Lead bending device and lead bending method using same

Abstract

This lead bending device is configured to bend a plurality of first leads and a plurality of second leads having opposite polarities and alternately arranged along a first direction. The lead bending device comprises: a first bending tool for bending a lead of a first lead group which includes at least one first lead and at least one second lead; and a second bending tool for bending a lead of a second lead group which is located on one side of the first lead group in the first direction and includes at least one first lead and at least one second lead. The first bending tool and the second bending tool may be configured to simultaneously bend two or more leads having the same polarity among the plurality of first leads and the plurality of second leads.

Description

Lead bending device and lead bending method using the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a lead bending device and a lead bending method using the same.

[0002] Secondary batteries, which can be recharged and discharged, are widely used in mobile devices such as digital cameras, mobile phones, and laptops. They have recently attracted attention as an energy source for electric vehicles and energy storage systems (ESS). Meanwhile, as electric vehicles and ESS demand large capacity and high output, medium- to large-sized battery devices, such as battery modules housing multiple secondary batteries within a housing or battery packs comprising multiple battery modules, are becoming widely used.

[0003] Since mid- to large-sized battery devices are preferably manufactured with the smallest possible size and weight, square and pouch-shaped battery cells, which can be stacked with high integration and have a small weight-to-capacity ratio, are primarily used as battery cells (unit cells). In particular, pouch-shaped battery cells, which utilize aluminum laminate sheets as external components, have recently attracted significant attention due to their advantages, including light weight, low manufacturing costs, and ease of shape modification.

[0004] Meanwhile, to electrically connect the battery cells that make up these medium- to large-sized battery devices, the battery cell leads are welded to busbars. Before welding the battery cell leads to the busbars, the battery cell leads are bent to ensure they adhere tightly to the busbars.

[0005] However, if bending is performed using a conventional bending method, there is a risk that the process time may be too long, or various problems such as deformation of the battery and deterioration of bending quality may occur.

[0006] The present invention was created in consideration of the above-described problems, and the problem that the present invention seeks to solve is to provide a lead bending device configured to reduce the time required for a process of bending a lead, and a lead bending method using the same.

[0007] A lead bending device according to the present invention is a lead bending device configured to bend a plurality of first leads and a plurality of second leads having opposite polarities and being alternately arranged along a first direction, the device comprising: a first bending tool configured to bend leads of a first lead group including at least one first lead and at least one second lead; and a second bending tool configured to bend leads of a second lead group including at least one first lead and at least one second lead, the second bending tool being positioned on one side of the first lead group in the first direction, the second bending tool being configured to simultaneously bend two or more leads having the same polarity among the plurality of first leads and the plurality of second leads.

[0008] Each of the first bending tool and the second bending tool may be configured to be movable in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0009] Each of the first bending tool and the second bending tool may include a plurality of pressure members arranged at equal intervals along the first direction and configured to bend the lead, and a body part from which the plurality of pressure members protrude.

[0010] Each of the first bending tool and the second bending tool may include a body portion configured to be movable in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and a plurality of pressure portions extending from the body portion in one direction in the second direction and spaced apart at equal intervals along the first direction.

[0011] The connecting portion of the body portion and the plurality of pressurized portions may have a curved surface.

[0012] The thickness of the plurality of pressurized portions may gradually decrease as they move away from the body portion.

[0013] The plurality of first leads and the plurality of second leads may each have an even number of n, and each of the first bending tool and the second bending tool may have a plurality of pressurizing sections of n / 2 or less.

[0014] A lead bending device according to the present invention may further include a comb jig configured to be movable in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, and including a plurality of comb teeth and a plurality of guide slits formed between the plurality of comb teeth and into which a plurality of first leads and a plurality of second leads can be inserted.

[0015] The comb jig may be formed such that, with respect to a center along the first direction, at least one of the plurality of comb teeth positioned on one side in the first direction may have a surface facing one side in the first direction formed as an inclined surface with respect to the first direction, but a surface facing the other side in the first direction may be formed as a vertical surface with respect to the first direction, and with respect to the center along the first direction, at least one of the plurality of comb teeth positioned on the other side in the first direction may have a surface facing one side in the first direction formed as a vertical surface with respect to the first direction, but a surface facing the other side in the first direction may be formed as an inclined surface with respect to the first direction.

[0016] A lead bending method according to the present invention comprises a step of forming a first lead group and a second lead group on one surface of the first busbar frame assembly by passing a plurality of first leads and a plurality of second leads having opposite polarities and alternately arranged along a first direction through a first busbar frame assembly; a first step of bending a plurality of second leads included in the first lead group toward one side in the first direction by a first bending tool; and a second step of bending a plurality of first leads included in the second lead group toward one side in the first direction by a second bending tool spaced apart from the first bending tool toward the other side in the first direction, wherein the first step and the second step may be performed simultaneously.

[0017] A lead bending method according to the present invention further includes a step of forming a third lead group and a fourth lead group on one surface of the second busbar frame assembly by having a plurality of second leads and a plurality of first leads having opposite polarities on opposite sides of a first busbar frame assembly and being alternately arranged along a first direction, a third step of bending a plurality of second leads included in the third lead group to one side in the first direction by a third bending tool, and a fourth step of bending a plurality of first leads included in the fourth lead group to the other side in the first direction by a fourth bending tool spaced apart from the third bending tool to one side in the first direction, wherein the first to fourth steps may be performed simultaneously.

[0018] The first lead may be the positive tab, and the second lead may be the negative tab.

[0019] The plurality of first leads and the plurality of second leads are each an even number n, and in the first step, the first bending tool can simultaneously bend n / 2 or fewer second leads, and in the second step, the second bending tool can simultaneously bend n / 2 or fewer first leads.

[0020] Before the first and second steps are performed simultaneously, the first bending tool may further include a first waiting step in which the first bending tool waits in a state spaced apart from the plurality of first leads and the plurality of second leads; and a first solo bending step in which the second bending tool bends the plurality of second leads included in the second lead group in one direction in the first direction.

[0021] The busbar frame assembly may further include a plurality of busbars arranged along a first direction and a first terminal portion and a second terminal portion arranged on one side and the other side of the plurality of busbars in the first direction, respectively, and after the first step and the second step are performed simultaneously, a first terminal portion contact step of bending a first lead located at the outermost side of the other side in the first direction to the other side in the first direction and contacting the first terminal portion; and a second terminal portion contact step of bending a second lead located at the outermost side of the one side in the first direction to the one side in the first direction and contacting the second terminal portion.

[0022] Before the first and second steps are performed simultaneously, a lead alignment step may further be included, in which a jig including a plurality of guide slits into which a plurality of first leads and a plurality of second leads can be inserted is inserted between the plurality of first leads and the plurality of second leads to align the plurality of first leads and the plurality of second leads in parallel.

[0023] In the second step, the second bending tool can bend a plurality of first leads included in the second lead group and bring them into contact with one surface of a plurality of second leads among the second lead group that have completed bending.

[0024] The direction of movement of the first bending tool in the first stage and the direction of movement of the second bending tool in the second stage may be opposite to each other.

[0025] According to one aspect of the present invention, the time required for a bending process can be reduced by bending multiple leads at once in multiple pressurized sections.

[0026] Additionally, by setting the number of multiple pressurized sections to less than half of the lead, the time required for the bending process can be reduced while preventing severe deformation of the battery or busbar assembly.

[0027] Figure 1 illustrates a battery cell stack including a lead.

[0028] Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-section of a busbar frame assembly.

[0029] Figure 3 is a drawing showing the positional relationship of multiple lead and busbar frame assemblies.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the relationship between a lead bending device and a plurality of leads according to the present invention.

[0031] Fig. 5 is a drawing showing a bending tool included in a lead bending device according to the present invention.

[0032] Fig. 6 is a drawing showing a bit jig included in a lead bending device according to the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing the relationship between a bit jig and a plurality of leads included in a lead bending device according to the present invention.

[0034] Figure 8 is a drawing showing the first step included in the lead bending method according to the present invention.

[0035] Figure 9 is a drawing showing the second step included in the lead bending method according to the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing the first and second steps included in the lead bending method according to the present invention being performed simultaneously.

[0037] Fig. 11 is a drawing showing the relationship between a lead bending device and a plurality of leads according to the present invention.

[0038] Fig. 12 is a drawing showing the third step included in the lead bending method according to the present invention.

[0039] Fig. 13 is a drawing showing the fourth step included in the lead bending method according to the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 14 is a drawing showing the third and fourth steps included in the lead bending method according to the present invention being performed simultaneously.

[0041] FIG. 15 is a drawing showing a first waiting step and a first solo bending step included in a lead bending method according to the present invention being performed simultaneously.

[0042] FIG. 16 is a drawing showing a second waiting step and a second solo bending step included in a lead bending method according to the present invention being performed simultaneously.

[0043] Figures 17 to 19 are drawings showing steps performed after steps 1 to 4 included in the lead bending method according to the present invention are performed.

[0044] Figure 20 is a drawing showing the appearance after bending is completed by the lead bending method according to the present invention.

[0045] Before going into the detailed description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted with meanings and concepts that conform to the technical idea of ​​the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term in order to explain his own invention in the best way. Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of this application.

[0046] The same reference numbers or symbols used in each drawing attached to this specification represent parts or components that perform substantially the same functions. For convenience of explanation and understanding, the same reference numbers or symbols may be used in different embodiments. In other words, even if components with the same reference numbers are depicted in multiple drawings, they do not necessarily represent a single embodiment.

[0047] In the following description, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms such as "comprises" or "comprises" should be understood to indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0048] In addition, in the description below, expressions such as top, upper, lower, lower, side, front, and rear are expressed based on the direction shown in the drawing, and it is noted in advance that they may be expressed differently if the direction of the object in question changes.

[0049] In addition, in the description below, the expressions of the first direction (D1), the second direction (D2), and the third direction (D3) may correspond to the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions defining a three-dimensional space, but are not necessarily limited thereto, and as the definition of one direction (e.g., the first direction) changes, the remaining directions (e.g., the second direction, the third direction) may also change correspondingly.

[0050] Additionally, terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., may be used in this specification and claims to distinguish between components. These ordinal numbers are used to distinguish identical or similar components from each other, and the use of these ordinal numbers should not be interpreted in a limited manner. For example, components associated with these ordinals should not be interpreted in a restricted manner, such as in the order of use or arrangement, based on their numbers. If necessary, each ordinal number may be used interchangeably.

[0051] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the presented embodiments. For example, those skilled in the art who understand the spirit of the present invention may propose other embodiments within the spirit of the present invention by adding, modifying, or deleting components, etc., but such embodiments will also be considered within the spirit of the present invention. The shapes and sizes of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0052] Figure 1 illustrates a battery cell stack (10) including a lead.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 1, a battery cell stack (10) may include a plurality of battery cells (100). The battery cell stack (10) may have a plurality of battery cells (100) stacked in one direction. The battery cells (100) may be pouch cells.

[0054] A pouch battery cell may include an electrode assembly, an electrolyte, and a pouch outer case. The electrode assembly may be formed by folding or winding a laminate including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator. The pouch battery cell may include a first lead (L1) electrically connected to a first electrode of the electrode assembly and protruding outward from the pouch outer case, and a second lead (L2) electrically connected to a second electrode of the electrode assembly and protruding outward from the pouch outer case. The first lead (L1) and the second lead (L2) may protrude in both directions as illustrated in FIG. 1, but may also protrude in one direction. The first lead (L1) may be made of aluminum. The first lead (L1) may have a positive electrode. The second lead (L2) may be made of copper. The second lead (L2) may have a negative electrode. However, the material and polarity of the first lead (L1) and the second lead (L2) are not limited to those described above, and may be modified in various ways to correspond to the target performance of the battery cell stack (10).

[0055] Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-section of a busbar frame assembly (200). Fig. 3 is a drawing showing the positional relationship of a plurality of leads (L1, L2) and the busbar frame assembly (200).

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the busbar frame assembly may include a plurality of busbars (220) arranged along a first direction (D1 direction), a busbar frame (F), and first terminal portions (230) and second terminal portions (240) arranged on both sides of the plurality of busbars (220).

[0057] A plurality of battery cells (100) constituting a battery cell stack (10) may be electrically connected by a bus bar (220). The plurality of battery cells (100) constituting the battery cell stack (10) may be connected in series and / or in parallel depending on the connection method of the bus bar (220). The bus bar (220) may be provided between a plurality of leads (L1, L2) extending from the plurality of battery cells (100). As the leads (L1, L2) are bent by the bending process described below, the bus bar (220) may come into contact with the leads (L1, L2) of the battery cells (100). The bus bar (220) and the leads (L1, L2) of the battery cells (100) may be joined by welding. The bus bar (220) may include a conductive metal.

[0058] The busbar frame (F) may include a lead slit (210) configured to allow the leads (L1, L2) of the battery cells (100) to pass through. The busbar frame (F) may be provided in a direction in which the leads (L1, L2) protrude from the battery cell stack (10). The busbar frame (F) may be provided on one side and / or the other side of the battery cell stack (10). The busbar frame (F) may accommodate a busbar (220). The busbar frame (F) may include an electrically insulating material. The busbar frame (F) may accommodate a first terminal portion (230) and a second terminal portion (240) that are exposed to the outside of a case (not shown) that encloses the battery cell stack (10) and are utilized as external terminals. The first terminal portion (230) and the second terminal portion (240) may be positioned at the outermost sides in opposite directions with respect to the first direction (e.g., the D1 direction of FIG. 2). A pair of lead slits (210) may be arranged on both sides of the first terminal portion (230) and the second terminal portion (240), and accordingly, the first terminal portion (230) and the second terminal portion (240) may be positioned between a pair of leads (L1, L2) passing through the pair of lead slits (210) described above.

[0059] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the relationship between a lead bending device according to the present invention and a plurality of leads (L1, L2).

[0060] Referring to FIG. 4, a lead bending device can bend a plurality of first leads (L1) and a plurality of second leads (L2) that have opposite polarities and are alternately arranged along a first direction. In order to connect a plurality of battery cells in series, the lead bending device can bend the plurality of first leads (L1) and the plurality of second leads (L2) in opposite directions so that the plurality of first leads (L1) and the plurality of second leads (L2) are in contact with each other.

[0061] The lead bending device may include a first bending tool (300a) and a second bending tool (300b).

[0062] The first bending tool (300a) can bend leads of a first lead group (G1) including at least one first lead (L1) and at least one second lead (L2). The first leads (L1) and the second leads (L2) included in the first lead group (G1) are the same in number and can be adjacent to each other.

[0063] The second bending tool (300b) is positioned on one side of the first direction (positive direction of the D1 axis) of the first lead group (G1) and can bend leads of the second lead group (G2) including at least one first lead (L1) and at least one second lead (L2). The second lead group (G2) may be the remainder of the plurality of first leads (L1) and the plurality of second leads (L2) excluding the first lead group (G1). The second lead group (G2) may be a set of at least one first lead (L1) and at least one second lead (L2) arranged on one side of the first direction of the first lead group (G1).

[0064] The first bending tool (300a) and the second bending tool (300b) can be configured to simultaneously bend two or more leads having the same polarity among a plurality of first leads (L1) and a plurality of second leads (L2). For example, if the first lead group (G1) is composed of four first leads (L1) and four second leads (L2) located on the other side of the first direction (the negative direction of the D1 axis), and the second lead group (G2) is composed of four first leads (L1) and four second leads (L2) located on one side of the first direction, the first bending tool (300a) can bend the four second leads (L2) of the first lead group (G1) and the second bending tool (300b) can simultaneously bend the three first leads (L1) of the second lead group (G2).

[0065] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a bending tool (300) included in a lead bending device according to the present invention.

[0066] The bending tool (300) may be insulated to prevent short circuits with electrical components of the battery cell stack (10), including leads (L1, L2). For example, the bending tool (300) may be made of a material such as ceramic or PEEK.

[0067] The bending tool (300) may be configured to move in a first direction (e.g., D1 direction) and a second direction (e.g., D2 direction) perpendicular to the first direction (D1 direction). The bending tool (300) may include an actuator or be connected to an actuator and configured to move in one and the other side of the first direction (D1 direction) and one and the other side of the second direction (D2 direction).

[0068] The bending tool (300) may include a pressure portion (320) and a body portion (310). The pressure portions (320) may be plural. The plurality of pressure portions (320) may be spaced apart at equal intervals along the first direction (D1 direction). The pressure portion (320) may be configured to bend the leads (L1, L2). The height (length along the D3 axis direction) of the pressure portion (320) may be equal to or longer than the length of the leads (L1, L2) along the D3 axis direction. The body portion (310) may have a plurality of pressure portions (320) protruding therefrom. The thickness (width along the D1 axis direction) of the pressure portion (320) may gradually decrease as it moves away from the body portion (310) along the D2 axis direction. The connection portion between the pressure portion (320) and the body portion (310) may be a curved surface or a sloped surface.

[0069] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 together, when the number of the plurality of first leads (L1) and the number of the plurality of second leads (L2) is an even number n, the number of the plurality of pressing parts (320) of each of the first bending tool (300a) and the second bending tool (300b) may be n / 2 or less. For example, when the number of the first leads (L1) is 8 and the number of the second leads (L2) is 8, the number of the pressing parts (320) of the first bending tool (300a) may be 4, and the number of the pressing parts (320) of the second bending tool (300b) may be 3.

[0070] The pressurizing unit (320) can bend a lead having the same polarity (e.g., the first lead (L1)) by moving to the other side in the first direction while each pressurizing unit (320) is positioned on one side in the first direction of a lead having the same polarity (e.g., the first lead (L1)) among the plurality of leads (L1, L2), or by moving to one side in the first direction while being positioned on the other side in the first direction. This bending process can occur simultaneously in the plurality of pressurizing units (320), thereby bending the plurality of leads (L1, L2) at once, and the bending tool can move to one side or the other side in the second direction before and after the bending process to adjust the relative position with respect to the leads (L1, L2).

[0071] According to this configuration of the present invention, the time required for the bending process can be reduced by bending a plurality of leads (L1, L2) at the same time in a plurality of pressurizing parts (320). In particular, since the bending tool (300) is composed of a first bending tool (300a) and a second bending tool (300b) to perform bending simultaneously, the time required for the bending process can be reduced more effectively. In addition, since the connecting portion between the pressurizing part (320) and the body part (310) has a slope or a curved surface, the connecting portion between the pressurizing part (320) and the body part (310), which may be vulnerable when the pressurizing part (320) bends the leads, can be effectively protected.

[0072] In addition, when the pressurizing portion (320) bends the lead, the portion where the lead is bent may come into contact with the lead slit (210) of the busbar frame (F), and the repulsive force may cause deformation of the battery cell (100) or the busbar frame assembly (200). In particular, when the repulsive force acts in the same direction from a plurality of pressurizing portions (320), the combined repulsive force may increase, and deformation of the battery cell (100) or the busbar frame assembly (200) may become severe. In the present invention, as a solution to this problem, the number of the plurality of pressurizing portions (320) is set to less than half of the number of the plurality of leads (L1, L2), thereby reducing the time required for the bending process and preventing severe deformation of the battery cell (100) or the busbar frame assembly (200).

[0073] Fig. 6 is a drawing showing a comb jig (400) included in a lead bending device according to the present invention. Fig. 7 is a drawing showing the relationship between a comb jig (400) included in a lead bending device according to the present invention and a plurality of leads (L1, L2).

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the lead bending device may further include a bit jig (400).

[0075] The comb jig (400) may be configured to be movable in a third direction (D3 direction) that is perpendicular to both the first direction (D1 direction) and the second direction (D2 direction). The comb jig (400) may include a plurality of comb teeth (420). The comb jig (400) may include a plurality of guide slits (410). The plurality of guide slits (410) may be provided between the plurality of comb teeth (420). A plurality of first leads (L1) and a plurality of second leads (L2) may be inserted into the plurality of guide slits (410). The bit jig (400) can be moved to one side in the third direction (D3 direction) before the bending process of the leads, and the plurality of first leads (L1) and the plurality of second leads (L2) can be aligned to be approximately parallel by inserting the plurality of first leads (L1) and the plurality of second leads (L2) into the plurality of guide slits (410), and then moved to the other side in the third direction (D3 direction).

[0076] In the comb jig (400), with respect to the center along the first direction (D1 direction), at least one of the plurality of comb teeth (420) positioned on one side of the first direction (D1 direction) may have a surface facing one side of the first direction (D1 direction) formed as an inclined surface with respect to the first direction (D1 direction), but a surface facing the other side of the first direction (D1 direction) may be formed as a vertical surface with respect to the first direction (D1 direction). In the comb jig (400), with respect to the center along the first direction, at least one of the plurality of comb teeth (420) positioned on the other side of the first direction (D1 direction) may have a surface facing one side of the first direction (D1 direction) formed as a vertical surface with respect to the first direction (D1 direction), but a surface facing the other side of the first direction (D1 direction) may be formed as an inclined surface with respect to the first direction (D1 direction). For example, the individual comb teeth (420) included in the comb jig (400) may be formed in an asymmetrical structure, but the comb teeth on one side and the comb teeth on the other side may be formed in a symmetrical structure with respect to the center in the longitudinal direction (e.g., D1 direction) from the overall viewpoint of the comb jig (400).

[0077] According to this configuration of the present invention, the leads (L1, L2) can be aligned so that they do not stick to each other before the bending process of the leads (L1, L2). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the unaligned leads from being bent in an undesirable direction during the lead bending process.

[0078] In addition, the comb jig (400) according to the present invention can more effectively align a plurality of leads (L1, L2) in parallel through the above-described asymmetric comb-teeth (420) structure. For example, when the busbar frame assembly (200) is designed to have a smaller width than the width of the entire battery cell stack (10), the plurality of leads (L1, L2) penetrating the busbar frame assembly (200) may be somewhat inclined toward the center in the longitudinal direction (D1 direction) of the busbar frame assembly (200). According to the comb jig (400) of the present invention, by configuring the comb-teeth (420) of the remaining portion except for the center in the longitudinal direction (D1 direction) to have an asymmetric shape with an inclined surface, the leads (L1, L2) gathered in the center can be more effectively separated and aligned at regular intervals.

[0079] Hereinafter, a lead bending method using the above-described lead bending device will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 20.

[0080] Referring also to FIG. 4, a lead bending method according to an embodiment may include a step of forming a first lead group (G1) and a second lead group (G2) on one surface of the first busbar frame assembly (200) by passing a plurality of first leads (L1) and a plurality of second leads (L2) having opposite polarities and alternately arranged along a first direction (D1 direction) through the first busbar frame assembly (200).

[0081] Figure 8 is a drawing showing the first step included in the lead bending method according to the present invention.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 8, the lead bending method may include a first step in which a first bending tool (300a) bends a plurality of second leads (L2) included in a first lead group (G1) in one direction (D1 direction). In the first step, a plurality of pressure parts (320) of the first bending tool (300a) may move in a direction (for example, a positive direction of the D1 axis) toward one side of the first direction (D1 direction) while being positioned on the other side of the plurality of second leads (L2) in the first direction (D1 direction), thereby bending the plurality of second leads (L2) in one direction (D1 direction).

[0083] Figure 9 is a drawing showing the second step included in the lead bending method according to the present invention.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 9, the lead bending method may include a second step in which a second bending tool (300b) spaced apart from a first bending tool (300a) in one direction (D1 direction) bends a plurality of first leads (L1) included in a second lead group (G2) to the other side in the first direction (D1 direction). In the second step, a plurality of pressure parts (320) of the second bending tool (300b) may move in a direction (for example, in the negative direction of the D1 axis) toward the other side in the first direction (D1 direction) while being positioned on one side in the first direction (D1 direction) of the plurality of first leads (L1).

[0085] Additionally, in the second step, the second bending tool (300b) can bend a plurality of first leads (L1) included in the second lead group (G2) and bring them into contact with one surface of a plurality of second leads (L2) among the second lead group (G2) that have completed bending.

[0086] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing the first and second steps included in the lead bending method according to the present invention being performed simultaneously.

[0087] Referring to Fig. 10, the first and second steps can be performed simultaneously. That is, the first bending tool (300a) can move in one direction (D1 direction) to bend a plurality of second leads (L2), and at the same time, the second bending tool (300b) can move in the other direction (D1 direction) to bend a plurality of first leads (L1).

[0088] According to this method of the present invention, by simultaneously performing the bending process in different directions, the repulsive forces generated from the plurality of first leads (L1) and the plurality of second leads (L2) during the bending process are mutually canceled out, thereby minimizing the size of the overall repulsive force. For example, in order for a single bending tool to simultaneously bend a plurality of leads in one direction, it is necessary to apply a stronger force (hereinafter referred to as bending pressure) than when bending a single lead, and if such a strong bending pressure is continuously applied in only one direction, there is a concern that the alignment of the battery cells (100) in the battery cell stack (10) may be disturbed, or the battery cell stack (10) itself may move, preventing the plurality of leads from being bent accurately. For example, a first bending tool (300a) performing a first step applies bending pressure in one direction (D1 direction) to bend a second lead (L2), and at the same time, a second bending tool (300b) performing a second step applies bending pressure in the other direction (D1 direction) to bend the first lead (L1). In this case, when viewed from the perspective of the entire battery cell stack (10), the bending pressure that the first bending tool (300a) applies to the leads of the battery cell stack (10) and the bending pressure that the second bending tool (300b) applies to the leads of the battery cell stack (10) cancel each other out, so that as a result, only an external force equal to the difference between the two bending pressures can be applied to the battery cell stack (10). In this way, the lead bending method according to the present invention minimizes the sum of the total bending pressure applied to the battery cell stack (10) by the first bending tool (300a) and the second bending tool (300b), thereby preventing physical deformation or damage to the battery cell stack (10) while effectively bending a plurality of leads in a short period of time.

[0089] In addition, if the battery cell (100) is a bidirectional cell in which the leads (L1, L2) protrude in both directions, this bending method can be performed simultaneously on both sides where the leads (L1, L2) of the battery cell (100) protrude. This bending method will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14.

[0090] Fig. 11 is a drawing showing the relationship between a lead bending device and a plurality of leads according to the present invention. Fig. 12 is a drawing showing the third step included in the lead bending method according to the present invention. Fig. 13 is a drawing showing the fourth step included in the lead bending method according to the present invention. Fig. 14 is a drawing showing the third and fourth steps included in the lead bending method according to the present invention being performed simultaneously.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 11, a lead bending method according to an embodiment may further include a step of forming a third lead group (G3) and a fourth lead group (G4) on one surface of the second busbar frame assembly (200b) by having a plurality of second leads (L2) and a plurality of first leads (L1) that are arranged on the opposite side of the battery cell stack (10) where the first busbar frame assembly (200a) is arranged and have opposite polarities and are arranged alternately along the first direction (D1 direction).

[0092] Referring to FIG. 12, the lead bending method according to the embodiment may further include a third step in which a third bending tool (300c) bends a plurality of second leads (L2) included in a third lead group (G3) in one direction in the first direction (D1 direction). In the third step, a plurality of pressure parts (320) of the third bending tool (300c) may move in one direction in the first direction (D1 direction) while being positioned on the other side of the plurality of second leads (L2) in the first direction (D1 direction), thereby bending the plurality of second leads (L2) in one direction in the first direction.

[0093] Referring to FIG. 13, the lead bending method may further include a fourth step of bending a plurality of first leads (L1) included in the fourth lead group (G4) to the other side in the first direction by a fourth bending tool (300d) spaced apart from the third bending tool (300c) in the first direction (D1 direction). In the fourth step, the plurality of pressurizing portions (320) of the fourth bending tool (300d) may move to the other side in the first direction (D1 direction) while being positioned on one side in the first direction (D1 direction) of the plurality of first leads (L1), thereby bending the plurality of first leads (L1) to the other side in the first direction.

[0094] Referring to Fig. 14, the third and fourth steps can be performed simultaneously. That is, the third bending tool (300c) can move in one direction (D1 direction) to bend a plurality of second leads (L2), and at the same time, the fourth bending tool (300d) can move in the other direction (D1 direction) to bend a plurality of first leads (L1). In addition, as described above, the first to fourth steps can be performed simultaneously. Alternatively, steps in which repulsive forces act in opposite directions can be performed simultaneously. For example, the first and fourth steps can be performed simultaneously, or the second and third steps can be performed simultaneously.

[0095] Referring also to FIG. 7, the lead bending method may further include a lead alignment step performed by the bit jig (400) before the first and second steps are performed simultaneously.

[0096] The lead alignment step may be a step of aligning the plurality of first leads (L1) and the plurality of second leads (L2) by inserting a bit jig (400) including a plurality of guide slits (410) into which a plurality of first leads (L1) and a plurality of second leads (L2) can be inserted between the plurality of first leads (L1) and the plurality of second leads (L2).

[0097] FIG. 15 is a drawing showing a first waiting step and a first solo bending step included in a lead bending method according to the present invention being performed simultaneously.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 15, the lead bending method may include a first waiting step and a first solo bending step performed before the first step and the second step are performed simultaneously.

[0099] The first waiting stage may be a stage in which the first bending tool (300a) waits while being spaced apart from the leads (L1, L2). The first waiting stage may be a stage in which the plurality of pressurizing parts (320) of the first bending tool (300a) wait while being positioned on the other side of the first direction of the plurality of second leads (L2) for the progress of the first stage.

[0100] The first solo bending step may be a step of bending a plurality of second leads (L2) included in the second lead group (G2) in one direction in the first direction using the second bending tool (300b). The first waiting step and the first solo bending step may be performed simultaneously. After this step, a step of waiting while positioning a plurality of pressure parts (320) of the second bending tool (300b) on one side of the plurality of first leads (L1) in the first direction in order to perform the second step may be further included.

[0101] FIG. 16 is a drawing showing a second waiting step and a second solo bending step included in a lead bending method according to the present invention being performed simultaneously.

[0102] Referring to FIG. 16, the lead bending method may include a second waiting step and a second solo bending step performed before the third and fourth steps are performed simultaneously.

[0103] The second waiting stage may be a stage in which the third bending tool (300c) waits. The second waiting stage may be a stage in which the plurality of pressurizing parts (320) of the third bending tool (300c) are positioned on the other side of the first direction of the plurality of second leads (L2) for the progress of the third stage.

[0104] The second solo bending step may be a step of bending a plurality of second leads (L2) included in the fourth lead group (G4) in one direction in the first direction using the fourth bending tool (300d). The second waiting step and the second solo bending step may be performed simultaneously. After this step, a step of waiting may further be included to position the plurality of pressurizing parts (320) of the fourth bending tool (300d) on one direction in the first direction in order to perform the fourth step.

[0105] Figures 17 to 19 are drawings showing steps performed after steps 1 to 4 included in the lead bending method according to the present invention are performed.

[0106] Referring to FIG. 17, the lead bending method may further include a third solo bending step in which the first bending tool (300a) bends the remaining first leads (L1) of the first lead group (G1) except for the first lead (L1) that must contact the first terminal portion (230) in the first direction.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 18, the lead bending method may further include a fourth solo bending step in which the third bending tool (300c) bends a plurality of first leads (L1) of the third lead group (G3) in the first direction.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 19, the lead bending method may further include a first terminal contact step and a second stage contact step after the third solo bending step.

[0109] The first terminal contact step may be a step of bending the first lead (L1) located at the outermost side of the first direction side to the first direction side and contacting the first terminal part (230).

[0110] The second terminal contact step may be a step of bending the second lead (L2) located at the outermost side of one side in the first direction to one side in the first direction and bringing it into contact with the second terminal (240).

[0111] Figure 20 is a drawing showing the appearance after bending is completed by the lead bending method according to the present invention.

[0112] Referring to Fig. 20, it can be seen that the second lead (L2) is bent first in all bus bars (220). When the second lead (L2) includes copper as the cathode, the thickness thereof can be formed to be approximately 0.2 mm, and when the first lead (L1) includes aluminum as the anode, the thickness thereof can be formed to be approximately 0.4 mm. Therefore, when the second lead (L2) is welded in a state where it contacts the bus bar (220) first, the thicker first lead (L1) is welded further outward from the bus bar (220), so that the force to straighten again is smaller than when the first lead (L1) is welded in a state where it contacts the bus bar (220) first, and thus the welding strength can be improved.

[0113] While the present invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, focusing on preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous obvious modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be construed as encompassing the many examples of such modifications within the scope of the claims.

[0114] [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 100 battery cells

[0116] L lead

[0117] L1 first lead

[0118] L2 second lead

[0119] G1 1st Lead Group

[0120] G2 2nd Lead Group

[0121] 200 busbar frame assembly

[0122] 200a No. 1 busbar frame assembly

[0123] 200b 2nd busbar frame assembly

[0124] F frame

[0125] 210 lead slit

[0126] 220 bus bar

[0127] 230 Terminal 1

[0128] 240 Second terminal section

[0129] 300a No. 1 bending tool

[0130] 300b 2nd bending tool

[0131] 300c 3rd bending tool

[0132] 300d 4th bending tool

[0133] 310 body part

[0134] 320 pressurized section

[0135] 400 Bitjig

[0136] 410 guide slit

[0137] 420 teeth

Claims

1. A lead bending device configured to bend a plurality of first leads and a plurality of second leads having opposite polarities and arranged alternately along a first direction, A first bending tool for bending a lead of a first lead group including at least one of the first leads and at least one of the second leads; and A second bending tool is positioned on one side of the first direction of the first lead group and includes a second bending tool for bending leads of a second lead group including at least one first lead and at least one second lead, A lead bending device in which the first bending tool and the second bending tool are configured to simultaneously bend two or more leads having the same polarity among the plurality of first leads and the plurality of second leads.

2. In paragraph 1, Each of the first bending tool and the second bending tool, A lead bending device configured to be movable in the first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

3. In paragraph 1, Each of the first bending tool and the second bending tool, A plurality of pressurizing members spaced at equal intervals along the first direction and configured to bend the lead; and A lead bending device including a body portion from which the plurality of pressurized portions protrude.

4. In paragraph 3, A lead bending device in which the connecting portion of the above body portion and the plurality of pressurized portions has a curved surface.

5. In paragraph 3, A lead bending device in which the thickness of the plurality of pressurized portions gradually decreases as they move away from the body portion.

6. In paragraph 1, The plurality of first leads and the plurality of second leads are each an even number n. Each of the first bending tool and the second bending tool, A lead bending device having n / 2 or fewer pressurized sections.

7. In paragraph 2, It is configured to be movable in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction, A lead bending device further comprising a comb jig including a plurality of comb teeth and a plurality of guide slits formed between the plurality of comb teeth and into which the plurality of first leads and the plurality of second leads can be inserted.

8. In paragraph 7, The above bitzig, With respect to the center along the first direction, at least one of the plurality of comb teeth positioned on one side of the first direction has a surface facing one side of the first direction formed as an inclined surface with respect to the first direction, and a surface facing the other side of the first direction formed as a vertical surface with respect to the first direction. A lead bending device in which at least one of a plurality of comb teeth positioned on the other side of the first direction, with respect to a center along the first direction, has a surface facing one side of the first direction formed as a vertical surface with respect to the first direction, and a surface facing the other side of the first direction formed as an inclined surface with respect to the first direction.

9. A step of forming a first lead group and a second lead group on one surface of the first busbar frame assembly by passing through a plurality of first leads and a plurality of second leads having opposite polarities and being alternately arranged along a first direction; A first step in which a first bending tool bends a plurality of second leads included in a first lead group in one direction; and A second step in which a second bending tool, which is spaced apart from the first bending tool in one direction, bends a plurality of first leads included in the second lead group in the other direction in the first direction, A lead bending method in which the first step and the second step are performed simultaneously.

10. In paragraph 9, A step of forming a third lead group and a fourth lead group on one surface of the second busbar frame assembly by passing through a plurality of second leads and a plurality of first leads having opposite polarities and being alternately arranged along the first direction on opposite sides of the first busbar frame assembly; A third step of bending a plurality of second leads included in a third lead group in one direction by a third bending tool; and A fourth step of bending a plurality of first leads included in a fourth lead group to the other side in the first direction by a fourth bending tool spaced apart from the third bending tool; A lead bending method in which the above steps 1 to 4 are performed simultaneously.

11. In paragraph 9, The above first lead is, It is a positive tab, The above second lead is, Negative tab lead bending method, 12. In paragraph 11, The plurality of first leads and the plurality of second leads are each an even number n, In the above first step, The above first bending tool simultaneously bends n / 2 or fewer second leads, In the second step above, A lead bending method in which the second bending tool bends n / 2 or fewer first leads simultaneously.

13. In paragraph 9, Before the above steps 1 and 2 are performed simultaneously, A first waiting step in which the first bending tool waits in a state separated from the plurality of first leads and the plurality of second leads; and A lead bending method, wherein the second bending tool further includes a first solo bending step of bending a plurality of second leads included in the second lead group in one direction.

14. In paragraph 9, The above busbar frame assembly The plurality of bus bars arranged along the first direction; and Including a first terminal portion and a second terminal portion respectively arranged on one side and the other side of the first direction of the plurality of bus bars, After the above steps 1 and 2 are performed simultaneously, A first terminal contact step of bending the first lead located at the outermost side of the first direction side to the first direction side and contacting the first terminal part; and A lead bending method further comprising a second terminal contact step of bending a second lead located at the outermost side of the first direction side to the first direction side and bringing it into contact with the second terminal.

15. In paragraph 9, Before the above steps 1 and 2 are performed simultaneously, A lead bending method further comprising a lead alignment step of inserting a jig including a plurality of guide slits into which the plurality of first leads and the plurality of second leads can be inserted between the plurality of first leads and the plurality of second leads to align the plurality of first leads and the plurality of second leads in parallel.

16. In paragraph 9, A lead bending method in which, in the second step, the second bending tool bends the plurality of first leads included in the second lead group and brings them into contact with one surface of the plurality of second leads among the second lead group that have completed bending.

17. In paragraph 9, A lead bending method in which the movement direction of the first bending tool in the first step and the movement direction of the second bending tool in the second step are opposite to each other.

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