In-line manufacturing facility for secondary battery

Abstract

An in-line manufacturing facility for a secondary battery, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a plurality of facilities provided for manufacturing a secondary battery; and a docking unit including a pair of docking members respectively mounted on two facilities adjacent to each other, each having at least one mark formed at a contact portion, wherein the pair of docking members are arranged such that the mark forms a predetermined shape when the two adjacent facilities are assembled in a predetermined position, with a predetermined flatness and parallelism.

Description

Inline manufacturing equipment for secondary batteries

[0001] The present invention relates to an inline manufacturing facility for a secondary battery, and more particularly, to an inline manufacturing facility for a secondary battery capable of inline-connecting two adjacent facilities so as to have predetermined flatness and parallelism.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0019199, filed February 7, 2024, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0014259, filed February 5, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a secondary battery, and Figure 2 is a drawing for explaining the manufacturing process of the secondary battery.

[0004] Referring to Fig. 1, a secondary battery (1) includes an electrode assembly (3), an electrolyte (not shown), and a battery case (2). The electrode assembly (3) is formed by sequentially stacking a negative electrode (8) and a positive electrode (9) with a separator (7) as a medium, and is provided to perform charging and discharging of the secondary battery (1).

[0005] The electrolyte (not shown) acts as a medium to allow lithium ions to move between the positive electrode (9) and negative electrode (8) during charging and discharging of the secondary battery (1), and uses a material with high ionic conductivity. The separator (7) is designed to physically block the positive electrode (9) and negative electrode (8) and only allow ions to move.

[0006] The above battery case (2) is a case in which the electrode assembly (3) and the electrolyte (not shown) are stored. The battery case (2) is sealed by a heat-sealing method after storing the electrode assembly (3) and the electrolyte (not shown), thereby sealing the electrode assembly (3) and the electrolyte (not shown) in the internal space of the battery case (2).

[0007] Referring to FIG. 2, the manufacturing process of the secondary battery (1) is a process for manufacturing the secondary battery (1), and includes an electrode process (S1), an assembly process (S2), and a formation process (S3).

[0008] The above electrode process (S1), the above assembly process (S2), and the above Mars process (S3) are performed sequentially.

[0009] The above electrode process (S11) is a process for making an electrode substrate, and the above electrode process (S11) includes a mixing process, a coating process, a drying process, a pressing process, a slitting process, and a notching process.

[0010] Each step of the above electrode process is performed in separate equipment. If the flatness and parallelism between the equipment performing the electrode process are not consistent, the substrate running in the roll-to-roll process may meander.

[0011] The misalignment of the substrate can cause coating defects during the coating process, cutting defects caused by the non-coated portions on both sides of the coating layer being cut at different intervals during the slitting process, and cutting defects caused by the lead tab and notching groove not being cut in the correct position during the notching process.

[0012] The above assembly process (S2) is a process for manufacturing a secondary battery (1) including an electrode assembly (3), an electrolyte (not shown), and a battery case (2). The assembly process includes a laminating process, a stacking process, and a packaging process.

[0013] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the arrangement of multiple pieces of equipment for performing a secondary battery manufacturing process, and is a diagram for explaining problems that occur when multiple pieces of equipment are not arranged in the correct positions.

[0014] As an example, referring to FIG. 3, a laminating facility (10), a stacking facility (20), and a packaging facility (30) are illustrated as being connected inline.

[0015] The above laminating equipment (10) is equipment that alternately laminates electrodes and separators to produce unit cells such as monocells (4) and half-cells (5).

[0016] The above electrode assembly (3) is manufactured in a stacking facility (20).

[0017] In addition, the packaging equipment (30) is a device that houses the electrode assembly (3) in the battery case (2), injects an electrolyte (not shown), and seals the battery case (2) by heat sealing.

[0018] The above laminating equipment (10), the stacking equipment (20), and the packaging equipment (30) are manufactured in advance at the factory to ensure preset flatness and parallelism. The above laminating equipment (10), the stacking equipment (20), and the packaging equipment (30) are transported separately to the location where the relevant process is performed, and are assembled inline at the location according to the installation manual.

[0019] When connecting the above laminating equipment (10), the above stacking equipment (20), and the above packaging equipment (30) inline according to the installation manual, it is very important to adjust the flatness and parallelism between two adjacent equipment (10 and 20, 20 and 30).

[0020] Traditionally, the design dimensions between the ends of each facility are reflected in the installation manual, and the facilities are connected inline according to the installation manual.

[0021] The above laminating equipment (10), the stacking equipment (20), and the packaging equipment (30) are connected inline through leveling and docking operations. The leveling operation is a task of adjusting the height between two inline-connected equipment to ensure the flatness between the equipment. The docking operation is a task of ensuring the parallelism between two inline-connected equipment is maintained.

[0022] The worker individually measured the heights of two adjacent installations (10 and 20, or 20 and 30) from the ground according to the installation manual, calculated the height difference between the two adjacent installations, and then leveled the two adjacent installations.

[0023] Additionally, the worker measured the length and width of two adjacent installations according to the installation manual to calculate the misalignment between the two adjacent installations, and then performed the task of adjusting the parallelism between the two adjacent installations.

[0024] However, despite these installation manuals, measurement errors occurred among workers when measuring the spacing and height between the ends of each piece of equipment, making it difficult to ensure parallelism and flatness between the equipment.

[0025] For example, as shown in Fig. 3(a), if the ground (G) is not flat, a height difference may occur between the laminating equipment (10), the stacking equipment (20), and the packaging equipment (30) relocated to the location.

[0026] In addition, as shown in Fig. 3(b), misalignment may occur between the laminating equipment (10), the stacking equipment (20), and the packaging equipment (30) during the process of rearranging them.

[0027] The above laminating equipment (10) includes a first roll (11) and a second roll (12). The first roll (11) is disposed on the inlet side where the electrode enters. The second roll (12) is disposed on the outlet side where the monocell (4) is discharged. The electrode is manufactured into a monocell (4) while moving from the first roll (11) toward the second roll (12). The monocell (4) discharged from the second roll (12) is transferred to the third roll (21) of the stacking equipment (20). In addition, the electrode assembly (30) on which stacking is completed can be discharged from the stacking equipment (20) through the fourth roll (22).

[0028] For example, as shown in FIG. 3(a) and FIG. 3(b), if there is a height difference and misalignment between the laminating equipment (10) and the stacking equipment (20), when the monocell (4) discharged from the second roll (12) of the laminating equipment (10) enters the third roll (21) of the stacking equipment (20), the monocells (4) are stacked in an unaligned state as the stacking process proceeds at a position that is deviated from the normal position, which may cause assembly failure of the electrode assembly (3).

[0029] The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide an inline manufacturing facility for a secondary battery capable of inline connecting two adjacent facilities to each other so as to have preset flatness and parallelism.

[0030] In addition, the purpose is to provide an inline manufacturing facility for a secondary battery capable of precisely and easily inline connecting two adjacent facilities by connecting a pair of docking members such that marks provided across the pair of docking members have a predetermined shape.

[0031] An inline manufacturing facility for a secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of facilities for manufacturing a secondary battery and a docking unit each mounted on two adjacent facilities, the docking unit including a pair of docking members having at least one mark displayed on a contact portion.

[0032] Each facility may be designed to perform one or more processes during the manufacture of secondary batteries.

[0033] The above-mentioned docking units may be provided in one or more pairs on two adjacent devices. When multiple docking units are provided, the two adjacent docking units may be arranged to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance. A pair of docking members may be docked, and may have one or more contact portions during docking. In addition, a pair of docking members may be inserted into each other and may be in detachable contact with each other.

[0034] The above pair of docking members may be provided such that the marks have a predetermined shape when two adjacent devices are assembled in a predetermined position with a predetermined flatness and parallelism. One or more of the above marks may be provided on the pair of docking members.

[0035] Additionally, each of the above-described equipment may include an entry roll and a discharge roll. Each of the above-described equipment may have a conveying section including the entry roll and the discharge roll. Additionally, the two adjacent equipment may be connected such that, when assembled in position, the discharge roll of the first equipment performing the preceding process and the entry roll of the second equipment performing the subsequent process adjacent thereto have the above-described flatness and the above-described parallelism.

[0036] For example, the first equipment may be a laminating equipment and the second equipment may be a stacking equipment.

[0037] In addition, the pair of docking members may include a first docking member mounted on the first device having a first marking surface on which a docking protrusion and a portion of the mark are displayed, and a second docking member mounted on the second device having a docking groove into which the docking protrusion is inserted and a second marking surface on which the remaining portion of the mark is displayed. The mark may be provided across the first marking surface and the second marking surface. For example, a certain portion of the mark may be displayed on the first marking surface, and the remaining portion may be displayed on the second marking surface. For example, the mark may have a predetermined shape as a single straight line, and when the first device and the second device are assembled in the correct position, the mark may be a single straight line, and when the first device and the second device are not assembled in the correct position, the mark may not have the predetermined single straight line shape.

[0038] Additionally, when the docking protrusion is inserted into the docking groove, the docking protrusion and the docking groove may be arranged to be in contact at multiple points.

[0039] Additionally, at least one mark may be displayed on the first and second marking surfaces to have a predetermined shape at a contact portion where the docking protrusion and the docking groove come into contact.

[0040] Additionally, a pair of docking members may be provided with a plurality of marks, and two of the marks may have the same or different shapes and may be displayed without overlapping each other.

[0041] Additionally, two of the plurality of marks may be arranged symmetrically with respect to an imaginary center line connecting the centers of the docking protrusion and the docking groove.

[0042] Additionally, at least two contact portions may be provided symmetrically with respect to a virtual center line connecting the centers of the docking protrusion and the docking groove. Furthermore, the two marks may be provided to have a predetermined shape at the contact portions symmetrical with respect to the virtual center line.

[0043] Additionally, one of the plurality of marks may be a first mark displayed on the first and second marking surfaces along the virtual center line.

[0044] Additionally, one of the plurality of marks may be a second mark having a line shape that is not parallel to or perpendicular to the virtual center line.

[0045] Additionally, one of the plurality of marks may be a third mark in which a plurality of lines intersect at the contact area.

[0046] Additionally, one of the plurality of marks may be a fourth mark arranged to pass through the plurality of contact areas.

[0047] Additionally, each installation may be equipped with a plurality of mounts arranged to adjust the height at each installation point along the height direction relative to the ground.

[0048] In addition, the plurality of facilities may include two or more facilities among a mixing facility, a coating facility, a drying facility, a rolling facility, a slitting facility, and a notching facility for performing an electrode process of a secondary battery.

[0049] In addition, the plurality of facilities may include two or more facilities among a lamination facility for manufacturing a unit cell including a separator and an electrode, a stack facility for manufacturing an electrode assembly by stacking the unit cells cell by cell, and a packaging facility for manufacturing a secondary battery containing the electrode assembly and an electrolyte.

[0050] As described above, the inline manufacturing facility for a secondary battery according to at least one embodiment of the present invention has the following effects.

[0051] A pair of docking members having marks on them are respectively mounted on two adjacent installations in fixed positions, and by connecting the pair of docking members such that the marks have a predetermined shape when assembling the two adjacent installations, two adjacent installations can be connected in-line.

[0052] When assembling the two adjacent equipment, the height difference and degree of misalignment between the two adjacent equipment can be visually confirmed through a pair of docking members having marks, thereby improving the assembly efficiency and accuracy of the two adjacent equipment.

[0053] When assembling two adjacent equipment, the pair of docking members can be connected so that the marks have a predetermined shape, thereby connecting the two adjacent equipment in-line in a fixed position with flatness and parallelism.

[0054] By measuring the step between the first and second marking surfaces of a pair of docking members using a measuring device, the height difference between the equipment can be determined without the operator having to measure the height of the equipment and the spacing between the equipment, and the degree of misalignment of the equipment can be determined by visually checking whether the mark is in a predetermined shape.

[0055] Additionally, the height difference between a pair of docking members can be measured in mm, allowing for precise adjustment of the flatness between two adjacent installations.

[0056] In addition, the parallelism between two adjacent equipment can be adjusted by aligning the marks displayed on a pair of docking members in a predetermined shape, thereby eliminating work errors caused by the skill level of the operator.

[0057] In addition, the flatness and parallelism between multiple equipment can be precisely and accurately adjusted, thereby minimizing assembly errors between multiple equipment, thereby improving process efficiency and product productivity.

[0058] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram of a secondary battery.

[0059] Figure 2 is a drawing for explaining the manufacturing process of a secondary battery.

[0060] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the arrangement of multiple pieces of equipment for performing a secondary battery manufacturing process.

[0061] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the combined state of an inline manufacturing facility for a secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Fig. 5 is a layout diagram between multiple facilities according to an example, and Fig. 6 is a layout diagram between multiple facilities according to another example.

[0063] Figure 7 is an installation state diagram of a docking unit according to one embodiment of the present invention mounted on two adjacent facilities.

[0064] FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining a coupling structure of a pair of docking members according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] FIGS. 9 and 10 are drawings for explaining examples of marks displayed on the marking surfaces of a pair of docking members according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] FIG. 11 is a drawing for explaining the structure of a mount mounted on the bottom of a facility according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] Figures 12 and 13 are drawings for explaining a process for inline connecting two adjacent facilities.

[0068] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, an inline manufacturing facility for a secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0069] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a combination state of an inline manufacturing facility for a secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a layout state between a plurality of facilities according to one example, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a layout state between a plurality of facilities according to another example, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an installation state in which a docking unit according to one embodiment of the present invention is mounted on two adjacent facilities, and FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a combination structure of a pair of docking members according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6, an inline manufacturing facility (100) for a secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of facilities (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) provided for manufacturing a secondary battery. The plurality of facilities (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) will be described later.

[0071] In addition, the inline manufacturing facility (100) of the secondary battery includes a docking unit (200) which is mounted on two adjacent facilities (110, 120) respectively and includes a pair of docking members (210, 220) having at least one mark (240) displayed on a contact portion. The manufacturing facility (100) may include at least one docking unit (200), and two adjacent facilities may be equipped with a plurality of docking units (200).

[0072] When assembling the two adjacent devices (110, 120) described above, the pair of docking members (210, 220) may be docked so that the mark (240) has a predetermined shape. For example, the pair of docking members (210, 220) may have a protrusion and a groove structure into which the protrusion is inserted, and may come into contact at one or more points during docking. In addition, the pair of docking members (210, 220) may be detachably connected. In this document, the term "docking" may mean a state in which the pair of docking members come into contact with each other at one or more points.

[0073] The above pair of docking members (210, 220) are arranged so that the mark (240) has a predetermined shape when the two adjacent installations (110, 120) are assembled in a predetermined position with a predetermined flatness and parallelism.

[0074] In this document, flatness, in relation to leveling operations, can refer to the height difference between two inline-connected equipment. For example, a preset flatness can refer to no height difference between two equipment. Furthermore, parallelism can refer to the misalignment between two adjacent equipment based on their length and width. For example, a preset parallelism can refer to no misalignment between two equipment.

[0075] When assembling the two adjacent equipment (110, 120), the worker can connect the pair of docking members (210, 220) so that the mark (240) has a predetermined shape, thereby connecting the two adjacent equipment (110, 120) in-line. The predetermined shape of the mark (240) may vary and may be any one of the first mark (241) to the fourth mark (244) described below, or a combination thereof.

[0076] For convenience of explanation, two adjacent facilities (110, 120) are referred to as the first facility (110) and the second facility (120).

[0077] The above first equipment (110) is equipment arranged at the front end along the arrangement direction of the equipment. The above second equipment (120) is equipment arranged at the rear end of the first equipment (110). That is, the first equipment (110) may be equipment where a preceding process is performed, and the second equipment (120) may be equipment where a subsequent process of the preceding process performed in the first equipment (110) is performed.

[0078] Each installation (110, 120) may have a conveying section including an entry roll and an exit roll. Through the conveying section, two adjacent installations (110, 120) may be connected inline in a roll-to-roll manner.

[0079] For example, the first equipment (110) has a conveying section including a first entry roll (111) and a first discharge roll (112). The second equipment (120) has a conveying section including a second entry roll (121) and a second discharge roll (122).

[0080] For example, the two adjacent equipment (110, 120) may be connected inline so that, when assembled in a fixed position, the first discharge roll (112) of the first equipment (110) performing the preceding process and the second entry roll (121) of the second equipment performing the subsequent process adjacent thereto have the above-mentioned flatness and the above-mentioned parallelism.

[0081] FIG. 7 is an installation state diagram showing a docking unit according to one embodiment of the present invention mounted on two adjacent facilities, and FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining a coupling structure of a pair of docking members according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the pair of docking members (210, 220) includes a first docking member (210) and a second docking member (220).

[0083] The first docking member (210) has a docking projection (213) and a first marking surface (211) on which a portion of the mark (240) is displayed. The first docking member (210) can be mounted on the first equipment (110) so that the first marking surface (211) is exposed to the outside. The first docking member (210) can be bolted to the first equipment (110).

[0084] The above docking protrusion (213) may be curved and protruded at a predetermined curvature. The above docking protrusion (213) may be formed by protruding a first contact surface (215) that is bent from the first marking surface (211).

[0085] The second docking member (220) has a docking groove (223) into which the docking protrusion (213) is inserted and a second marking surface (221) on which the remaining part of the mark (240) is displayed. The second docking member (220) can be mounted on the second equipment (120) so that the second marking surface (221) is exposed to the outside. The second docking member (220) can be bolted to the second equipment (120).

[0086] The above docking groove (223) may be formed by bending the second marking surface (221) and recessing the second contact surface (225) that can be in contact with the first contact surface (215) at least in a portion of the second marking surface (221).

[0087] In addition, the first contact surface (215) and the second contact surface (225) refer to surfaces where the first docking member (210) and the second docking member (220) face each other, and can come into contact at one or more points during docking.

[0088] FIGS. 9 and 10 are drawings for explaining examples of marks displayed on the marking surfaces of a pair of docking members according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, for example, the docking groove (223) may have a greater curvature than the docking protrusion (213). The docking groove (223) may be provided to be in line contact or surface contact with the docking protrusion (213) at least in part. In addition, the docking groove (223) may be formed so that the internal space thereof narrows in a direction away from the docking protrusion. In addition, the docking groove (223) may be provided to be in contact with the docking protrusion (213) at a plurality of points.

[0090] For example, referring to FIG. 9, the docking home (223) may have a semicircular cross-section.

[0091] As another example, referring to FIG. 10, the docking groove (223) may have a V-shaped cross-section.

[0092] The first and second docking members (210, 220) are mounted on the first and second equipment (110, 120) respectively so that the mark (240) is exposed to the outside, and the docking projection (213) and the docking groove (223) are in contact with each other, and the mark (240) is connected to have a predetermined shape, so that the first and second equipment (110, 120) can be guided for the correct position assembly.

[0093] Referring to Fig. 8, the mark (240) is displayed at a contact portion (230) where the docking protrusion (213) and the docking groove (223) come into contact. The mark (240) is displayed together on the first marking surface (211) of the docking protrusion (213) and the second marking surface (221) of the docking groove (223). The mark (240) can be provided so that the portion displayed on the first marking surface (211) and the portion displayed on the second marking surface (221) have a predetermined specific shape when the two equipments are assembled in the correct position.

[0094] The above mark (240) can be displayed on the first and second marking surfaces (211, 221), respectively, at the contact area (230) where the docking protrusion (213) and the docking groove (223) come into contact.

[0095] The above mark (240) can be displayed on the contact area (230) so that the first and second marking surfaces (211, 221) have a predetermined shape at a fixed position on the same plane.

[0096] The above at least two marks (240) may have the same shape and may be positioned at different locations so as not to overlap. In addition, the above at least two marks (240) may have different shapes and may be displayed so as not to overlap each other.

[0097] Two marks among the plurality of marks may be displayed at contact areas (230) that are not located on the virtual center line (L).

[0098] For example, two marks among the plurality of marks may be arranged symmetrically with respect to an imaginary center line (L) connecting the centers of the docking protrusion (210) and the docking groove (220).

[0099] Referring to Fig. 9(a), the mark (240) may include a first mark (241) partially displayed on each of the first and second marking surfaces (211, 221) along an imaginary center line (L). The first mark (241) has a predetermined shape of a straight line.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 9(b) and FIG. 10(a), the mark (240) may include a second mark (242) having a diagonal line that is not parallel or orthogonal to the virtual center line (L).

[0101] Referring to FIG. 10(b), the second mark (242) may be provided with two diagonal lines at two contact points, and the two second marks (242) may be displayed symmetrically along the virtual center line (L) and not overlapping with the first mark (241).

[0102] Referring to FIG. 9(c) and FIG. 10(c), the at least one mark (240) may include a third mark (243) in which a plurality of lines are displayed intersecting at one point of the contact portion (230).

[0103] Referring to Fig. 10(d), the third mark (243) may have an X-shaped shape in which two lines intersect, and may be arranged so as not to overlap with the first mark (241). In addition, it may be displayed on each of a plurality of contact portions (230).

[0104] Referring to FIG. 9(d), the mark (240) may include a fourth mark (244) displayed on the first and second marking surfaces (211, 221) so as to pass through multiple points of the contact portion (230).

[0105] One of the plurality of marks (240) may be the first mark (241) to the fourth mark (244).

[0106] The above mark (240) may be formed by a combination of the first mark (241) to the fourth mark (244). In addition, the mark (240) is not limited to that illustrated in this document, and various forms that can be easily recognized by a worker with the naked eye may be applied.

[0107] FIG. 11 is a drawing for explaining the structure of a mount mounted on the bottom of a facility according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 12 and 13 are drawings for explaining a process for inline connecting two adjacent facilities.

[0108] Each of the above-described equipment (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) may be equipped with a plurality of mounts (300) on the equipment floor (119). The plurality of mounts (300) may be equipped on the equipment floor (119) along the circumferential direction of the equipment floor (119) so as to distribute the load of the equipment to the ground (G).

[0109] Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the mount (300) is mounted on the floor of the equipment (119) and is provided to adjust the height of the floor of the equipment (119) along the height direction (z) with respect to the ground (G).

[0110] The above mount (300) includes a foot base (310) that is provided to be able to be fixed on the ground (G), a fixing bolt (320) mounted on the foot base (310) and the equipment floor (119), and a knob (330) mounted on the fixing bolt (320) to adjust the height of the equipment floor (119) with respect to the foot base (310).

[0111] The above-described fixing bolt (320) is mounted to the foot base (310) and the equipment floor (119) in a direction parallel to the height direction (z) perpendicular to the ground (G). The above-described fixing bolt (320) can be mounted to the equipment floor (119) by a nut (340). The nut (340) is bolted to the fixing bolt (320) so as to come into contact with the equipment floor (119) from the inside of the equipment.

[0112] The above knob (330) is mounted on the above fixing bolt (320) to rotate the above fixing bolt (320) in a predetermined direction. The operator can adjust the height of the equipment floor (119) with respect to the foot base (310) through the above knob (330).

[0113] In addition, a ball caster (350) that is arranged to be capable of rotating with respect to the ground (G) may be mounted on the foot base (310) of the mount (300). The ball caster (350) is for rotating the equipment at a predetermined angle in a direction parallel to the ground (G).

[0114] In addition, a spacer (360) can be detachably mounted on the fixing bolt (320) of the mount (300). The spacer (360) is intended to limit movement of the bottom part (119) of the equipment. The spacer (360) can be mounted on the mount (300) after adjusting the parallelism and flatness between the adjacent first and second equipment (110, 120).

[0115] In addition, the spacer (360) can be mounted to match the gap between the foot base (310) of the mount (300) and the equipment bottom (119). Depending on the gap between the foot base (310) and the equipment bottom (119), a plurality of spacers (360) can be mounted on the fixing bolt (320) of the mount (300).

[0116] The first equipment (110) and the second equipment (120) having the above structure can be connected inline by adjusting the position of the second equipment (120) to a fixed position based on the first equipment (110).

[0117] Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13(a), the second equipment (120) is positioned so that the docking projection (213) of the first docking member (210) is inserted into the docking groove (223) of the second docking member (220).

[0118] Referring to Fig. 13(b), the worker can measure the step (△D) between the first and second docking members (210, 220) using a measuring device (not shown).

[0119] For example, referring to FIG. 13(c), the worker can adjust the height (h2) of the second equipment (120) to the height (h1) of the first equipment (110) by the step (△D) through the mount (300) mounted on the second equipment (120). Alternatively, the worker can adjust the height of the first equipment (110) by the step (△D) through the mount (300) mounted on the first equipment (110). The height adjustment targets of the first equipment (110) and the second equipment (120) may vary according to the installation manual.

[0120] Referring to Fig. 13(d), the worker can perform a leveling operation (flatness adjustment) to adjust the height of the mount (300) mounted on the second equipment (120).

[0121] The above leveling operation is an operation to adjust the flatness between the first equipment (110) and the second equipment (120). The flatness of the first and second equipment (110, 120) can be adjusted when the first and second marking surfaces (211, 221) are positioned on the same plane.

[0122] Referring to Fig. 13(e), the worker can adjust the parallelism of the second equipment (120) so that the mark (240) displayed on the first and second marking surfaces (211, 221) has a predetermined shape.

[0123] The worker can adjust the position of the second equipment (120) by pushing the second equipment (120) at a predetermined angle along a direction parallel to the ground (G) so that the mark (240) has a predetermined shape at the contact portion (230) of the first and second docking members (210, 220). The second equipment (120) can be positioned at a predetermined angle with respect to the ground (G) by a ball caster (350) mounted on each mount (300).

[0124] When the second equipment (120) is inline connected to the first equipment (110) at the correct position through the above process, a spacer (360) is mounted on each mount (300) mounted on the second equipment (120).

[0125] The inline manufacturing facility (100) of a secondary battery according to the present embodiment can determine the height difference between the facilities by measuring the step (△D) between the first and second marking surfaces (211, 221) of a pair of docking members (210, 220) using a measuring device (not shown) without the worker having to manually measure the heights (h1, h2) of the facilities and the gaps between the facilities, and can determine the degree of misalignment of the facilities by visually checking whether the mark (240) is of a predetermined shape.

[0126] Additionally, the height difference between a pair of docking members (210, 220) can be measured in mm, allowing for precise adjustment of the flatness between two adjacent installations.

[0127] The worker can easily determine the height difference and degree of misalignment between two adjacent equipment (110 and 120) through the marks (240) displayed on a pair of docking members (210, 220) without directly measuring the height and spacing of the two adjacent equipment (110 and 120).

[0128] Additionally, the worker can check the height difference between two adjacent equipment (110 and 120) through the height difference between the first marking surface (211) and the second marking surface (221) of the pair of docking members (210, 220).

[0129] In addition, the worker can check the degree of misalignment of two adjacent equipment (110 and 120) through the marks (240) displayed on the first marking surface (211) and the second marking surface (221). For example, the worker can adjust the parallelism between two adjacent equipment by combining a pair of docking members (210, 220) so that the marks (240) have a predetermined shape. Accordingly, measurement errors caused by the worker when assembling two adjacent equipment (110, 120) can be minimized.

[0130] The inline manufacturing facility (100) of a secondary battery according to the present embodiment can precisely and accurately adjust the flatness and parallelism between a plurality of facilities (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) in the above manner, thereby minimizing assembly errors between the plurality of facilities (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160), thereby improving process efficiency and product productivity.

[0131] Below, multiple facilities (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) will be described.

[0132] The above-described plurality of equipment (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) may be arranged in a row as illustrated in FIG. 5 depending on the arrangement structure (arrangement direction, arrangement order, etc.) between the equipment. Alternatively, the above-described plurality of equipment (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) may be arranged as illustrated in FIG. 6 depending on the arrangement structure between the equipment.

[0133] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the plurality of installations (110, 120, 130) may include first to third installations (110, 120, 130) arranged in a row. The first installation (110) and the second installation (120) may be connected inline by a first docking member (210) mounted at the rear end of the first installation (110) and a second docking member (220) arranged at the front end of the second installation (120).

[0134] Additionally, the second equipment (120) and the third equipment (130) can be connected inline by a first docking member mounted at the rear end of the second equipment (120) and a second docking member positioned at the front end of the third equipment (130).

[0135] Referring to FIG. 6, the plurality of installations (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) may include first to third installations (130) arranged in a row, a fourth installation (140) arranged on the side of the first installation (110), a fifth installation (150) arranged on the side of the second installation (120), and a sixth installation (160) arranged on the side of the third installation (130). The plurality of docking units (200) may be mounted at multiple points of the first installation (110) to the sixth installation (160) so that the first installation (110) to the sixth installation (160) are connected in-line at fixed positions.

[0136] The above docking unit (200) can be mounted at a point where two adjacent facilities are connected according to the connection structure between the plurality of facilities (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160).

[0137] In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the installation locations of the first docking member (210) and the second docking member (220) are described as being mounted at the front or rear end of the equipment. However, this is only for convenience of explanation, and the installation locations of the first and second docking members (210, 220) may vary depending on the connection structure between the equipment.

[0138] Referring to FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, a plurality of equipment (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) may include a mixing equipment (S11), a coating equipment (S12), a drying equipment (S13), a rolling equipment (S14), a slitting equipment (S15) and a notching equipment (S15) that perform each sub-process in relation to the electrode process (S11).

[0139] For example, a mixing facility (S11), a coating facility (S12), a drying facility (S13), a rolling facility (S14), a slitting facility (S15), and a notching facility (S15) can be connected inline by respective docking units mounted at different points along the arrangement direction of the facilities.

[0140] In addition, the above-described plurality of facilities (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) may include a laminating facility (S21), a stacking facility (S22), and a packaging facility (S23) that perform each new part process in relation to the assembly process (S2).

[0141] In addition, the above-described plurality of facilities (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) may include an activation facility (S31), an aging facility (S32), and a degassing facility (S33) for performing each detailed process in relation to the Mars process (S3).

[0142] For example, referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the lamination equipment (S21, 110) is equipment for manufacturing a unit cell such as a mono-cell (4) or a half-cell (5) in which a cathode (8) / anode (9) and a separator (7) are laminated. The mono-cell (4) may be one in which a separator (7), a cathode (8), a separator (7), and an anode (9) are laminated in sequence, and the half-cell may be one in which a separator (7), a cathode (8), and a separator (7) are laminated in sequence.

[0143] The above stacking equipment (S22, 120) may be equipment for manufacturing an electrode assembly (3) by stacking a plurality of unit cells.

[0144] In addition, the packaging equipment (S23, 130) may be equipment for manufacturing the secondary battery (1) by storing the electrode assembly (3) in the battery case (2), injecting an electrolyte (not shown), and sealing the battery case (2) by heat sealing.

[0145] In this way, in the assembly process (S2), the lamination equipment (110), the stacking equipment (120), and the packaging equipment (130) can be connected inline by their respective docking units along the arrangement direction of the equipment.

[0146] Since the above lamination equipment, the stacking equipment, and the packaging equipment are connected inline, the unit cells manufactured in the lamination equipment can be transported and stacked to the correct position in the stacking equipment, thereby preventing alignment failure of the electrode assembly.

[0147] In addition, the electrode assembly manufactured in the stacking equipment can be transported to the correct position in the packaging equipment, thereby preventing assembly defects in the secondary battery.

[0148] The preferred embodiments of the present invention described above are disclosed for illustrative purposes. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, variations, and additions can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications, variations, and additions should be considered to fall within the scope of the following claims.

[0149] According to an inline manufacturing facility for a secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present invention, two adjacent facilities can be connected inline to have predetermined flatness and parallelism.

Claims

1. Multiple facilities provided for manufacturing secondary batteries; and A docking unit comprising a pair of docking members each mounted on two adjacent facilities and having at least one mark marked on a contact portion, The above pair of docking members is an inline manufacturing facility for a secondary battery, wherein the marks are arranged to have a predetermined shape when two adjacent facilities are assembled in a fixed position with a predetermined flatness and parallelism.

2. In paragraph 1, Each of the above equipment includes an entry roll and an exit roll, An inline manufacturing facility for a secondary battery, wherein the two adjacent facilities are connected such that, when assembled in a fixed position, the discharge roll of the first facility performing a preceding process and the entry roll of the second facility performing a subsequent process adjacent thereto have the above-mentioned flatness and the above-mentioned parallelism.

3. In paragraph 2, The above pair of docking members A first docking member having a first marking surface on which a docking projection and a portion of the mark are displayed, and mounted on the first equipment; and An inline manufacturing facility for a secondary battery, comprising a second docking member mounted on the second facility, the second docking member having a docking groove into which the docking protrusion is inserted and a second marking surface on which the remaining part of the mark is displayed.

4. In paragraph 3, An inline manufacturing facility for a secondary battery, wherein the docking protrusion and the docking groove are arranged to be in contact at multiple points when the docking protrusion is inserted into the docking groove.

5. In paragraph 4, An inline manufacturing facility for a secondary battery, wherein at least one mark is marked on the first and second marking surfaces to have a predetermined shape at a contact portion where the docking protrusion and the docking groove come into contact.

6. In paragraph 5, A pair of docking members are provided with multiple marks, An inline manufacturing facility for secondary batteries in which two marks among a plurality of marks have the same or different shapes and are displayed without overlapping each other.

7. In paragraph 6, An inline manufacturing facility for secondary batteries, in which two marks among multiple marks are arranged symmetrically based on an imaginary center line connecting the centers of the docking protrusion and the docking groove.

8. In paragraph 7, At least two contact areas are arranged symmetrically based on an imaginary center line connecting the centers of the docking protrusion and the docking groove, The above two marks are an inline manufacturing facility for secondary batteries, which are arranged to have a predetermined shape at a contact area symmetrical with respect to an imaginary center line.

9. In paragraph 6, An inline manufacturing facility for a secondary battery, wherein one of the plurality of marks is a first mark displayed on the first and second marking surfaces along the above-described virtual center line.

10. In paragraph 6, An inline manufacturing facility for a secondary battery, wherein one of the plurality of marks is a second mark having a line shape that is not parallel to or perpendicular to the virtual center line.

11. In paragraph 6, Inline manufacturing equipment for secondary batteries, one of the marks being a third mark in which multiple lines intersect at the contact area.

12. In paragraph 6, An inline manufacturing facility for secondary batteries, wherein one of the plurality of marks is a fourth mark arranged to pass through a plurality of contact points.

13. In paragraph 1, An inline manufacturing facility for secondary batteries, each facility having a plurality of mounts arranged to adjust the height at each installation point along the height direction relative to the ground.

14. In paragraph 1, The above-mentioned plurality of facilities are inline manufacturing facilities for secondary batteries, including two or more facilities among mixing facilities, coating facilities, drying facilities, rolling facilities, slitting facilities, and notching facilities for performing an electrode process for secondary batteries.

15. In paragraph 1, An inline manufacturing facility for a secondary battery, wherein the above-mentioned plurality of facilities includes two or more facilities among a lamination facility for manufacturing a unit cell including a separator and an electrode, a stack facility for manufacturing an electrode assembly by stacking the unit cells, and a packaging facility for manufacturing a secondary battery containing the electrode assembly and an electrolyte.

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