Jig for extracting electrolyte

Abstract

The present invention relates to a jig for extracting an electrolyte, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a jig for extracting an electrolyte, which facilitates extraction of an electrolyte in an electrolyte extraction system through centrifugation by enabling mounting of a cylindrical secondary battery or a jelly-roll type electrode assembly. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a jig for extracting an electrolyte, which extracts an electrolyte from a sample to be analyzed provided as a cylindrical battery or a jelly-roll electrode assembly having a vertical direction as a longitudinal direction, the jig comprising: a body part having a cylindrical battery accommodation groove formed on the upper surface thereof and having the vertical direction as a central axis; and a support part for supporting, inside the battery accommodation groove, the lower end of the sample to be analyzed, wherein an electrolyte discharge flow path is formed on the upper surface of the support part, a first electrolyte discharge port penetrating the support part in the vertical direction is formed in the support part, a second electrolyte discharge port for discharging an electrolyte is formed in the battery accommodation groove of the body part, the inlet of the first electrolyte discharge port is connected to the electrolyte discharge flow path, and the outlet of the first electrolyte discharge port is connected to the second electrolyte discharge port.

Description

Jig for electrolyte extraction

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0098434, filed July 25, 2024, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0161264, filed November 13, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrolyte extraction jig, and relates to an electrolyte extraction jig that is mounted on a cylindrical type secondary battery or a jelly roll type electrode assembly in an electrolyte extraction system using centrifugation to facilitate the extraction of electrolyte.

[0003] In general, secondary batteries are batteries that can be reused repeatedly through the process of discharging and charging in the reverse direction, converting chemical energy into electrical energy. Types include nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries, nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries, lithium-metal batteries, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, and lithium-ion polymer batteries. Among these secondary batteries, lithium secondary batteries have been commercialized and are widely used due to their high energy density and voltage, long cycle life, and low self-discharge rate.

[0004] Secondary batteries can generally be manufactured by housing an electrode assembly, in which a cathode, a separator, and an anode are laminated and assembled, together with an electrolyte, in a case such as a cylindrical can or a square pouch.

[0005] Specifically, a unit cell is manufactured by cutting, laminating, etc. a cathode, a separator, and an anode in a pre-designed manner. The manufactured unit cells can be manufactured into an electrode assembly by laminating, folding, or rolling a set number of the manufactured unit cells.

[0006] In the case of a cylindrical battery, the unit cell can be manufactured by arranging the electrode assembly in the form of a jelly roll and housing the electrode assembly and electrolyte in a can.

[0007] Charging and discharging of a lithium secondary battery proceeds as the process of lithium ions being inserted (intercalated) and removed (deintercalated) from the lithium metal oxide of the positive electrode to the negative electrode is repeated.

[0008] In a secondary battery, lithium ions move between the negative electrode and the positive electrode through an electrolyte, and the battery is charged and discharged. During the charging or discharging, the electrolyte may decompose, or gas may be generated inside the secondary battery due to a side reaction between the electrode and the electrolyte. The continuously generated gas may cause an increase in the internal pressure of the battery, which may cause deformation of the battery, such as expansion of the thickness of the battery. In addition, the adhesion may be locally different on the electrode surface within the battery, which may cause the electrode reaction not to occur equally on the entire electrode surface.

[0009] Accordingly, qualitative and quantitative analyses are being conducted on the main components of the electrolyte used in secondary batteries, and the type and content of carbonate compounds, which are the main components of the electrolyte, are generally analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR).

[0010] In order to perform the analysis of these electrolytes, extraction of the electrolyte from the secondary battery is required.

[0011] The electrolyte extraction method in a secondary battery is mainly performed by drilling a small hole in the case of the secondary battery or separating the electrode assembly from the case of the secondary battery and then centrifuging to directly extract the electrolyte, or by disassembling the electrode from the battery and then immersing it in a solvent to extract the electrolyte contained in the electrode.

[0012] The method for extracting electrolyte using centrifugation has been specifically established for the 21700 type battery with a diameter of 21 mm and a length of 70 mm, and the 18650 type battery with a diameter of 18 mm and a length of 65 mm among the cylindrical lithium secondary batteries currently under development. In addition, as secondary batteries are applied to various fields, it is necessary to accurately analyze the consumption and degeneration of electrolyte components for cylindrical secondary battery types with a wider range of specifications. Therefore, electrolyte extraction is required for cylindrical batteries with various specifications. For example, as the capacity of a high-capacity battery increases, the size and characteristics of the battery are significantly different from those of existing 21700 and 18650 types, making it difficult to directly apply the existing extraction analysis method. In particular, in the case of medium- to large-sized batteries, the weight and volume of the battery may cause safety issues when extracting electrolyte using centrifugation.

[0013] In addition, the conventional method caused the electrolyte extracted from the battery to react with the metal parts of the battery case, causing an undesirable side reaction and lowering the accuracy of the analysis.

[0014] Additionally, if the amount of electrolyte extracted is small, the electrolyte may not be properly extracted due to blockage at the bottom surface of the secondary battery or electrode assembly. Furthermore, centrifugal extraction using a jellyroll structure may cause a short circuit if the bottom surface is pushed during separation.

[0015] Therefore, a technology is needed to improve extraction safety for various types of batteries and prevent contamination of the electrolyte during the extraction process.

[0016] The present invention relates to a jig for extracting an electrolyte, and provides an electrolyte extraction jig that is mounted on a cylindrical type secondary battery or a jelly roll type electrode assembly in an electrolyte extraction system using centrifugation to facilitate the extraction of an electrolyte.

[0017] The technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0018] The electrolyte extraction jig of the present invention may be used to extract an electrolyte from a sample to be analyzed, which is provided as a cylindrical battery or jelly roll electrode assembly with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction.

[0019] The jig for extracting the electrolyte of the present invention is:

[0020] A body part having a cylindrical battery receiving groove formed on the upper surface with the vertical direction as the central axis; and

[0021] Includes a support member that supports the lower part of the sample to be analyzed inside the battery receiving groove,

[0022] An electrolyte discharge path is formed on the upper surface of the above support,

[0023] A first electrolyte discharge port is formed in the above support portion, penetrating the support portion in the vertical direction,

[0024] A second electrolyte discharge port for discharging the electrolyte is formed in the battery receiving groove of the above body part,

[0025] The inlet of the above first electrolyte discharge port is connected to the above electrolyte discharge path,

[0026] The outlet of the first electrolyte outlet may be connected to the second electrolyte outlet.

[0027] In the electrolyte extraction jig of the present invention, the support may be provided in a disk shape with the upper surface formed as a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction.

[0028] In the electrolyte extraction jig of the present invention, the diameter of the upper surface of the support may be identical to the inner diameter of the battery receiving groove.

[0029] In the electrolyte extraction jig of the present invention, the upper surface of the support may be formed in a flat shape, and the lower portion of the support may be formed in a tapered shape.

[0030] In the electrolyte extraction jig of the present invention, an electrolyte discharge groove may be formed on the upper surface of the support as the electrolyte discharge path.

[0031] In the electrolyte extraction jig of the present invention, the first electrolyte discharge port may be located at the center of the support portion, the electrolyte discharge groove may have a diameter direction of the upper surface of the support portion as the longitudinal direction, and one end of the electrolyte discharge groove may be connected to the inlet of the first electrolyte discharge port.

[0032] In the electrolyte extraction jig of the present invention, a support member is provided on the upper surface of the support member to separate the lower portion of the sample to be analyzed from the upper surface of the support member, and the electrolyte discharge path may be formed as a space separated between the upper surface of the support member and the lower portion of the sample to be analyzed by the support member.

[0033] In the electrolyte extraction jig of the present invention, the support member may be formed in a longitudinal direction with the diameter direction of the upper surface of the support member being formed in a plurality of directions.

[0034] In another embodiment, the electrolyte extraction jig of the present invention is

[0035] A body part having a cylindrical battery receiving groove formed on the upper surface with the vertical direction as the central axis; and

[0036] It includes a support surface formed on the bottom surface of the battery receiving groove and supporting the lower part of the sample to be analyzed,

[0037] An electrolyte discharge groove is formed on the above support surface as an electrolyte discharge path,

[0038] An inlet for an electrolyte discharge port penetrating the support part in the vertical direction is formed on the above support surface,

[0039] An outlet of the electrolyte discharge port for discharging the electrolyte is formed in the battery receiving groove of the body part.

[0040] The inlet of the above electrolyte discharge port may be connected to the above electrolyte discharge path.

[0041] The electrolyte extraction jig of the present invention can extract electrolyte in a short period of time, thereby preventing loss of electrolyte and short-circuiting of electrodes, and reducing side reactions caused thereby.

[0042] The electrolyte extraction jig of the present invention can enhance safety when using a centrifuge by minimizing vibration with an external container dedicated to centrifugation.

[0043] The electrolyte extraction jig of the present invention can be installed on a cylindrical type secondary battery or a jelly roll type electrode assembly in an electrolyte extraction system using centrifugation to facilitate the extraction of the electrolyte.

[0044] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a jig for extracting an electrolyte according to the present invention.

[0045] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the body and the support are separated.

[0046] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a support.

[0047] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the support.

[0048] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Throughout this process, the sizes and shapes of components depicted in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience. Furthermore, terms specifically defined in consideration of the structure and operation of the present invention may vary depending on the intentions or practices of the user or operator. Definitions of these terms should be based on the overall content of this specification.

[0049] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms “center,” “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “inner,” “outer,” “one side,” “other side,” etc., is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the product of the present invention is normally placed when used, and is only for the purpose of explaining and briefly explaining the present invention, and does not suggest or imply that the indicated device or element must have a specific orientation and be configured or operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0050] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a jig for extracting an electrolyte according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the body (100) and the support (200) are separated. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the support (200). Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the support (200).

[0051] Hereinafter, the electrolyte extraction jig of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. In FIGS. 1 to 4, the z-axis direction may be the vertical direction in the following description.

[0052] The electrolyte extraction jig of the present invention may be used when using a centrifuge to extract electrolyte from a cylindrical secondary battery. Specifically, in order to extract electrolyte from a cylindrical secondary battery, a hole may be made in the battery case to extract electrolyte, or a jelly roll type electrode assembly may be taken out from the battery case to extract electrolyte from the electrode assembly. At this time, the secondary battery or the electrode assembly may be rotated by a centrifugal separation device that provides centrifugal force while being stored in a cylindrical centrifugal separation container (not shown) to apply centrifugal force. For example, the jelly roll type electrode assembly may be an electrode assembly manufactured by rolling a unit cell stacked in the form of [separator]-[negative electrode]-[separator]-[positive electrode].

[0053] When centrifugal force is applied to the secondary battery or electrode assembly, the extracted electrolyte is collected at the end of the centrifugal separation container, and the collected electrolyte can be used for analysis.

[0054] The electrolyte extraction jig of the present invention can secure a cylindrical secondary battery or jelly roll type electrode assembly without shaking within a centrifugal separation container.

[0055] In addition, the electrolyte extraction jig of the present invention can prevent the electrolyte extracted from the battery from reacting with the metal parts of the battery case or electrode assembly in the centrifugal separation container, thereby causing an undesirable side reaction and lowering the accuracy of the analysis.

[0056] In addition, the electrolyte extraction jig of the present invention can prevent the electrolyte from being properly extracted due to blockage in the bottom surface structure of the secondary battery or electrode assembly when the amount of electrolyte to be extracted is small.

[0057] As described above, the analysis target sample (10) provided as a cylindrical battery or jelly roll electrode assembly to which the electrolyte extraction jig of the present invention is applied may have the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the electrolyte extraction jig of the present invention is

[0059] A body part (100) having a cylindrical battery receiving groove (110) formed on the upper surface with the vertical direction as the central axis; and

[0060] It may include a support member (200) that supports the lower part of the analysis target sample (10) inside the battery receiving groove (110).

[0061] The lower part of the sample (10) to be analyzed can be accommodated in a centrifugal separation container while being inserted into the battery receiving groove (110) of the body part (100) together with the support part (200). A flow path is formed between the support part (200) and the body part (100), so that when centrifugal force is applied, the electrolyte can be discharged to the lower part of the body part (100).

[0062] Specifically, an electrolyte discharge path (210) is formed on the upper surface of the support (200), a first electrolyte discharge port (220) penetrating the support (200) in the vertical direction is formed in the support (200), and a second electrolyte discharge port (120) for discharging the electrolyte may be formed in the battery receiving groove (110) of the body (100). At this time, the inlet (221) of the first electrolyte discharge port (220) may be connected to the electrolyte discharge path (210), and the outlet (222) of the first electrolyte discharge port (220) may be connected to the second electrolyte discharge port.

[0063] The body (100) and the support (200) may be made of chemically resistant and corrosion resistant materials, and may include at least one of PTFE, FEP, PFA, and PVDF. Accordingly, even if the electrolyte comes into contact with the outer surface of the body (100) after being discharged, the electrolyte will not react with the body (100) and thus will not deteriorate.

[0064] The inner diameter of the body part (100) (the inner diameter of the battery receiving groove (110)) can be designed to match the outer diameter of the sample (10) to be analyzed. The outer diameter of the body part (100) can be designed to match the inner diameter of the centrifugal separation container. The inner and outer diameters of the body part (100) can be determined in consideration of the specifications of the sample (10) to be analyzed. In particular, as the specifications of medium- to large-sized batteries increase, vibration problems in centrifugal separation can directly lead to accidents, so the body part (100) can strengthen the stability of extraction by firmly fixing the sample (10) to be analyzed within the centrifugal separation container.

[0065] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the support member (200) may be provided in a disk shape with the upper surface formed as a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. The support member (200) may be a structure that prevents the lower part of the sample to be analyzed (10) from being completely pressed against the bottom of the battery receiving groove (110) to prevent the electrolyte discharge from flowing to the second electrolyte discharge port (120).

[0066] Specifically, an electrolyte discharge path (210) through which an electrolyte can flow is formed in the support (200), and the electrolyte discharged from the sample to be analyzed (10) can be easily discharged to the outside of the body (100) through the second electrolyte discharge port (120) into the space secured by the electrolyte discharge path (210) of the support (200). The electrolyte discharged to the outside of the body (100) can be collected at the bottom of a centrifugal separation container and used for analysis.

[0067] The upper surface of the support member (200) may be formed as a flat surface. For example, when the sample (10) to be analyzed is a jelly roll type electrode assembly, the upper surface of the support member (200) may be formed as a flat surface perpendicular to the vertical direction to prevent the phenomenon of layering due to centrifugal force from occurring. The centrifugal separation device may rotate the centrifugal separation container with the rotation axis perpendicular to the vertical direction. That is, the direction of the centrifugal force may be in the vertical direction. Therefore, bending at the bottom surface of the sample, such as a jelly roll type electrode assembly, is excluded, and an accident due to a short circuit occurring when the bottom surface of the sample is pressed due to compression during centrifugation can be prevented.

[0068] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the diameter of the upper surface of the support member (200) may be identical to the inner diameter of the battery receiving groove (110). Accordingly, the support member (200) can be prevented from being released within the battery receiving groove (110).

[0069] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper surface of the support portion (200) may be formed in a flat shape, and the lower portion of the support portion (200) may be formed in a tapered shape. The bottom surface of the battery receiving groove (110) may also be formed to correspond to the bottom surface of the support portion (200). Specifically, the lower portion of the support portion (200) may be formed in a tapered shape in which the diameter becomes shorter as it goes downward.

[0070] The support part (200) may be provided with a detachable structure on the body part (100). When the support part (200) is used multiple times, the support part (200) can be separated from the body part (100), washed, and reused. At this time, by forming the lower part of the support part (200) in a tapered shape, the separation of the support part (200) from the body part (100) is facilitated, and when reattached, the more centrifugal force is applied, the more stably the support part (200) can be connected to the body part (100).

[0071] By providing a structure in which the support part (200) can be easily attached to and detached from the body part (100) as described above, the cleanliness of the support part (200) can be maintained during repeated extractions, and the analysis accuracy of the extracted electrolyte can be improved.

[0072] In another embodiment, the support (200) and the body (100) may be manufactured as a single piece. For example, they may be manufactured by sintering from a single mold. The support (200) and the body (100) may be manufactured as a single piece to prevent foreign substances from seeping between the structures.

[0073] For example, a jig for extracting electrolyte in which the support part (200) and the body part (100) are manufactured as one piece,

[0074] A body part having a cylindrical battery receiving groove formed on the upper surface with the vertical direction as the central axis; and

[0075] It includes a support surface formed on the bottom surface of the battery receiving groove and supporting the lower part of the sample to be analyzed,

[0076] An electrolyte discharge groove is formed on the above support surface as an electrolyte discharge path,

[0077] An inlet for an electrolyte discharge port penetrating the support part in the vertical direction is formed on the above support surface,

[0078] An outlet of the electrolyte discharge port for discharging the electrolyte is formed in the battery receiving groove of the body part.

[0079] The inlet of the above electrolyte discharge port may be connected to the above electrolyte discharge path. That is, the support surface may perform the function of the above-described support portion, and the above-described first electrolyte discharge port and second electrolyte discharge port may be integrated into one electrolyte discharge port.

[0080] As one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, an electrolyte discharge groove may be formed as the electrolyte discharge path (210) on the upper surface of the support member (200).

[0081] The first electrolyte discharge port (220) may be located at the center of the support member (200), the electrolyte discharge groove may have a diameter direction of the upper surface of the support member (200) as the longitudinal direction, and one end of the electrolyte discharge groove may be connected to the inlet (221) of the first electrolyte discharge port (220).

[0082] The electrolyte discharge groove may be provided in one or more forms. When multiple electrolyte discharge grooves are provided, the plurality of electrolyte discharge grooves may be arranged at regular angles and spaced apart from each other, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

[0083] The electrolyte discharge groove may have a deeper depth as it approaches the inlet (221) of the first electrolyte discharge port (220) or the inlet of the electrolyte discharge port. The shallowest part of the electrolyte discharge groove may have a depth of 1 mm or more. The depth of the electrolyte discharge groove may be sufficiently deep, and may be formed so as to penetrate the support or the body depending on the embodiment. The width of the electrolyte discharge groove may be preferably formed to be 1 mm to 10 mm. If it is formed to be less than 1 mm, there is a possibility that the electrolyte discharge groove may be pressed by the jelly roll and the flow path may be blocked, and if it exceeds 10 mm, there is a risk of a short circuit. That is, the electrolyte discharge groove may have a depth of 1 mm or more and a width of 1 mm to 10 mm, and one or more electrolyte discharge grooves may be provided in a structure that is connected to the inlet (221) of the first electrolyte discharge port (220) or the inlet of the electrolyte discharge port.

[0084] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a support member is provided on the upper surface of the support member (200) to separate the lower portion of the analysis target sample (10) from the upper surface of the support member (200), and the electrolyte discharge path (210) may be formed as a space separated between the upper surface of the support member (200) and the lower portion of the analysis target sample (10) by the support member.

[0085] The above support member is formed in the longitudinal direction with the diameter direction of the upper surface of the support portion (200), and the above support member may be provided in multiple numbers. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the multiple support members may be arranged at intervals of a certain angle.

[0086] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the support member may have a top surface with a constant area. For example, the top surface of the support member may be formed in a fan shape. By having a constant area on the top surface of the support member, the bottom surface of the sample (10) to be analyzed can be prevented from being locally crushed and warped.

[0087] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, they are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true scope of technical protection of the present invention should be defined by the following claims.

[0088]

[0089] Description of the symbol

[0090] 10... Samples to be analyzed

[0091] 100...torso

[0092] 110...Battery receiving home

[0093] 120...2nd electrolyte outlet

[0094] 200...support

[0095] 210...electrolyte discharge path

[0096] 220...1st electrolyte outlet

[0097] 221...Inlet of the first electrolyte outlet

[0098] 222... Exit of the first electrolyte outlet

Claims

1. In an electrolyte extraction jig for extracting an electrolyte from a sample to be analyzed, which is provided as a cylindrical battery or jelly roll electrode assembly with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction, A body part having a cylindrical battery receiving groove formed on the upper surface with the vertical direction as the central axis; and Includes a support member that supports the lower part of the sample to be analyzed inside the battery receiving groove, An electrolyte discharge path is formed on the upper surface of the above support, A first electrolyte discharge port is formed in the above support portion, penetrating the support portion in the vertical direction, A second electrolyte discharge port for discharging the electrolyte is formed in the battery receiving groove of the above body part, The inlet of the above first electrolyte discharge port is connected to the above electrolyte discharge path, An electrolyte extraction jig in which the outlet of the first electrolyte outlet is connected to the second electrolyte outlet.

2. In paragraph 1, A jig for extracting an electrolyte, wherein the support portion is provided in a disk shape with the upper surface formed as a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction.

3. In paragraph 2, An electrolyte extraction jig in which the diameter of the upper surface of the support portion matches the inner diameter of the battery receiving groove.

4. In paragraph 2, The upper surface of the above support is formed in a flat shape, A jig for extracting an electrolyte, wherein the lower part of the support is formed in a tapered shape.

5. In paragraph 2, An electrolyte extraction jig in which an electrolyte discharge groove is formed on the upper surface of the support as the electrolyte discharge path.

6. In paragraph 5, The above first electrolyte discharge port is located at the center of the support, The above electrolyte discharge groove has the diameter direction of the upper surface of the support as the length direction, An electrolyte extraction jig in which one end of the electrolyte discharge groove is connected to the inlet of the first electrolyte discharge port.

7. In paragraph 2, A support member is provided on the upper surface of the support member to separate the lower portion of the sample to be analyzed from the upper surface of the support member. An electrolyte extraction jig in which the electrolyte discharge path is formed as a space spaced between the upper surface of the support member and the lower part of the sample to be analyzed by the support member.

8. In paragraph 7, The above support member is formed in the longitudinal direction with the diameter direction of the upper surface of the support part, A jig for extracting an electrolyte, wherein the above support member is provided in multiples.

9. In an electrolyte extraction jig for extracting an electrolyte from a sample to be analyzed, which is provided as a cylindrical battery or jelly roll electrode assembly with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction, A body part having a cylindrical battery receiving groove formed on the upper surface with the vertical direction as the central axis; and It includes a support surface formed on the bottom surface of the battery receiving groove and supporting the lower part of the sample to be analyzed, An electrolyte discharge groove is formed on the above support surface as an electrolyte discharge path, An inlet for an electrolyte discharge port penetrating the support part in the vertical direction is formed on the above support surface, An outlet of the electrolyte discharge port for discharging the electrolyte is formed in the battery receiving groove of the body part. An electrolyte extraction jig in which the inlet of the above electrolyte discharge port is connected to the above electrolyte discharge path.

Images