Electrolyte removal apparatus and electrolyte removal method using same

Abstract

An electrolyte removal apparatus of the present invention removes an electrolyte remaining in an injection device for injecting the electrolyte into a battery cell, and comprises: a transfer unit for transferring an injection device; an electrolyte suction unit for suctioning and removing the electrolyte remaining in the injection device; an upper O-ring cleaning unit for cleaning an upper O-ring of the injection device; a lower O-ring cleaning unit for cleaning a lower O-ring of the injection device; and a hot air drying unit for spraying hot air at the inside and the outside of the injection device so as to remove liquid remaining in the injection device.

Description

Electrolyte removal device and electrolyte removal method using the same

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrolyte removal device and an electrolyte removal method using the same, and more specifically, to an electrolyte removal device capable of effectively removing electrolyte remaining in an injection device used to inject electrolyte into a battery cell, and an electrolyte removal method using the same.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0174508, filed December 5, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Recently, rechargeable secondary batteries have been widely used as a power source for wireless mobile devices. Furthermore, secondary batteries are also attracting attention as a potential energy source for electric and hybrid electric vehicles, which are being proposed as a solution to air pollution caused by existing gasoline and diesel vehicles that use fossil fuels. Consequently, the applications that utilize secondary batteries are diversifying significantly due to their advantages, and it is expected that secondary batteries will be applied to a wider range of fields and products in the future.

[0004] Meanwhile, in the secondary battery manufacturing process, electrolyte injection is a critical step that impacts battery performance. In particular, electrolyte injection is difficult in cylindrical or prismatic batteries, where the positive and negative electrodes are surrounded by a separator to form a spiral electrode array. Various methods have been developed to address this.

[0005] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of typical cylindrical battery cells (20). Fig. 2 is a front view schematically showing the appearance of a typical injection device used for electrolyte injection. And, Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the appearance of electrolyte (30) being injected into a battery can (21) through a typical injection device used for electrolyte injection.

[0006] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, in the prior art, in order to inject electrolyte into a cylindrical battery cell (20), it is common to move the electrolyte from the electrolyte tank to the electrolyte supply container through a quantitative discharge pump, and then inject the electrolyte (30) through the injection nozzle (13) of the electrolyte injection device while the cylindrical battery can (21) is inserted into the electrolyte injection tube (11a) coupled with the pallet (12) of the injection mechanism (10).

[0007] At this time, the electrolyte injection tube (11a) of the electrolyte injection device (10) serves as an intermediate passage for injecting a precise amount of electrolyte injected from the injection nozzle (13) into the battery can (21). To this end, an upper O-ring (11b) may be provided at the upper portion of the electrolyte injection tube (11a), and an electrolyte injection port (11d) may be formed at the center of the upper O-ring (11b). A lower O-ring (11c) may be provided at the lower portion of the electrolyte injection tube (11a). This lower O-ring (11c) may be arranged to be connected to the upper portion of the battery can (21).

[0008] However, in the prior art, after the electrolyte is injected into the battery can (21) using the electrolyte injection device (10), residual electrolyte (30) remains in the injection tube (11a) of the electrolyte injection device (10). This residual electrolyte (30) may crystallize in a subsequent process or affect the amount of electrolyte injected during the next injection process, thereby clogging the injection port (11d) of the electrolyte injection tube (11a) or negatively affecting the performance of the battery cell (20).

[0009] Moreover, the problem caused by residual electrolyte remaining in the electrolyte injection tube (11a) of the injection device (10) is particularly serious in a secondary battery equipped with a vortex electrode assembly. To solve this problem, the electrolyte injection device can be separated from the electrolyte supply device and cleaned by ultrasonic cleaning, etc. However, performing ultrasonic cleaning every time after electrolyte injection using the injection device takes a lot of time and money, so it is difficult to clean it every time, and it is inevitable to perform it regularly at regular intervals. For this reason, it is very difficult to continuously maintain the electrolyte supply tube so that the residual electrolyte is small during the electrolyte injection process.

[0010] Therefore, it is necessary to develop a device and method that can effectively remove the electrolyte remaining in the injection device at each process cycle of the electrolyte injection process.

[0011] The purpose of the present invention is to solve problems occurring in the electrolyte removal process of a conventional secondary battery.

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide an electrolyte removal device and an electrolyte removal method that can effectively remove residual electrolyte remaining in a liquid injection device by including an electrolyte suction unit and a hot air drying unit.

[0013] In addition, through one embodiment of the present invention, it is intended to provide an electrolyte removal device and an electrolyte removal method capable of maintaining the amount of electrolyte injected into a plurality of battery cells at an appropriate level and manufacturing high-quality battery cells.

[0014] In order to achieve the above-described object, according to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electrolyte removal device for removing an electrolyte remaining in an injection device for injecting an electrolyte into a battery cell, the device including: a transfer unit configured to transfer the injection device; an electrolyte suction unit configured to suck the electrolyte remaining in the injection device transferred for cleaning; an O-ring washing unit configured to wash an upper O-ring or a lower O-ring of the injection device transferred from the electrolyte suction unit; and a hot air drying unit configured to spray hot air to at least one of the inside and the outside of the injection device to remove liquid remaining in the injection device transferred from the O-ring washing unit.

[0015] The above-mentioned injection device may include a plurality of injection tube sections, each of which has an empty tube into which the battery cell is inserted, an upper O-ring provided on the upper portion of the tube and into which the electrolyte is injected in the electrolyte injection process of the secondary battery, and a lower O-ring provided on the lower portion of the tube and configured to be coupled with the battery can of the battery cell; and a pallet section having a through-hole formed into which each of the plurality of injection tube sections is inserted.

[0016] The electrolyte suction unit may include an upper suction tube provided to suck the electrolyte remaining in the upper O-ring; and a lower suction tube provided to suck the electrolyte remaining in the lower O-ring.

[0017] The upper suction tube has a tubular shape with an interior that is hollow to surround the upper O-ring, and the upper O-ring of the injection device is inserted through an open end of the tubular shape, and the electrolyte remaining in the upper O-ring can be removed by suction from the other end of the tubular shape.

[0018] The lower suction tube has a tubular shape with an interior that is hollow to surround the lower O-ring, and the lower O-ring of the injection device is inserted through an open end of the tubular shape, and the electrolyte remaining in the lower O-ring can be removed by suctioning from the other end of the tubular shape.

[0019] The above O-ring washing unit may include an upper O-ring washing unit configured to wash the upper O-ring of the injection device by immersing it in a washing tank containing a detergent solution.

[0020] The above O-ring washing unit may include a lower O-ring washing unit configured to wash the lower O-ring of the injection device by immersing it in a washing tank containing a detergent solution.

[0021] The above hot air drying unit may be equipped with a spray nozzle configured to spray hot air to the upper portion and the inside of the injection device while the upper O-ring is positioned at the upper portion.

[0022] The above injection nozzle may include an internal injection nozzle inserted through the electrolyte injection port of the upper O-ring to inject hot air into the interior of the injection device; and at least one external injection nozzle to inject hot air onto the outer surface of the injection device from the upper portion of the injection device.

[0023] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, according to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrolyte injection system including the electrolyte removal device is provided.

[0024] In order to achieve the above-described object, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for removing an electrolyte remaining in an injection device for injecting an electrolyte into a battery cell using the electrolyte removal device is provided, the method including: an electrolyte suction step in which an electrolyte suction unit sucks and removes the electrolyte remaining in the injection device conveyed by a conveying unit; an O-ring washing step in which an O-ring washing unit washes an upper O-ring or a lower O-ring of the injection device conveyed from the electrolyte suction unit; and a hot air drying step in which a hot air drying unit sprays hot air onto at least one of the inside and the outside of the injection device to remove liquid remaining in the injection device conveyed from the O-ring washing unit.

[0025] As described above, the electrolyte removal device and electrolyte removal method according to one embodiment of the present invention have the following effects.

[0026] By including an electrolyte suction unit and a hot air drying unit, residual electrolyte remaining in the injection device can be effectively removed.

[0027] In addition, since the amount of electrolyte injected into multiple battery cells can be maintained at an appropriate level, high-quality battery cells can be manufactured.

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of typical cylindrical battery cells.

[0029] Figure 2 is a front view schematically showing the appearance of a general injection device used for electrolyte injection.

[0030] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the process of injecting electrolyte into a battery can using a typical electrolyte injection device.

[0031] Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram conceptually illustrating the configurations of an electrolyte removal device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a front view schematically showing some components of an electrolyte suction unit of an electrolyte removal device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing some components of an electrolyte suction unit of an electrolyte removal device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figures 7 and 8 are schematic diagrams schematically showing the appearance of the upper O-ring washing section of the electrolyte removal device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figures 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams schematically showing the appearance of the lower O-ring cleaning section of the electrolyte removal device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Fig. 11 is a front view schematically showing a part of the configuration of a hot air drying unit of an electrolyte removal device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 12 is a conceptual diagram conceptually illustrating the configurations of an electrolyte injection system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing steps of an electrolyte removal method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Hereinafter, an electrolyte removal device and an electrolyte removal method according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0040] 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.

[0041] Fig. 4 is a conceptual diagram conceptually illustrating the configuration of an electrolyte removal device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a front view schematically illustrating some configurations of an electrolyte suction unit (110) of an electrolyte removal device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention. And, Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating some configurations of an electrolyte suction unit (110) of an electrolyte removal device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Referring again to FIGS. 4 to 6 together with FIGS. 1 and 3, an electrolyte removal device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention is a removal device that removes electrolyte remaining in an injection device (10) for injecting electrolyte into a battery cell (20). The injection device (10), as shown in FIG. 2, may include a plurality of injection tube portions (11a) and a pallet portion (12) on which each of the plurality of injection tube portions (11a) is mounted. Specifically, each of the plurality of injection tube portions (11a) may have a cylindrical tube having an empty interior so that a battery cell (20) may be inserted. The injection tube portion (11a) has an upper O-ring (11b) on the upper portion of the tube. The upper O-ring (11b) may be provided to seal the injection nozzle (13) to prevent electrolyte leakage when the electrolyte (30) is injected into the injection tube portion (11a) through the nozzle during the electrolyte injection process of a secondary battery. The injection tube portion (11a) is provided with a lower O-ring (11c) at the lower portion of the tube. The lower O-ring (11c) is provided so as to be coupled with the battery can (21) of the battery cell (20). The lower O-ring (11c) may be provided to seal between the injection tube portion (11a) and the battery can (21) during the electrolyte injection process of the secondary battery to prevent electrolyte leakage. A through hole (not shown) into which each of the plurality of injection tube portions (11a) is inserted may be formed in the pallet portion (12).

[0043] Meanwhile, the electrolyte removal device of the present invention includes a transport unit (160), an electrolyte suction unit (110), an O-ring washing unit (150), and a hot air drying unit (140) for washing a charging mechanism separated from a battery can of a plurality of cylindrical battery cells (20). The charging mechanism (10) is sequentially transported to the electrolyte suction unit (110), the O-ring washing unit (150), and the hot air drying unit (140) by the transport unit (160) and washed. However, the charging mechanism is not necessarily washed in this order, and the order of the washing method may be changed as needed.

[0044] In addition, the transport unit (160) may be configured to grab and move the pallet (12) of the injection device (10). To this end, the transport unit (160) may be equipped with a transport unit (not shown) having a gripper capable of grabbing and transporting the injection device (10).

[0045] In addition, the electrolyte removal device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an electrolyte suction unit (110). This electrolyte suction unit (110) is provided to suction and remove the electrolyte remaining in the injection device (10) through a suction pipe (111). Specifically, the electrolyte suction unit (110) includes a suction pump (not shown) that generates a negative pressure for sucking the electrolyte. The electrolyte suction unit (110) includes a connecting hose (112) that connects the suction pump and the suction pipe (111). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the electrolyte suction unit (110) may be provided with suction pipes (111a, 111b) used for sucking the electrolyte.

[0046] Additionally, the electrolyte suction unit (110) may include an upper suction tube (111a) and a lower suction tube (111b). The upper suction tube (111a) may be provided to suck up the electrolyte remaining in the upper O-ring (11b).

[0047] The upper suction pipe (111a) may have a cylindrical shape with an interior that is hollow to surround the upper O-ring (11b). One end of the upper suction pipe (111a) may have an open shape so that the upper O-ring (11b) of the injection device (10) may be inserted therein. That is, the tubular open end of the upper suction pipe (111a) may be inserted into the upper O-ring (11b) of the injection device (10). The other end of the upper suction pipe (111a) may be provided with a suction nozzle (111a-1) that is arranged to communicate with a suction hose (112) so that a negative pressure is generated inside the pipe. The electrolyte remaining in the upper O-ring (11b) can be removed by suctioning from the tubular other end of the upper suction pipe (111a).

[0048] In addition, the lower suction pipe (111b) may have a cylindrical shape with an empty interior to surround the lower O-ring (11c). The lower O-ring (11c) of the injection device (10) can be inserted through the open tubular end of the lower suction pipe (111b). One end of the lower suction pipe (111b) may have an open shape to allow the lower O-ring (11c) of the injection device (10) to be inserted. The other end of the lower suction pipe (111b) may be provided with a suction nozzle (111b-1) that is arranged to communicate with the suction hose (112) so that negative pressure is generated inside the pipe. The electrolyte remaining in the lower O-ring (11c) can be removed by suctioning from the other tubular end of the lower suction pipe (111b).

[0049] Figures 7 and 8 are schematic diagrams schematically showing the appearance of the upper O-ring washing unit (120) of the electrolyte removal device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 along with FIG. 4, the O-ring cleaning unit (150) of the electrolyte removal device (100) of the present invention includes an upper O-ring cleaning unit (120). The upper O-ring cleaning unit (120) is provided to clean the upper O-ring (11b) of the injection device (10). To this end, the upper O-ring cleaning unit (120) may include a detergent solution (122) and a cleaning tank (124) that accommodates the detergent solution (122). For example, the detergent solution (122) may include dimethyl carbonate. For example, the cleaning tank (124) may be provided with a material that does not chemically react with the detergent solution (122). For example, the cleaning tank (124) may include polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylidene chloride, Teflon, or the like as a material.

[0051] In addition, the upper O-ring washing unit (120) can lift and move the liquid dispensing mechanism (10) so that the upper O-ring (11b) is immersed in the detergent solution (122) contained in the washing tank (124). For example, the upper O-ring (11b) can be vibrated while immersed in the detergent solution (122) to disperse the electrolyte. For example, the vibration method can utilize an ultrasonic cleaning method.

[0052] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are schematic diagrams showing the appearance of the lower O-ring cleaning unit (130) of the electrolyte removal device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 along with FIG. 4, the O-ring cleaning unit (150) of the electrolyte removal device (100) of the present invention includes a lower O-ring cleaning unit (130). The lower O-ring cleaning unit (130) is provided to clean the lower O-ring (11c) of the injection device (10) using a detergent solution (132). The lower O-ring cleaning unit (130) may include a detergent solution (132) and a cleaning tank (134) that accommodates the detergent solution (132).

[0054] In addition, the lower O-ring washing unit (130) can lift and move the injection mechanism (10) so that the lower O-ring (11c) is immersed in the detergent solution (132) contained in the washing tank (134). For example, the lower O-ring (11c) can be vibrated to disperse the electrolyte while immersed in the detergent solution (132). For example, the vibration method can utilize an ultrasonic cleaning method.

[0055] Fig. 11 is a front view schematically showing a part of the configuration of a hot air drying unit (140) of an electrolyte removal device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Referring back to FIG. 11 together with FIG. 4, the hot air drying unit (140) may be provided with a spray nozzle (141) configured to spray hot air to at least one of the outside and the inside of the injection device (10) while the upper O-ring (11b) is positioned at the top. In addition, the spray nozzle (141) may include an internal spray nozzle (141a) and at least one external spray nozzle (141b). Here, the internal spray nozzle (141a) may be configured to be inserted through the electrolyte injection port (11c) of the upper O-ring (11b) and spray hot air to the inside of the injection device (10). For example, the external spray nozzle (141b) may be configured to spray hot air to the outer surface of the injection device (10) from the top of the injection device (10).

[0057] Therefore, the electrolyte removal device (100) of the present invention includes an electrolyte suction unit (110) and a hot air drying unit (140), thereby effectively removing residual electrolyte remaining in the injection device (10), thereby maintaining the amount of electrolyte injected into a plurality of battery cells (20) at an appropriate level, and thus manufacturing high-quality battery cells (20).

[0058] Figure 12 is a conceptual diagram conceptually illustrating the configurations of an electrolyte injection system (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 12 together with FIGS. 1 to 4, the present invention provides an electrolyte injection system (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention. The electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention includes an electrolyte removal device (100). Here, the electrolyte removal device (100) is similar to or identical to the electrolyte removal device (100) described above, and therefore, a detailed description of the detailed components of the electrolyte removal device (100) will be omitted.

[0060] In addition, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include a battery cell supply unit (210) provided to supply a cylindrical battery cell (20) to a pallet coupling unit (220).

[0061] In addition, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include a pallet coupling part (220) provided to couple a plurality of cylindrical battery cells (20) to a charging mechanism (10) including a pallet part (12) and a plurality of injection tube parts (11a).

[0062] In addition, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include a charging loader unit (230) equipped with an electrolyte storage tank and an electrolyte supply pump to supply electrolyte to a cylindrical battery cell (20) coupled with an injection mechanism (10).

[0063] In addition, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include a charging chamber (240) configured to inject an electrolyte into a cylindrical battery cell (20) coupled with a charging mechanism (10) inside the chamber. At this time, the cylindrical battery cell (20) may be injected with an electrolyte supplied from a charging loader (230) inside the charging chamber (240) into the battery can (21) inside the cell through an injection nozzle.

[0064] In addition, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include a pressurized / vacuum chamber unit (250) provided to create a pressurized and vacuum environment for a plurality of cylindrical battery cells (20) into which electrolyte is injected within the chamber. At this time, the plurality of cylindrical battery cells (20) into which electrolyte is injected in the injection chamber unit (240) may be moved to the pressurized / vacuum chamber unit (250) and then exposed to the pressurized and vacuum environment.

[0065] In addition, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include a pressurized loader (260) provided to increase the pressure inside the pressurized / vacuum chamber (250).

[0066] In addition, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include a pressurized unloader (270) provided to reduce the pressure inside the pressurized / vacuum chamber (250).

[0067] In addition, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include a pallet separation unit (280) provided to separate a plurality of cylindrical battery cells (20) coupled to the injection mechanism (10) from the injection mechanism (10). This separation process may be performed after the plurality of cylindrical battery cells (20) are discharged from the pressurized / vacuum chamber unit (250).

[0068] In addition, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include a battery cell discharge unit (291) that discharges a plurality of cylindrical battery cells (20) separated from the pallet (12) to the outside.

[0069] In addition, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include a defective cell discharge unit (292) that discharges a defective cell (20) determined to be a defective cell among a plurality of cylindrical battery cells (20) separated from the pallet (12) to the outside.

[0070] In addition, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include an electrolyte removal device (100) for washing a plurality of cylindrical battery cells (20) and a separate injection mechanism (10). Specifically, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include an electrolyte suction unit (110) provided to suction and remove the electrolyte remaining in the injection mechanism (10). The electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include an upper O-ring washing unit (120) for washing an upper O-ring (11b) of the injection mechanism (10). The electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include a lower O-ring washing unit (130) for washing a lower O-ring (11c) of the injection mechanism (10) using a detergent solution (122). The electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention may include a hot air drying unit (140) that sprays hot air inside and outside the injection device (10) to remove liquid remaining in the injection device (10).

[0071] In addition, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention can transport the injection device (10) dried by the hot air drying unit (140) to the pallet coupling unit (220) to be coupled again with a plurality of cylindrical battery cells (20).

[0072] Therefore, the electrolyte injection system (200) of the present invention can effectively remove residual electrolyte remaining in the injection device (10) by including an electrolyte removal device (100), thereby maintaining the amount of electrolyte injected into a plurality of battery cells (20) at an appropriate level, thereby manufacturing high-quality battery cells (20).

[0073] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing steps of an electrolyte removal method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] Referring again to FIG. 13 together with FIG. 1 to FIG. 11, the present invention provides a method for removing electrolyte remaining in an injection device (10) for injecting electrolyte into a battery cell (20).

[0075] Specifically, the electrolyte removal method of the present invention includes an electrolyte suction step (M01). The electrolyte suction step (M01) is a step in which the electrolyte suction unit (110) suctions and removes the electrolyte remaining in the injection device (10) transferred by the transfer unit (160).

[0076] In addition, the electrolyte removal method of the present invention includes an O-ring washing step in which an O-ring washing unit (150) washes an upper O-ring (11b) or a lower O-ring (11c) of a liquid injection device (10) transferred from an electrolyte suction unit (110). Specifically, the O-ring washing step may include a lower O-ring washing step (M02) and an upper O-ring washing step (M03).

[0077] In addition, the lower O-ring washing step (M02) is a step in which the lower O-ring washing unit (130) washes the lower O-ring (11c) of the injection device (10) using a detergent solution (122).

[0078] In addition, the upper O-ring washing step (M03) is a step in which the upper O-ring washing unit (120) washes the upper O-ring (11b) of the injection device (10) using a detergent solution (122).

[0079] In addition, the electrolyte removal method of the present invention includes a hot air drying step (M04). The hot air drying step (M04) is a step in which the hot air drying unit (140) sprays hot air to at least one of the inside and the outside of the injection device (10) to remove the liquid remaining in the injection device (10) transferred from the O-ring washing unit (150).

[0080] Therefore, the electrolyte removal method of the present invention can effectively remove the residual electrolyte remaining in the injection device (10) by including an electrolyte suction step (M01) and a hot air drying step (M04), thereby maintaining the amount of electrolyte injected into a plurality of battery cells (20) at an appropriate level, thereby manufacturing high-quality battery cells (20).

[0081] In addition, the injection device (10) may include a plurality of injection tubes (11a). Each of the injection tubes (11a) may have a hollow tube inside which a battery cell (20) is inserted. The injection tube (11a) may be provided at the upper portion of the tube and may be provided with an upper O-ring (11b) into which an electrolyte is injected during the electrolyte injection process of a secondary battery. The injection tube (11a) may be provided at the lower portion of the tube and may be provided with a lower O-ring (11c) that is configured to be coupled with a battery can (21) of a battery cell (20).

[0082] In addition, the injection device (10) may include a pallet portion (12) having a through hole formed into which each of a plurality of injection tube portions (11a) is inserted. However, since this injection device (10) has a configuration similar to or identical to the injection device (10) described above, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0083] Additionally, in the electrolyte suction step (M01), the upper suction tube (111a) of the electrolyte suction unit (110) can suck the electrolyte remaining in the upper O-ring (11b). The lower suction tube (111b) of the electrolyte suction unit (110) can suck the electrolyte remaining in the lower O-ring (11c).

[0084] In addition, in the lower O-ring washing step (M02), the lower O-ring washing unit (130) can wash the lower O-ring (11c) of the injection device (10) by immersing it in a washing tank (134) containing a detergent solution (132).

[0085] In addition, in the upper O-ring (11b) washing step (M03), the upper O-ring washing unit (120) can wash the upper O-ring (11b) of the injection device (10) by immersing it in a washing tank (124) containing a detergent solution (122).

[0086] In addition, in the hot air drying step (M04), the spray nozzle (141) of the hot air drying unit (140) can spray hot air to the upper part and the inside of the injection device (10) while the upper O-ring (11b) is positioned at the upper part.

[0087] 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.

[0088] According to an electrolyte removal device and an electrolyte removal method related to one embodiment of the present invention, by including an electrolyte suction unit and a hot air drying unit, residual electrolyte remaining in an injection device can be effectively removed.

Claims

1. A removal device for removing electrolyte remaining in an injection device for injecting electrolyte into a battery cell. A transport unit provided to transport the above-mentioned injection device; An electrolyte suction unit provided to suck up the electrolyte remaining in the above-mentioned injection device transferred for washing; An O-ring washing unit provided to wash the upper O-ring or lower O-ring of the injection device transferred from the above electrolyte suction unit; and An electrolyte removal device, characterized by including a hot air drying unit that sprays hot air to at least one of the inside and the outside of the injection device to remove liquid remaining in the injection device transferred from the O-ring washing unit.

2. In paragraph 1, The above-mentioned liquid mechanism is, A plurality of injection tube sections, each of which has an empty tube into which the battery cell is inserted, an upper O-ring provided on the upper part of the tube and into which the electrolyte is injected in the electrolyte injection process of the secondary battery, and a lower O-ring provided on the lower part of the tube and configured to be coupled with the battery can of the battery cell; and An electrolyte removal device, characterized in that it includes a pallet section having a through hole formed into which each of the plurality of injection tube sections is inserted.

3. In paragraph 2, The above electrolyte suction unit is, An upper suction tube provided to suck the electrolyte remaining in the upper O-ring; and, An electrolyte removal device, characterized by including a lower suction tube configured to suck up electrolyte remaining in the lower O-ring.

4. In paragraph 3, The upper suction pipe is, An electrolyte removal device characterized in that it has a tubular body having an interior that is hollow to surround the upper O-ring, the upper O-ring of the injection device is inserted through an open end of the tubular body, and the electrolyte remaining in the upper O-ring is removed by suction from the other end of the tubular body.

5. In paragraph 3, The above lower suction pipe, An electrolyte removal device characterized in that it has a tubular body having an interior that is hollow to surround the lower O-ring, the lower O-ring of the injection device is inserted through an open end of the tubular body, and the electrolyte remaining in the lower O-ring is removed by suction from the other end of the tubular body.

6. In paragraph 2, The above O-ring cleaning part, An electrolyte removal device characterized by including an upper O-ring washing unit configured to wash the upper O-ring of the above-mentioned injection device by immersing it in a washing tank containing a detergent solution.

7. In paragraph 2, The above O-ring cleaning part, An electrolyte removal device characterized by including a lower O-ring washing unit configured to wash the lower O-ring of the above-mentioned injection device by immersing it in a washing tank containing a detergent solution.

8. In paragraph 2, The above hot air drying unit is, An electrolyte removal device characterized in that it is provided with a spray nozzle configured to spray hot air to the upper part and the inside of the injection device while the upper O-ring is positioned at the upper part.

9. In paragraph 8, The above injection nozzle, An internal injection nozzle inserted through the electrolyte injection port of the upper O-ring and designed to inject hot air into the interior of the injection device; and An electrolyte removal device characterized by including at least one external injection nozzle for injecting hot air onto an external surface of the injection device from an upper portion of the injection device.

10. A method for removing the electrolyte remaining in an injection device for injecting electrolyte into a battery cell using an electrolyte removal device according to any one of clauses 1 to 9, An electrolyte suction step in which the electrolyte suction unit sucks and removes the electrolyte remaining in the injection device conveyed by the conveying unit; An O-ring washing step in which an O-ring washing unit washes the upper O-ring or lower O-ring of the injection device transferred from the electrolyte suction unit; and An electrolyte removal method, characterized in that it includes a hot air drying step in which a hot air drying unit sprays hot air to at least one of the inside and the outside of the injection device to remove liquid remaining in the injection device transferred from the O-ring washing unit.

11. In paragraph 10, A plurality of injection tube sections, each of which has an empty tube into which the battery cell is inserted, an upper O-ring provided on the upper part of the tube and into which the electrolyte is injected in the electrolyte injection process of the secondary battery, and a lower O-ring provided on the lower part of the tube and configured to be coupled with the battery can of the battery cell; and An electrolyte removal method, characterized in that it includes a pallet part having a through hole formed into which each of the plurality of injection tube parts is inserted.

12. In paragraph 10, In the above electrolyte absorption step, The upper suction pipe of the above electrolyte suction unit sucks the electrolyte remaining in the upper O-ring, An electrolyte removal method, characterized in that the lower suction pipe of the electrolyte suction unit sucks the electrolyte remaining in the lower O-ring.

13. In paragraph 10, The above O-ring washing step is, A method for removing electrolyte, characterized by including a lower O-ring washing step of washing the lower O-ring of the above-mentioned injection device by immersing it in a cleaning tank containing a detergent solution.

14. In paragraph 10, The above O-ring washing step is, A method for removing electrolyte, characterized by including an upper O-ring washing step of washing the upper O-ring of the above-mentioned injection device by immersing it in a cleaning tank containing a detergent solution.

15. In paragraph 10, In the above hot air drying step, An electrolyte removal method, characterized in that the injection nozzle of the hot air drying unit injects hot air into the upper part and the inside of the injection device while the upper O-ring is positioned at the upper part.

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