Battery cell, manufacturing apparatus therefor, and method for manufacturing the same
The described manufacturing apparatus and method address electrode detachment in Z-folding battery cells by applying adhesive to both the upper and lower parts of electrodes, ensuring proper lamination and enhancing rigidity through a zigzag folding pattern, thereby preventing detachment and improving process efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
- Filing Date
- 2023-04-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-23
AI Technical Summary
In Z-folding type battery cell manufacturing, electrodes detach from their correct positions due to inadequate adhesion with the separator membrane sheet, leading to reduced adhesive strength and heat transfer issues, particularly when the membrane sheet material has low adhesive strength.
A manufacturing apparatus and method that applies adhesive to both the upper and lower parts of electrodes using horizontal nozzles, with a pair of separation membrane guides and pressure rollers to ensure proper lamination and prevent detachment, employing a zigzag folding pattern to enhance adhesion and rigidity.
Prevents electrodes from detaching during the manufacturing process, improves process efficiency, and enhances the rigidity and alignment of the battery cell by applying adhesive horizontally and pressing the separator membrane in a zigzag pattern.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] Cross-reference to related applications (etc.) This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0056556 filed on May 9, 2022, and all the contents disclosed in the literature of the Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] The present invention relates to a battery cell, a manufacturing apparatus thereof, and a manufacturing method thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to a battery cell in which an electrode and a separator sheet are laminated in a Z-folding type, and a battery cell, a manufacturing apparatus thereof, and a manufacturing method thereof, in which the electrode can be prevented from detaching from a normal position.
Background Art
[0003] Generally, types of secondary batteries include nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, lithium ion batteries, and lithium ion polymer batteries. Such secondary batteries are not only used in small products such as digital cameras, P-DVDs, MP3Ps, mobile phones, PDAs (registered trademarks), portable game devices, power tools, and e-bikes, but also in large products that require high power such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, as well as power storage devices for storing surplus generated power and new renewable energy, and backup power storage devices.
[0004] To manufacture such secondary batteries, first, an electrode active material slurry is applied to a positive electrode current collector and a negative electrode current collector to manufacture a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and these are laminated on both sides of a separator to form an electrode assembly having a predetermined shape. Then, the electrode assembly is housed in a battery case, an electrolyte is injected, and then sealed.
[0005] Electrode assemblies are classified into various types. For example, there is the simple stack type, which simply stacks positive electrodes, separator membranes, and negative electrodes alternately without manufacturing unit cells; the lamination and stack type (L&S), which first manufactures unit cells using positive electrodes, separator membranes, and negative electrodes, and then stacks these unit cells; the stack and folding type (S&F), in which multiple unit cells are attached at a distance from one side of a separator membrane sheet that is longer on one side, and the separator membrane sheet is repeatedly folded from one end in the same direction; and the Z-folding type, in which multiple electrodes or unit cells are attached alternately to one side and the other side of a separator membrane sheet that is longer on one side, and the separator membrane sheet is folded from one end in a specific direction, and then folded in the opposite direction, repeating this process alternately. Among these, the Z-folding type is frequently used recently because of its high degree of alignment and electrolyte impregnation.
[0006] However, conventionally, because no separate lamination process was performed after laminating the electrode and separation membrane sheet in this Z-folding type, there was a problem that the electrode and separation membrane sheet did not adhere to each other, causing the electrode to detach from its correct position. To solve this, a separate lamination process was performed after laminating the electrode and separation membrane sheet, but because the overall thickness of the laminate formed by laminating the electrode and separation membrane sheet increased, heat was not transferred to the interior of the laminate, resulting in a decrease in adhesive strength. In addition, there was a problem that the electrode would detach from its correct position during the transport of the laminate in order to perform this separate lamination process. These problems were more serious when the adhesive strength of the separation membrane sheet itself was low, depending on the material of the separation membrane sheet.
[0007] Therefore, it is necessary to develop a battery cell including a Z-folding electrode assembly that prevents the electrodes from detaching from their positive position and improves battery cell performance, as well as a manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method thereof. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]
[0008] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a battery cell in which electrodes and a separation membrane sheet are laminated in a Z-folding manner, wherein the electrodes can be prevented from detaching from their positive position, a manufacturing apparatus for the same, and a method for manufacturing the same.
[0009] The problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and any problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from this specification and the accompanying drawings. [Means for solving the problem]
[0010] An embodiment of the present invention may include an electrode reel from which an electrode sheet on which a plurality of electrodes are formed is unwound; a separation membrane reel from which a separation membrane sheet is unwound, which is folded when the electrodes are placed on it, covers the electrodes, and is laminated with the electrodes; a table on which the electrodes and the separation membrane sheet are placed on the upper surface; a pair of separation membrane guides that guide the folding direction of the separation membrane sheet; and a pair of upper nozzles that apply adhesive to at least a portion of the separation membrane sheet as it passes between the pair of separation membrane guides.
[0011] Of the pair of separation membrane guides, the first separation membrane guide that guides the separation membrane sheet to which the adhesive is applied includes at least one recess, the recess may be located at a position corresponding to the adhesive applied to the separation membrane sheet.
[0012] The adhesive may be applied in a point shape or linearly along the length of the separation membrane sheet.
[0013] The pair of upper nozzles rotate to apply adhesive to at least a portion of the electrode placed on the table, the pair of separation membrane guides and the pair of upper nozzles reciprocate linearly from side to side with respect to the table, and the table may be fixed.
[0014] The electrode reel may include a first electrode reel from which a first electrode sheet on which a plurality of first electrodes are formed is unwound, and a second electrode reel from which a second electrode sheet on which a plurality of second electrodes are formed is unwound.
[0015] The pair of upper nozzles may include a first upper nozzle and a second upper nozzle, wherein the first upper nozzle applies the adhesive to the upper part of the first electrode or to the separation membrane sheet passing through the pair of separation membrane guides, and the second upper nozzle applies the adhesive to the upper part of the second electrode or to the separation membrane sheet passing through the pair of separation membrane guides.
[0016] The first upper nozzle and the second upper nozzle may be arranged on either side of the pair of separation membrane guides.
[0017] The first electrode may be placed on a first region of the separation membrane sheet, and the second electrode may be placed on a second region of the separation membrane sheet.
[0018] When the first electrode is placed on the first region of the separation membrane sheet, the first upper nozzle may move linearly over the first electrode, and when the second electrode is placed on the second region of the separation membrane sheet, the second upper nozzle may move linearly over the second electrode.
[0019] When the first upper nozzle applies the adhesive to at least a portion of the upper part of the first electrode, the first separation membrane guide moves linearly in a direction in which the separation membrane sheet covers the first electrode, and when the second upper nozzle applies the adhesive to at least a portion of the upper part of the second electrode, the first separation membrane guide can move linearly in a direction in which the separation membrane sheet covers the second electrode.
[0020] The system may include lower nozzles for applying the adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode and the lower part of the second electrode, respectively.
[0021] It may further include a first header for adsorbing the first electrode and placing it on the first region, and a second header for adsorbing the second electrode and placing it on the second region.
[0022] When the first electrode is adsorbed to the first header, the lower nozzle may apply the adhesive below the first electrode, and when the second electrode is adsorbed to the second header, the lower nozzle may apply the adhesive below the second electrode.
[0023] It may further include a first transfer device for transferring the first electrode towards the table, and a second transfer device for transferring the second electrode towards the table.
[0024] The first transfer device includes a first groove that is open towards the first electrode, and the lower nozzle applies the adhesive below the first electrode through the first groove. The second transfer device includes a second groove that is open towards the second electrode, and the lower nozzle may apply the adhesive below the second electrode through the second groove.
[0025] The electrode reel includes a first electrode reel from which a first electrode sheet on which a plurality of first electrodes are formed is unwound, and a second electrode reel from which a second electrode sheet on which a plurality of second electrodes are formed is unwound. The table reciprocates rotationally between the first electrode reel and the second electrode reel, and the pair of separation film guides and the pair of upper nozzles can reciprocate linearly left and right with respect to the table.
[0026] The first electrode may be placed on the first region of the separation film sheet, and the second electrode may be placed on the second region of the separation film sheet.
[0027] The pair of upper nozzles includes a first upper nozzle and a second upper nozzle. The first upper nozzle applies the adhesive to at least a part of a second region of the separation membrane sheet passing between the pair of separation membrane guides, and the second upper nozzle may apply the adhesive to at least a part of a first region of the separation membrane sheet passing between the pair of separation membrane guides.
[0028] When the pair of upper nozzles apply the adhesive on the separation membrane sheet respectively, the discharge port of the first upper nozzle or the discharge port of the second upper nozzle may perform a rotational movement in a direction adjacent to the separation membrane sheet.
[0029] The first upper nozzle and the second upper nozzle are arranged on both sides sandwiching the pair of separation membrane guides.
[0030] The first electrode is placed on a first region of the separation membrane sheet, and the first upper nozzle linearly moves in a direction away from the table on a second region of the separation membrane sheet. The second electrode is placed on a second region of the separation membrane sheet, and the second upper nozzle can linearly move in a direction away from the table on a first region of the separation membrane sheet.
[0031] The first upper nozzle applies the adhesive to at least a part of a second region of the separation membrane sheet, and the pair of separation membrane guides linearly move in a direction towards the second electrode reel. The second upper nozzle applies the adhesive to at least a part of a first region of the separation membrane sheet, and the pair of separation membrane guides can linearly move in a direction towards the first electrode reel.
[0032] When the application of the adhesive by the first upper nozzle is completed, the pair of separation membrane guides linearly move in a direction in which the second region of the separation membrane sheet coated with the adhesive covers the first electrode. When the application of the adhesive by the second upper nozzle is completed, the pair of separation membrane guides can linearly move in a direction in which the first region of the separation membrane sheet coated with the adhesive covers the second electrode.
[0033] The system may include lower nozzles for applying the adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode and the lower part of the second electrode, respectively.
[0034] The system further includes a first header for adsorbing the first electrode and placing it on the first region, and a second header for adsorbing the second electrode and placing it on the second region, wherein the first header and the second header may rotate and reciprocate in the direction in which they are positioned on the table.
[0035] When the first electrode is attracted to the first header, the lower nozzle may apply the adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode, and when the second electrode is attracted to the second header, the lower nozzle may apply the adhesive to the lower part of the second electrode.
[0036] The system may further include a first transfer device for transferring the first electrode toward the table, and a second transfer device for transferring the second electrode toward the table.
[0037] The first transfer device may include a first groove open toward the first electrode, and the lower nozzle may apply the adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode through the first groove; the second transfer device may include a second groove open toward the second electrode, and the lower nozzle may apply the adhesive to the lower part of the second electrode through the second groove.
[0038] The pair of upper nozzles can rotate to apply adhesive to at least a portion of the electrodes placed on the table and may include a pair of pressure rollers for pressurizing the separation membrane sheet, which is guided by the pair of separation membrane guides.
[0039] The pressure roller may include at least one recess on its surface, the recess being positioned to correspond to the adhesive applied to the separation membrane sheet.
[0040] The at least one pressure roller may be located between the pair of separation membrane guides and the table.
[0041] The at least one pressure roller may be located between the pair of separation membrane guides.
[0042] The electrode reel may include a first electrode reel from which a first electrode sheet on which a plurality of first electrodes are formed is unwound, and a second electrode reel from which a second electrode sheet on which a plurality of second electrodes are formed is unwound.
[0043] The system may further include a first transfer device for transferring the first electrode toward the table, and a second transfer device for transferring the second electrode toward the table.
[0044] The pair of upper nozzles includes a first upper nozzle and a second upper nozzle, The pair of upper nozzles may each apply adhesive to the separation membrane sheet or the electrode located on the table.
[0045] The first upper nozzle and the second upper nozzle may be arranged on either side of the separation membrane guide.
[0046] The at least one pressure roller includes a first pressure roller and a second pressure roller, the first pressure roller being located between the first upper nozzle and the separation membrane guide, and the second pressure roller being located between the second upper nozzle and the separation membrane guide.
[0047] The first electrode may be placed on a first region of the separation membrane sheet, and the second electrode may be placed on a second region of the separation membrane sheet.
[0048] The apparatus may further include a first header for adsorbing the first electrode and placing it in the first region, and a second header for adsorbing the second electrode and placing it in the second region.
[0049] The pair of separation membrane guides, the pair of upper nozzles, and the at least one pressure roller are fixed, and the table may reciprocate linearly toward the first and second transfer devices.
[0050] The table is fixed, and the pair of separation membrane guides, the pair of upper nozzles, and the at least one pressure roller may move linearly back and forth toward the first and second transfer devices.
[0051] The system may further include a moving box that houses the pair of separation membrane guides and the pair of upper nozzles.
[0052] Furthermore, a battery cell manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the steps of: cutting a first electrode sheet unwound from a first electrode reel to form a plurality of first electrodes; applying adhesive to a first region of a separation membrane sheet unwound from a separation membrane reel with a first upper nozzle between a pair of separation membrane guides, and placing the separation membrane sheet on a table along the separation membrane guides; placing the first electrode on the first region of the separation membrane sheet; applying adhesive to the upper part of the first electrode with the first upper nozzle; and folding the separation membrane sheet in a folding direction guided by the separation membrane guides, so that a second region of the separation membrane sheet covers the first electrode.
[0053] Prior to the step of placing the first electrode on the first region of the separation membrane sheet, the step of applying adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode with a lower nozzle may further be included.
[0054] The steps may further include, after the step of covering the upper part of the first electrode, cutting the second electrode sheet unwound from the second electrode reel to form a plurality of second electrodes; applying adhesive to the lower part of the second electrode with a lower nozzle; placing the second electrode on the second region of the separation membrane sheet; applying adhesive to the upper part of the second electrode with a second upper nozzle; and folding the separation membrane sheet in a folding direction guided by the separation membrane guide so that the first region of the separation membrane sheet covers the second electrode.
[0055] The table is fixed, and the pair of separation membrane guides, the first upper nozzle, and the second upper nozzle may reciprocate linearly with respect to the table.
[0056] Furthermore, a battery cell manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the steps of: cutting a first electrode sheet unwound from a first electrode reel to form a plurality of first electrodes; placing a separation membrane sheet unwound from a separation membrane reel on a table along a pair of separation membrane guides; applying adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode with a lower nozzle; placing the first electrode on a first region of the separation membrane sheet; applying adhesive to at least a portion of a second region of the separation membrane sheet between the pair of separation membrane guides with a first upper nozzle; and folding the separation membrane sheet in a folding direction guided by the separation membrane guides, so that the second region of the separation membrane sheet to which the adhesive has been applied covers the first electrode.
[0057] The steps may further include, after the step of covering the upper part of the first electrode, cutting the second electrode sheet unwound from the second electrode reel to form a plurality of second electrodes; applying adhesive to the lower part of the second electrode with a lower nozzle; placing the second electrode on the second region of the separation membrane sheet; applying adhesive to at least a portion of the first region of the separation membrane sheet between the pair of separation membrane guides with a second upper nozzle; and folding the separation membrane sheet in a folding direction guided by the separation membrane guides, so that the first region of the separation membrane sheet to which the adhesive has been applied covers the second electrode.
[0058] The table rotates and reciprocates between the first electrode reel and the second electrode reel, and the separation membrane guide and the pair of upper nozzles (first upper nozzle and second upper nozzle) can reciprocate linearly from side to side with respect to the table.
[0059] In the steps of the first upper nozzle applying adhesive and the second upper nozzle applying adhesive, the discharge port of the first upper nozzle or the discharge port of the second upper nozzle may rotate in a direction adjacent to the separation membrane sheet.
[0060] Furthermore, a battery cell manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of: cutting a first electrode sheet unwound from a first electrode reel to form a plurality of first electrodes; applying adhesive with a first upper nozzle between a pair of separation membrane guides to a first region of a separation membrane sheet unwound from a separation membrane reel, and placing the separation membrane sheet on a table along the separation membrane guides; placing the first electrode on the first region of the separation membrane sheet; applying adhesive with a first upper nozzle to the upper part of the first electrode; and folding the separation membrane sheet in a folding direction guided by the separation membrane guides, so that a second region of the separation membrane sheet covers the first electrode, wherein a first pressure roller may pressurize the separation membrane sheet guided by the separation membrane guides.
[0061] The process further includes, after the step of covering the upper part of the first electrode, the step of cutting the second electrode sheet unwound from the second electrode reel to form a plurality of second electrodes; the step of a second upper nozzle applying adhesive to a second region of the separation membrane sheet between the pair of separation membrane guides; the step of placing the second electrode on the second region of the separation membrane sheet; the step of the second upper nozzle applying adhesive to the upper part of the second electrode; and the step of folding the separation membrane sheet in a folding direction guided by the separation membrane guides so that the first region of the separation membrane sheet covers the second electrode, wherein a second pressure roller may pressurize the separation membrane sheet guided by the separation membrane guides.
[0062] The separation membrane guide, the first upper nozzle, the second upper nozzle, the first pressure roller, and the second pressure roller are fixed, and the table may move linearly back and forth toward the first transfer device and the second transfer device.
[0063] The table is fixed, and the separation membrane guide, the first upper nozzle, the second upper nozzle, the first pressure roller, and the second pressure roller may move linearly back and forth toward the first transfer device and the second transfer device.
[0064] Of the pair of separation membrane guides, the first separation membrane guide that guides the separation membrane sheet to which the adhesive is applied includes at least one recess, the recess may be located at a position corresponding to the adhesive applied to the separation membrane sheet.
[0065] The adhesive may be applied in a point shape or linearly along the length of the separation membrane sheet.
[0066] The pressure roller may include at least one recess on its surface, the recess being positioned to correspond to the adhesive applied to the separation membrane sheet.
[0067] Furthermore, an electrode assembly manufactured by a battery cell manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which electrodes and a separation membrane sheet are alternately stacked, wherein the electrodes include a first electrode and a second electrode, the separation membrane sheet has a zigzag shape formed by folding at least twice, the separation membrane sheet is folded with the first electrode fixed on a first region of the separation membrane sheet, the second region of the separation membrane sheet covers the first electrode, the second electrode is fixed on the second region of the separation membrane sheet, the first region of the separation membrane sheet covers the second electrode, and an adhesive layer may be formed between the electrode and the separation membrane sheet.
[0068] The adhesive layer may include a first adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer, wherein the first adhesive layer is located between the lower part of the electrode and the separation membrane sheet, and the second adhesive layer is located between the upper part of the electrode and the separation membrane sheet.
[0069] The first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer may each be formed by applying adhesive in a plurality of dot shapes.
[0070] A battery cell including an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery case that houses the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte, and the adhesive layer can be dissolved in the electrolyte. [Effects of the Invention]
[0071] According to the examples, the present invention relates to a battery cell having electrodes and a separation membrane sheet laminated in a Z-folding manner, with adhesive pre-applied to the upper and lower parts of the electrodes, a manufacturing apparatus for the same, and a method for manufacturing the same, which can prevent the electrodes from detaching from their correct position.
[0072] Furthermore, since adhesive is applied using a horizontal nozzle during the manufacturing process of the electrode assembly, the travel distance of the separation membrane is reduced, allowing for more efficient process execution and more precise control of process time.
[0073] Furthermore, by stacking the electrodes and separation membrane in a zigzag pattern and then performing a pressing process before winding the separation membrane, the winding quality can be improved and the rigidity of the battery cell can be increased.
[0074] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and any effects not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains, as described herein and in the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0075] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a flowchart of a battery cell manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing how adhesive is applied to the first region of a separation membrane sheet in a battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing how the first electrode is fixed to the first region of the separation membrane sheet in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the application of adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of applying adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing how the first upper nozzle applies adhesive to the top of the first electrode while moving linearly in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 2. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the battery cell manufacturing apparatus of Figure 2, in which the separation membrane guide moves linearly and the second electrode is fixed onto the second region of the separation membrane sheet. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the battery cell manufacturing apparatus of Figure 2, in which the second upper nozzle moves in a straight line while applying adhesive to the upper part of the second electrode. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart of a battery cell manufacturing method according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10]Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing how the first electrode is fixed to the first region of the separation membrane sheet in a battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing the application of adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 10. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of applying adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode in Figure 11. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing how, in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus of Figure 10, the table rotates, the separation membrane guide and the first upper nozzle move linearly, and the adhesive is applied to the second region while the first upper nozzle rotates. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram showing how, in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus of Figure 10, the table rotates, the separation membrane guide and the first upper nozzle move linearly, and the adhesive is applied to the second region while the first upper nozzle rotates. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing the battery cell manufacturing apparatus of Figure 10, where the separation membrane guide moves linearly in the opposite direction, and the second region to which adhesive is applied covers the first electrode. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram showing how the second electrode is fixed to the second region of the separation membrane sheet in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 10. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a flowchart of a battery cell manufacturing method according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram showing how adhesive is applied to a first region of a separation membrane sheet while a table moves linearly in a battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram showing how the first electrode is fixed to the first region of the separation membrane sheet in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 18. [Figure 20] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram showing how adhesive is applied to the top of the first electrode while the table moves linearly in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 18. [Figure 21]Figure 21 is a schematic diagram showing how adhesive is applied to the second region of the separation membrane sheet while the table moves linearly in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 18. [Figure 22] Figure 22 is a schematic diagram showing how the second electrode is fixed to the second region of the separation membrane sheet in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 18. [Figure 23] Figure 23 is a schematic diagram of a battery cell manufacturing apparatus that is a modified version of the battery cell manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 18, illustrating how adhesive is applied to a first region of a separation membrane sheet while the first upper nozzle moves in a straight line. [Figure 24] Figure 24 is a schematic diagram showing how the first electrode is fixed to the first region of the separation membrane sheet in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 23. [Figure 25] Figure 25 is a schematic diagram showing how adhesive is applied to the top of the first electrode while the first upper nozzle moves linearly in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 23. [Figure 26] Figure 26 is a schematic diagram showing the battery cell manufacturing apparatus of Figure 23, in which the second upper nozzle moves linearly, adhesive is applied to the second region of the separation membrane sheet, and the second electrode is fixed to the second region of the separation membrane sheet. [Figure 27] Figure 27 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the lower separation membrane guide according to the present invention. [Figure 28] Figure 28 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the pressure roller according to the present invention. [Figure 29] Figure 29 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the pressurized jig according to the present invention. [Figure 30] Figure 30 is a cross-sectional view of an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 31] Figure 31 is an exploded perspective view of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0076] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, so that those with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily implement them. The present invention can be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.
[0077] To clearly explain the present invention, irrelevant parts have been omitted, and the same or similar reference numerals are used throughout the specification for identical or similar components.
[0078] Furthermore, the dimensions and thicknesses of each component shown in the illustrations are arbitrary for the sake of explanation and do not necessarily limit the present invention to those shown. The thicknesses are shown enlarged in the drawings to clearly represent various layers and regions. In addition, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated in the drawings for the sake of explanation.
[0079] Furthermore, when a specification states that a certain part "includes" a certain component, unless otherwise specified, this does not mean that other components are excluded, but rather that other components may be included.
[0080] Furthermore, since the top / bottom or upper / lower parts of a particular component may be determined differently depending on the direction used as a reference, throughout this specification, "top" and "bottom" refer to two faces of the component on the z-axis, while "upper part" and "lower part" refer to parts of the component located in opposite directions on the z-axis.
[0081] Furthermore, throughout the specification, "on a plane" means when the subject is viewed from above, and "on a cross-section" means when the subject is viewed from the side of a cross-section obtained by cutting the subject perpendicularly.
[0082] The following describes a battery cell manufacturing method and apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0083] Figure 1 is a flowchart of a battery cell manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing how adhesive is applied to the first region of the separation membrane sheet in a battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing how the first electrode is fixed to the first region of the separation membrane sheet in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus of Figure 2.
[0084] Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 3, a battery cell manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of: cutting electrode sheets (first electrode sheet 1111, second electrode sheet 1121) to form electrodes 11 (S101); applying adhesive to a separation membrane sheet 122 and placing the adhesive-coated separation membrane sheet 122 on a table 16 (S102); selectively applying adhesive to the lower part of the electrodes 11 (S103); placing the electrodes 11 on the separation membrane sheet 122 (S104); applying adhesive to the upper part of the electrodes 11 (S105); and folding the separation membrane sheet 122 to cover the electrodes 11 (S106).
[0085] As a result, in the battery cell manufacturing method according to this embodiment, when the electrode 11 and the separation membrane sheet 122 are laminated in a Z-folding manner, adhesive is applied to the upper and lower parts of the electrode 11, which prevents the electrode 11 from detaching from its correct position.
[0086] The following explains each step shown in the flowchart in Figure 1, with reference to Figures 2 through 8.
[0087] The battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in Figure 2 includes electrode reels (first electrode reel 111, second electrode reel 112) from which electrode sheets on which multiple electrodes 11 are formed are unwound; a separation membrane reel 121 from which a separation membrane sheet 122 is unwound, which is folded when the electrodes 11 are placed on it, covering the electrodes 11 and laminated with the electrodes 11; a table 16 on which the electrodes 11 and the separation membrane sheet 122 are placed on the upper surface; a separation membrane guide 125 for guiding the folding direction of the separation membrane sheet 122; and a pair of upper nozzles 17 for applying adhesive to at least a portion of the upper part of the electrodes 11 placed on the table 16.
[0088] The electrode reels 111 and 112 may include a first electrode reel 111 from which a first electrode sheet 1111 on which a plurality of first electrodes 1112 are formed is unwound, and a second electrode reel 112 from which a second electrode sheet 1121 on which a plurality of second electrodes 1122 are formed is unwound.
[0089] The electrode reels (first electrode reel 111, second electrode reel 112) are reels on which electrode sheets (first electrode sheet 1111, second electrode sheet 1121) are wound, and the electrode sheets (first electrode sheet 1111, second electrode sheet 1121) are unwound from the electrode reels (first electrode reel 111, second electrode reel 112). Then, these electrode sheets (first electrode sheet 1111, second electrode sheet 1121) are cut to form the electrode 11. More specifically, according to this embodiment, the first electrode reel 111 is a reel on which the first electrode sheet 1111 is wound, and the first electrode sheet 1111 is unwound from the first electrode reel 111. The second electrode reel 112 is a reel on which the second electrode sheet 1121 is wound, and the second electrode sheet 1121 is unwound from the second electrode reel 112.
[0090] Here, the electrode sheets (first electrode sheet 1111, second electrode sheet 1121) may be manufactured by applying a slurry of electrode active material, conductive agent, and binder onto an electrode current collector, drying it, and then pressing it. However, the manufacturing method of the electrode sheets (first electrode sheet 1111, second electrode sheet 1121) is not limited to this, and any method for manufacturing electrode sheets (first electrode sheet 1111, second electrode sheet 1121) that is generally used in the art is included in this embodiment.
[0091] More specifically, the first electrode sheet 1111 and the second electrode sheet 1121 may contain electrode active materials having opposite polarities. In other words, the first electrode 1112 and the second electrode 1122 may be electrodes 11 having opposite polarities. For example, if the first electrode 1112 is the positive electrode, the second electrode 1122 may be the negative electrode. As another example, if the first electrode 1112 is the negative electrode, the second electrode 1122 may be the positive electrode.
[0092] The separation membrane reel 121 is a reel on which the separation membrane sheet 122 is wound, and the separation membrane sheet 122 is unwound from the separation membrane reel 121. Thereafter, the separation membrane sheet 122 is laminated with the electrode 11 formed by cutting the electrode sheets (first electrode sheet 1111, second electrode sheet 1121). Here, the electrode 11 and the separation membrane sheet 122 are laminated in a Z-folding manner. More specifically, in this embodiment, when the first electrode 1112 is placed on the separation membrane sheet 122, one side folds to cover the first electrode 1112, and when the second electrode 1122 is placed, the other side folds to cover the second electrode 1122.
[0093] Table 16 may have electrodes 11 and separation membrane sheets 122 placed on its upper surface and stacked on top of it. More preferably, the upper surface of table 16 is formed to be substantially flat, allowing for stable stacking of electrodes 11 and separation membrane sheets 122.
[0094] Table 16 may be positioned between the first electrode reel 111 and the second electrode reel 112. More specifically, table 16 may be fixed between the first electrode reel 111 and the second electrode reel 112.
[0095] This allows the electrodes 11 and the separation membrane sheet 122 to be stacked on the table 16 while the table 16 remains fixed, thereby improving the alignment of the electrodes 11 and the separation membrane sheet 122.
[0096] The battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment may further include a first transfer device 141 for transferring the first electrode 1112 toward the table 16, and a second transfer device 142 for transferring the second electrode 1122 toward the table 16. Here, the first transfer device 141 can transfer the first electrode 1112, which is formed by cutting the first electrode sheet 1111 unwound from the first electrode reel 111, toward the table 16. The second transfer device 142 can transfer the second electrode 1122, which is formed by cutting the second electrode sheet 1121 unwound from the second electrode reel 112, toward the table 16.
[0097] As a result, in this embodiment, the first electrode 1112 and the second electrode 1122 can be transferred to both sides of the table 16 by the first transfer device 141 and the second transfer device 142, respectively, and it is easy to alternately stack the first electrode 1112 and the second electrode 1122 on the separation membrane sheet 122.
[0098] The battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment may include headers (first header 151, second header 152) for adsorbing electrodes 11 and placing them on a separation membrane sheet 122. More specifically, the headers (first header 151, second header 152) may further include a first header 151 for adsorbing a first electrode 1112 and placing it on the separation membrane sheet 122, and a second header 152 for adsorbing a second electrode 1122 and placing it on the separation membrane sheet 122. Here, the first header 151 and the second header 152 may move linearly back and forth toward the table 16, respectively.
[0099] More specifically, the first header 151 can attract the first electrode 1112 that has been transferred from the first transfer device 141 toward the table 16, and the second header 152 can attract the second electrode 1122 that has been transferred from the second transfer device 142 toward the table 16. In addition, the first header 151 and the second header 152 can move linearly toward the table 16.
[0100] As a result, in this embodiment, the first header 151 and the second header 152 can move the electrode 11 above the table 16, allowing the electrode 11 to be stably placed on the separation membrane sheet 122.
[0101] Furthermore, the headers (first header 151, second header 152) measure whether there is any misalignment of the first electrode 1112 or the second electrode 1122 for each electrode, correct the position as necessary, and then accurately place them in the desired position on the separation membrane sheet 122 located on the table 16. This makes it possible to further improve the alignment between the electrodes 11 stacked and aligned on the table 16 and the separation membrane sheet 122 in this embodiment.
[0102] Referring to Figure 2, the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention can apply adhesive using a pair of upper nozzles 17, which for convenience will be called "horizontal nozzles". More specifically, each of the pair of upper nozzles 17 can rotate. By rotating each of the pair of upper nozzles 17, each discharge port can be directed toward the separation membrane sheet 122.
[0103] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the first upper nozzle 171 can be rotated, for example, counterclockwise with respect to the direction of movement of the separation membrane sheet 122. This allows the discharge port of the first upper nozzle 171 to be directed towards the separation membrane sheet 122 passing between the upper and lower separation membrane guides 125a and 125b, which will be described later. Similarly, the second upper nozzle 172 can be rotated, for example, clockwise with respect to the direction of movement of the separation membrane sheet 122. This allows the discharge port of the second upper nozzle 172 to be directed towards the separation membrane sheet 122 passing between the upper and lower separation membrane guides 125a and 125b.
[0104] In this manner, the adhesive may be applied to the separation membrane sheet 122 with the discharge ports of the first upper nozzle 171 and the second upper nozzle 172 directed toward the separation membrane sheet 122 passing between the upper and lower separation membrane guides 125a and 125b.
[0105] Figure 2 shows, for convenience, the case where both the first upper nozzle 171 and the second upper nozzle 172 are rotated to a horizontal position. However, it is not necessary for the first upper nozzle 171 and the second upper nozzle 172 to rotate simultaneously; various modifications and changes are possible, such as only the first upper nozzle 171 rotating or only the second upper nozzle 172 rotating. In other words, the first upper nozzle 171 and the second upper nozzle 172 can rotate separately or simultaneously by the process of applying adhesive to the separation membrane sheet 122 from the first upper nozzle 171, or by applying adhesive to the separation membrane sheet 122 from the second upper nozzle 172.
[0106] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the rotation angles of the first upper nozzle 171 and the second upper nozzle 172, and various modifications and changes are possible. In other words, it is sufficient for the adhesive to be applied to the separation membrane sheet 122 with the discharge ports of the first upper nozzle 171 and the second upper nozzle 172 facing the separation membrane sheet 122.
[0107] Referring to Figure 3, in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, the electrode 11 may be placed on the separation membrane sheet 122 with adhesive applied to at least a portion of the lower part of the electrode 11. More specifically, in this embodiment, when the electrode 11 is located on a transfer device (first transfer device 141, second transfer device 142), adhesive may be applied to at least a portion of the lower part of the electrode 11, or when it is adsorbed onto a header (first header 151, second header 152).
[0108] In some cases, since an adhesive layer (first adhesive layer 1710) is formed by applying adhesive to the separation membrane sheet 122 in Figure 2, the electrode 11 may be placed on the separation membrane sheet 122 without adhesive being applied to the lower part of the electrode 11 in Figure 3.
[0109] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the application of adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode in a battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the application of adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode in Figure 4.
[0110] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment may include a lower nozzle 173 for applying adhesive to at least a portion of the lower part of the first electrode 1112. More specifically, the lower nozzle 173 can apply adhesive to at least a portion of the lower surface of the first electrode 1112. This allows a first adhesive layer 1710 to be formed on the lower surface of the first electrode 1112.
[0111] As an example, referring to Figure 4, when the first electrode 1112 is attracted to the first header 151, the lower nozzle 173 can apply adhesive to at least a portion of the lower part of the first electrode.
[0112] As another example, the first transfer device 141a includes a first groove 141a' that is open toward the first electrode 1112, and the lower nozzle 173 can apply adhesive to at least a portion of the lower part of the first electrode 1112 through the first groove 141a'. Here, the first transfer device 141a may have at least one first groove 141a' formed therein, and multiple first grooves 141a' may be spaced apart from each other. Also, as shown in Figure 5, the first groove 141a' may extend along the width direction of the first electrode 1112, but is not limited to this, and may extend in various directions.
[0113] However, for the sake of explanation, this is an example using the first electrode 1112, and the case of the second electrode 1122 can be explained in the same way as the second header 152 or the second transfer device 142.
[0114] Here, it is preferable that the adhesive be applied uniformly to the lower part of the electrode 11. However, if the adhesive is applied to the entire lower surface of the electrode 11, the amount of adhesive applied may be excessive. In such cases, the adhesive may flow to the outside of the separation membrane sheet 122 and contaminate other parts, and when the secondary battery is manufactured, its power production function may not be smooth.
[0115] Therefore, in this embodiment, it is preferable that the adhesive is applied to the lower part of the electrode 11 by a spot application method, where it is applied in a dot shape, or by a line application method, where it is applied in a linear shape. In other words, it is preferable that the first adhesive layer 1710 is formed in a spot pattern or a line pattern.
[0116] In contrast, if the amount of adhesive applied is excessively small, the electrode 11 may not be fixed to the separation membrane sheet 122 as the cell moves, and may detach from its correct position. Therefore, it is preferable that the spacing between the areas to which the adhesive is applied is not excessively wide.
[0117] Alternatively, the adhesive may be applied to the surface of the electrode 11 in the minimum amount necessary to ensure adhesion between the electrode 11 and the separation membrane sheet 122. In contrast, if the adhesive is applied directly onto the separation membrane sheet 122, the separation membrane sheet 122 absorbs some of the adhesive, which presents the problem of requiring a larger amount of adhesive to be applied in order to ensure adhesion between the electrode 11 and the separation membrane sheet 122.
[0118] On the other hand, adhesives can dissolve in electrolytes. More specifically, when the first adhesive layer 1710 formed on the lower part of the electrode 11 is impregnated with an electrolyte, the adhesive contained in the first adhesive layer 1710 can dissolve in the electrolyte. Here, dissolution of the adhesive means that the adhesive dissolves into the electrolyte. In other words, it means that the area of the first adhesive layer 1710 formed on the lower part of the electrode 11 decreases, or that the first adhesive layer 1710 disappears completely, leaving no first adhesive layer 1710 at the bottom of the electrode 11.
[0119] For example, the adhesive may be an acrylate-based adhesive. In this embodiment, by applying an acrylate-based adhesive to the lower part of the electrode 11, the adhesive may dissolve into the electrolyte contained in the final battery cell.
[0120] As a result, in this embodiment, the first adhesive layer 1710 can fix the electrode 11 to the separation membrane sheet 122 during the manufacturing process and prevent it from detaching from its correct position. At the same time, the first adhesive layer 1710 dissolves in the electrolyte contained in the final battery cell, and the battery cell performance can be further improved without hindering the movement of lithium ions between the electrode and the separation membrane.
[0121] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing how the first upper nozzle applies adhesive to the top of the first electrode while moving linearly in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 2.
[0122] Referring to Figure 6, the pair of upper nozzles 17 apply adhesive to at least a portion of the upper part of the electrode 11. More specifically, the pair of upper nozzles 17 includes a first upper nozzle 171 that applies adhesive to at least a portion of the upper part of the first electrode 1112, and a second upper nozzle 172 that applies adhesive to at least a portion of the upper part of the second electrode 1122.
[0123] Furthermore, the first upper nozzle 171 and the second upper nozzle 172 may be arranged on either side of the separation membrane sheet 122. In other words, the first upper nozzle 171 can apply adhesive to at least a portion of the upper part of the first electrode 1112 before the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the upper part of the first electrode 1112 to form the second adhesive layer 1750. Also, as will be described later in relation to Figure 8, the second upper nozzle 172 can apply adhesive to at least a portion of the upper part of the second electrode 1122 before the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the upper part of the second electrode 1122 to form the second adhesive layer 1750.
[0124] Furthermore, the pair of upper nozzles 17 can move linearly back and forth with respect to the table 16. In other words, the pair of upper nozzles 17 can apply adhesive to at least a portion of the upper part of the electrode 11 while moving linearly from one side of the table 16 to the other or vice versa.
[0125] Furthermore, the description of the adhesive applied from the pair of upper nozzles 17 can be explained in the same way as the description of the adhesive applied from the lower nozzle 173 mentioned above.
[0126] Here, the pair of upper nozzles 17 can reciprocate simultaneously or individually to the left and right with respect to the table 16. More preferably, the pair of upper nozzles 17 can reciprocate simultaneously to the left and right with respect to the table 16. For example, as shown in Figure 6, when the first upper nozzle 171 applies adhesive from one side of the table 16 to the other, the second upper nozzle 172 can apply adhesive from the other side of the table 16 to the one side, as will be described later in relation to Figure 8.
[0127] As a result, in this embodiment, the process time for the adhesive application process of the pair of upper nozzles 17 can be reduced, and process efficiency can be further improved.
[0128] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the battery cell manufacturing apparatus of Figure 2, in which the separation membrane guide moves linearly and the second electrode is fixed onto the second region of the separation membrane sheet. Before the second electrode is placed, adhesive may be applied to the separation membrane sheet 122 with the discharge port of the second upper nozzle 172 facing the separation membrane sheet 122, as described above in relation to Figure 2.
[0129] Furthermore, as described above in relation to Figure 3, the second electrode may be placed on the separation membrane sheet 122 with adhesive applied to at least a portion of the lower part of the second electrode, or the second electrode may be placed on the separation membrane sheet 122 without adhesive applied to the lower part of the second electrode.
[0130] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, in this embodiment, the folding direction of the separation membrane sheet 122 may be guided by the separation membrane guide 125. More specifically, the separation membrane guide 125 can move linearly back and forth with respect to the table 16.
[0131] For example, the separation membrane guide 125 may have a configuration in which a pair of rolls are arranged horizontally, and the separation membrane sheet 122 may be inserted between the pair of rolls. However, the configuration of the separation membrane guide 125 is not limited to this, and any configuration that can control the folding direction of the separation membrane sheet 122 is included in this embodiment.
[0132] Furthermore, the separation membrane guide 125 may include an upper separation membrane guide 125a and a lower separation membrane guide 125b, respectively, located above and below the pair of upper nozzles 17. However, the positions and number of the upper separation membrane guide 125a and the lower separation membrane guide 125b are not limited to these, and any position and number that can control the folding direction of the separation membrane sheet 122 is included in this embodiment. The lower separation membrane guide 125b will be described in detail with reference to Figure 27, which will be described later.
[0133] Here, when the separation membrane guide 125 moves linearly back and forth toward the first transfer device 141 and the second transfer device 142 with respect to the table 16, the separation membrane sheet 122 is folded along the direction of movement of the separation membrane guide 125, so that the separation membrane sheet 122 can cover the electrode 11.
[0134] As an example, referring to Figures 6 and 7, with the first electrode 1112 fixed on the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122, the separation membrane guide 125 moves linearly toward the first transfer device 141, so that the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 can cover the upper part of the first electrode 1112.
[0135] Here, the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 refers to the region on the separation membrane sheet 122 to which the first electrode 1112 is attached. Depending on the circumstances, the first region 1221 may refer to the region on the separation membrane sheet 122 to which the first electrode 1112 is attached while covering the second electrode 1122. The second region 1222 refers to the region on the separation membrane sheet 122 to which the second electrode 1122 is attached while covering the first electrode 1112. In other words, the first electrode 1112 can be placed on the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122, and the second electrode 1122 can be placed on the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122.
[0136] Furthermore, the separation membrane guide 125 can reciprocate simultaneously from side to side with the table 16 as a reference, together with the pair of upper nozzles 17, or the separation membrane guide 125 and the pair of upper nozzles 17 can reciprocate from side to side independently.
[0137] In other words, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, when the first upper nozzle 171 applies adhesive to at least a portion of the upper part of the first electrode 1112, the separation membrane guide 125 moves linearly in the direction in which the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the first electrode 1112. Also, as will be described later in relation to Figure 8, when the second upper nozzle 172 applies adhesive to at least a portion of the upper part of the second electrode 1122, the separation membrane guide 125 can move linearly in the direction in which the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the second electrode 1122.
[0138] This allows the separation membrane guide 125 to be in a Z-folding configuration, so that the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the upper and lower parts of the electrode 11.
[0139] More preferably, the separation membrane guide 125 and the pair of upper nozzles 17 can simultaneously reciprocate from side to side with respect to the table 16. For example, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, when the first upper nozzle 171 applies adhesive from one side of the table 16 to the other, the separation membrane guide 125 can also move linearly from one side of the table 16 to the other to fold the separation membrane sheet 122.
[0140] This allows the adhesive application process of the pair of upper nozzles 17 and the folding process of the separation membrane sheet 122 by the separation membrane guide 125 to be performed simultaneously, reducing process time and further improving process efficiency.
[0141] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the battery cell manufacturing apparatus of Figure 2, in which the second upper nozzle moves in a straight line while applying adhesive to the upper part of the second electrode.
[0142] Referring to Figures 3, 7, and 8, in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, the second electrode 1122 can be attracted to the second header 152 and move in a linear reciprocating motion, similar to the first electrode 1112. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the second electrode 1122 may be attracted to the second header 152 and move linearly so that the second header 152 is positioned on the top of the table 16. In this case, the second electrode 1122 can be placed on the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122. Further explanations regarding the second electrode 1122 and the second header 152 can be given in the same manner as the explanation given for the first upper nozzle 171 above.
[0143] Furthermore, similar to the first upper nozzle 171, the second upper nozzle 172 can reciprocate linearly with respect to the table 16. For example, by moving the second upper nozzle 172 from one side of the table 16 to the other, adhesive can be applied to at least a portion of the upper part of the second electrode 1122. The second upper nozzle 172 can be described in the same manner as the first upper nozzle 171 described above.
[0144] Using such a battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1, a battery cell manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present invention can be carried out as follows.
[0145] First, referring to Figures 1 and 2, when the first electrode sheet 1111 is unwound from the first electrode reel 111, the first cutter 131 cuts the first electrode sheet 1111, and multiple first electrodes 1112 are formed (S101).
[0146] Meanwhile, as the separation membrane sheet 122 is unwound from the separation membrane reel 121, adhesive is applied to the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 to form the first adhesive layer 1710. At this time, the discharge port of the first upper nozzle 171 applies adhesive to the separation membrane sheet 122 that has passed through the upper separation membrane guide 125a. The adhesive-coated separation membrane sheet 122 passes through the lower separation membrane guide 125b and is placed on the upper surface of the table 16 (S102).
[0147] Furthermore, the lower nozzle 173 applies adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode 1112 (S103). As an example, as shown in Figure 4, with the first header 151 adsorbing the first electrode 1112, the lower nozzle applies adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode 1112. As another example, as shown in Figure 5, the lower nozzle 173 applies adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode 1112 while the first transfer device 141 transfers the first electrode 1112. On the other hand, since the adhesive is applied to the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 on which the first electrode 1112 is placed in step S102, step S103, in which adhesive is applied to the lower part of the first electrode 1112, may or may not be performed. In other words, step S103 can be selectively applied according to the environment in which the present invention is implemented and the requirements of the battery cell.
[0148] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the first header 151 can move linearly onto the table 16 while adsorbing the first electrode 1112. When the first header 151 is positioned above the table 16, as shown in Figure 3, the first header 151 places the first electrode 1112, on which the first adhesive layer 1710 is formed in the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122, onto the first header 151 (S104).
[0149] Referring to Figures 1 and 6, when the first electrode 1112 is placed on the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122, the first upper nozzle 171 can apply adhesive to the top of the first electrode 1112 (S105). Here, the first upper nozzle 171 can move toward the first transfer device 141 to form a second adhesive layer 1750 on the top of the first electrode 1112.
[0150] Referring also to Figures 1 and 7, with at least a portion of the second adhesive layer 1750 formed on the upper part of the first electrode 1112, the separation membrane guide 125 moves in the same direction as the movement of the first upper nozzle 171, one side of the separation membrane sheet 122 is folded, and the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the first electrode 1112 (S106).
[0151] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3, when the second electrode sheet 1121 is unwound from the second electrode reel 112, the second cutter 132 cuts the second electrode sheet 1121. This forms multiple second electrodes 1122. When the second transfer device 142 transfers the second electrodes 1122, the second header 152 attracts the second electrodes 1122. Here, as with the first electrode 1112, the lower part of the second electrode 1122 may have a first adhesive layer 1710 formed by applying adhesive from the lower nozzle 173.
[0152] Then, as shown in Figure 7, when the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the first electrode 1112, the second header 152 adsorbing the second electrode 1122 moves toward the top of the second region 1222, placing the second electrode 1122 on top of the second region 1222.
[0153] Then, as shown in Figure 8, the second upper nozzle 172 applies adhesive to the upper part of the second electrode 1122. Here, the second upper nozzle 172 can form a second adhesive layer 1750 on the upper part of the second electrode 1122 by moving toward the second transfer device 142.
[0154] Thereafter, with at least a portion of the second adhesive layer 1750 formed on the upper part of the second electrode 1122, the separation membrane guide 125 moves in the same direction as the movement of the second upper nozzle 172, the other side of the separation membrane sheet 122 is folded, and the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the second electrode 1122.
[0155] In other words, by repeating the above process, the cell manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present invention can be carried out.
[0156] The following describes a battery cell manufacturing method and apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0157] Figure 9 is a flowchart of a battery cell manufacturing method according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing how the first electrode is fixed to the first region of the separation membrane sheet in a battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0158] Referring to Figures 9 and 10, another embodiment of the present invention relates to a battery cell manufacturing method which includes the steps of: cutting electrode sheets (first electrode sheet 1111, second electrode sheet 1121) to form electrodes 11 (S201); placing a separation membrane sheet 122 on a table 16 (S202); applying adhesive to the lower part of the electrodes (first electrode 1112, second electrode 1122) (S203); placing the electrodes (first electrode 1112, second electrode 1122) on the separation membrane sheet 122 (S204); applying adhesive to the separation membrane sheet 122 (S204); and folding the adhesive-coated separation membrane sheet 122 to cover the electrodes (first electrode 1112, second electrode 1122) (S205).
[0159] The following describes a battery cell manufacturing apparatus 2 according to another embodiment of the present invention. For the components of the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 2 of this embodiment that are the same as those of the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1 described above in relation to Figures 2 to 8, please refer to Figures 2 to 8. The following description will focus on the parts that differ from the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1.
[0160] The following explains each step shown in the flowchart of Figure 9 in detail, referring to Figures 10 to 15.
[0161] Another embodiment of the present invention, a battery cell manufacturing apparatus 2, includes an electrode reel (first electrode reel 111, second electrode reel 112) from which an electrode sheet on which a plurality of electrodes 11 are formed is unwound; a separation membrane reel 121 from which a separation membrane sheet 122 is unwound, which is folded when the electrodes 11 are placed on it, covering the electrodes 11 and laminated with the electrodes 11; a table 16 on which the electrodes 11 and the separation membrane sheet 122 are placed on the upper surface; a separation membrane guide 125 for guiding the folding direction of the separation membrane sheet 122; and a pair of upper nozzles 17 for applying adhesive to at least a portion of the electrodes 11 or the separation membrane sheet 122 guided by the separation membrane guide 125.
[0162] In the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 2 according to this embodiment, the table 16 is positioned between the first electrode reel 111 and the second electrode reel 112, and can rotate and reciprocate between the first electrode reel 111 and the second electrode reel 112. For example, the table 16 may rotate and reciprocate between the first electrode reel 111 and the second electrode reel 112 within an angular range of 0 to 180 degrees with respect to its bottom surface. However, the rotation angle of the table 16 is not limited to this, and it can rotate at a variety of angles.
[0163] As a result, the table 16 rotates and reciprocates between the first electrode reel 111 and the second electrode reel 112, allowing the electrodes 11 to be stacked on the table 16 more quickly, and also assisting in the folding of the separation membrane sheet 122 of the separation membrane guide 125, thereby improving process speed and efficiency.
[0164] In particular, in this embodiment, the table 16 rotates and reciprocates between the first electrode reel 111 and the second electrode reel 112, allowing the table 16 to rotate adjacent to the first transfer device 141 and the second transfer device 142, respectively. This enables this embodiment to quickly stack the electrodes 11 transferred from the first transfer device 141 and the second transfer device 142 onto the table 16.
[0165] In the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 2 according to this embodiment, the first header 151 and the second header 152 can each rotate and reciprocate in a direction that positions them on the table 16. More specifically, the first header 151 and the second header 152 can rotate and reciprocate in a direction that faces the upper surface of the table 16. The headers (first header 151, second header 152) further include rotary drive units 151a and 152b, respectively, to enable rotation and reciprocating motion.
[0166] In particular, in this embodiment, the table 16 rotates adjacent to the first transfer device 141 and the second transfer device 142, respectively, and the first header 151 and the second header 152 can rotate and reciprocate toward the table 16.
[0167] As a result, in this embodiment, the first header 151 and the second header 152 can be moved above the table 16 that rotates and reciprocates the electrode 11, and the electrode 11 can be stably placed on the separation membrane sheet 122.
[0168] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing the application of adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 2 of Figure 10. Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of the application of adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode in Figure 11.
[0169] On the other hand, Figures 11 and 12 show a case where the header (first header 151) that adsorbs the electrodes is further equipped with a rotary drive unit 151a. For a description of the other remaining components and the process of applying adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode, refer to Figure 4 and the description relating to Figure 4 for the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1.
[0170] The battery cell manufacturing apparatus 2 according to this embodiment has the advantage of being able to apply adhesive to at least a portion of the lower part of the electrode 11 during the transfer process of the electrode 11, thereby improving the convenience of the process and the process speed.
[0171] On the other hand, in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 2 of Figure 10, it is preferable that the adhesive be uniformly applied to the lower part of the electrode 11. Therefore, in this embodiment as well, in order to apply an appropriate amount of adhesive, it is preferable that the adhesive be applied to the lower part of the electrode 11 using a spot application method, which applies the adhesive in a dot shape, or a line application method, which applies the adhesive in a linear shape. In other words, it is preferable that the first adhesive layer 1710 be formed in a spot pattern or a line pattern.
[0172] On the other hand, in this embodiment as well, the adhesive can be dissolved in the electrolyte. For further details regarding the adhesive in this embodiment, please refer to the description of the adhesive mentioned above in relation to Figures 1 to 8.
[0173] Figures 13 and 14 are schematic diagrams showing how, in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 2 of Figure 10, the table rotates, the separation membrane guide and the first upper nozzle move linearly, and the adhesive is applied to the second region while the first upper nozzle rotates.
[0174] Referring to Figures 10, 13, and 14, the pair of upper nozzles 17 apply adhesive to at least a portion of the separation membrane sheet 122, which is guided by the separation membrane guide 125. More specifically, the pair of upper nozzles 17 includes a first upper nozzle 171 that applies adhesive to at least a portion of a first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122, and a second upper nozzle 172 that applies adhesive to at least a portion of a second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122.
[0175] On the other hand, in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 2 of Figure 10, adhesive can also be applied using a pair of upper nozzles 17, which for convenience will be referred to as "horizontal nozzles." In other words, the adhesive may be applied to the separation membrane sheet 122 with the discharge ports of the first upper nozzle 171 and the second upper nozzle 172 directed toward the separation membrane sheet 122 passing between the upper and lower separation membrane guides 125a and 125b.
[0176] In Figure 10, for convenience, the first upper nozzle 171 and the second upper nozzle 172 are shown rotated by 90 degrees. However, it is not necessary for the first upper nozzle 171 and the second upper nozzle 172 to rotate simultaneously. As will be described later, various modifications and changes are possible, such as only the first upper nozzle 171 rotating or only the second upper nozzle 172 rotating.
[0177] A basic description of the pair of upper nozzles 17 in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 2 shown in Figure 10, specifically the first upper nozzle 171 and the second upper nozzle 172, will be provided by referring to the description of the same components mentioned above in relation to Figure 2. However, any differences between the manufacturing processes of the first upper nozzle 171 and the second upper nozzle 172 in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 2 and those of the first upper nozzle 171 and the second upper nozzle 172 in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1 will be explained in detail with reference to Figures 13 to 16.
[0178] Referring to Figure 13, the first upper nozzle 171 can apply adhesive to the surface of the separation membrane sheet 122 in the second region 1222 that covers the first electrode 1112. In other words, the first upper nozzle 171 can apply adhesive to the surface of the separation membrane sheet 122 in the second region 1222 that is opposite to the surface to which the second electrode 1122 is attached. At this time, the first upper nozzle 171 can rotate counterclockwise to apply adhesive to the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122.
[0179] Referring to Figure 16, the second upper nozzle 172 can apply adhesive to the surface of the separation membrane sheet 122 that covers the second electrode 1122 in the first region 1221. In other words, the second upper nozzle 172 can apply adhesive to the surface of the separation membrane sheet 122 opposite to the surface to which the first electrode 1112 is attached in the first region 1221. In this case, the second upper nozzle 172 can rotate clockwise to apply adhesive to the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122.
[0180] Furthermore, referring to Figures 10, 13 to 16, the first upper nozzle 171 and the second upper nozzle 172 may be arranged on either side of the separation membrane sheet 122. In other words, the first upper nozzle 171 can apply adhesive to at least a portion of the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 before the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the upper part of the first electrode 1112 to form the second adhesive layer 1750. Also, as will be described later in relation to Figure 16, the second upper nozzle 172 can apply adhesive to at least a portion of the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 before the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the upper part of the second electrode 1122 to form the second adhesive layer 1750.
[0181] In addition, depending on the circumstances, the pair of upper nozzles 17 may or may not reciprocate linearly from side to side with respect to the table 16. Whether or not they reciprocate linearly can be applied in various ways depending on the positional relationship between the pair of upper nozzles 17, the table 16, and the separation membrane sheet 122. In other words, the pair of upper nozzles 17 can apply adhesive to at least a portion of the first region 1221 or the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 by moving linearly from one side of the table 16 to the other or in the opposite direction, or by remaining fixed.
[0182] As an example, referring to Figures 10, 13, and 14, the first electrode 1112 is placed on the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122, and the first upper nozzle 171 can move linearly over the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122. Here, the first upper nozzle 171 can apply adhesive to at least a portion of the second region 1222 while moving linearly away from the table 16. Also, as will be described later in relation to Figure 16, the second electrode 1122 is placed on the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122, and the second upper nozzle 172 can move linearly over the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122. Here, the second upper nozzle 172 can apply adhesive to at least a portion of the first region 1221 while moving linearly away from the table 16.
[0183] Furthermore, the description of the adhesive applied from the pair of upper nozzles 17 in this embodiment can be explained in the same way as the adhesive applied in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in Figure 2 above.
[0184] Furthermore, the pair of upper nozzles 17 can reciprocate simultaneously or individually to the left and right with respect to the table 16. More preferably, the pair of upper nozzles 17 can reciprocate simultaneously to the left and right with respect to the table 16. For example, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, when the first upper nozzle 171 applies adhesive from one side to the other of the first region 1221 located on the right side of the table 16, the second upper nozzle 172 can apply adhesive from one side to the other of the second region 1222 located on the left side of the table 16, as will be described later in relation to Figure 16.
[0185] This reduces the process time for the adhesive application process of the pair of upper nozzles 17 in this embodiment. Furthermore, the adhesive application process of the pair of upper nozzles 17 can be performed simultaneously with the process in which the electrodes 11 are fixed to the separation membrane sheet 122, thereby further improving process efficiency.
[0186] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the table 16 rotates and reciprocates between the first electrode reel 111 and the second electrode reel 112, thereby changing the position and / or angle between the pair of upper nozzles 17 and the separation membrane sheet 122. This may result in uneven application intervals and / or amounts of adhesive applied from the pair of upper nozzles 17 to the separation membrane sheet 122.
[0187] Referring to Figures 13 and 14, when the pair of upper nozzles 17 each apply adhesive on the separation membrane sheet 122, the discharge port of the first upper nozzle 171 or the discharge port of the second upper nozzle 172 can rotate in a direction adjacent to the separation membrane sheet 122. The pair of upper nozzles 17 can rotate in a direction in which the discharge port of the first upper nozzle 171 or the discharge port of the second upper nozzle 172 faces the upper surface of the separation membrane sheet 122. In other words, the pair of upper nozzles 17 can each adjust the angle between the discharge port of the first upper nozzle 171 or the discharge port of the second upper nozzle 172 and the upper surface of the separation membrane sheet 122.
[0188] For example, the pair of upper nozzles 17 can rotate to adjust the angle between the discharge port of the first upper nozzle 171 or the discharge port of the second upper nozzle 172 and the upper surface of the separation membrane sheet 122 to be constant. However, the rotation angle of the pair of upper nozzles 17 is not limited to this; any angle that results in uniform application intervals of the adhesive is included in this embodiment.
[0189] Furthermore, although not shown in Figures 10, 13, and 14, the pair of upper nozzles 17 may be positioned such that the discharge port of the first upper nozzle 171 or the discharge port of the second upper nozzle 172 is adjacent to the separation membrane sheet 122.
[0190] For example, the position of the pair of upper nozzles 17 can be moved and adjusted so that the height difference between the discharge port of the first upper nozzle 171 or the discharge port of the second upper nozzle 172 and the upper surface of the separation membrane sheet 122 remains constant. However, the position of the pair of upper nozzles 17 is not limited to this, and any position that allows for uniform application of the adhesive is included in this embodiment.
[0191] This embodiment allows for adjustment of the angle or position of the pair of upper nozzles 17 to make the application interval and / or amount of adhesive applied from the pair of upper nozzles 17 more uniform, thereby improving quality.
[0192] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing the battery cell manufacturing apparatus of Figure 10, where the separation membrane guide moves linearly in the opposite direction, and the second region to which adhesive is applied covers the first electrode.
[0193] Referring to Figures 13 to 15, in this embodiment, the folding direction of the separation membrane sheet 122 may be guided by the separation membrane guide 125. More specifically, the separation membrane guide 125 can move linearly back and forth with respect to the table 16.
[0194] In this embodiment as well, the separation membrane guide 125 may include an upper separation membrane guide 125a and a lower separation membrane guide 125b, respectively, located above and below the pair of upper nozzles 17. For a description of the separation membrane guide 125, please refer to the description of the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1 in Figure 2 above. The lower separation membrane guide 125b will be described in detail later with reference to Figure 27.
[0195] Here, the separation membrane guide 125 can reciprocate simultaneously from side to side with the table 16 as a reference, together with the pair of upper nozzles 17, or the separation membrane guide 125 and the pair of upper nozzles 17 can reciprocate from side to side independently.
[0196] More preferably, the first upper nozzle 171 applies adhesive to at least a portion of the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122, and the separation membrane guide 125 moves linearly in a direction toward the second electrode reel 112 or the second transfer device 142. Also, as will be described later in relation to Figure 16, the second upper nozzle 172 applies adhesive to at least a portion of the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122, and the separation membrane guide 125 can move linearly in a direction toward the first electrode reel 111 or the first transfer device 141.
[0197] As a result, the separation membrane guide 125 forms an area on the separation membrane sheet 122 where adhesive can be applied from the first upper nozzle 171 or the second upper nozzle 172, and the separation membrane guide 125 can assist in the adhesive application process of the pair of upper nozzles 17.
[0198] Furthermore, when the separation membrane guide 125 moves linearly back and forth toward the first transfer device 141 and the second transfer device 142 with respect to the table 16, the separation membrane sheet 122 is folded along the direction of movement of the separation membrane guide 125, so that the separation membrane sheet 122 can cover the electrode 11.
[0199] As an example, referring to Figure 15, with the first electrode 1112 fixed on the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122, the separation membrane guide 125 moves linearly toward the first transfer device 141, so that the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 can cover the upper part of the first electrode 1112.
[0200] More specifically, as shown in Figure 14, once the adhesive application to the first upper nozzle 171 is complete, the separation membrane guide 125 moves linearly in the direction that the second region 1222 of the adhesive-coated separation membrane sheet 122 covers the first electrode 1112, as shown in Figure 15. Similarly, once the adhesive application to the second upper nozzle 172 is complete, the separation membrane guide 125 moves linearly in the direction that the first region 1221 of the adhesive-coated separation membrane sheet 122 covers the second electrode 1122.
[0201] As a result, in this embodiment, the separation membrane guide 125 can assist in the adhesive application process of the pair of upper nozzles 17 and also perform the folding process of the separation membrane sheet 122, thereby reducing process time and further improving process efficiency.
[0202] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram showing how the second electrode is fixed to the second region of the separation membrane sheet in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 10.
[0203] Referring to Figures 10 and 16, in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 2 according to this embodiment, the table 16 can rotate and reciprocate toward the second electrode reel 112 or the second transfer device 142, similar to the first electrode 1112. At this time, the second electrode 1122 can rotate and reciprocate while being attracted to the second header 152. For example, as shown in Figure 16, with the second electrode 1122 attracted to the second header 152, the second header 152 can rotate so that it is positioned on the top of the table 16. At this time, the second electrode 1122 can be placed on the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122. Further explanations regarding the second electrode 1122 and the second header 152 can be given in the same manner as the first upper nozzle 171 described above.
[0204] Furthermore, similar to the first upper nozzle 171, the second upper nozzle 172 can move linearly back and forth relative to the table 16. For example, the second upper nozzle 172 can apply adhesive to at least a portion of the first region 1221 by moving from one side to the other of the first region 1221 located to the right of the table 16.
[0205] Using such a battery cell manufacturing apparatus 2, a battery cell manufacturing method according to another embodiment of the present invention can be carried out as follows.
[0206] First, referring to Figures 9 and 10, when the first electrode sheet 1111 is unwound from the first electrode reel 111, the first cutter 131 cuts the first electrode sheet 1111, and multiple first electrodes 1112 are formed (S201).
[0207] Meanwhile, when the separation membrane sheet 122 is unwound from the separation membrane reel 121, it is placed on the upper surface of the table 16 (S202). At this time, with the separation membrane sheet 122 fixed in place, the table 16 can rotate toward the first electrode reel 111 or the first transfer device 141.
[0208] Furthermore, the lower nozzle 173 applies adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode 1112 (S203). As an example, as shown in Figure 11, with the first header 151 adsorbing the first electrode 1112, the lower nozzle applies adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode 1112. As another example, as shown in Figure 12, the lower nozzle 173 applies adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode 1112 while the first transfer device 141 is transferring the first electrode 1112.
[0209] Furthermore, referring to Figures 9 and 10, the first header 151 can be rotated onto the table 16 while the first electrode 1112 is adsorbed. When the first header 151 is positioned above the table 16, as shown in Figure 10, the first header 151 places the first electrode 1112, on which the first adhesive layer 1710 is formed in the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122, on top of the first header 151 (S204).
[0210] Referring to Figures 9, 13, and 14, when the first electrode 1112 is placed on the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122, the first upper nozzle 171 can apply adhesive to the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 as the separation membrane sheet 122 is unwound from the separation membrane reel 121 (S205). At this time, the discharge port of the first upper nozzle 171 applies adhesive to the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 that has passed through the upper separation membrane guide 125a. The separation membrane sheet 122 with adhesive applied then passes through the lower separation membrane guide 125b.
[0211] In some cases, the first upper nozzle 171 can move toward the second transfer device 142 to form a second adhesive layer 1750 on the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122. At this time, the separation membrane guide 125 and the first upper nozzle 171 may move in a straight line together.
[0212] Referring also to Figures 9 and 15, with at least a portion of the second adhesive layer 1750 formed in the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122, the separation membrane guide 125 moves in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the first upper nozzle 171, toward the first transfer device 141, so that one side of the separation membrane sheet 122 is folded and the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the first electrode 1112 (S206).
[0213] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 10, when the second electrode sheet 1121 is unwound from the second electrode reel 112, the second cutter 132 cuts the second electrode sheet 1121. This forms multiple second electrodes 1122. When the second transfer device 142 transfers the second electrodes 1122, the second header 152 attracts the second electrodes 1122. Here, as with the first electrode 1112, the lower part of the second electrode 1122 may have a first adhesive layer 1710 formed by applying adhesive from the lower nozzle 173.
[0214] Then, as shown in Figure 16, the table 16 can rotate toward the second electrode reel 112 or the second transfer device 142 with the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 fixed thereto. At this time, if the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the first electrode 1112, the second header 152 adsorbing the second electrode 1122 moves toward the top of the second region 1222, placing the second electrode 1122 on top of the second region 1222.
[0215] Then, as shown in Figure 16, the second upper nozzle 172 applies adhesive to the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122. Here, the second upper nozzle 172 can form a second adhesive layer 1750 on the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 by moving toward the first transfer device 141. At this time, the separation membrane guide 125 and the second upper nozzle 172 may move in a straight line together.
[0216] Thereafter, with at least a portion of the second adhesive layer 1750 formed on the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122, the separation membrane guide 125 moves in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the second upper nozzle 172, toward the second transfer device 142, the other side of the separation membrane sheet 122 is folded, and the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the second electrode 1122.
[0217] In other words, by repeating the above process, the cell manufacturing method according to other embodiments of the present invention can be carried out.
[0218] When the cell manufacturing method according to this embodiment of the present invention is performed, when the electrode 11 and the separation membrane sheet 122 are laminated in a Z-folding manner, adhesive is applied to the upper and lower parts of the electrode 11, respectively, which prevents the electrode 11 from detaching from its correct position.
[0219] The following describes a battery cell manufacturing method and apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0220] Figure 17 is a flowchart of a battery cell manufacturing method according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 18 is a schematic diagram showing how the first electrode is fixed to the first region of the separation membrane sheet in a battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 19 is a schematic diagram showing how the first electrode is fixed to the first region of the separation membrane sheet in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus of Figure 18.
[0221] Referring to Figures 17 and 18, another embodiment of the present invention relates to a battery cell manufacturing method which includes the steps of: cutting electrode sheets (first electrode sheet 1111, second electrode sheet 1121) to form electrodes 11 (S301); applying adhesive to a separation membrane sheet 122 and placing the adhesive-coated separation membrane sheet 122 on a table 16 (S302); placing electrodes 11 on the separation membrane sheet 122 (S303); applying adhesive to the top of the electrodes 11 (S304); applying adhesive to the separation membrane sheet 122 (S305); and folding the separation membrane sheet 122 to cover the electrodes 11 (S306).
[0222] The following describes a battery cell manufacturing apparatus 3 according to another embodiment of the present invention. For the components of the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 3 of this embodiment, those identical to those of the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1 described above in relation to Figures 2 to 8 should be referred to in Figures 2 to 8. The following description will focus on the differences from the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1.
[0223] Another embodiment of the present invention, a battery cell manufacturing apparatus 3, includes an electrode reel (first electrode reel 111, second electrode reel 112) from which an electrode sheet on which a plurality of electrodes 11 are formed is unwound; a separation membrane reel 121 from which a separation membrane sheet 122 is unwound, which is folded when the electrodes 11 are placed on it, covering the electrodes 11 and laminated with the electrodes 11; a table 16 on which the electrodes 11 and the separation membrane sheet 122 are placed on the upper surface; a separation membrane guide 125 for guiding the folding direction of the separation membrane sheet 122; a pair of upper nozzles 17 for applying adhesive to at least a portion of the separation membrane sheet 122 or the electrodes 11 guided by the separation membrane guide 125; and a pair of pressure rollers 130 for pressurizing the separation membrane sheet 122 guided by the separation membrane guide 125.
[0224] In the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 3 according to this embodiment, the table 16 may be positioned between the first electrode reel 111 and the second electrode reel 112 and move in a linear reciprocating motion toward the first electrode reel 111 and the second electrode reel 112.
[0225] As a result, the table 16 moves linearly back and forth between the first electrode reel 111 and the second electrode reel 112, allowing the electrodes 11 to be stacked on the table 16 more quickly, and also assisting in the folding of the separation membrane sheet 122 of the separation membrane guide 125, thereby improving process speed and efficiency.
[0226] Referring to Figures 18 and 19, in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 3 according to this embodiment, the first header 151 and the second header 152 may move linearly back and forth toward the table 16, similar to the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1 in Figure 2.
[0227] Referring to Figures 18 and 20, the pair of upper nozzles 17 apply adhesive to at least a portion of the upper part of the electrode 11. More specifically, the pair of upper nozzles 17 includes a first upper nozzle 171 that applies adhesive to at least a portion of the upper part of the first electrode 1112 and a second upper nozzle 172 that applies adhesive to at least a portion of the upper part of the second electrode 1122.
[0228] Here, as shown in Figure 18, the first upper nozzle 171 can apply adhesive to the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122, which is guided by the separation membrane guide 125, to form a first adhesive layer 1710. More specifically, as shown in Figure 18, the table 16 moves linearly toward the first transfer device 141, allowing the adhesive applied from the first upper nozzle 171 to form a first adhesive layer 1710 on the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122. Subsequently, the first electrode 1112 may be placed on the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 on which the first adhesive layer 1710 has been formed.
[0229] On the other hand, in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 3 of Figure 18, adhesive can also be applied using a horizontal nozzle in a similar manner. More specifically, in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 2 of Figure 18, adhesive can also be applied using a pair of upper nozzles 17, which for convenience will be referred to as "horizontal nozzles." In other words, the adhesive may be applied to the separation membrane sheet 122 with the discharge ports of the first upper nozzle 171 and the second upper nozzle 172 directed toward the separation membrane sheet 122 passing between the upper and lower separation membrane guides 125a and 125b.
[0230] In Figure 18, for convenience, the first upper nozzle 171 and the second upper nozzle 172 are shown rotated by 90 degrees. However, it is not necessary for the first upper nozzle 171 and the second upper nozzle 172 to rotate simultaneously. As will be described later, various modifications and changes are possible, such as only the first upper nozzle 171 rotating or only the second upper nozzle 172 rotating.
[0231] A basic description of the pair of upper nozzles 17 in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 3 shown in Figure 18, specifically the first upper nozzle 171 and the second upper nozzle 172, will be provided by referring to the description of the same components mentioned above in relation to Figure 2. However, any differences between the manufacturing processes of the first upper nozzle 171 and the second upper nozzle 172 in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 3 and those of the first upper nozzle 171 and the second upper nozzle 172 in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1 will be explained in detail with reference to Figures 18 to 22.
[0232] On the other hand, in this embodiment as well, the adhesive may be applied to the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 by a spot application method, where it is applied in a dot shape, or by a line application method, where it is applied in a linear shape. Also, similarly in this embodiment as well, the adhesive can be dissolved in the electrolyte. Further details regarding the adhesive in this embodiment refer to the description of the adhesive mentioned above in relation to Figures 1 to 8.
[0233] Referring to Figures 18 to 22, the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 3 according to this embodiment may include a pair of pressure rollers 130 for pressurizing the separation membrane sheet 122 guided by the separation membrane guide 125. In this embodiment, as an example, the pair of pressure rollers 130 are shown to be located between the table 16 and the separation membrane guide 125. However, the present invention is not limited to what is shown, and the pair of pressure rollers 130 may be appropriately deformed, modified, and arranged at points where pressurization of the separation membrane sheet 122 is required during the process, such as being located between the upper separation membrane guide 125a and the lower separation membrane guide 125b. On the other hand, the pair of pressure rollers 130 may be fixed in place.
[0234] For example, the pair of pressure rollers 130 may have a configuration in which the pair of rolls are arranged horizontally, and the pressure rollers 130 can apply pressure to one side of the separation membrane sheet 122. However, the configuration of the pressure rollers 130 is not limited to this, and any configuration that can apply pressure to one side of the separation membrane sheet 122 is included in this embodiment.
[0235] As a result, at least one of the pair of pressure rollers 130 can apply pressure to one side of the separation membrane sheet 122, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, thereby controlling the tension of the separation membrane sheet 122 to a constant level.
[0236] In particular, the pair of pressure rollers 130 may be located between the first upper nozzle 171 and the second upper nozzle 172. More specifically, the pair of pressure rollers 130 may include a first pressure roller 1301 and a second pressure roller 1302. Here, the first pressure roller 1301 may be located between the first upper nozzle 171 and the separation membrane guide 125, and the second pressure roller 1302 may be located between the second upper nozzle 172 and the separation membrane guide 125. In other words, the first upper nozzle 171 and the second upper nozzle 172 can apply adhesive onto the separation membrane sheet 122 which is pressurized by at least one of the pair of pressure rollers 130.
[0237] As an example, the first pressure roller 1301 can apply pressure to one side of the separation membrane sheet 122 during the process in which the adhesive is applied to the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 from the first upper nozzle 171, as shown in Figure 18. This allows the first pressure roller 1301 to maintain a constant height difference between the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 and the first upper nozzle 171, thereby ensuring that the amount or thickness of the first adhesive layer 1710 is relatively uniform. The same can be explained for the second pressure roller 1302.
[0238] Furthermore, while the separation membrane sheet 122 is pressurized by the first pressure roller 1301, the height or angle between the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 and the first upper nozzle 171 may be adjusted. For example, with respect to the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122, the first upper nozzle 171 can be moved so that the height difference between the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 and the first upper nozzle 171 remains constant, or it can be rotated so that the angle between the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 and the first upper nozzle 171 remains constant.
[0239] This makes it possible to maintain the same height difference or angle between the first upper nozzle 171 and the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 while the separation membrane sheet 122 is pressurized by the first pressure roller 1301, thereby improving the reliability of adhesive application from the first upper nozzle 171 to the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122. This can also be explained similarly when the separation membrane sheet 122 is pressurized by the second pressure roller 1302 and the second upper nozzle 172 applies adhesive to the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122, as shown in Figures 21 and 22.
[0240] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram showing how adhesive is applied to the top of the first electrode while the table moves linearly in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 18. Figure 21 is a schematic diagram showing how adhesive is applied to the second region of the separation membrane sheet while the table moves linearly in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 18.
[0241] Referring to Figures 18 to 21, the first upper nozzle 171 and the second upper nozzle 172 may be arranged on either side of the separation membrane sheet 122.
[0242] In other words, as shown in Figure 20, the first upper nozzle 171 can apply adhesive to at least a portion of the upper part of the first electrode 1112 before the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the upper part of the first electrode 1112, thereby forming a second adhesive layer 1750. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 21, the second upper nozzle 172 can apply adhesive to at least a portion of the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 after the upper part of the first electrode 1112 has been covered by the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122, thereby forming a first adhesive layer 1710. In this case, the second upper nozzle 172 can rotate clockwise to apply adhesive to the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122.
[0243] The same applies in the opposite case; the second upper nozzle 172 can apply adhesive to at least a portion of the upper part of the second electrode 1122 before the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the upper part of the second electrode 1122 to form a second adhesive layer 1750. Alternatively, the first upper nozzle 171 can apply adhesive to at least a portion of the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 after the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the upper part of the second electrode 1122 to form a first adhesive layer 1710. In this case, the first upper nozzle 171 can rotate counterclockwise to apply adhesive to the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122.
[0244] Furthermore, the description of the adhesive applied from the pair of upper nozzles 17 in this embodiment can be explained in the same way as the adhesive applied in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in Figure 2 above.
[0245] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the table 16 can reciprocate linearly from side to side with respect to the pair of upper nozzles 17. In other words, the table 16 can apply adhesive to at least a portion of the upper part of the electrode 11 or the separation membrane sheet 122 while moving linearly in a direction toward the first transfer device 141 or the second transfer device 142 with respect to the pair of upper nozzles 17.
[0246] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, before the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the upper part of the first electrode 1112, the first upper nozzle 171 can apply adhesive to at least a portion of the upper part of the first electrode 1112 to form a second adhesive layer 1750, and the second upper nozzle 172 can apply adhesive to at least a portion of the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 to form a first adhesive layer 1710. Conversely, before the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the upper part of the second electrode 1122, the second upper nozzle 172 can apply adhesive to at least a portion of the upper part of the second electrode 1122 to form a second adhesive layer 1750, and the first upper nozzle 171 can apply adhesive to at least a portion of the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 to form a first adhesive layer 1710.
[0247] As a result, in this embodiment, the pair of upper nozzles 17 can simultaneously apply adhesive to the top of the separation membrane sheet 122 or the electrode 11, reducing the process time for the adhesive application process and further improving process efficiency.
[0248] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 20, the pair of pressure rollers 130 may be separated from the second adhesive layer 1750 formed on the upper part of the first electrode 1112. This prevents the adhesive applied to the second adhesive layer 1750 formed on the first electrode 1112 from directly contacting the pair of pressure rollers 130 when the table 16 moves in a linear motion.
[0249] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 21, the second pressure roller 1302 can apply pressure to the first adhesive layer 1710 and / or the second adhesive layer 1750 between the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 and the first electrode 1112 in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the table 16, while simultaneously applying pressure to one side of the separation membrane sheet 122. This allows for a more uniform application of the first adhesive layer 1710 and / or the second adhesive layer 1750 formed between the first electrode 1112 and the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122. This can be similarly explained when the first pressure roller 1301 applies pressure to the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 that covers the second electrode 1122 on which the first adhesive layer 1710 is formed.
[0250] Figure 22 is a schematic diagram showing how the separation membrane guide moves linearly in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus of Figure 18, and how the second electrode is fixed onto the second region of the separation membrane sheet.
[0251] Referring to Figures 21 and 22, in this embodiment, the folding direction of the separation membrane sheet 122 may be guided by the separation membrane guide 125. Here, a pair of pressure rollers 130 can assist in guiding the folding direction of the separation membrane sheet 122 by the separation membrane guide 125.
[0252] For example, the separation membrane guide 125 may have a configuration in which a pair of rolls are arranged horizontally, and with the separation membrane sheet 122 inserted between a pair of pressure rollers 130, the second pressure roller 1302 can pressurize the separation membrane sheet 122. However, the configuration of the separation membrane guide 125 is not limited to this, and any configuration that can control the folding direction of the separation membrane sheet 122 is included in this embodiment.
[0253] In this embodiment as well, the separation membrane guide 125 may include an upper separation membrane guide 125a and a lower separation membrane guide 125b, respectively, located above and below the pair of upper nozzles 17. For a description of the separation membrane guide 125, please refer to the description of the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1 in Figure 2 above. The lower separation membrane guide 125b will be described in detail later with reference to Figure 27. The separation membrane guide 125 may also be fixed together with the pair of upper nozzles 17 and the pair of pressure rollers 130. Here, the table 16 moves linearly back and forth toward the first transfer device 141 and the second transfer device 142 with reference to the separation membrane guide 125, and the separation membrane sheet 122 guided by the separation membrane guide 125 is folded along the direction of movement of the separation membrane guide 125, so that the separation membrane sheet 122 can cover the electrodes 11.
[0254] As an example, referring to Figures 21 and 22, with the first electrode 1112 fixed on the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122, the table 16 moves linearly toward the second transfer device 142, so that the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 can cover the upper part of the first electrode 1112.
[0255] As a result, the table 16 moves in a linear reciprocating motion, allowing the adhesive application process of the pair of upper nozzles 17 and the folding process of the separation membrane sheet 122 by the separation membrane guide 125 to be performed simultaneously, thereby reducing process time and further improving process efficiency.
[0256] Using such a unit cell manufacturing apparatus 3, a unit cell manufacturing method according to another embodiment of the present invention can be carried out as follows.
[0257] First, referring to Figures 17 and 18, when the first electrode sheet 1111 is unwound from the first electrode reel 111, the first cutter 131 cuts the first electrode sheet 1111, and a plurality of first electrodes 1112 are formed (S301).
[0258] Meanwhile, as the separation membrane sheet 122 is unwound from the separation membrane reel 121, adhesive is applied to the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122. At this time, the discharge port of the first upper nozzle 171 applies adhesive to the separation membrane sheet 122 as it passes through the upper separation membrane guide 125a. The adhesive-coated separation membrane sheet 122 passes through the lower separation membrane guide 125b and is placed on the upper surface of the table 16 (S302). At this time, the separation membrane sheet 122 moves under pressure from the first pressure roller 1301 and is placed on the upper surface of the table 16. In some cases, the table 16 may move linearly toward the first transfer device 141.
[0259] Furthermore, referring to Figures 17 and 19, the first header 151 can move linearly on the table 16 while adsorbing the first electrode 1112. When the first header 151 is positioned above the table 16, as shown in Figure 19, the first header 151 places the first electrode 1112 on the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 on which the first adhesive layer 1710 is formed (S303).
[0260] Furthermore, referring to Figures 17, 20, and 21, after the first electrode 1112 is placed on the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122, the table 16 moves toward the second transfer device 142, causing the first upper nozzle 171 to apply adhesive to the top of the first electrode 1112 and form the second adhesive layer 1750 (S304).
[0261] Furthermore, adhesive is applied to the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 unwound from the separation membrane reel 121 to form the first adhesive layer 1710 (S305). The discharge port of the second upper nozzle 172 applies adhesive to the separation membrane sheet 122 as it passes through the upper separation membrane guide 125a. The separation membrane sheet 122 with adhesive applied then passes through the lower separation membrane guide 125b. At this time, the adhesive can be applied while one side of the separation membrane sheet 122 is pressurized by the second pressure roller 1302, and the table 16 moves toward the second transfer device 142.
[0262] Referring also to Figures 17, 21, and 22, as the table 16 moves toward the second transfer device 142 with respect to the separation membrane guide 125, one side of the separation membrane sheet 122 is folded, and the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the first electrode 1112 on which the second adhesive layer 1750 is formed (S306).
[0263] Steps S304, S305, and S306 may be performed sequentially, all three steps may be performed simultaneously, S304 and S305 may be performed simultaneously, S305 and S306 may be performed simultaneously, and in some cases, steps S304 and S305 may be performed alternately. Thus, the present invention can be applied in a variety of ways to suit the environment in which it is implemented.
[0264] Meanwhile, as shown in Figure 18, when the second electrode sheet 1121 is unwound from the second electrode reel 112, the second cutter 132 cuts the second electrode sheet 1121. This forms multiple second electrodes 1122. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 22, when the second transfer device 142 transfers the second electrodes 1122, the second header 152 adsorbs the second electrodes 1122. Then, when the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the first electrode 1112, the second header 152, which is adsorbing the second electrode 1122, moves toward the top of the second region 1222, placing the second electrode 1122 on the second region 1222 where the first adhesive layer 1710 is formed.
[0265] Then, as shown by the first upper nozzle 171 in Figure 20, the second upper nozzle 172 applies adhesive to the top of the second electrode 1122. As the table 16 moves toward the first transfer device 141, the second upper nozzle 172 can form a second adhesive layer 1750 on the top of the second electrode 1122.
[0266] Subsequently, as the table 16 moves toward the first transfer device 141 with respect to the separation membrane guide 125, the other side of the separation membrane sheet 122 is folded, and the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the second electrode 1122 on which the second adhesive layer 1750 is formed.
[0267] In other words, by repeating the above process, the cell manufacturing method according to other embodiments of the present invention can be carried out.
[0268] The following describes an embodiment in which the battery cell manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 18 has been partially modified. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus 3a in this embodiment can be described in much the same way as the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 3 described in Figures 18 to 22, and only the parts that differ from the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 3 will be described below.
[0269] Figure 23 is a schematic diagram of a battery cell manufacturing apparatus that is a modified version of the battery cell manufacturing apparatus shown in Figure 18, illustrating how adhesive is applied to a first region of a separation membrane sheet while the first upper nozzle moves in a straight line.
[0270] Referring to Figure 23, in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 3a of this embodiment, the table 16a may be fixed. This allows the electrodes 11 and the separation membrane sheet 122 to be stacked on the table 16a while it is fixed, thereby further improving the alignment of the electrodes 11 and the separation membrane sheet 122.
[0271] Furthermore, the separation membrane guide 125, the first upper nozzle 171a, and the second upper nozzle 172a can reciprocate linearly from side to side with respect to the table 16a. For example, as shown in Figure 23, the first upper nozzle 171a can apply adhesive to the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 and form the first adhesive layer 1710 by moving linearly toward the second transfer device 142 with respect to the table 16a.
[0272] Also, the pair of pressure rollers 130 can move together with the separation membrane guide 125, the first upper nozzle 171a, and the second upper nozzle 172a while pressing one surface of the separation membrane sheet 122. As an example, the first pressure roller 1301 may move together with the second pressure roller 1302, the first upper nozzle 171a, and the second upper nozzle 172a while pressing one surface of the separation membrane sheet 122. Thereby, the pair of pressure rollers 130 can maintain the tension of the separation membrane sheet 122. At the same time, the height difference between the first upper nozzle 171a and the second upper nozzle 172a and the separation membrane sheet 122 can be maintained. The pair of pressure rollers 130 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 28 described later.
[0273] As an example, the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 3a of the present embodiment may further include a moving box 18 that houses the separation membrane guide 125, the first upper nozzle 171a, and the second upper nozzle 172a. That is, in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 3a of the present embodiment, when the moving box 18 moves, the separation membrane guide 125, the first upper nozzle 171a, and the second upper nozzle 172a may move simultaneously.
[0274] Thereby, the distance between the first upper nozzle 171a and the separation membrane guide 125 and the distance between the second upper nozzle 172a and the separation membrane guide 125 can be kept constant, and the coating reliability of the adhesive applied from the first upper nozzle 171a and the second upper nozzle 172a can be improved.
[0275] Also, within the moving box 18, the angles of the first upper nozzle 171a and / or the second upper nozzle 172a can be rotated, or the first upper nozzle 171a and the second upper nozzle 172a can be moved to adjust the height difference or angle between the first upper nozzle 171a and / or the second upper nozzle 172a and the separation membrane (separation membrane sheet 122). Even in this case, within the moving box 18, the intervals between the first upper nozzle 171a and the separation membrane guide 125 and between the second upper nozzle 172a and the separation membrane guide 125 can be maintained the same, and the application reliability of the adhesive applied from the first upper nozzle 171a and the second upper nozzle 172a can be further improved.
[0276] Using such a battery cell manufacturing apparatus 3a, a battery cell manufacturing method according to another embodiment of the present invention is performed as follows.
[0277] First, referring to FIGS. 17 and 23, when the first electrode sheet 1111 is unwound from the first electrode reel 111, the first cutter 131 cuts the first electrode sheet 1111, and a plurality of first electrodes 1112 are formed (S301).
[0278] On the other hand, while the separation membrane sheet 122 is being unwound from the separation membrane reel 121, an adhesive is applied to the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122. At this time, the discharge port of the first upper nozzle 171 applies the adhesive toward the separation membrane sheet 122 that has passed through the upper separation membrane guide 125a. The separation membrane sheet 122 to which the adhesive has been applied passes through the lower separation membrane guide 125b and is placed on the upper surface of the table 16 (S302). At this time, the separation membrane sheet 122 moves while being pressed by the first pressure roller 1301 and is placed on the upper surface of the table 16a. In some cases, the moving box 18 may linearly move toward the second transfer device 142.
[0279] FIG. 24 is a schematic view showing a state in which the first electrode is fixed to the first region of the separation membrane sheet in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 23.
[0280] Furthermore, referring to Figures 17 and 24, the first header 151 can move linearly on the table 16 (16a) while adsorbing the first electrode 1112. When the first header 151 is positioned above the table 16a, as shown in Figure 24, the first header 151 places the first electrode 1112 on the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 on which the first adhesive layer 1710 is formed (S303).
[0281] Figure 25 is a schematic diagram showing how adhesive is applied to the top of the first electrode while the first upper nozzle moves linearly in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus of Figure 23. Figure 26 is a schematic diagram showing how adhesive is applied to the second region of the separation membrane sheet and the second electrode is fixed to the second region of the separation membrane sheet while the second upper nozzle moves linearly in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus of Figure 23.
[0282] Furthermore, referring to Figures 17, 25, and 26, after the first electrode 1112 is placed on the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122, the first upper nozzle 171a moves toward the first transfer device 141, thereby applying adhesive to the top of the first electrode 1112 and forming the second adhesive layer 1750 (S304).
[0283] Furthermore, adhesive is applied to the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 unwound from the separation membrane reel 121 to form the first adhesive layer 1710 (S305). The discharge port of the second upper nozzle 172 applies adhesive to the separation membrane sheet 122 as it passes through the upper separation membrane guide 125a. The separation membrane sheet 122 with adhesive applied then passes through the lower separation membrane guide 125b. At this time, the adhesive can be applied while one side of the separation membrane sheet 122 is pressurized by the second pressure roller 1302, and the moving box 18 moves toward the first transfer device 141.
[0284] Also, referring to Figures 17, 25, and 26, as the separation membrane guide 125 and the pair of pressure rollers 130 move toward the first transfer device 141 with respect to the table 16a, one side of the separation membrane sheet 122 is folded, and the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the first electrode 1112 on which the second adhesive layer 1750 is formed (S306).
[0285] Steps S304, S305, and S306 may be performed sequentially, all three steps may be performed simultaneously, S304 and S305 may be performed simultaneously, or S305 and S306 may be performed simultaneously, and so on. The present invention can be applied in a variety of ways depending on the environment in which it is implemented.
[0286] Meanwhile, as shown in Figure 23, when the second electrode sheet 1121 is unwound from the second electrode reel 112, the second cutter 132 cuts the second electrode sheet 1121. This forms multiple second electrodes 1122. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 26, when the second transfer device 142 transfers the second electrodes 1122, the second header 152 adsorbs the second electrodes 1122. Then, when the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the first electrode 1112, the second header 152, which is adsorbing the second electrode 1122, moves toward the top of the second region 1222, placing the second electrode 1122 on the second region 1222 where the first adhesive layer 1710 is formed.
[0287] Then, as shown in Figure 25, the second upper nozzle 172 applies adhesive to the upper part of the second electrode 1122. As the second upper nozzle 172a moves toward the second transfer device 142, the second upper nozzle 172a can form a second adhesive layer 1750 on the upper part of the second electrode 1122.
[0288] Subsequently, the separation membrane guide 125 and the pair of pressure rollers 130 move toward the second transfer device 142 relative to the table 16a, causing the other side of the separation membrane sheet 122 to fold, and the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the second electrode 1122 on which the second adhesive layer 1750 is formed.
[0289] In other words, by repeating the above process, the cell manufacturing method according to other embodiments of the present invention can be carried out.
[0290] When the cell manufacturing method according to this embodiment of the present invention is performed, when the electrode 11 and the separation membrane sheet 122 are laminated in a Z-folding manner, adhesive is applied to the upper and lower parts of the electrode 11, respectively, which prevents the electrode 11 from detaching from its correct position.
[0291] Figure 27 shows one embodiment of the lower separation membrane guide 125b according to an embodiment of the present invention. The lower separation membrane guide 125b can be applied, for example, to the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1, 2, 3, and 3a described above. The lower separation membrane guide 125b may be provided on, for example, a pair of rollers, and for the sake of explanation, only one roller is shown in Figure 27.
[0292] The lower separation membrane guide 125b includes at least one recess 1125 on its surface. The recess 1125 is positioned to correspond to the adhesive applied to the separation membrane (separation membrane sheet 122). When the adhesive-coated separation membrane (separation membrane sheet 122) passes through the lower separation membrane guide 125b, the adhesive applied to the separation membrane (separation membrane sheet 122) can pass through the recess 1125. This prevents the surface of the lower separation membrane guide 125b from being contaminated by the adhesive.
[0293] If the lower separation membrane guide 125b is, for example, a pair of rollers, the recess 1125 may preferably be a recess formed along the outer circumferential surface of the rollers. The shape, structure of the lower separation membrane guide 125b and the shape, structure of the recess 1125 according to the present invention are not limited to those shown and can be modified to suit a variety of environments in which the present invention is embodied.
[0294] Further, FIG. 28 shows an example of the pressure roller 130 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The pressure roller 130 can be applied to, for example, the battery cell manufacturing apparatuses 3 and 3a described above. Similar to the lower separation film guide 125b, the pressure roller 130 also includes at least one concave portion 1130 on its surface. The concave portion 1130 of the pressure roller is provided at a position corresponding to the adhesive applied to the separation film (separation film sheet 122). The adhesive applied to the separation film (separation film sheet 122) can pass through the concave portion 1130 of the pressure roller. Thereby, the surface of the lower separation film guide 125b can be prevented from being contaminated by the adhesive.
[0295] In summary, the portion of the separation film (separation film sheet 122) coated with the adhesive can pass through the concave portion 1125 of the lower separation film guide 125b and the concave portion 1130 of the pressure roller 130.
[0296] When the pressure roller 130 is, for example, a roller, the concave portion 1130 may preferably be a concave portion formed along the outer peripheral surface of the roller. The shape, structure, number of the pressure roller 130 according to the present invention, and the shape, structure, number of the concave portion 1130 are not limited to those shown, and can be deformed and changed according to various environments in which the present invention is embodied.
[0297] FIG. 29 is a schematic view showing an example of a pressing jig according to the present invention.
[0298] The battery cell manufacturing apparatuses 1, 2, 3, 3a according to the embodiments of the present invention may further include the pressing jig 200 shown in FIG. 29. An electrode assembly 10 is provided in which the electrodes and the separation film sheets that have undergone a series of steps in the above-described embodiments are alternately laminated, that is, in a zigzag manner.
[0299] After pressing such an electrode assembly 10 with a pressure jig 200, the separation membrane is wound. By going through the pressing process on the electrode assembly 10, in which electrodes and separation membrane sheets are alternately stacked, the adhesive thickness is minimized and made uniform, improving the winding quality in the subsequent separation membrane winding process. This can increase the rigidity of the finished battery cell.
[0300] Here, the jig pressurization process may include the process of applying and releasing pressure with a jig (pressurization jig 200) that presses both the top and bottom surfaces of the electrode assembly 10, which is stacked in a zigzag pattern. In other words, the process of applying and releasing pressure to the electrode assembly 10 with the jig (pressurization jig 200) may be repeated at least twice.
[0301] The process of applying and releasing pressure in one cycle using the jig (pressure jig 200) directly applies physical force to the dissolving adhesive by alternately applying positive and negative pressure. Therefore, it also has the effect of making the dissolution of the adhesive significantly more likely to occur.
[0302] In this case, for more systematic operation, a control device may be connected to the jig device. This allows for adjustment of the positive pressure time and negative pressure time, as well as control of the magnitude of the positive and negative pressure. This enables the realization of a more effective adhesive dissolution system.
[0303] Figure 30 is a cross-sectional view of an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0304] Referring to Figure 30, the electrode assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is in which electrodes and separation membrane sheets are alternately stacked, the electrode 11 includes a first electrode 1112 and a second electrode 1122, and the separation membrane sheet 122 has a zigzag shape formed by folding at least twice.
[0305] Here, the separation membrane sheet 122 is folded with the first electrode 1112 fixed on the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122, and the second region 1222 of the separation membrane (separation membrane sheet 122) covers the first electrode 11. Also, the separation membrane sheet 122 is folded with the second electrode 1122 fixed on the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122, and the first region 1221 of the separation membrane sheet 122 covers the second electrode 1122.
[0306] In particular, in this embodiment, the electrode assembly 10 may have electrodes 11 stacked one by one on the first region 1221 or the second region 1222 of the separation membrane sheet 122. In this case, the electrodes 11 may be stacked at the precise position on the separation membrane sheet 122 after measuring whether or not there is any misalignment and correcting their position as necessary. This makes it possible to further improve the alignment between the electrodes 11 and the separation membrane sheet 122 in this embodiment.
[0307] Here, an adhesive layer 1700 is formed between the electrode 11 and the separation membrane sheet 122. More specifically, the adhesive layer 1700 includes a first adhesive layer 1710 and a second adhesive layer 1750. The first adhesive layer 1710 may be located between the lower part of the electrode 11 and the separation membrane sheet 122, and the second adhesive layer 1750 may be located between the upper part of the electrode 11 and the separation membrane sheet 122.
[0308] For example, the first adhesive layer 1710 and the second adhesive layer 1750 may each be formed by applying adhesive in a dot shape. However, as previously described in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 1, 2, 3, and 3a, the form of the first adhesive layer 1710 and the second adhesive layer 1750 is not limited to this and may be formed in a variety of forms.
[0309] As a result, in the electrode assembly 10 according to this embodiment, an adhesive layer 1700 is formed between the electrode 11 and the separation membrane sheet 122, so that even in the case of a low-cost separation membrane with excessively low adhesive strength, the electrode 11 and the separation membrane can be stably fixed to each other, and the electrode 11 can be prevented from detaching from its correct position. At the same time, in the electrode assembly 10 of this embodiment, the upper and lower parts of the electrode 11 are covered in a form in which a single separation membrane sheet 122 is folded, which can further improve the alignment of the electrode 11 and the efficiency of the process.
[0310] Furthermore, it eliminates the need for a lamination process as in conventional methods, reducing the defect rate caused by high heat and pressure. Additionally, the removal of the laminator reduces the volume of the manufacturing equipment, simplifying the manufacturing process.
[0311] Figure 31 is an exploded perspective view of a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0312] Referring to Figures 30 and 31, another embodiment of the present invention is a battery cell that includes the electrode assembly 10 described above, and includes a battery case 50 that houses the electrode assembly 10 together with an electrolyte, and the adhesive layer 1700 is dissolved in the electrolyte.
[0313] Here, a fixing member such as a fixing tape 30 may be attached to the outside of the electrode assembly 10. This makes it possible to maintain the stacked alignment of the electrode 11 and the separation membrane sheet 122.
[0314] An electrode assembly 10 to which such fixing tape 30 is attached can be named the final electrode assembly 20.
[0315] The battery case 50 includes a storage section 60 into which the electrode assembly 10 or the final electrode assembly 20 is mounted, and a sealing section 70 that seals the outer periphery of the storage section 60. For example, the battery case 50 may be a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer. More specifically, the battery case 50 may be made of a laminate sheet and consist of an outer resin layer forming the outermost corner, a barrier metal layer to prevent penetration of materials, and an inner resin layer for sealing.
[0316] Furthermore, the storage section 60 of the battery case 50 may also receive the electrolyte together with the electrode assembly 10. In this case, the adhesive layer 1700 contained in the electrode assembly 10 can dissolve in the electrolyte. In particular, in the battery cell according to this embodiment, the adhesive layer 1700 contained in the electrode assembly 10 can dissolve in the electrolyte under high temperature and / or pressurized conditions during an activation process such as a formation process.
[0317] More specifically, in the battery cell according to this embodiment, when the adhesive layer 1700 formed between the electrode 11 of the electrode assembly 10 and the separation membrane sheet 122 is dissolved in the electrolyte, there may be little to no adhesive 14 remaining on the surface of the electrode 11, or it may be completely gone.
[0318] In contrast, since the separation membrane sheet 122 is generally a porous sheet, some of the adhesive 14 may penetrate into the separation membrane sheet 122. However, even in the case of adhesive layer 1700 penetrating into the separation membrane sheet 122, it may be almost completely dissolved in the electrolyte, or even completely dissolved, and in this process, traces of the adhesive layer 1700 may remain on the separation membrane sheet 122.
[0319] Here, the term "coating marks of the adhesive layer 1700" means that although no adhesive components contained in the adhesive layer 1700 remain, a part of the outer surface of the separation membrane sheet 122 has been deformed by the adhesive layer 1700. However, it is not limited to this, and the coating marks of the adhesive layer 1700 refer to marks that can be used to confirm the presence or absence of adhesive application in various ways, such as marks that can be used to confirm the presence or absence of adhesive application by visual inspection. Thus, the coating marks of the adhesive layer 1700 formed on the separation membrane sheet 122 may be formed at the same location where the adhesive is applied.
[0320] As a result, in the battery cell according to this embodiment, the adhesive layer 1700 is completely dissolved on the surface of the electrode 11 or the separation membrane (separation membrane sheet 122), eliminating any unreacted areas due to the adhesive layer 1700, thus preventing performance degradation and enabling the realization of excellent battery performance.
[0321] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Various modifications and improvements by those skilled in the art, using the basic concepts of the present invention as defined in the following claims, also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]
[0322] 1, 1a, 2, 3, 3a: Battery cell manufacturing equipment 11: Electrode 16, 16a: Table 17: Nozzle 111: First electrode reel 112: Second electrode reel 121: Separation membrane reel 122: Separation membrane sheet 125: Separation membrane guide 125a: Upper separation membrane guide 125b: Lower separation membrane guide 1125: Recess 130: Pressure roller 1130: Recess 131: First Cutter 132: Second Cutter 141:First transfer device 142:Second transfer device 151: First Header 152: Second Header 171, 171a: First upper nozzle 172, 172a: Second upper nozzle 1111: First electrode sheet 1112: 1st electrode 1121: Second electrode sheet 1122:Second electrode 1221:First area 1222:Second area 1710: 1st adhesive layer 1750: 2nd adhesive layer
Claims
1. An electrode reel from which an electrode sheet with multiple electrodes formed on it is unwound, When the electrode is placed on the separation membrane, the separation membrane reel is folded and unwound, covering the electrode and laminating with the electrode, A table on which the electrode and the separation membrane sheet are placed on the upper surface, A pair of separation membrane guides that guide the folding direction of the separation membrane sheet, Includes a pair of upper nozzles for applying adhesive to at least a portion of the separation membrane sheet as it passes between the pair of separation membrane guides, Of the pair of separation membrane guides, the first separation membrane guide that guides the separation membrane sheet to which the adhesive has been applied includes at least one recess, The battery cell manufacturing apparatus is provided with the recesses located at positions corresponding to the adhesive applied to the separation membrane sheet.
2. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive is applied in a point shape or linear shape along the length direction of the separation membrane sheet.
3. The pair of upper nozzles rotate so that the adhesive can be applied to at least a portion of the electrode placed on the table. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pair of separation membrane guides and the pair of upper nozzles reciprocate linearly from side to side with respect to the table, and the table is fixed.
4. The electrode reel is, A first electrode reel from which a first electrode sheet on which multiple first electrodes are formed is unwound, The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, comprising: a second electrode reel from which a second electrode sheet on which a plurality of second electrodes are formed is unwound.
5. The pair of upper nozzles includes a first upper nozzle and a second upper nozzle, The first upper nozzle applies the adhesive to the upper part of the first electrode or to the separation membrane sheet that passes through the pair of separation membrane guides. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second upper nozzle applies the adhesive to the upper part of the second electrode or to the separation membrane sheet that passes through the pair of separation membrane guides.
6. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first upper nozzle and the second upper nozzle are arranged on both sides of the pair of separation membrane guides.
7. The first electrode is placed on the first region of the separation membrane sheet, The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second electrode is placed on the second region of the separation membrane sheet.
8. When the first electrode is placed on the first region of the separation membrane sheet, the first upper nozzle moves linearly over the first electrode. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the second electrode is placed on the second region of the separation membrane sheet, the second upper nozzle moves linearly onto the second electrode.
9. When the first upper nozzle applies the adhesive to at least a portion of the upper part of the first electrode, the first separation membrane guide moves linearly in the direction in which the separation membrane sheet covers the first electrode. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when the second upper nozzle applies the adhesive to at least a portion of the upper part of the second electrode, the first separation membrane guide moves linearly in a direction in which the separation membrane sheet covers the second electrode.
10. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a lower nozzle for applying the adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode and the lower part of the second electrode, respectively.
11. A first header that adsorbs the first electrode and places it on the first region, The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a second header for adsorbing the second electrode and placing it on the second region.
12. When the first electrode is adsorbed onto the first header, the lower nozzle applies the adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein when the second electrode is adsorbed onto the second header, the lower nozzle applies the adhesive to the lower part of the second electrode.
13. A first transfer device for transferring the first electrode toward the table, The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a second transfer device for transferring the second electrode toward the table.
14. The first transfer device includes a first groove that is open toward the first electrode, and the lower nozzle applies the adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode through the first groove. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the second transfer device includes a second groove that is open toward the second electrode, and the lower nozzle applies the adhesive to the lower part of the second electrode through the second groove.
15. The electrode reel is, A first electrode reel from which a first electrode sheet on which multiple first electrodes are formed is unwound, The invention includes a second electrode reel from which a second electrode sheet on which multiple second electrodes are formed is unwound, The table rotates and reciprocates between the first electrode reel and the second electrode reel, The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pair of separation membrane guides and the pair of upper nozzles move linearly back and forth with respect to the table.
16. The first electrode is placed on the first region of the separation membrane sheet, The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the second electrode is placed on the second region of the separation membrane sheet.
17. The pair of upper nozzles includes a first upper nozzle and a second upper nozzle, The first upper nozzle applies the adhesive to at least a portion of the second region of the separation membrane sheet that passes between the pair of separation membrane guides. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the second upper nozzle applies the adhesive to at least a portion of the first region of the separation membrane sheet that passes between the pair of separation membrane guides.
18. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein when the pair of upper nozzles each apply the adhesive on the separation membrane sheet, the discharge port of the first upper nozzle or the discharge port of the second upper nozzle rotates in a direction adjacent to the separation membrane sheet.
19. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the first upper nozzle and the second upper nozzle are arranged on both sides of the pair of separation membrane guides.
20. The first electrode is placed on the first region of the separation membrane sheet, and the first upper nozzle moves linearly away from the table on the second region of the separation membrane sheet. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the second electrode is placed on the second region of the separation membrane sheet, and the second upper nozzle moves linearly away from the table on the first region of the separation membrane sheet.
21. The first upper nozzle applies the adhesive to at least a portion of the second region of the separation membrane sheet, and the pair of separation membrane guides move linearly in a direction toward the second electrode reel. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the second upper nozzle applies the adhesive to at least a portion of the first region of the separation membrane sheet, and the pair of separation membrane guides move linearly in a direction toward the first electrode reel.
22. Once the application of adhesive to the first upper nozzle is complete, the pair of separation membrane guides move linearly in a direction that the second region of the separation membrane sheet to which the adhesive has been applied covers the first electrode. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein, once the application of adhesive to the second upper nozzle is complete, the pair of separation membrane guides move linearly in a direction that covers the first region of the separation membrane sheet to which the adhesive has been applied.
23. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a lower nozzle for applying the adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode and the lower part of the second electrode, respectively.
24. A first header that adsorbs the first electrode and places it on the first region, The system further includes a second header that adsorbs the second electrode and places it on the second region, The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the first header and the second header rotate and reciprocate in the direction in which they are positioned on the table.
25. When the first electrode is adsorbed onto the first header, the lower nozzle applies the adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 24, wherein when the second electrode is adsorbed onto the second header, the lower nozzle applies the adhesive to the lower part of the second electrode.
26. A first transfer device for transferring the first electrode toward the table, The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising a second transfer device for transferring the second electrode toward the table.
27. The first transfer device includes a first groove that is open toward the first electrode, and the lower nozzle applies the adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode through the first groove. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the second transfer device includes a second groove that is open toward the second electrode, and the lower nozzle applies the adhesive to the lower part of the second electrode through the second groove.
28. An electrode reel from which an electrode sheet with multiple electrodes formed on it is unwound, When the electrode is placed on the separation membrane, the separation membrane reel is folded and unwound, covering the electrode and laminating with the electrode, A table on which the electrode and the separation membrane sheet are placed on the upper surface, A pair of separation membrane guides that guide the folding direction of the separation membrane sheet, Includes a pair of upper nozzles for applying adhesive to at least a portion of the separation membrane sheet as it passes between the pair of separation membrane guides, The pair of upper nozzles rotate so that the adhesive can be applied to at least a portion of the electrode placed on the table. A battery cell manufacturing apparatus, comprising a pair of pressure rollers for pressurizing the separation membrane sheet, which is guided by the pair of separation membrane guides.
29. The pressure roller has at least one recess on its surface, The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the recess is provided at a position corresponding to the adhesive applied to the separation membrane sheet.
30. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 29, wherein at least one pressure roller is located between the pair of separation membrane guides and the table.
31. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 30, wherein at least one pressure roller is located between the pair of separation membrane guides.
32. The electrode reel is, A first electrode reel from which a first electrode sheet on which multiple first electrodes are formed is unwound, A battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 31, comprising: a second electrode reel from which a second electrode sheet on which a plurality of second electrodes are formed is unwound.
33. A first transfer device for transferring the first electrode toward the table, The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 32, further comprising a second transfer device for transferring the second electrode toward the table.
34. The pair of upper nozzles includes a first upper nozzle and a second upper nozzle, The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the pair of upper nozzles each apply the adhesive to the separation membrane sheet or the electrode located on the table.
35. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the first upper nozzle and the second upper nozzle are arranged on both sides of the separation membrane guide.
36. The aforementioned at least one pressure roller includes a first pressure roller and a second pressure roller, The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the first pressure roller is located between the first upper nozzle and the separation membrane guide, and the second pressure roller is located between the second upper nozzle and the separation membrane guide.
37. The first electrode is placed on the first region of the separation membrane sheet, The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the second electrode is placed on the second region of the separation membrane sheet.
38. A first header that adsorbs the first electrode and places it on the first region, The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 37, further comprising a second header for adsorbing the second electrode and placing it on the second region.
39. The pair of separation membrane guides, the pair of upper nozzles, and the at least one pressure roller are fixed in place. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the table moves linearly back and forth toward the first transfer device and the second transfer device.
40. The aforementioned table is fixed, The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the pair of separation membrane guides, the pair of upper nozzles, and the at least one pressure roller move linearly and reciprocally toward the first transfer device and the second transfer device.
41. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 39, further comprising a moving box that houses the pair of separation membrane guides and the pair of upper nozzles inside.
42. The steps include: cutting a first electrode sheet unwound from a first electrode reel to form multiple first electrodes; The process involves a first upper nozzle applying adhesive to a first region of a separation membrane sheet unwound from a separation membrane reel, between a pair of separation membrane guides, and then placing the separation membrane sheet on a table along the separation membrane guides. The steps include: placing the first electrode on the first region of the separation membrane sheet; The first upper nozzle applies the adhesive to the upper part of the first electrode, The steps include folding the separation membrane sheet in a folding direction guided by the separation membrane guide, such that a second region of the separation membrane sheet covers the first electrode, Prior to the step of placing the first electrode on the first region of the separation membrane sheet, A method for manufacturing a battery cell, further comprising the step of a lower nozzle applying the adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode.
43. The steps include: cutting a first electrode sheet unwound from a first electrode reel to form multiple first electrodes; The process involves a first upper nozzle applying adhesive to a first region of a separation membrane sheet unwound from a separation membrane reel, between a pair of separation membrane guides, and then placing the separation membrane sheet on a table along the separation membrane guides. The steps include: placing the first electrode on the first region of the separation membrane sheet; The first upper nozzle applies the adhesive to the upper part of the first electrode, The steps include folding the separation membrane sheet in a folding direction guided by the separation membrane guide, such that a second region of the separation membrane sheet covers the first electrode, After the step of covering the upper part of the first electrode, The steps include: cutting a second electrode sheet unwound from a second electrode reel to form multiple second electrodes; The lower nozzle applies the adhesive to the lower part of the second electrode, The steps include: placing the second electrode on the second region of the separation membrane sheet; The steps include: applying the adhesive to the upper part of the second electrode with the second upper nozzle; A battery cell manufacturing method further comprising the steps of folding the separation membrane sheet in a folding direction guided by the separation membrane guide, wherein a first region of the separation membrane sheet covers the second electrode.
44. The aforementioned table is fixed, The battery cell manufacturing method according to claim 43, wherein the pair of separation membrane guides, the first upper nozzle, and the second upper nozzle move in a linear reciprocating motion with respect to the table.
45. The steps include: cutting a first electrode sheet unwound from a first electrode reel to form multiple first electrodes; The steps include: placing a separation membrane sheet unwound from a separation membrane reel onto a table along a pair of separation membrane guides; The lower nozzle applies adhesive to the lower part of the first electrode, The steps include: placing the first electrode on the first region of the separation membrane sheet; The first upper nozzle applies the adhesive to at least a portion of the second region of the separation membrane sheet between the pair of separation membrane guides. A method for manufacturing a battery cell, comprising the steps of folding the separation membrane sheet in a folding direction guided by the separation membrane guide, wherein the second region of the separation membrane sheet to which the adhesive has been applied covers the first electrode.
46. After the step of covering the upper part of the first electrode, The steps include: cutting a second electrode sheet unwound from a second electrode reel to form multiple second electrodes; The lower nozzle applies the adhesive to the lower part of the second electrode, The steps include: placing the second electrode on the second region of the separation membrane sheet; The steps include: applying the adhesive to at least a portion of the first region of the separation membrane sheet between the pair of separation membrane guides using a second upper nozzle; A battery cell manufacturing method according to claim 45, further comprising the steps of folding the separation membrane sheet in a folding direction guided by the separation membrane guide, wherein the first region of the separation membrane sheet to which the adhesive has been applied covers the second electrode.
47. The table rotates and reciprocates between the first electrode reel and the second electrode reel, The battery cell manufacturing method according to claim 46, wherein the separation membrane guide, the first upper nozzle, and the second upper nozzle reciprocate linearly from side to side with respect to the table.
48. In the steps of the first upper nozzle applying the adhesive and the second upper nozzle applying the adhesive, The battery cell manufacturing method according to claim 47, wherein the discharge port of the first upper nozzle or the discharge port of the second upper nozzle rotates in a direction adjacent to the separation membrane sheet.
49. The steps include: cutting a first electrode sheet unwound from a first electrode reel to form multiple first electrodes; The process involves a first upper nozzle applying adhesive to a first region of a separation membrane sheet unwound from a separation membrane reel, between a pair of separation membrane guides, and the separation membrane sheet being placed on a table along the separation membrane guides. The steps include: placing the first electrode on the first region of the separation membrane sheet; The first upper nozzle applies the adhesive to the upper part of the first electrode, The steps include folding the separation membrane sheet in a folding direction guided by the separation membrane guide, such that a second region of the separation membrane sheet covers the first electrode, A battery cell manufacturing method comprising a first pressure roller applying pressure to a separation membrane sheet guided by the separation membrane guide.
50. After the step of covering the upper part of the first electrode, The steps include: cutting a second electrode sheet unwound from a second electrode reel to form multiple second electrodes; The second step involves the second upper nozzle applying the adhesive to the second region of the separation membrane sheet between the pair of separation membrane guides, The steps include: placing the second electrode on the second region of the separation membrane sheet; The second upper nozzle applies the adhesive to the upper part of the second electrode, The process further includes the steps of folding the separation membrane sheet in a folding direction guided by the separation membrane guide, such that a first region of the separation membrane sheet covers the second electrode, The battery cell manufacturing method according to claim 49, wherein a second pressure roller pressurizes the separation membrane sheet, which is guided by the separation membrane guide.
51. The separation membrane guide, the first upper nozzle, the second upper nozzle, the first pressure roller, and the second pressure roller are fixed in place. The battery cell manufacturing method according to claim 50, wherein the table moves in a linear reciprocating motion toward the first transfer device and the second transfer device.
52. The aforementioned table is fixed, The battery cell manufacturing method according to claim 51, wherein the separation membrane guide, the first upper nozzle, the second upper nozzle, the first pressure roller, and the second pressure roller move linearly and reciprocally toward the first transfer device and the second transfer device.
53. Of the pair of separation membrane guides, the first separation membrane guide that guides the separation membrane sheet to which the adhesive is applied includes at least one recess, The battery cell manufacturing method according to any one of claims 42, 45, and 49, wherein the recess is provided at a position corresponding to the adhesive applied to the separation membrane sheet.
54. The battery cell manufacturing method according to claim 53, wherein the adhesive is applied in a point shape or linear shape along the length direction of the separation membrane sheet.
55. The first pressure roller has at least one recess on its surface, The battery cell manufacturing method according to claim 49, wherein the recess is provided at a position corresponding to the adhesive applied to the separation membrane sheet.
56. An electrode assembly in which electrodes and separation membrane sheets are alternately stacked, The electrode includes a first electrode and a second electrode, The separation membrane sheet has a zigzag shape formed by folding at least twice, The separation membrane sheet is folded with the first electrode fixed on a first region of the separation membrane sheet, the second region of the separation membrane sheet covering the first electrode, and the second electrode fixed on the second region, the first region of the separation membrane sheet covering the second electrode. An adhesive layer is formed between the electrode and the separation membrane sheet. The adhesive layer includes a first adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer, The first adhesive layer is located between the lower part of the electrode and the separation membrane sheet. The second adhesive layer is located between the upper part of the electrode and the separation membrane sheet. An electrode assembly in which the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer are each formed by applying adhesive in a plurality of dot shapes.
57. A battery cell comprising the electrode assembly described in claim 56, Includes a battery case that houses the electrode assembly together with the electrolyte, The adhesive layer is dissolved in the electrolyte, and the battery cell.