Electrode transfer device

Abstract

The electrode transfer device of the present disclosure comprises: a first adsorption part for adsorbing a first area of one electrode among a plurality of electrodes; a second adsorption part for adsorbing a second area of the electrode; and a driving part for moving the electrode while the electrode is adsorbed. The lower surface of the second adsorption part adsorbing the second area is inclined at a set angle from the lower surface of the first adsorption part adsorbing the first area.

Description

Electrode transport device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a secondary battery, and more particularly, to an electrode transport device for a secondary battery.

[0002] Secondary batteries convert chemical energy into electrical energy, allowing for multiple discharges and recharges in the reverse direction. Secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries, nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries, lithium metal batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and lithium-ion polymer batteries.

[0003] Secondary batteries can be manufactured by repeatedly stacking electrodes and separators. During the secondary battery manufacturing process, an electrode transport device can absorb and move electrodes to specific locations (e.g., stacking locations). In this case, defects such as two or more electrodes being absorbed or electrodes forming absorption marks can occur, and solutions are needed to address these issues.

[0004] The present disclosure provides an electrode transport device for transporting an electrode of a secondary battery.

[0005] An electrode transport device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first suction unit that suctions a first region of one of a plurality of electrodes, a second suction unit that suctions a second region of the electrode, and a driving unit that moves the electrode while the electrode is suctioned. A lower surface of the second suction unit that suctions the second region is inclined at a set angle with respect to a lower surface of the first suction unit that suctions the first region.

[0006] In an embodiment, the set angle may be greater than 0 degrees and less than 10 degrees.

[0007] In an embodiment, the first adsorption unit and the second adsorption unit may further include a plate fixed thereto.

[0008] In an embodiment, the second suction portion may be fixed in an inclined state to the plate such that the lower surface of the second suction portion is inclined at a set angle.

[0009] In an embodiment, the second adsorption part may be formed in a shape in which the lower surface of the second adsorption part is inclined at a set angle and may be fixed in a state parallel to the plate.

[0010] In an embodiment, the distance between the second region and the center of the electrode may be greater than the distance between the first region and the center of the electrode.

[0011] In an embodiment, the area of ​​the second region may be larger than the area of ​​the first region.

[0012] In an embodiment, the shape of the first region may be circular or elliptical.

[0013] In an embodiment, the shape of the second region may be a square.

[0014] In an embodiment, the second adsorption unit can adsorb the second region after the first adsorption unit adsorbs the first region.

[0015] In an embodiment, the second adsorption unit can adsorb the second region at the same time that the first adsorption unit adsorbs the first region.

[0016] In an embodiment, one adsorption hole may be formed in the first adsorption portion.

[0017] In an embodiment, the second adsorption unit may have a plurality of adsorption holes formed therein.

[0018] In an embodiment, the diameter of the adsorption hole of the second adsorption part may be smaller than the diameter of the adsorption hole of the first adsorption part.

[0019] The present disclosure can provide an electrode transport device for transporting an electrode of a secondary battery.

[0020] The electrode transport device of the present disclosure can transport the electrode at high speed.

[0021] The electrode transport device of the present disclosure can prevent two or more electrodes from being adsorbed.

[0022] The electrode transport device of the present disclosure can minimize or prevent electrode adsorption marks.

[0023] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are drawings for explaining an electrode transport device according to an embodiment.

[0024] Figure 2 is a drawing for explaining an electrode according to an embodiment.

[0025] Figure 3 is a drawing for explaining an electrode laminate according to an embodiment.

[0026] Figure 4 is a drawing for explaining an adsorption unit according to an embodiment.

[0027] FIGS. 5 to 11 are drawings for explaining the operation of an electrode transport device according to an embodiment.

[0028] The structural or functional descriptions of the embodiments disclosed in this specification or application are merely illustrative for the purpose of explaining embodiments according to the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and the embodiments according to the technical idea of ​​the present invention may be implemented in various forms other than the embodiments disclosed in this specification or application, and the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not construed as being limited to the embodiments described in this specification or application.

[0029] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are drawings for explaining an electrode transport device according to an embodiment.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the electrode transport device (100) may include at least one first adsorption unit (110), at least one second adsorption unit (120), and a driving unit (130).

[0031] Each of the first adsorption unit (110) and the second adsorption unit (120) can adsorb an electrode of a secondary battery. The secondary battery is a battery cell of various types, such as a pouch-shaped, cylindrical, or square-shaped, and the electrode can be a positive electrode or a negative electrode.

[0032] Each of the first suction part (110) and the second suction part (120) may have suction holes formed. Depending on the pressure of the suction hole, the electrode may be suctioned or suction may be stopped. For example, when the pressure of the suction hole is lower than the reference pressure, the electrode may be suctioned. For another example, when the pressure of the suction hole is equal to or higher than the reference pressure, suction of the electrode may be stopped. Here, the reference pressure may be 1 atm, but is not limited thereto and may be set to various values. In an embodiment, suction holes of different shapes may be formed in the first suction part (110) and the second suction part (120).

[0033] In an embodiment, each of the first adsorption unit (110) and the second adsorption unit (120) can individually control the pressure. For example, the pressure can be controlled so that only one of the first adsorption unit (110) and the second adsorption unit (120) adsorbs the electrode. In another example, each of the first adsorption unit (110) and the second adsorption unit (120) can control the pressure so that the electrodes are adsorbed simultaneously or sequentially. In an embodiment, the electrode transport device (100) can further include an ejector that controls the pressure of each of the first adsorption unit (110) and the second adsorption unit (120). The ejector can create a vacuum (or low pressure) through compressed air when adsorbing the electrode, or can use the compressed air to stop adsorption of the electrode (i.e., discharge the electrode).

[0034] The driving unit (130) can move the first suction unit (110) and the second suction unit (120) in a vertical direction or a horizontal direction. For example, the vertical direction may be the Z-axis direction, and the horizontal direction may be the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction. The X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis may be perpendicular to each other. The driving unit (130) can move the electrodes while they are being sucked. That is, while the first suction unit (110) and the second suction unit (120) are sucking the electrodes, the driving unit (130) can move the first suction unit (110) and the second suction unit (120) in a vertical direction or a horizontal direction. For example, the driving unit (130) can be implemented as a SCARA robot, an orthogonal robot, etc. An orthogonal robot (or single-axis robot) can be a robot that can move linearly in one of the horizontal (left-right) direction and the vertical (up-down) direction or rotate in the axial direction. A SCARA robot (or multi-axis robot) may be a robot capable of moving in both horizontal (left-right) and vertical (up-down) directions. The drive unit (130) may include an AC motor or a DC motor. In an embodiment, the drive unit (130) may further include at least one of a ball screw and a cylinder. Meanwhile, the above-described embodiment is merely an example, and the drive unit (130) may be modified and implemented in various forms.

[0035] In an embodiment, the electrode transport device (100) may further include a plate (140). The plate (140) may fix the first adsorption portion (110) and the second adsorption portion (120).

[0036] In an embodiment, the first suction unit (110) may include a suction cup facing the electrode and a first sleeve connected to the suction cup. The first sleeve may be fixed to a plate (140). The suction cup may be made of a non-metallic material such as rubber, silicone, or plastic. In an embodiment, the second suction unit (120) may include a suction pad facing the electrode and a second sleeve connected to the suction pad. The second sleeve may be fixed to the plate (140). The suction pad may be made of a non-metallic material such as rubber, silicone, or plastic. The suction pad may be implemented as either a contact-type or a non-contact-type pad.

[0037] In an embodiment, the lower surface of the second adsorption portion (120) may be inclined relative to the lower surface of the first adsorption portion (110).

[0038] In one embodiment, the lower surface of the second adsorption part (120) may be formed in a parallel shape with respect to the lower surface of the first adsorption part (110). In addition, the second adsorption part (120) may be fixed to the plate (140) while being inclined with respect to the plate (140). In this case, as shown in FIG. 1A, the lower surface of the second adsorption part (120) may be inclined at a set angle with respect to the lower surface of the first adsorption part (110).

[0039] In another embodiment, the lower surface of the second adsorption part (120) may be formed in a shape inclined at a set angle (SA) based on the lower surface of the first adsorption part (110). In addition, the second adsorption part (120) may be fixed to the plate (140) in a state parallel to the plate (140). In this case, as shown in FIG. 1b, the lower surface of the second adsorption part (120) may be inclined at a set angle (SA) based on the lower surface of the first adsorption part (110). That is, the second adsorption part (120) may be formed in a gradient shape.

[0040] An electrode transport device (100) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can prevent two or more electrodes from being absorbed. The electrode transport device (100) can prevent the electrodes from being crumpled during the electrode absorption process.

[0041] Fig. 2 is a drawing for explaining an electrode according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 illustrates the upper surface of the electrode.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 2, the electrode (200) may be a positive electrode or a negative electrode included in a secondary battery. The upper surface of the electrode (200) may include a first region (210) and a second region (220). In an embodiment, the electrode (200) may be a thin film or foil structure having a thickness below a certain level. In an embodiment, the electrode (200) may further include an electrode tab (not shown).

[0043] In an embodiment, the lower surface of the first adsorption portion (110) of the electrode transport device (100) may be arranged to face the first region (210) of the upper surface of the electrode (200), and the lower surface of the second adsorption portion (120) may be arranged to face the second region (220) of the upper surface of the electrode (200). For example, the first region (210) may be located within the central region of the upper surface of the electrode (200), and the second region (220) may be located within the edge region of the upper surface of the electrode (200). In this case, the second adsorption portion (120) may be arranged to have the first adsorption portion (110) interposed therebetween.

[0044] In an embodiment, the number of the first adsorption portion (110) and the first region (210) may be the same, and the number of the second adsorption portion (120) and the second region (220) may be the same. For example, the number of the first adsorption portion (110) and the first region (210) may be four, and the number of the second adsorption portion (120) and the second region (220) may be two. However, this is only one embodiment, and the number and arrangement of the first adsorption portion (110) and the second adsorption portion (120) may be variously modified depending on the size or shape of the electrode.

[0045] In an embodiment, the distance (d2) between the second region (220) and the center (200C) of the electrode (200) may be greater than the distance (d1) between the first region (210) and the center (200C) of the electrode (200). That is, the second region (220) may be located at a greater distance from the center (200C) than the first region (210).

[0046] In an embodiment, the area of ​​the second region (220) may be larger than the area of ​​the first region (210). That is, the area where the second adsorption portion (120) faces (or contacts) the electrode (200) may be larger than the area where the first adsorption portion (110) faces (or contacts) the electrode (200).

[0047] In an embodiment, the shape of the first region (210) may be circular or elliptical. That is, the shape of the lower surface of the first adsorption portion (110) may be circular or elliptical.

[0048] In an embodiment, the shape of the second region (220) may be a square. That is, the shape of the lower surface of the second adsorption portion (120) may be a square. For example, the square may be a square, a rectangle, a rhombus, a trapezoid, etc. However, this is only one embodiment, and the second region (220) may be implemented by being transformed into a polygon including a straight line or a curve.

[0049] Figure 3 is a drawing for explaining an electrode laminate according to an embodiment.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 3, the electrode stack (300) may include a cathode (310), a separator (320), and an anode (330). The electrode stack (300) may be formed by repeatedly stacking the cathode (310), the separator (320), and the anode (330) such that the separator (320) is positioned between the cathode (310) and the anode (330). Here, the cathode (310) and the anode (330) may correspond to the electrode (200) described above.

[0051] The negative electrode (310) may include a negative electrode plate (311) and a negative electrode tab (312) protruding from one end of the negative electrode plate (311), and the positive electrode (330) may include a positive electrode plate (331) and a positive electrode tab (332) protruding from one end of the positive electrode plate (331). In an embodiment, the negative electrode tab (312) and the positive electrode tab (332) may be positioned in different directions so that the negative electrode (310), the separator (320), and the positive electrode (330) may be repeatedly stacked. The electrode transport device of the present disclosure may move the negative electrode (310) or the positive electrode (330) by adsorbing it in order to stack the negative electrode (310) or the positive electrode (330).

[0052] Fig. 4 is a drawing for explaining an adsorption unit according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 illustrates the lower surfaces of the first and second adsorption units.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 4, the electrode transport device (100) may include a first adsorption unit (110) and a second adsorption unit (120). The lower surfaces of the first adsorption unit (110) and the second adsorption unit (120) may face (or contact) the lower surface of the electrode to adsorb the electrode.

[0054] In an embodiment, a single adsorption hole (110h) may be formed in the first adsorption unit (110). The pressure of the adsorption hole (110h) may be controlled by the first adsorption unit (110) itself or by an ejector connected to the first adsorption unit (110). In an embodiment, the first adsorption unit (110) may measure the pressure formed in the first adsorption hole (110h).

[0055] In an embodiment, the second adsorption unit (120) may have a plurality of adsorption holes (120h) formed.

[0056] A plurality of adsorption holes (120h) may be formed at a location that does not interfere with another mechanism (120a) within the second adsorption unit (120). For example, the other mechanism (120a) may be a stack mandrel, etc.

[0057] In an embodiment, the diameter of the adsorption hole (120h) of the second adsorption unit (120) may be smaller than the diameter of the adsorption hole (110h) of the first adsorption unit (110). In an embodiment, the area of ​​the adsorption hole (120h) of the second adsorption unit (120) may be smaller than the area of ​​the adsorption hole (110h) of the first adsorption unit (110).

[0058] In an embodiment, the second adsorption unit (120) can adsorb the electrode in a non-contact manner. To this end, the area of ​​the second adsorption unit (120) may be larger than a reference value. For example, the reference value may be n times the area of ​​the first adsorption unit (110). Here, n is an integer greater than or equal to 1. For example, the second adsorption unit (120) having a large area can adsorb the electrode even when it approaches the electrode without making contact with the electrode.

[0059] FIGS. 5 to 11 are drawings for explaining the operation of an electrode transport device according to an embodiment. FIGS. 5 to 11 illustrate the operation of an electrode transport device according to an embodiment in chronological order.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a plurality of electrodes (or one electrode) may be vertically stacked on the extraction plate (510). The vertical direction may be the Z-axis direction. The electrodes stacked on the extraction plate (510) may be absorbed and transported by the electrode transport device (100). The extraction plate (510) may have a flat structure, but this is only one embodiment, and may have a structure in which a pillar or wall surrounding the side ends of the plurality of electrodes exists.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 5, the electrode transport device (100) may be positioned above a plurality of electrodes. In an embodiment, the electrode transport device (100) may be moved horizontally by the driving force of the driving unit (130) and positioned above a plurality of electrodes.

[0062] The lower surface of the second suction portion (120) of the electrode transport device (100) may be inclined at a set angle (SA) from the lower surface of the first suction portion (110). In an embodiment, the lower surface of the first suction portion (110) may be the lower surface of a suction cup. In an embodiment, the lower surface of the second suction portion (120) may be the lower surface of a suction pad.

[0063] In an embodiment, the set angle (SA) may be greater than 0 degrees and less than 10 degrees. In this case, the distance between the lower surface of the second adsorption part (120) and the electrode (200) may increase as it goes outward from the lower surface of the second adsorption part (120). The outward direction may be a direction in which the distance from the first adsorption part (110) increases among the horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction). Accordingly, it is possible to prevent other electrodes from being adsorbed except for the electrode (200) located at the uppermost position among the plurality of electrodes. If the lower surface of the second adsorption part (120) is not tilted, when the plurality of electrodes are not aligned, the electrode located at the lowermost position among the plurality of electrodes may be adsorbed by the second adsorption part (120).

[0064] In one embodiment, the lower surface of the second adsorption part (120) may be formed in a shape parallel to the lower surface of the first adsorption part (110). In addition, the second adsorption part (120) may be fixed to the plate (140) in a state inclined with respect to the plate (140). In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the lower surface of the second adsorption part (120) may be inclined at a set angle with respect to the lower surface of the first adsorption part (110). In another embodiment, the lower surface of the second adsorption part (120) may be formed in a shape inclined at a set angle with respect to the lower surface of the first adsorption part (110). In addition, the second adsorption part (120) may be fixed to the plate (140) in a state parallel to the plate (140). In this case, as shown in FIG. 1b, the lower surface of the second adsorption part (120) may be inclined at a set angle with respect to the lower surface of the first adsorption part (110).

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the electrode transport device (100) may move downward in the vertical direction to contact one electrode (200) among the plurality of electrodes. Here, one electrode (200) may be the electrode located at the uppermost end of the plurality of electrodes. For example, the vertical direction may be the Z-axis direction. In an embodiment, the electrode transport device (100) may move vertically by the driving force of the driving unit (130) to contact the upper surface of one electrode (200). For example, the lower surface of the first adsorption unit (110) may contact the first region of the upper surface of the electrode (200). The lower surface of the second adsorption unit (120) may contact the second region of the upper surface of the electrode (200) or may be in a non-contact state.

[0066] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the first adsorption unit (110) can adsorb the first region of the electrode (200). In an embodiment, the second adsorption unit (120) can adsorb the second region of the electrode (200) after the first adsorption unit (110) adsorbs the first region of the electrode (200). In another embodiment, the second adsorption unit (120) can adsorb the second region of the electrode (200) at the same time that the first adsorption unit (110) adsorbs the first region of the electrode (200). In this case, only one electrode (200) located at the uppermost end among the plurality of electrodes arranged on the upper portion of the extraction plate (510) can be adsorbed. In an embodiment, a portion of the electrode (200) can be tilted depending on the set angle (SA) at which the second adsorption unit (120) is tilted.

[0067] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the driving unit (130) can move the electrode (200) while the electrode (200) is adsorbed. For example, while the electrode (200) is adsorbed by the first adsorption unit (110) and the second adsorption unit (120), the driving unit (130) can vertically move the electrode transport device (100) upward and horizontally move it. In this case, the electrode transport device (100) can be positioned above the discharge plate (520). The discharge plate (520) can be the destination to which the electrode (200) is moved.

[0068] Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, the electrode transport device (100) can be moved downward in the vertical direction by the driving unit (130). The electrode transport device (100) can be moved downward to a set height on the discharge plate (520), stop the suction of the electrode (200), and discharge the electrode (200) onto the upper surface of the discharge plate (520). In an embodiment, the second suction unit (120) can first stop the suction of the electrode (200), and then the first suction unit (110) can stop the suction of the electrode (200). In another embodiment, the second suction unit (120) and the first suction unit (110) can stop the suction of the electrode (200) simultaneously.

[0069] The electrode transport device (100) according to the embodiment of the present disclosure as described above can transport the electrode (200) at high speed. In addition, the electrode transport device (100) can prevent two or more electrodes from being absorbed by the second absorbing portion (120) having an incline. In addition, the electrode transport device (100) can minimize or prevent absorption marks of the electrode (200) compared to an electrode transport device composed of only the first absorbing portion (110) by using the second absorbing portion (120) mixed with the first absorbing portion (110).

Claims

1. A first adsorption portion that adsorbs a first region of one of a plurality of electrodes; A second adsorption portion that adsorbs the second region of the electrode; and including a driving unit that moves the electrode while the electrode is being absorbed; The lower surface of the second adsorption portion that adsorbs the second region is An electrode transfer device, the lower surface of the first adsorption part that adsorbs the first region being inclined at a set angle.

2. In paragraph 1, The above setting angle is an electrode transfer device greater than 0 degrees and less than 10 degrees.

3. In paragraph 1, An electrode transfer device further comprising a plate to which the first adsorption part and the second adsorption part are fixed.

4. In paragraph 3, The above second adsorption part, An electrode transfer device, which is fixed in an inclined state to the plate so that the lower surface of the second adsorption part is inclined at the set angle.

5. In paragraph 3, The above second adsorption part, An electrode transfer device in which the lower surface of the second adsorption portion is formed in a shape inclined at the set angle and fixed in a state parallel to the plate.

6. In paragraph 1, The distance between the second region and the center of the electrode is An electrode transport device having a distance greater than the distance between the first region and the center of the electrode.

7. In paragraph 1, An electrode transfer device wherein the area of ​​the second region is larger than the area of ​​the first region.

8. In paragraph 1, An electrode transfer device in which the shape of the first region is circular or oval.

9. In paragraph 8, The shape of the second region is a square, electrode transfer device.

10. In paragraph 1, The above second adsorption part, An electrode transfer device in which the first adsorption unit adsorbs the first region, and then adsorbs the second region.

11. In paragraph 1, The above second adsorption part, An electrode transfer device in which the first adsorption unit adsorbs the first region while simultaneously adsorbing the second region.

12. In paragraph 1, An electrode transfer device in which one adsorption hole is formed in the first adsorption section.

13. In paragraph 12, The second adsorption unit is an electrode transfer device having a plurality of adsorption holes formed therein.

14. In paragraph 13, The diameter of the adsorption hole of the above second adsorption part is An electrode transfer device having a diameter smaller than that of the adsorption hole of the first adsorption unit.

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