Electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and electrode assembly manufacturing method

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and an electrode assembly manufacturing method including a process of attaching a tape to an electrode assembly by using same, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus comprising: a rotating roll; a plurality of electrode assembly accommodation grooves provided at the circumference of the rotating roll; and a guide block provided between any one of the plurality of electrode assembly accommodation grooves and another electrode assembly accommodation groove adjacent thereto to provide a tape to each electrode assembly to be accommodated in the electrode assembly accommodation grooves.

Description

Manufacturing device for electrode assembly and manufacturing method for electrode assembly

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0131820, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on October 4, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0133909, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on October 2, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for manufacturing an electrode assembly by supplying tape to the electrode assembly and a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, the method including a process for attaching the tape to the outer surface of the electrode assembly.

[0003] Recently, power supplies for mobile phones, televisions, cameras, laptops, and electric vehicles (e.g., hybrid cars) require smaller, lighter, larger, and higher-voltage power sources. For example, secondary batteries such as lithium-ion polymer batteries or lithium batteries are used as these power sources.

[0004] For cylindrical, square, or pouch-shaped batteries, a long electrode having a fixed width is wound together with a separator to produce a jelly roll-shaped electrode assembly. The manufactured electrode assembly is placed in a battery case to accommodate the electrode assembly, thereby producing a secondary battery. At least one tape may be attached to ensure the shape stability of the wound electrode assembly, and preferably, a tape may be attached to secure the outer end of the electrode assembly.

[0005] At this time, the tape can be manually applied by the worker. However, in this case, the tape's cut length and attachment location may be inconsistent, and the adhesive strength of the part in contact with the hand may decrease, resulting in poor adhesion. Alternatively, the tape may detach during subsequent processes, altering the arrangement of the electrodes and separator within the electrode assembly, potentially resulting in defects.

[0006] A taping device that can be applied automatically to reduce such human errors is required.

[0007] The present invention seeks to provide a device for manufacturing an electrode assembly by supplying a tape to the electrode assembly and a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, the method including a process for attaching the tape to the outer surface of the electrode assembly.

[0008] One embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode assembly manufacturing device including a rotating roll, a plurality of electrode assembly receiving grooves provided around the rotating roll, and a guide block provided between one of the plurality of electrode assembly receiving grooves and another adjacent electrode assembly receiving groove, the guide block providing a tape to each electrode assembly to be received in the electrode assembly receiving groove, wherein the guide block includes a holder protruding along both sides in the longitudinal direction of the tape.

[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the guide block in contact with the adhesive surface of the tape is provided with a micro-concave layer and a vacuum hole.

[0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, a tape supply roll may be further included that adsorbs a non-adhesive surface of the tape and supplies the tape so that the adhesive surface of the tape comes into contact with the outer surface of an electrode assembly accommodated in one of the plurality of electrode assembly accommodation grooves and the guide block.

[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, the rotation direction of the tape supply roll and the rotation direction of the rotation roll may be different from each other.

[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, the rotation of the tape supply roll and the rotation roll may be intermittently or continuously continued, respectively. Intermittently continued rotation means repeating the process of rotating for a certain period of time and stopping for a certain period of time, while continuous continued rotation means that the series of processes continues without stopping rotation unless there is a defect or malfunction.

[0013] The rotation of the tape supply roll and the rotation roll can each continue continuously. In this case, the supply of the tape and the attachment of the tape to the electrode assembly can continue without stopping the rotation. One end of the adhesive surface of the tape on the rotating tape supply roll is attached to the outer surface of an electrode assembly accommodated in one of the plurality of electrode assembly accommodation grooves by the rotation of the rotation roll, thereby allowing the tape to move from the tape supply roll to the outer surface of the electrode assembly and the guide block.

[0014] In another embodiment of the present invention, the electrode assembly may further include a rotating part that rotates the electrode assembly to pull the remainder of the tape in contact with the guide block and adhere the entire adhesive surface of the tape to the outer surface of the electrode assembly.

[0015] In another embodiment of the present invention, an electrode assembly supply unit for supplying an electrode assembly to each of the plurality of electrode assembly receiving grooves may be further included.

[0016] In another embodiment of the present invention, the electrode assembly recovery unit for recovering the electrode assembly to which the tape is adhered may be further included.

[0017] In another embodiment of the present invention, a tape roll and a cutter for cutting the tape of the tape roll may be further included.

[0018] In another embodiment of the present invention, the protruding length of the holder may be 0.5 mm or more and 1 cm or less.

[0019] In another embodiment of the present invention, the rotation speed of the electrode assembly by the rotating part may be 30 rpm or more and 180 rpm or less.

[0020] In another embodiment of the present invention, the diameter of the vacuum hole may be 0.8 mm or more and 2 mm or less.

[0021] In another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of vacuum holes are provided, and the distance between one vacuum hole and another adjacent vacuum hole may be 4 mm or more and 6 mm or less.

[0022] In another embodiment of the present invention, the average thickness of the micro-concave layer may be 0.1 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less, or 0.15 mm or more and 0.25 mm or less.

[0023] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, including a step of attaching a tape to the outer surface of an electrode assembly using the above-described electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus.

[0024] In another embodiment of the present invention, the step of adsorbing the non-adhesive surface of the tape with a tape supply roll; and the step of supplying the tape so that the adhesive surface of the tape comes into contact with the outer surface of the electrode assembly accommodated in one of the plurality of electrode assembly accommodation grooves and the guide block may be further included.

[0025] In another embodiment of the present invention, the rotation direction of the tape supply roll and the rotation direction of the rotation roll may be different from each other.

[0026] In another embodiment of the present invention, the step of supplying the tape may include a step of bonding one end of the adhesive surface of the tape on the rotating tape supply roll to the outer surface of an electrode assembly received in one of the plurality of electrode assembly receiving grooves by rotation of the rotating roll, and a step of moving the tape from the tape supply roll to the outer surface of the electrode assembly and the guide block by continuous rotation of the tape supply roll and the rotating roll, respectively.

[0027] In another embodiment of the present invention, the step of attaching the tape to the outer surface of the electrode assembly may include rotating the electrode assembly to pull the remainder of the tape in contact with the guide block and attaching the entire adhesive surface of the tape to the outer surface of the electrode assembly.

[0028] In another embodiment of the present invention, a step of supplying an electrode assembly to each of the plurality of electrode assembly receiving grooves may be further included.

[0029] In another embodiment of the present invention, a step of recovering the electrode assembly to which the tape is attached may be further included.

[0030] In another embodiment of the present invention, the step of cutting the tape released from the tape roll may be further included.

[0031] An electrode assembly manufacturing device of one embodiment of the present invention can intermittently or continuously attach tape to a plurality of electrode assemblies.

[0032] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a manufacturing device for an electrode assembly that can control the speed of tape attachment and attach the tape at a relatively fast speed.

[0033] Another embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode assembly manufacturing device having an advantage of a low defect rate even when attaching tape at high speed.

[0034] Figure 1 is a plan view of a manufacturing device for an electrode assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a guide block according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a guide block showing a cross-section of A-A' of Fig. 2.

[0037] Figure 4 is a plan view of a manufacturing device for an electrode assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing the initial state of a tape attached to a guide block according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a state in which a tape attached to a guide block moves by rotation of an electrode assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a state in which a tape attached to a guide block has been completely moved to the outside of an electrode assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1: Electrode assembly

[0043] 2: Tape

[0044] 2': Non-adhesive side of the tape

[0045] 2": Adhesive side of tape

[0046] 10: Rotating roll

[0047] 20: Electrode assembly receiving groove

[0048] 20-1 to 20-12: 1st to 12th electrode assembly receiving grooves

[0049] 30: Guide block

[0050] 31, 32: Holder

[0051] 35: Micro-concave layer

[0052] 36: Vacuum hole

[0053] 36-1: Side vacuum hole

[0054] 37: Contract Home

[0055] 40: Tape supply roll

[0056] 50: Tape roll

[0057] 60: Cutter

[0058] 100: Electrode assembly manufacturing device

[0059] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the drawings are intended to illustrate the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the drawings.

[0060] Figure 1 is a plan view of a manufacturing device (100) for an electrode assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] An electrode assembly manufacturing device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a rotating roll (10), an electrode assembly receiving groove (20), and a guide block (30).

[0062] The above-mentioned rotary roll (10) is connected to the above-mentioned guide block (30), and if the connected guide block (30) moves by the rotation of the rotary roll (10), there are no restrictions on the form of the device or the configuration that provides the rotary force. The connection between the rotary roll (10) and the guide block (30) is not particularly limited, but may be connected by providing a separate connection part or may be directly connected to the rotary roll. In this case, a fastening groove (37) may be provided so that the guide block (30) is connected to the rotary roll (10).

[0063] The rotation of the above-mentioned rotary roll (10) can be continuous. Here, "continuous" means that it can be intermittently or continuously continued. Specifically, "intermittently continued rotation" means that the process of rotating for a certain period of time and stopping for a certain period of time is repeated, and "continuously continued rotation" means that the rotation does not stop unless there is a defect or malfunction, and a series of processes are repeated and continued.

[0064] The electrode assembly receiving grooves (20) are provided in multiple numbers around the circumference of the rotating roll (10). Specifically, the electrode assembly receiving grooves (20) may be provided as first to twelfth electrode assembly receiving grooves (20-1 to 20-12), for a total of twelve electrode assembly receiving grooves (20), as shown in Fig. 1. However, the number of electrode assembly receiving grooves (20) may be reduced or increased, and is not limited to twelve.

[0065] The above guide block (30) is provided between one electrode assembly receiving groove among the plurality of electrode assembly receiving grooves (20) and another electrode assembly receiving groove adjacent thereto. According to FIG. 1, the guide block (30) is provided between the first electrode assembly receiving groove (20-11) and the second electrode assembly receiving groove (20-12). The number of guide blocks (30) provided between one electrode assembly receiving groove and another electrode assembly receiving groove adjacent thereto is also determined according to the number of electrode assembly receiving grooves (20). For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when a total of 12 electrode assembly receiving grooves (20-1 to 20-12) are provided, a total of 12 guide blocks (30) may be provided between them.

[0066] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a guide block (30) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the guide block (30) showing a cross-section along line A-A' of FIG. 2.

[0067] The above guide block (30) includes holders (31, 32) protruding along both sides of the length direction of the tape (2). The holders (31, 32) guide movement so that the tape (2) attached to the guide block (30) does not come off and can be attached to the outer surface of the electrode assembly (1). The protrusion length of the above holder (31, 32) may be 0.1 mm to 1 cm, 0.2 mm to 1 cm, 0.3 mm to 1 cm, 0.4 mm to 1 cm, 0.5 mm to 1 cm, 0.5 mm to 9 mm, 0.5 mm to 8 mm, 0.5 mm to 7 mm, 0.5 mm to 6 mm, 0.5 mm to 5 mm, 0.5 mm to 4 mm, 0.5 mm to 3 mm, 0.5 mm to 2 mm, 0.5 mm to 1 mm, 0.5 mm to 0.9 mm, 0.5 mm to 0.8 mm, or 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm, and may be about 0.6 mm. In this case, when attaching tape (2) to the outer surface of the electrode assembly (1), there is an effect of improving the meandering defect.

[0068] A vacuum hole (36) is provided on the surface of the guide block (30) that comes into contact with the adhesive surface (2") of the tape (2). The diameter of the vacuum hole (36) may vary depending on the size of the guide block (30), but the diameter of the vacuum hole may be 0.1 mm or more. Specifically, the diameter of the vacuum hole may be 0.1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, 0.5 mm or more and 9 mm or less, 0.5 mm or more and 8 mm or less, 0.5 mm or more and 7 mm or less, 0.5 mm or more and 6 mm or less, 0.5 mm or more and 5 mm or less, 0.5 mm or more and 4 mm or less, 0.5 mm or more and 3 mm or less, or 0.8 mm or more and 2 mm or less, and may be about 1 mm (1Φ). In this case, the tension of the tape (2) can be maintained without damaging the tape (2).

[0069] The above vacuum holes (36) can be arranged so that a plurality of vacuum holes (36) are spaced apart from each other on the surface of the guide block (30) that comes into contact with the adhesive surface (2") of the tape (2). The number of vacuum holes (36) can be changed depending on the size of the guide block (30), but can be 50 or more, 60 or more, 70 or more, or 80 or more. The upper limit of the number of vacuum holes (36) can be determined depending on the area of ​​the guide block (30) and the spacing between the vacuum holes (36), and can be 200 or less, 150 or less, or 100 or less. In this case, the defect of bubbles being generated when the tape (2) is attached to the electrode assembly (1) without wrinkles being generated is improved.

[0070] In addition, the distance between one vacuum hole and another adjacent vacuum hole may be 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, 2 mm or more and 9 mm or less, 3 mm or more and 8 mm or less, 4 mm or more and 7 mm or less, or 4 mm or more and 6 mm or less, and may be about 5 mm. In this case, the defect of bubbles being generated when the tape (2) is attached to the electrode assembly (1) without wrinkles is improved. At this time, the distance between one vacuum hole and another adjacent vacuum hole is the distance between the center of one vacuum hole and the center of another adjacent vacuum hole.

[0071] In another embodiment, a side vacuum hole (36-1) connected to the vacuum hole (36) may be further provided, and a device for applying a vacuum through the side vacuum hole (36-1) may be connected. The vacuum pressure may be such that tension can be maintained without damaging the attached tape (2), and may be specifically -50 kPa to -10 kPa. In this case, tension can be maintained on the tape (2) without damaging the tape (2).

[0072] The surface of the guide block (30) that comes into contact with the adhesive surface (2") of the tape (2) is tosical coated. Tosical coating is a method of forming a surface with irregularities and coating it using a special resin, thereby forming a non-adhesive surface. Tosical coating is a method of first forming irregularities on the surface by spraying fine particles at a high speed and then coating a special fluorine-based resin thereon. The material of the fine particles is nickel, chromium, etc., and the special resin can be Release Tech RTX-8000, Release Tech RT-1000, etc.

[0073] Due to the above-mentioned tosical coating, a micro-concave layer (35) is provided on the surface of the guide block. The average thickness of the micro-concave layer (35) is 0.1 mm or more and 1 mm or less, 0.1 mm or more and 0.9 mm or less, 0.1 mm or more and 0.8 mm or less, 0.1 mm or more and 0.7 mm or less, 0.1 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less, 0.1 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less, 0.1 mm or more and 0.4 mm or less, or 0.1 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less, and may be about 0.2 mm. In this case, even if it comes into contact with the adhesive surface (2") of the tape (2), it does not stick to the surface of the guide block (30) due to the adhesion, and the contacted tape (2) is pulled by the rotation of the electrode assembly (1) and can move to the outside of the electrode assembly (1).

[0074] The degree of unevenness of the above-mentioned micro-concave layer (35) may be 0.4 mm or less, 0.3 mm or less, 0.2 mm or less, or 0.1 mm or less. In this case, the degree of unevenness refers to the height difference between the top of the unevenness and the adjacent valley.

[0075] The arithmetic average roughness (Ra) of the above-mentioned micro-concave and convex layer (35) may be 0.5 ㎛ or more and 10 ㎛ or less. Specifically, the arithmetic average roughness (Ra) of the above-mentioned micro-concave and convex layer (35) may be 0.5 ㎛ or more, 0.6 ㎛ or more, 0.7 ㎛ or more, 0.8 ㎛ or more, 0.9 ㎛ or more, or 1 ㎛ or more, and 10 ㎛ or less, 9 ㎛ or less, 8 ㎛ or less, 7 ㎛ or less, 6 ㎛ or less, 5 ㎛ or less, 4 ㎛ or less, 3 ㎛ or less, or 2 ㎛ or less. At this time, the arithmetic average roughness is a value obtained by the following equation when the roughness curve is expressed as a function y = f (x) by extracting a reference length (L) in the mean line direction from the roughness curve, making the mean line direction the X-axis and the height direction the Y-axis. It is expressed in micrometers (㎛).

[0076]

[0077] The 10-point average roughness (Rz) of the above-mentioned micro-concave layer (35) may be 1 µm or more and 50 µm or less. Specifically, the 10-point average roughness (Rz) of the above-mentioned micro-concave layer (35) may be 1 µm or more, 2 µm or more, 3 µm or more, 4 µm or more, or 5 µm or more, and 50 µm or less, 40 µm or less, 30 µm or less, 20 µm or less, 10 µm or less, 9 µm or less, 8 µm or less, 7 µm or less, or 6 µm or less. At this time, the 10-point average roughness is obtained by extracting the reference length (L) from the roughness curve in the direction of the average line, and adding the average of the absolute values ​​of the heights (P1 to P5) from the highest peak to the 5th peak in the height direction and the average of the absolute values ​​of the depths (V1 to V5) from the lowest valley bottom to the 5th valley bottom, as shown in the equation below, and expressing the value in micrometers (㎛).

[0078]

[0079] The above guide block (30) can provide a tape (2) to each electrode assembly (1) to be accommodated in the electrode assembly accommodation groove (20).

[0080] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing the initial state of a tape attached to a guide block according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the initial state of the tape attached to the guide block (30) is such that a portion of the tape (2) is adhered to the outer surface of the electrode assembly (1) and the remainder is in contact with the guide block (30). A portion of the entire length of the tape (2) is adhered to the outer surface of the electrode assembly (1) and serves as a support that can pull the remainder of the tape (2) in contact with the guide block (30). At this time, the initial bonding length can be determined according to the entire length of the tape (2), and specifically, it can be 5 mm or more, 6 mm or more, 7 mm or more, 8 mm or more, 9 mm or more, or 10 mm or more and 20 mm or less. For example, when the entire length of the tape (2) is 140 mm, the initial bonding length adhered to the outer surface of the electrode assembly (1) can be 10 mm.

[0082] An electrode assembly manufacturing device (100) according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a rotating part (not shown) of the electrode assembly (1).

[0083] The rotating part of the above electrode assembly (1) can rotate the electrode assembly (1) as shown in Fig. 4. At this time, if the rotation of the rotating roll (10) is called revolution, the rotation of the electrode assembly (1) can be called rotation.

[0084] In the present invention, the rotation speed of the electrode assembly (1) by the rotating part may be 30 rpm or more and 180 rpm or less, 40 rpm or more and 150 rpm or less, 50 rpm or more and 120 rpm or less, or 60 rpm or more and 100 rpm or less, and may be about 60 rpm. At this time, rpm is the number of revolutions per minute, and rev / s can be used as a unit for the number of revolutions per second, and 1 rev / s means 60 rpm.

[0085] The rotating part of the electrode assembly (1) can rotate the electrode assembly (1) to pull the remainder of the tape (2) in contact with the guide block (30) and adhere the entire adhesive surface (2") of the tape (2) to the outer surface of the electrode assembly (1). As shown in FIG. 6, the tape (2) attached to the guide block (30) moves by the rotation of the electrode assembly (1), and as shown in FIG. 7, the tape (2) attached to the guide block (30) is completely moved to the outer surface of the electrode assembly (1).

[0086] The rotating part of the above electrode assembly (1) does not rotate continuously, but rotates until the tape (2) is completely moved to the outer periphery of the electrode assembly (1) after the tape (2) is attached to the guide block (30) and the outer periphery of the electrode assembly (1).

[0087] Figure 4 is a plan view of a manufacturing device for an electrode assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] An electrode assembly manufacturing device (100) according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a tape roll (50), a cutter (60), and a tape supply roll (40).

[0089] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the tape supply roll (40) adsorbs the non-adhesive surface (2') of the tape (2) and supplies the tape (2) so that the adhesive surface (2") of the tape (2) comes into contact with the outer surface of the electrode assembly (1) accommodated in one of the plurality of electrode assembly accommodation grooves (20) and the guide block (30). Specifically, one end of the adhesive surface (2") of the tape on the rotating tape supply roll (40) is adhered to the outer surface of the electrode assembly (1) accommodated in one of the plurality of electrode assembly accommodation grooves by the rotation of the rotating roll (10), thereby allowing the tape (2) to move from the tape supply roll (40) to the outer surface of the electrode assembly (1) and the guide block (30).

[0090] The rotation direction of the tape supply roll (40) and the rotation direction of the rotary roll (10) may be the same or different. As shown in Fig. 4, the rotation direction of the tape supply roll (40) and the rotation direction of the rotary roll (10) may be different.

[0091] The above tape supply roll (40) may be provided with a plurality of vacuum holes capable of absorbing the tape (2) supplied to the surface. At this time, the vacuum pressure is at a level that does not damage the attached tape (2), and may be specifically -50 kPa to -10 kPa.

[0092] The rotation of the tape supply roll (40) may be continuous. Here, "continuous" means intermittent or continuous. Specifically, "intermittent" rotation means repeating the process of rotating for a certain period of time and stopping for a certain period of time, while "continuous" rotation means that rotation continues without stopping unless there is a defect or malfunction, and a series of processes are repeated and continued.

[0093] The above tape roll (50) refers to a roll in which the tape roll is wound without being cut. Tape (2) can be unwound from the tape roll (50) that is wound continuously and without interruption, one end of the unwound tape (2) can be adsorbed on the surface of the tape supply roll (40), and cut at regular intervals with the cutter (60).

[0094] As shown in Fig. 4, the tape (2) absorbed on the tape supply roll (40) may be a tape (2) cut to a certain length.

[0095] An electrode assembly manufacturing device (100) according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include an electrode assembly supply unit (not shown) and an electrode assembly recovery unit (not shown).

[0096] The above electrode assembly supply unit is configured to supply an electrode assembly to each of the plurality of electrode assembly receiving grooves, and the electrode assembly recovery unit is configured to recover the electrode assembly (1) to which the tape (2) is adhered.

[0097] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the electrode assembly manufacturing device (100) can be divided into a first region where an electrode assembly (1) is supplied; a second region where a tape (2) is attached to the outer surface of the electrode assembly (1) and a guide block (30) and the tape (2) is pulled from the guide block (30) due to the self-rotation of the electrode assembly (1) to completely adhere the tape (2) to the outer surface of the electrode assembly (1); and a third region where the electrode assembly (1) to which the tape (2) has been adhered is recovered. As the three regions thus divided are repeated due to the rotation of the rotation roll (10), as illustrated in FIG. 4, the process of attaching the tape to the outer surface of the electrode assembly (1) can be repeated and continuously performed.

[0098] In the present invention, the manufacturing device (100) of an electrode assembly is a device that attaches a tape (2) to the outer surface of an electrode assembly (1) in which a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator provided between the positive electrode and the negative electrode are laminated and rolled up. In short, it is a post-processing device that attaches a tape (2) to an electrode assembly (1) in which pre-processing has been completed. The electrode assembly (1) is manufactured as known in the art, and if attachment of a tape (2) to the outer surface of the electrode assembly (1) in a rolled state is necessary, it can be applied.

[0099] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, including a step of attaching a tape (2) to the outer surface of an electrode assembly (1) using the above-described electrode assembly manufacturing device.

[0100] In the method for manufacturing an electrode assembly of the present invention, the description of the electrode assembly manufacturing device (100) refers to the above-described description.

[0101] In another embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include a step of adsorbing a non-adhesive surface (2') of a tape with a tape supply roll (40); and a step of supplying the tape (2) so that the adhesive surface (2") of the tape (2) comes into contact with the outer surface of an electrode assembly accommodated in one of the plurality of electrode assembly accommodation grooves (20) and the guide block.

[0102] In another embodiment of the present invention, the step of supplying the tape (2) may include a step of bonding one end of the adhesive surface (2") of the tape (2) on the rotating tape supply roll (40) to the outer surface of an electrode assembly (1) accommodated in one of the plurality of electrode assembly accommodation grooves (20) by the rotation of the rotating roll (10), and a step of moving the tape (2) from the tape supply roll (40) to the outer surface of the electrode assembly (1) and the guide block (30) by the continuous rotation of the tape supply roll (40) and the rotating roll (10).

[0103] In another embodiment of the present invention, the step of attaching the tape (2) to the outer surface of the electrode assembly (1) may be performed by rotating the electrode assembly (1) to pull the remainder of the tape (2) in contact with the guide block (30) so that the entire adhesive surface (2") of the tape (2) is attached to the outer surface of the electrode assembly (1).

[0104] In another embodiment of the present invention, a step of supplying an electrode assembly (1) to each of the plurality of electrode assembly receiving grooves (20) may be further included.

[0105] In another embodiment of the present invention, a step of recovering the electrode assembly (1) to which the tape (2) is attached may be further included.

[0106] In another embodiment of the present invention, a step of cutting the tape (2) released from the tape roll (50) may be further included.

[0107] Hereinafter, the present specification will be described in more detail through examples. However, the following examples are intended only to illustrate the present specification and are not intended to limit the present specification.

[0108] [Manufacturing example]

[0109] The guide block was manufactured under the conditions shown in Table 1 below, and the other components were manufactured identically. At this time, the vacuum holes of the examples below were each identically provided with a diameter of 1Φ, a hole spacing of 5 mm, a number of 80, and an arrangement of 5 rows X 16 columns. A tosical coating (Release Tech Co., Ltd. RTX-8000 tosical coating, coating main material: fluororesin) was coated on the tape adhesive surface of the guide block with an average thickness of approximately 0.2 mm to form a micro-concave layer. At this time, the formed micro-concave layer had Ra of 1 μm and Rz of 5 μm.

[0110] Whether there is a toxic coating or not Whether there is a vacuum hole Whether there is a holder for the tape contact surface shape Comparison Example ○ × V-groove ○ Example ○ ○ (vacuum pressure -10kPa) Flat surface ○

[0111] At this time, the V-shaped groove step (height difference between peaks and valleys) of the comparative example was 0.5 mm, the pitch interval (distance between two adjacent peaks) was 3.5 mm, and a total of 12 were formed.

[0112] [Experimental Example]

[0113] Each guide block manufactured in the above manufacturing example was connected to a rotating roll and tape was attached to the outer surface of the electrode assembly. At this time, the meandering, horizontal wrinkles, vertical wrinkles, and lead deviation were checked for each of the examples and comparative examples, and the results are summarized in Table 2 below.

[0114] At this time, the skew test was conducted by checking the difference between the upper surface of the first attached tape and the upper surface of the last attached tape using a vernier caliper measuring device to be within the skew Spec. ±2.5 mm.

[0115] The presence or absence of horizontal and vertical wrinkles was determined by visually observing the shape of the wrinkles.

[0116] The transfer deviation was measured by using a vision camera to determine the distance at which the tape deviates from the underside of the projection (tape guide surface) within Spec. ±0.5 mm.

[0117] Separation (Spec. ±2.5mm) Horizontal wrinkle (EA) Vertical wrinkle (EA) Deviation of transfer (mm) Comparative example Total 24 / 108 (22%) 0.5mm (11), 1.0mm (10) 1.5mm (3) 0 / 108 (0%) 40 / 108 (37%) ±0.5 Example Total 0 / 35 (0%) (Total level of meandering ±0.25mm) 0 / 35 (0%) 0 / 35 (0%) ±0.25

[0118] As shown in Table 2, the examples show that vertical wrinkles are improved compared to the comparative examples, and the incidence of meandering is significantly improved from 22% to 0%. In addition, the difference in the contact area of ​​the tape adhesive surface, i.e., the difference depending on whether the guide surface is a groove (V-groove) or a flat surface, is significant, confirming that the contact area is an important factor when applying the vacuum adsorption method.

[0119] At this time, the 'flat surface' is a state in which only the micro-roughness due to the tosical coating is present without any mechanically formed grooves, and the flatness of the 'flat surface' is such that it appears flat to the naked eye and feels rough to the touch. The degree of roughness of the flat surface may be 0.4 mm or less, 0.3 mm or less, 0.2 mm or less, or 0.1 mm or less. On the other hand, the comparative example is one in which the 'V-groove' is mechanically formed in the longitudinal direction of the tape in addition to the tosical coating.

Claims

1. Rotating roll, A plurality of electrode assembly receiving grooves provided around the circumference of the above rotating roll, and A guide block is provided between one of the plurality of electrode assembly receiving grooves and another adjacent electrode assembly receiving groove, and provides a tape to each electrode assembly to be received in the electrode assembly receiving groove. An electrode assembly manufacturing device wherein the above guide block includes a holder protruding along both sides of the length direction of the tape.

2. In claim 1, An electrode assembly manufacturing device in which the surface of the guide block in contact with the adhesive surface of the tape is provided with a micro-concave layer and a vacuum hole.

3. In claim 1, the non-adhesive surface of the tape is adsorbed, An electrode assembly manufacturing device further comprising a tape supply roll that supplies the tape so that the adhesive surface of the tape comes into contact with the outer surface of the electrode assembly accommodated in one of the plurality of electrode assembly accommodation grooves and the guide block.

4. A device for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 3, wherein the rotation direction of the tape supply roll and the rotation direction of the rotation roll are different from each other.

5. In claim 3, the rotation of the tape supply roll and the rotation roll are each continuous, One end of the adhesive surface of the tape on the rotating tape supply roll is adhered to the outer surface of an electrode assembly accommodated in one of the plurality of electrode assembly accommodation grooves by the rotation of the rotating roll, An electrode assembly manufacturing device in which the tape is moved from the tape supply roll to the outer surface of the electrode assembly and the guide block.

6. In claim 5, by rotating the electrode assembly, An electrode assembly manufacturing device further comprising a rotating part that pulls the remainder of the tape in contact with the guide block and adheres the entire adhesive surface of the tape to the outer surface of the electrode assembly.

7. An electrode assembly manufacturing device according to claim 1, further comprising an electrode assembly supply unit that supplies electrode assemblies to each of the plurality of electrode assembly receiving grooves.

8. A manufacturing device for an electrode assembly, further comprising an electrode assembly recovery unit for recovering the electrode assembly to which the tape is adhered, according to claim 1.

9. A device for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a tape roll and a cutter for cutting the tape of the tape roll.

10. A manufacturing device for an electrode assembly according to claim 1, wherein the protruding length of the holder is 0.5 mm or more and 1 cm or less.

11. A device for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 6, wherein the rotation speed of the electrode assembly by the rotating part is 30 rpm or more and 180 rpm or less.

12. A manufacturing device for an electrode assembly according to claim 2, wherein the diameter of the vacuum hole is 0.8 mm or more and 2 mm or less.

13. A manufacturing device for an electrode assembly according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of vacuum holes are provided, and the distance between one vacuum hole and another adjacent vacuum hole is 4 mm or more and 6 mm or less.

14. A manufacturing device for an electrode assembly according to claim 2, wherein the average thickness of the micro-concave layer is 0.15 mm or more and 0.25 mm or less.

15. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, comprising the step of attaching a tape to the outer surface of an electrode assembly using an electrode assembly manufacturing device according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. In claim 15, a step of adsorbing the non-adhesive surface of the tape with a tape supply roll; and A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, further comprising the step of supplying the tape so that the adhesive surface of the tape contacts the outer surface of an electrode assembly accommodated in one of the plurality of electrode assembly accommodation grooves and the guide block.

17. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 16, wherein the rotation direction of the tape supply roll and the rotation direction of the rotation roll are different from each other.

18. In claim 16, The step of supplying the above tape is: A step of bonding one end of the adhesive surface of the tape on the rotating tape supply roll to the outer surface of an electrode assembly accommodated in one of the plurality of electrode assembly accommodation grooves by rotation of the rotating roll, and A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, comprising a step of moving the tape from the tape supply roll to the outer surface of the electrode assembly and the guide block by the continuous rotation of the tape supply roll and the rotation roll, respectively.

19. In claim 18, The step of attaching tape to the outer surface of the above electrode assembly is: A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, wherein the electrode assembly is rotated to pull the remainder of the tape in contact with the guide block and adhere the entire adhesive surface of the tape to the outer surface of the electrode assembly.

20. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 15, further comprising the step of supplying an electrode assembly to each of the plurality of electrode assembly receiving grooves.

21. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, further comprising the step of recovering the electrode assembly to which the tape is attached, according to claim 15.

22. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 15, further comprising a step of cutting a tape released from a tape roll.

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