Electrode assembly bonding apparatus, electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus including the same, electrode assembly bonding method, and electrode assembly manufacturing method.

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrode assembly bonding device, which includes a gripper that grips a portion of a laminate in which a plurality of positive electrodes and a plurality of negative electrodes are alternately stacked and includes separators that are respectively disposed between the plurality of positive electrodes and the plurality of negative electrodes; a press unit that bonds the laminate; and a laminate moving unit that supports or partially moves the laminate.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2022-0166846, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 02, 2022, and 10-2023-0165636, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on November 24, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 【0002】 The present invention relates to an electrode assembly bonding device, a manufacturing device for an electrode assembly including the same, an electrode assembly bonding method, and a manufacturing method for an electrode assembly. 【Background Art】 【0003】 Generally, a secondary battery, unlike a primary battery that cannot be charged, is 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 of an aluminum laminate sheet. 【0006】 In the process of manufacturing a conventional stack-and-fold type electrode assembly, a laminate obtained by laminating an electrode and a separator was heated and pressurized to bond the electrode and the separator. However, in the conventional electrode assembly manufacturing process, a problem occurred in that the electrode was distorted when the laminate was pressurized. 【0007】 To solve the problems of such a conventional electrode assembly manufacturing process, the electrode and the separator were heated and laminated, and while laminating each layer, pressure was applied to bond them simultaneously with lamination. 【0008】 However, the electrode assembly manufactured using the aforementioned process had a problem: the adhesive strength of the electrodes increased through multiple pressurization steps for the first layered electrodes, while the adhesive strength of the electrodes for the last layered electrodes was relatively low due to only one pressurization step. 【0009】 In other words, electrode assemblies manufactured using conventional processes have a decreasing adhesive strength as they are oriented in the stacking direction, which limits the ability to ensure uniformity of the adhesive strength of the electrode assemblies. [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 an apparatus and method for manufacturing an electrode assembly that prevents the occurrence of steps on the surface of the electrode assembly due to double pressurization. [Means for solving the problem] 【0011】 One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode assembly bonding apparatus that includes a gripper for gripping a portion of a laminate in which a plurality of positive electrodes and a plurality of negative electrodes are alternately stacked and a separation membrane is disposed between the plurality of positive electrodes and the plurality of negative electrodes; a pressing unit for bonding the laminate; and a laminate moving unit for supporting or partially moving the laminate. 【0012】 Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly having a positive electrode, a separator membrane, and a negative electrode laminated together, comprising: a step (a) of gripping the first portion of the laminate, which includes at least one first portion and at least one second portion adjacent to the first portion, with a gripper; a first bonding step (b) of heating and pressurizing the second portion, which does not come into contact with the gripper and the laminate, in a press section to bond the negative electrode to the separator membrane and the positive electrode to the separator membrane; a step (c) of supporting or partially moving the laminate with a laminate moving section that supports or partially moves the laminate; and a second bonding step (d) of heating and pressurizing the first portion, which was not bonded in the first bonding step, in the press section to bond the negative electrode to the separator membrane and the positive electrode to the separator membrane. [Effects of the Invention] 【0013】 The electrode assembly bonding apparatus and bonding method according to the embodiment of the present invention allows the entire laminate to be bonded to the separation membrane through two bonding steps in a single chamber, thereby simplifying the electrode assembly bonding process. 【0014】 Furthermore, the present invention minimizes the portion that is double-pressurized during the two bonding processes, thereby preventing the occurrence of unpressurized portions and minimizing the double-pressurized portion. 【0015】 Furthermore, the present invention can prevent defects caused by steps that occur in the height direction of the electrode assembly at the top and bottom of the electrode assembly due to unpressurized and double-pressurized conditions. 【0016】 Furthermore, the present invention makes it possible to uniformly form adhesion and air permeability between the separation membrane and the electrode throughout the entire area of ​​the electrode assembly, thereby improving the quality of the electrode assembly. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0017】 [Figure 1] This is a plan view showing a manufacturing apparatus for an electrode assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view showing a manufacturing apparatus for an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view showing an electrode assembly joining apparatus according to Example 1 of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view showing an electrode assembly joining apparatus according to Example 2 of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view showing an electrode assembly joining apparatus according to Example 3 of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view showing an electrode assembly joining apparatus according to Example 4 of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view showing an electrode assembly joining apparatus according to Example 5 of the present invention, including a gripper in which the finger portion extends in the longitudinal direction of the laminate. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view showing an electrode assembly joining apparatus according to Example 6 of the present invention, including two grippers in which the finger portion extends in the longitudinal direction of the laminate. 【Explanation of Reference Numerals】 【0018】 100 ··· Manufacturing apparatus for electrode assembly 1 ··· Negative electrode, first electrode 1a ··· Negative electrode tab 2 ··· Positive electrode, second electrode 2a ··· Positive electrode tab 4 ··· Separator 10 ··· Stack table 11 ··· Table body 20 ··· Separator supply section 22 ··· Separator roll 30 ··· First electrode supply section 31 ··· First electrode placement table 32 ··· First suction head 33 ··· First electrode roll 34 ··· First cutter 35 ··· First conveyor belt 36 ··· First electrode supply head 37 ··· First moving section 40...Second electrode supply section 41 ···Second electrode mounting table 42 ···Second suction head 43 ···Second electrode roll 44 ···Second Cutter 45 ···Second conveyor belt 46 ···Second electrode supply head 47 ···Second Mobile Unit 50... Gripper 50a ···Main body 50b ···Finger section 51 ···First Gripper 52 ···2nd Gripper 60 ···Press Department 60a ···First pressurized block 60b ···Second pressurized block 61... Gripper groove 70 ···Laminated material moving section 80... Chamber S ···Laminate [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0019】 The detailed description of the present invention is intended to fully explain the invention to a person with ordinary skill in the art. Wherever the specification says that a part "includes" a component or that a structure and shape "characterizes" a structure and shape, this means that, unless otherwise stated, it may include other components, structures and shapes, rather than excluding or precluding other components or structures and shapes. 【0020】 Because the present invention can be subjected to various transformations and has various embodiments, we will present specific embodiments and explain them in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the scope of the invention by embodiments, but should be understood to include all transformations, equivalents, or substitutions that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. 【0021】 The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the drawings are for illustrative purposes only, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the drawings. 【0022】 An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a stack table 10, a separation membrane supply unit 20, a first electrode supply unit 30, a second electrode supply unit 40, and a bonding device. 【0023】 In this invention, the laminate S refers to a structure in which multiple negative electrodes 1, separation membranes 4, and positive electrodes 2 are stacked, and the electrode assembly refers to a structure in which the laminate S is heated and pressurized to bond and fix the negative electrodes 1 and separation membranes 4, and the positive electrodes 2 and separation membranes 4. 【0024】 In other words, a configuration in which one negative electrode and one positive electrode are stacked with a separation membrane in between can be called a unit cell, and a collection of such unit cells, separated by a separation membrane and stacked, can be called a laminate. Unit cells may be a combination of various forms such as monocells, bicells, and halfcells. 【0025】 On the stack table 10, a negative electrode 1 (or first electrode), a separation membrane 4, and a positive electrode 2 (or second electrode) are alternately supplied and stacked on one side thereof, and a stacked product S in which the separation membrane 4 and multiple first electrodes 1 and second electrodes 2 are stacked is placed. In one embodiment, the separation membrane 4 may be folded in a zigzag pattern, and the first electrode 1 and second electrodes 2 may be alternately arranged between the folded separation membranes 4, thereby stacking the first electrode 1, the separation membrane 4, and the second electrodes 2. 【0026】 In other words, the laminate may be constructed by the zigzag stacking method. However, the laminate may also be constructed by the stack and folding method or the lamination and stacking method. 【0027】 The stacking table 10 can stack the first electrode 1 and the second electrode 2 that are supplied to the stacking table 10 through rotation. Therefore, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present invention may further include a rotating part (not shown) for rotating the stacking table 10. 【0028】 Furthermore, the laminate may be manufactured in various forms by combining the rotational, swinging, or horizontal movement of the stacking table with the rotational, swinging, or horizontal movement of the separation membrane supply unit. 【0029】 In the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present invention, the first electrode supply unit 30 may be located on one side of the stack table 10, and the second electrode supply unit 40 may be located on the other side. In this case, the rotating unit can rotate the stack table 10 alternately in the direction of the first electrode supply unit 30 and the direction of the second electrode supply unit 40. 【0030】 For example, the separation membrane supply unit 20 may be located at the top of the stack table 10, i.e., in the stacking direction of the stacked material S, with the first electrode supply unit 30 located to the left and the second electrode supply unit 40 located to the right, relative to the stacking direction of the stacked material S. 【0031】 The separation membrane 4 is supplied and placed on the stack table 10, and when the rotating unit rotates the stack table to the left, the first electrode can be supplied to one side of the separation membrane 4. Simultaneously with the supply of the separation membrane 4, the rotating unit can rotate the stack table 10 to the right. At this time, the separation membrane 4 can cover the bottom, right side, and top surface of the first electrode 1, and the second electrode 2 can be supplied to the top surface of the first electrode 1 where the separation membrane 4 is located. 【0032】 By repeating the above process, the separation membrane 4 can be provided in a form in which the left and right sides of each layer alternately open. 【0033】 The separation membrane supply unit 20 can supply the separation membrane 4 to the stack table 10 side. 【0034】 The separation membrane supply unit 20 may be provided in the form of a separation membrane roll onto which the separation membrane 4 is wound. Here, the separation membrane 4 wound onto the separation membrane roll 22 can be gradually released and supplied to the stack table 10. For example, the separation membrane supply unit 20 may be located above the stack table 10. 【0035】 The first electrode supply unit 30 supplies the first electrode 1 to the stack table 10, allowing the first electrode 1 to be stacked on the stack table 10. 【0036】 The first electrode supply unit 30 may include a first electrode placement table 31 on which the first electrode 1 is placed before it is stacked on the stack table 10. 【0037】 The first electrode supply unit 30 may further include a first electrode roll 33, a first cutter 34, a first conveyor belt 35, and a first electrode supply head 36. 【0038】 The first electrode supply unit 30 allows the first electrode 1, which is wound in a sheet shape on the first electrode roll 33, to gradually unwind and be supplied to the first electrode mounting table 31, and the first cutter 34 can cut the first electrode 1 supplied from the first electrode roll 33 to a predetermined length. 【0039】 The first electrode 1, cut by the first cutter 34, is supplied to the first conveyor belt 35, which moves the first electrode 1 toward the first electrode placement table 31. The first electrode supply head 36 then vacuum-suctions the first electrode 1, which is placed on the first conveyor belt 35, and places it on the first electrode placement table 31. 【0040】 Here, the first cutter 34 can cut the sheet-like first electrode 1 such that a first electrode tab 1a is formed protruding from its end. 【0041】 Furthermore, the first electrode supply unit 30 may also include a first suction head 32 and a first moving unit 37. 【0042】 The first suction head 32 can vacuum-suction the first electrode 1 placed on the first electrode mounting table 31. The first suction head 32 includes a vacuum suction section (not shown) on its bottom surface and can suck in the first electrode 1 through the vacuum suction port to fix the first electrode 1 to the bottom surface of the first suction head 32. Here, the first suction head 32 may have a passage formed inside that connects the vacuum suction port and a vacuum suction device (not shown). 【0043】 The first moving unit 37 can move the first suction head 32 to the stacking table 10 so that the first suction head 32 can stack the first electrodes 1 that it has placed on the first electrode placement table 31 onto the stacking table 10. 【0044】 The second electrode supply unit 40 supplies the second electrode 2 to the stack table 10, allowing the second electrode 2 to be stacked on the stack table 10. 【0045】 The second electrode supply unit 40 may include a second electrode placement table 41 on which the second electrode 2 is placed before it is stacked on the stack table 10. 【0046】 The second electrode supply unit 40 may further include a second electrode roll 43 on which the second electrode 2 is wound into a sheet, a second cutter 44 that cuts the sheet-like second electrode 2 wound on the second electrode roll 43 into pieces at regular intervals to form second electrodes of a predetermined size when it is unwound and supplied, a second conveyor belt 45 that moves the second electrode 2 cut by the second cutter 44, and a second electrode supply head 46 that vacuum-suctions the second electrode 2 being transported by the second conveyor belt 45 and places it on the second electrode placement table 41. 【0047】 Here, the second cutter 44 can cut the sheet-like second electrode 2 such that a second electrode tab 2a is formed protruding from its end. 【0048】 Furthermore, the second electrode supply unit 40 may include a second suction head 42 for vacuum-suctioning the second electrode 2 placed on the second electrode mounting table 41, and a second moving unit 47 that can move the second suction head 42 to the stacking table 10 so that the second electrode 2 placed on the second electrode mounting table 41 can be stacked on the stacking table 10. 【0049】 Furthermore, the second suction head 42 may include a vacuum intake port (not shown) that draws air into the bottom surface on which the second electrode 2 is placed, thereby fixing the second electrode 2 to the bottom surface of the second suction head 42. 【0050】 In this case, the rotating part according to one embodiment of the present invention can rotate the stack table 10 so that it faces the first suction head 32 when stacking the first electrode 1, and can rotate the stack table 10 so that it faces the second suction head 42 when stacking the second electrode 2. 【0051】 <Example 1> The electrode assembly bonding apparatus according to the present invention includes a gripper 50, a pressing section 60, and a laminate moving section 70. The pressing section 60 and the laminate moving section 70 may be located within a chamber 80, and therefore the movement and bonding of the laminate S can be carried out within a single chamber 80. 【0052】 Here, the chamber 80 can represent a virtual space and may be equipment that provides a physically enclosed space. In addition, although the chamber 80 is a device that provides a physical space, it may also be in an open state. 【0053】 The electrode assembly bonding apparatus can bond the first electrode 1 and the second electrode 2 to the separation film 4 over the entire surface area of ​​the laminate S through two bonding steps. Therefore, the laminate S may include portions bonded in the first bonding step and portions bonded in the second bonding step. 【0054】 Since the stacked materials on the stacking table are simply stacked without the electrodes and separation films being bonded together, means are needed to grip the stacked materials to maintain their alignment during pressurization in the press section. 【0055】 In detail, the electrode assembly bonding device allows the press section 60 to bond the laminate S while the gripper 50 is gripping the laminate S. The laminate S may include a first part and a second part. 【0056】 For example, if the first and second parts are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction of the laminate S, the gripper 50 can grip the first part and the press part 60 can bond the second part, and when the gripper 50 grips the second part, the press part 60 can bond the first part. 【0057】 In one embodiment, the gripper 50 may include a main body portion 50a and finger portions 50b. The finger portions 50b protrude from the main body portion 50a and may consist of at least one pair. 【0058】 The main body portion 50a may be provided with a guide groove (not shown) that allows the finger portion 50b to move vertically. In this case, vertical movement means movement along an axis horizontal to the stacking direction of the multiple first electrodes 1, separation membranes 4, and second electrodes 2 of the laminate S. 【0059】 One of the pair of finger portions 50b can grip the laminate S by contacting the upper surface of the laminate S and the other can grip the laminate S by contacting the lower surface of the laminate S. 【0060】 The laminate S includes a first part and a second part. If the gripper 50 includes a pair of finger parts 50b, the first part and the second part may be arranged adjacent to each other. 【0061】 If the gripper 50 includes two or more pairs of finger portions 50b, each pair of finger portions 50b may be spaced apart, and the second portion may be positioned between the first portions. That is, the first and second portions can be arranged alternately. 【0062】 Furthermore, the electrode assembly bonding device allows the press section 60 to heat or heat and pressurize the laminate S while the gripper 50 is gripping the laminate S. 【0063】 The press section 60 may include a pair of pressure blocks 60a and 60b. In one embodiment, the press section 60 may include a first pressure block 60a that heats or heats and pressurizes the upper surface of the laminate S and a second pressure block 60b that heats or heats and pressurizes the lower surface of the laminate S. 【0064】 To prevent the press section 60 from directly contacting the finger section 50b when the press section 60 presses the laminate, the press section 60 may further include a gripper groove 61 in which the finger section 50b can be positioned. In other words, at least one of the pair of press blocks 60a, 60b may include a gripper groove 61. 【0065】 The gripper groove 61 may have the same width and height as the finger portion 50b, or the width and height of the gripper groove 61 may be wider and taller than the finger portion 50b. 【0066】 In this case, the first part may be the second part of the laminate S to be bonded, and the second part may be the first part to be bonded. The bonding process involves the press unit 60 heating or heating and pressurizing the laminate S to bond the first electrode 1 and the second electrode 2 to the separation film 4 within the laminate S. 【0067】 In other words, in the first bonding step, the first part may be held by the finger part 50b, and the second part may be heated or heated and pressed by the press part 60. Then, in the second bonding step, the first part may be heated or heated and pressed by the press part 60, and the second part may be held by the finger part 50b. 【0068】 The laminated material moving unit 70 can partially move the laminated material S when the gripper 50 has released its grip on the laminated material S. 【0069】 In detail, the method of bonding electrode assemblies using an electrode assembly bonding device involves a gripper 50 gripping the first portion of the laminate S, while a pair of press units 60 heat and pressurize the laminate S to bond the first electrode 1 and second electrode 2 of the second portion to the separation film. In other words, the laminate S is primarily bonded. 【0070】 Then, the press section 60 releases the pressure, and the gripper 50 releases its grip on the laminated material S. At this time, the laminated material S is supported by the lower finger section 50b of the gripper 50, or the gripper 50 can release its grip after the laminated material S has been stacked on the second pressure block 60b. 【0071】 Subsequently, the laminated material moving unit 70 can move the laminated material S horizontally. Then, the gripper 50 can grip the second portion of the laminated material S, and the press unit 60 can heat and pressurize the first portion of the laminated material S. 【0072】 In this case, the laminate moving unit 70 can move the laminate S by the width of the finger portion 50b. That is, the laminate moving unit 70 can move the laminate S so that the second portion moves to a position corresponding to the gripper groove 61. 【0073】 Furthermore, horizontal movement refers to movement in a direction perpendicular to vertical movement. In other words, horizontal movement refers to the longitudinal direction of the laminate S. 【0074】 On the other hand, when the first portion of the laminate, which has not yet been bonded, is heated or heated and pressurized by the press section 60, the second portion of the laminate has already been bonded to the separation membrane and the electrode, so the operation of the gripper 50 to re-grip the laminate S can be omitted. 【0075】 In other words, the laminate S can be largely fixed by primary bonding, and during the subsequent secondary bonding, the press unit 60 can perform secondary bonding of the laminate S even without the gripper 50 gripping the laminate S. 【0076】 <Example 2> The laminated material moving section 70 can partially move the laminated material S by releasing the gripper 50's grip on the laminated material S while the laminated material S is being supported. 【0077】 In this case, the stacking mechanism 70 may be provided in pairs to support the stack S. In other words, the stacking mechanism 70 may be located inside two opposing sides of the chamber 80. 【0078】 For example, the stacking unit 70 is movable in the horizontal direction. That is, the stacking unit 70 can protrude and retract horizontally from the wall surface of the chamber, as disclosed in Figure 4. 【0079】 After the laminated material moving unit 70 moves horizontally and supports the lower surface of the edge of the laminated material S, the gripper 50 can re-grip the laminated material. 【0080】 After the pair of pressing sections 60 have bonded the separation membrane 4 and electrodes 1 and 2 in the second section, the pressing sections 60 release the pressure, and the pair of laminate moving sections 70 protrude in opposing directions to prepare to support the laminate S. 【0081】 Then, after the gripper 50 places the laminate S on the laminate moving section 70, when the gripper 50 releases its grip on the laminate S, the laminate moving section 70 moves horizontally, moving the laminate S by the width of the finger section 50b. After that, the gripper 50 can grip the second portion of the laminate. 【0082】 Subsequently, the pair of press sections 60 can heat and pressurize the first portion. 【0083】 On the other hand, in Embodiment 2, the laminated material moving unit 70 moved horizontally while moving the laminated material S horizontally. However, as a modified example, the laminated material moving unit 70 can simply support both ends of the laminated material in the longitudinal direction, and the gripper 50 can move horizontally to grip the second portion. 【0084】 In other words, in the modified example, the laminated material moving part 70 only supports the laminated material S, and the movement is performed by the gripper 50 moving horizontally to re-grip the laminated material S. 【0085】 <Example 3> As another embodiment of the present invention, another embodiment in which the gripper 50 moves horizontally will be described. 【0086】 The gripper 50 is movable horizontally in the longitudinal direction of the laminate S, and the distance it moves is equal to the width of the finger portion 50b. 【0087】 After the pair of press sections 60 bond the separation membrane 4 and electrodes 1 and 2 in the second section, the press sections 60 release the pressure, and the gripper 50 moves horizontally to partially move the laminate S. Subsequently, the gripper 50 releases its grip on the laminate S and places the laminate S on the second press block 60b. 【0088】 Then, the gripper 50 can re-grip the laminate S after moving horizontally in the opposite direction to the horizontal movement direction of the laminate S. 【0089】 When the gripper 50 grips the second portion of the laminate S, the finger portion 50b can be retracted into the gripper groove 61. That is, the gripper 50 can return to its initial position via two horizontal movements, for example, a horizontal movement to the right and a subsequent horizontal movement to the left. 【0090】 In this case, the electrode assembly bonding device according to this embodiment can omit the laminate moving section 70 because the second pressure block 60b plays the role of supporting the laminate. 【0091】 Alternatively, the gripper 50 can move horizontally while still gripping the laminate to partially move the laminate S, and then place the laminate S on the laminate moving section 70, which is not on the upper surface of the second pressure block 60b. 【0092】 <Example 4> Referring to Figure 6, the chamber 80 may have a pair of opposing sides that are penetrated, with grippers 50 positioned on each of the penetrated sides. More specifically, the first gripper 51 and the second gripper 52 are positioned on opposing sides of the chamber 80, respectively, and can grip the first and second portions in sequence. 【0093】 In this case, the press unit 60 is capable of horizontal movement and can be partially moved horizontally. 【0094】 For example, the first gripper 51 grips the first portion, and the press unit 60 heats or heats and pressurizes the second portion. After the press unit 60 releases the pressure, the second gripper 52 grips the second portion. After the first gripper 51 releases its grip and is removed from the chamber 80, the press unit 60 can move in part to heat or heat and pressurize the first portion. 【0095】 One of the pair of finger portions 50b in Examples 1 to 4 may be provided as an integrated flat plate. That is, one of the pair of finger portions 50b may be provided as a flat plate with an area corresponding to the upper or lower surface of the laminate S. 【0096】 For example, the finger portion 50b may be divided into a lower finger portion and an upper finger portion, the lower finger portion may be a single, flat plate on which the entire laminate can be placed, and the upper finger portion may be a structure separated into multiple branch-like parts. 【0097】 Furthermore, the flat finger portion 50b may be formed of a material with high thermal conductivity. 【0098】 Furthermore, the pressure block that pressurizes the flat finger portion 50b of the pair of pressure blocks 60a and 60b may also be provided in a flat shape. In other words, the gripper groove 61 may be omitted for the pressure block that pressurizes the flat finger portion 50b. 【0099】 In Examples 1 to 4, at least one pair of finger portions 50b may be arranged in the longitudinal or widthwise direction of the laminate. 【0100】 For example, if a pair of finger portions 50b are provided, when the finger portions 50b grip the first portion, the remaining area of ​​the laminate may become the second portion. If there are multiple pairs of finger portions 50b spaced apart from each other, the area gripped by the finger portions 50b may become the first portion, and the area between the finger portions 50b may become the second portion. 【0101】 Figures 7 and 8 disclose a case in which the gripper 50 grips the laminate S in the longitudinal direction of the laminate S. 【0102】 Referring to Embodiment 5 of the present invention in Figure 7, the gripper 50 includes a pair of finger portions extending in the longitudinal direction of the laminate S. 【0103】 Referring to Figure 7, the electrode assembly bonding device of this embodiment can be configured by referring to Embodiments 1 to 4, except that it is provided with only one pair of finger portions 50b and grips the laminate S in the longitudinal direction. 【0104】 In the electrode assembly bonding apparatus shown in Figure 7, the gripper 50 holds the first portion of the laminate S, and the press unit 60 heats or heats and pressurizes the second portion that is not held by the gripper 50. 【0105】 The laminate moving section 70 partially moves the laminate S after the separation membrane 4 and electrodes 1 and 2 are initially bonded in the second portion. Subsequently, when the laminate S is moved horizontally by the laminate moving section 70 or the gripper, the gripper 50 re-gripping the laminate S and the press section 60 heating or heating and pressurizing the first portion. 【0106】 As another embodiment, the electrode assembly bonding device according to Embodiment 6 in Figure 8 discloses two grippers, similar to Embodiment 4. 【0107】 In the electrode assembly bonding apparatus shown in Figure 8, the first gripper 51 grips the first portion of the laminate S, and the press section 60 heats or heats and pressurizes the second portion that is not gripped by the first gripper 51. 【0108】 With the first gripper 51 gripping the laminate S, the second gripper 52 grips the second portion. Then, the first gripper 51 releases its grip on the laminate S. 【0109】 The press unit 60 can then partially move to heat or heat and pressurize the first portion. 【0110】 In the electrode assembly bonding device shown in Figure 8, the first gripper 51 and the second gripper 52 may be arranged side by side with respect to the chamber 80. 【0111】 The width of the finger portion 50b may be 1 / 5 to 4 / 5 of the width of the laminate S. More specifically, one or more pairs of finger portions 50b include an upper finger portion that contacts the upper surface of the laminate S and a lower finger portion that contacts the lower surface of the laminate S. The sum of the widths of either the upper finger portion or the lower finger portion may be 1 / 5 to 4 / 5 of the width of the laminate S. 【0112】 Preferably, the sum of the widths of the finger portions 50b is 1 / 5 to 3 / 5 of the width of the laminate S, and more preferably 1 / 5 to 2 / 5. 【0113】 The press section 60 further includes a press heater (not shown) for heating a pair of pressure blocks 60a and 60b, allowing the pair of pressure blocks 60a and 60b to heat and pressurize the laminate S of the negative electrode 1, the separation membrane 4, and the positive electrode 2. This allows for better thermal fusion between the negative electrode 1, the separation membrane 4, and the positive electrode 2 when the laminate S is pressed against the press section 60, resulting in a more robust bond. 【0114】 On the other hand, the press section 60 may further include an induction heating heater that heats in a non-contact manner as a press heater. That is, the press heater may include a contact-type heater that directly heats the pressurizing block and an induction heating heater that does not come into contact with the laminate. 【0115】 A press heater directly heats the pressure block, and the heating block can heat the laminate by directly contacting it. On the other hand, an induction heater targets the deeper, or middle, parts of the laminate and uses magnetic field induction heating to heat the center of the laminate. As a result, the center of the laminate is heated by induction heating, while the upper and lower ends of the laminate are heated by the heated pressure block, allowing the laminate to be heated uniformly throughout. This uniform heating improves the uniformity of the laminate's adhesion and air permeability. 【0116】 The area over which the press section 60 presses the laminate S can be 30% to 70% of the total area of ​​one surface of the laminate S, based on 100% of the total area of ​​one surface of the laminate S. Preferably, the press area of ​​either of the pair of press blocks 60a and 60b may be 40% to 70% of the total area of ​​one surface of the laminate S, based on 100% of the total area of ​​one surface of the laminate S. Here, one surface of the laminate S refers to either the top surface or the bottom surface of the laminate S that is pressed by the press section 60. 【0117】 The sum of the total areas of the finger portions 50b and the total area of ​​the press portion 60 excluding the gripper grooves 61 may be equal to or greater than the area of ​​the top or bottom surface of the laminated material S. 【0118】 Furthermore, the total area of ​​the press section 60 excluding the gripper groove 61 may be the same as the total area of ​​the finger section 50b, or it may be larger than the total area of ​​the finger section 50b. 【0119】 Preferably, the total area of ​​the press portion 60 excluding the gripper groove 61 may be larger than the total area of ​​the finger portion 50b. In other words, the area of ​​the second portion may be larger than the area of ​​the first portion. 【0120】 Therefore, a portion of the laminate S may be double-pressurized. In this case, the double-pressurized portion may be 1 / 6 or less of the area of ​​the laminate S. 【0121】 By minimizing the double-pressure region of the press section 60, the height difference caused by double pressurization is minimized, preventing the occurrence of unpressurized regions. Therefore, the adhesive force between the negative electrode and the separation membrane, and between the positive electrode and the separation membrane, is uniform, increasing the safety of the secondary battery. 【0122】 Furthermore, if the double-pressurized portion of the electrode assembly exceeds the aforementioned range, or if it includes an unpressurized portion, a visible step will occur on the top and bottom surfaces of the electrode assembly. When the electrode assembly with this step is placed in a pouch-type case and sealed, a step will also occur in the case, resulting in a defect. 【0123】 The electrode assembly bonding apparatus according to the present invention may further include a control unit (not shown). 【0124】 The control unit can control one or more of the following: the gripping position of the gripper 50 with respect to the laminate S, the pressing position of the press unit 60 with respect to the laminate S, and the operation of the laminate moving unit 70. 【0125】 For example, the control unit can control the movement distance of the laminated material moving unit 70 based on data such as the areas of the first and second parts, the locations of the ends of the gripper 50 and the press unit 60, and the locations of the ends of the pair of laminated material moving units 70. 【0126】 The electrode assembly bonding apparatus according to the present invention may further include a calculation unit (not shown). The calculation unit may receive data regarding the width of the laminate S from the user, or it may store a database of standard sizes for the laminate S or electrode assemblies. 【0127】 The calculation unit can calculate the travel distance of the laminate moving unit 70, the position of the gripper 50, and the position of the press unit 60, based on the size and width data of the laminate S or electrode assembly. Specifically, the calculation unit can calculate the width of the gripper 50, the area or width of the first and second parts. The calculation unit can also calculate the positions of one end of the gripper 50 and one end of the press unit 60. 【0128】 The calculation unit can calculate the distance traveled by the laminate moving unit 70 or the laminate S, and the positions of one end of the gripper 50 and one end of the press unit 60, based on the area of ​​the first part. 【0129】 The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to the present invention includes a method for bonding the electrode assemblies. More specifically, the method for manufacturing an electrode assembly includes the steps of manufacturing a laminate comprising a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a separation film disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, and a step (or method) for bonding the electrode assemblies. 【0130】 The electrode assembly bonding step includes (a) a step of gripping a first portion of the laminate with a gripper, (b) a first bonding step, (c) a step of supporting or partially moving the laminate, and (d) a second bonding step. 【0131】 In stage (a), the laminate is in a state where the positive electrode and the separator membrane, and the negative electrode and the separator membrane, are not adhered to each other. 【0132】 In other words, during the process of fabricating the laminate, the positive electrode and the separator membrane, and the negative electrode and the separator membrane are arranged without being adhered to each other. 【0133】 Therefore, in the process of bonding the positive electrode and the separation membrane and the negative electrode and the separation membrane to each other (step b), the press section can heat and pressurize the laminate while it is fixed by the gripper in order to prevent the alignment of the laminate from being disrupted by the press section. 【0134】 (Step c) may have different detailed steps depending on the electrode assembly bonding apparatus according to Examples 1 to 4 described above. 【0135】 (C) may include the steps of the gripper releasing its grip on the laminate, the laminate moving unit moving the laminate horizontally, and the gripper re-gripping the laminate. 【0136】 Alternatively, (step c) may include the steps of the laminate moving section supporting the laminate, the gripper releasing its grip on the laminate, and the gripper moving horizontally to re-grip the laminate. 【0137】 Alternatively, (stage c) is, Steps include moving the stack horizontally using a gripper, The gripper releases its grip on the laminate, 2 pressurized blocks The stage where the part supports the laminate. 、 The process may also include a step in which the gripper moves in the opposite direction to the horizontal movement of the laminate and then re-gripping the laminate. 【0138】 Alternatively, (step c) may include the steps of: the first gripper gripping the laminate from the opposite direction to the first gripper while the first gripper is gripping the laminate; the first gripper releasing its grip on the laminate; and the press unit moving horizontally. 【0139】 In step (c), the partial travel distance of the laminate may be equal to the width of at least one finger portion of the gripper. In other words, the laminate may include a first portion that is gripped by the gripper in step (a) and a second portion that is bonded in step (b). The width of the second portion may be greater than the width of the first portion. The partial travel distance of the laminate may be the width of the first portion or the width of the second portion. 【0140】 Steps (a) to (d) may be performed within a single chamber. The gripper may be located outside the chamber and may move outside the chamber, but the gripper's actions of gripping or regripping the laminate may be performed within the chamber. 【0141】 By performing the electrode assembly bonding step within a single chamber, the electrode assembly bonding process is simplified, reducing process time and resulting in economic benefits. 【0142】 The areas bonded in (stage b) and (stage d) may not overlap or may include a minimum double bonding area. Since double pressure does not occur, or a step difference relative to the height of the electrode assembly is not formed by minimal double pressure, the failure rate of the secondary battery can be reduced. 【0143】 The electrode assembly bonding step according to the present invention may further include a calculation step of calculating the movement distance of the laminated material moving part and the areas of the first and second parts, and a control step of controlling one or more of the fixing position of the fixing part and the pressing position of the pressing part based on the calculated movement distance of the laminated material moving part and the areas of the first and second parts. 【0144】 For example, the calculation stage can calculate the area of ​​the first part to be bonded in (stage b) and the area of ​​the second part to be bonded in (stage d), and then calculate the width that the gripper must grip or the width of the laminate that the press unit must press so that the first and second parts overlap minimally. The control stage can move the gripper and the press unit based on the width calculated in the calculation stage. 【0145】 In the method for manufacturing the electrode assembly, explanations other than those described above may be referenced from the explanation of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100. 【0146】 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 parts of the invention set out in the following claims.

Claims

[Claim 1] A gripper for gripping a portion of a laminate in which multiple positive electrodes and multiple negative electrodes are alternately stacked, and which includes a separation membrane positioned between the multiple positive electrodes and the multiple negative electrodes, respectively; and Press part for bonding the aforementioned laminates Includes, The laminate comprises a first portion and a second portion, and the gripper holds the first portion while the press portion adheres to the second portion, and the gripper holds the second portion while the press portion adheres to the first portion, in an electrode assembly bonding device. [Claim 2] A method for bonding a laminate in which a positive electrode, a separator membrane, and a negative electrode are laminated, Step (a) involves gripping the first portion of the laminate, which includes at least one first portion and at least one second portion adjacent to the first portion, and in which the negative electrode, the positive electrode, and the separation membrane are laminated, with a gripper; A first bonding step (step b) is performed in which the second portion that is not in contact with the gripper is heated and pressurized in the press section to bond the negative electrode to the separation membrane and the positive electrode to the separation membrane; A step of supporting or partially moving the laminate (step c); and A second bonding step (step d) involves heating and pressurizing the first portion that was not bonded in the first bonding step in the pressing section to bond the negative electrode to the separation membrane and the positive electrode to the separation membrane. A method for bonding laminates, including the method described above. [Claim 3] A gripper for gripping a portion of a laminate in which a plurality of positive electrodes and a plurality of negative electrodes are alternately stacked, and a separation membrane is disposed between the plurality of positive electrodes and the plurality of negative electrodes, respectively; and Press part for bonding the aforementioned laminates Includes, An electrode assembly bonding apparatus for performing the laminate bonding method described in claim 2. [Claim 4] The electrode assembly bonding apparatus according to claim 1 or 3, further comprising a laminate moving unit for supporting or partially moving the laminate. [Claim 5] The electrode assembly bonding apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the laminate includes a first portion and a second portion, the gripper grips the first portion and the press portion bonds the second portion, and the gripper grips the second portion and the press portion bonds the first portion. [Claim 6] The laminate moving unit partially moves the laminate when the gripper releases its grip on the laminate, The electrode assembly bonding apparatus according to claim 4, wherein, while the laminate moving part is supporting the laminate, the gripper releases its grip on the laminate, the laminate moving part moves partially, and the gripper re-gripped the laminate. [Claim 7] The electrode assembly bonding apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a control unit that controls one or more of the gripping position of the gripper with respect to the laminate, the pressing position of the press unit with respect to the laminate, and the operation of the laminate moving unit. [Claim 8] The electrode assembly bonding apparatus according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the pressing section heats and pressurizes the laminate to bond the positive electrode and the negative electrode to the separation membrane within the laminate. [Claim 9] The electrode assembly bonding apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the pressing section and the laminate moving section are arranged in a single chamber. [Claim 10] The electrode assembly bonding device according to claim 1 or 5, wherein the gripper includes a main body and one or more finger portions protruding from the main body, and when the finger portions grip the first portion, the press portion bonds the second portion, and when the finger portions grip the second portion, the press portion bonds the first portion. [Claim 11] The electrode assembly bonding apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first portion is arranged in multiple locations in the longitudinal direction of the laminate, the second portion is arranged between the first portion, and the finger portion grips the first portion in the width direction of the laminate. [Claim 12] The electrode assembly bonding apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first portion is arranged in the width direction of the laminate, the second portion is arranged adjacent to the first portion, and the finger portion grips the first portion in the longitudinal direction of the laminate. [Claim 13] The electrode assembly bonding apparatus according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the gripper is moved horizontally. [Claim 14] After partially moving the laminate, the gripper releases its grip on the laminate. The electrode assembly bonding apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the gripper moves horizontally in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of the laminate and then re-gripping the laminate. [Claim 15] The electrode assembly bonding apparatus according to claim 1 or 3; A separation membrane supply unit that supplies the separation membrane; A first electrode supply unit that supplies the positive electrode; A second electrode supply unit that supplies the negative electrode; and A stack table on which a laminate, comprising the separation membrane, the positive electrode, and the negative electrode stacked together, is placed. A manufacturing apparatus for electrode assemblies, including one for electrode assembly. [Claim 16] The laminate bonding method according to claim 2, wherein in step a, the laminate is in a state in which the positive electrode and the separation membrane and the negative electrode and the separation membrane are not adhered to each other. [Claim 17] The laminate bonding method according to claim 2, wherein in step c, the laminate is supported or partially moved by a laminate moving unit that supports or partially moves the laminate. [Claim 18] In step c, the step in which the laminate moving part supports the laminate; The step of the gripper releasing its grip on the laminate; and The gripper moves horizontally to re-grip the laminate. A method for bonding laminates according to claim 17, including the method described in claim 17. [Claim 19] In step c, the gripper releases its grip on the laminate; The step in which the laminate moving unit moves the laminate horizontally; and The gripper re-gripping the laminate. A method for bonding laminates according to claim 17, including the method described in claim 17. [Claim 20] The laminate bonding method according to claim 2, wherein steps a to d are performed in a single chamber. [Claim 21] The laminate bonding method described in claim 2 or any one of claims 16 to 20, A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, further comprising the step of manufacturing the laminate in which the negative electrode, the positive electrode, and the separation membrane are disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode.

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