a first fixing step (S20) in which a portion of the winding material is fixed to a first fixing part and the first separation membrane and the second separation membrane are cut; and a second fixing step (S30) in which the core is rotated to fix the ends of the first separation membrane and the second separation membrane to the second fixing part.

[0071] The winding step (S10) may include a separation membrane fixing step (S11) for fixing the starting ends of the first separation membrane and the second separation membrane to the winding core, a negative electrode supply step (S12) for supplying a negative electrode to one side of the second separation membrane, and a positive electrode supply step (S13) for supplying a positive electrode to one side of the first separation membrane.

[0072] In the winding stage (S10), after the separation membrane fixing stage (S11), the winding core is rotated to supply the negative electrode and positive electrode while the winding of the separation membrane progresses, or the positive electrode, first separation membrane, negative electrode and second separation membrane can be stacked, and then the winding core is rotated to wind the positive electrode, first separation membrane, negative electrode and second separation membrane.

[0073] The first fixing step (S20) may include the step of moving the first fixing part in the direction in which the winding core is located to bring the first fixing part into contact with the winding material and fix the winding material (S21), and the step of cutting the first separation membrane and the second separation membrane (S22).

[0074] In the step of cutting the first and second separation membranes (S22), the lengths of the first and second separation membranes may be cut to be longer than the length of the positive electrode. That is, the first and second separation membranes may extend along the circumference of the winding at a position corresponding to the winding end of the positive electrode, and the negative and positive electrodes do not need to be located between the extended portions of the first and second separation membranes.

[0075] In this case, the extended portions of the first and second separation membranes may be of a length corresponding to half the circumference of the winding, and the first and second separation membranes may be fixed by the first fixing part until the end of the winding is fixed to the second fixing part.

[0076] For example, when the winding end of the positive electrode is located at the rear end of the second fixing part, the first fixing part can move to fix the winding. Also, if the first and second separators are cut by a set length, the elastic force of the positive electrode can be reduced by the pressing force applied by the first fixing part to fix the first and second separators until the winding ends of the first and second separators are fixed to the second fixing part by the rotation of the core.

[0077] Furthermore, if the positive electrode has a freely rotating section between the cuts in the circumference of the winding, the separation membrane may fold due to the elastic force of the positive electrode. At this time, the rotation of the core and the pressing force applied by the first fixed part to the winding may cause the folded portion of the separation membrane to unfold as it is wound.

[0078] The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to the present invention can be described by reference to the description of the apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly.

[0079] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to those skilled in the art, it will be understood that various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0080] 100 ··· Electrode assembly manufacturing equipment 1...1st electrode, negative electrode 2 ···Second electrode, positive electrode 3...1st separation membrane 4...Second separation membrane 10 ···Core 20...1st fixed part 21...Support part 22...Connection part 22a...1st connection part 22b...Second connection part 23 ···Fixed roller 24...Position adjustment section 30...Second fixed part C ··· Rotation axis

Claims

1. A winding core for winding an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a first separator membrane, a second electrode, and a second separator membrane; A first fixing portion that fixes the outermost circumference of the electrode assembly; and A second fixing portion is positioned along the circumference of the core, spaced apart from the first fixing portion, and fixes the first and second separation membranes. Includes, The first fixing portion includes a position adjustment portion whose position is adjusted according to the winding thickness of the electrode assembly, The first fixing portion fixes the outermost circumference of the electrode assembly while maintaining contact with the outermost circumference of the electrode assembly without moving along the circumferential direction of the winding core. Manufacturing equipment for electrode assemblies.

2. The first fixing portion includes a fixing roller that contacts the support portion and the outermost circumference of the electrode assembly to fix the electrode assembly, The position adjustment part is located between the support part and the fixed roller. The apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 1.

3. The first fixing portion further includes a connecting portion that connects the support portion and the fixing roller, The connecting portion includes a first connecting portion, one end of which is connected to the support portion; a second connecting portion, one end of which is connected to the fixed roller and the other end of which is connected to the first connecting portion; and a rotating portion, the second connecting portion of which is movably provided by the position adjustment portion. The apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 2.

4. The system further includes a movable rail that is connected to the first fixed part and moves the first fixed part. An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The system further includes a cutting section for cutting the first separation membrane and the second separation membrane, The cutting section cuts the lengths of the first separation membrane and the second separation membrane to be longer than the length of the second electrode. An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The first fixing portion fixes the electrode assembly wound on the core before the winding ends of the first and second separation membranes are fixed to the second fixing portion. An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. A winding step in which an electrode assembly is manufactured by winding a first electrode, a first separator membrane, a second electrode, and a second separator membrane onto a core; A first fixing step in which the outermost periphery of the electrode assembly is fixed with the first fixing part; and The second fixing step involves rotating the winding core to fix the ends of the first and second separation membranes to the second fixing part. Includes, Without moving the first fixing part along the circumferential direction of the winding core, the outermost circumference of the electrode assembly is fixed while maintaining contact between the first fixing part and the outermost circumference of the electrode assembly. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly.

8. The first fixing step involves moving the first fixing part in the direction in which the winding core is located to bring the first fixing part into contact with the winding material. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 7.

9. The first separation membrane and the second separation membrane are fixed by the first fixing part until the winding end is fixed to the second fixing part. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 7 or 8.

10. The first fixing step includes a cutting step in which the first separation membrane and the second separation membrane are cut using a cutting unit. The cutting section cuts the lengths of the first separation membrane and the second separation membrane to be longer than the length of the second electrode. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 7 or 8.

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