Electrode assembly, method for manufacturing the same, and apparatus for manufacturing the same

Abstract

The present invention is a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a separation membrane, and a second electrode, the method including: a stacking step of stacking a laminate including the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode on a stack table; an induction heating step of induction heating the laminate; and a heat press step of heating and pressurizing the induction heated laminate. At least one of the first electrodes of the laminate includes a first electrode tab, and at least one of the second electrodes of the laminate includes a second electrode tab. The method further includes an electrode tab induction heating step of induction heating at least one of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab between the induction heating step and the heat press step.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention claims the benefit of the filing dates of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0000716 filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on January 3, 2023, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0056378 filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on April 28, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0000188 filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on January 2, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein.

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

Background Art

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries are rechargeable, and have been extensively researched and developed in recent years due to the possibility of miniaturization and increased capacity. As technological development and demand for mobile devices increase, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source has increased sharply.

[0004] Secondary batteries are classified into coin-type batteries, cylindrical-type batteries, prismatic-type batteries, and pouch-type batteries according to the shape of the battery case. The electrode assembly mounted inside the battery case of a secondary battery is a chargeable and dischargeable power generating element composed of a stacked structure of electrodes and a separation membrane.

[0005] Electrode assemblies can be broadly classified into: a jelly-roll type in which a separation membrane is interposed between sheet-type positive and negative electrodes each coated with an active material and then wound; a stacked type in which a plurality of positive electrodes and negative electrodes are sequentially stacked with separation membranes interposed therebetween; and a stack-and-folding type in which stacked unit cells are wound with a long separation film.

[0006] Here, an electrode assembly is manufactured in which a stack-and-fold type electrode assembly is produced in which the separation membrane is folded in a zigzag pattern and stacked, and a positive or negative electrode is inserted between the folded separation membranes, resulting in a stacked electrode assembly with a positive electrode, separation membrane, and negative electrode.

[0007] In this process, heat and pressure are applied to the laminate, which is a stack of the positive electrode, the separation membrane, and the negative electrode, in order to bond the electrodes and the separation membrane together. However, applying heat and pressure to the laminate to bond the electrodes (positive electrode, negative electrode) and the separation film within the laminate requires a significant amount of time and energy.

[0008] Furthermore, when heat and pressure were applied to the laminate, there was a problem in that the heat and pressure could not be applied uniformly regardless of the stacking position of the electrodes and the separation membrane due to the difference in stacking positions (stack height) between the electrodes and the separation membrane within the laminate. In other words, a problem arose in which the adhesive force between the separation membrane and the electrodes was not constant.

[0009] As a result, there was a problem with the performance of the electrode assembly becoming inconsistent. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Korean Published Patent No. 10-2013-0132230 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0011] The present invention provides an electrode assembly, a method for manufacturing the same, and an apparatus for manufacturing the same, for solving problems caused by inconsistent adhesive strength. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly comprising a first electrode, a separation membrane, and a second electrode, comprising: a stacking step of stacking the laminate comprising the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode on a stacking table; an induction heating step of induction heating the laminate; and a heat press step of heating and pressurizing the induction heated laminate; wherein at least one of the first electrodes of the laminate comprises a first electrode tab, at least one of the second electrodes of the laminate comprises a second electrode tab, and the method further comprises an electrode tab induction heating step between the induction heating step and the heat press step of induction heating at least one of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab.

[0013] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly comprising a first electrode, a separation membrane, and a second electrode, comprising: a stack table on which the first electrode, separation membrane, and second electrode are stacked and the stack comprising the first electrode, separation membrane, and second electrode is placed; and a heat press section for heating and pressurizing the stack, wherein at least one of the first electrodes of the stack comprises a first electrode tab, and at least one of the second electrodes of the stack comprises a second electrode tab, and an induction heating section for induction heating the stack while it is being transferred from the stack table to the heat press section; and an electrode tab induction heating section for induction heating at least one of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab before the stack induced heated in the induction heating section is heated and pressurized in the heat press section.

[0014] Finally, one embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode assembly comprising a first electrode, a separation membrane, and a second electrode, wherein the electrode assembly is zigzag stacked, the separation membrane is compressed after the zigzag stacking, and the compression ratio of the separation membrane located on the outermost edge of the electrode assembly is greater than the compression ratio of the separation membrane located in the middle of the electrode assembly, and the difference in compression ratios is 3%p or less. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The electrode assembly manufacturing method and electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application can reduce the time required for manufacturing an electrode assembly.

[0016] The electrode assembly manufacturing method and electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application facilitate adjusting the temperature of electrodes to a specific temperature range and can reduce temperature deviation between electrodes, thereby providing an electrode assembly with uniform performance.

[0017] The electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present application has the advantage of uniform performance due to small deviation in air permeability of the separation membrane depending on position. [BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS]

[0018] [Figure 1] It is an exemplary plan view showing an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a front view illustrating the concept of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is an exemplary cross-sectional view showing a conventional electrode assembly. [Figure 4] It is an exemplary view illustrating a process of applying the electrode assembly manufacturing method or manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is an exemplary view illustrating a process of applying the electrode assembly manufacturing method or manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a schematic view illustrating a differential process of an electrode tab induction heating unit according to the present invention. [Figure 7] It is an exemplary view showing an induction heating unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] (a) is a perspective view showing a first heat press unit 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a perspective view showing a second heat press unit 60 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a view showing results of measuring surface temperature changes of a laminate in a process of manufacturing an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This figure shows the adhesive force pattern of the electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] The present invention will be described in detail below so that it can be easily implemented by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. However, the present invention can be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the configuration described herein.

[0020] In this specification, when a part "includes" a component, this means that, unless otherwise stated, it may include other components rather than excluding them.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode assembly can be stacked in such a manner that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately arranged between the folding separation membranes.

[0022] In this specification, stacking the first and second electrodes alternately between the folded separation membranes is referred to as zigzag stacking.

[0023] In this context, to describe more specifically the configuration in which the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately arranged between the folded separation membranes, the folded separation membrane can mean a separation membrane in which the separation membranes are stacked in a zigzag pattern. More specifically, the separation membranes are stacked in a zigzag pattern while being folded in a manner that alternately moves back and forth between the left side and the right side of the stacking axis with respect to the stacking axis. This means that the first electrode and the second electrode are stacked in a manner that alternately arranges between the stacked separation membranes. Here, the stacking axis means a hypothetical axis that is parallel to the direction in which the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode are stacked, and passes through the center of the stacked material in which the electrodes and separation membranes are stacked.

[0024] In other words, the arrangement of the first electrode and the second electrode alternately between the separation membranes means that the separation membranes are stacked in the direction of the stacking axis while overlapping in a zigzag pattern, and that one first electrode and one second electrode are alternately inserted into the space (between the separation membranes) created by the overlapping of the separation membranes.

[0025] <Electrode assembly manufacturing method> One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a separation membrane, and a second electrode.

[0026] The electrode assembly manufacturing method according to the present invention is characterized by including a step of induction heating of the laminate and a step of induction heating of the electrode tab portion of the induction heated laminate between the stacking step, which is the step of manufacturing the laminate, and the heat pressing step, which is the step of heating and pressurizing the laminate.

[0027] The heat press step includes a lower plate on which the electrode assembly to be heated and pressurized is placed and to which heat is applied, and an upper plate to which heat is applied in correspondence with the lower plate. The upper plate and the lower plate may be a pair of pressurizing blocks.

[0028] During the heat-press stage, in which the electrode assembly is heated and pressurized, the electrodes located at the outermost edges of the laminate (the uppermost and lowermost edges of the laminate) are in direct physical contact with the lower and upper plates, respectively. Therefore, more heat and pressure are transferred to the electrodes than to electrodes located in the middle of the laminate. This is because the heat-press stage involves heating while applying pressure in physical contact with the uppermost and lowermost edges of the laminate.

[0029] In other words, during the heat pressing stage, the electrodes within the laminate may be heated to different temperatures depending on their location, and the electrodes and the separation film may have different adhesive strengths depending on their position. As a result, a problem may arise in which the performance of the electrode assembly becomes non-uniform depending on its location.

[0030] Therefore, the electrode assembly manufacturing method according to the present invention is characterized by heating a localized area within the laminate, particularly the center, with more heat during the induction heating step, and then dispersing the heat applied to the localized area throughout the electrode assembly. Then, in the subsequent heat press step, the electrode assembly is heated and pressurized to ensure that the electrode assembly is heated uniformly throughout.

[0031] In this process, the electrode tabs included in the laminate are thinner than the electrodes and the separator membrane, so after the induction heating step, the electrode tab portion cools down faster than the rest of the material. As a result, even if the heat press step is performed after the induction heating step, there is a possibility that the area around the electrode tabs will be heated unevenly. The present invention is characterized by adding a step to induce heating the electrode tab portion between the induction heating step and the heat press step, and then heating and pressurizing the electrode assembly in the heat press step, thereby ensuring that the electrode assembly is heated more uniformly overall.

[0032] This reduces the air permeability deviation of the separation membrane inside the electrode assembly manufactured through the heat pressing step, and reduces the deviation in adhesive force between the electrode and the separation membrane, thereby enabling the manufacture of an electrode assembly with uniform performance.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, the stacking step may include the steps of supplying the first electrode to the stacking table; supplying the second electrode to the stacking table; and supplying the separation membrane to the stacking table.

[0034] In this specification, "induction heating" refers to heating an object using the electromagnetic induction phenomenon. In this way, the induced current generated in the object by the electromagnetic induction phenomenon causes Joule heat to be generated in the object. Therefore, induction heating is a heating method that can locally heat an object even when it is at a predetermined distance from the heating element, compared to direct heating methods that heat the object by directly contacting it.

[0035] A coil can be used to perform the aforementioned induction heating, and this can be defined as an "induction heating coil." The induction heating method has the advantage of being easy to adjust the heat and time applied to the object being heated. In addition, non-contact heating is possible and does not damage the object being heated.

[0036] In this specification, the "induction heating step" can mean locally heating the laminate using the electromagnetic induction heating phenomenon. The laminate that is locally heated may be an electrode located in the center of the laminate. When using a direct heating method, the uppermost or lowermost electrode of the electrode assembly may be heated more than the central electrode of the electrode assembly. However, in an electrode assembly manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode assembly can be heated uniformly by first selectively heating the center of the electrode assembly using an induction heating method, and then heating the electrode assembly using a direct heating method in the subsequent heat press step.

[0037] In this specification, the "electrode tab induction heating step" is distinguished from the induction heating step in that, like the induction heating step, it utilizes the electromagnetic induction heating phenomenon, but the object to be heated is the electrode tab portion included in the electrode of the laminate. That is, the object to be heated locally may be the electrode tab. Because the electrode tab is relatively much thinner than the electrode and the separator membrane, its surface temperature may drop first after the induction heating step. Therefore, the temperature of the electrode tab portion may be relatively uneven during the heat press step. However, in one embodiment of the electrode assembly manufacturing method of the present invention, the electrode tab, which has become relatively colder after the induction heating step and before the heat press step is performed by the electrode tab induction heating method, can be heated uniformly during the subsequent heat press step.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode tab induction heating step may involve induction heating of at least one of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab using an induction heating coil.

[0039] In one embodiment of the present invention, the induction heating coil may be in contact with or at least one of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab, or at a predetermined distance apart. When the induction heating coil is in contact with the electrode tab (distance between the electrode tab and the induction heating coil is 0 mm), heat can be transferred to the maximum extent, which has the advantage that the temperature of the electrode tab can be raised even if induction heating is performed for a short time.

[0040] Furthermore, if the induction heating coil is separated from the electrode tab by a predetermined distance, there is an advantage in that the temperature of the electrode tab can be increased without the electrode tab being damaged by the heat generated by the induction heating coil.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined distance may be 15 mm or less. More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined distance may be greater than 0 mm and 15 mm or less, preferably 0.05 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and even more preferably 0.3 mm or more and 5 mm or less. When the distance is met, the electrode tab can be inductively heated without damaging the electrode tab, as described above.

[0042] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode tab induction heating step may be performed for 1 to 60 seconds. Preferably, it may be performed for 5 to 40 seconds, and more preferably for 10 to 30 seconds. However, the electrode tab induction heating time can be selected considering the induction heating temperature in the induction heating step, the degree to which the electrode assembly is heated unevenly in the heat press step, and so on.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode tab induction heating step can heat the electrode tab at a temperature of 40°C or higher and 90°C or lower, preferably 50°C or higher and 80°C or lower. When the electrode tab is induction heated within this temperature range, the electrode tab can be heated without damaging it.

[0044] In one embodiment of the present invention, the induction heating step induces heating of a portion of the laminate, and the heat is diffused throughout the entire laminate to heat the entire laminate.

[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention, the induction heating step can induce heating of a first electrode or a second electrode in the laminate. More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the induction heating step can induce heating of a first electrode or a second electrode located in the center of the laminate. In the heat press step, the first electrode or the second electrode located in the center of the laminate may receive relatively less heat than the first electrode or the second electrode located on the outermost edge of the laminate. However, by applying heat first to the first electrode or the second electrode located in the center of the laminate through the induction heating step, and then performing the heat press step, heat can be applied uniformly throughout the entire laminate.

[0046] In this specification, in addition to inductively heating only a portion (local region) of the surface of the laminate, it may also include inductively heating the entire surface of the laminate; however, the objectives of the present invention can be achieved even by inductively heating only a portion of the surface. Furthermore, it is distinguished from heat pressing in that no pressure is applied to the laminate.

[0047] In one embodiment of the present invention, the induction heating step may be performed for 1 to 60 seconds, preferably 5 to 40 seconds, and more preferably 10 to 30 seconds. The induction heating time may be selected considering the degree to which the electrode assembly is heated unevenly during the heat press stage.

[0048] In one embodiment of the present invention, the induction heating step may involve induction heating of the laminate using an induction heating coil.

[0049] A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a step of transferring the stacked material to a heat press step after the stacking step. In the transfer step, the stacked material can be gripped with a gripper in order to transfer it.

[0050] The gripper can maintain a grip on the laminate during the heat pressing stage.

[0051] An electrode assembly manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present invention allows for induction heating of the laminate while it is being transferred from the stacking table to the heat press section.

[0052] More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the induction heating step further includes a transfer step between the stacking step and the heat pressing step in which the stacked material is gripped by a gripper including an induction heating coil and the stacked material is transferred, and the induction heating step can be performed in the gripper during the transfer step.

[0053] More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the induction heating step may include: gripping the laminate with a gripper including an induction heating coil; transferring the gripped laminate to a heat press step; and induction heating the laminate with the induction heating coil of the gripper while the laminate is being transferred.

[0054] In other words, by integrating the induction heating coil into the gripper or attaching it to the gripper, there is no need to provide a separate space for induction heating, making the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus more compact.

[0055] On the other hand, in one embodiment of the present invention, the induction heating step may further include a transfer step between the stacking step and the heat pressing step, in which the laminate is transferred to an induction heating device including an induction heating coil, and the induction heating step may be performed in the induction heating device. The induction heating device may be a method commonly used in the art, as long as it can perform induction heating.

[0056] More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the induction heating step may include a transfer step of gripping the laminate with a gripper and transferring the gripped laminate to an induction heating device including an induction heating coil; and a step of induction heating the laminate in the induction heating device; more specifically, the induction heating step may be induction heating while the laminate is gripped by the gripper. In this way, after the laminate is gripped by the gripper, it can be transferred to the heating and pressurizing step via the induction heating step without unnecessary pauses. That is, repeated gripping and thawing of the laminate between adjacent steps can be avoided.

[0057] In other words, the induction heating coil may not be mounted inside or outside the gripper, but rather a separate induction heating device may include the induction heating coil. When a separate induction heating device is used, there is an advantage that the induction heating step can be performed even if the thickness of the laminate including the electrodes and separation membrane is increased.

[0058] Furthermore, as in the present invention, when a separate induction heating device is used, the electrode tab portion protruding from the electrode can be further heated by the induction heating device, thereby reducing the temperature difference between the electrode tab and the electrode.

[0059] In one embodiment of the present invention, the induction heating step can heat the laminate at a temperature of 40°C or higher and 90°C or lower, preferably 50°C or higher and 80°C or lower. When the laminate is induction heated within this temperature range, the laminate can be heated without damaging the electrodes and separation film inside the laminate.

[0060] In one embodiment of the present invention, the induction heating coil may be in contact with or separated from the laminate by a predetermined distance.

[0061] The induction heating coil has the advantage of being able to transfer heat to the maximum extent when it is in contact with the laminate (distance between the laminate and the induction heating coil is 0 mm), thus allowing the internal temperature of the laminate to be raised even when induction heating is performed for a short time.

[0062] Furthermore, when the induction heating coil is separated from the laminate by a predetermined distance, it has the advantage that the internal temperature of the laminate can be increased without the laminate being damaged by the heat generated by the induction heating coil.

[0063] In one embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined distance may be 15 mm or less. More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined distance may be greater than 0 mm and 15 mm or less, preferably 0.05 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and more preferably 0.3 mm or more and 5 mm or less. When the distance is met, as described above, the electrode can be inductively heated without damaging the laminate.

[0064] A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a step of removing the induction heating unit from the path of movement of the electrode assembly before the heat pressing step. This prevents physical collision between the induction heating unit and the heat pressing unit.

[0065] Furthermore, physical collisions between the gripper and the heat press section can also be prevented through the first heat press stage and the second heatless stage, which will be described later.

[0066] A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a waiting step between the induction heating step and the heat press step, during which the laminate is left in the atmosphere for a predetermined time. The atmosphere means that after the induction heating step, induction heating is stopped for a predetermined time, and the laminate is left to allow the heat applied to it by induction heating to diffuse throughout the entire laminate.

[0067] Through the aforementioned waiting stage, heat transferred to a portion of the laminate can be transferred to the entire laminate. In this way, by intentionally suspending the induction heating of the laminate for a predetermined time before executing the heat press stage (stopping induction heating of the laminate for a predetermined time), the heat transferred to the laminate by induction heating is made to diffuse uniformly throughout the entire laminate.

[0068] Then, by heating and pressurizing the laminated material through the subsequent heat pressing stage, the uniformity of the electrode thickness throughout the entire electrode assembly can be improved.

[0069] In one embodiment of the present invention, the waiting stage may be performed for 3 seconds or more and 60 seconds or less, preferably 5 seconds or more and 45 seconds or less, and more preferably 10 seconds or more and 40 seconds or less.

[0070] When the aforementioned time range is met, it is possible to ensure that the heat transferred to a portion of the electrodes inside the laminate by induction heating is uniformly distributed throughout the entire laminate. In other words, if the waiting phase is performed for less than 3 seconds, the heat transferred to a portion of the laminate is unlikely to be transferred to the entire electrode. On the other hand, if the waiting phase is performed for more than 60 seconds, the temperature of the electrodes, which has risen due to the transferred heat, may be cooled, which could reduce the effectiveness of induction heating.

[0071] The aforementioned waiting time may be modified by the time and heating temperature range during the subsequent heat pressing stage.

[0072] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of manufacturing a laminate in which a first electrode and a second electrode are alternately arranged between folding separation membranes can utilize techniques commonly used in the art. For example, the step may involve stacking the first electrode on the stacking table, covering the first electrode with a separation membrane, then stacking the second electrode on the upper surface of the separation membrane, then folding the separation membrane to cover the second electrode, and subsequently stacking the first electrode on the upper surface of the separation membrane, and repeating this process. This is referred to as the zigzag stacking method in this embodiment. In this case, the process of the separation membrane moving while covering the first or second electrode placed on the separation membrane can be carried out by methods such as the stacking table moving from side to side, the separation membrane moving from side to side, or the stacking table rotating.

[0073] In the zigzag stacking method described above, the holding mechanism can grip the stacked material and maintain the alignment of the stacked material during the process in which the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separation film are stacked.

[0074] In this specification, the "holding mechanism" is a component that grips the stacked material placed on the stacking table in order to stack the first electrode or the second electrode in the zigzag stacking method, and is different from a gripper that grips the stacked material during the heat press stage.

[0075] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separation membrane can be supplied in the form of a separation membrane sheet. That is, additionally supplied separation membranes may be supplied in a continuous form. Furthermore, the "upper surface" may mean the surface opposite to the surface on which the separation membrane or electrode is placed on the stack table.

[0076] As described above, a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a heat press step of heating and pressurizing the induction-heated laminate. The heat press step may be performed by heating the laminate while applying pressure in the direction of the laminate axis. Alternatively, the heat press step may be performed by a heat press unit described later.

[0077] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the heat pressing step may include the steps of: moving the laminate between a pair of pressure blocks including a press heater; the step of the pair of pressure blocks moving relative to each other in the direction of the lamination axis to apply surface pressure to the laminate; and the step of heating the laminate.

[0078] The pair of pressure blocks may consist of a lower plate and an upper plate facing the lower plate.

[0079] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the heat pressing step may include the steps of: moving the laminate between a pair of pressure blocks; moving the pair of pressure blocks in the direction of the lamination axis to apply surface pressure to the laminate; and heating the laminate with a separately provided press heater.

[0080] In other words, the press heater may be included in the pressurizing block or provided in a separate configuration.

[0081] A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a step of releasing the gripper's grip before the heat pressing step.

[0082] In other words, the step of releasing the gripper's grip may include the step of stopping the pressure applied to the top surface of the laminate by the gripper; and the step of separating the gripper from the laminate.

[0083] Furthermore, the step of moving the laminate between a pair of pressure blocks including a press heater during the heat pressing stage may include not only the case where the laminate itself is moved, but also the case where the laminate is moved together with the stack table while it is placed on the stack table. In this case, the objects heated and pressurized by the pair of pressure blocks and the press heater may mean the laminate and the stack table.

[0084] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heat pressing step may involve heating and pressurizing the laminate for 5 to 60 seconds at a temperature of 50°C to 90°C and a pressure of 0.5 MPa to 6.0 MPa. More preferably, the laminate may be heated and pressurized for 5 to 30 seconds at a temperature of 65°C to 90°C and a pressure of 1.0 MPa to 6.0 MPa. More preferably, the laminate may be heated and pressurized for 7 to 25 seconds at a temperature of 65°C to 85°C and a pressure of 3 MPa to 5.5 MPa.

[0085] When heating and pressurizing while satisfying the above conditions, the adhesion between the first electrode and the separation membrane, and between the separation membrane and the second electrode can be improved without damaging the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode. As a result, the performance of the electrode assembly can be improved.

[0086] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heat pressing step is not performed while the induction heating step is performed.

[0087] In one embodiment of the present invention, the induction heating step may include: measuring the temperature distribution on the surface of the laminate; setting an induction heating temperature for the laminate according to the measured temperature distribution; and induction heating the laminate based on the set induction heating temperature. That is, by adjusting the induction heating temperature of the laminate according to the temperature distribution on the upper surface of the laminate being measured, the electrodes can be efficiently induction heated without using unnecessary energy.

[0088] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode tab induction heating step may be performed between the induction heating step and the heat pressing step. That is, the electrode tab induction heating step is performed after the induction heating step. This is because even if the induction heating step is performed, the rapid temperature change of the electrode tab portion necessitates additional heating. This is because the heat pressing step aims to heat the laminate including the electrode tab to a uniform temperature, so the electrode tab induction heating step is performed before the heat pressing step.

[0089] In other words, the electrode assembly manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present invention may sequentially perform the induction heating step; the electrode tab induction heating step; and the heat pressing step. Alternatively, a waiting step may be additionally performed between the induction heating step and the electrode tab induction heating step.

[0090] <Electrode assembly manufacturing equipment> One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a separation membrane, and a second electrode.

[0091] For reference, a semi-finished state in which a first electrode, a separation membrane, and a second electrode are repeatedly stacked can be represented as a laminate, and by performing a separation membrane enclosing process on the semi-finished product, one distinguishable component can be divided into an electrode assembly. Furthermore, at least one of the first electrodes in the laminate may include a first electrode tab, and at least one of the second electrodes in the laminate may include a second electrode tab.

[0092] In other words, the final manufactured electrode assembly may also include at least one first electrode tab and at least one second electrode tab.

[0093] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus is characterized by including an induction heating section and an electrode tab induction heating section. The induction heating section of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus of the present invention performs the induction heating step described above, and the electrode tab induction heating section performs the electrode tab induction heating step described above. That is, by using the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, in the process of performing the heat pressing step by the heat pressing section, the laminate including the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode is uniformly heated, and a uniform adhesive force can be ensured between each layer in the laminate. As a result, deviations in the air permeability of the separation membrane, deviations in the thickness change of the separation membrane, and deviations in the adhesive force due to the stacking position of the electrode assembly can be reduced, and an electrode assembly having uniform performance can be manufactured while reducing the volume of the electrode assembly. Furthermore, an electrode assembly with an increased energy density per unit volume can be manufactured.

[0094] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention may further include a separation membrane supply unit for supplying a separation membrane to a stack table; a first electrode supply unit for supplying a first electrode to a stack table; and a second electrode supply unit for supplying a second electrode to a stack table.

[0095] In one embodiment of the present invention, the induction heating unit may be a gripper that grips the laminate for transferring the laminate to the heat press unit. The gripper may include an induction heating coil. The induction heating coil may be built into the gripper or installed on the outside of the gripper, as described above. When the gripper serves as the induction heating unit, process space for installing the induction heating unit can be saved, and process time can be shortened because induction heating can be performed while transferring the laminate. The gripper can perform the function of gripping the laminate while transferring the laminate from the stack table to the heat press unit.

[0096] In one embodiment of the present invention, the induction heating section may be provided separately from the gripper. That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, a gripper for gripping and transporting the laminate may be further included between the stack table and the induction heating section, and the induction heating section may induce heating while the laminate is gripped by the gripper. Subsequently, the laminate that has been induction heated may be transported to the heat press section while the gripper is gripping it, thereby allowing the laminate to be transported without unnecessarily gripping or thawing it in adjacent stages.

[0097] In one embodiment of the present invention, the induction heating section may be installed separately from the gripper for transporting the laminate. That is, the induction heating section may include a first induction heating device including an induction heating coil; and a first device moving section for moving the first induction heating device to the surface of the laminate. When the first device moving section moves the first induction heating device to an appropriate distance from the laminate, the first induction heating device can induce heating of the laminate. Once induction heating of the laminate is complete, the first device moving section can move the first induction heating device away from the laminate.

[0098] In this case, as mentioned above, it has the advantage of being easy to apply even when the thickness of the laminate is thick, and it also has the advantage of being usable when inductively heating electrode tabs.

[0099] In this specification, "part" means an interface that performs a specific function within an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus.

[0100] The induction heating coil in the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention may be in contact with or separated from the laminate by a predetermined distance. In this case, the predetermined distance may be 15 mm or less, more specifically, greater than 0 mm and 15 mm or less, preferably 0.05 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and more preferably 0.3 mm or more and 5 mm or less.

[0101] The advantages of the induction heating coil being in contact with the laminate, and the advantages of the induction heating coil being separated from the laminate by a predetermined distance, are as described in the electrode assembly manufacturing method.

[0102] In one embodiment of the present invention, the induction heating section may include an induction heating coil and an induction heating plate.

[0103] Furthermore, the induction heating coil may be contained within an induction heating plate containing a non-conductive material. The induction heating plate may include an AC generator that supplies alternating current to the induction heating coil and may perform a function to protect the induction heating coil. The use of a non-conductive material as the material of the induction heating plate is to prevent the induced current from the induction heating coil from also being generated in the induction heating plate.

[0104] The induction heating plate may be a mold made of a non-conductive material. The non-conductive material may be epoxy, but is not limited to epoxy.

[0105] Furthermore, the induction heating coil and induction heating plate may be part of a single set.

[0106] The induction heating unit may include an AC generator, but is not limited thereto; any means capable of generating an electromagnetic induction phenomenon in the induction heating coil can be applied.

[0107] An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a first control unit that measures the temperature distribution on the surface of a laminate and sets an induction heating temperature for the laminate according to the measured temperature distribution, or determines whether or not to interrupt induction heating of the laminate based on the induction heating temperature and the induction heating time for the laminate.

[0108] Furthermore, the first control unit can also adjust the induction heating time for the laminate.

[0109] In other words, the first control unit can set the conditions for executing the induction heating step and the conditions for executing the standby step. The contents described above for the electrode assembly manufacturing method can be applied to each of these conditions.

[0110] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode tab induction heating unit may include a second induction heating device including an induction heating coil, and a second device moving unit for moving the second induction heating device to the first electrode tab or a portion of the second electrode tab. Once the second device moving unit moves the second induction heating device to an appropriate distance from the electrode tab, the second induction heating device can induce heating of the electrode tab. When induction heating of the electrode tab is completed, the second device moving unit can move the second induction heating device away from the electrode tab. This process may be performed via a second control unit that has the function of controlling the operation of the electrode tab induction heating unit according to the conditions of the electrode tab induction heating stage described above.

[0111] In one embodiment of the present invention, the induction heating coil may be in contact with or separated by a predetermined distance from at least one of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab. In this case, the predetermined distance may be 15 mm or less, more specifically, greater than 0 mm and 15 mm or less, preferably 0.05 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and even more preferably 0.3 mm or more and 5 mm or less.

[0112] The advantages when the induction heating coil is in contact with the electrode tab, and the advantages when the induction heating coil is separated from the electrode tab by a predetermined distance, are as described in the electrode assembly manufacturing method.

[0113] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode tab induction heating section may include an induction heating coil and an induction heating plate. The description of the induction heating coil and induction heating plate of the electrode tab induction heating section can be applied to the description of the induction heating coil and induction heating plate of the induction heating section. However, some form and size may differ depending on the size and position of the object to be heated.

[0114] In one embodiment of the present invention, the heat press section is composed of a pair of pressure blocks, and the pair of pressure blocks are moved in a direction opposite to each other to apply surface pressure to the laminate.

[0115] The heat press section includes a pair of pressure blocks and a press heater for heating the pressure blocks. As the press heater heats the pressure blocks, the pair of pressure blocks move in a direction opposite to each other, allowing surface pressure to be applied to a laminate placed between the pressure blocks.

[0116] In this case, the pair of pressure blocks may include a press heater inside.

[0117] In another embodiment of the present invention, the heat press section may consist of two separate heat press sections, that is, a first heat press section and a second heat press section.

[0118] Referring to Figure 7, the first heat press section may include a pair of first pressure blocks. The pressure surfaces of the pair of first pressure blocks may include grooves corresponding to the grippers so that the grippers can press the laminate while gripping the laminate. The pressure surfaces other than the grooves may be flat. The second heat press section may include a pair of second pressure blocks. The pressure surfaces of the pair of second pressure blocks may be flat. That is, when the laminate is placed on the pressure surfaces of the pressure blocks, the second pressure blocks can move relative to each other to heat and pressurize the laminate.

[0119] Dividing the heat press section into two parts as described above prevents the heated laminate from being cooled during transport, thus preventing the loss of adhesive strength between each layer within the laminate.

[0120] The conditions for heating and pressurizing the laminate in the heat press section are the same as those for the heat press stage described above.

[0121] An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention may have an induction heating section, an electrode tab induction heating section, and a heat press section that operate in a gradual manner. That is, as described above, the apparatus may operate in such a way that the electrode tab induction heating section can be performed between the induction heating section and the heat press section.

[0122] On the other hand, in this embodiment of the present invention, the electrode assembly may have a rated capacity of 50Ah to 200Ah, preferably 50Ah to 150Ah, and more preferably 60Ah to 140Ah.

[0123] The electrode assembly may have a ratio of overall length to overall width of 5 to 10, preferably 5 to 8. Specifically, the electrode assembly may have an overall length of 400 mm to 600 mm and an overall width of 50 mm to 150 mm, preferably an overall length of 500 mm to 600 mm and an overall width of 50 mm to 100 mm.

[0124] Embodiments of the present invention are characterized by including a first pressing section, which includes induction heating, and a second pressing section, which heats and pressurizes the induction-heated electrode assembly, after the laminates have been assembled on a lamination table to complete the electrode assembly. In particular, in the case of large electrode assemblies, such as the electrode assembly described above, if heating is done by direct contact, a significant temperature difference may occur within the electrode assembly, especially between the outermost part of the electrode assembly and the central part of the electrode assembly. However, when embodiments of the present invention are applied to large electrode assemblies, they have the advantage of uniformly heating the entire electrode assembly regardless of its position within the electrode assembly, even if the electrode assembly is thick.

[0125] In one embodiment of the present invention, the stacking table may include a table body on which the stacked material is placed, and a drive unit for driving the table body. The table body may include a stacking table heater that can heat the stacked material to a predetermined temperature when the stacked material is placed on it.

[0126] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode supply unit may include at least one of a first electrode mounting table, a first electrode roll, a first cutter, a first conveyor belt, and a first electrode supply head.

[0127] Furthermore, the first electrode mounting table may include a first electrode heater that heats the first electrode placed on the first electrode mounting table to a predetermined temperature.

[0128] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second electrode supply unit may include at least one of a second electrode mounting table, a second electrode roll, a second cutter, a second conveyor belt, and a second electrode supply head.

[0129] Furthermore, the second electrode mounting table may include a second electrode heater that heats the second electrode placed on the second electrode mounting table to a predetermined temperature.

[0130] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode stacking unit includes a first vacuum head for vacuum sucking up the first electrode that has been fixed to the first electrode fixing table. The first electrode stacking unit allows the first electrode to be moved from the first electrode fixing table to the stacking table.

[0131] The second electrode stacking unit may include a second vacuum head for vacuum-suctioning the second electrode that has been secured to the second electrode securing table. The second electrode stacking unit allows the second electrode to be moved from the second electrode securing table to the stacking table.

[0132] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode may be a positive electrode and the second electrode may be a negative electrode.

[0133] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode may be a negative electrode and the second electrode may be a positive electrode.

[0134] In one embodiment of the present invention, the current collector, active material, conductive material, etc. used for the positive electrode and negative electrode may be used without limitation as long as they are known in the industry, and the method for manufacturing the positive electrode and negative electrode may also be used without limitation as long as it is known in the industry.

[0135] In one embodiment of the present invention, the separation membrane may be any separation membrane known in the art without limitation, and the method for manufacturing the separation membrane may also be any method known in the art without limitation. However, in one embodiment of the present invention, the separation membrane includes a porous polymer substrate and an organic / inorganic composite porous coating layer formed on at least one surface of the polymer substrate, and the organic / inorganic composite porous coating layer may include particulate binder resin and inorganic particles.

[0136] In one embodiment of the present invention, the particulate binder resin may contain one or more selected from the group consisting of fluorine-based polymers, acrylic polymer particles, acrylic polymer particles, and hybrid polymer particles of acrylic polymers.

[0137] In one embodiment of the present invention, the fluorine-based polymer may be a homopolymer of vinylidene fluoride, a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and another polymerizable monomer, or a mixture of two or more of these.

[0138] In one embodiment of the present invention, the inorganic particles may be Al2O3, but are not limited thereto.

[0139] Because it includes the aforementioned organic / inorganic composite porous coating layer, it becomes possible to manufacture an electrode assembly with enhanced adhesion between the electrode and the separation membrane by applying the induction heating step and the heat pressing step described in the electrode assembly manufacturing method and / or electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus.

[0140] The following describes in more detail an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and an electrode assembly manufacturing method, which are embodiments of the present invention. The following description assumes that the electrode assembly of the present invention is zigzag stacked.

[0141] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the process flow of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a plan view showing the process flow of an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Here, for convenience, the holding mechanism 170, heat press section 180, and induction heating section 190 shown in Figure 2 are omitted in Figure 1, and the separation membrane supply section 120 shown in Figure 1 is omitted in Figure 2.

[0142] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a separation membrane supply unit 120 for supplying a separation membrane 14 to a stack table 110, a first electrode supply unit 130 for supplying a first electrode 11 to the stack table 110, and a second electrode supply unit 140 for supplying a second electrode 12 to the stack table 110. In this case, the separation membrane 14, the first electrode 11, and the second electrode 12 can also be supplied to the stack table 110 while being heated in the first electrode supply unit 130 and the second electrode supply unit 140, respectively.

[0143] Furthermore, an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first electrode stacking section 150 for stacking the first electrode 11 supplied by the first electrode supply section 130 onto the stacking table 110, and a second electrode stacking section 160 for stacking the second electrode 12 supplied by the second electrode supply section 140 onto the stacking table 110. In this case, the separation membrane 14 supplied by the separation membrane supply section 120 is stacked in a zigzag pattern, alternating between the left and right sides of the stacking axis with respect to the stacking axis. In this case, one of the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 is alternately inserted into the space (between the separation membranes) that is created as the separation membrane 14 is folded, and as a result, a stack in which the first electrode 11, separation membrane 14, second electrode 12, and separation membrane 14 are repeatedly stacked is placed on the stacking table 110.

[0144] The separation membrane supply unit 120 may include a separation membrane heating unit 121 and a separation membrane roll 122. The separation membrane heating unit 121 is selectively applicable.

[0145] More specifically, the first electrode supply unit 130 may include a first electrode mounting table 131, a first electrode heater (not shown), a first electrode roll 133, a first cutter 134, a first conveyor belt 135, and a first electrode supply head 136. The first electrode heater (not shown) is selectively applicable.

[0146] The second electrode supply unit 140 may also include a second electrode mounting table 141, a second electrode heater (not shown), a second electrode roll 143, a second cutter 144, a second conveyor belt 145, and a second electrode supply head 146. The second electrode heater (not shown) is selectively applicable.

[0147] The first electrode stacking section 150 stacks the first electrode 11 on the stacking table 110. In this case, the first electrode stacking section 150 may include a first vacuum head 151, a first head heater (not shown), and a first moving section 153. The second electrode stacking section 160 stacks the second electrode 12 on the stacking table 110. The second electrode stacking section 160 may include a second vacuum head 161, a second head heater (not shown), and a second moving section 163.

[0148] The first electrode stack section 150 and the second electrode stack section 160 may optionally further include a heater (not shown) for preheating the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0149] Furthermore, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a holding mechanism 170 for fixing the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 when they are stacked on the stack table 110. Additionally, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a heat press section 180 for heating and pressurizing the stack placed on the stack table 110 to bond the first electrode 11, the separation membrane 14, and the second electrode 12 together.

[0150] Furthermore, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes an induction heating unit 190 that induction heats a laminate to transfer heat to electrodes within the laminate. It may also further include a control unit (not shown) that controls whether the induction heating unit 190 is operational or not. As a result, an electrode assembly 10 as shown in Figure 3 can be manufactured.

[0151] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an electrode assembly manufactured through an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and electrode assembly manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0152] Referring to Figure 3, the electrode assembly 10 may be configured such that a separation membrane 14, which is folded in a zigzag shape and stacked, is alternately inserted into the space between the separation membranes 14, and either a first electrode 11 or a second electrode 12 is also stacked.

[0153] In this case, the electrode assembly 10 may be provided in a form in which the outermost layer of the laminate is surrounded by the separation membrane 14. However, the configuration of the electrode assembly 10 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 3.

[0154] Figures 4 and 5 are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation process of the induction heating unit according to the present invention.

[0155] Specifically, Figure 4 shows the case where the induction heating unit 190 is a gripper 51. The gripper 51 may include an induction heating coil (not shown). The gripper 51 may perform induction heating on the laminate S while gripping it. The laminate S can be transferred to the heat press unit 180 while induction heating is being performed in the gripper 51. In the heat press unit 180, the laminate S can be heated and pressurized. In this case, before heating and pressurizing the laminate S in the heat press unit 180, a waiting step (stage) may be performed in which induction heating to the laminate S is stopped and the laminate S is kept waiting for a predetermined time. In this case, the conditions for the waiting step can be set in the control unit (not shown).

[0156] Figure 5 shows another embodiment of induction heating, in which the laminate S is induction heated using a gripper 51 and a separately provided induction heating unit 190. In this case, the laminate S is moved to the induction heating device and then induction heated. Once induction heating is complete, the laminate S can be heated and pressurized in the heat press unit 180, as in Figure 4. In this case, before heating and pressurizing the laminate S in the heat press unit 180, a waiting step (stage) may be performed in which the induction heating of the induction heated laminate S is stopped and the laminate S is left waiting for a predetermined time. In this case as well, the conditions for the waiting step can be adjusted by a control unit (not shown). The waiting step may be performed with the laminate S held by the gripper 51 after being detached from the induction heating unit 190, as shown in Figure 5.

[0157] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the operation process of the electrode tab induction heating unit according to the present invention. As an example, Figure 6 shows the case in which the laminate S is induction heated using an induction heating unit 190 provided separately from the gripper 51. As explained in Figure 5, the laminate S may be subjected to an induction heating stage, a standby stage, and a heat press stage. In this case, the portion of the first electrode tab 10a can be induction heated by the electrode tab induction heating unit 193 between the standby stage and the heat press stage. This raises the temperature of the electrode tab portion, which has a relatively lower temperature, and allows the laminate S to be pressurized at a uniform temperature in the heat press stage. In this case, multiple first electrode tabs may be included in the laminate. The laminate S may also include a second electrode tab (not shown), and induction heating of the second electrode tab may be applied in the same manner as induction heating of the first electrode tab. Multiple second electrode tabs may also be included in the laminate. The conditions for each stage may be as described above.

[0158] Figure 7 illustrates an induction heating section according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 7, the induction heating section 190 may include an induction heating coil 191 and an induction heating plate 192. More specifically, induction heating coils 191a and 191b can be built inside induction heating plates 192a and 192b. The induction heating coil 191 may have a U-shape. The induction heating coils 191a and 191b may be arranged facing each other, and the specific arrangement of the induction heating coils 191 may be as shown in Figure 7, but is not limited thereto.

[0159] When an alternating current is applied to the induction heating coil 191, an induced current can be generated in the metallic electrodes within the electrode assembly, and the electrodes are heated by this induced current. Therefore, induction heating can also be performed by targeting electrodes located in specific layers within the electrode assembly.

[0160] The present invention is characterized by pre-heating, by induction heating, of the electrode located in the central part of the electrode assembly, which is particularly vulnerable to heating, before the heat press stage in which the electrode assembly is heated and pressurized.

[0161] Figure 8 shows the configuration of the heat press section. In particular, it shows the case where the heat press section comprises a first heat press section 50 and a second heat press section 60.

[0162] Figure 8(a) is a perspective view showing the first heat press section 50, and Figure 8(b) is a perspective view showing the second heat press section 60.

[0163] Referring to Figure 8(a), the first heat press section 50 can heat and pressurize the laminate S while it is fixed in place by the gripper 51. The first heat press section 50 can be composed of a pair of first pressurizing blocks 50a and 50b. The pair of first pressurizing blocks 50a and 50b have entirely flat pressurizing surfaces, except for grooves that correspond to the fixing portion 51b of the gripper 51.

[0164] The gripper 51 may include a body 51a that corresponds to or is wider than the length x and height y of the laminate S, and a fixing portion 51b that protrudes from the body 51a and secures the laminate S. Here, the length x of the laminate S means the longest distance from one end to the other of the laminate S, the height y means the distance in the stacking direction of the laminate S, and the width z may mean the distance that crosses the upper surface of the laminate S laterally.

[0165] The fixing portion 51b can be adjusted in position along the height direction of the main body 51a, and the fixing portion 51b can contact the upper and lower surfaces of the laminate S to fix the laminate S.

[0166] Subsequently, the pair of first pressurizing blocks 50a and 50b move in opposing directions to heat and pressurize the laminate S. The electrodes and separation membrane inside the electrode assembly are stably bonded by this heating and pressurizing.

[0167] The first heat press section 50 may be a component that compensates for the cooling of the induction-heated electrode assembly while it is moving, and may be selectively provided. In other words, it may be omitted in some cases.

[0168] Referring to Figure 8(b), the second heat press section 60 can ultimately heat and pressurize the laminate S that has been first heated and pressurized by the first heat press section 50. The second heat press section 60 includes a pair of second pressurizing blocks 60a and 60b, which are moved in opposing directions to pressurize the laminate S. The pair of second pressurizing blocks 60a and 60b included in the second heat press section 60 may also have pressurizing surfaces that are entirely flat and in contact with the laminate S.

[0169] The description of the electrode assembly manufacturing method according to the present invention can also be applied to the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, and vice versa.

[0170] <Electrode assembly> In this specification, the "outermost part of the electrode assembly" means the uppermost or lowermost position in the stacking direction of the laminate.

[0171] Furthermore, in this specification, "intermediate part of the electrode assembly" means a position corresponding to the intermediate portion between the uppermost and lowermost positions in the stacking direction of the laminates stacked with respect to the stacking axis.

[0172] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode assembly comprising a first electrode, a separator membrane, and a second electrode, manufactured by an electrode assembly manufacturing method and / or electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention. That is, the electrode assembly may be an electrode assembly stacked using a zigzag stacking method.

[0173] However, the electrode assembly can also be a laminate-and-fold (L&F) structure in which the electrode and separation membrane are wound together, or a stacking-and-laminate (S&L) structure in which the electrode and separation membrane are sequentially stacked. In other words, the present invention adds a step of heating and pressurizing the electrode assembly after its completion in order to improve the adhesion between the electrode and separation membrane within the electrode assembly, making it applicable to a variety of electrode assembly configurations.

[0174] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode assembly is compressed while being heated, which allows for a higher energy density per unit volume. That is, compared to simply stacking the electrodes and separation membrane and then packaging them, the electrode assembly is heated and pressurized, resulting in a reduction in volume.

[0175] In particular, the reduction in the volume of the electrode assembly can be realized through the separation membrane. In this specification, compression of the separation membrane after zigzag stacking means that the separation membrane of the electrode assembly is compressed compared to the separation membrane before compression.

[0176] In other words, in one embodiment of the present invention, the compressibility of the separation membrane located on the outermost edge of the electrode assembly is greater than the compressibility of the separation membrane located in the middle of the electrode assembly, and the difference in compressibility may be 3%p (Percentage Point) or less, preferably 2%p or less, and more preferably 1.5%p or less.

[0177] In one embodiment of the present invention, the compressibility of the separation membrane located at the outermost edge of the electrode assembly may be 3% to 8%, preferably 4% to 8%.

[0178] In one embodiment of the present invention, the compressibility of the separation membrane located in the middle of the electrode assembly may be 3% to 8%, preferably 4% to 8%.

[0179] In one embodiment of the present invention, the compressibility of the separation membrane located on the outermost edge of the electrode assembly may be 3% to 8%, preferably 4% to 8%, and the compressibility of the separation membrane located in the middle of the electrode assembly may be 3% to 8%, preferably 4% to 8%.

[0180] The compressibility of the separation membrane can be calculated by comparing the thickness of the supplied separation membrane (raw material thickness, before the process) with the thickness of the separation membrane after the completion of the electrode assembly (after the process).

[0181] In one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the separation membrane located in the middle of the electrode assembly may be 1 to 1.09 times the thickness of the separation membrane located on the outermost edge of the electrode assembly, preferably more than 1 and 1.09 times, more preferably more than 1 and 1.05 times, and more preferably more than 1 and 1.03 times.

[0182] In other words, in one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode assembly may have a separation membrane located at the outermost edge of the electrode assembly that is thinner than the separation membrane located in the middle of the electrode assembly, and the thickness of the separation membrane located in the middle of the electrode assembly may be 1.09 times or less the thickness of the separation membrane located at the outermost edge of the electrode assembly.

[0183] In one embodiment of the present invention, the deviation in the thickness of the separation membrane of the electrode assembly may be 9% or less, preferably 5% or less, and more preferably 3% or less.

[0184] The electrode assembly according to the present invention is manufactured by heating and pressurizing a laminate (unfinished electrode assembly) in which electrodes and separation membranes are stacked. Since the thickness difference between the outermost separation membrane and the intermediate separation membrane of the electrode assembly is the largest, it is possible to compare the thickness of the outermost separation membrane and the intermediate separation membrane of the electrode assembly to confirm whether or not the thickness difference of the separation membrane of the electrode assembly falls within the specified numerical range.

[0185] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode assembly comprising a first electrode, a separation membrane, and a second electrode, wherein the electrode assembly is zigzag stacked, and after zigzag stacking, the electrode assembly is heated and pressurized to satisfy the following formula 1. [Formula 1] 1.02E A ≤E B In the above formula 1, E A This is the energy density Wh / L of the electrode assembly before heating and pressurizing. E B This is the energy density Wh / L of the electrode assembly after heating and pressurizing.

[0186] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode assembly can satisfy formula 1. Specifically, formula 1 is 1.02E A ≤E B Preferably, 1.03E A ≤E B This may also be the case. In other words, the energy density (Wh / L) increases as the separation membrane and electrodes are compressed during the heating and pressurizing process. In this case, energy density refers to power per unit volume.

[0187] The energy density is calculated by disassembling the electrode assembly, determining the energy density at the outermost and intermediate positions of the electrode assembly, and then averaging those values.

[0188] Thus, the electrode assembly according to the embodiment of this application has a uniform thickness of the separation film, resulting in uniform performance and superior dielectric strength.

[0189] In one embodiment of the present invention, the compressibility of the separation membrane located at the outermost edge of the electrode assembly may be greater than the compressibility of the separation membrane located in the middle of the electrode assembly.

[0190] In other words, the electrode assembly according to the present invention has a uniform thickness of the separation membrane, resulting in uniform performance and superior voltage resistance.

[0191] In one embodiment of the present invention, the dielectric strength of the electrode assembly may be 1.5kV or more.

[0192] Furthermore, the description of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and the configuration of the manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention can also be applied to the manufacturing method according to the present invention and the electrode assembly manufactured by the manufacturing method according to the present invention.

[0193] In one embodiment of the present invention, the permeability of the separation membrane located in the middle of the electrode assembly may be 80 sec / 100 ml to 120 sec / 100 ml, preferably 80 sec / 100 ml to 110 sec / 100 ml, and more preferably 85 sec / 100 ml to 100 sec / 100 ml.

[0194] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the air permeability of the separation membrane located at the outermost edge of the electrode assembly may be 80 sec / 100 ml to 120 sec / 100 ml, preferably 80 sec / 100 ml to 110 sec / 100 ml, and more preferably 85 sec / 100 ml to 100 sec / 100 ml.

[0195] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the difference between the air permeability of the separation membrane located in the middle of the electrode assembly and the air permeability of the separation membrane located on the outermost edge of the electrode assembly may be 2 sec / 100 ml to 15 sec / 100 ml, preferably 2 sec / 100 ml to 10 sec / 100 ml. [Examples]

[0196] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is obvious to a person with ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the technical idea of ​​the present invention as described in the claims.

[0197] <Electrode assembly manufacturing>

[0198] 1) Example 1 Nineteen positive electrodes, twenty negative electrodes, and a separation membrane were supplied to the stack table from the positive electrode supply unit, the negative electrode supply unit, and the separation membrane supply unit, respectively.

[0199] More specifically, the positive electrode and negative electrode were supplied in the form of a positive electrode sheet and a negative electrode sheet, respectively, cut into pieces, and the separation membrane was supplied in the form of a separation membrane sheet. In this case, the positive electrode and negative electrode were manufactured to have a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab, respectively. Then, the separation membrane was folded while the stacking table was rotated, and the positive electrode, negative electrode and separation membrane were stacked.

[0200] In this configuration, the positive and negative electrodes were supplied using an electrode stack section, which included a vacuum head, an electrode non-contact heater, and a movable part, respectively.

[0201] Simultaneously, the holding mechanism was used to stack the positive or negative electrodes on the uppermost side of the stacking table. As a result, a laminate (electrode assembly) was manufactured in which the positive electrode, negative electrode, and separator membrane were zigzag stacked.

[0202] Next, the laminate was induction heated for 15 seconds in an induction heating section containing a U-shaped induction heating coil (induction heating step). After that, the laminate was left to stand for 15 seconds (waiting step) before being executed. After the waiting step, the electrode tabs of the laminate were induction heated for 15 seconds in an electrode tab induction heating section containing a U-shaped induction heating coil (electrode tab induction heating step). Next, the laminate was heated and pressurized for 15 seconds under temperature conditions of 70°C and pressure conditions of 3.5 MPa (heat press step) to manufacture the electrode assembly of Example 1.

[0203] During the manufacturing process, the surface temperature change of the laminate S was measured. Specifically, the surface of the laminate S was divided into a heated area heated by a U-shaped induction heating coil and an unheated area not heated by the U-shaped induction heating coil, and the temperature change was measured for each area. The results are shown in Figure 9.

[0204] The above-described aspects of the present invention can be applied during the process of manufacturing electrode assemblies.

[0205] Next, the adhesive strength pattern of the electrode assembly of Example 1 was measured using an adhesive strength meter, and the results are shown in Figure 10. Specifically, the adhesive strength pattern of the electrode assembly was measured in the direction of the arrow in Figure 10.

[0206] The results in Figure 9 confirm that the surface temperature of the laminate can be increased when the induction heating process is performed. In particular, since induction heating is possible for electrodes that are not located on the outermost edge of the laminate and do not come into direct contact with it, it was confirmed that temperature non-uniformity between electrodes in the heat press process can be prevented.

[0207] Furthermore, the results in Figure 9 confirm that the temperature difference between the heated and unheated sections can be reduced when the waiting process is performed. As the temperature difference was reduced, it was confirmed that the adhesive force pattern of the electrode assembly was uniform, as shown in Figure 10.

[0208] Additionally, by inductively heating the electrode tab portion, it was confirmed that the electrode tab portion was also uniformly bonded.

[0209] 2) Comparative Example 1 The electrode assembly of Comparative Example 1 was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1, except that induction heating, electrode tab induction heating, and the waiting step were not performed.

[0210] <Experimental Example 1 - Evaluation of changes in separation membrane material thickness and the compressibility of the separation membrane> The thickness change of the separation membrane raw material and the compression ratio of the separation membrane were evaluated for the electrode assemblies of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1.

[0211] Specifically, after measuring the thickness of the separation film raw material before lamination, the electrode assemblies of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 were disassembled, and the separation film located at the upper end (outermost edge) of the electrode assembly and the separation film corresponding to the intermediate position (central part) between the upper and lower ends of the electrode assembly were collected, using the lamination direction of the electrode assembly as a reference. The change in the thickness of the separation film raw material before and after the process was measured, and the results are shown in Table 1 below. In addition, the separation film compressibility was calculated from the change in the thickness of the separation film raw material and is also shown in Table 1 below.

[0212] [Table 1]

[0213] As can be seen in Table 1 above, when induction heating and the waiting process are not performed, it was confirmed that there is a large deviation in the thickness change of the separation membrane raw material. In the outermost part, the thickness of the separation membrane raw material decreases more than necessary, while in the central part, it was confirmed that there is almost no change in the thickness of the separation membrane raw material. In other words, in Comparative Example 1, unlike Example 1, it was confirmed that a large deviation in the separation film thickness occurs depending on the position of the electrode assembly.

[0214] This means that it is difficult for an electrode assembly to have uniform performance regardless of its position within the electrode assembly. In other words, it was confirmed that the electrode assembly manufactured using the manufacturing apparatus and method according to the present invention has uniform performance.

[0215] <Experimental Example 2 - Withstand Voltage Evaluation> The dielectric strength of the electrode assemblies of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 2 below.

[0216] [Table 2] As can be seen in Table 2 above, it was confirmed that the withstand voltage is better when induction heating and the standby process are performed than when induction heating and the standby process are not performed. In other words, it was confirmed that Comparative Example 1 has worse withstand voltage performance than Example 1.

[0217] <Experimental Example 3 - Evaluation of Separation Membrane Air Permeability> The electrode assemblies of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 were disassembled, and the separation membrane corresponding to the midpoint between the upper and lower ends of the electrode assemblies, based on the stacking direction of the electrode assemblies, was collected and then cut to prepare a separation membrane sample measuring 5 cm × 5 cm (width × height). Subsequently, the separation membrane sample was washed with an organic solvent. Subsequently, the air permeability of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 was measured using a Toyoseiki Gurley type densometer (No. 158) in accordance with the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) Gurley measurement method, by measuring the time it took for 100 ml (or 100 cc) of air to pass through a 1 square inch of the separation membrane at room temperature and a pressure of 0.05 MPa.

[0218] The results are shown in Table 3 below.

[0219] [Table 3]

[0220] As can be seen from Table 3 above, it was confirmed that Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 had similar air permeability.

[0221] From the above experimental examples, it was confirmed that the electrode assemblies manufactured using the electrode assembly apparatus and method of the present invention exhibit excellent stability of the electrodes and separation membranes, and have an appropriate level of air permeability that prevents deformation of the separation membranes.

[0222] Furthermore, we were able to confirm that it is possible to manufacture electrode assemblies with excellent voltage resistance and uniform performance. Examples of embodiments of the present invention are shown below as items. [Item 1] A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly comprising a first electrode, a separation membrane, and a second electrode, A stacking step in which the laminate containing the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode is stacked on a stacking table; An induction heating step for induction heating the above-mentioned laminate; and A heat press step in which the induction-heated laminate is heated and pressurized; Includes, At least one of the first electrodes in the above-mentioned laminate includes a first electrode tab. At least one of the second electrodes of the above-mentioned laminate includes a second electrode tab. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, further comprising an electrode tab induction heating step between the induction heating step and the heat press step, in which at least one of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab is induction heated. [Item 2] The electrode assembly manufacturing method according to item 1, wherein the electrode tab induction heating step is to induce heating of at least one of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab using an induction heating coil. [Item 3] The electrode assembly manufacturing method according to item 2, wherein the induction heating coil is in contact with or separated by a predetermined distance from at least one of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab. [Item 4] The electrode assembly manufacturing method described in item 3, wherein the specified distance is 15 mm or less. [Item 5] The electrode assembly manufacturing method described in item 1, wherein the electrode tab induction heating step described above is performed for 1 to 60 seconds. [Item 6] The electrode assembly manufacturing method according to item 1, wherein the induction heating step is to induce heating of the laminate using an induction heating coil. [Item 7] The above induction heating step is Between the stacking step and the heat pressing step, there is a transfer step in which the stacked material is grasped by a gripper including an induction heating coil and the stacked material is transferred. The electrode assembly manufacturing method according to item 1, wherein the laminate is inductively heated with the gripper during the transfer stage described above. [Item 8] The above induction heating step is Between the stacking step and the heat pressing step, there is a transfer step of transferring the stacked material to an induction heating device including an induction heating coil. The electrode assembly manufacturing method according to item 1, wherein the induction heating step is performed using the induction heating device described above. [Item 9] The transfer step of transferring the above-mentioned laminate to the induction heating device including the induction heating coil is the step of gripping the above-mentioned laminate with a gripper and transferring it to the induction heating device. The electrode assembly manufacturing method according to item 8, wherein the induction heating step is performed by induction heating while the laminate is held in the gripper. [Item 10] The electrode assembly manufacturing method according to item 1, further comprising a waiting step between the induction heating step and the heat pressing step, wherein the laminate is left in the atmosphere for a predetermined time. [Item 11] The above waiting stage is performed for 3 seconds or more and 60 seconds or less, in the electrode assembly manufacturing method described in item 10. [Item 12] An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a separation membrane, and a second electrode, A stack table on which the stacked material containing the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode is placed, is formed by stacking the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode; and A heat press section for heating and pressurizing the above-mentioned laminate; Includes, At least one of the first electrodes in the above-mentioned laminate includes a first electrode tab. At least one of the second electrodes of the above-mentioned laminate includes a second electrode tab. An induction heating section for induction heating the laminate while it is being transferred from the stacking table to the heat pressing section; and An electrode tab induction heating unit that induction heats at least one of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab before the laminate, which has been induction heated in the induction heating unit, is heated and pressurized in the heat press unit; An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus, further including the above. [Item 13] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to item 12, wherein the induction heating section includes an induction heating coil and is a gripper for gripping the laminate to transfer the laminate to the heat press section. [Item 14] The above induction heating section is A first induction heating device including an induction heating coil; and A first device moving unit that moves the above-mentioned first induction heating device to the surface of the laminate; An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus as described in item 12, including the apparatus described in item 12. [Item 15] The stacking table and the induction heating unit further include a gripper for gripping and transferring the stacked material, The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus described in item 12, wherein the induction heating section is used to induce heating while the laminate is being held by the gripper. [Item 16] The temperature distribution on the surface of the laminate is measured, and the induction heating temperature for the laminate is set according to the measured temperature distribution, The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to item 12, further comprising a first control unit that determines whether or not to interrupt the induction heating of the laminate based on the induction heating temperature and the induction heating time for the laminate. [Item 17] The above electrode tab induction heating section is, A second induction heating device including an induction heating coil; and A second device moving unit for moving the above-mentioned second induction heating device to the above-mentioned first electrode tab or second electrode tab portion; An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus as described in item 12, including the apparatus described in item 12. [Item 18] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to item 17, wherein the induction heating coil is in contact with or at least one of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab. [Item 19] The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus described in item 18, wherein the above-mentioned predetermined distance is 15 mm or less. [Item 20] An electrode assembly comprising a first electrode, a separation membrane, and a second electrode, The above electrode assemblies are zigzag stacked. The above separation membrane is compressed after the zigzag stacking described above. An electrode assembly in which the compressibility of the separation membrane located on the outermost edge of the electrode assembly is greater than that of the separation membrane located in the middle of the electrode assembly, and the difference in compressibility is 3%p or less. [Item 21] The electrode assembly described in item 20, wherein the total length of the electrode assembly is 400mm to 600mm and the total width is 50mm to 150mm. [Item 22] The electrode assembly described in item 20, wherein the air permeability of the separation membrane located in the middle of the electrode assembly is 80 sec / 100 ml to 120 sec / 100 ml. [Description of Symbols]

[0223] 10 ... electrode assembly 10a ··· First electrode tab 11 ··· First electrode 12 ··· Second electrode 14 ··· Separation membrane 50 ··· First heat press unit 50a, 50b ··· Pair of first pressure blocks 51 ··· Gripper 51a ··· Main body 51b ··· Fixing portion 60 ··· Second heat press unit 60a, 60b ··· Pair of second pressure blocks 100 ··· Electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus 110 ··· Stacking table 111 ··· Table main body 112 ··· Stacking table heater 120 ··· Separation membrane supply unit 121 ··· Separation membrane heating unit 122 ··· Separation membrane roll 130 ··· First electrode supply unit 131 ··· First electrode seating table 133 ··· First electrode roll 134 ··· First cutter 135 ··· First conveyor belt 136 ··· First electrode supply head 140 ··· Second electrode supply unit 141 ··· Second electrode seating table 143 ··· Second electrode roll 144 ··· Second cutter 145 ··· Second conveyor belt 146 ··· Second electrode supply head 150 ··· First electrode stacking unit 151 ··· First vacuum head 153 ··· First moving unit 160 ··· Second electrode stacking unit 161 ··· Second vacuum head 163 ··· Second moving unit 170 ···Holding mechanism 171 ···First Holding Organization 172 ···Second Holding Organization 180 ···Heat press section 181 ···First pressurization block 182 ···Second pressurization block 190...Induction heating section 191 (191a, 191b) ... Induction heating coil 192 (192a, 192b) ... Induction heating plate 193 ···Electrode tab induction heating section S ···Laminate

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly comprising a first electrode, a separation membrane, and a second electrode, A stacking step in which the laminate including the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode is stacked on a stacking table; An induction heating step of induction heating the laminate; and A heat press step in which the induction-heated laminate is heated and pressurized; Includes, At least one of the first electrodes of the laminate includes a first electrode tab. At least one of the second electrodes of the laminate includes a second electrode tab. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, further comprising an electrode tab induction heating step between the induction heating step and the heat pressing step, in which at least one of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab is induction heated.

2. The electrode assembly manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the electrode tab induction heating step involves induction heating of at least one of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab using an induction heating coil.

3. The electrode assembly manufacturing method according to claim 2, wherein the induction heating coil is in contact with or separated by a predetermined distance from at least one of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab.

4. The electrode assembly manufacturing method according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined distance is 15 mm or less.

5. The electrode assembly manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the electrode tab induction heating step is performed for 1 second to 60 seconds.

6. The electrode assembly manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the induction heating step involves induction heating of the laminate using an induction heating coil.

7. The induction heating step is Between the stacking step and the heat pressing step, there is a transfer step in which the stacked material is grasped by a gripper including an induction heating coil and the stacked material is transferred. The electrode assembly manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the laminate is inductively heated with the gripper during the transfer step.

8. The induction heating step is Between the stacking step and the heat pressing step, there is a transfer step of transferring the stacked material to an induction heating device including an induction heating coil, The electrode assembly manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the induction heating step is performed using the induction heating device.

9. The transfer step of transferring the laminate to an induction heating device including the induction heating coil is a step of gripping the laminate with a gripper and transferring it to the induction heating device. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 8, wherein the induction heating step is performed by induction heating while the laminate is gripped by the gripper.

10. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a waiting step between the induction heating step and the heat pressing step, wherein the laminate is left to stand in the atmosphere.

11. The electrode assembly manufacturing method according to claim 10, wherein the aforementioned waiting stage is performed for 3 seconds or more and 60 seconds or less.

12. The electrode assembly manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the heat pressing step involves heating and pressurizing the laminate under temperature conditions of 50°C to 90°C and pressure conditions of 0.5 MPa to 6.0 MPa.

13. An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a separation membrane, and a second electrode, A stack table on which the stacked material, including the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode, is placed, is formed by stacking the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode; and A heat press section for heating and pressurizing the laminated material; Includes, At least one of the first electrodes of the laminate includes a first electrode tab. At least one of the second electrodes of the laminate includes a second electrode tab. An induction heating unit for induction heating the laminate; and An electrode tab induction heating unit for induction heating at least one of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab; An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus, further including the above.

14. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the induction heating section includes an induction heating coil and is a gripper for gripping the laminate in order to transfer the laminate to the heat press section.

15. The induction heating section is A first induction heating device including an induction heating coil; and A first device moving unit that moves the first induction heating device to the surface of the laminate; The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 13, including the following:

16. The stacking table further includes a gripper for gripping and transferring the stacked material between the stacking table and the induction heating unit, The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the induction heating section performs induction heating while the laminate is gripped by the gripper.

17. The temperature distribution on the surface of the laminate is measured, and the induction heating temperature for the laminate is set according to the measured temperature distribution, The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 16, further comprising a first control unit that determines whether or not to interrupt the induction heating of the laminate based on the induction heating temperature and the induction heating time for the laminate.

18. The electrode tab induction heating section is, A second induction heating device including an induction heating coil; and A second device moving unit for moving the second induction heating device to at least one of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab portion; An electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 16, including the following:

19. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the induction heating coil is in contact with or separated by a predetermined distance from at least one of the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab.

20. The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the predetermined distance is 15 mm or less.

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