Electrode trimming device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrode trimming device. The electrode trimming device according to the present invention comprises: a trimming knife that is positioned on the opposite side of an electrode sheet from a conveying roller conveying the electrode sheet, and performs a trimming process for removing unnecessary portions of the edges of the electrode sheet; a support unit supporting the trimming knife; and a stopper unit that is supported by the support unit and spaces the trimming knife a predetermined distance apart from the conveying roller, thereby preventing the trimming knife from coming into direct contact with the conveying roller.

Description

Electrode trimming device

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0019966, filed February 8, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] The present invention relates to an electrode trimming device.

[0005] The rapid increase in fossil fuel use has led to a growing demand for alternative and clean energy sources. As part of this, the most actively researched area is electrochemical power generation and storage. A prime example of an electrochemical device that utilizes this electrochemical energy is the secondary battery.

[0006] Secondary batteries are attracting much attention not only as an energy source for mobile devices such as cell phones, digital cameras, and laptops, but also as a power source for power devices such as electric bicycles, electric cars, and hybrid electric vehicles.

[0007] Secondary batteries are classified into coin-shaped batteries, cylindrical batteries, square batteries, and pouch-shaped batteries, depending on the shape of the battery case. In secondary batteries, the electrode assembly mounted inside the battery case is a rechargeable power generation device composed of a laminated structure of electrodes and a separator.

[0008] Electrode assemblies can be roughly classified into a jelly-roll type in which a separator is interposed between sheet-shaped positive and negative electrodes coated with active materials, a stack type in which unit cells in which at least one electrode and at least one separator are laminated are sequentially laminated, and a stack / folding type in which unit cells are rolled up with a long separator film.

[0009] Electrodes are typically formed by laminating an electrode active material layer on a current collector by binding an electrode active material and, if necessary, a conductive agent with a binder. Examples of electrodes include coated electrodes, which are manufactured by applying a slurry for coated electrodes containing electrode active materials, binders, conductive agents, etc., onto a current collector and removing the solvent by heat or the like.

[0010] In these methods, energy is required to dry the polymer film or remove the solvent from the slurry for the applied electrode, which increases the cost and sometimes makes it difficult to improve productivity.

[0011] Accordingly, a method for manufacturing electrodes by a dry method without using a slurry for a coated electrode has been proposed. This is known as a technology for producing electrodes by mixing electrode active materials, binders, and conductive materials without a liquid medium such as a solvent or dispersion medium, and then passing the powder mixture through a rolling roll to produce a film.

[0012] In conventional dry electrode edge trimming units, trimming was performed on the roll path using both upper and lower cuts. Furthermore, when producing dry electrode sheets through a continuous calendaring process, trimming was performed on the rolling roll. However, damage to the rolling roll caused by the trimming knife has been a problem.

[0013] One aspect of the present invention is to provide an electrode trimming device that can prevent damage to a roller when trimming an electrode located on the outer surface of the roller.

[0014] An electrode trimming device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a trimming knife positioned on the opposite side of a transport roller that transports an electrode sheet relative to an electrode sheet, and performing a trimming process to remove an unnecessary portion of an edge of the electrode sheet; a support member that supports the trimming knife; and a stopper unit supported by the support member to prevent the trimming knife from making direct contact with the transport roller by allowing the trimming knife to be spaced apart from the transport roller by a predetermined distance.

[0015] According to the present invention, a stopper unit is provided to prevent a trimming knife, which is positioned on the opposite side of a conveying roller that conveys an electrode sheet based on the electrode sheet and removes an unnecessary portion of the edge of the electrode sheet through the trimming knife, from directly contacting the conveying roller, thereby preventing damage to the conveying roller by the trimming knife.

[0016] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a state of use of an electrode trimming device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a side view illustrating the concept of an electrode trimming device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an electrode trimming device according to an embodiment of the present invention viewed from the front.

[0019] Fig. 4 is a side view showing an electrode trimming device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a support part in an electrode trimming device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] The objects, specific advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this specification, when reference numerals are given to components in each drawing, it should be noted that, as far as possible, identical components are given the same reference numerals even if they are shown in different drawings. Furthermore, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, in describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related known technologies that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted.

[0022]

[0023] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state of use of an electrode trimming device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view showing the concept of an electrode trimming device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an electrode trimming device according to an embodiment of the present invention viewed from the front, and FIG. 4 is a side view showing an electrode trimming device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, an electrode trimming device (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a trimming knife (110) positioned on the opposite side of a transport roller (10) that transports an electrode sheet (20) based on the electrode sheet (20) and that performs a trimming process for removing defective areas at the edges of the electrode sheet (20), a support member (120) that supports the trimming knife (110), and a stopper unit (130) that is supported by the support member (120) and that prevents the trimming knife (110) from direct contact with the transport roller (10) by allowing the trimming knife (110) to be spaced apart from the transport roller (10) by a certain distance.

[0025] Meanwhile, the electrode trimming device (100) according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a contact force adjustment unit and a knife height adjustment unit (150).

[0026]

[0027] In more detail, the trimming knife (110) is positioned on the opposite side of the roller that transports the electrode sheet (20) with respect to the electrode sheet (20) to perform a trimming process of removing unnecessary portions of the edges of the electrode sheet (20).

[0028] Additionally, a trimming knife (110) may be positioned on each of the widthwise edge portions of the electrode sheet (20). Here, the widthwise direction may be, for example, a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel (G).

[0029] In addition, the trimming knife (110) may be formed in the shape of a disk, for example, so that a knife blade may be formed along the outer surface.

[0030] The electrode sheet (20) may include a film made of a dry-mixed mixture of an electrode active material, a conductive material, and a binder.

[0031] The transport roller (10) may include, for example, a plurality of rolling rolls that roll and move the electrode sheet (20). At this time, for example, when the transport rollers (10) are arranged in a plurality, the electrode sheet (20) may be moved and rolled while alternately contacting the upper and lower portions of the plurality of transport rollers (10).

[0032]

[0033] The support member (120) supports the trimming knife (110). The support member (120) can be mounted on the support member (B). The support member (B) can be configured in a columnar shape.

[0034] Additionally, the support member (120) may include a rotational shaft (121) provided in a direction parallel to the central axis (C) of the transport roller (10) on the lower side.

[0035] Meanwhile, the support member (120) may further include a bearing (122) provided on the lower portion. At this time, the rotational shaft (121) may be mounted on the bearing (122). Here, the stopper roller (131) and the trimming knife (110) may be mounted on the rotational shaft (121) and rotate. In addition, the rotational shaft (121) of the stopper roller (131) and the trimming knife (110) may be in a direction parallel to the central axis (C) of the transport roller (10).

[0036]

[0037] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a support part in an electrode trimming device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the support part (120) may further include a mounting block (123) on which a rotation shaft (121) is mounted, and a first guide rail (126a) extending in the vertical direction (D) and to which the mounting block (123) is slidably coupled. In addition, the support part (120) may further include a support frame (124) having a mounting part (124a) that supports a force adjustment screw (142) and protruding in one horizontal direction (F). At this time, the mounting part (124a) may have a mounting hole (124a-1) formed therein into which the force adjustment screw (142) is inserted. In addition, the support part (120) may further include a second guide rail (126b) coupled to the support frame, and a support block (127) to which the second guide rail (126b) is slidably coupled.

[0039] The first guide rail (126a) and the second guide rail (126b) may extend in parallel in the vertical direction while being spaced apart from each other by a certain distance. At this time, the support member (120) may further include a guide rail (126) including the first guide rail (126a) and the second guide rail (126b).

[0040] The support frame (124) may include a body (124c) positioned in the lateral direction of the support block (127) and coupled to a second guide rail (126b) to move up and down (D) with respect to the support block (127) together with the second guide rail (126b), an upper extension (124b) extending from the upper portion of the body (124c) to the other side (L) and facing the upper end (127a) of the support block (127), and a lower extension (124d) extending from the lower portion of the body (124c) to the other side (L) and facing the lower end of the support block (127).

[0041] The body (124c) of the support frame (124) is positioned between the first guide rail (126a) and the second guide rail (126b) and can be coupled with the first guide rail (126a) and the second guide rail (126b). At this time, the first guide rail (126a) and the second guide rail (126b) can be mutually fixed through coupling screws (S) coupled to coupling holes (124-1, 126b-1) formed in the first guide rail (126a), the body, and the second guide rail (126b), respectively.

[0042] The support block (127) can be fixed in position. At this time, the support block (127) can be fixed to the support body (B). That is, the support block (127) is fixed to the support body (B), so that the support block (127) can provide a reference position.

[0043] In addition, the support block (127) can be combined with the first guide rail (126a). Here, the first guide rail (126a) can be moved up and down based on the support block (127). At this time, the first guide rail (126a) and the support block (127) can be configured in the form of an LM guide, for example. That is, first guide grooves extending upward along the first guide rail (126a) are formed on both sides, and the connecting portions provided on both sides of the support block (127) can be combined with the first guide grooves formed on both sides of the first guide rail (126a).

[0044] The mounting block (123) may include a guide portion (123a) that is slidably coupled to a second guide rail (126b). At this time, the guide portion (123a) is provided as a guide block and can move up and down while being guided by the second guide rail (126b). In addition, the guide portions may be provided on each of the upper sides of the mounting block (123).

[0045] Here, the second guide rail (126b) and the guide portion (123a) may be configured, for example, in the form of an LM guide. That is, second guide grooves extending upward along the second guide rail (126b) are formed on both sides, and the connecting portions provided on both sides of the guide portion (123a) can be connected to the second guide grooves formed on both sides of the second guide rail (126b).

[0046]

[0047] The stopper unit (130) is supported on the support member (120) to keep the trimming knife (110) at a certain distance from the transport roller (10), thereby preventing the trimming knife (110) from making direct contact with the transport roller (10).

[0048] Additionally, the stopper unit (130) may include a stopper roller (131) that comes into contact with the transport roller (10).

[0049] Meanwhile, the lower height (h2) of the stopper roller (131) may be positioned lower than the lower height (h1) of the trimming knife (110). Here, for example, the lower height (h2) of the stopper roller (131) may be positioned 10 to 20 ㎛ lower than the lower height (h1) of the trimming knife (110). Accordingly, the lower height (h2) of the stopper roller (131) may be positioned lower by 10 ㎛ or more, which is the lower limit, than the lower height (h1) of the trimming knife (110), thereby preventing the outer surface of the transport roller (10) from being damaged by the trimming knife (110). In addition, the lower height (h2) of the stopper roller (131) is positioned lower than the lower height (h1) of the trimming knife (110) by 20 ㎛ or less, which is the upper limit, so that the defective edge portion of the electrode sheet (20) can be cut through the trimming knife (110).

[0050] In addition, the stopper roller (131) is in contact with the transport roller (10) and can be rotated through friction with the transport roller (10) when the transport roller (10) rotates.

[0051] At this time, the trimming knife (110) can remove an unnecessary portion from the electrode sheet (20) by co-rotating with the stopper roller (131). In addition, the electrode sheet (20) moves in contact with the center of the outer surface of the feed roller (10) in the moving direction (G) of the electrode sheet (20), for example, and the stopper rollers (131) are provided in pairs and can rotate in contact with both sides of the outer surface of the feed roller (10) in the moving direction (G) of the electrode sheet (20). Here, the outer surface of the stopper roller (131) does not come into contact with the electrode sheet (20) but comes into contact with the outer surface of the feed roller (10), and the trimming knife (110) can come into contact with an unnecessary portion from the electrode sheet (20) and perform a trimming process of removing the unnecessary portion.

[0052]

[0053] The contact force adjustment unit (140) can adjust the force with which the stopper roller (131) contacts the transport roller (10).

[0054] The contact force control unit (140) may include an elastic member (141) that elastically supports the upper side of the mounting block (123). The elastic member (141) may be mounted between the upper side of the mounting block (123) and the lower side of the mounting portion (124a).

[0055] In addition, the contact force adjustment unit (140) may further include a force adjustment screw (142) whose lower part is screwed to the upper part of the mounting block (123). When the force adjustment screw (142) rotates, the mounting block (123) moves up and down, and the elastic force of the elastic member (141) can be adjusted. At this time, the elastic member (141) may be configured as a coil spring and may be positioned on both sides of the force adjustment screw (142).

[0056] The force adjustment screw (142) may include a head portion (142b) formed with a width larger than the diameter of the screw portion (142a) and the mounting hole (124a-1) coupled to the mounting block (123) and positioned above the mounting portion (124a) of the support frame (124). The screw portion (142a) may be formed along the lower outer surface of the force adjustment screw (142). In addition, the screw portion (142a) may be screw-coupled to the screw hole (123b) formed at the upper end of the mounting block (123).

[0057] When explaining the operation of the contact force adjustment unit (140), when the force adjustment screw (142) is rotated in one direction to narrow the gap between the mounting portion (124a) and the mounting block (123), the elastic member (141) contracts and can provide increased elastic force to the stopper roller (131). On the other hand, when the force adjustment screw (142) is rotated in the other direction to widen the gap between the mounting portion (124a) and the mounting block (123), the elastic member (141) stretches and can provide decreased elastic force to the stopper roller (131).

[0058]

[0059] The knife height adjustment unit (150) can adjust the height of the trimming knife (110).

[0060] In addition, the knife height adjustment unit (150) may include a position adjustment screw (151) that is coupled to the upper extension (124b) of the support frame (124) and has a lower portion (151a) that contacts the upper portion (127a) of the support block (127). Here, when the position adjustment screw (151) is rotated, the lower portion (151a) presses the upper side of the support block (127) and moves the support frame (124) in the up-and-down direction (D), thereby adjusting the height of the trimming knife (110).

[0061] The position adjustment screw (151) may include a support body (151d) coupled to the upper extension (124b) of the support frame (124), and a screw rod (151c) screwed onto the inner surface of the support body (151d).

[0062] The lower end (151a) of the position adjustment screw (151) is positioned at the lower end of the screw rod (151c), and when the screw rod (151c) is rotated, the screw rod (151c) can be moved up and down with respect to the support body (151d). Here, an adjustment part (151b) protruding upward from the support body (151d) is formed on the upper side of the screw rod (151c), and the screw rod (151c) can be rotated by rotating the adjustment part (151b). At this time, the screw rod (151c) can pass through a through hole (124b-1) formed upward in the upper extension part (124b).

[0063] The operation of the knife height adjustment unit (150) will be described. When the screw rod (151c) of the position adjustment screw (151) is rotated in one direction, the screw rod (151c) moves downward with respect to the support body (151d) and presses the upper end (127a) of the support block (127). At this time, the position of the support block (127) is fixed, so that the support frame (124) to which the support body (151d) is fixed can move upward together with the support body (151d) according to the one-way rotation of the screw rod (151c). Accordingly, the trimming knife (110) located at the end of the support portion (120) can move upward. And, when the screw rod (151c) of the position adjustment screw (151) is rotated in the other direction, the screw rod (151c) moves upward with respect to the support body (151d) and releases the pressure on the upper end (127a) of the support block (127). At this time, the position of the support block (127) is fixed, so that the support frame (124) to which the support body (151d) is fixed can move downward together with the support body (151d) according to the rotation of the screw rod (151c) in the other direction. Accordingly, the trimming knife (110) located at the end of the support portion (120) can move downward.

[0064] Meanwhile, the knife height adjustment unit (150) can finely adjust the height of the trimming knife (110) by including a micrometer configuration having, for example, a 1um resolution. At this time, for example, the position adjustment screw (151) and the support frame (124) may also have a micrometer configuration.

[0065] Meanwhile, the knife height adjustment unit (150) may further include a spring (152) positioned between the lower end of the support block (127) and the lower extension (124d) of the support frame (124). At this time, the spring (152) may be provided as, for example, a coil spring to provide restoring force.

[0066]

[0067] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the electrode trimming device (100) according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above is positioned on the opposite side of the transport roller (10) that transports the electrode sheet (20) based on the electrode sheet (20), and is provided with a stopper unit (130) to prevent the trimming knife (110) that removes an unnecessary portion of the edge of the electrode sheet (20) through the trimming knife (110) from directly contacting the transport roller (10), thereby preventing the transport roller (10) from being damaged by the trimming knife (110).

[0068]

[0069] While the present invention has been described in detail through specific examples, these are intended to illustrate the invention in detail and are not intended to be limiting. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various implementations are possible within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0070] Additionally, the specific scope of protection of the invention will be made clear by the appended claims.

[0071]

[0072] [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10: Transfer roller

[0074] 20: Electrode sheet

[0075] 100: Electrode trimming device

[0076] 110: Trimming knife

[0077] 120: Support

[0078] 121: Rotation axis

[0079] 122: Bearing

[0080] 123: Mounting block

[0081] 123a: Guide section

[0082] 124: Support frame

[0083] 124a: Mounting part

[0084] 124a-1: Through hole

[0085] 124b: Upper extension

[0086] 124b-1: Combination hole

[0087] 124c: Body

[0088] 124d: Lower extension

[0089] 126: Guide rail

[0090] 126a: First guide rail

[0091] 126b: Second guide rail

[0092] 127: Support block

[0093] 130: Stopper unit

[0094] 131: Stopper roller

[0095] 140: Contact force control unit

[0096] 141: Elastic member

[0097] 142: Force adjustment screw

[0098] 142a: Screw section

[0099] 142b: Head

[0100] 150: Knife height adjustment unit

[0101] 151: Position adjustment screw

[0102] 151a: Lower part

[0103] 151b: Control section

[0104] 151c: Screw rod

[0105] 151d: Support body

[0106] 152: Spring

Claims

1. A trimming knife positioned on the opposite side of a transport roller that transports the electrode sheet based on the electrode sheet, and performing a trimming process to remove unnecessary portions of the edges of the electrode sheet; a support member supporting the above trimming knife; and An electrode trimming device including a stopper unit that is supported on the support member and prevents the trimming knife from making direct contact with the transport roller by keeping the trimming knife at a certain distance from the transport roller.

2. In claim 1, The above stopper unit is an electrode trimming device including a stopper roller in contact with the transport roller.

3. In claim 2, An electrode trimming device in which the stopper roller is in contact with the transport roller and rotates through friction with the transport roller when the transport roller rotates.

4. In claim 2, The above support It includes a rotating shaft provided in a direction parallel to the central axis of the above-mentioned conveying roller on the lower side, An electrode trimming device in which the stopper roller and the trimming knife are mounted on the rotating shaft and rotate.

5. In claim 4, The above support further includes a bearing provided on the lower part, The above rotating shaft is an electrode trimming device mounted on the bearing.

6. In claim 2, An electrode trimming device in which the lower height of the stopper roller is positioned lower than the lower height of the trimming knife.

7. In claim 6, An electrode trimming device in which the lower height of the stopper roller is positioned 10 to 20 μm lower than the lower height of the trimming knife.

8. In claim 4, An electrode trimming device further comprising a contact force adjustment unit that adjusts the force with which the stopper roller contacts the transport roller.

9. In claim 8, The support further includes a mounting block on which the rotation axis is mounted; and a first guide rail extending in the vertical direction and to which the mounting block is slidably coupled. The above contact force control unit is an electrode trimming device including an elastic member that elastically supports the upper side of the mounting block.

10. In claim 9, The above contact force adjustment unit further includes a force adjustment screw whose lower part is screwed to the upper part of the mounting block, The above support further includes a support frame having a mounting portion that supports the force adjustment screw and protrudes horizontally to one side, The above elastic member is mounted between the upper side of the mounting block and the lower side of the mounting portion, An electrode trimming device in which the mounting block moves up and down when the above force adjustment screw is rotated and the elastic force of the above elastic member is adjusted.

11. In claim 10, The above mounting part has a mounting hole formed into which the force adjustment screw is inserted, The above force adjustment screw A screw portion coupled to the above mounting block; and An electrode trimming device including a head portion formed with a width greater than the diameter of the above-mentioned mounting hole and positioned on the upper side of the mounting portion of the above-mentioned support frame.

12. In claim 10, The above elastic member is an electrode trimming device composed of a coil spring and positioned on both sides of the force adjustment screw.

13. In claim 10, An electrode trimming device further comprising a knife height adjustment unit for adjusting the height of the trimming knife.

14. In claim 13, The support further includes a second guide rail coupled to the support frame and a support block to which the second guide rail is slidably coupled and whose position is fixed, The support frame includes a body positioned in the lateral direction of the support block and coupled to the second guide rail to move up and down with respect to the support block together with the second guide rail; an upper extension portion extending from the upper side of the body to face the upper end of the support block; and a lower extension portion extending from the lower side of the body to face the lower end of the support block. The above knife height adjustment unit is coupled to the upper extension of the support frame and includes a position adjustment screw whose lower end contacts the upper end of the support block. An electrode trimming device in which, when the position adjustment screw is rotated, the lower part presses the upper side of the support block and moves the support frame up and down to adjust the height of the trimming knife.

15. In claim 14, The above knife height adjustment unit An electrode trimming device further comprising a spring positioned between the lower end of the support block and the lower extension of the support frame.

16. In claim 14, The body of the above support frame is positioned between the first guide rail and the second guide rail and is coupled with the first guide rail and the second guide rail, An electrode trimming device in which the above mounting block includes a guide portion slidably coupled to the first guide rail.

17. In claim 16, The above first guide rail, the above body, and the above second guide rail An electrode trimming device that is mutually fixed through a coupling screw that is coupled to a coupling hole formed in each of the first guide rail, the body, and the second guide rail.

18. In claim 14, The above position adjustment screw A support body coupled to the upper extension of the above support frame; and It includes a screw rod screwed into the inner surface of the above support body, An electrode trimming device in which the lower end is positioned at the lower end of the screw rod, and when the screw rod is rotated, the screw rod moves up and down with respect to the support body.

19. In claim 1, The above electrode sheet includes a film made of a dry-mixed mixture of an electrode active material, a conductive material, and a binder, The above-mentioned transport roller includes a plurality of rolling rolls that roll and move the electrode sheet, The above trimming knife is an electrode trimming device positioned at each of the widthwise edge portions of the electrode sheet.

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