Electrode etching device

Abstract

The present invention comprises an electrode assembly support roller; and a laser irradiation device; and The electrode assembly support roller comprises two or more cylindrical roller segments, and the two or more cylindrical roller segments are coupled to a fixed axis in a spaced-apart manner with respect to a roller segment adjacent thereto, and the laser irradiation device provides an electrode etching device positioned to irradiate a laser beam into the spaced-apart space formed between the cylindrical roller segments.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrode etching apparatus used for etching electrode active materials, etc. Background Technology

[0002] The demand for secondary batteries is rapidly increasing due to the growing demand for mobile devices and electric vehicles. In particular, lithium-ion batteries, which possess high energy density and voltage, have been commercialized and are widely used.

[0003] A lithium secondary battery is structured such that an electrode assembly, in which an active material is coated on a current collector, that is, a porous separator is interposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, is impregnated with an electrolyte containing a lithium salt. The electrode is manufactured by forming an active material layer on a current collector through a mixing process in which an active material, a binder, and a conductive material are mixed and dispersed in a solvent to prepare a slurry; a coating process in which the active material slurry is coated onto a thin-film current collector and dried; and a pressing process to increase the capacity density of the electrode after the coating process and to increase the adhesion between the current collector and the active material.

[0004] When the above active material slurry is applied to the current collector, as shown in FIG. 1, a sliding portion is formed at the edge of the active material layer where the thickness of the active material layer gradually decreases, causing a problem that reduces the capacity of the active material layer. In addition, when the above slurry is applied to both sides of the current collector, a mismatch occurs where the position of the slurry applied to the upper and lower surfaces does not coincide. This mismatch causes the position of the active material layer to be misaligned when the positive and negative electrodes face each other, and the efficiency of charging and discharging decreases in this misaligned area. In particular, the above mismatch can cause lithium to precipitate on the surface of the negative electrode, and if such lithium precipitation occurs for a long time, a decrease in battery capacity occurs.

[0005] Therefore, in order to uniformly form the ends of the active material layer and prevent the formation of sliding portions and / or mismatched portions, a process of etching the sliding portions is performed. Conventional etching of sliding portions is performed by the method shown in FIG. 2. That is, while driving an electrode assembly in which an electrode active material layer is formed on the upper or lower surface, or on the upper and lower surfaces of a current collector sheet, by a roll-to-roll process, a laser beam is irradiated by a laser irradiation device installed on the upper or lower surface, or on the upper and lower surfaces of the electrode assembly to etch and remove the sliding portions of the electrode active material layer.

[0006] However, according to this method, up and down waves occur in the electrode assembly (50) located between the rolls, and as a result, the etching position changes and laser focusing failure is caused, so there was a problem of frequent etching failures. Prior art literature

[0007] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-251942 The problem to be solved

[0008] The present invention has been devised to resolve the problems of the prior art as described above, and

[0009] The purpose is to provide an electrode etching apparatus that improves the accuracy of etching (ablation) by stably fixing the electrode assembly to be etched, and effectively prevents damage to the etching die caused by the laser beam and damage to the electrode assembly resulting therefrom. means of solving the problem

[0011] To achieve the above objective, the present invention

[0012] Electrode assembly support roller; and

[0013] Includes a laser irradiation device;

[0014] The electrode assembly support roller comprises two or more cylindrical roller segments, and the two or more cylindrical roller segments are coupled to a fixed axis in a spaced-apart state with an adjacent roller segment.

[0015] The laser irradiation device above provides an electrode etching device positioned to irradiate a laser beam into the spaced-apart space formed between the cylindrical roller segments.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the cylindrical roller segments have the characteristic of being movable and fixed along a fixed axis.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the one or more movable and fixed cylindrical roller segments may be a single cylindrical roller segment located at the outermost end of a support roller among the cylindrical roller segments, two cylindrical roller segments located at the outermost ends of both support rollers, or the entire cylindrical roller segment constituting the support roller.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, one or more movable and fixed cylindrical roller segments can be moved and fixed to fit the width of the electrode assembly.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the fixed shaft may be a rotating shaft.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the cylindrical roller segments may have one or more suction holes on their circumferential surfaces.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cylindrical roller segment having one or more suction holes may be a single cylindrical roller segment located at the outermost end of one end of the support roller among the cylindrical roller segments, two cylindrical roller segments located at the outermost ends of both ends of the support roller, or the entire cylindrical roller segment constituting the support roller.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, the suction hole may be connected to a suction device through the internal space of the cylindrical roller segment.

[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode etching device may further include a driving device that causes the electrode assembly to travel while forming an internal angle of 70 to 160 degrees around the support roller.

[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention, the driving equipment may include driving rollers located in front of and behind the support roller with respect to the direction of movement of the electrode assembly.

[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention, the laser irradiation device may be positioned on the upper part of the outer surface of an electrode assembly, the inner surface of which is supported by surface contact with the circumferential surface of the support roller.

[0026] In one embodiment of the present invention, the laser irradiation device may be installed to be movable along an axis parallel to the fixed axis of the cylindrical roller segment.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, the laser irradiation device may be fixed to a guide rail located on an axis parallel to the fixed axis of the cylindrical roller segment.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode assembly may have an inner surface formed of a current collector sheet and an outer surface formed of an electrode active material layer.

[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode etching device may be used to etch the electrode active material layer in an electrode assembly comprising an electrode active material layer laminated on a current collector sheet. Effects of the invention

[0031] The electrode etching device of the present invention improves the accuracy of etching (ablation) by stably fixing the electrode assembly to be etched, and provides the effect of effectively preventing damage to the etching die caused by the laser beam and the resulting damage to the electrode assembly. In addition, excellent etching quality is provided through these effects. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0033] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one embodiment of an electrode assembly, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating one embodiment of a conventional electrode assembly etching process, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating another embodiment of an electrode assembly etching process, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating one embodiment of the electrode etching apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing one embodiment of the electrode etching apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing one embodiment of an electrode etching apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the usage state of the electrode etching device of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Throughout the specification, similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0035] When it is stated that one component is "connected, provided, or installed" on another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or installed on that other component, or that there may be other components in between. On the other hand, when it is stated that one component is "directly connected, provided, or installed" on another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between. Meanwhile, other expressions describing the relationship between components, such as "on top of" and "directly on top," "between" and "exactly between," or "adjacent to" and "directly adjacent to," should be interpreted in the same way.

[0036] FIGS. 4 and 5 are a cross-sectional view and a perspective view schematically illustrating an embodiment of the electrode etching device of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an embodiment of the electrode etching device of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the usage state of the electrode etching device of the present invention.

[0037] The electrode etching (ablation) device (100) of the present invention comprises, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, an electrode assembly support roller (10); and a laser irradiation device (20).

[0038] The electrode assembly support roller (10) comprises two or more cylindrical roller segments (11), and the two or more cylindrical roller segments (11) are coupled to a fixed axis (15) in a spaced-apart state from the roller segment (11) adjacent thereto.

[0039] The laser irradiation device (20) is characterized by being positioned to irradiate a laser beam in the spaced-out space formed between the cylindrical roller segments (11).

[0040] The electrode etching device (100) of the present invention is configured such that the electrode assembly support roller (10) includes two or more cylindrical roller segments (11), so as shown in FIG. 3 (a), it has the feature of preventing damage to the electrode assembly support roller (10) and damage to the electrode assembly that may occur when the electrode assembly (50) is damaged. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), it has the feature of preventing damage to the electrode assembly support roller (10) and damage to the electrode assembly that may occur when the laser beam passes through the electrode assembly (50) if the output control of the laser irradiation device (20) fails.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the cylindrical roller segments (11) have a structure that allows them to move and be fixed along a fixed axis (15). As described above, when one or more of the cylindrical roller segments (11) are configured to be movable and fixed, an advantage can be provided in that the electrode etching device (100) can be utilized in correspondence with electrode assemblies (50) of various sizes.

[0042] The above-mentioned movable and fixed cylindrical roller segment (11) may be a single cylindrical roller segment (11) located at the outermost end of one end of the support roller (10), or two cylindrical roller segments (11) located at the outermost ends of both ends of the support roller (10), or all cylindrical roller segments (11) constituting the support roller (10).

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, one or more movable and fixed cylindrical roller segments (11) can be moved and fixed according to the width of the electrode assembly (50). That is, since the spacing between the cylindrical roller segments (11) to which the laser beam must be irradiated also changes according to the width of the electrode assembly (50), the configuration enables the position of the cylindrical roller segments (11) to be adjusted according to this change.

[0044] In one embodiment of the present invention, the fixed shaft (15) may be configured as a rotating shaft. When the fixed shaft (15) is configured as a rotating shaft as described above, the cylindrical roller segments (11) constituting the support roller (10) can rotate, thereby providing the advantage that the electrode assembly (50) being fed can be supported more smoothly and travel.

[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention, the rotating shaft may be in the form of rotating passively while in contact with the electrode assembly (50) being fed, or rotating by a separately provided driving device.

[0046] In one embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the cylindrical roller segments (11) may have one or more suction holes (12) on their circumferential surfaces.

[0047] The cylindrical roller segment (11) having one or more suction holes may be a single cylindrical roller segment (11) located at the outermost end of one end of the support roller (10) among the cylindrical roller segments (11), or two cylindrical roller segments (11) located at the outermost ends of both ends of the support roller (10), or all cylindrical roller segments (11) constituting the support roller (10).

[0048] In the present invention, the electrode assembly (50) may be composed, for example, of a current collector sheet (51) and an electrode active material layer (52) laminated on the upper or lower surface, or on the upper and lower surfaces of the current collector sheet, and the electrode etching device (100) of the present invention may perform the function of etching and removing the electrode active material layer (52) by irradiating a laser beam.

[0049] For example, the electrode etching device (100) of the present invention can preferably be used to remove a sliding portion formed at the end portion by etching (ablating) it during electrode active material coating. In addition, it may be used to remove the electrode active material from the current collector sheet (51) to form a non-solid portion.

[0050] Accordingly, the suction hole (12) can perform the function of sucking in and removing electrode active material particles generated when removing the electrode active material. In addition, the suction hole (12) can perform the function of adsorbing and fixing the lower surface of the electrode assembly (50).

[0051] In one embodiment of the present invention, the suction hole (12) may be connected to a suction device through the internal space of the cylindrical roller segment. At this time, the suction hole (12) and the suction device may be connected by an exhaust pipe. Additionally, the exhaust pipe may be connected to the suction device by passing through the internal space of the fixed shaft (15), and the internal space of the fixed shaft (15) itself may serve as an exhaust pipe.

[0052] The suction hole (12) may be formed entirely on the circumferential surface of the cylindrical roller segment (11), but it is not formed only in this shape and may be formed in various shapes considering the type of object to be etched, suction efficiency, etc.

[0053] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode etching device (100) may further include a driving device (60) that allows the electrode assembly (50) to travel while forming an angle of 70 to 160 degrees, preferably 80 to 130 degrees, more preferably 85 to 95 degrees around the support roller (10), as shown in FIG. 6.

[0054] When the electrode assembly (50) travels while forming an angle as described above, the curved portion formed on the electrode assembly (50) forms a large contact area with the support roller (10), so it is desirable to be supported more stably by the support roller (50).

[0055] In one embodiment of the present invention, the driving equipment (60) may be configured to include driving rollers (61) located in front of and behind the support roller (50) with respect to the direction of movement of the electrode assembly.

[0056] The above-mentioned driving roller (61) may rotate passively while in contact with the electrode assembly (50) being fed, or it may be in the form of rotating by a separately provided driving device.

[0057] In one embodiment of the present invention, the laser irradiation device (20) may be positioned on the upper part of the outer surface of an electrode assembly (50) in which the inner surface is supported by surface contact with the circumferential surface of the support roller (50). That is, the laser irradiation device (20) can perform etching by irradiating a laser beam onto the electrode assembly (50) at such a position.

[0058] In one embodiment of the present invention, the laser irradiation device (20) may be installed to be movable along an axis parallel to the fixed axis (15) of the cylindrical roller segment. That is, in the present invention, it is possible to form a spaced-out space where a laser beam is irradiated by moving the cylindrical roller segment (11), but it is preferable that the laser irradiation device (20) be movable as described above, so that it becomes easier to set the electrode etching device (100) to fit the size of the electrode assembly (50).

[0059] In one embodiment of the present invention, the laser irradiation device (20) may be fixed to a guide rail (21) located on an axis parallel to the fixed axis of the cylindrical roller segment (51), as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7. For example, the guide rail (21) and the laser irradiation device (20) may have a protrusion formed on one of them and a guide groove (22) provided on the other so that the laser irradiation device (20) can be moved by sliding, and these may be combined to form a sliding part.

[0060] In the present invention, any known laser irradiation device capable of being used for etching (ablation) of a material can be used as the laser irradiation device (20) without limitation.

[0061] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode assembly (50) may have an inner surface formed of a current collector sheet (51) and an outer surface formed of an electrode active material layer (52).

[0062] In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode etching device (100) may be used to etch the electrode active material layer (52) in an electrode assembly comprising an electrode active material layer (52) stacked on a current collector sheet (51).

[0063] In the electrode etching apparatus (100) of the present invention, various components known in the art may be employed without limitation, except for the configuration specified above, and the structure of each component included in the electrode etching apparatus (100) may also be manufactured in a structure known in the art if it includes related technical features.

[0065] Although the present invention has been described in relation to the preferred embodiments mentioned above, various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the essence and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the appended claims will include such modifications and variations insofar as they fall within the essence of the invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0066] 10: Electrode assembly support roller 11: Cylindrical roller segment 12: Suction hole 15: Fixed shaft 20: Laser etching device 21: Guide rail 22: Guide groove 50: Electrode assembly 51: Current collector sheet 52: Electrode active material layer 53: Sliding section 60: Driving equipment 61: Travel roller 100: Electrode etching device

Claims

Claim 1 Electrode assembly support roller; The electrode etching device comprises: a laser irradiation device; wherein the electrode assembly support roller comprises two or more cylindrical roller segments, and the two or more cylindrical roller segments are coupled in a spaced-apart state to a roller segment adjacent to a fixed axis, and the laser irradiation device is positioned to irradiate a laser beam in a spaced-apart space formed between the cylindrical roller segments, and the laser irradiation device is positioned on the upper part of the outer surface of the electrode assembly, the inner surface of which is supported by surface contact with the circumferential surface of the support roller, and is positioned to irradiate a laser beam onto the outer surface of the electrode assembly supported by surface contact, and one or more of the cylindrical roller segments are movable and fixed along a fixed axis and are movable and fixed in accordance with the width of the electrode assembly, and the laser irradiation device is an electrode etching device installed to be movable along an axis parallel to the fixed axis of the cylindrical roller segment, and the electrode etching device is characterized by being used for etching and removing a sliding portion located at the end of the electrode active material layer of an electrode assembly including an electrode active material layer laminated on a current collector sheet, wherein the thickness of the active material layer gradually decreases. Device. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 An electrode etching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one or more movable and fixed cylindrical roller segments are one cylindrical roller segment located at the outermost end of a support roller among the cylindrical roller segments, two cylindrical roller segments located at the outermost ends of both support rollers, or the entire cylindrical roller segment constituting the support roller. Claim 4 delete Claim 5 An electrode etching device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed axis is a rotating axis. Claim 6 An electrode etching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the cylindrical roller segments are provided with one or more suction holes on their circumferential surfaces. Claim 7 An electrode etching apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the cylindrical roller segment having one or more suction holes is a single cylindrical roller segment located at the outermost end of one end of the support roller among the cylindrical roller segments, two cylindrical roller segments located at the outermost ends of both ends of the support roller, or all cylindrical roller segments constituting the support roller. Claim 8 An electrode etching device according to claim 6, characterized in that the suction hole is connected to a suction device through the internal space of the cylindrical roller segment. Claim 9 The electrode etching device according to claim 1, further comprising a driving device that causes the electrode assembly to travel while forming an internal angle of 70 to 160 degrees around the support roller. Claim 10 An electrode etching apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the driving equipment includes driving rollers located in front of and behind the support rollers based on the direction of movement of the electrode assembly. Claim 11 delete Claim 12 delete Claim 13 An electrode etching device according to claim 1, characterized in that the laser irradiation device is fixed to a guide rail located on an axis parallel to the fixed axis of the cylindrical roller segment. Claim 14 An electrode etching apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrode assembly has an inner surface formed of a current collector sheet and an outer surface formed of an electrode active material layer. Claim 15 delete

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