Apparatus for manufacturing electrode assembly

Abstract

An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which a cathode plate and an anode plate are alternately stacked with a separator interposed therebetween, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a separator supply unit for supplying a separator; an electrode supply unit for supplying each of the cathode plate and the anode plate; and a plurality of stack units in which stacking is performed for the electrode assembly, wherein each of the plurality of stack units can move along a circulation path and, when stacking for the electrode assembly is completed in one of the plurality of stack units, the stacking can be performed in another one of the plurality of stack units.

Description

Electrode assembly manufacturing device

[0001] Cross-citation with related application(s)

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0043046, filed March 29, 2024, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0032066, filed March 12, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The present invention relates to an electrode assembly manufacturing device, and more particularly, to an electrode assembly manufacturing device that reduces the downtime of an electrode assembly stacking process, thereby increasing process efficiency and productivity.

[0004] In modern society, the widespread use of portable devices like cell phones, laptops, camcorders, and digital cameras, as well as energy storage systems (ESS), has led to active development of related technologies. Furthermore, rechargeable secondary batteries are increasingly being used as power sources for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (P-HEVs) to address air pollution issues caused by conventional gasoline-powered vehicles. This, in turn, heightens the need for further development of these batteries.

[0005] Currently commercialized secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Among these, lithium secondary batteries are receiving the most attention due to their advantages of free charging and discharging, low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0006] These lithium secondary batteries primarily use lithium oxide and carbon materials as the positive and negative electrode active materials, respectively. Lithium secondary batteries comprise an electrode assembly comprising positive and negative plates coated with the positive and negative electrode active materials, respectively, with a separator interposed between them, and an outer case, i.e., a battery case, that seals and encloses the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

[0007] In addition, secondary batteries are also classified according to the structure of the electrode assembly, which is a stacked structure of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. Representative examples include a jelly-roll type (winding type) electrode assembly in which long sheet-shaped positive electrodes and negative electrodes are rolled up with a separator interposed between them, and a stack type (laminated type) electrode assembly in which a plurality of positive electrodes and negative electrodes cut into units of a predetermined size are sequentially stacked with a separator interposed between them. Recently, in order to solve the problems of the jelly-roll type electrode assembly and the stack type electrode assembly, a stack / folding type electrode assembly, which is a hybrid form of the jelly-roll type and the stack type, has been developed.

[0008] Meanwhile, in manufacturing a stack-type or stack / folding type electrode assembly, in the stacking process, a plurality of cathodes and a plurality of anodes are stacked on a stack unit (stack table) in the order of separator - cathode - separator - anode or separator - anode - separator - cathode, with a separator in between, to manufacture an electrode assembly. Next, for the subsequent process, the stack unit moves to a discharge location and discharges the electrode assembly whose stacking is complete.

[0009] Previously, the stack unit, along with the completed electrode assembly, moved to the discharge location and then returned to its original position, resulting in process downtime equivalent to the time it took for the stack unit to return to its original position. Once the stack unit returned to its original position, the stacking process for manufacturing electrode assemblies began again. When manufacturing such electrode assemblies, a method is needed to reduce the downtime of the electrode assembly stacking process, thereby improving process efficiency and productivity.

[0010] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an electrode assembly manufacturing device that reduces the downtime of the electrode assembly stacking process, thereby increasing process efficiency and productivity.

[0011] However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the problems described above and can be expanded in various ways within the scope of the technical ideas included in the present invention.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a device for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which positive and negative plates are alternately stacked with a separator therebetween includes: a separator supply unit for supplying the separator; an electrode supply unit for supplying the positive and negative plates respectively; and a plurality of stack units for performing a stacking process of the electrode assembly, wherein each of the plurality of stack units is movable along a circulation path, and when the stacking process of the electrode assembly is completed in one of the plurality of stack units, the stacking process can be performed in another one of the plurality of stack units.

[0013] The above-mentioned circulation path includes a stack position at which a stacking process of the electrode assembly is performed, and when one of the plurality of stack units completes the stacking process at the stack position, it moves away from the stack position and returns to the stack position, while another one of the plurality of stack units enters the stack position and performs the stacking process.

[0014] The above circulation path includes a discharge position for discharging the electrode assembly, on which stacking has been completed, for a subsequent process, and when one of the plurality of stack units completes the stacking process, it moves from the stack position to the discharge position, and the other one of the plurality of stack units moves to the stack position to perform the stacking process.

[0015] The plurality of stack units are two, and when the other one of the plurality of stack units completes the stacking process, it moves from the stack position to the discharge position, and the one of the plurality of stack units can return to the stack position again.

[0016] The plurality of stack units are at least three, and when another one of the plurality of stack units completes the stacking process, it moves from the stack position to the discharge position, and another one of the plurality of stack units can move to the stack position.

[0017] The electrode assembly for which the stacking is completed may be discharged directly from the discharge location, or the half-cell may be covered over the electrode assembly for which the stacking is completed and then discharged.

[0018] The above circulation path may include a waiting position, and the waiting position may be a position where the stack unit waits in an empty state before entering the stack position.

[0019] The above circulation path may include a path that circulates in the order of the stack position - the discharge position - the waiting position - the stack position.

[0020] The above circulation path may include a horizontal movement unit and a vertical movement unit, each of which moves while maintaining the plurality of stack units in a horizontal state.

[0021] The above horizontal movement unit and the above vertical movement unit are each provided in multiple numbers and can be connected to each other to form the circulation path.

[0022] The above horizontal movement unit may be a rail or conveyor belt along which the stack unit moves horizontally.

[0023] The horizontal movement unit located at the stack position where the stacking process of the above electrode assembly is performed may be formed separately from the horizontal movement units in the remaining sections, but may be connected to each other.

[0024] The above vertical movement unit may be a lifter that moves the stack unit vertically.

[0025] The separator is provided in the form of a long sheet from the separator providing unit, and the device may further include a cutting unit for cutting the separator connected to the electrode assembly in which the stacking is completed.

[0026] The stack position where the stacking process of the electrode assembly is performed is located in front of the cutting unit, and when any one of the plurality of stack units completes the stacking process, it moves to the rear of the cutting unit so that the cutting unit can cut the separator.

[0027] When one of the plurality of stack units moves to the rear of the cutting unit and the other of the plurality of stack units reaches the stack position, the cutting unit can cut the separator.

[0028] Each of the above plurality of stack units can be sequentially moved along the circular path.

[0029] It may further include a driving means for moving the plurality of stack units.

[0030] The above electrode assembly can be stacked using a zigzag stacking process.

[0031] Each of the above plurality of stack units may include a plate shape.

[0032] According to the present invention, when the stacking of electrode assemblies is completed, when the stack unit moves to a discharge location, another stack unit is subsequently provided to perform the stacking process of the electrode assemblies, thereby reducing the downtime of the stacking process of the electrode assemblies, thereby increasing process efficiency and productivity, and lowering the manufacturing cost.

[0033] In addition, it is possible to prevent the electrode assembly from being dislodged from the stack unit or the alignment of the electrode assembly from being disturbed during movement of the stack unit.

[0034] Additionally, freedom of movement between multiple stack units can be secured.

[0035] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates a conceptual diagram of an electrode assembly manufacturing device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are reference drawings of FIG. 1, respectively, where FIG. 2 illustrates a circulation path of the stack unit of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 illustrates a circulation path in a modified embodiment of FIG. 2.

[0038] FIG. 4 illustrates a case where the stacking process of an electrode assembly starts on a first stack unit in the electrode assembly manufacturing device of FIG. 1.

[0039] FIG. 5 illustrates, following FIG. 4, a case where the stacking process of the electrode assembly in the first stack unit is completed.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a reference drawing of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, wherein (a) of FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the stack position of FIG. 4, and (b) of FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the stack position of FIG. 5.

[0041] FIG. 7, following FIG. 5, illustrates a case where the first stack unit is positioned at the rear of the cutting unit and the second stack unit is positioned at the stack position.

[0042] FIG. 8 illustrates, following FIG. 7, a case where a stacking process is performed in a second stack unit at a stack position, and the first stack unit moves along a circular path toward a discharge position.

[0043] FIG. 9 illustrates a case where, following FIG. 8, the stacking process continues in the second stack unit, and the first stack unit discharges the electrode assembly at the discharge position.

[0044] FIG. 10 illustrates a case where the stacking process of the electrode assembly on the second stack unit is completed, following FIG. 9.

[0045] FIG. 11, following FIG. 10, illustrates a case where the second stack unit is positioned at the rear of the cutting unit and the first stack unit is positioned at the stack position.

[0046] FIG. 12 illustrates a case where the embodiments described above in FIGS. 1 to 11 are implemented in one embodiment.

[0047] FIG. 13 illustrates a case where the embodiment described in FIGS. 1 to 11 is implemented in another embodiment.

[0048] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the invention. The present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0049] In order to clearly explain the present invention, parts that are not related to the description are omitted, and the same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components throughout the specification.

[0050] Furthermore, the sizes and thicknesses of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily indicated for convenience of explanation, and thus the present invention is not necessarily limited to the illustrated components. In the drawings, the thicknesses are enlarged to clearly represent various layers and regions. Furthermore, in the drawings, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated for convenience of explanation.

[0051] Furthermore, when we say that a layer, membrane, region, plate, or other part is "on" or "over" another part, this includes not only cases where it is "directly on" the other part, but also cases where there are other parts in between. Conversely, when we say that a part is "directly on" another part, it means that there are no other parts in between. Furthermore, saying that a part is "on" or "over" a reference part means that it is located above or below the reference part, and does not necessarily mean that it is located "above" or "over" the direction opposite to gravity.

[0052] Additionally, throughout the specification, whenever a part is said to "include" a component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but rather that it may include other components, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0053] Additionally, throughout the specification, when we say "in plan", we mean when the target portion is viewed from above, and when we say "in cross section", we mean when the target portion is viewed from the side in a cross-section cut vertically.

[0054] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0055] Fig. 1 illustrates a conceptual diagram of an electrode assembly manufacturing device (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are reference drawings of Fig. 1, respectively, where Fig. 2 illustrates a circulation path (A) of a stack unit (100) of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 illustrates a circulation path (B) as a modified embodiment of Fig. 2.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 1, an electrode assembly manufacturing device (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of stack units (100) in which a plurality of positive electrode plates (11) and negative electrode plates (12) are alternately stacked with a separator (20) interposed therebetween to manufacture an electrode assembly (30). The stack units (100) will be described in detail below.

[0057] First, the electrode assembly manufacturing device (1) includes an electrode providing unit (110) that provides electrode plates (10), i.e., a positive electrode plate (11) and a negative electrode plate (12), and a separator providing unit (120) that provides a separator (20).

[0058] The electrode providing unit (110) includes a positive electrode providing unit (111) that provides a positive electrode plate (11) and a negative electrode providing unit (112) that provides a negative electrode plate (12). The electrode providing unit (110) may be, for example, a magazine in which a plurality of cut electrode plates (10) are stacked, as briefly illustrated in FIG. 1. In the example of FIG. 1, the electrode plates (10) are adsorbed by an adsorption unit (not illustrated) or the like and moved along electrode plate movement paths (P1, P2) to be provided to the stack unit (100). However, the present invention is not limited to what is illustrated, and the electrode providing unit (110) may be, for example, a transport conveyor in which a plurality of electrode plates (10) are placed in a row on a conveyor belt and transported, or the electrode may be formed as a long sheet, wound in a roll type, provided, cut, and then provided to the stack unit (100). The electrode providing unit may be implemented in various ways.

[0059] The separator (20) may be provided by being wound in a roll type, for example, and may be formed as a long sheet, and the separator providing unit (120) may be, for example, a separator unwinder in which the separator (20) is wound. In this case, the electrode assembly manufacturing device (1) may additionally include a separator guide unit (130) that guides the movement of the separator (20) and a cutting unit (140) that cuts the separator (20).

[0060] The separation membrane (20) extracted from the separation membrane providing unit (120) passes through the separation membrane guide unit (130) and is provided to the stack unit (100). The separation membrane guide unit (130) may be, for example, a pair of nip rollers, and a sheet-shaped separation membrane (20) may pass between the pair of nip rollers.

[0061] The cutting unit (140) cuts the separator (20) when the stacking of the electrode assembly (30) is completed in the stack unit (100). The cutting unit (140) cuts the separator (20) at the stack position (P) described below as shown in FIG. 1. S ) or is provided therein. Similarly, the position and structure of the membrane guide unit (130) and the cutting unit (140) are not necessarily limited to those shown, and various modifications and changes are possible to suit the process environment in which the present invention is implemented.

[0062] The stack unit (100) includes a table on which an electrode assembly (30) can be placed. The stack unit (100) may include, for example, a plate shape.

[0063] An electrode assembly (30) is manufactured by alternately stacking a plurality of positive electrode plates (11) and negative electrode plates (12) with a separator (20) in between on a stack unit (100). The electrode assembly (30) may be stacked in a plurality of pieces in the order of, for example, separator (20) - positive electrode plate (11) - separator (20) - negative electrode plate (12), or may be stacked in a plurality of pieces in the order of separator (20) - negative electrode plate (12) - separator (20) - positive electrode plate (11). The electrode assembly (30) stacked on the stack unit (100) is moved to a subsequent process, and a half-cell (not shown) is provided thereon, thereby finally completing the assembly.

[0064] Meanwhile, in the embodiment of the present invention, a case in which the electrode assembly (30) is stacked using a zigzag stacking process is illustrated as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention can be applied to various electrode assembly stacking processes. The zigzag stacking method is an electrode assembly stacking method in which the positive electrode plate (11) and the negative electrode plate (12) are alternately inserted while the separator (30) unwound from the wound roll moves from one side to the other side and from the other side to one side.

[0065] A plurality of stack units (100) include a first stack unit (101) and a second stack unit (102) that move along a circular path (A). The first stack unit (101) and the second stack unit (102) move along the circular path (A) sequentially or alternately.

[0066] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are reference drawings of FIG. 1, respectively, where FIG. 2 illustrates a circulation path (A) of the stack unit (100) of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 illustrates a circulation path (B) as a modified embodiment of FIG. 2. The circulation path (A) and the circulation path (B) may be formed in opposite directions, but the present invention illustrates the circulation path (A) and the circulation path (B) as examples, and may be implemented by various modifications and changes to suit the process environment.

[0067] The point where the stacking process of the electrode assembly (30) is performed in the stack unit (100) (hereinafter referred to as “stack position”) is conveniently referred to as “P s ” is indicated by a dotted line. The first stack unit (101) following the circular path (A) is located at the stack position (P S ), the stacking process of the electrode assembly (30) is performed in the first stack unit (101), and the second stack unit (102) is located at the stack position (P S ), the stacking process of the electrode assembly (30) is performed in the second stack unit (102). That is, the first stack unit (101) and the second stack unit (102) are sequentially stacked at the stack position (P s ) can be entered and the stacking process can be performed. At this time, the waiting position (P) on the circulation path (A) w ) may additionally be included, and the stack position (P s ) is followed by a stack unit (100) that is to enter the waiting position (P w ) may be waiting in the same manner. This is described in detail in FIGS. 4 to 11.

[0068] The stack unit (100) may include, for example, two stack units, a first stack unit (101) and a second stack unit (102), but may also include multiple stack units in some cases. That is, if the stack unit in which stacking is performed is referred to as the first stack unit (101), the number of stack units in standby may be multiple. In the embodiment of the present invention, as an example, a case in which each of the first stack unit (101) and the second stack unit (102) is provided is illustrated.

[0069] For reference, in FIGS. 1 to 3, for the convenience of understanding the movement paths of the first stack unit (101) and the second stack unit (102), the first stack unit (101) and the second stack unit (102) are illustrated in solid lines and dotted lines, but it should be noted that the number of the first stack unit (101) and the second stack unit is not limited. In other words, the first stack unit (101) and the second stack unit are illustrated in solid lines as an example, and as the process progresses, each of the first stack unit (101) and the second stack unit circulates along a circular path including a point illustrated in a dotted line.

[0070] Meanwhile, when the stacking process is completed as described above in the stack unit (100), the stack unit (100) moves to a subsequent process together with the electrode assembly (30) stacked thereon. Taking the first stack unit (101) as an example, when the stacking of the electrode assembly (30) is completed in the first stack unit (101), it moves along the circulation path (A) and discharges to a discharge location (P) located somewhere in the circulation path (A). e ) to discharge the electrode assembly (30).

[0071] According to the prior art, after the completion of the stacking process, a loss occurred due to the non-operation time of the process while the first stack unit (101) moved along the circulation path (A), but according to the present invention, the second stack unit (102) then moves along the stack position (P S ) to perform the stacking process, thereby reducing the downtime of the process and increasing process efficiency.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 11, the movement of the first stack unit (101) and the second stack unit (102) of FIG. 1 will be described in more detail. Note that movement along the circular path (A) is described as an example, but the same content applies even when following the circular path (B) with only a different direction of circulation.

[0073] FIG. 4 illustrates a case where the stacking process of the electrode assembly (30) starts in the first stack unit (101) of the electrode assembly manufacturing device (1) of FIG. 1. FIG. 5, subsequent to FIG. 4, illustrates a case where the stacking process of the electrode assembly (30) is completed in the first stack unit (101).

[0074] Figure 6 is a reference drawing of Figures 4 and 5, and (a) of Figure 6 shows the stack position (P) of Figure 4. S ) is enlarged and shown, and (b) of Fig. 6 shows the stack position (P) of Fig. 5 S ) is enlarged and illustrated. In (a) of Fig. 6, the solid line of the stack unit (100) illustrates the position of the stack unit (100) at the time when the stacking process starts, and the dotted line of the stack unit (100) illustrates the position of the stack unit (100) at the time when the stacking process is completed. In Fig. 6, for convenience of understanding, the stack position (P S ) In addition, a membrane guide unit (130) is also illustrated.

[0075] First, as shown in Fig. 4, the first stack unit (101) is positioned at the stack position (P S ) is located, and the stacking process of the electrode assembly (30) performed in the first stack unit (101) begins. The stacking process of the electrode assembly (30) performed in the first stack unit (101) follows the stacking process of a typical electrode assembly, so a more detailed description is omitted.

[0076] As the stacking process of the electrode assembly (30) progresses in the first stack unit (101), the position of the first stack unit (101) is adjusted downward. This is the stack position (P) of FIG. 4 S) is shown in the figure. For reference, at this time, the degree to which the position of the first stack unit (101) changes downward by the thickness (T, see FIG. 6) of the electrode assembly (30) is considerably less than the overall scale of the circulation path (A), which is the movement path of the first stack unit (101). Therefore, the stack position (P) of FIG. 4 S ) The arrows shown in the figure indicate that the position of the first stack unit (101) is different from the movement along the circular path (A) of the first stack unit (101), but rather, the position of the first stack unit (101) is different from the stack position (P). S ) is preferably understood as being compensated for by the thickness (T) of the electrode assembly (30). This means that the second stack unit (102) described below in FIG. 8 is located at the stack position (P S ) and the stacking process is performed in the same manner.

[0077] Meanwhile, when the stacking process is in progress in the first stack unit (101), the second stack unit (102) is located at the stack position (P) in the circulation path (A). S ) is located at a point other than the second stack unit (102). At this time, the second stack unit (102) is in a state of transporting the electrode assembly (30) previously stacked in the second stack unit (102), or is in a state of discharging the electrode assembly (30), or is in a standby position (P w ) is predetermined, the second stack unit (102) is in the waiting position (P) while it is empty. w , may be in a waiting state (see Fig. 5).

[0078] As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the stacking process of the electrode assembly (30) in the first stack unit (101) is completed, the first stack unit (101) moves to the rear of the cutting unit (140) along the circulation path (A). For convenience, in the specification of the present invention, the stack position (P) is referred to as the cutting unit (140). S) is described in front of the cutting unit (140). At this time, the second stack unit (102) moves along the circulation path (A) to the stack position (P S ) moves towards the waiting position (P w ) is predetermined, the second stack unit (102) is in the waiting position (P w ) may be waiting in an empty state, or in a waiting position (P w ) is not determined, the second stack unit (102) is located at the stack position (P) in the circulation path (A). S ) may be moving from any point other than the one mentioned above.

[0079] For reference, the waiting position (P w ) is an empty stack unit (100; 101, 102) at stack position (P S ) means the waiting position before moving to the waiting position (P w ) is only illustrated as an example in the drawings of the present invention and is not limited to what is illustrated. The waiting position (P w ) is the stack unit (100) is the stack position (P S ) to allow quick movement to the stack position (P S ) may be located in the vicinity, but is not limited thereto, and may be a location appropriately selected to suit the process environment in which the present invention is actually implemented.

[0080] In detail, as described later in Fig. 7, the first stack unit (101) is positioned at the rear of the cutting unit (140) to cut the separator (20) with the cutting unit (140), and at the same time, the second stack unit (102) is positioned at the stack position (P S ) may be reached, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and after cutting the separation membrane (20) with the cutting unit (140), the first stack unit (101) moves along the circulation path (A) and subsequently the second stack unit (102) reaches the stack position (P S ) and can then proceed with the stacking process.

[0081] FIG. 7 is a follow-up to FIG. 5, in which the first stack unit (101) is positioned at the rear of the cutting unit (140), and the second stack unit (102) is positioned at the stack position (P S ) is shown. For reference, as described above, the stack position (P) is based on the cutting unit (140) S ) is located in front of the cutting unit (140). The separator (20) is cut by the cutting unit (140), and the electrode assembly (30) stacked on the first stack unit (101) is separated from the separator (20) provided in sheet form from the separator providing unit (120) and discharged along the circulation path (A) to the discharge location (P). e ) can be moved to. In addition, after cutting the separator (20) provided in the form of a sheet from the separator providing unit (120), the starting end can be placed on the second stack unit (102) so that the stacking process can be performed in the second stack unit (102).

[0082] For reference, although not shown in Fig. 7, the second stack unit (102) is positioned at the stack position (P) while the first stack unit (101) is positioned at the rear of the cutting unit (140). S ) may be cut by the cutting unit (140). At this time, for example, after cutting the separator (20) provided in the form of a sheet from the separator providing unit (120), the starting end is held by a fixing unit (not shown) that fixes the starting end, and the second stack unit (102) moves to the stack position (P S ) can be implemented by modifying the method such as providing the starting end above the second stack unit (102) after cutting the separation membrane (20).

[0083] Meanwhile, at the point of cutting the separator (20) connected to the electrode assembly (30) whose stacking is completed in the first stack unit (101), the second stack unit (102) is positioned at the stack position (P S) or the second stack unit (102) has reached the stack position (P S ), the time during which the stacking process is not in operation can be significantly reduced according to the present invention. That is, the electrode assembly (30) whose stacking is completed in the first stack unit (101) is moved to the discharge position (P e ) and move it to the stack position (P) where the first stack unit (101) is again S ) while returning to the second stack unit (102), the stacking process is performed, so that the downtime of the stacking process can be eliminated or reduced.

[0084] Figure 8 is a follow-up to Figure 7, showing the stack position (P S ) the stacking process is performed in the second stack unit (102), and the first stack unit (101) is located at the discharge position (P e ) is shown moving along a circular path (A).

[0085] Each of the first stack unit (101) and the second stack unit (102) can individually move along the circulation path (A) by a driving means (not shown). In the embodiment of Fig. 8, the first stack unit (101) and the second stack unit (102) are shown moving horizontally and then changing direction to move vertically. In this case, as an example, the horizontal direction may be provided with, for example, a linear guide rail, the vertical direction may be provided with, for example, a lifter, and the driving means may be provided with, for example, a linear driving motor. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and the circulation path (A) and the circulation path (B) may each be formed of only a guide rail, or may be implemented by combining various other moving units and driving means. In addition, with respect to the direction of the movement path of the circulation path (A) and the circulation path (B), the present invention is not necessarily limited to that shown in Fig. 8, and the stack position (P) S ) at the discharge location (P e ) and the circulation path (A) and the circulation path (B) including the section between them can be implemented by modifying and changing them in various ways to suit the process environment in which the present invention is actually implemented.

[0086] FIG. 9 is a follow-up to FIG. 8, in which the stacking process is continuously performed in the second stack unit (102), and the first stack unit (101) is at the discharge position (P e ) and discharges the electrode assembly (30) located in the first stack unit (101).

[0087] For reference, the discharge location (P e ) means the position where the stack unit (100; 101, 102) discharges (transfers) the electrode assembly (30) to the subsequent process, and the discharge position (P e ) is only illustrated as an example in the drawings of the present invention and is not limited to what is illustrated. Discharge location (Pe ) is the stack position (P S ) so as not to interfere with the stacking process at the stack position (P S ) may be located as far away as possible, but is not limited thereto, and may be a location appropriately selected to suit the process environment in which the present invention is actually implemented.

[0088] Also, the discharge location (P e ) may be discharged to the subsequent process as an electrode assembly (30) transported on top of the stack unit (100), or in some cases, a half-cell may be placed on top of the electrode assembly (30) transported on top of the stack unit (100) and discharged to the subsequent process in the state of a final completed electrode assembly. Discharge location (P e ) can be moved to a subsequent process using a transport unit (not shown), for example, a transfer machine or a conveyor belt. In some cases, the discharge location (P e ) may be temporarily stored in any location before being input to a subsequent process.

[0089] FIG. 10 illustrates, following FIG. 9, a case where the stacking process of the electrode assembly (30) in the second stack unit (102) is completed.

[0090] As shown in Fig. 10, when the stacking process of the electrode assembly (30) is completed in the second stack unit (102), the second stack unit (102) moves to the rear of the cutting unit (140) along the circulation path (A). At this time, the first stack unit (101) moves to the stack position (P) along the circulation path (A). S ) moves towards the waiting position (P w ) is predetermined, the first stack unit (101) is in the waiting position (P w ) may be waiting in an empty state, or in a waiting position (P w ) is not determined, the first stack unit (101) is located at the stack position (P) in the circulation path (A).S ) may be moving at a point other than the point of FIG. 10. In the case of FIG. 5, the operation of the first stack unit (101) and the operation of the second stack unit (102) are reversed, so for specific details, refer to the description above in FIG. 5.

[0091] FIG. 11 is a follow-up to FIG. 10, in which the second stack unit (102) is positioned at the rear of the cutting unit (140), and the first stack unit (101) is positioned at the stack position (P S ) is shown. In the case of Fig. 11, the operation of the first stack unit (101) and the operation of the second stack unit (102) are reversed from the case of Fig. 7, but the specific details are the same as described above in Fig. 7, so refer to the corresponding contents. In addition, similarly, the movement along the circulation path (A) of the second stack unit (102) and the discharge position (P) located in the circulation path (A) e ) In the case of FIGS. 8 and 9, the operation of the first stack unit (101) and the operation of the second stack unit (102) are reversed, but the specific details are the same as those described above in FIGS. 8 and 9, so refer to the corresponding contents.

[0092] Meanwhile, in the embodiments of the present invention including FIGS. 4 to 11, the shapes of the circulation path (A) and the circulation path (B) are simply illustrated as an example, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be appropriately modified and changed to suit the actual environment in which it is implemented.

[0093] In addition, the electrode assembly manufacturing device (1) according to the present invention additionally includes at least one sensing unit (not shown), so that the sensing unit can detect the position of the stack unit (100), and the sensing unit can detect the position and alignment degree of the electrode plate (10) and the separator (20) in the stacking process.

[0094] Fig. 12 illustrates a case where the embodiment described in Figs. 1 to 11 is implemented in one embodiment. Fig. 13 illustrates a case where the embodiment described in Figs. 1 to 11 is implemented in another embodiment.

[0095] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the electrode assembly manufacturing device (1) includes a moving unit that moves a stack unit (100) along a circulation path (A). The moving unit includes a horizontal moving unit (210) and a vertical moving unit (220). The stack unit (100) moves horizontally along the horizontal moving unit (210) and vertically by the vertical moving unit (220).

[0096] Accordingly, the electrode assembly (30) placed on the stack unit (100) can move while maintaining alignment. In other words, since the stack unit (100) and the electrode assembly (30) thereon can move while maintaining a horizontal state, the electrode assembly (30) can be prevented from falling out of the stack unit (100) or the alignment of the electrode assembly (30) being disturbed.

[0097] In addition, although FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a case in which two stack units (100) are included, that is, a first stack unit (101) and a second stack unit (102), the present invention is not limited thereto, and even when three or more stack units (100) are included, the degree of freedom of movement of the stack units (100) can be secured. That is, it is sufficient for a plurality of stack units (100) to move along the circulation path (A) by the horizontal movement unit (210) and the vertical movement unit (220), and it goes without saying that the interval between each of the plurality of stack units (100) can also be freely adjusted.

[0098] A circulation path (A) can be implemented by connecting and combining a plurality of horizontal movement units (210) and a plurality of vertical movement units (220). In FIGS. 12 and 13, a case is illustrated in which the horizontal movement unit (210) - vertical movement unit (220) - horizontal movement unit (210) - vertical movement unit (220) are implemented as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient if the stack unit (100) and the electrode assembly (30) thereon are implemented so that they can move while maintaining a horizontal state, and of course, the present invention can be implemented by modifying and changing it to suit the environment of the process in which it is implemented.

[0099] In addition, FIGS. 12 and 13 exemplarily illustrate a moving unit that moves a stack unit (100) along the circular path (A) of FIG. 2, but it is of course possible to modify this to implement a moving unit that moves a stack unit (100) along the circular path (B) of FIG. 3.

[0100] First, referring to Fig. 12, the horizontal movement unit (210) may be, for example, a rail (211, 212). The stack position (P S ) is marked as “211” and the stack position (P S ) is marked as “212” for the remaining sections. Stack location (P S ) may include a fixing member (not shown) for fixing the stack unit (100), and the fixing member may fix the stack unit (100) while stacking of the electrode assembly (30) is performed on the stack unit (100).

[0101] For example, the rail (211) and the rail (212) may be formed integrally. Or, for example, the rail (211) and the rail (212) may be formed separately but connected to each other, so that the stack unit (100) may move by being connected between the rail (211) and the rail (212). In the latter case, as described above in FIG. 6, the stack position (P) may be adjusted so that the position of the stack unit (100) can be compensated for by the thickness (T) of the electrode assembly (30). S ) may also be compensated in the direction of the height (thickness (T)) of the electrode assembly (30).

[0102] Referring again to Figure 12, the stack position (P S ) When the stacking of the electrode assembly (30) is completed, the position of the rail (211) returns to its original position so that the stack unit (100) can move from the rail (211) along the rail (212).

[0103] The vertical movement unit (220) may be, for example, a lifter capable of being raised and lowered, and the lifter includes a support member (221) and a lifter frame (222), and the support member (221) can move vertically along the lifter frame (222) while the stack unit (100) is fixed by the support member (221).

[0104] The support member (221) may be modified and changed in various ways, such as fixing a portion of the stack unit (100), as shown in FIG. 12, or fixing the entire stack unit (100), as shown in FIG. 13. In addition, the support member (221) may be, for example, supporting (supporting) the stack unit (100) from below, or may be, for example, gripping both ends of the stack unit (100). It is sufficient that the support member (221) can move vertically along the lifter frame (222) while fixing the stack unit (100).

[0105] Meanwhile, in Fig. 12, the discharge position (P) is shown as an example. e) is located at one end of the vertical movement unit (220). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the discharge position (P e ) may be located in the path of the vertical movement unit (220), or may be located in the horizontal movement unit (210), etc., the discharge position (P e ) can be appropriately selected to suit the environment in which the present invention is implemented.

[0106] Meanwhile, the discharge location (P e ) may include an electrode assembly discharge unit (230) to discharge the electrode assembly (30). The electrode assembly discharge unit (230) may be, for example, a gripper, but may be appropriately selected to suit the environment in which the present invention is implemented.

[0107] The stack unit (100) moved by the vertical movement unit (220) is moved again by the horizontal movement unit (210) and the vertical movement unit (220) and then to the stack position (P) described above. S ) returns to the horizontal movement unit (210) including the rail (211). Stack position (P S ) before entering the waiting position (P) described in FIGS. 1 and 10 w ) can be waiting at the waiting position (P). In Fig. 12, for example, the stack unit (100) is in the waiting position (P w ) and wait at the stack location (P S ) so that you can move quickly to the waiting position (P w ) is the stack position (P S ) is located in the path of the horizontal movement unit (210). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the standby position (P w ) may be located in the path of the vertical movement unit (220) or may be located in another horizontal movement unit (210), etc., and may be appropriately selected to suit the environment in which the present invention is implemented.

[0108] Meanwhile, the stack unit (100) may include moving wheels so that the stack unit (100) can move along the rails (211, 212). However, the present invention is not limited to what is illustrated, and can be implemented by sufficiently and variously modifying and changing anything that can move the stack unit (100) along the rails (211, 212). It goes without saying that the size, position, and number of the moving wheels are also not limited to what is illustrated.

[0109] Referring to Fig. 13, the horizontal movement unit (210) may be, for example, a conveyor belt (213, 214). The stack unit (100) may be positioned on the conveyor belt (213, 214) so ​​that the stack unit (100) moves in the horizontal direction. The stack position (P S ) is marked as “213” and the stack position (P S ) is marked as “214”. The conveyor belt located in the remaining section, not the stack position (P S ) may be stopped when stacking of electrode assemblies (30) is performed on the stack unit (100) and may be started when the stack unit (100) is to move to the conveyor belt (214). In addition, when stacking of electrode assemblies (30) is performed on the stack unit (100), the stack position (P S ) In the conveyor belt (213), position compensation according to the thickness (T) of the electrode assembly (30) as described above may also be performed.

[0110] Meanwhile, the stack position (P S ) may be positioned with a conveyor belt (213), but it is sufficient if, instead of the conveyor belt (213), a stack unit (100) is positioned to perform stacking of electrode assemblies (30) and, after stacking is completed, the stack unit (100) is moved by a conveyor belt (214) to suit the environment in which the present invention is implemented.

[0111] Other vertical movement unit (220), discharge position (P e ), waiting position (P w ), etc., are overlapped with what was described above in Fig. 12, so refer to the description in Fig. 12.

[0112] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0113] [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1: Electrode assembly manufacturing device

[0115] 10: Electrode plate

[0116] 11: Bipolar plate

[0117] 12: Negative plate

[0118] 20: Membrane

[0119] 30: Electrode assembly

[0120] 100: Stack Unit

[0121] 101: 1st stack unit

[0122] 102: Second stack unit

[0123] 110: Electrode provision unit

[0124] 120: Membrane providing unit

[0125] 130: Membrane guide unit

[0126] 140: Cutting unit

[0127] 210: Horizontal movement unit

[0128] 211, 212: Rail

[0129] 213, 214: Conveyor belt

[0130] 220: Vertical movement unit

[0131] 221: Support

[0132] 222: Lifter Frame

[0133] 230: Electrode assembly discharge unit

[0134] A: Circular route

[0135] B: Circular path

[0136] P s : Stack position

[0137] P e : Discharge location

[0138] P w : Waiting position

Claims

1. In a device for manufacturing an electrode assembly in which positive and negative plates are alternately stacked with a separator between them, A membrane supply unit that supplies the above membrane; An electrode supply unit that supplies the positive and negative plates, respectively; and It comprises a plurality of stack units in which the stacking process of the electrode assembly is performed, Each of the above multiple stack units is movable along a circular path, An electrode assembly manufacturing device, wherein when the stacking process of the electrode assembly is completed in one of the plurality of stack units, the stacking process is performed in another one of the plurality of stack units.

2. In paragraph 1, The above circulation path includes a stack position where the stacking process of the electrode assembly is performed, An electrode assembly manufacturing device, wherein when one of the plurality of stack units completes the stacking process at the stack position, it moves away from the stack position and returns to the stack position, while another one of the plurality of stack units enters the stack position and performs the stacking process.

3. In paragraph 2, The above circulation path includes a discharge location for discharging the electrode assembly after stacking for subsequent processing, When any one of the plurality of stack units completes the stacking process, it moves from the stack position to the discharge position, An electrode assembly manufacturing device, wherein one of the plurality of stack units moves to the stack position to perform the stacking process.

4. In paragraph 3, The above multiple stack units are two, When said other one of said plurality of stack units completes said stacking process, it moves from said stack position to said discharge position, An electrode assembly manufacturing device, wherein any one of the plurality of stack units returns to the stack position.

5. In paragraph 3, The above plurality of stack units are at least three, When said other one of said plurality of stack units completes said stacking process, it moves from said stack position to said discharge position, An electrode assembly manufacturing device, wherein another one of the plurality of stack units moves to the stack position.

6. In paragraph 3, An electrode assembly manufacturing device in which the electrode assembly, in which the stacking is completed, is discharged directly from the discharge position, or a half-cell is covered over the electrode assembly, in which the stacking is completed, and then discharged.

7. In paragraph 3, The above circular path includes a waiting position, An electrode assembly manufacturing device, wherein the above-mentioned waiting position is a position where the stack unit waits in an empty state before entering the stack position.

8. In paragraph 7, An electrode assembly manufacturing device, wherein the above circulation path includes a path that circulates in the order of the stack position - the discharge position - the standby position - the stack position.

9. In paragraph 1, An electrode assembly manufacturing device, wherein the above circulation path includes a horizontal movement unit and a vertical movement unit, each of which moves while maintaining the horizontal state of each of the plurality of stack units.

10. In paragraph 9, An electrode assembly manufacturing device, wherein the horizontal movement unit and the vertical movement unit are each provided in multiple numbers and connected to each other to form the circulation path.

11. In paragraph 9, An electrode assembly manufacturing device, wherein the horizontal movement unit is a rail or conveyor belt along which the stack unit moves horizontally.

12. In paragraph 9, An electrode assembly manufacturing device, wherein a horizontal movement unit located at a stack position where a stacking process of the electrode assembly is performed is formed separately from the horizontal movement units in the remaining sections, but are connected to each other.

13. In paragraph 9, An electrode assembly manufacturing device, wherein the vertical movement unit is a lifter through which the stack unit moves vertically.

14. In paragraph 1, The separator is provided in the form of a long sheet from the above separator providing unit, An electrode assembly manufacturing device, wherein the device further includes a cutting unit for cutting a separator connected to the electrode assembly in which the stacking is completed.

15. In paragraph 14, The stack position where the stacking process of the electrode assembly is performed is located in front of the cutting unit, An electrode assembly manufacturing device, wherein when any one of the plurality of stack units completes the stacking process, the device moves to the rear of the cutting unit, so that the cutting unit cuts the separator.

16. In paragraph 15, An electrode assembly manufacturing device, wherein when one of the plurality of stack units moves to the rear of the cutting unit and the other of the plurality of stack units reaches the stack position, the cutting unit cuts the separator.

17. In paragraph 1, An electrode assembly manufacturing device, wherein each of the plurality of stack units is sequentially movable along the circulation path.

18. In paragraph 1, An electrode assembly manufacturing device further comprising a driving means for moving the plurality of stack units.

19. In paragraph 1, An electrode assembly manufacturing device, wherein the above electrode assembly is stacked using a zigzag stacking process.

20. In paragraph 1, An electrode assembly manufacturing device, wherein each of the plurality of stack units includes a plate shape.

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