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

Abstract

The present invention is characterized in that, in a manufacturing method of an electrode assembly in which first and second electrodes are alternately arranged between folded separators, the electrodes are stored in a stacked manner in a magazine section, and a second protective sheet is disposed between the plurality of electrodes, allowing the electrodes to be easily separated without adhesion, and the two sheets removed after the electrodes are separated are recycled.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention claims the benefit as of the filing date of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0184440, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 26, 2022, and all its contents are contained herein.

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

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, rechargeable batteries are rechargeable and have the potential for miniaturization and increased capacity, leading to extensive research and development in recent years. As technological development and demand for mobile devices increase, the demand for rechargeable batteries as an energy source is rapidly growing.

[0004] Rechargeable batteries are classified into coin-type batteries, cylindrical batteries, prismatic batteries, and pouch-type batteries according to the shape of their battery cases. The electrode assembly installed inside the battery case of a rechargeable battery is a power generation element capable of charging and discharging, consisting of a laminated structure of electrodes and a separator membrane.

[0005] The electrode assemblies can be broadly classified into three types: a jelly-roll type in which a sheet-type positive electrode coated with an active material is wound with a separation membrane interposed between it and the negative electrode; a stack type in which a large number of positive and negative electrodes are sequentially stacked with a separation membrane interposed between them; and a stack-and-fold type in which the unit cells of the stack type are wound with a long separation film.

[0006] The electrode assemblies are manufactured by supplying individual electrodes from a magazine in which multiple individual electrodes are stacked. In this process, there was a problem in that the electrodes to be supplied were not completely separated from the multiple individual electrodes stacked in the magazine, resulting in defective electrode assemblies.

[0007] Therefore, a technology is needed to properly separate the supply electrode from the multiple electrodes stacked within the magazine. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Korean Published Patent No. 10-2013-0027918 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The present invention aims to provide an electrode supply device, an electrode assembly manufacturing device utilizing the same, an electrode supply method, and an electrode assembly manufacturing method utilizing the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode supply device comprising: a first magazine section in which a plurality of electrodes are stacked; a separation failure prevention sheet arranged between each of the plurality of electrodes; an electrode pickup section for picking up the uppermost electrode among the plurality of electrodes; and a separation failure prevention sheet pickup section for removing the separation failure prevention sheet from the first magazine section.

[0011] One embodiment of the present invention is an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which a first electrode and a second electrode are alternately arranged between folded separation membranes, the apparatus including: a first electrode supply unit configured to supply the first electrode to the stack table side; a second electrode supply unit configured to supply the second electrode to the stack table side; a separation membrane supply unit configured to supply the separation membrane to the stack table side; a stack table on which a laminate in which the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode are laminated in such a manner that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separation membranes is manufactured; and a press unit configured to heat and pressurize the laminate to bond between the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode to manufacture an electrode assembly, wherein at least one of the first electrode supply unit and the second electrode supply unit includes the electrode supply device, thereby providing an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus.

[0012] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode supply method including: (S1) stacking a plurality of electrodes and a separation defect prevention sheet between each of the plurality of electrodes in a first magazine unit; (S2) picking up the uppermost electrode among the plurality of electrodes and transferring it to a stack table; and (S3) removing the separation defect prevention sheet exposed by picking up the uppermost electrode from the first magazine.

[0013] Finally, one embodiment of the present invention is an electrode assembly manufacturing method for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which a first electrode and a second electrode are alternately arranged between folded separation membranes, the method comprising: supplying the first electrode to the stack table side; supplying the second electrode to the stack table side; supplying the separation membrane to the stack table side; stacking the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode on the stack table in such a manner that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separation membranes to produce a laminate; and a heat press step of heating and pressurizing the laminate to bond between the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode to manufacture an electrode assembly. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly includes at least one of the step of supplying the first electrode to the stack table side and the step of supplying the second electrode to the stack table side, which includes the electrode supply method.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] The electrode supply device, the electrode supply method according to the embodiments of the present invention, the electrode assembly manufacturing device using the device, and the electrode assembly manufacturing method using the method can prevent the problem of separation of a plurality of sheets due to contact between electrode surfaces or contact between an electrode surface and a separation membrane.

[0015] The electrode supply device, the electrode supply method according to the embodiments of the present invention, the electrode assembly manufacturing device using the device, and the electrode assembly manufacturing method using the method can prevent the problem of separation of a plurality of sheets, so that stability and productivity can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing a process of separating an electrode by an electrode supply device and an electrode supply method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a plan view exemplarily showing an electrode assembly manufacturing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]This is a front view illustrating a conceptual electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view illustrating a typical electrode assembly. [Figure 5] This is a conceptual diagram showing the pressing process of an electrode assembly manufacturing method or manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] (a) is a perspective view showing a first press section 50 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a perspective view showing a second press section 60 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing a stack table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view showing the first electrode mounting table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view showing the second electrode mounting table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view showing the first suction head in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a bottom view showing the first suction head in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This is a plan view showing a holding mechanism and a stacking table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0017] 1. Electrode pickup section 2. The uppermost electrode among the stacked electrodes. 3...Second electrode 4. Other electrodes and separation failure prevention sheets. 5 ···Temperature sensor section 6. Temperature Control Unit 7 ···First Magazine Department 8 ···Separation failure prevention sheet 10...electrode assembly 11...1st electrode 11a ···First electrode tab 12...Second electrode 12a ···Second electrode tab 14...Separation membrane 50 ···First Press Department 50a, 50b ···A pair of first pressurized blocks 60 ···2nd Press Department 60a, 60b... A pair of second pressure blocks 51... Gripper 51a...Body holding mechanism 51b...Fixed part 100...Electrode assembly manufacturing equipment 110 ···Stackable Table 111 ···Table body 112 ···Stackable Table Heater 120...Separation membrane supply section 121 ···Separation membrane heating section 122 ···Separation membrane roll 130...First electrode supply section 131 ···First electrode mounting table 132 ···First electrode heater 133 ···First electrode roll 134 ···First Cutter 135 ···First conveyor belt 136 ···First electrode supply head 140...Second electrode supply section 141 ···Second electrode mounting table 142 ···Second electrode heater 143 ···Second electrode roll 144 ···Second Cutter 145 ···Second conveyor belt 146 ···Second electrode supply head 150 ···First electrode stack section 151 ···First suction head 151a...Vacuum inlet 151b...Bottom surface 152 ···First head heater 153 ···First Mobile Unit 160 ···Second electrode stack section 161...Second suction head 162 ···2nd head heater 163 ···Second Mobile Unit 170 ···Holding mechanism 171 ···First Holding Organization 172 ···Second Holding Organization 180 ···Press Department 181 ···First pressurization block 182 ···Second pressurization block 183,184 ···Press heater S ···Laminate [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] The present invention will be described in detail below so that it can be easily implemented by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. However, the present invention can be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the configuration described herein.

[0019] In this specification, when a part "includes" a component, this means that, unless otherwise stated, it may include other components rather than excluding them.

[0020] In this specification, "p~q" means "greater than or equal to p and less than or equal to q".

[0021] In describing the present invention, detailed explanations of prior art that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the invention will be omitted.

[0022] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode supply device comprising: a first magazine section in which a plurality of electrodes are stacked; a separation failure prevention sheet arranged between each of the plurality of electrodes; an electrode pickup section for picking up the uppermost electrode among the plurality of electrodes; and a separation failure prevention sheet pickup section for removing the separation failure prevention sheet from the first magazine section.

[0023] In this specification, “electrode” means including the electrode and / or a semi-finished product of the electrode. Furthermore, the term “electrode semi-finished product” means all semi-assembled products related to the electrode, such as coated electrodes, rolled electrodes, and notched electrodes, which are manufactured in the process of manufacturing an electrode assembly and a secondary battery including the electrode assembly. In other words, in this specification, electrodes or semi-finished products of electrodes can be stacked in the electrode magazine section.

[0024] In this specification, "separation failure" refers to a phenomenon in which the separation of stacked electrodes is hindered by adhesive forces generated by foreign matter present on the electrode surface during the separation process.

[0025] In other words, in this specification, the "separation failure prevention sheet" means a sheet used to prevent the separation failure phenomenon, in which unnecessary adhesive force that hinders the separation of laminated electrodes occurs during the process of separating the electrodes.

[0026] In this specification, "first magazine section" may mean "electrode magazine section," and the "electrode magazine section" functions to stack electrodes in a predetermined space inside, similar to bullets in a magazine. An electrode supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized by stacking electrodes in the first magazine section so that a separate separation failure prevention sheet is placed between the electrodes, and then alternately transferring or removing the electrodes and the separation failure prevention sheet. By placing a separate separation failure prevention sheet between the electrodes, the separation failure phenomenon can be prevented, thereby preventing the problem of separation of multiple sheets due to contact between electrode surfaces or between electrode surfaces and separation films.

[0027] As a result, when manufacturing electrode assemblies using the electrode supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the electrode assembly manufacturing device using the electrode supply device, productivity can be improved.

[0028] An electrode supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first magazine section in which electrodes are stacked. The first magazine section performs the function of stacking electrodes.

[0029] Furthermore, an electrode supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first magazine section in which the electrodes and the separation failure prevention sheets are stacked alternately, with the electrodes positioned at the uppermost position.

[0030] An electrode supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an electrode pickup unit that picks up the uppermost electrode among the electrodes stacked inside the first magazine unit and transfers it to the stack table side. More specifically, the electrode pickup unit may include an electrode fixing unit that fixes the uppermost electrode, and an electrode transfer unit that transfers the uppermost electrode fixed by the fixing unit to the stack table side.

[0031] An electrode supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a separation failure prevention sheet pickup unit that removes the uppermost separation failure prevention sheet from the first magazine unit, which is one of the separation failure prevention sheets stacked inside the first magazine unit. More specifically, the separation failure prevention sheet pickup unit may include a separation failure prevention sheet fixing unit that fixes the uppermost separation failure prevention sheet, and a separation failure prevention sheet extraction unit that removes the uppermost separation failure prevention sheet fixed by the separation failure prevention sheet fixing unit.

[0032] In this specification, "removing the separation failure prevention sheet" means that the separation failure prevention sheet is moved to a location other than the stacking table side and not used in the step of stacking the electrode assemblies.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, a second magazine section may be further included in which the removed separation failure prevention sheets are laminated for reuse of the separation failure prevention sheets removed by the separation failure prevention sheet pickup section. That is, after the removed separation failure prevention sheets are sorted separately, the sorted separation failure prevention sheets can be laminated inside the first magazine section in a manner that they are positioned between electrodes for reuse. This reduces process costs.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separation failure prevention sheet may be made of aluminum, but is not limited thereto, and any material that does not cause problems when in contact with the electrode may be used. When such a material is used, separation failure can be prevented more easily.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separation failure prevention sheet may be in the form of a mesh or a sheet with irregularities. The mesh or irregularities may have a predetermined pattern formed on it, but it can be used without limitation as long as the surface is not slippery and separation failure can be prevented. Preferably, when the separation failure prevention sheet has a mesh form, the surface is not smooth, so separation failure can be prevented more easily.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention may further include an electrode placement table on which electrodes transported by the electrode supply device are placed and aligned. The electrodes placed on the electrode placement table can be stacked on a stacking table by an electrode stacking unit described later.

[0037] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which a first electrode and a second electrode are alternately arranged between folding separation membranes, comprising: a first electrode supply unit for supplying the first electrode to a stack table; a second electrode supply unit for supplying the second electrode to a stack table; a separation membrane supply unit for supplying the separation membrane to a stack table; a stack table on which a laminate is manufactured in which the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode are stacked in a manner in which the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately arranged between the folding separation membranes; and a press unit for heating and pressurizing the laminate to bond the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode together to manufacture an electrode assembly; wherein at least one of the first electrode supply unit and the second electrode supply unit includes the electrode supply device.

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

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

[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode supply unit and the second electrode supply unit each include the electrode supply device.

[0041] In other words, both the first electrode supply unit and the second electrode supply unit may supply the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively, using the electrode supply device according to the present invention.

[0042] In other words, an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode supply unit that supplies electrodes to a stacking table, and the electrode supply unit may include an electrode placement table on which electrodes are placed before they are stacked on the stacking table by the electrode stacking unit. Electrodes transported by the electrode supply apparatus according to the present invention can be placed on the electrode placement table and aligned. The aligned electrodes can then be stacked on the stacking table by the electrode stacking unit. The electrodes may be a first electrode or a second electrode.

[0043] In this specification, the process of manufacturing a laminate in which the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately arranged between the folding separation membranes is referred to as zigzag folding.

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

[0045] That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode supply unit may include the first electrode supply device, and the second electrode supply unit may include the second electrode supply device. The first electrode supply device and the second electrode supply device may each be electrode supply devices according to the present invention.

[0046] Furthermore, in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode supply unit may include a first electrode placement table on which the first electrodes are placed before they are stacked on the stack table by the first electrode stack unit, and the second electrode supply unit may include a second electrode placement table on which the second electrodes are placed before they are stacked on the stack table by the second electrode stack unit.

[0047] In one embodiment of the present invention, in order to stack the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode in such a manner that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately arranged between the folding separation membrane, the stacking table may be moved from side to side, the separation membrane may be moved from side to side, or the stacking table may be rotated, and the usual art in this regard may be applied.

[0048] An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a stack table moving unit for moving the stack table left and right; or a separation membrane guide unit for moving the separation membrane left and right. Furthermore, the form of the stack table moving unit and the separation membrane guide unit is not limited as long as they perform the function of moving the stack table and the separation membrane left and right, respectively, and apparatus commonly used in the art may be used.

[0049] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pressing section further includes a pair of pressure blocks and a press heater for heating the pressure blocks, wherein the pair of pressure blocks move in a direction opposite to each other to apply surface pressure to the laminate and the press heater heats each of the laminates. In this embodiment, the pair of pressure blocks may contain the press heater inside.

[0050] In one embodiment of the present invention, heating the stacked material may be done by heating it with a heater contained inside the stack table.

[0051] The pressure and temperature conditions for heating and pressurizing by the aforementioned press section may be subject to the same conditions described later for the heat press stage. The same applies to the duration of heating and pressurizing (duration conditions).

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

[0053] In one embodiment of the present invention, a gripper may be further included for fixing the laminate in which the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode are stacked during the heating and pressurizing process by the press section. Specifically, the gripper may be applied in the first heat press stage described later.

[0054] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pressing section may include a first pressing section and a second pressing section. Specifically, the first pressing section and the second pressing section may be applied to the first heat pressing stage and the second heat pressing stage, respectively, as described later, and the heating conditions and pressurizing conditions may be those related to the first heat pressing stage and the second heat pressing stage, as described later.

[0055] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first press section includes a pair of first pressure blocks, the pressure surfaces of the pair of first pressure blocks include grooves in a form corresponding to the grippers, and the pressure surfaces other than the grooves may be formed as flat surfaces. That is, the first press section may be applied in the first heat press stage described above.

[0056] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second pressing section includes a pair of second pressure blocks, and the pressure surfaces of the pair of second pressure blocks may be formed to be planar. That is, the second pressing section may be applied in the second heat pressing stage described above.

[0057] An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a holding mechanism for gripping and fixing the laminate during the manufacturing process of the laminate.

[0058] In this specification, the "holding mechanism" performs the function of gripping the stacked stack on the stack table in order to stack the first electrode or the second electrode during the process of manufacturing a stack in which the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode are stacked in such a manner that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately arranged between the separation membrane that is folded on the stack table. Its function differs from that of a gripper that grips the stack during the process of heating and pressurizing the stack. For a specific description of the operation process of the holding mechanism, please refer to the description of the electrode assembly manufacturing method described later.

[0059] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode supply method comprising: (S1) stacking a plurality of electrodes and separation failure prevention sheets between each of the plurality of electrodes in a first magazine; (S2) picking up the uppermost electrode from the plurality of electrodes and transferring it to a stacking table; and (S3) removing the separation failure prevention sheet that is exposed when the uppermost electrode is picked up from the first magazine.

[0060] Furthermore, one embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode supply method that further includes the step of performing step S2 after the step of removing the separation failure prevention sheet in step (S4), and repeats steps S2 to S4 until all of the electrodes and the separation failure prevention sheet are removed from inside the first magazine.

[0061] An electrode supply method according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized by stacking electrodes in a first magazine section so that a separate separation failure prevention sheet is placed between the electrodes, and then alternately transferring or removing the electrodes and the separation failure prevention sheet. By placing a separate separation failure prevention sheet between the electrodes, the separation failure phenomenon can be prevented, thereby preventing the problem of separation of multiple sheets due to contact between electrode surfaces or between electrode surfaces and separation films.

[0062] As a result, when manufacturing an electrode assembly using the electrode supply method and the electrode assembly manufacturing method utilizing the electrode supply method according to the embodiment of the present invention, productivity can be increased.

[0063] In one embodiment of the present invention, the steps of stacking the separation failure prevention sheet removed from the first magazine section onto the second magazine section, and picking up the separation failure prevention sheet from the second magazine section for reuse may be further included.

[0064] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of cutting the electrodes and the separation failure prevention sheet, respectively, before the step of stacking the electrodes and the separation failure prevention sheet inside the first electrode magazine section may be further included.

[0065] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of aligning the positions of the transported electrodes before supplying them to the stack table may further be included. The above-described explanation for the electrode placement table may apply to this step.

[0066] In an electrode supply method according to one embodiment of the present invention, the separation failure prevention sheet may be made of aluminum, but is not limited thereto, and any material that does not cause problems when in contact with the electrode can be used. When such a material is used, separation failure can be prevented more easily.

[0067] In an electrode supply method according to one embodiment of the present invention, the separation failure prevention sheet may be in the form of a mesh or a sheet with irregularities, and the mesh or irregularities may have a predetermined pattern formed on it, but it can be used without limitation as long as the surface is not smooth and separation failure can be prevented. Preferably, when the separation failure prevention sheet has a mesh form, the surface is not smooth, so separation failure can be prevented more easily.

[0068] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode assembly manufacturing method for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which a first electrode and a second electrode are alternately arranged between folded separation membranes, comprising the steps of: supplying the first electrode to a stacking table; supplying the second electrode to a stacking table; supplying the separation membrane to a stacking table; stacking the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode on a stacking table in a manner in which the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separation membranes to manufacture a laminate; and a heat press step of heating and pressurizing the laminate to bond the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode together to manufacture an electrode assembly, wherein at least one of the steps of supplying the first electrode to a stacking table and supplying the second electrode to a stacking table is an electrode supply method.

[0069] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of supplying the first electrode to the stack table side includes the electrode supply method.

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

[0071] In one embodiment of the present invention, the steps of supplying the first electrode to the stack table and supplying the second electrode to the stack table each include the electrode supply method.

[0072] In other words, the steps of supplying the first electrode to the stack table and supplying the second electrode to the stack table can both be performed by supplying the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively, using the electrode supply method according to the present invention.

[0073] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of manufacturing a laminate is to stack the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode on a stacking table in such a manner that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately arranged between the folding separation membranes, (S1-1) Step of stacking the second electrode on the stacking table; (S2-1) A step of stacking the separation membrane on the stack table such that the separation membrane covers the upper surface of the second electrode stacked on the stack table; (S3-1) A step of stacking the first electrode on the opposite side of the separation membrane covering the upper surface of the second electrode from the side that comes into contact with the second electrode; (S4-1) A step of supplying the separation membrane in addition to cover the upper surface of the first electrode; (S5-1) A step of stacking the second electrode on the opposite side of the separation membrane covering the upper surface of the first electrode that is in contact with the first electrode; and (S6-1) The step of supplying the separation membrane in addition to cover the upper surface of the second electrode; Steps (S1-1) to (S6-1) described above may be repeated one or more times. In other words, this means that the electrodes are first stacked on the stacking table.

[0074] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of manufacturing a laminate is to stack the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode on a stacking table in such a manner that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately arranged between the folding separation membranes, (SS1-1) Step of stacking the separation membrane on the stack table; (SS2-1) Step of stacking the first electrode on the upper surface of the separation membrane; (SS3-1) A step of supplying the separation membrane in addition to cover the upper surface of the first electrode; (SS4-1) The step of stacking the second electrode on the opposite side of the separation membrane covering the upper surface of the first electrode that is in contact with the first electrode; and (SS5-1) The step of supplying the separation membrane in addition to cover the upper surface of the second electrode; The steps (SS1-1) to (SS5-1) described above may be repeated one or more times. In other words, this means that the separation membrane is first stacked on the stack table.

[0075] In one embodiment of the present invention, steps (S4-1), (S6-1), (SS3-1), and (SS5-1), that is, steps in which the separation membrane is additionally supplied to cover the upper surface of the first electrode or the second electrode, may be performed in one of the following ways: the stack table moves from side to side, the separation membrane moves from side to side, and the stack table rotates.

[0076] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separation membrane may be supplied in the form of a separation membrane sheet. That is, additionally supplied separation membranes may be supplied in a continuous form. Furthermore, the "upper surface" may mean the surface opposite to the surface on which the separation membrane or electrode views the stack table.

[0077] In other words, in order to stack the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode in such a manner that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately arranged between the folding separation membrane, a method in which the stacking table moves from side to side, a method in which the separation membrane moves from side to side, or a method in which the stacking table rotates may be used, and the usual techniques in the art can be applied to this.

[0078] In this process, the holding mechanism can grip the laminate and maintain its alignment during the addition of the first electrode, second electrode, and separation membrane, thereby enabling the production of a laminate in which the first electrode and second electrode are alternately arranged between the folding separation membranes.

[0079] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode assembly manufacturing method may further include a heat press step of heating and pressurizing the laminate along the lamination axis.

[0080] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the heat press step of heating and pressurizing along the lamination axis may include the steps of: moving the laminate between a pair of pressurizing blocks including a press heater; moving the pair of pressurizing blocks in a direction opposite to each other along the lamination axis to pressurize the laminate; and heating the laminate with the press heater.

[0081] In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the heat pressing step may include a first heat pressing step in which the laminate is gripped with a gripper and the laminate is heated and pressurized; and a second heat pressing step in which gripping with the gripper is discontinued and the laminate is heated and pressurized after the first heat pressing step.

[0082] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first heat press step may include: pressing and fixing the laminate by gripping the upper surface of the laminate using a gripper; moving the laminate fixed by the gripper between a pair of pressure blocks including a press heater; moving the pair of pressure blocks in opposing directions along the lamination axis of the laminate to apply surface pressure to the fixed laminate; and heating the fixed laminate with the press heater.

[0083] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second heat press step may include the steps of: stopping the heating and pressurizing of the laminate after the first heat press step; separating the gripper from the laminate; moving the laminate, from which the gripper has been separated, between a pair of pressurizing blocks including a press heater; moving the pair of pressurizing blocks in opposing directions along the lamination axis of the laminate from which the gripper has been separated, thereby pressurizing the laminate; and heating the laminate with the press heater.

[0084] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pressure block used in the first heat press stage may have grooves corresponding to grippers.

[0085] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of separating the gripper from the laminate may include the step of ceasing to apply pressure to the upper surface of the laminate using the gripper; and the step of separating the gripper from the laminate.

[0086] Furthermore, in the heat press stage (including the first and second heat press stages), the step of moving the laminate between a pair of pressurizing blocks including a press heater may include not only the case where only the laminate itself is moved, but also the case where the laminate is moved together with the stacking table. In this case, the objects heated and pressurized by the pair of pressurizing blocks and the press heater may mean the laminate and the stacking table.

[0087] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first heat press step may involve heating and pressurizing the laminate for 10 to 30 seconds under temperature conditions of 65°C to 90°C and pressure conditions of 1 MPa to 3 MPa. More preferably, the laminate may be heated and pressurized for 10 to 20 seconds under temperature conditions of 65°C to 75°C and pressure conditions of 1.5 MPa to 2 MPa.

[0088] In one embodiment of the present invention, the secondary heat pressing step may involve heating and pressurizing the laminate for 5 to 60 seconds at a temperature of 50°C to 90°C and a pressure of 1 MPa to 6 MPa, preferably for 5 to 30 seconds at a temperature of 65°C to 90°C or lower and a pressure of 1.5 MPa to 6 MPa. More preferably, the laminate may be heated and pressurized for 7 to 25 seconds at a temperature of 65°C to 85°C and a pressure of 3 MPa to 5.5 MPa.

[0089] When heating and pressurizing while satisfying the above conditions, the adhesion of the electrodes and the separation membrane in the laminate of the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode becomes easier without damaging the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode, resulting in superior performance of the manufactured electrode assembly.

[0090] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the temperature, pressure, and time conditions of the heat press stage may be those of the second heat press described above. That is, the heat press stage may involve heating and pressurizing the laminate for 5 to 60 seconds at a temperature of 50°C to 90°C and a pressure of 1 MPa to 6 MPa, preferably at a temperature of 65°C to 90°C and a pressure of 1.5 MPa to 6 MPa for 5 to 30 seconds. More preferably, the laminate may be heated and pressurized for 7 to 25 seconds at a temperature of 65°C to 85°C and a pressure of 3 MPa to 5.5 MPa.

[0091] The following describes in more detail an electrode assembly manufacturing method and electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, by combining Figures 1 to 12.

[0092] Figure 1 shows the process of separating electrodes using an electrode supply method and electrode supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the first magazine section 7 contains the uppermost electrode 2 and a separation failure prevention sheet 8 in contact with the uppermost electrode, a second electrode 3 which is stacked after the uppermost electrode and in contact with the lower surface of the separation failure prevention sheet 8 that is in contact with the uppermost electrode, and several other electrodes and separation failure prevention sheets 4. In this case, a separation failure prevention sheet 8 is stacked between the electrodes of the several electrodes and the separation failure prevention sheets 4.

[0093] Subsequently, the electrode pickup unit 1 picks up the uppermost electrode 2 from the stacked electrodes and then transports it. At this time, the electrode pickup unit 1 may include an electrode fixing unit 1a and a transport unit 1b. After the uppermost electrode from the stacked electrodes inside the first magazine unit is picked up and transported, the separation failure prevention sheet 8 is placed on top of the stacked material inside the first magazine unit. In this way, the separation failure prevention sheet 8 that is in contact with the uppermost electrode is positioned as the separation failure prevention sheet 8, and then the separation failure prevention sheet 8 is moved to the separation failure prevention sheet pickup unit. (not shown)After picking up using the method, the separation failure prevention sheet can be removed. Once the separation failure prevention sheet is removed, the second electrode 3 becomes the uppermost electrode among the electrodes stacked inside the first magazine section 7. At this time, a second magazine section (not shown) may be further included in which the removed separation failure prevention sheet is stacked in order to reuse the removed separation failure prevention sheet. The above process can be repeated until all of the electrodes and the separation failure prevention sheet have been transferred to or removed from inside the first magazine section.

[0094] Figure 2 is a plan view illustrating an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a front view illustrating the concept of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. For convenience, the holding mechanism 170 shown in Figure 3 is omitted in Figure 2, and the press section 180 located on the rear side in the plan view is shown with a dotted line, and the separation membrane supply section 120 shown in Figure 2 is omitted in Figure 3. For reference, the contents described in Figure 1 may be applied to the parts shown with dotted lines in Figures 2 and 3.

[0095] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a stack table 110, a separation membrane supply unit 120 for supplying a separation membrane 14, a first electrode supply unit 130 for supplying a first electrode 11, a second electrode supply unit 140 for supplying a second electrode 12, a first electrode stack unit 150 for stacking the first electrode 11 on the stack table 110, a second electrode stack unit 160 for stacking the second electrode 12 on the stack table 110, and a press unit 180 for bonding the first electrode 11, the separation membrane 14, and the second electrode 12 together. Furthermore, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a holding mechanism 170 for fixing the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 when they are stacked on the stack table 110.

[0096] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode may each be supplied to a stack table while being heated.

[0097] In other words, the separation membrane supply unit may supply the separation membrane to the stack table while heating it, and the first electrode supply unit and the second electrode supply unit may each supply the first electrode and the second electrode to the stack table while heating them, respectively.

[0098] Figure 4 is an illustrative cross-sectional view of an electrode assembly. The secondary battery according to the present invention may include the electrode assembly.

[0099] Referring to Figures 2 to 4, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly 10 by stacking a first electrode 11, a separation membrane 14, and a second electrode 12.

[0100] As shown in Figure 3, generally, the electrode assembly 10 is a power generation element capable of charging and discharging, and can be formed in a configuration in which a first electrode 11, a separator membrane 14, and a second electrode 12 are alternately stacked and assembled. Here, the electrode assembly 10 may be in a configuration in which, for example, the separator membrane 14 is folded in a zigzag shape, and the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 are alternately arranged between the folded separator membranes 14. In this case, as shown in Figure 3, the electrode assembly 10 may be provided in a configuration in which the outermost part is surrounded by the separator membrane 14.

[0101] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separation membrane supply unit may further include a separation membrane roll on which the separation membrane is wound. The separation membrane wound on the separation membrane roll can be gradually unwound and supplied to a stack table. That is, the separation membrane may be in the form of a separation membrane sheet.

[0102] Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating the press section of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and the state in which the press section applies pressure to a laminate in the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] Referring to Figures 2, 3, and 5, the press section 180 includes a pair of pressure blocks 181 and 182, which are moved in a direction opposite to each other, and a laminate of the first electrode 11, the separation membrane 14, and the second electrode 12 can be positioned between the pressure blocks 181 and 182. The press section 180 then heats and pressurizes the laminate, thereby pressing the laminated first electrode 11, the separation membrane 14, and the second electrode 12 together to bond them.

[0104] Furthermore, the press section 180 further includes press heaters 183 and 184 for heating a pair of pressure blocks 181 and 182, allowing the pair of pressure blocks 181 and 182 to heat and pressurize the laminate. This allows for better thermal fusion between the first electrode 11, the separation membrane 14, and the second electrode 12 within the laminate, resulting in a more robust bond.

[0105] The pair of pressure blocks 181 and 182 may be formed such that the horizontal and vertical lengths of the pressure surfaces are longer than the horizontal and vertical lengths of the laminate. The pair of pressure blocks 181 and 182 includes a first pressure block 181 and a second pressure block 182, and the first pressure block 181 and the second pressure block 182 may be provided in a rectangular block in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

[0106] Figure 6(a) is a perspective view showing the first press section 50 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 6(b) is a perspective view showing the second press section 60 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] Referring to Figure 6(a), the first press section 50 can heat and pressurize the laminate S while it is fixed in place by the gripper 51. The first press section 50 is composed of a pair of first pressurizing blocks 50a and 50b, and the pressurizing surfaces of the pair of first pressurizing blocks 50a and 50b are all flat except for grooves that correspond to the fixing portion 51b of the gripper 51.

[0108] The gripper 51 may include a main body 51a that corresponds to or is wider than the length x and height y of the laminate S, and a plurality of fixing parts 51b provided on one surface of the main body 51a, which are columnar or plate-shaped along the width z direction of the laminate S. Here, the length x of the laminate S means the longest distance from one end to the other of the laminate S, the height y means the distance in the stacking direction of the laminate S, and the width z may mean the distance that crosses the upper surface of the laminate S laterally.

[0109] The fixing portion 51b can be positioned along the height direction of the main body 51a, and the fixing portion 51b can contact the upper and lower surfaces of the laminate S to fix the laminate S. Subsequently, the pair of first pressure blocks 50a and 50b included in the first press portion 50 are moved in opposing directions, and surface pressure is applied to one or more of the laminate S and the gripper 51 to bond the electrodes and separation membranes included in the laminate S.

[0110] Referring to Figure 6(b), the second press section 60 can ultimately heat and pressurize the laminate S that has been first heated and pressurized by the first press section 50. The second press section 60 includes a pair of second pressurizing blocks 60a and 60b, which are moved in opposing directions to pressurize the laminate S. The pair of second pressurizing blocks 60a and 60b included in the second press section 60 may also have pressurizing surfaces formed on the plane that contact and pressurize the laminate S.

[0111] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a stack table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] Referring to Figures 2, 3, and 7, the stack table 110 can be configured such that the first electrode 11, the separation membrane 14, and the second electrode 12 are stacked alternately between the folding separation membrane 14.

[0113] Furthermore, the stack table 110 may include a table body 111 on which the first electrode 11, the separation membrane 14, and the second electrode 12 are stacked, and a stack table heater 112 that heats the table body 111 to heat the stacked laminate S.

[0114] The first electrode 11 may be configured as a positive electrode and the second electrode 12 as a negative electrode, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the first electrode 11 may be configured as a negative electrode and the second electrode 12 as a positive electrode.

[0115] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the first electrode mounting table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0116] Referring to Figures 2, 3, and 8, the first electrode supply unit 130 can supply the first electrode 11 to the first electrode stack unit 150 while heating it.

[0117] Furthermore, the first electrode supply unit 130 may include a first electrode placement table 131 on which the first electrode 11 is placed before it is stacked on the stack table 110 by the first electrode stack unit 150, and a first electrode heater 132 that heats the first electrode placement table 131 to heat the first electrode 11.

[0118] On the other hand, the first electrode supply unit 130 may further include a first electrode roll 133 on which the first electrode 11 is wound in a sheet form, a first cutter 134 that cuts the sheet-form first electrode 11 wound on the first electrode roll 133 at predetermined intervals to form first electrodes 11 of a predetermined size when it is unwound and supplied, a first conveyor belt 135 that moves the first electrodes 11 cut by the first cutter 134, and a first electrode supply head 136 that vacuum-suctions the first electrodes 11 being transported by the first conveyor belt 135 and places them on the first electrode placement table 131. Here, the first cutter 134 can cut the sheet-form first electrode 11 in such a way that a first positive electrode tab 11a protrudes from the end.

[0119] In this case, the cut first electrodes 11 can be stacked in the first electrode magazine, and the method for picking up the stacked first electrodes 11 in the first electrode magazine can be described with reference to Figure 1.

[0120] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the second electrode mounting table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0121] Referring to Figures 2, 3, and 9, the second electrode supply unit 140 can heat the second electrode 12 and supply it to the second electrode stack unit 160.

[0122] Furthermore, the second electrode supply unit 140 may include a second electrode placement table 141 on which the second electrode 12 is placed before it is stacked on the stack table 110 by the second electrode stack unit 160, and a second electrode heater 142 that heats the second electrode placement table 141 to heat the second electrode 12.

[0123] On the other hand, the second electrode supply unit 140 may further include a second electrode roll 143 on which the second electrode 12 is wound in a sheet form, a second cutter 144 that cuts the sheet-form second electrode 12 wound on the second electrode roll 143 at predetermined intervals when it is unwound and supplied to form second electrodes 12 of a predetermined size, a second conveyor belt 145 that moves the second electrodes 12 cut by the second cutter 144, and a second electrode supply head 146 that vacuum-suctions the second electrodes 12 being transported by the second conveyor belt 145 and places them on the second electrode mounting table 141. Here, the second cutter 144 can cut the sheet-form second electrode 12 in such a way that a second electrode tab 12a protrudes from the end.

[0124] In this case, the cut second electrodes 12 can be stacked in the second electrode magazine, and the method for picking up the stacked second electrodes 12 in the second electrode magazine can be described with reference to Figure 1.

[0125] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode stack portion may include a first suction head for vacuum-suctioning the first electrode placed on the first electrode placement table, and the second electrode stack portion may include a second suction head for vacuum-suctioning the second electrode placed on the second electrode placement table.

[0126] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the first suction head in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 11 is a bottom view showing the first suction head in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0127] Referring to Figures 2, 3, 10, and 11, the first electrode stacking unit 150 can stack the first electrodes 11 on the stacking table 110.

[0128] Furthermore, the first electrode stack section 150 may also include a first suction head 151 and a first moving section 153.

[0129] The first suction head 151 can vacuum-suction the first electrode 11 placed on the first electrode mounting table 131. In this case, the first suction head 151 has a vacuum suction port 151a formed on its bottom surface 151b, and can suck in the first electrode 11 through the vacuum suction port 151a to fix the first electrode 11 to the bottom surface 151b of the first suction head 151. Here, the first suction head 151 may have a passage formed inside that connects the vacuum suction port 151a to a vacuum suction device (not shown).

[0130] The first moving unit 153 can move the first suction head 151 to the stacking table 110 so that the first suction head 151 can stack the first electrodes 11 placed on the first electrode placement table 131 onto the stacking table 110.

[0131] Furthermore, the second electrode stack section 160 can stack the second electrode 12 on the stack table 110. Here, the second electrode stack section 160 may have the same structure as the first electrode stack section 150. In this case, the second electrode stack section 160 may also include a second suction head 161 and a second moving section 163.

[0132] The second suction head 161 can vacuum-suction the second electrode 12 placed on the second electrode mounting table 141. At this time, the second moving unit 163 can move the second suction head 161 to the stacking table 110 so that the second suction head 161 can stack the second electrode 12 placed on the second electrode mounting table 141 onto the stacking table 110.

[0133] Figure 12 is a plan view showing the holding mechanism and stacking table in an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0134] Referring to Figures 2, 3, and 12, the holding mechanism 170 can grip the first electrode 11 or the second electrode 12 and fix it to the stack table 110 when the first electrode 11 or the second electrode 12 is stacked on the stack table 110.

[0135] Furthermore, the holding mechanism 170 can pressurize and fix the upper surface of the first electrode 11 stacked on the top of the stack table 110 when the first electrode 11 is stacked on the stack table 110, and can pressurize and fix the upper surface of the second electrode 12 stacked on the top of the stack table 110 when the second electrode 12 is stacked on the stack table 110. In addition, it can pressurize and fix the upper surface of the stack of the first electrode 11, the separation membrane 14, and the second electrode 12 stacked on the stack table 110.

[0136] In other words, when the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 are positioned between the separation membranes 14 and stacked to form a laminate, the holding mechanism 170 grips the uppermost surface of the laminate by applying pressure towards the stack table 110, thereby preventing the laminate from being detached from the stack table 110.

[0137] On the other hand, the holding mechanism 170 includes, for example, a first holding mechanism 171 and a second holding mechanism 172, and can fix both sides of the first electrode 11 or the second electrode 12.

[0138] As mentioned above, taking the case where zigzag folding is performed while the stack table 110 is rotating as an example, after the holding mechanism 170 grips the first electrode 11 or the second electrode 12, when the stack table 110 rotates, the separation membrane 14 can be released from the separation membrane roll 122 in proportion to the amount of rotation of the stack table 110 and supplied to the stack table 110 side.

[0139] On the other hand, for example, the holding mechanism 170 and the stacking table 110 may be connected to or coupled with a rotating device (not shown). Here, when the holding mechanism 170 grips the first electrode 11 or the second electrode 12, the rotating device can rotate the holding mechanism 170 and the stacking table 110.

[0140] After the laminate is completed with the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 positioned between the separation membranes 14, the laminate is fixed with a gripper and then moved to the aforementioned press section, where it can then be heated and pressurized.

[0141] In one embodiment of the present invention, the invention further includes a rotating part for rotating the stack table, wherein a first electrode stacking part is provided on one side of the rotating part and a second electrode stacking part is provided on the other side of the rotating part, such that the separation membrane can be zigzag folded in such a manner that it is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the rotating part may alternately rotate the stack table to one side so that it faces the first suction head of the first electrode stacking part when stacking the first electrode, and rotate the stack table to the other side so that it faces the second suction head of the second electrode stacking part when stacking the second electrode.

[0142] An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a vision device for vision inspection of the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0143] An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a rotating unit for rotating a stacking table, and a vision device for vision inspection of the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0144] An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a stack table moving unit for moving the stack table from side to side; or a separation membrane guide unit for moving the separation membrane from side to side, and a vision device for vision inspection of the first electrode and the second electrode. The form of the stack table moving unit and the separation membrane guide unit is not limited as long as they perform the function of moving the stack table and the separation membrane from side to side, respectively, and apparatus commonly used in the art may be used.

[0145] In one embodiment of the present invention, the stack table moving unit is included for moving the stack table from side to side, and a first electrode stacking unit is provided on one side of the stack table and a second electrode stacking unit is provided on the other side of the stack table so that the separation membrane can be zigzag folded in such a manner that it is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the stack table moving unit may alternately move the stack table to one side so that it faces the first suction head of the first electrode stacking unit when stacking the first electrode, and move the stack table to the other side so that it faces the second suction head of the second electrode stacking unit when stacking the second electrode.

[0146] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separation membrane guide portion is included for moving the separation membrane from side to side, and the separation membrane guide portion may repeatedly move the separation membrane supplied to the stack table from side to side so that the separation membrane can be zigzag folded in such a manner that the separation membrane is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0147] In other words, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include additional components depending on the method of moving the stack table or the method of supplying the separation membrane.

[0148] In one embodiment of the present invention, the vision device may include a first camera and a second camera. The first camera can photograph the first electrode placed on the first electrode placement table in the first electrode supply unit, and the second camera can photograph the second electrode placed on the second electrode placement table in the second electrode supply unit. The image information acquired by the first and second cameras can be used to inspect the lamination quality of the first and second electrodes. More specifically, the placement position, size, lamination state, etc., of the first and second electrodes can be inspected.

[0149] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode may be a positive electrode and the second electrode may be a negative electrode. Conversely, the first electrode may be a negative electrode and the second electrode may be a positive electrode.

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

[0151] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode is manufactured, for example, by coating a mixture of positive electrode active material, conductive material, and binder onto a positive electrode current collector, and then drying it, with a filler further added to the mixture as needed. The substances used in this process may be those commonly used in the art.

[0152] Specifically, the positive electrode active material is, for example, a layered compound such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) or lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2), or a compound substituted with one or more transition metals; chemical formula Li 1+x Mn 2-x Lithium manganese oxides such as O4 (where x is 0 to 0.33), LiMnO3, LiMn2O3, LiMnO2; lithium copper oxide (Li2CuO2); vanadium oxides such as LiV3O8, LiFe3O4, V2O5, Cu2V2O7; chemical formula LiNi 1-x M x Ni-site type lithium nickel oxide represented as O2 (where M = Co, Mn, Al, Cu, Fe, Mg, B, or Ga, and x = 0.01 to 0.3); chemical formula LiMn 2-x M x Lithium manganese composite oxides represented as O2 (where M = Co, Ni, Fe, Cr, Zn, or Ta, and x = 0.01 to 0.1) or Li2Mn3MO8 (where M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, or Zn); LiMn2O4 in which part of the Li in the chemical formula is replaced with an alkaline earth metal ion; disulfide compounds; Fe2(MoO4)3, etc., but are not limited to these.

[0153] Specifically, the positive electrode current collector is not particularly limited as long as it has high conductivity without inducing chemical changes in the battery. For example, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, calcined carbon, or aluminum or stainless steel surfaces treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver, etc. may be used, but more specifically, it may be aluminum. The current collector may have fine irregularities formed on its surface to enhance the adhesion of the positive electrode active material, and may be used in various forms such as films, sheets, foils, nets, porous materials, foams, and nonwoven fabrics. Furthermore, the positive electrode current collector may typically have a thickness of 3 μm to 500 μm. The conductive material may be added in an amount of 1 to 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the mixture containing the positive electrode active material. Such a conductive material is not particularly limited as long as it is conductive without inducing a chemical change in the battery, and may be used, for example, graphite such as natural graphite or artificial graphite; carbon black such as carbon black, acetylene black, Ketjen black, channel black, furnace black, lamp black, and thermal black; conductive fibers such as carbon fibers and metal fibers; metal powders such as carbon fluoride, aluminum, and nickel powder; conductive whiskers such as zinc oxide and potassium titanate; conductive metal oxides such as titanium oxide; and conductive materials such as polyphenylene derivatives.

[0154] The aforementioned binder is typically added in an amount of 1 to 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the mixture containing the positive electrode active material, as it is a component that helps in bonding the active material to conductive materials and to the current collector. Examples of such binders include polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), starch, hydroxypropylcellulose, regenerated cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, tetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene-dientelpolymer (EPDM), sulfonated EPDM, styrene-butylene rubber, fluororubber, and various copolymers.

[0155] The filler is selectively used as a component for suppressing the expansion of the positive electrode, and is not particularly limited as long as it is a fibrous material that does not induce a chemical change in the battery. For example, olefin polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene; fibrous substances such as glass fiber and carbon fiber are used.

[0156] Also, in one embodiment of the present invention, the negative electrode is manufactured by applying, drying, and rolling the negative electrode active material on a negative electrode current collector, and if necessary, conductive materials, binders, fillers, etc. as described above may be selectively further included. In this case as well, substances commonly used in the art can be utilized.

[0157] Specifically, the negative electrode active material is, for example, carbon such as graphitizable carbon and graphite-based carbon; Li x Fe2O3 (0 ≦ x ≦ 1), Li x WO2 (0 ≦ x ≦ 1), Sn x Me 1-x Me' y O z (Me: Mn, Fe, Pb, Ge; Me': Al, B, P, Si, Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 elements of the periodic table, halogen; 0 < x ≦ 1; 1 ≦ y ≦ 3; 1 ≦ z ≦ 8), etc. metal composite oxides; lithium metal; lithium alloy; silicon-based alloy; tin-based alloy; metal oxides such as SnO, SnO2, PbO, PbO2, Pb2O3, Pb3O4, Sb2O3, Sb2O4, Sb2O5, GeO, GeO2, Bi2O3, Bi2O4, and Bi2O5; conductive polymers such as polyacetylene; Li-Co-Ni-based materials, etc. may be used.

[0158] Such a negative electrode current collector is not particularly limited as long as it is conductive without inducing chemical changes in the battery. For example, copper, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, calcined carbon, copper or stainless steel surface-treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver, etc., and aluminum-cadmium alloy may be used. Also, similar to the positive electrode current collector, fine irregularities can be formed on the surface to strengthen the bonding force of the negative electrode active material, and it may be used in various forms such as film, sheet, foil, net, porous material, foam, and nonwoven fabric. Furthermore, the negative electrode current collector may generally have a thickness of 3 μm to 500 μm.

[0159] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separation membrane may be a porous SRS (Safety-Reinforcing Separators) membrane with a composite properties of inorganic materials. The SRS separation membrane may have a structure in which a coating layer component containing inorganic particles and a binder polymer is applied to a polyolefin-based separation membrane substrate.

[0160] Such SRS separation membranes do not undergo high-temperature thermal shrinkage due to the heat resistance of inorganic particles, and can maintain their elongation even when the electrode assembly is penetrated by a needle-shaped conductor.

[0161] Such an SRS separation membrane may have a uniform pore structure formed by the pore structure contained in the separation substrate itself, as well as the interstitial volume between the inorganic particles that make up the coating layer. These pores can not only considerably mitigate external shocks applied to the electrode assembly, but also allow for the smooth movement of lithium ions through the pores, enabling the membrane to be filled with a large amount of electrolyte and exhibit a high impregnation rate, thereby improving the performance of the battery.

[0162] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separation membrane has a separation membrane excess portion that extends on both sides beyond the width of the positive electrode and the negative electrode with respect to the width direction, and a coating layer thicker than the thickness of the separation membrane is formed on one or both sides of the separation membrane excess portion to prevent shrinkage of the separation membrane.

[0163] In one embodiment of the present invention, the excess portion of the separation membrane may be 5% to 12% in size relative to the width of the separation membrane.

[0164] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coating layer can be applied to both sides of the separation membrane with an area of ​​50% to 90% of the width of the excess portion of the separation membrane on one side. The widths of the coating layers on both sides may be the same or different.

[0165] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coating layer may contain inorganic particles and a binder polymer.

[0166] In one embodiment of the present invention, examples of the polyolefin-based separation membrane component include high-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, polypropylene, or derivatives thereof.

[0167] In one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the coating layer may be smaller than the thickness of the first electrode or the second electrode. In a specific example, the thickness of the coating layer may be 30% to 99% of the thickness of the first electrode or the second electrode.

[0168] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coating layer may be applied by wet coating or dry coating.

[0169] In one embodiment of the present invention, the substrate and the coating layer exist in an anchoring manner, where the pores on the surface of the polyolefin-based separation membrane substrate and the coating layer are intertwined, allowing the separation membrane substrate and the active layer to be physically firmly bonded. In this case, the substrate and the active layer may have a thickness ratio of 9:1 to 1:9, or more specifically, a thickness ratio of 5:5, taking into consideration the physical bonding force and the pore structure present on the separation membrane.

[0170] In one embodiment of the present invention, the inorganic particles may be inorganic particles commonly used in the industry. The inorganic particles serve to form micropores by creating empty spaces between them, and also act as a kind of spacer that can maintain its physical form. Furthermore, since the inorganic particles generally have the property of not changing their physical properties even at high temperatures of 200°C or higher, the formed porous composite film of inorganic materials will have excellent heat resistance.

[0171] Furthermore, the inorganic particles are not particularly limited as long as they are electrochemically stable. That is, the inorganic particles that can be used in the present invention are within the operating voltage range of the battery to which they are applied (for example, Li / Li + The material is not particularly limited as long as oxidation and / or reduction reactions do not occur at a voltage of 0 to 5V (as a reference). In particular, when using inorganic particles with ion transfer capability, it is possible to improve performance by increasing the ionic conductivity within the electrochemical element, so it is preferable to use materials with the highest possible ionic conductivity. Furthermore, if the inorganic particles have a high density, it is not only difficult to disperse them during coating, but there is also the problem of increased weight during battery manufacturing, so it is preferable to use materials with the lowest possible density. In addition, in the case of inorganic materials with a high dielectric constant, it is possible to improve the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte by increasing the degree of dissociation of the electrolyte salt, such as lithium salt, in the liquid electrolyte.

[0172] For the reasons stated above, the inorganic particles may be one or more selected from the group consisting of piezoelectric inorganic particles and inorganic particles having lithium ion transport capability.

[0173] The piezoelectric inorganic particles mentioned above are insulators at normal pressure, but when a predetermined pressure is applied, they become electrically conductive due to a change in their internal structure. They not only exhibit high dielectric constant characteristics with a dielectric constant of 100 or more, but also generate electric charge when stretched or compressed under a predetermined pressure, causing one side to become positively charged and the opposite side negatively charged, thereby creating a potential difference between the two sides.

[0174] When inorganic particles having the characteristics described above are used as a coating layer component, if an internal short circuit occurs between the two electrodes due to an external impact such as a needle-shaped conductor, the inorganic particles coated on the separation film not only prevent direct contact between the positive and negative electrodes, but the piezoelectric properties of the inorganic particles generate a potential difference within the particles. This allows for the movement of electrons between the two electrodes, i.e., a minute current to flow, resulting in a gradual decrease in the battery voltage and improved safety.

[0175] Examples of piezoelectric inorganic particles include BaTiO3, Pb(Zr,Ti)O3(PZT), and Pb 1-x La x Zr 1-y Ti y O3(PLZT), PB(Mg3Nb) 2 / 3 )One or more selected from the group consisting of O3-PbTiO3 (PMN-PT) and hafnia (HfO2), but not limited to these.

[0176] The inorganic particles having the lithium ion transfer ability contain lithium element, and indicate inorganic particles having a function of moving lithium ions without storing lithium. The inorganic particles having the lithium ion transfer ability can transfer and move lithium ions due to a kind of defect existing inside the particle structure, so the lithium ion conductivity in the battery is improved, and thereby the battery performance can be improved.

[0177] Examples of the inorganic particles having the lithium ion transfer ability include lithium phosphate (Li3PO4), lithium titanium phosphate (Li x Ti y (PO4)3, 0 < x < 2, 0 < y < 3), lithium aluminum titanium phosphate (Li x Al y Ti z (PO4)3, 0 < x < 2, 0 < y < 1, 0 < z < 3), (LiAlTiP) x O y series glass (0 < x < 4, 0 < y < 13), lithium lanthanum titanate (Li x La y TiO3, 0 < x < 2, 0 < y < 3), lithium germanium thiophosphate (Li x Ge y P z S w , 0 < x < 4, 0 < y < 1, 0 < z < 1, 0 < w < 5), lithium nitride (Li x N y , 0 < x < 4, 0 < y < 2), SiS2 (Li x Si y S z , 0 < x < 3, 0 < y < 2, 0 < z < 4) series glass and P2S5 (Li x P y S z , 0 < x < 3, 0 < y < 3, 0 < z < 7) series glass, and may be one or more selected from the group, but is not limited thereto.

[0178] The composition ratio of the inorganic particles and binder polymer, which are components of the coating layer, is not strictly limited, but can be adjusted within the range of 10:90 to 99:1% by weight, with a range of 80:20 to 99:1% by weight being preferred. If the ratio is less than 10:90% by weight, the polymer content is too high, which reduces the size and porosity of the pores due to the decrease in the empty spaces formed between the inorganic particles, leading to a decrease in the final battery performance. Conversely, if the ratio exceeds 99:1% by weight, the polymer content is too low, which may weaken the adhesive force between the inorganic materials, potentially reducing the mechanical properties of the final porous / inorganic composite separation film.

[0179] In one embodiment of the present invention, the binder polymer may be a binder polymer commonly used in the industry.

[0180] The coating layer in the aforementioned porous / inorganic composite separation membrane may further contain other commonly known additives in addition to the inorganic particles and binder polymers.

[0181] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coating layer can also be called an active layer.

[0182] Although the present invention has been described in detail above through specific embodiments, this is for illustrative purposes only, and the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention is not limited thereto. A variety of implementations are possible by those with ordinary skill in the art within the technical concept of the present invention.

Claims

1. A first magazine section in which multiple electrodes are stacked; A separation failure prevention sheet placed between each of the multiple electrodes; An electrode pickup unit that picks up the uppermost electrode among the plurality of electrodes; and A separation failure prevention sheet pickup unit for removing the separation failure prevention sheet from the first magazine unit; Includes, The electrode supply device wherein the separation failure prevention sheet is in the form of a mesh or a sheet with irregularities.

2. The electrode supply device according to claim 1, wherein the first magazine section has the electrode positioned at the uppermost position inside, and the electrode and the separation failure prevention sheet are stacked alternately.

3. The electrode supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a second magazine section in which the removed separation failure prevention sheets are laminated for reuse of the separation failure prevention sheets removed by the separation failure prevention sheet pickup section.

4. The electrode supply device according to claim 1, wherein the separation failure prevention sheet is in the form of a mesh.

5. The electrode supply device according to claim 1, wherein the separation failure prevention sheet is made of aluminum.

6. An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which a first electrode and a second electrode are alternately arranged between folded separation membranes, A first electrode supply unit that supplies the first electrode to the stack table side; A second electrode supply unit that supplies the second electrode to the stack table side; A separation membrane supply unit that supplies the separation membrane to the stack table side; A stacking table for manufacturing a laminate in which the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode are stacked in such a manner that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately arranged between the folding separation membranes; and A press section that heats and pressurizes the laminate to bond the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode together to manufacture an electrode assembly; Includes, At least one of the first electrode supply unit and the second electrode supply unit is the electrode supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5; An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus, including one.

7. (S1) A step in which a plurality of electrodes are placed in the first magazine section and separation failure prevention sheets are stacked between each of the plurality of electrodes; (S2) The step of picking up the uppermost electrode among the plurality of electrodes and transferring it to the stack table; and (S3) The step of removing the separation failure prevention sheet, which is exposed when the uppermost electrode is picked up, from the first magazine section; Includes, An electrode supply method wherein the separation failure prevention sheet is in the form of a mesh or a sheet with irregularities.

8. (S4) The step of performing the S2 step after the step of removing the separation failure prevention sheet, The electrode supply method according to claim 7, wherein the steps S2 to S4 are repeated until all of the electrodes and the separation failure prevention sheet are removed from the inside of the first magazine.

9. The step of stacking the separation failure prevention sheet removed from the first magazine section onto the second magazine section; and The step of picking up the separation failure prevention sheet from the second magazine section and reusing it; The electrode supply method according to claim 7, further comprising:

10. The electrode supply method according to claim 7, wherein the separation failure prevention sheet is in the form of a mesh.

11. The electrode supply method according to claim 7, wherein the separation failure prevention sheet is made of aluminum.

12. The electrode supply method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of cutting the electrode and the separation failure prevention sheet, respectively, prior to step S1.

13. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which a first electrode and a second electrode are alternately arranged between folded separation membranes, Steps include supplying the first electrode to the stack table; Step of supplying the second electrode to the stack table side; Steps include supplying the separation membrane to the stack table side; A step of manufacturing a laminate by stacking the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode on a stacking table in such a manner that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately arranged between the folding separation membranes; and A heat press step in which the laminate is heated and pressurized to bond the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode together, thereby manufacturing an electrode assembly; Includes, A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, wherein at least one of the steps of supplying the first electrode to the stack table side and supplying the second electrode to the stack table side includes the electrode supply method according to any one of claims 7 to 12.

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