Welding apparatus

Abstract

A welding apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a welding unit including a lower jig having a seat unit on which an object to be welded is seated and which is opened toward the object to be welded, a lower lifting unit provided to lift the lower jig, and a laser irradiation unit provided to irradiate a laser beam to the object to be welded; and a foreign matter cleaning unit including a scraper provided to enter the seat unit after the lower jig has been lowered.

Description

welding equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to a welding device, and more particularly, to a laser welding device, and more particularly, to a welding device capable of automatically cleaning foreign matter attached to a welding mask.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0103487, filed August 8, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Figure 1 is a drawing for explaining a laser welding method of a welding target using a conventional laser welding device.

[0004] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the laser welding device (20) includes a welding mask (25). During laser welding, the electrode tab (11) and electrode lead (12) of the secondary battery are placed on the welding mask (25), and then the laser welding process is performed.

[0005] The electrode tab (11) is provided to protrude from the electrode assembly (1) for the secondary battery.

[0006] The electrode lead (12) is laminated to the electrode tab (11) so that a portion overlaps the electrode tab (11) and the remaining portion protrudes to one side of the electrode tab (11).

[0007] A welding mask (25) is placed at the portion where the electrode lead (12) overlaps the electrode tab (11). A laser welding device (20) irradiates a laser beam (B) to the portion where the electrode lead (12) overlaps the electrode tab (11). The electrode lead (12) is welded to the electrode tab (11).

[0008] During laser welding, foreign matter (S), such as spatter, generated when the electrode lead (12) and electrode tab (11) are melted flows down to the welding mask (25) and is attached to the inner surface (26) of the welding mask (25).

[0009] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which foreign matter generated during laser welding is attached to the inner surface of a welding mask. As the number of welding operations increases, foreign matter (S) accumulates on the inner surface (26) of the welding mask (25).

[0010] These foreign substances (S) interfere with the laser beam (B) during laser welding. If laser welding is repeated while the foreign substance (S) is attached to the welding mask (25), there is a problem of deterioration in welding quality. To solve this problem, the welding mask (25) has been replaced periodically in the past.

[0011] When the welding mask (25) is replaced, the laser welding device (20) stops operating. Accordingly, welding of the welding object (10) is stopped during the time it takes to replace the welding mask (25).

[0012] While the laser welding device (20) is stopped, a production loss of the welding object (10) occurs. Therefore, a device capable of automatically cleaning the welding mask (25) without replacing the welding mask (25) is required.

[0013] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a welding device capable of automatically cleaning foreign matter attached to a lower mask in a welding standby mode without moving the equipment of the welding part.

[0014] A welding device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a welding unit including a lower jig on which a welding object is placed and a sheet portion open toward the welding object, a lower lifting unit provided to elevate the lower jig, and a laser irradiation unit provided to irradiate a laser beam to the welding object, and a foreign matter cleaning unit including a scraper provided to be able to enter the sheet portion after the lower jig is lowered.

[0015] Additionally, the foreign matter cleaning unit may be arranged so that the scraper reciprocates along the longitudinal direction of the sheet portion within the sheet portion.

[0016] In addition, the sheet portion has a space portion into which a scraper is inserted and a mounting surface on which a welding object is mounted, and the space portion can be opened at both ends in the longitudinal direction and toward the welding object. The sheet portion can have an inner circumferential surface forming the space portion.

[0017] Additionally, the scraper may be arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the sheet portion.

[0018] In addition, the scraper may have a length longer than the length of the sheet portion, and may be provided so as to be able to contact the inner surface of the sheet portion when entering the sheet portion.

[0019] In addition, when the scraper enters the sheet portion, a part of the outer surface of the scraper may come into contact with the inner surface of the sheet portion along the circumferential direction of the scraper, and a part of the outer surface of the scraper may be exposed to the upper portion of the sheet portion.

[0020] Additionally, the foreign matter cleaning unit may include a cleaning drive unit that provides driving force to the scraper so that the scraper moves in a straight line.

[0021] Additionally, the welding device may include a control unit that controls the operation of the welding unit and the foreign matter cleaning unit.

[0022] In addition, the control unit may be arranged to perform a welding mode in which the welding unit performs laser welding of the welding object, and a cleaning mode in which the foreign matter cleaning unit removes the foreign matter from the sheet portion in a welding standby mode after completion of the welding mode.

[0023] Additionally, the control unit may be arranged to perform the cleaning mode at preset cycles.

[0024] In addition, the lower jig may include a lower mask having a seat portion and a suction passage connected to the seat portion, and a jig mounting portion equipped with the lower mask and the foreign matter cleaning portion and configured to be elevated by a lower elevation portion.

[0025] Additionally, the suction passage may be fluidly connected to the space portion of the seat portion.

[0026] In addition, the control unit may be configured to raise the lower lifting unit in the welding mode so that the lower mask moves toward the welding position, and the control unit may be configured to lower the lower lifting unit in the welding standby mode so that the lower mask moves toward the lower standby position, which is below the welding position.

[0027] In addition, the control unit can operate the foreign matter cleaning unit so that, when the lower lifting unit is lowered, the scraper of the foreign matter cleaning unit enters the seat unit and moves back and forth along the length of the seat unit.

[0028] Additionally, the control unit may be arranged to raise the lower lifting unit after the foreign matter cleaning unit is operated so that the scraper is separated from the sheet unit.

[0029] In addition, the welding part may include an upper jig having a beam opening through which a laser beam can pass, the beam opening being arranged to face the sheet part, and configured to press the welding object upward and downward together with the lower jig in the welding mode.

[0030] In addition, the welding part may include a suction part that is mounted on the lower jig so as to be fluidly movable with the sheet part and is provided to suck smoke generated from the welding object during the welding mode. The suction part may be fluidly movably connected to the suction passage.

[0031] Additionally, the control unit may be arranged to operate the suction unit in a cleaning mode.

[0032] As described above, the welding device according to at least one embodiment of the present invention has the following effects.

[0033] The foreign matter cleaning unit can automatically clean foreign matter attached to the inner surface of the lower mask by performing a cleaning mode in the welding standby mode. Accordingly, the present invention can improve the welding quality of the welding target by performing the welding mode after periodically automatically cleaning the lower mask.

[0034] In addition, in the welding standby mode, the foreign matter cleaner performs a cleaning mode in which the lower mask is cleaned, so that welding can be continuously performed on the welding target without moving the welding equipment.

[0035] In addition, welding of the welding target can be performed continuously without equipment movement of the welding part due to replacement of the lower mask, thereby improving the welding production yield of the welding target.

[0036] In addition, since the foreign matter cleaner automatically cleans the lower mask periodically, the manpower and investment costs for replacing and cleaning the lower mask can be reduced.

[0037] Figure 1 is a drawing for explaining a laser welding method of a welding target using a conventional laser welding device.

[0038] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the state in which foreign matter generated during laser welding is attached to the inner surface of a welding mask.

[0039] Figure 3 is a configuration diagram of a welding device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the sheet portion of the scraper and lower jig.

[0041] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the sheet portion of the lower jig.

[0042] Figures 6 to 8 are schematic diagrams showing various shapes of scrapers.

[0043] Figure 9 shows the working state of the welding device in cleaning mode.

[0044] Figure 10 shows the working state of the welding device in welding mode.

[0045] Hereinafter, a welding device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0046] In addition, regardless of the drawing symbol, identical or corresponding components are given identical or similar reference numbers and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted, and for the convenience of explanation, the size and shape of each component depicted may be exaggerated or reduced.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a welding device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a scraper (510) and a sheet portion (311) of a lower jig (310).

[0048] In addition, Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the sheet portion (311) of the lower jig, and Figs. 6 to 8 are schematic diagrams showing various shapes of the scraper.

[0049] A welding device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a welding part (200) for laser welding a welding object (10).

[0050] The above welding section (200) includes a lower jig (310) on which a welding object (10) is mounted and which has a sheet section (311) open toward the welding object (10), a lower lifting section (330) provided to elevate the lower jig (310), and a laser irradiation section (600) provided to irradiate a laser beam to the welding object.

[0051] In addition, the welding device (100) includes a foreign matter cleaning unit (500) for removing foreign matter inside the sheet portion (311) of the lower jig (310).

[0052] The above foreign matter cleaning unit (500) includes a scraper (510) that is arranged to be able to enter the sheet portion (311) after the lower jig (310) is lowered.

[0053] In addition, a welding device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a welding unit (200) including a lower jig (300) on which a welding object (10) is mounted and a sheet portion (311) open toward the welding object (10), a lower elevating unit (330) provided to elevate the lower jig (300), and a laser irradiating unit (600) provided to irradiate a laser beam (B, see FIG. 10) to the welding object (10), and a foreign matter cleaning unit (500) including a scraper (510) provided to be able to enter the sheet portion (311) after the lower jig (300) is lowered from the welding object (10).

[0054] In addition, the welding device (100) may include a control unit (700) that controls the operation of the welding unit (200) and the foreign matter cleaning unit (500).

[0055] Fig. 9 shows the working state of the welding device in cleaning mode, and Fig. 10 shows the working state of the welding device in welding mode.

[0056] The above welding device (100) includes a welding part (200) configured to laser weld a welding object (10) in welding mode. Referring to FIG. 1, the welding object (10) may be an electrode tab (11) and an electrode lead (12) of an electrode assembly (1) of a secondary battery. In the above welding mode, the electrode tab (11) and the electrode lead (12) may be welded.

[0057] The above welding part (200) has a sheet part (311) with an open upper portion and includes a lower jig (300) positioned so that the lower surface of the welding object (10) covers the sheet part (311) in welding mode.

[0058] The lower jig (300) includes a lower mask (310) having a sheet portion (311). The lower mask (310) is a welding mask. The lower mask (310) may have a suction passage (317).

[0059] In welding mode, a welding object (10) is mounted on the sheet portion (311). The sheet portion (311) may have a space portion (315) into which a scraper (510) can be inserted and a mounting surface (313) on which the welding object (10) is mounted. The suction passage (317) may be fluidly connected to the space portion (315) of the sheet portion (311).

[0060] In addition, the space portion (315) may be opened toward both ends (311a, 311b) in the longitudinal direction (L) and toward the welding target (10), and the sheet portion (311) may have an inner circumferential surface (312) forming the space portion (315). In welding mode, a foreign substance (S) may be attached to the inner circumferential surface (312).

[0061] In addition, the lower mask (310) is made of a material with excellent thermal conductivity and durability. For example, the lower mask (310) can be made of beryllium copper, carbide, or high-speed steel.

[0062] The lower mask (310) is provided so that the sheet portion (311) opens upward. The sheet portion (111) is opened toward the welding object (10), and the bottom portion is provided so as to be fluidly movable with the suction passage (317) and the suction portion (340) described later.

[0063] In addition, the sheet portion (311) is provided to be smaller than the width (W1) of the welding object (10) in the longitudinal direction (y) of the sheet portion. The length (L1) of the sheet portion (311) may be approximately 1 mm to 3 mm smaller than the width (W1) of the welding object (10). For example, the sheet portion (311) may have a length (L1) of approximately 2.5 mm to 3 mm.

[0064] In addition, the lower jig (300) may include a jig mounting portion (320) equipped with a lower mask (310). The lower mask (310) and a foreign matter cleaning portion (500) may be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction (y) of the sheet portion (311) in the jig mounting portion (320).

[0065] In addition, the lower jig (300) may include a lower lifting unit (330) mounted on the jig mounting portion (320). The lower lifting unit (330) may be provided to raise and lower the jig mounting portion (320) in a height direction (z) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (y) of the sheet portion. In this structure, when the jig mounting portion (320) is raised, the lower mask (310) and the foreign matter cleaning unit (500) are raised together, and when the jig mounting portion (320) is lowered, the lower mask (310) and the foreign matter cleaning unit (500) are lowered together.

[0066] The above foreign matter cleaning unit (500) may be provided to remove foreign matter (S) from the sheet portion (311) by entering the sheet portion (311) after the lower jig (300) is lowered from the welding target (10).

[0067] In addition, the foreign matter cleaning unit (500) includes a scraper (510) that is arranged to be able to enter the sheet portion (311). The scraper (510) is arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction (y) of the sheet portion.

[0068] The above scraper (scraper, 510) is provided to scrape off foreign matter (S) existing on the inner surface (312) of the space (315) of the sheet portion (311) using physical frictional force. The foreign matter (S) may be spatter generated during welding mode. The scraper (510) may be made of a metal material and may have a bar shape.

[0069] The above scraper (510) may be arranged to enter the sheet portion (311) such that a part of the outer surface of the scraper (510) can come into contact with the inner surface (312) of the sheet portion (311) in the circumferential direction of the scraper (510), and a part of the outer surface of the scraper (510) is exposed to the upper portion of the sheet portion (311).

[0070] Referring to FIG. 4, the scraper (510) may have a length (L2) longer than the length (L1) of the sheet portion (311). Alternatively, the scraper (510) may be provided shorter than the length (L1) of the sheet portion (311). However, when the scraper (510) is shorter than the length (L1) of the sheet portion (311), the drive shaft of the cleaning drive unit (520) connected to the scraper (510) may be provided so as to be able to enter the sheet portion (311) together with the scraper (510).

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 8, the scraper (510) may have a cross-section that can contact the inner circumferential surface (312) of the sheet portion (311) in the width direction (x) of the sheet portion (311).

[0072] For example, the scraper (510) may be provided in a columnar shape having a circular cross-section (see FIG. 6), a square cross-section (see FIG. 7), or a trapezoidal cross-section (see FIG. 8).

[0073] Referring to FIG. 8, when the scraper (510) has a trapezoidal cross-section, the scraper (510) may be positioned so that the short side is positioned within the sheet part (311) when entering the sheet part (311), and the long side parallel to the short side is exposed to the outside of the sheet part (311).

[0074] The above foreign matter cleaning unit (500) may include a cleaning driving unit (520) that provides driving force to the scraper (510) so that the scraper (510) moves in a straight line back and forth.

[0075] The above cleaning drive unit (520) operates the scraper (510) so that the scraper (510) moves back and forth in the longitudinal direction (y) of the sheet portion (311) in the cleaning mode. The cleaning drive unit (520) may be a motor or a hydraulic cylinder.

[0076] In addition, when the cleaning drive unit (520) is operated, the scraper (510) moves back and forth in the longitudinal direction (y) of the sheet portion (311) to scrape off foreign substances (S) existing on the inner surface (312) of the sheet portion (311) and / or the boundary between the inner surface (312) and the seating surface (313).

[0077] Here, the settling surface (313) extends to the upper part of the inner surface (312) and is the part where the welding object (10) is settling.

[0078] As described above, the welding device (100) may include a control unit (700) that controls the operation of the welding unit (200) and the foreign matter cleaning unit (500).

[0079] The above control unit (700) may be arranged to perform a welding mode in which the welding unit (200) performs laser welding of the welding object, and a cleaning mode in which the foreign matter cleaning unit (500) removes the foreign matter from the sheet portion in a welding standby mode after completion of the welding mode.

[0080] The above control unit (700) causes the foreign matter cleaning unit (500) to perform a cleaning mode in which foreign matter is removed from the sheet portion (311) in the welding standby mode after completion of the welding mode.

[0081] Referring to Fig. 9, the control unit (700) lowers the lower lifting unit (330) in the welding standby mode.

[0082] When the lower lifting unit (330) is lowered, the jig mounting unit (320) moves downward in the height direction (z). The lower lifting unit (330) stops operating when the lower mask (310) is positioned at the lower standby position (H1). The lower standby position (H1) is a position spaced below the welding position (H2).

[0083] The above control unit (700) causes the foreign matter cleaning unit (500) to perform the cleaning mode at a preset cycle when the lower lifting unit (330) is lowered.

[0084] In the above cleaning mode, the foreign matter cleaning unit (500) causes the scraper (510) to enter the sheet portion (311) and reciprocate in the longitudinal direction (y) of the sheet portion (311). At this time, the scraper (510) reciprocates between one end (311a) of the sheet portion (311) and the other end (311b) of the sheet portion (311) in the longitudinal direction (y) of the sheet portion (311). The scraper (510) physically scrapes off foreign matter (S) from the inner surface (312) of the sheet portion (311) while reciprocating.

[0085] The above foreign matter cleaning unit (500) can perform a cleaning mode in the welding standby mode, thereby automatically cleaning the lower mask (310) without replacing the lower mask (310).

[0086] In addition, the control unit (700) operates the welding unit (200) in welding mode. In welding mode, the welding unit (200) laser welds the welding object (10).

[0087] Meanwhile, after the cleaning mode is completed and before the welding mode, the control unit (700) may be arranged to operate the foreign matter cleaning unit (500) so that the scraper (510) is separated from the seat unit (311), and then raise the lower lifting unit (330). At this time, the scraper (510) is separated from the seat unit (311) while moving backward in a direction away from the seat unit (311).

[0088] Meanwhile, the welding part (200) may include an upper jig (400) provided to pressurize the welding object (10) up and down together with the lower jig (300) in welding mode, and a suction part (340) provided to suck smoke generated in the welding mode.

[0089] In addition, the upper jig (400) includes an upper mask (410) having a beam opening (411) through which a laser beam (B) can pass. The upper mask (410) is a welding mask. The upper mask (410) is made of a material having excellent thermal conductivity and durability.

[0090] In addition, the upper mask (410) is positioned above the lower mask (310) so that the beam opening (411) faces the sheet portion (311). In addition, the upper mask (410) is positioned vertically apart from the lower mask (310) with the welding object (10) interposed therebetween. The upper mask (410) is provided so as to be able to contact the upper surface of the welding object (10) at the welding position (H2) in welding mode.

[0091] In addition, the upper jig (400) further includes an upper lifting member (420) provided to lift the upper mask (410) in the height direction (z).

[0092] The above control unit (700) lowers the upper lifting unit (420) so that the upper mask (410) is positioned at the welding position (H2) in welding mode. In addition, the upper mask (410) moves from the upper standby position (H3) to the welding position (H2).

[0093] In addition, the control unit (700) operates the lower lifting unit (520) to raise the lower mask (310) so that it is positioned at the welding position (H2). At this time, the lower mask (310) moves from the lower standby position (H1) to the welding position (H2).

[0094] In addition, when the lower lifting unit (330) is in an upward operation, the jig mounting unit (320) moves upward in the height direction (z). The lower lifting unit (330) stops operating when the lower mask (310) is positioned at the welding position (H2).

[0095] In addition, the control unit (700) causes the upper mask (410) and the lower mask (310) to press the welding target (10) upward and downward at the welding position (H2). In addition, the control unit (700) operates the laser irradiation unit (600) and the suction unit (340) in welding mode.

[0096] In the above welding mode, the laser irradiation unit (600) irradiates the laser beam (B) to the welding target (10) by passing through the beam opening (411). The laser irradiation unit (600) moves in the longitudinal direction (y) of the sheet portion and irradiates the laser beam (B) to the welding target (10).

[0097] In addition, the suction unit (340) sucks smoke generated from the welding object (10) in welding mode. The suction unit (340) is mounted on the lower jig (300) so as to be fluidly movable with the sheet unit (311). The suction unit (340) applies vacuum pressure (P0) into the suction passage (317) in welding mode.

[0098] Meanwhile, the control unit (700) operates the suction unit (340) in cleaning mode. The suction unit (340) is provided to suck up foreign matter (S) in cleaning mode.

[0099] The preferred embodiments of the present invention described above are disclosed for the purpose of illustration, and those skilled in the art having ordinary knowledge of the present invention will be able to make various modifications, changes, and additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications, changes, and additions should be considered to fall within the scope of the following claims.

[0100] According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, a welding device can perform a cleaning mode in which a foreign matter cleaner cleans a lower mask in a welding standby mode.

Claims

1. A welding section including a lower jig on which a welding object is fixed and a sheet portion open toward the welding object, a lower lifting section provided to lift the lower jig, and a laser irradiation section provided to irradiate a laser beam to the welding object; and A welding device including a foreign matter cleaning unit including a scraper that is provided to be able to enter the sheet section after the lower jig is lowered.

2. In paragraph 1, The above foreign matter cleaning unit is a welding device provided so that the scraper reciprocates along the longitudinal direction of the sheet portion within the sheet portion.

3. In paragraph 2, The above sheet portion has a space portion into which a scraper is inserted and a mounting surface on which a welding object is mounted, The above space is a welding device that is open at both ends in the longitudinal direction and toward the welding object.

4. In paragraph 2, The above scraper is a welding device arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the sheet portion.

5. In paragraph 3, The above scraper is a welding device having a length longer than the length of the sheet portion and provided so as to be in contact with the inner surface of the sheet portion when entering the sheet portion.

6. In paragraph 2, A welding device in which, when the scraper enters the sheet portion, a part of the outer surface of the scraper comes into contact with the inner surface of the sheet portion along the circumferential direction of the scraper, and a part of the outer surface of the scraper is exposed to the upper portion of the sheet portion.

7. In paragraph 1, A welding device wherein the foreign matter cleaning unit further includes a cleaning driving unit that provides driving force to the scraper so that the scraper moves in a straight line.

8. In paragraph 1, It further includes a control unit that controls the operation of the above welding unit and the foreign matter cleaning unit, The control unit is a welding device that performs a welding mode in which the welding unit causes the welding object to be laser-welded, and a cleaning mode in which the foreign matter cleaning unit removes the foreign matter from the sheet portion in a welding standby mode after completion of the welding mode.

9. In paragraph 8, The above control unit is a welding device provided to perform the cleaning mode at a preset cycle.

10. In paragraph 8, The lower jig further includes a lower mask having a seat portion, a suction passage connected to the seat portion, and a jig mounting portion equipped with the lower mask and the foreign matter cleaning portion, and configured to be elevated by a lower elevation portion. The above control unit raises the lower lifting unit in the welding mode so that the lower mask moves toward the welding position, A welding device in which the control unit lowers the lower lifting unit in the welding standby mode, so that the lower mask moves toward the lower standby position, which is below the welding position.

11. In paragraph 10, The above control unit is a welding device that operates the foreign matter cleaning unit so that, when the lower lifting unit is lowered, the scraper of the foreign matter cleaning unit enters the seat unit and moves back and forth along the length of the seat unit.

12. In paragraph 11, A welding device, wherein the control unit is arranged to raise the lower lifting unit after the foreign matter cleaning unit is operated so that the scraper is separated from the sheet unit.

13. In paragraph 8, the welding part, An upper jig having a beam opening through which a laser beam can pass, the beam opening being arranged to face the sheet portion, and configured to press the welding object upward and downward together with the lower jig in the welding mode; and A welding device further comprising a suction unit that is mounted on the lower jig so as to be fluidly movable with the sheet unit and is provided to suction smoke generated on the welding object during the welding mode.

14. In paragraph 13, The control unit is a welding device provided to operate the suction unit in a cleaning mode.

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