EQUIPMENT AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING BATTERY CELLS, AND BATTERY CELLS, BATTERY PACKS, AND VEHICLES

Abstract

The battery cell processing equipment includes a shaped guide that is structured to be inserted into the cell shell through the top opening of the shell to guide the bending of the curve, and a bending die that is brought from the outside of the shell toward the side of the shell to form the curve. In the process in which the side of the shell is brought into the shell by the bending die, the shaped guide guides the insertion of the shell.

Description

Battery cell processing device and processing method, and battery cell, battery pack and vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery cell processing apparatus and a processing method, and more specifically, to a battery cell processing apparatus and a processing method for processing a beading portion of a cylindrical cell, and to a battery cell, a battery pack, and a vehicle.

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, which cannot be recharged, secondary batteries refer to batteries capable of charging and discharging, and are applied not only to portable devices but also to electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) powered by electric driving sources.

[0003] Currently, widely used types of rechargeable batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium-polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The operating voltage of these unit rechargeable battery cells (unit battery cells) is approximately 2.5V to 4.6V. Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, a battery pack can be formed by connecting multiple battery cells in series. Additionally, a battery pack can be formed by connecting multiple battery cells in parallel, depending on the charge / discharge capacity required for the battery pack. The number of battery cells included in the battery pack can be varied depending on the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0004] Battery cells can be classified into pouch type, cylindrical type, prismatic type, etc., depending on the shape of the case.

[0005] Among these, cylindrical cells offer excellent safety as they primarily utilize a metal case with a cylindrical structure. They also have the advantage of high energy density by housing a jelly roll-shaped electrode assembly inside the case, and make it easy to configure a large-capacity power storage device by connecting multiple cells in series or parallel.

[0006] Such cylindrical cells are manufactured through a process of inserting an electrode assembly into a cell case, forming a beading portion on the upper part of the electrode assembly in the cell case, seating a top cap equipped with a gasket on the beading portion, and then forming a crimping portion to secure the cap assembly to the upper part of the cell case.

[0007] A current collector plate can be seated and welded to the upper part of the beading section inside the cell case; for proper welding, a flat section must be formed within the beading section. If the flat section is not formed according to the design specifications, the welded area of ​​the current collector plate may lift or be weakly welded, leading to defects.

[0008] However, according to conventional technology, since the beading process for forming the beading portion is performed by pushing a knife into the side of a high-speed rotating cell case to deform it, there may be cases where the beading portion is not formed according to the design values.

[0009] The present invention is designed to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and aims to provide a battery cell processing device and processing method capable of forming the flat portion of the beading part well according to design values, as well as a battery cell, a battery pack, and a vehicle.

[0010] A battery cell processing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose comprises a shape guide that is inserted into the cell case through an open top of the cell case to guide the forming of a beading portion, and a beading knife that is introduced from the outside of the cell case to the side of the cell case to form a beading portion, wherein the shape guide can guide the inflow of the cell case during the process in which a part of the side of the cell case is introduced inwardly into the cell case by the beading knife.

[0011] The battery cell processing device according to the present invention may further include an upper holder that supports the upper part of the cell case and has a shape guide.

[0012] The upper holder can rotatably support the upper part of the cell case.

[0013] The battery cell processing device according to the present invention may further include a lower holder on which the lower part of the cell case is seated and supported.

[0014] The cell case can rotate together with the lower holder.

[0015] A flat portion in the shape of a planar form is formed on the upper surface of the beading portion by means of a shape guide, and a curved portion in the shape of a curved form can be formed between the inner surface of the cell case and the flat portion.

[0016] The shape guide may include a cylindrical guide body extending from the lower part of the upper holder and having an outer surface in contact with the inner surface of the cell case, and a flat guide part formed in a flat shape on the bottom surface of the guide body to guide the forming of the flat part of the beading part.

[0017] The shape guide may further include a curved guide portion formed in a curved shape between the flat guide portion and the outer surface of the guide body to guide the forming of the curved portion of the beading portion.

[0018] The shape guide can be raised and lowered.

[0019] A case insertion groove may be formed on the outer side of the shape guide at the bottom of the upper holder, into which the upper part of the cell case is rotatably inserted.

[0020] An inclined surface may be formed on the outer surface of the guide body of the shape guide to minimize contact between the outer surface of the guide body and the inner surface of the cell case.

[0021] A battery cell processing method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose comprises the steps of: inserting a shape guide through the open upper portion of a cell case to position it at the molding location of a beading portion; and molding a beading portion by advancing a beading knife while rotating the cell case to press a portion of the side of the cell case inwardly toward the cell case. During the process of pressing the side of the cell case with the beading knife, a portion of the cell case located above the pressing portion of the beading knife may be deformed by the shape guide, thereby forming a flat portion in a planar shape on the upper portion of the beading portion. A curved portion in a curved shape may be formed between the inner surface of the cell case and the flat portion.

[0022] According to the battery cell processing apparatus and processing method of the present invention, and the battery cell, battery pack, and vehicle, a shape guide for forming a beading portion is placed inside a cell case, and the beading portion is formed using a beading knife from outside the cell case, thereby allowing the beading portion to be formed well according to design values. In particular, since a flat portion in the shape of a planar form can be formed well according to design values ​​on the upper surface of the beading portion, the welding quality between the beading portion and the current collector plate can be maintained well.

[0023] Figure 1 is a drawing showing a vehicle equipped with a battery pack.

[0024] Figure 2 is a diagram showing a battery pack with multiple battery cells embedded within it.

[0025] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the cylindrical battery cell shown in Figure 2.

[0026] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of a cylindrical battery cell.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the first current collection plate seated on the beading portion and welded.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the process of starting to form a beading portion after fixing a cell case to a battery cell manufacturing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 7 is a diagram showing the process of forming a beaded portion by pushing the side of a cell case with a beading knife.

[0030] Figure 8 is an enlarged view of section A of Figure 7.

[0031] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing various cross-sectional shapes of the shape guides illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.

[0032] FIG. 10 is a process diagram showing the process of forming a beading portion on a battery cell by a battery cell processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Hereinafter, a battery cell processing apparatus and processing method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as well as a battery cell, a battery pack, and a vehicle, will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0034]

[0035] Figure 1 is a drawing showing a vehicle equipped with a battery pack.

[0036] A vehicle (1), such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, may be equipped with one or more battery packs (10). The battery packs (10) can supply electrical energy required for various operations of the vehicle (1). Additionally, the vehicle (1) may include various other components in addition to the battery packs (10). For example, the vehicle (1) may further include a vehicle body, a motor, an electronic control unit (ECU), and other control devices.

[0037]

[0038] Figure 2 is a diagram showing a battery pack with multiple battery cells embedded within it.

[0039] A battery pack (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a pack case (11) and a plurality of battery cells (20). The pack case (11) accommodates a plurality of battery cells (20) and may include a bottom plate, a side plate, and a top plate. The battery cells (20) may be cylindrical cells.

[0040]

[0041] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cylindrical battery cell shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a cylindrical battery cell.

[0042] The battery cell (20) may be a cylindrical cell and may include a cell case (30), an electrode assembly (40), a top cap (50), a current collector (60), a terminal (70), and an insulator (80).

[0043] The cell case (30) may have an opening formed on one side, and may accommodate an electrode assembly (40) through the opening, and may also accommodate an electrolyte through the opening. The cell case (30) may include an electrode receiving portion (31), a beading portion (32), and a crimping portion (33). The cell case (30) may be electrically connected to either the positive electrode or the negative electrode constituting the electrode assembly (40), and may be formed of a conductive material to allow current to flow.

[0044] The electrode receiving portion (31) accommodates an electrode assembly (40) inside. The beading portion (32) is formed extending from the top of the electrode receiving portion (31) and is formed in a shape where the side adjacent to the opening of the cell case (30) is pressed in to a predetermined depth so as not to cause the electrode assembly (100) to slip out toward the opening. The crimping portion (33) is formed extending from the top of the beading portion (32) and may have a bent shape to wrap around the edge area of ​​the top cap (50). The top cap (50) can be fixed on the beading portion (32) by the shape of the crimping portion (33).

[0045] The electrode assembly (40) may include a cell body part (41) and a non-cell part (42)(43).

[0046] The cell body part (41) is a cylindrical part wound in a jelly roll type with a separator layer laminated between a sheet-shaped first electrode sheet and a second electrode sheet.

[0047] The uncoated portions (42)(43) are formed at the widthwise ends of the first electrode sheet and the second electrode sheet and are portions where the active material layer is not coated, and may include a first uncoated portion (42) extending from one axial side of the cell body portion (41) and a second uncoated portion (43) extending from the other axial side of the cell body portion (41).

[0048] The electrode assembly (40) configured in this manner can be formed by winding a cell body part (41) onto a winding rod (not shown) and pulling the winding rod out of the cell body part (41). A hollow core part can be formed in the space where the winding rod is removed from the cell body part (41).

[0049] The top cap (50) can cover the opening of the cell case (30) by being secured by the crimping part (33) while seated on the upper part of the beading part (32) with a gasket (90) fitted around the circumference, and can be molded from a conductive metal material.

[0050] The current collector (60) may include a first current collector plate (61) having a first polarity and a second current collector plate (62) having a second polarity. The first current collector plate (61) is positioned between the electrode assembly (40) and the top cap (50) to electrically connect the first non-electrode portion (42) and the cell case (30). Through this, the cell case (30) may have a first polarity. The second current collector plate (62) is positioned between the electrode assembly (40) and the terminal (70) to electrically connect the second non-electrode portion (43) and the terminal (70). Through this, the terminal (70) may have a second polarity.

[0051] The edge of the first current collector plate (61) can be joined to the beading portion (32) by welding or the like while resting on the upper part of the beading portion (32) constituting the cell case (30). In order to ensure that the welding between the beading portion (32) and the first current collector plate (61) is performed well, a flat portion (34), which will be described later, can be formed on the upper part of the beading portion (32). Since if the flat portion (34) is not formed according to the design value, the welded part of the first current collector plate (61) may lift or be welded weakly, leading to defects, it is important to form the flat portion (34) according to the design value during the forming process of the beading portion (32).

[0052] The terminal (70) may be provided at the center of the closed portion located opposite the opening of the cell case (30). The terminal (70) may be exposed to the outside of the cell case (30) through the closed portion and may have a second polarity by being electrically connected to the second non-circulating portion (43) through the second current collection plate (62).

[0053] The insulator (80) is made of an insulating material and may be provided for insulation between the cell case (30) and the electrode assembly (40) on the closed side of the cell case (30). Specifically, the insulator (80) may be interposed between the closed side of the cell case (30) and the second current collector plate (62).

[0054] Meanwhile, the battery cell (20) having an internal structure illustrated in FIG. 4 is an example of a battery cell manufactured by a battery cell manufacturing device according to the present invention, and the structure of the battery cell (20) can be modified in various ways.

[0055]

[0056] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the first current collection plate seated on the beading portion and welded.

[0057] As described above, the first current collector plate (61) electrically connects the first non-removable portion (42) of the electrode assembly (40) and the cell case (30), and may be provided with a joint portion (61a) at its edge that is seated on and welded to the upper surface of the beading portion (32). Various known methods other than welding may be used for joining the first current collector plate (61) and the beading portion (32).

[0058] To maintain good welding quality between the first current collection plate (61) and the beading portion (32), the joint portion (61a) is formed in a flat shape, and a flat portion (34) in a flat shape that is welded to the joint portion (61a) may be formed on the upper surface of the beading portion (32). A curved portion (35) in a curved shape may be formed between the inner surface of the cell case (30) and the flat portion (34).

[0059] For reference, FIG. 5 shows that after the electrode assembly (40) is received inside the cell case (30), a beading portion (32) is formed and the joint portion (61a) of the first current collection plate (61) is welded to the flat portion (34) of the beading portion (32), and subsequently, a top cap (50) is inserted and a crimping portion (33) can be formed through a crimping process.

[0060]

[0061] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the process of forming a beading portion after fixing a cell case to a battery cell manufacturing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a drawing showing the process of forming a beading portion by pushing the side of the cell case with a beading knife, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of portion A of FIG. 7.

[0062] A battery cell manufacturing device (100) according to the present invention includes an upper holder (200), a lower holder (300), and a beading knife (400).

[0063] The upper holder (200) supports the upper part of the cell case (30) so as to allow relative rotation, is installed to be vertically movable, and is equipped with a shape guide (210) that guides the molding of the beading portion (32). Various known lifting structures may be applied to the lifting structure of the upper holder (200).

[0064] The shape guide (210) is inserted into the cell case (30) through the open upper part of the cell case (30) to guide the molding of the beading portion (32), and includes a guide body (211), a flat guide portion (212), and a curved guide portion (213). The shape guide (210) is raised and lowered together with the upper holder (200).

[0065] The guide body (211) extends from the lower part of the upper holder (200) and is formed in a cylindrical shape such that its outer surface contacts the inner surface of the cell case (30). The flat guide portion (212) is formed in a flat shape on the bottom surface of the guide body (211) to guide the formation of a flat portion (34) in a flat shape on the upper surface of the beading portion (32). The curved guide portion (213) is formed in a curved shape between the flat guide portion (212) and the outer surface of the guide body (211) to guide the formation of a curved portion (35) in a curved shape between the inner surface of the cell case (30) and the flat portion (34). Various embodiments of the shape guide (210) having such a structure are illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0066] The lower holder (300) is a place where the lower part of the cell case (30) is seated and supported, and a seating groove (not shown) in which the lower part of the cell case (30) is inserted and seated may be formed on the upper part. The lower holder (300) can rotate by driving a motor and can rotate together with the cell case (30) that is seated and fixed on the upper part.

[0067] The beading knife (400) forms a beading portion (32) by being introduced from the outside of the cell case (30) to the side of the cell case (30), and can be installed to move back and forth in the lateral direction. A pressing portion (410) that presses the side of the cell case (30) is formed on one side of the beading knife (400), and the pressing portion (410) is formed in a pointed shape as it goes toward the end, with the upper surface being flat and the lower surface being inclined.

[0068] A flat portion (34) in the shape of a flat portion can be formed on the upper surface of the beading portion (32) due to the upper surface of the pressure portion (410) constituting the beading knife (400) and the flat guide portion (212) of the shape guide (210), and the width of the flat portion (34) may vary depending on the width of the pressure portion (410), the degree of pressure of the pressure portion (410), and the width of the flat guide portion (212).

[0069] Meanwhile, a case insertion groove (214) may be formed on the outer side of the shape guide (210) at the lower side of the upper holder (200) so that the upper part of the cell case (30) is rotatably inserted therein. The cell case (30) can rotate along the outer surface of the shape guide (210) while its upper end is inserted into the case insertion groove (214). That is, while the upper holder (200) is stationary, the upper end of the cell case (30) can rotate along the outer surface of the shape guide (210).

[0070] The process of forming the beading portion (32) by the battery cell manufacturing device (100) configured as above will be further explained with reference to the drawings.

[0071] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the lower part of the cell case (30) is secured to the lower holder (300), and the upper holder (200) is lowered to insert the shape guide (210) into the cell case (30) through the open upper part of the cell case (30). Then, by advancing the beading knife (400) toward the side of the cell case (30), the molding process of the beading part (32) can be started. The height of the beading knife (400) may be positioned lower than that of the shape guide (210). The height difference between the shape guide (210) and the beading knife (400) may vary depending on the degree of inflow of the beading knife (400), that is, the depth of the beading part (32).

[0072] As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, as the beading knife (400) advances, the pressing part (410) presses the side of the cell case (30) toward the inside of the cell case (30), thereby forming the beading part (32). During this process, the portion of the side of the cell case (30) located above the pressing part (410) is deformed while in contact with the flat guide part (212) and the curved guide part (213) of the shape guide (210). Accordingly, a flat part (34) in a flat shape and a curved part (35) in a curved shape can be formed on the upper surface of the beading part (32) after the forming is completed.

[0073] Meanwhile, the lower holder (300) is installed to rotate in place, and the upper holder (200) can be installed to move up and down above the lower holder (300).

[0074]

[0075] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing various cross-sectional shapes of the shape guides illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.

[0076] On the outer surface of the guide body (211) constituting the shape guide (210), an inclined surface (215) may be formed in various shapes to guide the upper part of the cell case (30) to be easily inserted into the case insertion groove (214) and to minimize contact between the outer surface of the guide body (211) and the inner surface of the cell case (30).

[0077] FIGS. 9 (a) and (b) show a step formed between the inclined surface (215) and the curved guide portion (213), while FIGS. 9 (c) shows the inclined surface (215) and the curved guide portion (213) connected without a step. In all FIGS. 9 (a) to (c), the inclined surface (215) does not come into contact with the inner surface of the cell case (30), or contact may be minimized.

[0078]

[0079] FIG. 10 is a process diagram showing the process of forming a beading portion on a battery cell by a battery cell processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] A battery cell processing method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention may include a cell case seating step (S10), a shape guide positioning step (S20), a beading part forming step (S30), and a shape guide separation step (S40).

[0081] In the cell case mounting step (S10), the lower part of the cell case (30) into which the electrode assembly (40) is inserted is mounted and fixed in the mounting groove of the lower holder (300). The cell case (30) can rotate together with the lower holder (300) while mounted on the lower holder (300).

[0082] In the shape guide positioning step (S20), the upper holder (200) is lowered to insert the shape guide (210) through the open upper portion of the cell case (30) and position it at the molding position of the beading portion (32). During this process, the open upper portion of the cell case (30) is fitted onto the outer side of the shape guide (210), and the upper portion is inserted into the case insertion groove (214). The upper holder (200) remains in a fixed state, and the cell case (30) can rotate along the outer side of the shape guide (210).

[0083] In the beading section forming step (S30), the cell case (30) is rotated together with the lower holder (300). During this process, the beading knife (400) is advanced to press a portion of the side of the cell case (30) inward. During the process of pressing the side of the cell case (30) with the beading knife (400), the portion of the cell case (30) located above the pressing portion (410) of the beading knife (400) is deformed by contact with the upper surface of the pressing portion (410) and the lower surface of the shape guide (210), thereby forming a flat portion (34) and a curved portion (35) on the upper part of the beading section (32). As the advancement of the beading knife (400) is completed, the forming of the beading section (32) is completed.

[0084] In the shape guide separation step (S40), after the beading portion (32) is formed, the lower holder (300) is stopped and the upper holder (200) is raised to separate the shape guide (210) from the cell case (30). Additionally, the beading knife (400) is retracted to separate it from the cell case (30).

[0085]

[0086] As described above, a battery cell processing apparatus and processing method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as well as a battery cell, battery pack, and vehicle, have been described in detail with reference to the attached drawings; however, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented in various modified ways within the scope of the claims.

[0087] [Explanation of the symbol]

[0088] 1 : Vehicle 10 : Battery Pack

[0089] 11 : Pack case 20 : Battery cell

[0090] 30 : Cell case 31 : Electrode receiving part

[0091] 32 : Bidding Section 33 : Crimping Section

[0092] 34 : Flat section 35 : Curved section

[0093] 40: Electrode assembly 41: Cell body

[0094] 42: 1st Unintelligible Part 43: 2nd Unintelligible Part

[0095] 50 : Top cab 60 : Whole house

[0096] 61: First current collector plate 62: Second current collector plate

[0097] 70: Terminal 80: Insulator

[0098] 90: Gasket 100: Battery cell manufacturing device

[0099] 200: Upper holder 210: Shape guide

[0100] 211: Guide body 212: Flat guide section

[0101] 213: Curved guide section 214: Case insertion groove

[0102] 215 : Inclined surface 300 : Lower holder

[0103] 400: Beading knife 410: Pressure part

Claims

1. A shape guide inserted into the cell case through the open top of the cell case to guide the molding of the beading portion; and Including a beading knife that forms a beading portion while flowing from the outside of the cell case to the side of the cell case, A battery cell processing device in which a shape guide guides the inflow of the cell case during the process in which a portion of the side of the cell case is fed inwardly by a beading knife.

2. In Paragraph 1, A battery cell processing device further comprising an upper holder that supports the upper part of the cell case and has a shape guide.

3. In Paragraph 2, A battery cell processing device in which the upper holder rotatably supports the upper part of the cell case.

4. In Paragraph 3, A battery cell processing device further comprising a lower holder on which the lower part of the cell case is seated and supported.

5. In Paragraph 4, A battery cell processing device in which the cell case rotates together with the lower holder.

6. In Paragraph 1, A battery cell processing device in which a flat portion in a planar shape is formed on the upper surface of a beading portion by a shape guide, and a curved portion in a curved shape is formed between the inner surface of the cell case and the flat portion.

7. In Paragraph 6, The shape guide is, A cylindrical guide body extending from the lower part of the upper holder and having an outer surface in contact with the inner surface of the cell case; and A battery cell processing device comprising: a flat guide portion formed in a flat shape on the bottom surface of a guide body to guide the forming of a flat portion of a beading portion.

8. In Paragraph 7, A battery cell processing device comprising a shape guide, further including a curved guide portion formed in a curved shape between a flat guide portion and an outer surface of a guide body to guide the forming of the curved portion of a beading portion.

9. In Paragraph 1, The shape guide is a battery cell processing device that is raised and lowered.

10. In Paragraph 7, A battery cell processing device having a case insertion groove formed on the outer side of the shape guide at the lower part of the upper holder, into which the upper part of the cell case is rotatably inserted.

11. In Paragraph 10, A battery cell processing device having an inclined surface formed on the outer surface of the guide body of the shape guide to minimize contact between the outer surface of the guide body and the inner surface of the cell case.

12. A step of inserting a shape guide through the open top of the cell case and positioning it at the molding position of the beading portion; and The method includes the step of forming a beading portion by advancing a beading knife while rotating the cell case to press a portion of the side of the cell case inward toward the cell case. A battery cell processing method in which, during the process of pressing the side of a cell case with a beading knife, a part of the cell case located above the pressing portion of the beading knife is deformed by a shape guide and a flat portion is formed on the upper part of the beading portion.

13. In Paragraph 12, A battery cell processing method in which a curved portion is formed between the inner surface and the flat portion of the cell case.

14. A battery cell manufactured by the battery cell processing device of any one of claims 1 to 11.

15. A battery pack comprising the battery cell of claim 14.

16. A vehicle comprising the battery pack of claim 15.

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