Sulfur-carbon composite manufacturing apparatus and battery cell produced by using same, and battery pack and vehicle comprising battery cell

Abstract

Disclosed are a sulfur-carbon composite manufacturing apparatus and a battery cell produced by using same, and a battery pack and vehicle, comprising same. A sulfur-carbon composite manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention manufactures a sulfur-carbon composite by using powder in which solid-state sulfur and carbon are mixed. The sulfur-carbon composite manufacturing apparatus comprises: a supply member that supplies powder; a transfer member that transfers the powder supplied from the supply member while rotating the powder; and an irradiation member that irradiates microwaves toward the powder transferred by the transfer member.

Description

Sulfur-carbon composite manufacturing device and battery cell produced using the same, and battery pack and vehicle including the battery cell

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0190418, filed on December 22, 2023, the entire contents of which are disclosed in the specification and drawings of the said application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a sulfur-carbon composite manufacturing device and a battery cell manufactured using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell, and more particularly, to a sulfur-carbon composite manufacturing device capable of uniformly supporting sulfur on carbon, and a battery cell manufactured using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell.

[0003] Secondary batteries, which have high applicability according to product group and electrical characteristics such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) driven by electrical power sources.

[0004] These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for environmental friendliness and energy efficiency because they not only have the primary advantage of drastically reducing the use of fossil fuels, but also have the advantage of producing no byproducts from energy use.

[0005] Types of secondary batteries widely used today include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries.

[0006] In particular, lithium secondary batteries have the advantages of high operating voltage and high energy density. Here, a lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery is a secondary battery that uses a sulfur-based material with a sulfur-sulfur bond (SS bond) as the positive electrode active material and lithium metal as the negative electrode active material.

[0007] The sulfur-carbon composite, the cathode active material for lithium-sulfur batteries, significantly influences the cathode's reactivity and cycling stability, depending on its shape, structure, specific surface area, and pore volume. Maximizing the contact area between sulfur and carbon, and increasing the specific surface area and pore volume, ensures both electrical and lithium-ion conductivity, leading to high-performance lithium-sulfur battery operation.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for equipment for manufacturing sulfur-carbon complexes that can be mass-produced continuously in a short period of time while satisfying the above conditions and uniformly supporting sulfur on carbon.

[0009] Accordingly, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a device for manufacturing a sulfur-carbon composite in which sulfur can be uniformly supported on carbon, a battery cell produced using the device, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell.

[0010] In addition, the present invention provides a device for manufacturing a sulfur-carbon composite capable of continuously loading sulfur onto the surface and pores of carbon within a short period of time, a battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell.

[0011] In addition, the present invention provides a sulfur-carbon complex manufacturing device capable of mass-producing sulfur-carbon complexes through a continuous process, a battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell.

[0012] However, the technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems described above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for manufacturing a sulfur-carbon complex using a powder mixed with solid state sulfur and carbon, the device including: a supply member for supplying the powder; a conveying member for rotating and conveying the powder supplied from the supply member; and an irradiating member for irradiating microwaves toward the powder conveyed by the conveying member.

[0014] In one embodiment, the supply member may include a hopper that supplies powder from the upper side to the lower side of the transport member.

[0015] In one embodiment, the conveying member may include a feeding screw portion that mixes and rotates the powder while conveying it; and a receiving portion in which the feeding screw portion is received.

[0016] In one embodiment, the feeding screw unit may include a control unit connected to the feeding screw unit and controlling rotation of the feeding screw unit.

[0017] In one embodiment, the investigation member may include a microwave source that supplies the microwave; and a transmission pipe connected to the microwave source and arranged to intersect the transmission member, through which the microwave is transmitted.

[0018] In one embodiment, the transmission tube may include a reflector disposed at an end thereof to reflect the microwaves to the transmission member.

[0019] In one embodiment, the transmission tube may be configured to be orthogonal to the transfer member.

[0020] In one embodiment, the transport member includes a feeding screw portion that mixes and transports the powder; and a receiving portion that receives the feeding screw portion, wherein the receiving portion can be configured to allow the microwave to pass therethrough.

[0021] In one embodiment, the receptacle can be manufactured including at least one of quartz glass, mullite, alumina, and zirconia.

[0022] In one embodiment, the microwave may include a first heat supply member disposed on the front side of the transmission tube based on the direction of movement of the powder to raise the temperature of the powder to a preset range before the microwave is irradiated to the powder.

[0023] In one embodiment, the first heat supply member includes a first main body having a first through hole formed therein; and a first heater provided in the first main body, and the transfer member may be configured to pass through the first through hole.

[0024] In one embodiment, the microwave may include a second heat supply member disposed at the rear side of the transmission tube based on the direction of movement of the powder to prevent the powder from being cooled below a preset temperature after the powder is irradiated with the microwave.

[0025] In one embodiment, the second heat supply member includes a second body having a second through hole formed therein; and a second heater provided in the second body, and the transfer member may be configured to pass through the second through hole.

[0026] Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, a battery cell equipped with a sulfur-carbon composite produced using the above-described sulfur-carbon composite manufacturing device can be provided, and further, a battery pack including at least one of the above-described battery cells can be provided, and further, an automobile including at least one of the above-described battery cells can be provided.

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention have the effect that sulfur can be uniformly supported on carbon because the powder is transferred while rotating by a transfer member and microwaves are irradiated toward the powder.

[0028] In addition, since microwaves are irradiated onto the powder while it is continuously transported by the transporting member, there is an effect that sulfur can be loaded onto the surface and pores of carbon continuously within a short period of time.

[0029] Additionally, it has the effect of enabling mass production of sulfur-carbon complexes through a continuous process.

[0030] However, the effects that can be obtained through the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other technical effects that are not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0031] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and together with the detailed description of the invention described below, serve to further understand the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to matters described in such drawings.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a sulfur-carbon complex manufacturing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of a sulfur-carbon complex manufacturing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of part A of Figure 1.

[0035] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of Figure 2.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a state in which a transfer member is removed from the first main body of the first heat supply member in FIG. 4.

[0037] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a battery pack including battery cells produced using a sulfur-carbon composite manufacturing device according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 6.

[0039] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted with meanings and concepts that conform to the technical idea of ​​the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term to best explain his or her own invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and various equivalents and modifications may exist as of the time of this application.

[0040] In the drawings, the sizes of each component or specific parts of that component are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for convenience and clarity of explanation. Therefore, the size of each component does not entirely reflect its actual size. If a detailed description of a related known function or configuration is deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, such description will be omitted.

[0041] The term 'joint' or 'connection' as used herein includes not only cases where one member is directly joined or directly connected to another member, but also cases where one member is indirectly joined or indirectly connected to another member through a connecting member.

[0042] Meanwhile, in each embodiment of the present invention, the powder is omitted from the drawing.

[0043] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a sulfur-carbon complex manufacturing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a sulfur-carbon complex manufacturing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a state in which a transfer member is removed from a first main body of a first heat supply member in FIG. 4.

[0044] A sulfur-carbon complex manufacturing device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention is a device for manufacturing a sulfur-carbon complex using a powder in which solid state sulfur and carbon are mixed.

[0045] A sulfur-carbon composite means that sulfur is loaded on at least a portion of the surface or interior (e.g., inside the pores) of a porous carbon material.

[0046] The shape of the porous carbon material may be spherical, rod-shaped, needle-shaped, plate-shaped, tubular, or bulk-shaped, and can be used without limitation as long as it is a shape commonly used in lithium-sulfur batteries.

[0047] The porous carbon material may be any material that is commonly used in the art and has a porous structure or a high specific surface area. For example, the porous carbon material may be at least one selected from the group consisting of, but is not limited to, graphite; graphene; carbon black such as Denka Black, acetylene black, Ketjen Black, channel black, furnace black, lamp black, and summer black; carbon nanotubes (CNTs) such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs); carbon fibers such as graphite nanofibers (GNFs), carbon nanofibers (CNFs), and activated carbon fibers (ACFs); and activated carbon.

[0048] Here, the sulfur-carbon composite can be used as a positive electrode active material applied to the positive electrode of a lithium secondary battery, for example, a lithium-sulfur battery. The positive electrode can be manufactured by applying and drying a composition for forming a positive electrode active material layer on a positive electrode current collector. In addition, a conductive material can be added to the positive electrode composition to provide additional conductivity to the sulfur-carbon composite. The conductive material serves to enable electrons to move smoothly within the positive electrode. There are no particular limitations on the conductive material as long as it has excellent conductivity and can provide a large surface area without causing chemical changes in the battery, but a carbon-based material can be preferably used.

[0049] As the carbon-based material, one selected from the group consisting of graphite-based materials such as natural graphite, artificial graphite, expanded graphite, and graphene; carbon black-based materials such as activated carbon, channel black, furnace black, thermal black, contact black, lamp black, and acetylene black; carbon fiber-based materials, carbon nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and fullerenes, and combinations thereof may be used.

[0050] In addition to carbon-based materials, depending on the purpose, metallic fibers such as metal mesh; metallic powders such as copper (Cu), silver (Ag), nickel (Ni), aluminum (Al); or organic conductive materials such as polyphenylene derivatives may also be used. The conductive materials may be used alone or in combination.

[0051] Additionally, to provide adhesion between the positive electrode active material and the current collector, the positive electrode composition may additionally include a binder. The binder must be well-soluble in the solvent, form a good conductive network between the positive electrode active material and the conductive material, and have adequate electrolyte impregnation properties.

[0052] The binder may be any binder known in the art, and specifically, may be a mixture or copolymer of one or more selected from the group consisting of a fluororesin binder including polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE); a rubber binder including styrene-butadiene rubber, acrylonitrile-butidiene rubber, and styrene-isoprene rubber; a cellulose binder including carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), starch, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and regenerated cellulose; a polyalcohol binder; a polyolefin binder including polyethylene and polypropylene; a polyimide binder, a polyester binder, and a silane binder; but is not limited thereto.

[0053] When the content of the binder resin is less than 0.5 wt%, the physical properties of the positive electrode may deteriorate, causing the positive electrode active material and conductive material to fall off. When it exceeds 30 wt%, the ratio of the active material and conductive material in the positive electrode may be relatively reduced, resulting in a decrease in battery capacity. Therefore, the content of the binder resin may be 0.5 to 30 wt% based on the total weight of the positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and the content of the binder resin may be less than 0.5 wt% or may exceed 30 wt%, as necessary.

[0054] The solvent for preparing a slurry of a positive electrode composition for a lithium secondary battery should be easy to dry, and most preferably, it should be able to dissolve the binder well, but not to dissolve the positive electrode active material and conductive material, and maintain them in a dispersed state. This is because, if the solvent dissolves the positive electrode active material, the specific gravity of sulfur in the slurry (D = 2.07) is high, so sulfur tends to settle in the slurry, causing problems in the conductive network due to the sulfur gathering on the current collector during coating, which tends to cause problems in the operation of the battery.

[0055] Here, the solvent may be water or an organic solvent, and the organic solvent may be an organic solvent including at least one selected from the group consisting of dimethylformamide, isopropyl alcohol, acetonitrile, methanol, ethanol, and tetrahydrofuran.

[0056] The mixing of the bipolar composition can be carried out by stirring in a conventional manner using a conventional mixer, such as a rate mixer, a high-speed shear mixer, a homo mixer, etc.

[0057] A positive electrode composition can be applied to a current collector and vacuum-dried to form a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery. The slurry can be coated on the current collector to an appropriate thickness depending on the viscosity of the slurry and the thickness of the positive electrode to be formed.

[0058] At this time, there is no limitation on the method of coating the slurry, and for example, it can be manufactured by performing methods such as doctor blade coating, dip coating, gravure coating, slit die coating, spin coating, comma coating, bar coating, reverse roll coating, screen coating, and cap coating.

[0059] The cathode current collector is not particularly limited, as long as it has high conductivity and does not induce chemical changes in the battery. For example, conductive metals such as stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and titanium can be used, with aluminum being preferred. These cathode current collectors can take various forms, including films, sheets, foils, nets, porous materials, foams, and non-woven fabrics.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a sulfur-carbon complex manufacturing device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a supply member (100), a transfer member (200), and an irradiation member (300).

[0061] The supply member (100) supplies a powder mixed with sulfur and carbon. The supply member (100) may be various, and may include, for example, a hopper that supplies powder from the upper side to the lower side of the transfer member (200), but is not limited thereto.

[0062] The conveying member (200) is configured to convey the powder supplied from the supply member (100) while rotating. If the powder moves in a straight line without rotating by a conveyor or the like, sulfur will not be uniformly loaded when microwaves are irradiated through the irradiating member (300) described later. However, in the sulfur-carbon composite manufacturing device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention, the powder is conveyed while rotating by the conveying member (200), and at this time, microwaves are irradiated toward the powder, so that sulfur can be uniformly loaded on carbon (porous carbon material).

[0063] That is, when sulfur melts, viscosity is generated, and due to this viscosity of sulfur, sulfur can be attached to the transfer member (200), and in this case, there is a problem that sulfur is not uniformly supported on carbon. However, since the transfer member (200) of the sulfur-carbon composite manufacturing device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention continuously rotates the powder mixed with sulfur and carbon, even if sulfur melts and generates a certain degree of viscosity, it does not attach to the transfer member (200), and has the effect of being uniformly supported overall while being attached to the surface of the carbon or being introduced into the pores of the carbon.

[0064] Meanwhile, since the powder supplied from the supply member (100) is continuously transported by the transport member (200) and the microwave irradiated from the irradiation member (300) is applied to the mixed powder of sulfur and carbon, there is an effect that sulfur can be loaded on the surface and pores of carbon continuously within a short period of time.

[0065] The transport member (200) can be configured in various ways, and for example, can be configured to include a feeding screw section (210) and a receiving section (220).

[0066] Referring to FIG. 3, the feeding screw unit (210) is configured to be accommodated in the receiving unit (220) and rotate. As the feeding screw unit (210) rotates, the powder is mixed and conveyed while rotating. That is, as the feeding screw unit (210) rotates, the powder conveyed by the feeding screw unit (210) also rotates, thereby allowing the powder to be evenly heated. Here, the feeding screw unit (210) may be connected to the control unit (230), and the control unit (230) may be configured to control the rotation of the feeding screw unit (210).

[0067] And, the receiving portion (220) is provided to receive the feeding screw portion (210). That is, the feeding screw portion (210) is received in the receiving portion (220) and protected by the receiving portion (220). Here, the receiving portion (220) may be configured to allow microwaves irradiated from the irradiation member (300) described below to be transmitted therethrough. For example, the receiving portion (220) may be manufactured to include at least one of quartz glass, mullite, alumina, and zirconia, but the material of the receiving portion (220) is not limited thereto.

[0068] The irradiation member (300) is configured to irradiate microwaves toward the powder transported by the transport member (200).

[0069] The investigation member (300) can be configured in various ways, and for example, can be configured to include a microwave source (310) and a transmission pipe (320).

[0070] A microwave source (310) supplies microwaves. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the microwave source (310) is positioned close to the transfer member (200) and irradiates microwaves to a transmission pipe (320) connected to the microwave source (310).

[0071] The transmission pipe (320) is connected to the microwave source (310) and is arranged to intersect the transfer member (200). Microwaves irradiated from the microwave source (310) are transmitted to the transfer member (200) through the transmission pipe (320) and irradiated onto powder transported by the transfer member (200). Then, sulfur is impregnated into the mixed powder of sulfur and carbon by microwaves.

[0072] The transmission pipe (320) may be configured to be perpendicular to the transfer member (200). When the transmission pipe (320) is configured to be perpendicular to the transfer member (200) in this way, microwaves are vertically irradiated toward the powder rotating by the feeding screw portion (210) of the transfer member (200), so that microwaves can be applied to the entire powder, thereby allowing sulfur to be uniformly supported on the carbon. However, the transmission pipe (320) does not necessarily have to be perpendicular to the transfer member (200), and may be configured to intersect with the powder, but not be perpendicular, if necessary.

[0073] The reflector (330) is arranged at the end of the transmission pipe (320) and is configured to reflect microwaves to the transmission member (200). That is, microwaves irradiated from a microwave source (310) and applied to the receiving portion (220) of the transmission member (200) through the transmission pipe (320) and transmitted through the receiving portion (220) can be reflected back to the powder of the transmission member (200) by the reflector (330). As a result, sulfur can be more uniformly supported on carbon.

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first heat supply member (400) may be positioned on the front side of the transmission pipe (320) based on the direction of movement of the powder (see arrow X in FIG. 2) to raise the temperature of the powder to a preset range before microwaves are irradiated to the powder. With reference to FIG. 2, the left side is the front side and the right side is the rear side.

[0075] That is, if an uneven temperature gradient occurs in the temperature of the powder, it will have a negative effect on the uniformity of the sulfur-carbon composite. To prevent this, the sulfur-carbon composite manufacturing device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a first heat supply member (400) that raises the temperature of the powder to a preset range. That is, since the first heat supply member (400) is arranged to pre-heat the powder, the sulfur-carbon composite effect can be improved.

[0076] The first heat supply member (400) can be configured in various ways, and for example, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be configured to include a first main body (410) and a first heater (420).

[0077] A first through hole (411, see FIG. 5) may be formed in the first main body (410), and a first heater (420) is provided (installed) in the first main body (410). In FIGS. 4 and 5, the first heaters (420) are installed on all sides of the first main body (410), but this is not necessarily limited, and the number and arrangement positions of the first heaters (420) may vary. In addition, the receiving portion (220) of the transfer member (200) may be configured to pass through the first through hole (411).

[0078] According to this structure, heat generated from the first heater (420) can be evenly supplied to the entire receiving portion (220), thereby uniformly raising the powder to a preset temperature.

[0079] However, the structure of the first heat supply member (400) is not limited to this, and various modified embodiments are possible as needed.

[0080] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the second heat supply member (500) may be positioned at the rear side of the transmission pipe (320) based on the direction of movement of the powder (see arrow X in FIG. 2) to prevent the powder from being cooled below a preset temperature after microwaves are irradiated to the powder. As described above, the left side is the front side and the right side is the rear side based on FIG. 2.

[0081] That is, if a rapid temperature change occurs after the powder is heated by microwaves, the properties of the sulfur may change and the quality may deteriorate. To prevent this, the sulfur-carbon composite manufacturing device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a second heat supply member (500) so that the powder is not rapidly cooled after irradiation with microwaves and can be maintained at a preset temperature. That is, since the second heat supply member (500) is arranged to prevent rapid cooling of the powder, changes in the properties of the sulfur can be prevented.

[0082] The second heat supply member (500) may be configured in various ways, and may include, for example, a second body (510) and a second heater (520). The second heat supply member (500) may have a structure similar to that of the first heat supply member (400), and is therefore not shown.

[0083] A second through hole (511) is formed in the second body (510), and a second heater (520) is provided (installed) in the second body (510). In addition, the receiving portion (220) of the transfer member (200) can be configured to pass through the second through hole (511).

[0084] According to this structure, heat generated from the second heater (520) can be evenly supplied to the entire receiving portion (220), thereby preventing rapid cooling of the powder.

[0085] However, the structure of the second heat supply member (500) is not limited to this, and various modified embodiments are possible as needed.

[0086] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a battery pack including battery cells produced using a sulfur-carbon composite manufacturing device according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 6, a battery pack (30) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery cells (20). In FIG. 6, the battery cells (20) included in the battery pack (30) are cylindrical battery cells, but are not limited thereto, and the battery pack (30) may include square battery cells or pouch-shaped battery cells. The same applies hereinafter.

[0088] In addition, the battery cell (20) may be a lithium-sulfur battery equipped with a sulfur-carbon composite produced using the sulfur-carbon composite production device (10) according to each embodiment of the present invention as described above. That is, the battery cell (20) may be a lithium-sulfur battery, and the cathode active material of the lithium-sulfur battery may be a sulfur-carbon composite produced using the sulfur-carbon composite production device (10) according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] In addition, the lithium-sulfur battery is not particularly limited in its external shape as it can be used in a cylindrical, square or pouch shape, and can be used not only as a battery cell (20) used as a power source for a small device, but can also be used as a unit cell in a medium- to large-sized battery module including a plurality of battery cells (20).

[0090] In addition, the battery pack (30) may further include a pack housing (31) for storing the battery cells (20), and various devices for controlling charging and discharging of the battery cells (20), such as a BMS, a current sensor, a fuse, etc.

[0091] FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 6.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 7, a vehicle (40) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery cells (20) or battery packs (30) in which a sulfur-carbon composite manufactured using a sulfur-carbon composite manufacturing device (10) according to each embodiment of the present invention is used as a cathode active material. Here, the vehicle (40) includes various vehicles that are designed to use electricity, such as electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles, for example.

[0093] In this specification, when terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, and right are used, these terms are only for convenience of explanation, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms may vary depending on the location of the target object or the location of the observer.

[0094] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and variations are possible by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims to be described below. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed above should be considered from an illustrative rather than a restrictive perspective. In other words, the true scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is set forth in the claims, and all differences within the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as being included in the present invention.

[0095] The present invention relates to a sulfur-carbon composite manufacturing device and a battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and an automobile including the battery cell, and is particularly applicable to industries related to secondary batteries.

Claims

1. A device for manufacturing a sulfur-carbon complex using a powder mixed with solid state sulfur and carbon. A supply member for supplying the above powder; A conveying member that rotates and conveys the powder supplied from the above supply member; and A device for manufacturing a sulfur-carbon composite, comprising an irradiation member that irradiates microwaves toward the powder transported by the above-mentioned transport member.

2. In paragraph 1, A sulfur-carbon composite manufacturing device, characterized in that the supply member includes a hopper that supplies powder from the upper side to the lower side of the transport member.

3. In paragraph 1, The above transport material is, A feeding screw section that mixes and rotates the above powder while transporting it; and A device for producing a sulfur-carbon complex, characterized in that it includes a receiving portion in which the feeding screw portion is received.

4. In paragraph 3, A device for producing a sulfur-carbon complex, characterized in that it includes a control unit connected to the feeding screw unit and controlling the rotation of the feeding screw unit.

5. In paragraph 1, Absence of investigation, A microwave source supplying the above microwave; and A device for producing a sulfur-carbon complex, characterized in that it includes a transmission pipe connected to the microwave source and arranged to intersect the transmission member, through which the microwave is transmitted.

6. In paragraph 5, A device for producing a sulfur-carbon complex, characterized by including a reflector disposed at an end of the transmission pipe to reflect the microwaves to the transmission member.

7. In paragraph 5, A device for manufacturing a sulfur-carbon complex, characterized in that the transmission pipe is configured to be orthogonal to the transmission member.

8. In paragraph 5, The above transport material is, A feeding screw section for mixing and transporting the above powder; and Includes a receiving portion in which the feeding screw portion is received, A device for producing a sulfur-carbon complex, characterized in that the receiving portion is configured to allow the microwaves to pass through.

9. In paragraph 8, A device for manufacturing a sulfur-carbon composite, characterized in that the receiving portion is manufactured by including at least one of quartz glass, mullite, alumina, and zirconia.

10. In paragraph 5, A sulfur-carbon composite manufacturing device characterized by including a first heat supply member disposed on the front side of the transmission pipe with respect to the direction of movement of the powder to raise the temperature of the powder to a preset range before the microwave is irradiated to the powder.

11. In paragraph 10, The above first heat supply member is, A first body having a first through hole formed therein; and Including a first heater provided in the first main body, A device for manufacturing a sulfur-carbon complex, characterized in that the above-mentioned transfer member is configured to pass through the first through hole.

12. In paragraph 5, A sulfur-carbon composite manufacturing device characterized in that it includes a second heat supply member disposed at the rear side of the transmission pipe with respect to the direction of movement of the powder to prevent the powder from being cooled below a preset temperature after the microwave is irradiated to the powder.

13. In paragraph 12, The above second heat supply member is, A second body having a second through hole formed therein; and Including a second heater provided in the second main body, A device for manufacturing a sulfur-carbon complex, characterized in that the above-mentioned transfer member is configured to pass through the second through hole.

14. A battery cell equipped with a sulfur-carbon complex produced using a sulfur-carbon complex manufacturing device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A battery pack comprising at least one battery cell according to paragraph 14.

16. A vehicle comprising at least one battery cell according to paragraph 14.

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