Electrolyte removal apparatus and method for removing electrolyte using the same

Abstract

The electrolyte removal device of the present invention is a removal device that removes electrolyte remaining in an injection tool used to inject electrolyte into battery cells, and includes a transfer unit configured to transfer the injection tool, an electrolyte suction unit configured to suck in and remove the electrolyte remaining in the injection tool, an upper O-ring cleaning unit that cleans the upper O-ring of the injection tool, a lower O-ring cleaning unit that cleans the lower O-ring of the injection tool, and a hot air drying unit that sprays hot air onto the inside and outside of the injection tool to remove the liquid remaining in the injection tool.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrolyte removal apparatus and an electrolyte removal method using the same, and more specifically, to an electrolyte removal apparatus capable of effectively removing electrolyte remaining in an injection tool used for injecting electrolyte into a battery cell and an electrolyte removal method using the same.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0174508 filed on December 5, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the document of said Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND ART

[0003] In recent years, rechargeable secondary batteries have been widely used as energy sources for wireless mobile devices. Secondary batteries have also attracted attention as energy sources for electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles and the like, which have been proposed as solutions to air pollution caused by conventional gasoline vehicles, diesel vehicles and the like that use fossil fuels. Accordingly, the types of applications that use secondary batteries have been greatly diversified due to the advantages of secondary batteries, and it is expected that secondary batteries will be applied to more fields and products in the future than at present.

[0004] On the other hand, in the manufacturing process of secondary batteries, electrolyte injection is an important process that affects battery performance. In particular, for cylindrical or prismatic batteries in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode are wrapped with a separator to form a spiral electrode assembly, electrolyte injection is difficult, and various methods have been developed.

[0005] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a general cylindrical battery cell (20). Figure 2 is a front view schematically showing a liquid injection tool generally used for electrolyte injection. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state where electrolyte is injected into a battery can (21) via an injection tool generally used for injecting electrolyte (30).

[0006] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, in the conventional technology, in order to inject electrolyte into a cylindrical battery cell (20), the electrolyte is moved from the electrolyte tank to the electrolyte supply container via a quantitative discharge pump, and then an electrolyte injection tube (11a) is connected to the pallet (12) of the injection device (10). but Cylindrical battery case (21) to It is common practice to inject the electrolyte (30) through the injection nozzle (13) of the electrolyte injection device while the device is inserted.

[0007] At this time, the electrolyte injection tube (11a) of the electrolyte injection device (10) serves as an intermediate passage for injecting the electrolyte injected from the injection nozzle (13) into the battery can (21) in a precise amount. For this reason, an upper O-ring (11b) is provided at the top of the electrolyte injection tube (11a), and an electrolyte inlet (11d) can be formed in the center of such an upper O-ring (11b). A lower O-ring (11c) can be provided at the bottom of the electrolyte injection tube (11a). Such a lower O-ring (11c) can be provided so as to be connected to the top of the battery can (21).

[0008] However, in conventional technology, after injecting the electrolyte into the battery can (21) using the electrolyte injection device (10), residual electrolyte (30) remains in the injection tube (11a) of the electrolyte injection device (10). This residual electrolyte (30) may crystallize in subsequent processes, affect the amount of electrolyte injected during the next injection process, clog the injection port (11d) of the electrolyte injection tube (11a), or negatively affect the performance of the battery cell (20).

[0009] Furthermore, the problem of residual electrolyte remaining in the electrolyte injection tube (11a) of the electrolyte injection device (10) is particularly serious in secondary batteries equipped with spiral electrode assemblies. One way to solve this problem is to separate the electrolyte injection device from the electrolyte supply device and clean it using ultrasonic cleaning or the like. However, performing ultrasonic cleaning after every electrolyte injection using the injection device is time-consuming and expensive, making it difficult to do so every time, and making it unavoidable to perform it periodically at regular intervals. For these reasons, it is extremely difficult to continuously maintain the electrolyte supply tube with minimal residual electrolyte during the electrolyte injection process.

[0010] Therefore, it is necessary to develop an apparatus and method that can effectively remove residual electrolyte from the injection equipment at each step cycle of the electrolyte injection process. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0011] The present invention aims to solve problems that arise in the conventional electrolyte removal process for secondary batteries.

[0012] Through one embodiment of the present invention, the problem to be solved is to provide an electrolyte removal device and an electrolyte removal method that can effectively remove residual electrolyte remaining in an electrolyte injection device by including an electrolyte suction section and a hot air drying section.

[0013] Furthermore, through one embodiment of the present invention, we aim to provide an electrolyte removal device and an electrolyte removal method that can maintain the amount of electrolyte injected into multiple battery cells at an appropriate level, thereby enabling the manufacture of high-quality battery cells. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, according to one embodiment of the present invention, there is an electrolyte removal device for removing electrolyte remaining in an electrolyte injection device for injecting electrolyte into a battery cell, comprising: a transfer unit provided for transporting the electrolyte injection device; an electrolyte suction unit provided for sucking up the electrolyte remaining in the electrolyte injection device that has been transported for cleaning; an O-ring cleaning unit provided for cleaning the upper O-ring or lower O-ring of the electrolyte injection device that has been transported from the electrolyte suction unit; and a hot air drying unit that sprays hot air onto at least one of the inside and outside of the electrolyte injection device to remove any remaining liquid in the electrolyte injection device that has been transported from the O-ring cleaning unit.

[0015] Each of the aforementioned liquid injection devices is the battery cell to The invention may include a plurality of injection tube sections, each having a hollow tube into which an electrolyte is inserted, an upper O-ring provided at the top of the tube into which electrolyte is injected during the electrolyte injection process of a secondary battery, and a lower O-ring provided at the bottom of the tube so as to be connectable to the battery case of the battery cell; and a pallet section in which through holes are formed into which each of the plurality of injection tube sections is inserted.

[0016] The electrolyte suction section may include an upper suction tube provided for suctioning electrolyte remaining in the upper O-ring, and a lower suction tube provided for suctioning electrolyte remaining in the lower O-ring.

[0017] The upper suction tube has a hollow tubular shape that encloses the upper O-ring, and the upper O-ring of the liquid injection device can be inserted through the open end of the tubular tube, and the electrolyte remaining on the upper O-ring can be removed by suction from the other end of the tubular tube.

[0018] The lower suction tube has a hollow tubular shape that encloses the lower O-ring, and the lower O-ring of the liquid injection device can be inserted through the open end of the tubular tube, and the electrolyte remaining on the lower O-ring can be removed by suction from the other end of the tubular tube.

[0019] Said O-ring cleaning section may comprise an upper O-ring cleaning section configured to clean the upper O-ring of said liquid injection instrument by immersing the upper O-ring in a cleaning tank containing a detergent solution.

[0020] Said O-ring cleaning section may comprise a lower O-ring cleaning section configured to clean the lower O-ring of said liquid injection instrument by immersing the lower O-ring in a cleaning tank containing a detergent solution.

[0021] Said hot air drying section may be provided with an injection nozzle configured to inject hot air into the upper part and interior of said liquid injection instrument in a state where said upper O-ring is located at the upper position.

[0022] Said injection nozzles may comprise: an internal injection nozzle inserted through the electrolyte injection port of said upper O-ring and configured to inject hot air into the interior of said liquid injection instrument; and at least one or more external injection nozzles configured to inject hot air from the upper part of said liquid injection instrument to the outer surface of said liquid injection instrument.

[0023] To achieve the above object, according to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electrolyte injection system including said electrolyte removing device.

[0024] To achieve the above object, according to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for removing electrolyte remaining in a liquid injection instrument for injecting electrolyte into a battery cell using said electrolyte removing device, comprising: an electrolyte suction step in which an electrolyte suction section sucks and removes electrolyte remaining in said liquid injection instrument transferred by a transfer section; an O-ring cleaning step in which an O-ring cleaning section cleans the upper O-ring or lower O-ring of the liquid injection instrument transferred from said electrolyte suction section; and a hot air drying step in which a hot air drying section injects hot air into at least one of the interior and the exterior of said liquid injection instrument to remove liquid remaining in the liquid injection instrument transferred from said O-ring cleaning section.

Effects of the Invention

[0025] As described above, the electrolyte solution removing apparatus and electrolyte solution removing method according to an embodiment of the present invention have the following effects.

[0026] By including an electrolyte suction unit and a hot air drying unit, residual electrolyte solution remaining in a liquid injection instrument can be effectively removed.

[0027] Furthermore, since the amount of electrolyte injected into a plurality of battery cells can be maintained at an appropriate level, high-quality battery cells can be manufactured. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram schematically showing a general cylindrical battery cell. [Figure 2] It is a front view schematically showing a liquid injection instrument used for general electrolyte injection. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state where an electrolyte is injected into a battery can via a liquid injection instrument used for general electrolyte injection. [Figure 4] It is a conceptual diagram conceptually showing the configuration of an electrolyte solution removing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a front view schematically showing the configuration of a part of an electrolyte suction unit of the electrolyte solution removing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a part of an electrolyte suction unit of the electrolyte solution removing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a schematic diagram schematically showing an upper O-ring cleaning unit of the electrolyte solution removing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a schematic diagram schematically showing an upper O-ring cleaning unit of the electrolyte solution removing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a schematic diagram schematically showing a lower O-ring cleaning unit of the electrolyte solution removing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10]This is a schematic diagram illustrating the lower O-ring cleaning section of an electrolyte removal device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a schematic front view showing a part of the configuration of the hot air drying section of an electrolyte removal device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of an electrolyte injection system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This is a flowchart showing the steps of an electrolyte removal method according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] Hereinafter, an electrolyte removal apparatus and an electrolyte removal method according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0030] Furthermore, regardless of the reference numerals used in the drawings, identical or corresponding components will be assigned the same or similar reference numerals, and redundant explanations for them will be omitted. For the sake of clarity, the size and shape of each component shown in the illustrations may be exaggerated or reduced.

[0031] Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the configuration of an electrolyte removal device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a schematic front view illustrating a part of the configuration of the electrolyte suction section (110) of the electrolyte removal device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention. And Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a part of the configuration of the electrolyte suction section (110) of the electrolyte removal device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Referring again to Figures 4-6 in conjunction with Figures 1 and 3, the electrolyte removal device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention is a removal device that removes electrolyte remaining in an injection device (10) for injecting electrolyte into a battery cell (20). The injection device (10) may include a plurality of injection tube sections (11a) and a pallet section (12) on which each of the plurality of injection tube sections (11a) is mounted, as shown in Figure 2. Specifically, each of the plurality of injection tube sections (11a) is used to inject electrolyte into the battery cell (20) to The injection tube section (11a) may have a hollow cylindrical tube for insertion. The injection tube section (11a) is provided with an upper O-ring (11b) at the top of the tube. The upper O-ring (11b) may be provided to seal the injection nozzle (13) to prevent electrolyte leakage when electrolyte (30) is injected into the injection tube section (11a) via the nozzle during the electrolyte injection process of the secondary battery. The injection tube section (11a) is provided with a lower O-ring (11c) at the bottom of the tube. The lower O-ring (11c) is provided so as to be connectable to the battery can (21) of the battery cell (20). The lower O-ring (11c) may be provided to seal the space between the injection tube section (11a) and the battery can (21) to prevent electrolyte leakage during the electrolyte injection process of the secondary battery. The pallet section (12) may have through-holes (not shown) into which each of the multiple injection tube sections (11a) is inserted.

[0033] On the other hand, the electrolyte removal device of the present invention includes a transfer unit (160), an electrolyte suction unit (110), an O-ring cleaning unit (150), and a hot air drying unit (140) for cleaning the electrolyte injection device separated from the battery can of a plurality of cylindrical battery cells (20). Such an electrolyte injection device (10) is sequentially transferred by the transfer unit (160) to the electrolyte suction unit (110), the O-ring cleaning unit (150), and the hot air drying unit (140), respectively, for cleaning. However, the electrolyte injection device is not necessarily cleaned in this order, and the order of the cleaning method can be changed as needed.

[0034] Furthermore, the transfer unit (160) may be configured to grip and move the pallet (12) of the liquid injection device (10). For this reason, the transfer unit (160) may include a transfer unit (not shown) equipped with a gripper capable of gripping and transferring the liquid injection device (10).

[0035] Furthermore, an electrolyte removal device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an electrolyte suction unit (110). Such an electrolyte suction unit (110) is provided to suction and remove electrolyte remaining in the liquid injection device (10) through a suction tube (111). Specifically, the electrolyte suction unit (110) includes a suction pump (not shown) that generates negative pressure for suctioning the electrolyte. The electrolyte suction unit (110) includes a connecting hose (112) that connects the suction pump and the suction tube (111). For example, as shown in Figure 5, the electrolyte suction unit (110) may include suction tubes (111a, 111b) used for suctioning the electrolyte.

[0036] Furthermore, the electrolyte suction section (110) may include an upper suction tube (111a) and a lower suction tube (111b). The upper suction tube (111a) may be provided to draw in electrolyte remaining in the upper O-ring (11b).

[0037] The upper suction tube (111a) may have a hollow cylindrical shape so as to enclose the upper O-ring (11b). One end of the upper suction tube (111a) may be open so as to allow insertion of the upper O-ring (11b) of the fluid injection device (10). That is, it can be inserted into the upper O-ring (11b) of the fluid injection device (10) through the tubular open end of the upper suction tube (111a). The other end of the upper suction tube (111a) may be provided with a suction nozzle (111a-1) that communicates with a suction hose (112) so as to generate negative pressure inside the tube. It is possible to draw in from the other tubular end of the upper suction tube (111a) and remove any electrolyte remaining in the upper O-ring (11b).

[0038] Furthermore, the lower suction tube (111b) may have a hollow cylindrical shape so as to enclose the lower O-ring (11c). The lower O-ring (11c) of the liquid injection device (10) can be inserted through the tubular open end of the lower suction tube (111b). One end of the lower suction tube (111b) may have an open shape so as to allow insertion of the lower O-ring (11c) of the liquid injection device (10). The other end of the lower suction tube (111b) may be equipped with a suction nozzle (111b-1) that is provided to communicate with the suction hose (112) so as to generate negative pressure inside the tube. The electrolyte remaining on the lower O-ring (11c) can be removed by suction from the tubular other end of the lower suction tube (111b).

[0039] Figures 7 and 8 are schematic diagrams illustrating the upper O-ring cleaning section (120) of an electrolyte removal device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Referring to Figures 7 and 8 along with Figure 4, the O-ring cleaning section (150) of the electrolyte removal device (100) of the present invention includes an upper O-ring cleaning section (120). The upper O-ring cleaning section (120) is provided to clean the upper O-ring (11b) of the liquid injection device (10). Therefore, the upper O-ring cleaning section (120) may include a detergent solution (122) and a cleaning tank (124) containing such a detergent solution (122). For example, the detergent solution (122) may include dimethyl carbonate. For example, the cleaning tank (124) may be made of a material that does not chemically react with the detergent solution (122). For example, the cleaning tank (124) may be made of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylidene chloride, Teflon®, etc.

[0041] Furthermore, the upper O-ring cleaning section (120) can be moved by lifting the liquid injection device (10) so that the upper O-ring (11b) is immersed in the detergent solution (122) contained in the cleaning tank (124). For example, vibration can be applied to disperse the electrolyte while the upper O-ring (11b) is immersed in the detergent solution (122). For example, an ultrasonic cleaning method can be used as the vibration method.

[0042] Figures 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams illustrating the lower O-ring cleaning section (130) of an electrolyte removal device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Referring to Figures 9 and 10 along with Figure 4, the O-ring cleaning section (150) of the electrolyte removal device (100) of the present invention includes a lower O-ring cleaning section (130). The lower O-ring cleaning section (130) is provided to clean the lower O-ring (11c) of the liquid injection device (10) using a detergent solution (132). The lower O-ring cleaning section (130) may include a detergent solution (132) and a cleaning tank (134) containing such detergent solution (132).

[0044] Furthermore, the lower O-ring cleaning section (130) can be moved by lifting the liquid injection device (10) so that the lower O-ring (11c) is immersed in the detergent solution (132) contained in the cleaning tank (134). For example, vibration can be applied to disperse the electrolyte while the lower O-ring (11c) is immersed in the detergent solution (132). For example, an ultrasonic cleaning method can be used as the vibration method.

[0045] Figure 11 is a schematic front view showing a part of the configuration of the hot air drying section (140) of an electrolyte removal device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Referring again to Figure 11 along with Figure 4, the hot air drying section (140) may be equipped with a spray nozzle (141) that is configured to spray hot air onto at least one of the outside and inside of the liquid injection device (10) with the upper O-ring (11b) in the upper position. The spray nozzle (141) may also be equipped with an internal spray nozzle (141b) and at least one external spray nozzle (141a). Here, the internal spray nozzle (141b) may be inserted through the electrolyte inlet (11c) of the upper O-ring (11b) and configured to spray hot air into the inside of the liquid injection device (10). For example, the external spray nozzle (141a) may be configured to spray hot air from the top of the liquid injection device (10) onto the external surface of the liquid injection device (10).

[0047] Therefore, the electrolyte removal device (100) of the present invention, by including an electrolyte suction section (110) and a hot air drying section (140), can effectively remove residual electrolyte remaining in the electrolyte injection device (10), and can maintain the amount of electrolyte injected into multiple battery cells (20) at an appropriate level, thereby enabling the manufacture of high-quality battery cells (20).

[0048] Figure 12 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of an electrolyte injection system (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Referring to Figures 1 to 4 and Figure 12, this application provides an electrolyte injection system (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention. The electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention includes an electrolyte removal device (100). Here, since the electrolyte removal device (100) is similar to or identical to the electrolyte removal device (100) described above, a detailed explanation of the detailed configuration of the electrolyte removal device (100) will be omitted.

[0050] Furthermore, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include a battery cell supply unit (210) provided to supply cylindrical battery cells (20) to a pallet coupling unit (220).

[0051] Furthermore, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include a pallet coupling section (220) provided to connect a plurality of cylindrical battery cells (20) to an injection device (10) which includes a pallet section (12) and a plurality of injection tube sections (11a).

[0052] Furthermore, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include an electrolyte loading unit (230) equipped with an electrolyte storage tank and an electrolyte supply pump to supply electrolyte to a cylindrical battery cell (20) coupled with an electrolyte injection device (10).

[0053] Furthermore, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include an injection chamber section (240) provided for injecting electrolyte into a cylindrical battery cell (20) connected to an injection device (10) inside the chamber. In this case, the cylindrical battery cell (20) can have electrolyte supplied from an injection loader section (230) (loader) inside the injection chamber section (240) injected into the battery can (21) through an injection nozzle.

[0054] Furthermore, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include a pressurized / vacuum chamber section (250) provided to create a pressurized and vacuum environment for a plurality of cylindrical battery cells (20) into which electrolyte has been injected inside the chamber. At this time, the plurality of cylindrical battery cells (20) in which electrolyte injection has been completed in the injection chamber section (240) can be moved to the pressurized / vacuum chamber section (250) and then exposed to the pressurized and vacuum environment.

[0055] Furthermore, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include a pressurized loader (260) provided in the pressurized / vacuum chamber (250) to increase the internal pressure of the chamber.

[0056] Furthermore, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include a pressurized unloader (270) provided in the pressurized / vacuum chamber (250) to reduce the internal pressure of the chamber.

[0057] Furthermore, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include a pallet separation unit (280) provided to separate a plurality of cylindrical battery cells (20) coupled to the electrolyte injection device (10) from the electrolyte injection device (10). Such a separation process can be performed after the plurality of cylindrical battery cells (20) have been discharged from the pressurized / vacuum chamber unit (250).

[0058] Furthermore, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include a battery cell discharge unit (291) for discharging a plurality of cylindrical battery cells (20) separated from the pallet (12) to the outside.

[0059] Furthermore, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include a defective cell discharge unit (292) for discharging defective battery cells (20) from among a plurality of cylindrical battery cells (20) separated from the pallet (12) to the outside.

[0060] Furthermore, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include an electrolyte removal device (100) for cleaning an electrolyte injection device (10) separated from a plurality of cylindrical battery cells (20). Specifically, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include an electrolyte suction unit (110) provided to suction and remove electrolyte remaining in the electrolyte injection device (10). The electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include an upper O-ring cleaning unit (120) for cleaning the upper O-ring (11b) of the electrolyte injection device (10). The electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include a lower O-ring cleaning unit (130) for cleaning the lower O-ring (11c) of the electrolyte injection device (10) using a detergent solution (122). The electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include a hot air drying unit (140) for spraying hot air inside and outside the electrolyte injection device (10) to remove any remaining liquid in the electrolyte injection device (10).

[0061] Furthermore, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention can transfer the electrolyte injection device (10), which has been dried by the hot air drying unit (140), to the pallet coupling unit (220) for reconnecting with a plurality of cylindrical battery cells (20).

[0062] Therefore, by including an electrolyte removal device (100), the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention can effectively remove residual electrolyte remaining in the injection device (10), and maintain the amount of electrolyte injected into multiple battery cells (20) at an appropriate level, thereby enabling the manufacture of high-quality battery cells (20).

[0063] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the steps of an electrolyte removal method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] Referring again to Figures 1 to 11 and Figure 13, the present invention provides a method for removing residual electrolyte from an electrolyte injection device (10) used for injecting electrolyte into a battery cell (20).

[0065] Specifically, the electrolyte removal method of the present invention includes an electrolyte suction step (M01). The electrolyte suction step (M01) is a step in which the electrolyte suction unit (110) suctions and removes the electrolyte remaining in the liquid injection device (10) that has been transported by the transfer unit (160).

[0066] Furthermore, the electrolyte removal method of the present invention includes an O-ring cleaning step in which the O-ring cleaning unit (150) cleans the upper O-ring (11b) or lower O-ring (11c) of the electrolyte injection device (10) to which the electrolyte has been transferred from the electrolyte suction unit (110). Specifically, the O-ring cleaning step may include a lower O-ring cleaning step (M02) and an upper O-ring cleaning step (M03).

[0067] Furthermore, the lower O-ring cleaning step (M02) is a step in which the lower O-ring cleaning unit (130) cleans the lower O-ring (11c) of the liquid injection device (10) using a detergent solution (122).

[0068] Furthermore, the upper O-ring cleaning step (M03) is a step in which the upper O-ring cleaning unit (120) cleans the upper O-ring (11b) of the liquid injection device (10) using a detergent solution (122).

[0069] Furthermore, the electrolyte removal method of the present invention includes a hot air drying step (M04). The hot air drying step (M04) is a step in which the hot air drying unit (140) sprays hot air onto at least one of the inside and outside of the liquid injection device (10) so as to remove any liquid remaining in the liquid injection device (10) that has been transferred from the O-ring cleaning unit (150).

[0070] Therefore, the electrolyte removal method of the present invention, by including an electrolyte suction step (M01) and a hot air drying step (M04), can effectively remove residual electrolyte remaining in the electrolyte injection device (10), and can maintain the amount of electrolyte injected into multiple battery cells (20) at an appropriate level, thereby enabling the manufacture of high-quality battery cells (20).

[0071] Furthermore, the liquid injection device (10) may include multiple injection tube sections (11a). Each injection tube section (11a) is connected to a battery cell (20). to The tube may have a hollow interior that is inserted. The injection tube section (11a) may be provided at the top of the tube and may include an upper O-ring (11b) into which the electrolyte is injected during the electrolyte injection process of the secondary battery. The injection tube section (11a) may be provided at the bottom of the tube and may include a lower O-ring (11c) that is provided so as to be connectable to the battery case (21) of the battery cell (20).

[0072] Furthermore, the liquid injection device (10) may include a palette section (12) into which through-holes are formed into which each of the multiple injection tube sections (11a) is inserted. However, since such a liquid injection device (10) has a similar or identical configuration to the liquid injection device (10) described above, a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0073] Furthermore, during the electrolyte suction stage (M01), the upper suction tube (111a) of the electrolyte suction unit (110) can suction the electrolyte remaining in the upper O-ring (11b). The lower suction tube (111b) of the electrolyte suction unit (110) can suction the electrolyte remaining in the lower O-ring (11c).

[0074] Furthermore, in the lower O-ring cleaning stage (M02), the lower O-ring cleaning unit (130) can immerse the lower O-ring (11c) of the liquid injection device (10) in a cleaning tank (134) containing detergent solution (132) for cleaning.

[0075] Furthermore, in the upper O-ring (11b) cleaning step (M03), the upper O-ring cleaning unit (120) can immerse the upper O-ring (11b) of the liquid injection device (10) in a cleaning tank (124) containing detergent solution (122) for cleaning.

[0076] Furthermore, during the hot air drying stage (M04), the spray nozzle (141) of the hot air drying section (140) can spray hot air into the top and inside of the liquid injection device (10) with the upper O-ring (11b) positioned at the top.

[0077] The preferred embodiments of the present invention described above are disclosed for illustrative purposes only, and a person skilled in the art with ordinary skill in the invention will be able to make various modifications, changes, and additions within the spirit and scope of the invention, and such modifications, changes, and additions should be considered to fall within the scope of the following claims. [Industrial applicability]

[0078] According to one embodiment of the present invention and related electrolyte removal apparatus and electrolyte removal method, by including an electrolyte suction section and a hot air drying section, residual electrolyte remaining in the liquid injection device can be effectively removed.

Claims

1. This is a removal device for removing residual electrolyte from an electrolyte injection device used to inject electrolyte into a battery cell. A transfer unit provided for transporting the aforementioned liquid injection device; An electrolyte suction unit provided for drawing in electrolyte remaining in the liquid injection device after it has been transferred for cleaning; An O-ring cleaning unit provided for cleaning the upper or lower O-ring of the liquid injection device transferred from the electrolyte suction unit; and An electrolyte removal device comprising: a hot air drying unit that sprays hot air onto at least one of the inside and outside of the liquid injection device to remove any remaining liquid in the liquid injection device after it has been transferred from the O-ring cleaning unit;

2. The aforementioned liquid injection device is Each of the injection tubes has a hollow tube inserted into the battery cell, an upper O-ring provided at the top of the tube into which electrolyte is injected during the electrolyte injection process of the secondary battery, and a lower O-ring provided at the bottom of the tube so as to be connectable to the battery case of the battery cell; and The electrolyte removal apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a pallet section having through-holes into which each of the plurality of injection pipe sections is inserted;

3. The aforementioned electrolyte suction section is An upper suction tube provided to draw in the electrolyte remaining in the upper O-ring; and, The electrolyte removal device according to claim 2, further comprising: a lower suction tube provided for sucking up electrolyte remaining in the lower O-ring;

4. The aforementioned upper suction pipe is The electrolyte removal device according to claim 3, having a hollow tubular shape that encloses the upper O-ring, the upper O-ring of the liquid injection device is inserted through one open end of the tubular shape, and the electrolyte remaining on the upper O-ring is removed by suction from the other end of the tubular shape.

5. The lower suction pipe is, The electrolyte removal device according to claim 3, having a hollow tubular shape that encloses the lower O-ring, the lower O-ring of the liquid injection device is inserted through the open end of the tubular shape, and the electrolyte remaining on the lower O-ring is removed by suction from the other end of the tubular shape.

6. The O-ring cleaning section is The electrolyte removal device according to claim 2, further comprising an upper O-ring cleaning unit provided for cleaning the upper O-ring of the liquid injection device by immersing it in a cleaning tank containing a detergent solution.

7. The O-ring cleaning section is The electrolyte removal device according to claim 2, further comprising a lower O-ring cleaning unit provided for cleaning the lower O-ring of the liquid injection device by immersing it in a cleaning tank containing a detergent solution.

8. The aforementioned hot air drying section is The electrolyte removal device according to claim 2, wherein the upper O-ring is positioned at the top, and the device is equipped with a spray nozzle that sprays hot air into the top and inside of the liquid injection device.

9. The aforementioned injection nozzle is An internal spray nozzle is inserted through the electrolyte inlet of the upper O-ring and is provided to spray hot air into the inside of the liquid injection device; and, The electrolyte removal device according to claim 8, further comprising: at least one external spray nozzle provided to spray hot air from the top of the liquid injection device onto the outer surface of the liquid injection device.

10. A method for removing electrolyte remaining in an electrolyte injection device for injecting electrolyte into a battery cell, using an electrolyte removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, An electrolyte suction step in which the electrolyte suction unit suctions and removes the electrolyte remaining in the liquid injection device that has been transported by the transport unit; An O-ring cleaning step in which the O-ring cleaning unit cleans the upper O-ring or the lower O-ring of the liquid injection device transferred from the electrolyte suction unit; and, A method for removing electrolyte, comprising: a hot air drying step of spraying hot air onto at least one of the inside and outside of the liquid injection device so that the hot air drying unit removes any liquid remaining in the liquid injection device after it has been transferred from the O-ring cleaning unit;

11. Each of the injection tubes has a hollow tube inserted into the battery cell, an upper O-ring provided at the top of the tube into which electrolyte is injected during the electrolyte injection process of the secondary battery, and a lower O-ring provided at the bottom of the tube so as to be connectable to the battery case of the battery cell; and The electrolyte removal method according to claim 10, further comprising: a palette portion having through holes into which each of the plurality of injection pipe portions is inserted;

12. In the electrolyte suction step, The upper suction tube of the electrolyte suction section sucks in the electrolyte remaining in the upper O-ring. The electrolyte removal method according to claim 10, wherein the lower suction tube of the electrolyte suction section suctions the electrolyte remaining in the lower O-ring.

13. The O-ring cleaning step is, The electrolyte removal method according to claim 10, further comprising a lower O-ring cleaning step of immersing the lower O-ring of the liquid injection device in a cleaning tank containing a detergent solution for cleaning.

14. The O-ring cleaning step is, The electrolyte removal method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of cleaning the upper O-ring of the liquid injection device by immersing it in a cleaning tank containing a detergent solution.

15. In the aforementioned hot air drying step, The electrolyte removal method according to claim 10, wherein the spray nozzle of the hot air drying section sprays hot air into the upper part and inside of the liquid injection device with the upper O-ring positioned at the top.

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