Apparatus for manufacturing secondary battery and method for manufacturing secondary battery

Abstract

The technical idea of the present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing a secondary battery, wherein the apparatus is configured to manufacture an electrode assembly and the electrode assembly comprises: a folding device including multiple unit cells stacked in a first direction, and a separation film sheet wound to cover an upper surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface of each of the multiple unit cells; a cutting device configured to cut a first side portion of the separator sheet to form a first cutting area extending in a second direction in the separation film sheet; and a taping device configured to attach tape connecting two portions of the separation film sheet separated by the first cutting area to the separation film sheet.

Description

Secondary battery manufacturing device and secondary battery manufacturing method

[0001] The present invention relates to a secondary battery manufacturing device and a secondary battery manufacturing method.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority from Republic of Korea Patent Application No. 10-2024-0005148, filed January 12, 2024, and all contents of the document in that Republic of Korea Patent Application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. They are widely used as an energy source for various wireless devices, including handsets, laptops, and cordless vacuum cleaners. Typically, secondary batteries consist of an electrode assembly, consisting of laminated electrodes and a separator, housed within a pouch-like battery case. If gas traps occur in the electrode assembly, inactive regions form on the electrode surface, leading to lithium precipitation during charging and discharging.

[0004] The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a secondary battery manufacturing device and a secondary battery manufacturing method.

[0005] In order to solve the above-described problem, the technical idea of ​​the present invention provides a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus including: a folding device configured to manufacture an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly including a plurality of unit cells stacked in a first direction and a separator sheet rolled to cover an upper surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface of each of the plurality of unit cells; a cutting device configured to cut a first side portion of the separator sheet to form a first cut area extending in a second direction in the separator sheet; and a taping device configured to attach a tape connecting two parts of the separator sheet separated by the first cut area to the separator sheet.

[0006] In exemplary embodiments, the first cut region is characterized in that it extends continuously in the second direction from one end of the separator sheet to the other end so as to penetrate the separator sheet in the second direction.

[0007] In exemplary embodiments, the cutting device is characterized by including a cutter blade configured to cut the separator sheet.

[0008] In exemplary embodiments, the cutting device is characterized by comprising a laser cutter configured to cut the separator sheet with a laser beam.

[0009] In exemplary embodiments, the cutting device is configured to cut a second side of the separator sheet to form a second cut region extending in the second direction in the separator sheet, and the taping device is configured to connect two portions of the separator sheet separated by the second cut region with the tape.

[0010] In exemplary embodiments, the second cut region is characterized in that it extends continuously in the second direction from one end of the separator sheet to the other end so as to penetrate the separator sheet in the second direction.

[0011] In exemplary embodiments, the tape is characterized in that it surrounds the separator sheet and is attached to the first side and the second side of the separator sheet.

[0012] In exemplary embodiments, the tape is characterized by including a first tape that secures two portions of the separator sheet separated by the first cutting area and a second tape that secures two portions of the separator sheet separated by the second cutting area.

[0013] In exemplary embodiments, the tape further comprises a tape cutting device configured to form a through hole in communication with the first cut region of the separator sheet.

[0014] In order to solve the above-described problem, the technical idea of ​​the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a secondary battery, including the steps of manufacturing an electrode assembly, wherein the electrode assembly includes a plurality of unit cells stacked in a first direction and a separator sheet rolled to cover the upper surface, the bottom surface, the first side surface, and the second side surface of each of the plurality of unit cells; cutting a first side portion of the separator sheet to form a first cut area extending in a second direction in the separator sheet; and connecting two parts of the separator sheet separated by the first cut area with tape.

[0015] In exemplary embodiments, the first cut region is characterized in that it extends continuously in the second direction from one end of the separator sheet to the other end so as to penetrate the separator sheet in the second direction.

[0016] In exemplary embodiments, the step of forming the first cutting area is characterized by including the step of cutting the separator sheet while moving the cutter blade in the second direction.

[0017] In exemplary embodiments, the step of forming the first cutting area is characterized by including the step of cutting the separation membrane sheet while moving a laser cutter that irradiates a laser beam in the second direction.

[0018] In exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises cutting a second side of the separator sheet to form a second cut region extending in the second direction in the separator sheet, and the step of connecting with tape comprises connecting two portions of the separator sheet separated by the second cut region with the tape.

[0019] In exemplary embodiments, the separator sheet includes a central portion overlapping the plurality of unit cells in the first direction, the first side portion and the second side portion of the separator sheet do not overlap the plurality of unit cells in the first direction, and in the separator sheet, the first side portion and the second side portion are spaced apart in a third direction with the central portion therebetween, and the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0020] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the separator sheet of the electrode assembly has a cut region that functions as a gas passage between an external space outside the separator sheet and an internal space of the separator sheet, so that during a degassing process, gas inside the electrode assembly can be quickly discharged through four sides of the electrode assembly, and occurrence of a gas trap inside the electrode assembly can be prevented.

[0021] The effects that can be obtained from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly derived and understood by those skilled in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure pertain from the following description. In other words, unintended effects resulting from practicing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be derived by those skilled in the art from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a secondary battery manufacturing device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing an electrode assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2b is a cross-sectional view showing the electrode assembly illustrated in Figure 2a.

[0025] FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing an electrode assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3b is a cross-sectional view showing the electrode assembly illustrated in Figure 3a.

[0027] FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing an electrode assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0028] Fig. 4b is a cross-sectional view showing the electrode assembly illustrated in Fig. 4a.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a secondary battery including an electrode assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing an electrode assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 6b is a cross-sectional view showing an electrode assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an electrode assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically illustrating a folding device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically illustrating a cutting device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically illustrating a cutting device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 11 is a plan view schematically illustrating a taping device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a secondary battery manufacturing device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 13A is a perspective view showing an electrode assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 13b is a cross-sectional view showing the electrode assembly illustrated in Figure 13a.

[0040] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, it should be noted that the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings. Based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms to best explain his or her invention, they should be interpreted in a way that aligns with the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0041] Accordingly, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of filing this application.

[0042] In addition, when describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description is omitted.

[0043] Since the embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, the shapes and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for clearer explanation. Accordingly, the sizes and proportions of each component do not fully reflect the actual sizes or proportions.

[0044]

[0045] (Example 1)

[0046] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a secondary battery manufacturing device (10) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0047] FIGS. 2A to 5 are drawings illustrating a method for manufacturing a secondary battery according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 2A is a perspective view illustrating an electrode assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view illustrating the electrode assembly illustrated in FIG. 2A, FIG. 3A is a perspective view illustrating an electrode assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view illustrating the electrode assembly illustrated in FIG. 3A, FIG. 4A is a perspective view illustrating an electrode assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view illustrating the electrode assembly illustrated in FIG. 4A, and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a secondary battery including an electrode assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the secondary battery manufacturing device (10) may include a folding device (110), a cutting device (120), a taping device (130), and a packaging device (140).

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a folding device (110) can perform a stack folding process for manufacturing a stack-folding electrode assembly (200). The stack-folding electrode assembly (200) can include a plurality of unit cells (210) stacked in a vertical direction (e.g., a Z direction) and a separator sheet (230) rolled to surround each of the plurality of unit cells (210). The stack-folding electrode assembly (200) can have a short axis parallel to a first horizontal direction (e.g., an X direction) and a long axis parallel to a second horizontal direction (e.g., a Y direction). That is, a length of the stack-folding electrode assembly (200) along the first horizontal direction (e.g., an X direction) can be smaller than a length of the stack-folding electrode assembly (200) along the second horizontal direction (e.g., a Y direction).

[0050] Each unit cell (210) can constitute a secondary battery. Each unit cell (210) can be a laminate in which at least one positive electrode, at least one separator, and at least one negative electrode are stacked in a vertical direction (e.g., in the Z direction). The positive electrode can include a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material. The negative electrode can include a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material. Each unit cell (210) can include an electrode tab (211) connected to at least one positive electrode and / or at least one negative electrode.

[0051] Each unit cell (210) may include a bi-cell or a mono-cell. A bi-cell may have a laminated structure in which the two outermost electrodes have the same type, such as anode / separator / cathode / separator / anode, anode / separator / cathode / separator / anode / separator / anode / separator / anode, cathode / separator / anode / separator / anode / separator / anode / separator / anode / separator / anode / separator / anode / separator / anode / separator / anode. A mono-cell may have a laminated structure in which the two outermost electrodes have different types, such as anode / separator / cathode, anode / separator / cathode / separator / anode / separator / anode / separator / cathode.

[0052] The unit cell (210) may generally have a flat plate shape extending in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction). The unit cell (210) may have a top surface and a bottom surface opposite to each other in a vertical direction (e.g., Z direction), a first side surface and a second side surface opposite to each other in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction), and a front surface and a back surface opposite to each other in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction). The electrode tab (211) may be provided on the front surface and / or the back surface of the unit cell (210). The top surface and the bottom surface of the unit cell (210) may be flat plates extending in the first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction) and the second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction), respectively, and may be in contact with the separator sheet (230). The unit cell (210) may have a short axis parallel to a first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction) and a long axis parallel to a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction). That is, the length of the unit cell (210) along the first horizontal direction (e.g., X direction) may be smaller than the length of the unit cell (210) along the second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction).

[0053] The separator sheet (230) may be a single sheet. The separator sheet (230) may be rolled to cover the first side, the second side, the top surface, and the bottom surface of each of the plurality of unit cells (210). The front and the back surface of each unit cell (210) may not be covered by the separator sheet (230). The separator sheet (230) may include a central portion (291) that overlaps the plurality of unit cells (210) in a vertical direction (e.g., in the Z direction), a first side portion (293) on one side of the plurality of unit cells (210), and a second side portion (295) on the other side of the plurality of unit cells (210). The central portion (291) of the separator sheet (230) may include portions of the separator sheet (230) that are spaced apart in a vertical direction (e.g., in the Z direction) with the plurality of unit cells (210) interposed therebetween. The first side (293) and the second side (295) of the separator sheet (230) may not overlap with the plurality of unit cells (210). The first side (293) and the second side (295) of the separator sheet (230) may be spaced apart in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-direction) with the center (291) therebetween. The first side (293) of the separator sheet (230) may include segments of the separator sheet (230) that overlap in the first horizontal direction (e.g., X-direction), and the second side (295) of the separator sheet (230) may include segments of the separator sheet (230) that overlap in the first horizontal direction (e.g., X-direction).

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the cutting device (120) receives the stack-folding electrode assembly (200) from the folding device (110), and performs a cutting process on the separator sheet (230) of the stack-folding electrode assembly (200) to form a cutting area (240) in the separator sheet (230). The cutting device (120) can cut a side of the separator sheet (230) to form a cutting area (240) in the side of the separator sheet (230). The cutting area (240) can be formed at the same height in the vertical direction (e.g., Z direction) as at least one of the plurality of unit cells (210).

[0055] In exemplary embodiments, the cutting device (120) may cut the first side (293) of the membrane sheet (230) to form a first cut region (241) in the first side (293) of the membrane sheet (230). The first cut region (241) may extend continuously in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction) from one end of the membrane sheet (230) to the other end, thereby penetrating the membrane sheet (230) in the second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction). Through the first cut region (241), a gas passage may be formed between an external space outside the membrane sheet (230) and an internal space surrounded by the membrane sheet (230). As the first cut area (241) is formed on the first side (293) of the separator sheet (230), the portion of the separator sheet (230) located above the first cut area (241) and the portion of the separator sheet (230) located below the first cut area (241) can be physically completely separated.

[0056] In exemplary embodiments, the cutting device (120) may cut the second side (295) of the membrane sheet (230) to form a second cut region (243) in the second side (295) of the membrane sheet (230). The second cut region (243) may extend continuously in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction) from one end of the membrane sheet (230) to the other end, thereby penetrating the membrane sheet (230) in the second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction). Through the second cut region (243), a gas passage may be formed between an external space outside the membrane sheet (230) and an internal space surrounded by the membrane sheet (230). As the second cut area (243) is formed on the second side (295) of the separator sheet (230), the portion of the separator sheet (230) on the upper side of the second cut area (243) and the portion of the separator sheet (230) on the lower side of the second cut area (243) can be physically completely separated.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b, the taping device (130) can receive an electrode assembly (201) for which a cutting process has been completed, and perform a taping process of fixing portions of the separator sheet (230) separated by the cutting process with tape (250).

[0058] In exemplary embodiments, the taping device (130) may attach a tape (250) to an outer surface of the separator sheet (230) so as to surround the separator sheet (230). A plurality of tapes (250) spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction (e.g., Y direction) of the electrode assembly (202) may be attached to the separator sheet (230). Each tape (250) may surround the separator sheet (230) and be attached to a first portion and a second portion of the separator sheet (230). Each tape (250) may have a ring shape extending to surround the separator sheet (230). Individual tapes (250) can be attached to each of the two parts of the separator sheet (230) separated by the first cut area (241) to fix the two parts of the separator sheet (230) separated by the first cut area (241), and can be attached to each of the two parts of the separator sheet (230) separated by the second cut area (243) to fix the two parts of the separator sheet (230) separated by the second cut area (243).

[0059] Referring to FIG. 5, the packaging device (140) can receive an electrode assembly (202) for which a taping process has been completed, and perform an insertion process for storing the electrode assembly (202) in a battery case (310), an electrolyte injection process for injecting an electrolyte into the battery case (310), a charge / discharge process for the electrode assembly (202), a degassing process for removing internal gas within the electrode assembly (202), and a sealing process for sealing the battery case (310). The battery case (310) can be a pouch having a storage space in which the electrode assembly (202) is stored. The packaging device (140) can manufacture a secondary battery (300) in which the electrode assembly (202) is stored in the battery case (310).

[0060] The packaging device (140) may include a degassing device (150) configured to perform a degassing process. The degassing device (150) may include a vacuum chamber and a support for supporting an electrode assembly (202) accommodated within the vacuum chamber. The degassing device (150) may depressurize an internal space of the vacuum chamber to remove gas from the electrode assembly (202).

[0061] In the case of the stack-folding electrode assembly according to the comparative example, during the degassing process, the gas is discharged to the outside through two sides (e.g., front and rear) of the electrode assembly that are not covered by the separator sheet.

[0062] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the separator sheet (230) of the electrode assembly (202) has a cut region (240) that functions as a gas passage between an external space outside the separator sheet (230) and an internal space of the separator sheet (230), so that gas (DG) inside the electrode assembly (202) can be quickly discharged through the four sides of the electrode assembly (202) during the degassing process, and the occurrence of a gas trap inside the electrode assembly (202) can be prevented. Since the occurrence of a gas trap inside the electrode assembly (202) can be prevented, capacity reduction, increase in cell resistance, lithium precipitation, etc. caused by a gas trap inside the electrode assembly (202) can be prevented, and ultimately, the reliability of the secondary battery (300) including the electrode assembly (202) can be improved.

[0063] In exemplary embodiments, the taping device (130) may be configured to attach a tape (250) comprising a porous material to the separator sheet (230). When the tape (250) is made of a porous material and provides a gas passage, gas is also discharged from the portion where the tape (250) is attached, and gas within the electrode assembly (202) may be discharged to the outside of the electrode assembly (202) through the cut region (240) of the separator sheet (230) and the tape (250). For example, the tape (250) may include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and / or cast polypropylene (CPP).

[0064]

[0065] (Example 2)

[0066] Fig. 6a is a perspective view showing an electrode assembly (203) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 6b is a cross-sectional view showing an electrode assembly (203) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 6a, and FIG. 6b, the taping device (130) can attach a tape (250) to each of the first side (293) and the second side (295) of the separator sheet (230). The tape (250) attached to the first side (293) of the separator sheet (230) can be referred to as a first tape, and the tape (250) attached to the second side (295) of the separator sheet (230) can be referred to as a second tape. The two parts of the separator sheet (230) separated by the first cut area (241) can be fixed by the first tape, and the two parts of the separator sheet (230) separated by the second cut area (243) can be fixed by the second tape. A plurality of first tapes spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction (e.g., Y direction) of the electrode assembly (203) may be attached to a first side (293) of the separator sheet (230), and two parts of the separator sheet (230) separated by the first cut area (241) may be fixed by the plurality of first tapes. A plurality of second tapes spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction (e.g., Y direction) of the electrode assembly (203) may be attached to a second side (295) of the separator sheet (230), and two parts of the separator sheet (230) separated by the second cut area (243) may be fixed by the plurality of second tapes.

[0068]

[0069] (Example 3)

[0070] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an electrode assembly (204) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7, the taping device (130) can attach a tape (250) to each of the first side (293) and the second side (295) of the separator sheet (230). The tape (250) attached to the first side (293) of the separator sheet (230) can be referred to as a first tape, and the tape (250) attached to the second side (295) of the separator sheet (230) can be referred to as a second tape. The two parts of the separator sheet (230) separated by the first cut area (241) can be fixed by a single first tape. The two parts of the separator sheet (230) separated by the second cut area (243) can be fixed by a single second tape.

[0072]

[0073] (Example 4)

[0074] FIG. 8 is a plan view schematically illustrating a folding device (110) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 8, the folding device (110) may include a supply roll (111), a laminating device (113), and a winder (115). The supply roll (111) may supply a separator sheet (230). The separator sheet (230) provided from the supply roll (111) may move in the supply direction (SD). When a cell supply unit (not shown) that supplies unit cells (210) supplies the unit cells (210) on top of the separator sheet (230), the unit cells (210) may be transported in the supply direction (SD) together with the separator sheet (230). The laminating device (113) may be arranged in the movement path of the separator sheet (230) and may attach the unit cells (210) to the separator sheet (230) by applying heat and / or pressure. The above laminate device (113) may include a heating unit having a heat source for applying heat, and a pressure roll for applying pressure so that the unit cell (210) is pressed against the separator sheet (230). The winder (115) may be placed at the end of the moving path of the separator sheet (230). The winder (115) may include a gripper for holding the separator sheet (230) and the unit cell (210), and an actuator for rotating the gripper. The rotation axis of the gripper may be parallel to the long axis direction of the unit cell (210). The winder (115) may rotate around the rotation axis while holding the separator sheet (230) and the unit cell (210) together. The winder (115) can wind the membrane sheet (230) so that four surfaces (i.e., the top surface, the bottom surface, the first side surface, and the second side surface) of each unit cell (210) are covered by the membrane sheet (230). While the winder (115) rotates, a predetermined number of a plurality of unit cells (210) can be stacked on each other, and the membrane sheet (230) can be wound so as to surround each of the plurality of unit cells (210). Once the predetermined number of a plurality of unit cells (210) are stacked by the winder (115), a cutter can cut the membrane sheet (230).

[0076]

[0077] (Example 5)

[0078] FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically showing a cutting device (120) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 9 together with FIGS. 3A and 3B, the cutting device (120) may include a cutter blade (121) and an actuator (122) that moves the cutter blade (121). The cutter blade (121) is rotated by a driving motor, and while the cutter blade (121) rotates, a cutting area (240) may be formed in the membrane sheet (230). The cutter blade (121) may be linearly moved in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction) by the actuator (122) to cut the membrane sheet (230), thereby forming a cutting area (240) that extends linearly in the second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction) in the membrane sheet (230).

[0080]

[0081] (Example 6)

[0082] FIG. 10 is a plan view schematically showing a cutting device (120) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 10 together with FIGS. 3A and 3B, the cutting device (120) may include a laser cutter (123) configured to cut the membrane sheet (230) by irradiating the membrane sheet (230) with a laser beam (LB). The laser cutter (123) may include a light source and an actuator. The laser cutter (123) may cut the membrane sheet (230) while being linearly moved in a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction) by the actuator, thereby forming a cutting area (240) linearly extending in the second horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction) on the membrane sheet (230).

[0084]

[0085] (Example 7)

[0086] FIG. 11 is a plan view schematically showing a taping device (130) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 11 together with FIGS. 4A and 4B, the taping device (130) can attach a tape (250) to the outer surface of the separator sheet (230) so that the two separated parts of the separator sheet (230) are fixed and connected. The taping device (130) can include a tape feeding device (131) that supplies the tape (250), a pressure block (133) that presses the tape (250) so that the tape (250) is attached to the separator sheet (230), and a tape cutter (135) that cuts the tape (250).

[0088]

[0089] (Example 8)

[0090] Fig. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a secondary battery manufacturing device (11) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 13a is a perspective view illustrating an electrode assembly (205) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 13b is a cross-sectional view illustrating the electrode assembly (205) illustrated in Fig. 13a. In the following, any content that overlaps with that described above will be omitted or simplified.

[0091] Referring to FIGS. 12, 13a, and 13b, the secondary battery manufacturing device (11) may include a tape cutting device (170) configured to form a through hole (259) in a tape (250) attached to a separator sheet (230). The tape cutting device (170) may form a through hole (259) in the tape (250) that is connected to a cut area (240) of the separator sheet (230) by cutting or slicing the tape (250). Through the tape cutting process of the tape cutting device (170), the tape (250) may have at least one through hole (259) that is connected to a first cut area (241) of the separator sheet (230) and at least one through hole (259) that is connected to a second cut area (243) of the separator sheet (230). The through hole (259) of the tape (250) can provide a gas passage through which gas within the electrode assembly (205) is discharged. In this case, during the degassing process, gas can also be discharged through the area of ​​the separator sheet (230) covered with the tape (250), so that gas within the electrode assembly (205) can be discharged more quickly.

[0092] In some exemplary embodiments, the tape cutting device (170) may include a cutter (171) for cutting or slicing the tape (250) and an actuator for moving the cutter (171). For example, the cutter (171) may include a needle. In some exemplary embodiments, the tape cutting device (170) may include a laser cutter configured to cut or slicing the tape (250) by irradiating a laser beam.

[0093]

[0094] The present invention has been described in more detail through drawings and examples. However, the configurations described in the drawings or examples described in this specification are merely embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modified examples may exist as of the time of this application.

Claims

1. A folding device configured to manufacture an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly including a plurality of unit cells stacked in a first direction and a separator sheet wound to cover the upper surface, the bottom surface, the first side surface, and the second side surface of each of the plurality of unit cells; A cutting device configured to cut a first side of the separator sheet to form a first cut region extending in a second direction in the separator sheet; and A taping device configured to attach a tape connecting two parts of the separator sheet separated by the first cutting area to the separator sheet; A secondary battery manufacturing device including a .

2. In paragraph 1, A secondary battery manufacturing device, characterized in that the first cutting region extends continuously in the second direction from one end of the separator sheet to the other end so as to penetrate the separator sheet in the second direction.

3. In paragraph 1, A secondary battery manufacturing device, characterized in that the cutting device includes a cutter blade configured to cut the separator sheet.

4. In paragraph 1, A secondary battery manufacturing device, characterized in that the cutting device includes a laser cutter configured to cut the separator sheet with a laser beam.

5. In paragraph 1, The cutting device is configured to cut the second side of the separator sheet to form a second cut region extending in the second direction in the separator sheet, A secondary battery manufacturing device, characterized in that the taping device is configured to connect two parts of the separator sheet separated by the second cutting area with the tape.

6. In paragraph 5, A secondary battery manufacturing device, characterized in that the second cutting region extends continuously in the second direction from one end of the separator sheet to the other end so as to penetrate the separator sheet in the second direction.

7. In paragraph 5, A secondary battery manufacturing device, characterized in that the tape surrounds the separator sheet and is attached to the first side and the second side of the separator sheet.

8. In paragraph 5, A secondary battery manufacturing device, characterized in that the tape includes a first tape that secures two parts of the separator sheet separated by the first cutting area and a second tape that secures two parts of the separator sheet separated by the second cutting area.

9. In paragraph 1, A secondary battery manufacturing apparatus further comprising a tape cutting device configured to form a through hole communicating with the first cut region of the separator sheet in the tape.

10. A step of manufacturing an electrode assembly, wherein the electrode assembly includes a plurality of unit cells stacked in a first direction and a separator sheet rolled up to cover the upper surface, the bottom surface, the first side surface, and the second side surface of each of the plurality of unit cells; A step of cutting a first side of the separator sheet to form a first cut region extending in a second direction in the separator sheet; and A step of connecting two parts of the separator sheet separated by the first cutting area with tape; A method for manufacturing a secondary battery comprising:

11. In clause 10, A method for manufacturing a secondary battery, characterized in that the first cutting region extends continuously in the second direction from one end of the separator sheet to the other end so as to penetrate the separator sheet in the second direction.

12. In paragraph 10, A method for manufacturing a secondary battery, characterized in that the step of forming the first cutting area includes the step of cutting the separator sheet while moving the cutter blade in the second direction.

13. In paragraph 10, A method for manufacturing a secondary battery, characterized in that the step of forming the first cutting area includes the step of cutting the separator sheet while moving a laser cutter that irradiates a laser beam in the second direction.

14. In paragraph 10, Further comprising a step of cutting a second side of the separator sheet to form a second cut region extending in the second direction in the separator sheet, A method for manufacturing a secondary battery, characterized in that the step of connecting with the tape includes connecting two parts of the separator sheet separated by the second cutting area with the tape.

15. In paragraph 14, The above separator sheet includes a central portion overlapping the plurality of unit cells in the first direction, The first side and the second side of the above separator sheet do not overlap in the first direction in the plurality of unit cells, In the above separator sheet, the first side and the second side are spaced apart in a third direction with the center therebetween, A method for manufacturing a secondary battery, characterized in that the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

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