Electrode production apparatus and battery cells comprising electrodes produced thereby, and battery pack and vehicle comprising battery cells

Abstract

Disclosed are an electrode production apparatus, battery cells comprising the electrodes produced thereby, and battery packs and vehicles comprising the battery cells. The electrode production apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a transport member for transporting an electrode foil coated with electrode active material; a laser member for emitting laser toward the electrode foil; a jig member for supporting the electrode foil, being disposed so as to be in contact therewith; and a foreign substance-blocking member for blocking foreign substances, generated when emitting laser, from entering a predetermined portion of the electrode foil.

Description

Electrode production device and battery cell including electrode produced using the same, and battery pack and vehicle including battery cell

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0191778, filed December 26, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0022072, filed February 15, 2024, the entire contents of which are disclosed in the specification and drawings of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrode production device and a battery cell including an electrode produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell, and more particularly, to an electrode production device capable of improving electrode quality and a battery cell including an electrode produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell.

[0003] In general, a secondary battery refers to a battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, such as a lithium-ion battery, a lithium polymer battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-hydrogen battery, or a nickel-zinc battery.

[0004] Secondary batteries can be classified into cylindrical and prismatic batteries, in which the electrode assembly is built into a cylindrical or prismatic metal can, and pouch-type batteries, in which the electrode assembly is built into a pouch-type case made of aluminum laminate sheet, depending on the shape of the battery case.

[0005] These secondary batteries can be manufactured by housing an electrode assembly including a positive electrode and a negative electrode that are mutually laminated with a separator between them, and an electrolyte material in a case of various shapes, and sealing the case.

[0006] The electrode (positive electrode or negative electrode) of a secondary battery may include a support portion on which a coating layer of an electrode active material is formed by pressing an electrode mixture onto the surface of an electrode foil, and a non-support portion on which the coating layer is not formed.

[0007] Meanwhile, secondary battery electrodes can be produced through a roll-to-roll process, in which electrode foil, on the surface of which a coating layer of electrode active material is formed, is wound and moved between rolls. Furthermore, to manufacture electrode assemblies, the electrodes can be partially cut, for example, by laser cutting.

[0008] Here, when cutting an electrode using a laser, foreign substances (e.g., fume) are generated during the cutting process, and if the foreign substances generated in this way enter the maintenance part (coating layer of the electrode active material), there is a problem of causing a defect in the electrode.

[0009] Accordingly, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electrode production device capable of preventing foreign substances from entering a preset portion (e.g., a holding portion) of an electrode foil when cutting the electrode foil, a battery cell including an electrode produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell.

[0010] In addition, the present invention provides an electrode production device capable of preventing foreign substances from entering a preset portion of an electrode foil, thereby preventing electrode defects and ultimately improving electrode quality, and a battery cell including an electrode produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell.

[0011] 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.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, an electrode production device may be provided, including: a conveying member for conveying an electrode foil coated with an electrode active material; a laser member for irradiating a laser toward the electrode foil; a jig member for supporting the electrode foil by being positioned so as to be in contact with the electrode foil; and a foreign matter blocking member for blocking foreign matter generated when the laser is irradiated from entering a preset portion of the electrode foil.

[0013] In one embodiment, the electrode foil includes a holding portion coated with an electrode active material and a non-coated portion not coated with an electrode active material, and the foreign matter blocking member is arranged close to a boundary between the holding portion and the non-coated portion to block foreign matter from entering the holding portion.

[0014] In one embodiment, the jig member may include a first portion arranged in a vertical direction and having an inner groove formed therein; a second portion respectively coupled to an upper side of the first portion; and a third portion respectively coupled to a lower side of the first portion.

[0015] In one embodiment, at least one of the second portion and the third portion may have a through hole formed therein through which the foreign substance can pass.

[0016] In one embodiment, at least one of the second part and the third part may be coupled with a foreign matter discharge unit for discharging foreign matter passing through the through hole.

[0017] In one embodiment, the second portion and the third portion may have a first curved portion formed thereon, and the foreign substance blocking member may have a second curved portion formed thereon to correspond to the first curved portion.

[0018] In one embodiment, the curvature of the second curved portion may be formed to be greater than or equal to the curvature of the first curved portion.

[0019] In one embodiment, a coating portion may be formed on the second curved portion to prevent adhesion of foreign substances.

[0020] In one embodiment, in order to prevent damage to the foreign matter blocking member caused by a laser irradiated from the laser member, the foreign matter blocking member may be arranged at an angle.

[0021] In one embodiment, the foreign matter blocking member may be formed with a slope that widens outward from the jig member toward the laser member.

[0022] In one embodiment, a suction member for sucking the foreign substance may be provided.

[0023] In one embodiment, the jig member may have a mounting groove formed in which the suction member can be mounted.

[0024] In one embodiment, the transfer member includes a first transfer roll disposed on the upper side and a second transfer roll disposed on the lower side, and the electrode foil can be moved from the upper side to the lower side by the first transfer roll and the second transfer roll.

[0025] In one embodiment, the laser member can irradiate the laser in a transverse direction toward the electrode foil.

[0026] Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, a battery cell including an electrode produced using the electrode production device described above may be provided, and further, a battery pack including at least one battery cell described above may be provided, and further, an automobile including at least one battery cell described above may be provided.

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention have the effect of preventing foreign substances from entering a preset portion (e.g., a holding portion) of the electrode foil when cutting the electrode foil.

[0028] In addition, it has the effect of preventing foreign substances from entering the preset portion of the electrode foil, thereby preventing electrode defects and ultimately improving electrode quality.

[0029] However, the effects that can be obtained through the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other technical effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0030] 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.

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic front view of an electrode production device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 is a drawing viewed along the direction of arrow A in Figure 1, with the transfer member, electrode foil, and laser member omitted.

[0033] Figure 3 is a perspective view viewed along the direction of arrow B in Figure 2.

[0034] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 3.

[0035] Figure 5 is a drawing viewed along the direction of arrow C in Figure 3.

[0036] Figure 6 is a drawing viewed along the direction of arrow D in Figure 3.

[0037] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a foreign matter blocking member positioned close to the boundary between a holding portion and a non-holding portion in an electrode production device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a foreign matter blocking member in an electrode production device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a jig member in an electrode production device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 10 is a view taken along a different direction from Figure 9.

[0041] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an electrode production device according to a modified embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 11.

[0043] Figure 13 is a drawing viewed along the direction of arrow E in Figure 11.

[0044] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a battery pack including battery cells equipped with electrodes produced using an electrode production device according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 15 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 14.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an electrode production device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view viewed along the direction of arrow A of FIG. 1, in which a conveying member, an electrode foil, and a laser member are omitted, FIG. 3 is a perspective view viewed along the direction of arrow B of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a view viewed along the direction of arrow C of FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is a view viewed along the direction of arrow D of FIG. 3, FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a state in which a foreign matter blocking member is arranged close to a boundary line between a holding portion and a non-stick portion in an electrode production device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a foreign matter blocking member in an electrode production device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a jig member in an electrode production device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a view viewed along another direction of FIG. 9.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 1, an electrode production device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention relates to a device for producing an electrode (positive electrode or negative electrode) by transporting an electrode foil (700) on which a coating layer formed by an electrode active material is formed. The electrode is a concept that includes both a wet electrode and a dry electrode.

[0051] For example, a wet electrode is manufactured by applying an electrode mixture in a slurry state including a solvent to the surface of an electrode substrate such as an electrode foil (700) to form a coating layer, and then drying the coating layer.

[0052] In addition, the dry electrode is manufactured through a process of forming a coating layer by pressing an electrode mixture in a powder state (powder mixture) that does not contain a solvent onto the surface of an electrode foil (700). That is, the electrode mixture is mixed without a liquid medium such as a solvent or dispersion medium, and then pressed while passing the electrode mixture in a powder state through a rolling roll.

[0053] Here, referring to FIG. 7, the electrode foil (700) may include a holding portion (710) on which a coating layer of an electrode active material is formed on the surface, and a non-coating portion (720, for example, both ends of the electrode foil (700)) on which a coating layer of an electrode active material is not formed.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 5, an electrode production device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention relates to a device capable of blocking foreign matter (800) generated when irradiating a laser (210) from flowing into a preset portion of an electrode foil (700), for example, a holding portion (710) coated with an electrode active material. This will be described in detail below.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 1, an electrode production device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a transfer member (100), a laser member (200), a jig member (300), and a foreign matter blocking member (400).

[0056] The conveying member (100) conveys an electrode foil (700) coated with an electrode active material. The conveying member (100) may be of various types, and may include, for example, a plurality of rollers to convey the electrode foil (700) in a roll-to-roll manner. Although the conveying member (100) is not limited thereto, for convenience of explanation, an embodiment in which the conveying member (100) includes a plurality of rollers will be described below.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 1, the transfer member (100) may include a first transfer roll (110) and a second transfer roll (120). Here, the first transfer roll (110) and the second transfer roll (120) may be positioned at various positions, for example, as in FIG. 1, the first transfer roll (110) may be positioned at the upper side, and the second transfer roll (120) may be positioned at the lower side.

[0058] In this embodiment, the electrode foil (700) is transferred from the first transfer roll (110) on the upper side to the second transfer roll (120) on the lower side. That is, the electrode foil (700) moves from the upper side to the lower side by the first transfer roll (110) and the second transfer roll (120).

[0059] Referring to Fig. 1, the laser member (200) is arranged to irradiate a laser (210) toward the electrode foil (700). The laser member (200) may include various types of laser equipment. Referring to Fig. 1, when the electrode foil (700) moves from the upper side to the lower side by the first transport roll (110) and the second transport roll (120), the laser member (200) may be configured to irradiate a laser (210) toward the electrode foil (700) in a horizontal direction with reference to Fig. 1.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 1, the jig member (300) is positioned to contact the electrode foil (700) and supports the electrode foil (700). The jig member (300) prevents the electrode foil (700) from shaking or vibrating when the electrode foil (700) is cut by the laser member (200), thereby preventing cutting defects such as uneven cutting or cutting of a part different from a preset part when the electrode foil (700) is cut by the laser member (200).

[0061] The jig member (300) can be configured in various ways, and may include, for example, a first part (310), a second part (320), and a third part (330). Here, the first part (310), the second part (320), and the third part (330) are merely formal distinctions of the jig member (300) for the convenience of explanation, and the criteria for distinguishing the first part (310), the second part (320), and the third part (330) are not clear. For example, the first part (310), the second part (320), and the third part (330) may be manufactured separately and then combined to form the jig member (300), but the first part (310), the second part (320), and the third part (330) may also be formed as one piece from the manufacturing stage.

[0062] Referring to Fig. 1, the first part (310) is arranged in a vertical direction. In addition, an inner groove (311) may be formed in the first part (310). Here, the inner groove (311) may be formed throughout the first part (310), the second part (320), and the third part (330).

[0063] The second part (320) is coupled to the first part (310) from the upper side of the third part (330) with reference to Fig. 1. And, the third part (330) is coupled to the first part (310) from the lower side of the second part (320) with reference to Fig. 1.

[0064] That is, with reference to Fig. 1, the second part (320) is positioned on the upper side, and the third part (330) is positioned on the lower side, and they are each connected to the first part (310). Here, the laser member (200) can irradiate the laser (210) to the part where the gap (340, see Fig. 2) between the second part (320) and the third part (330) is located.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 5, the foreign substance blocking member (400) is configured to block foreign substances (800) generated when irradiating a laser (210) from entering a preset portion of the electrode foil (700).

[0066] For example, as described above, when the electrode foil (700) includes a holding portion (710) coated with an electrode active material and a non-coated portion (720) not coated with an electrode active material, the foreign substance blocking member (400) may be arranged close to the boundary between the holding portion (710) and the non-coated portion (720) (see FIG. 7) to block foreign substances (800) from entering the holding portion (710).

[0067] Referring to FIGS. 3, 6, and 8 together, a second curved portion (410) may be formed in the foreign substance blocking member (400). Referring to FIGS. 1, 9, and 10, a first curved portion (322, 332) may be formed in the second portion (320) and the third portion (330) of the jig member (300). In addition, the second curved portion (410) of the foreign substance blocking member (400) is formed to correspond to the first curved portions (322, 332) formed in the second portion (320) and the third portion (330).

[0068] That is, when the first curved portion (322, 332) is formed in each of the second portion (320) and the third portion (330), and the second curved portion (410) is formed in the foreign substance blocking member (400), there is an effect of preventing interference between the foreign substance blocking member (400) and the second portion (320) and the third portion (330) of the jig member (300).

[0069] To this end, the curvature of the second curved portion (410) may be formed to be greater than or equal to the curvature of the first curved portion (322, 332). However, this is not limited thereto. That is, even if the curvature of the second curved portion (410) is less than the curvature of the first curved portion (322, 332), interference with the jig member (300) can be prevented by adjusting the position of the foreign substance blocking member (400).

[0070] Here, as in FIG. 8, a coating portion (420) may be formed on the second curved portion (410) to prevent the adhesion of foreign substances (800). With reference to FIG. 8, the coating portion (420) may be formed only on the lower side of the foreign substance blocking member (400), or the coating portion (420) may be formed only on the lower side of the foreign substance blocking member (400) and a portion of the side surface of the foreign substance blocking member (400), or the coating portion (420) may be formed on the entire foreign substance blocking member (400).

[0071] In addition, the foreign substance blocking member (400) may be made of a transparent or translucent material so that the movement of the foreign substance (800) can be observed, but is not limited thereto. In other words, the foreign substance blocking member (400) may be made of an opaque material.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the foreign substance blocking member (400) may be arranged at an angle. The foreign substance blocking member (400) may be damaged by the laser (210) irradiated from the laser member (200). In order to prevent such damage to the foreign substance blocking member (400), the foreign substance blocking member (400) may be arranged at an angle set in advance.

[0073] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the foreign matter blocking member (400) can be formed with a slope that widens outward (to the right as of FIG. 5) from the jig member (300) toward the laser member (200), thereby having the effect of preventing damage to the foreign matter blocking member (400) caused by the laser (210). In addition, interference with the progress of the laser (210) caused by the foreign matter blocking member (400) can also be prevented.

[0074] As described above, in the embodiments of the present invention, the foreign matter blocking member (400) prevents foreign matter (800) from entering, for example, the holding portion (710) of the electrode foil (700) when cutting the electrode foil (700), thereby preventing electrode defects and ultimately improving electrode quality.

[0075] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a suction member (600) is provided to suck up foreign substances (800). The suction member (600) may be configured in various ways, and may include, for example, various suction devices (e.g., vacuum suction devices).

[0076] As shown in FIG. 2, the suction member (600) can be mounted on the jig member (300), and for this purpose, as shown in FIG. 4, a mounting groove (350) in which the suction member (600) can be mounted can be formed on the jig member (300).

[0077] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an electrode production device according to a modified embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of Fig. 11, and Fig. 13 is a view viewed along the direction of arrow E of Fig. 11.

[0078] A modified embodiment of the present invention differs in structure from the first embodiment in that a through hole (321, 331) is formed in the jig member (300). In addition, a foreign matter discharge unit (500) is coupled to the jig member (300).

[0079] Here, the common parts described in the first embodiment are replaced with the description of the first embodiment described above. Furthermore, the parts described in the second embodiment that are applicable to the first embodiment can also be applied to the first embodiment.

[0080] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12 together, at least one of the second portion (320) and the third portion (330) may be formed with a through hole (321, 331) through which a foreign substance (800) may pass. The through hole (321, 331) may be a single large hole, or multiple holes may be arranged in various ways.

[0081] And, referring to FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 together, a foreign matter discharge unit (500) may be coupled to the jig member (300). The foreign matter discharge unit (500) may include a discharge body (510) coupled to the jig member (300) and a discharge hole (520) formed in the discharge body (510).

[0082] Here, at least one of the second part (320) and the third part (330) of the jig member (300) is coupled to the foreign substance discharge unit (500), and the foreign substance (800) that passes through the through hole (321, 331) formed in at least one of the second part (320) and the third part (330) can be configured to be discharged through the discharge hole (520) of the foreign substance discharge unit (500). In this case, the through holes (321, 331) of the second part (320) and the third part (330), and the discharge hole (520) of the foreign substance discharge unit (500) are configured to be connected to each other. In addition, a suction member (not shown) can be coupled to the discharge hole (520).

[0083] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a battery pack including battery cells equipped with electrodes produced using an electrode production device according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 14, a battery pack (30) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery cells (20). Here, the battery cells (20) include electrodes produced using the electrode production device (10) according to each embodiment of the present invention as described above.

[0085] 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.

[0086] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 11, a cylindrical battery cell is illustrated inside the pack housing (31), but is not limited thereto, and the battery cell (20) may include a pouch-shaped battery cell or a square battery cell.

[0087] FIG. 15 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 14.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 15, a vehicle (40) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery cells (20) or battery packs (30) including electrodes produced using an electrode production device (10) according to each embodiment of the present invention. Here, the vehicle (40) includes various types of vehicles that are designed to use electricity, such as electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles.

[0089] 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.

[0090] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications and variations 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 in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. 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.

[0091] The present invention relates to an electrode production device and a battery cell including an electrode 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 transport member for transporting an electrode foil coated with an electrode active material; A laser member for irradiating a laser toward the electrode foil; A jig member positioned to contact the electrode foil and supporting the electrode foil; and An electrode production device including a foreign matter blocking member that blocks foreign matter generated when irradiating the above laser from flowing into a preset portion of the electrode foil.

2. In paragraph 1, The above electrode foil includes a maintenance portion coated with an electrode active material and a non-coated portion not coated with an electrode active material. An electrode production device characterized in that the foreign substance blocking member is arranged close to the boundary line between the holding portion and the non-holding portion to block the foreign substance from flowing into the holding portion.

3. In paragraph 1, The above jig member is, A first part arranged in a vertical direction and having an inner groove formed; A second part each joined to the upper side of the first part; and An electrode production device characterized by including a third section each coupled to the lower side of the first section.

4. In paragraph 3, An electrode production device, characterized in that at least one of the second section and the third section has a through hole formed through which the foreign substance can pass.

5. In paragraph 4, An electrode production device characterized in that at least one of the second section and the third section is combined with a foreign matter discharge section for discharging foreign matters passing through the through hole.

6. In paragraph 3, In the second and third sections, a first curved section is formed, An electrode production device, characterized in that the foreign substance blocking member has a second curved portion formed to correspond to the first curved portion.

7. In paragraph 6, An electrode production device characterized in that the curvature of the second curved portion is formed to be greater than or equal to the curvature of the first curved portion.

8. In paragraph 6, An electrode production device characterized in that a coating portion is formed on the second curved portion to prevent adhesion of foreign substances.

9. In paragraph 1, An electrode production device, characterized in that the foreign matter blocking member is arranged at an angle to prevent damage to the foreign matter blocking member caused by a laser irradiated from the laser member.

10. In paragraph 9, An electrode production device, characterized in that the foreign matter blocking member is formed with a slope that spreads outward from the jig member toward the laser member.

11. In paragraph 1, An electrode production device characterized in that it is provided with a suction member for sucking the above foreign substances.

12. In paragraph 11, An electrode production device characterized in that a mounting groove is formed in the jig member in which the suction member can be mounted.

13. In paragraph 1, The above transport material is, A first transfer roll arranged on the upper side; and Includes a second transfer roll arranged on the lower side, An electrode production device, characterized in that the electrode foil moves from upper to lower side by a first transport roll and a second transport roll.

14. In paragraph 13, An electrode production device, characterized in that the laser member irradiates a laser in a horizontal direction toward the electrode foil.

15. A battery cell comprising an electrode produced using an electrode production device according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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

17. A vehicle comprising at least one battery cell according to paragraph 15.

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