Current collector plate alignment device and battery cell produced using same, and battery pack and vehicle comprising battery cell

Abstract

A current collector plate alignment device and a battery cell produced using same, and a battery pack and vehicle comprising the battery cell are disclosed. The current collector plate alignment device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a device for aligning a current collector plate provided in a battery cell, and comprises: a seating member having the current collector plate seated thereon; an alignment member that moves toward the current collector plate so as to align the current collector plate; and an operation member for operating the seating member and the alignment member.

Description

A current collector alignment device and a battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0108762, filed on August 14, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the said application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a collector plate alignment device and a battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell, and more particularly, to a collector plate alignment device capable of aligning collector plates, a battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell.

[0003] Secondary batteries, which have high applicability according to product group and electrical characteristics such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) driven by electrical power sources.

[0004] These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for environmental friendliness and energy efficiency because they not only have the primary advantage of drastically reducing the use of fossil fuels, but also have the advantage of producing no byproducts from energy use.

[0005] Commonly used secondary battery types include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The operating voltage of these unit secondary battery cells ranges from approximately 2.5 V to 4.5 V.

[0006] Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, multiple battery cells are connected in series to form a battery module or battery pack. Furthermore, depending on the required charge / discharge capacity, a number of battery cells are connected in parallel to form a battery module or battery pack. Accordingly, the number and electrical connection configuration of battery cells included in a battery module or battery pack can be varied depending on at least one of the required output voltage and charge / discharge capacity.

[0007] Cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch-shaped secondary battery cells are known types. Cylindrical battery cells are formed by interposing a separator, which serves as an insulator, between the positive and negative plates. This separator is then rolled to form a jelly-roll-shaped electrode assembly. This assembly, along with an electrolyte, is then inserted into a battery can to form the battery. Furthermore, cylindrical battery cells may use a current collector to electrically connect the positive and negative plates.

[0008] When manufacturing a battery cell, the current collector plates can be transported after being placed on a transport carrier from a tray in which the current collector plates are stored. In this case, if multiple current collector plates are stacked in multiple layers on the tray, the multiple current collector plates can be stacked facing different directions due to the clearance between the trays.

[0009] When the collector plates are placed on the transport carrier in this state (where multiple collector plates are loaded facing different directions), the collector plates are not placed accurately on the transport carrier, which has a problem of adversely affecting the product quality of the battery cell.

[0010] Accordingly, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a current collector alignment device capable of accurately seating a current collector on a transport carrier, a battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell.

[0011] In addition, the present invention provides a collector plate alignment device capable of automating the transfer of collector plates from a tray to a transfer carrier, a battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell.

[0012] In addition, the present invention provides a collector plate alignment device capable of preventing damage to the collector plate, a battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell.

[0013] In addition, the present invention provides a current collector alignment device capable of improving the product quality of a battery cell, a battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell.

[0014] However, the technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems described above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, a device for aligning a current collector plate provided in a battery cell may be provided, the device including: a mounting member on which the current collector plate is mounted; an alignment member that moves toward the current collector plate to align the current collector plate; and an operating member that operates the mounting member and the alignment member.

[0016] In one embodiment, the current collector plate may include a main body portion having a central hole formed therein, and the mounting member may include a support portion that supports the main body portion; and an insertion portion that is coupled to the support portion and into which the central hole of the main body portion is inserted.

[0017] In one embodiment, the support may include a support that supports the collector plate; and a peripheral protrusion that protrudes from the periphery of the support.

[0018] In one embodiment, the insertion portion may include a first portion extending from the support portion; and a second portion extending upwardly at an angle from the first portion.

[0019] In one embodiment, the alignment member may include a pair of alignment guides each disposed on one side of the mounting member.

[0020] In one embodiment, the device may include a driving unit coupled to the pair of alignment guides and moving the pair of alignment guides toward the collector plate.

[0021] In one embodiment, the pair of alignment guides can align the collector plate by pressing the collector plate on both sides of the collector plate.

[0022] In one embodiment, the pair of alignment guides may include a linear movement guide coupled to the pair of alignment guides so that the pair of alignment guides can move in a linear direction toward the collector plate.

[0023] In one embodiment, the operating member can operate the mounting member and the alignment member to move the collector plate aligned with the alignment member to the transport carrier.

[0024] In one embodiment, the operating member may include a rotating member coupled to the alignment member to rotate the alignment member; and a power unit coupled to the rotating member to rotate the rotating member.

[0025] In one embodiment, the transport carrier is positioned below the alignment member, and the operating member can rotate the alignment member to position it relative to the transport carrier.

[0026] In one embodiment, the alignment member includes a pair of alignment guides arranged on each side of the mounting member to press both sides of the current collector plate, and when the alignment member is positioned to correspond to the transport carrier, the pair of alignment guides can be configured to release the pressure on the current collector plate so that the current collector plate can descend to the transport carrier.

[0027] In one embodiment, an alignment hole is formed in the current collector plate, an alignment protrusion is formed in the transport carrier, and the current collector plate is lowered so that the alignment hole of the current collector plate can be inserted into the alignment protrusion of the transport carrier.

[0028] In one embodiment, the mounting member may include a detection sensor installed to detect the mounting of the collector plate.

[0029] Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, a battery cell produced using the aforementioned current collector alignment device can be provided, and further, a battery pack including at least one of the aforementioned battery cells can be provided, and further, a vehicle including at least one of the aforementioned battery cells can be provided.

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention are effective in accurately seating the current collector plate on the transport carrier.

[0031] Additionally, it has the effect of automating the transfer of the collector plate from the tray to the transfer carrier.

[0032] Additionally, it has the effect of preventing damage to the collector plate.

[0033] Additionally, it has the effect of improving the product quality of battery cells.

[0034] However, the effects that can be obtained through the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other technical effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0035] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and together with the detailed description of the invention described below, serve to further understand the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to matters described in such drawings.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a current collector alignment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a collector plate is mounted on a mounting member in a collector plate alignment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the state of an alignment member before aligning a collector plate in a collector plate alignment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 4 is a drawing viewed along part A of Figure 3.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a collector plate alignment device according to one embodiment of the present invention after the alignment member aligns the collector plate.

[0041] Figure 6 is a drawing viewed along part B of Figure 5.

[0042] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of a mounting member in a current collector alignment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating an operating member in a collector plate alignment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 9 is an enlarged view of part C of Figure 8.

[0045] FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a mounting member on which a collector plate is mounted and a transport carrier in a collector plate alignment device according to one embodiment of the present invention, with one side of the alignment member being omitted.

[0046] FIGS. 11 to 14 are drawings illustrating a process in which a collector plate is aligned by a collector plate alignment device according to one embodiment of the present invention and then moves to a transport carrier.

[0047] FIG. 15 is a plan view of a current collector after it has been moved to a transfer carrier by a current collector alignment device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a battery pack including battery cells produced using a current collector alignment device according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 17 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 16.

[0050] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to their conventional 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 to best explain his or her own invention. Therefore, it should be understood that 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, and various equivalents and modifications may exist as of the time of this application.

[0051] In the drawings, the sizes of each component or specific parts of that component are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for convenience and clarity of explanation. Therefore, the size of each component does not entirely reflect its actual size. If a detailed description of a related known function or configuration is deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, such description will be omitted.

[0052] The term 'joint' or 'connection' as used herein includes not only cases where one member is directly joined or directly connected to another member, but also cases where one member is indirectly joined or indirectly connected to another member through a connecting member.

[0053] The present invention may be implemented independently of the following embodiments. Furthermore, the present invention may be implemented by combining two or more of the following embodiments. Each of the following embodiments may be implemented independently and may also be freely combined with one another.

[0054] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a collector plate alignment device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a collector plate being seated on a mounting member in a collector plate alignment device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a collector plate alignment device before an alignment member aligns the collector plate in a collector plate alignment device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a view taken along part A of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a collector plate alignment device after an alignment member aligns the collector plate in a collector plate alignment device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a view taken along part B of FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a mounting member in a collector plate alignment device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a view showing an operating member in a collector plate alignment device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of part C of FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a view showing a mounting member on which a collector plate is seated and a transport member in a collector plate alignment device according to an embodiment of the present invention. A drawing showing a carrier, with one side of the alignment member omitted.

[0055] A current collector alignment device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention is a device that aligns a current collector plate (400) provided in a battery cell (20) during the manufacturing process of the battery cell (20). The current collector plate (400) may be a positive current collector plate or a negative current collector plate.

[0056] More specifically, when manufacturing a battery cell (2), the current collector plate (400) is transferred from a tray in which the current collector plate (400) is stored to a current collector plate alignment device (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention by various methods. Then, the current collector plate (400) is aligned in the current collector plate alignment device (10).

[0057] Then, the collector plate (400) aligned by the collector plate alignment device (10) is transferred to the transfer carrier (500). Then, the transfer carrier (500) transfers the collector plate (400) to the battery cell (20) manufacturing device to manufacture the battery cell (20).

[0058] Here, as one embodiment, a battery cell (20) manufactured using a current collector plate (400) aligned by a current collector plate alignment device (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention can be directly stored in a pack housing (310) of a battery pack (30). Hereinafter, even when simply referred to as a battery cell (20), it should be understood to mean a battery cell (20) manufactured using a current collector plate (400) aligned by a current collector plate alignment device (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Alternatively, although not shown in the drawing, in another embodiment, the battery cell (20) may be accommodated in a module case of a battery module, and the module case in which the battery cell (20) is accommodated may be accommodated in a pack housing (31) to form a battery pack (30).

[0060] The types of battery cells (20) may vary. For example, the battery cells (20) may include at least one of a pouch-type battery cell, a cylindrical battery cell, and a square battery cell, within a possible range. However, for convenience of explanation, the following description focuses on the case where the battery cell (20) is a cylindrical battery cell.

[0061] A battery cell (10, e.g., a cylindrical battery cell) may include an electrode assembly, a battery can, and a cap plate.

[0062] The electrode assembly has a structure in which a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrode plates are wound in one direction. In addition, a central hole is formed in the center of the electrode assembly, and the electrode assembly can be formed in a jelly roll type.

[0063] For example, an electrode assembly can be manufactured by winding a laminate formed by sequentially stacking a negative electrode plate, a separator, a positive electrode plate, and a separator at least once. Here, the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate can be formed in a sheet shape.

[0064] That is, the electrode assembly applied to the present embodiment may be a coil-type electrode assembly. In this case, an additional separator may be provided on the outer surface of the electrode assembly for insulation from the battery can. That is, the electrode assembly may have a coil structure well known in the relevant technical field without limitation.

[0065] The positive electrode plate may have a positive electrode active material applied to one or both sides thereof, and a first non-coated portion on which the positive electrode active material is not applied may be formed at an end of the positive electrode plate. The first non-coated portion may be exposed to the outside of the separator while forming a plurality of turns around the center of the electrode assembly, and may be used as an electrode tab in its own right. However, the first non-coated portion may not be formed on the positive electrode plate.

[0066] The negative electrode plate may have a negative active material applied to one or both sides thereof, and a second non-coated region may be formed at an end of the negative electrode plate where the negative active material is not applied. The second non-coated region may be exposed to the outside of the separator while forming a plurality of winding turns based on the center of the electrode assembly, and may be used as an electrode tab in its own right. However, the second non-coated region may not be formed on the negative electrode plate.

[0067] Here, when the positive and negative plates each include a non-coated portion, the first non-coated portion and the second non-coated portion can be configured to face in opposite directions.

[0068] In addition, the positive electrode active material coated on the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode active material coated on the negative electrode plate can be used without limitation as long as they are active materials known in the art.

[0069] The separation membrane may be a porous polymer film, for example, a porous polymer film made of a polyolefin polymer such as an ethylene homopolymer, a propylene homopolymer, an ethylene / butene copolymer, an ethylene / hexene copolymer, an ethylene / methacrylate copolymer, etc., which may be used alone or in a laminated manner.

[0070] As another example, the separator may be a conventional porous nonwoven fabric, such as a nonwoven fabric made of high-melting-point glass fiber, polyethylene terephthalate fiber, etc.

[0071] At least one surface of the membrane may include a coating layer of inorganic particles. Furthermore, the membrane itself may be formed of a coating layer of inorganic particles. The particles constituting the coating layer may have a structure in which they are bound to a binder such that an interstitial volume exists between adjacent particles.

[0072] Additionally, the center hole of the electrode assembly is also used for welding the cell terminal (positive terminal) and the positive current collector plate. That is, the electrode assembly can be configured to weld the cell terminal and the positive current collector plate by irradiating a laser through the center hole.

[0073] An electrode assembly is housed in a battery can. A through hole may be formed in the battery can. The battery can is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the electrode assembly is housed within the battery can, and may be electrically connected to the negative electrode plate of the electrode assembly. Accordingly, the battery can have the same polarity as the negative electrode plate, i.e., a negative electrode.

[0074] The diameter of the battery can is formed to be larger than the diameter of the electrode assembly. A gap of a preset size is formed between the battery can and the positive electrode collector plate, and an insulator may be interposed between the gap.

[0075] If the size of the electrode assembly is increased while the size of the battery can is determined according to the standard, the total capacity of the battery cell (20) increases, but the gap between the battery can and the electrode assembly decreases.

[0076] That is, when the size of the electrode assembly is increased to increase the overall capacity of the battery cell (20), the gap between the battery can and the electrode assembly is reduced, so in order to increase the capacity of the battery cell (20), an insulator must be able to be interposed between the reduced gap between the battery can and the electrode assembly, and for this purpose, it is desirable that the thickness of the insulator be as thin as possible.

[0077] A battery can is a roughly cylindrical container made of a conductive material, such as metal. The battery can may be made of, but is not limited to, a conductive metal, such as aluminum, steel, or stainless steel.

[0078] A battery can may have a beading portion and a crimping portion formed thereon, and a cap plate, described below, may be supported by being seated on the beading portion formed on the battery can. In addition, the cap plate is fixed by the crimping portion. A sealing gasket may be interposed between the cap plate and the crimping portion of the battery can to ensure airtightness of the battery can.

[0079] The beading portion is formed by pressing the outer circumference of the battery can inward. The beading portion supports the electrode assembly, which has a size roughly corresponding to the width of the battery can, so that the electrode assembly does not fall out of the battery can, and can also function as a support for the cap plate to be secured. In addition, the beading portion can support the outer circumferential surface of the sealing gasket.

[0080] The crimping portion is provided to extend and bend inwardly toward the inside of the battery can and to securely wrap around the edge of the cap plate together with the sealing gasket. In addition, the crimping portion may be formed at the upper or lower portion of the beading portion.

[0081] The present invention also includes a case where the battery can does not have at least one of a beading portion and a crimping portion. In this case, at least a portion of the edge portion of the negative electrode current collector may be directly welded to the inner surface of the battery can to support the electrode assembly.

[0082] The positive electrode collector is electrically connected to the positive electrode plate, for example, at the top of the electrode assembly. For example, the positive electrode collector is made of a conductive metal material and can be electrically connected to the first non-conductive portion of the positive electrode plate.

[0083] The cell terminal is made of a conductive metal material and is electrically connected to the positive electrode collector plate. In addition, the cell terminal is electrically connected to the positive electrode plate of the electrode assembly through the positive electrode collector plate, thereby having a positive polarity.

[0084] That is, the cell terminal can function as a positive terminal. In addition, the battery can is electrically connected to the negative plate of the electrode assembly as described above, thereby having a negative polarity.

[0085] The negative current collector is electrically connected to the negative electrode plate, for example, at the bottom of the electrode assembly. For example, the negative current collector may be made of a conductive metal material such as aluminum, steel, copper, or nickel, and may be electrically connected to the second non-conductive portion of the negative electrode plate.

[0086] The negative electrode current collector may be electrically connected to the battery can. For this purpose, at least a portion of the edge portion of the negative electrode current collector may be secured between the inner surface of the battery can and a sealing gasket.

[0087] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the edge of the negative electrode current collector may be supported on the lower surface of the bead formed at the bottom of the battery can and secured to the bead by welding.

[0088] And, at least a portion of the remaining portion, excluding the joining portion of the beading portion of the negative electrode collector plate, can be joined to the folded surface of the second non-conductive portion by welding, for example, laser welding.

[0089] Additionally, the negative electrode current collector may be electrically coupled at least partially to a surface of the upper and lower surfaces of the beading portion adjacent to the crimping portion.

[0090] The cap plate is configured to seal the opening formed at the bottom of the battery can. The cap plate may be made of, for example, a metal material to ensure rigidity.

[0091] Additionally, the cap plate may be provided as non-polar, separate from the electrode assembly. That is, the cap plate may not have polarity even if it is provided as a conductive metal material.

[0092] The non-polarized cap plate means that it is electrically insulated from the battery can and cell terminals. Thus, the cap plate may be non-polarized, and its material does not necessarily have to be a conductive metal.

[0093] The cap plate may be supported by being seated on a beaded portion formed on the battery can. In addition, the cap plate is fixed by a crimping portion described below. A sealing gasket may be interposed between the cap plate and the crimping portion of the battery can to ensure airtightness of the battery can. That is, the sealing gasket may be arranged to be interposed between the edge of the cap plate and the opening of the battery can.

[0094] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a current collector alignment device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a mounting member (100), an alignment member (200), and an operating member (300).

[0095] The mounting member (100) is configured to allow a current collector plate (400) to be mounted thereon. The current collector plate (400) may have various shapes, and for example, may be configured to include a main body portion (410) in which a central hole (411) is formed, and the main body portion (410) may be mounted on the mounting member (100).

[0096] Referring to FIG. 2, the fixing member (100) may include a support portion (110) and an insertion portion (120).

[0097] The support (110) supports the main body (410) of the collector plate (400). The support (110) can be configured in various ways, and for example, referring to FIG. 7, it can include a support (111) and a peripheral protrusion (112).

[0098] The support (111) may have various shapes, for example, it may be formed in a cylindrical shape. However, the shape of the support (111) is not limited thereto. The support (111) supports the collector plate (400).

[0099] The peripheral protrusion (112) protrudes from the periphery of the support (111). For example, if the support (111) has a cylindrical shape, the peripheral protrusion (112) may be formed in a circular shape by protruding upward along the periphery of the cylinder with reference to FIG. 7.

[0100] In this way, when the peripheral protrusion (112) protrudes along the perimeter of the support (111), when the collector plate (400) is mounted on the mounting member (100) as in FIG. 2, the collector plate (400) only contacts the peripheral protrusion (112) and does not contact the support (111). That is, the support (110) is configured to include the support (111) and the peripheral protrusion (112), so that the contact area between the collector plate (400) and the support (110) can be minimized.

[0101] For example, when the contact area between the collector plate (400) and the support member (110) increases, when the collector plate (400) is aligned by the alignment member (200), a large number of scratches may occur as the collector plate (400) is scratched by the support member (110), and the collector plate (400) may be damaged as a result.

[0102] However, in the case of the collector plate alignment device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention, the support member (110) includes a support member (111) and a peripheral protrusion member (112), and the peripheral protrusion member (112) is configured to protrude from the periphery of the support member (111), so that the contact area between the collector plate (400) and the support member (110) can be minimized, and thus there is an effect of preventing damage to the collector plate due to scratches that may occur during the alignment of the collector plate (400).

[0103] Referring to Fig. 7, the insertion portion (120) is coupled to the support (111) of the support portion (110), and the center hole (411) of the main body (410) of the current collector plate (400) is inserted (see Fig. 2). The insertion portion (120) may be formed to protrude from the approximate center of the support portion (110).

[0104] Referring again to FIG. 7, the insertion portion (120) may include a first portion (121) and a second portion (122).

[0105] The first portion (121) extends from the approximate center of the support (111) of the support member (110). However, the first portion (121) does not need to be located at the exact center of the support (111), and may be located at the exact center of the support (111), or may be slightly deviated from a preset range from the exact center of the support (111).

[0106] The second portion (122) extends upwardly from the first portion (121) at an angle based on FIG. 7. For example, the second portion (122) may extend pointedly from the first portion (121). In this way, when the second portion (122) extends pointedly from the first portion (121), the collector plate (400) can be easily inserted into the insertion portion (120).

[0107] Referring back to FIG. 7, the mounting member (100) may include a detection sensor (130). That is, the detection sensor (130) may be installed at various locations of the mounting member (100). For example, the detection sensor (130) may be installed at the support (111) to detect the installation of the current collector (400), but the installation location of the detection sensor (130) is not limited thereto.

[0108] The detection sensor (130) may include various sensors, for example, a proximity sensor, but is not limited thereto.

[0109] The current collector plate (400) can be mounted on the mounting member (100) in various ways. For example, a vacuum pad can adsorb the current collector plate (400) stored in a tray and mount it on the mounting member (100). At this time, the vacuum pad releases the adsorption while the central hole (411) of the main body (410) of the current collector plate (400) is inserted into the insertion portion (120) of the mounting member (100), thereby allowing the current collector plate (400) to be supported by the support portion (110) after being inserted into the insertion portion (120).

[0110] However, since the collector plates (400) stored in the tray are not all aligned precisely, when the vacuum pad adsorbs the collector plates (400) and places them on the mounting member (100), the collector plates (400) are placed on the mounting member (100) without being aligned. In order to align the collector plates (400) placed on the mounting member (100) without being aligned, the collector plate alignment device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an alignment member (200).

[0111] The alignment member (200) moves toward the collector plate (400) to align the collector plate (400). The alignment member (200) may be configured in various ways, and for example, as shown in FIG. 2, may include a pair of alignment guides (210) arranged on each side of the mounting member (100).

[0112] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, when the collector plate (400) is mounted on the mounting member (100) by the vacuum pad, a pair of alignment guides (210) are spaced apart from the collector plate (400). And, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, after the collector plate (400) is mounted on the mounting member (100), a pair of alignment guides (210) move toward the collector plate (400) to pressurize both sides of the collector plate (400), respectively.

[0113] Here, if the collector plate (400) is not aligned and the arrangement is misaligned, the collector plate (400) can be aligned by a pair of alignment guides (210). That is, the pair of alignment guides (210) align the collector plate (400) by applying pressure to the collector plate (400) from both sides of the collector plate (400).

[0114] Referring to Fig. 9, a pair of alignment guides (210) can be coupled to a driving unit (220). The driving unit (220) is coupled to the pair of alignment guides (210) and moves the pair of alignment guides (210) to the current collector (400). The driving unit (220) can be various, and can be, for example, a cylinder or various motors, but is not limited thereto.

[0115] A linear movement guide (230) is coupled to a pair of alignment guides (210) and guides the movement of the pair of alignment guides (210) so that the pair of alignment guides (210) can move in a linear direction toward the collector plate (400).

[0116] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8, the operating member (300) operates the fixing member (100) and the alignment member (200).

[0117] The operating member (300) operates the mounting member (100) and the alignment member (200) to move the current collector (400) aligned to the alignment member (200) to the transport carrier (500). The operating member (300) may be various and may include, for example, various motors.

[0118] Referring to FIG. 8, the operating member (300) may include a rotating member (310) and a power unit (320). The rotating member (310) is coupled to the alignment member (200) and rotates the alignment member (200). In addition, the power unit (320) is coupled to the rotating member (310) and rotates the rotating member (310). The power unit (320) may include various motors, and for example, may include a servo motor capable of controlling an angle.

[0119] Referring to FIG. 10, the transport carrier (500) can be positioned on the lower side of the alignment member (200), and the operating member (300) can rotate the alignment member (200) to position it corresponding to the transport carrier (500).

[0120] FIGS. 11 to 14 are drawings illustrating a process in which a collector plate is aligned by a collector plate alignment device according to an embodiment of the present invention and then moved to a transport carrier, and FIG. 15 is a plan view of a collector plate after being moved to a transport carrier by a collector plate alignment device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0121] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 11 to 15, the process of moving the current collector (400) to the transfer carrier (500) after being aligned by the operation of the operating member (300) will be described.

[0122] Referring to Fig. 11, the current collector plate (400) is aligned by the alignment member (200) after being mounted on the mounting member (100). Here, a pair of alignment guides (210) of the alignment member (200) align the current collector plate (400) by applying pressure to both sides of the current collector plate (400), and also supports and fixes the current collector plate (400).

[0123] Referring to Fig. 12, the alignment member (200) rotates by the operation of the operating member (300). That is, when the power unit (320, see Fig. 8) of the operating member (300) rotates (e.g., rotates 180 degrees), the rotation unit (310) coupled to the power unit (320) rotates, and also the alignment member (200) coupled to the rotation unit (310) rotates.

[0124] Referring to Fig. 13, when the alignment member (200) rotates and is positioned so that the alignment member (200) corresponds to the transport carrier (500), a pair of alignment guides (210) release the pressure on the collector plate (400). As a result, the collector plate (400) descends to the transport carrier (500).

[0125] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the current collector plate (400) is lowered and placed on the transport carrier (500). Here, an alignment hole (412) may be formed in the current collector plate (400), and an alignment protrusion (510) may be formed in the transport carrier (500). As the current collector plate (400) is lowered, the alignment hole (412) of the current collector plate (400) may be inserted into the alignment protrusion (510) of the transport carrier (500).

[0126] By this, it is possible to accurately place the aligned current collector plate (400) on the transport carrier (500).

[0127] And, after the current collector plate (400) is aligned and placed on the transport carrier (500), the transport carrier (500) transports the current collector plate (400) to the manufacturing device of the battery cell (20).

[0128] As described above, the collector plate alignment device (10) according to each embodiment of the present invention has the effect of automating the transfer of the collector plate (400) from the tray to the transfer carrier (500), and also has the effect of improving the product quality of the battery cell (20).

[0129] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a battery pack including battery cells produced using a current collector alignment device according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0130] Referring to FIG. 16, a battery pack (30) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery cells (20). Here, the battery cells (20) are produced by including current collector plates (400) aligned using a current collector plate alignment device (10) according to each embodiment of the present invention as described above.

[0131] In addition, the battery pack (30) may further include a pack housing (31) for storing the battery cells (20), and various devices for controlling charging and discharging of the battery cells (20), such as a BMS, a current sensor, a fuse, etc.

[0132] FIG. 17 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 16.

[0133] Referring to FIG. 17, a vehicle (40) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery cells (20) or battery packs (30). The battery cells (20) are produced by including current collector plates (400) aligned using the current collector plate alignment device (10) according to each embodiment of the present invention as described above. In addition, the battery pack (30) may include one or more battery cells (20) as described above.

[0134] Here, the above-mentioned vehicle (40) includes various vehicles that are designed to use electricity, such as electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles.

[0135] In this specification, when terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, and right are used, these terms are only for convenience of explanation, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms may vary depending on the location of the target object or the location of the observer.

[0136] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications and variations within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims to be described below. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed above should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. In other words, the true scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is set forth in the claims, and all differences within the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as being included in the present invention.

[0137] The present invention relates to a current collector alignment device and a battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell, and is particularly applicable to industries related to secondary batteries.

Claims

1. A device for aligning the current collector plates provided in a battery cell, A mounting member on which the above-mentioned collector plate is mounted; An alignment member that moves toward the collector plate and aligns the collector plate; and A collector plate alignment device including an operating member that operates the above-described fixing member and the above-described alignment member.

2. In paragraph 1, The above current collector plate includes a main body having a central hole formed therein, The above-mentioned fixing member is, A support member supporting the main body; and A current collector alignment device characterized by including an insertion part that is coupled to the support part and into which the central hole of the main body part is inserted.

3. In paragraph 2, The above support part, A support supporting the above collector plate; and A collector plate alignment device characterized by including a peripheral protrusion protruding from the periphery of the support.

4. In paragraph 2, The above insertion part, a first portion extending from the above support; and A collector plate alignment device characterized by including a second portion extending upwardly at an angle from the first portion.

5. In paragraph 1, A current collector alignment device characterized in that the alignment member includes a pair of alignment guides arranged on each side of the mounting member.

6. In paragraph 5, A current collector alignment device characterized by including a driving unit coupled to the pair of alignment guides and moving the pair of alignment guides toward the current collector plate.

7. In paragraph 6, A current collector alignment device characterized in that the pair of alignment guides align the current collector plates by pressing the current collector plates on both sides of the current collector plates.

8. In paragraph 5, A collector plate alignment device characterized in that it includes a linear movement guide coupled to the pair of alignment guides so that the pair of alignment guides can move in a linear direction toward the collector plate.

9. In paragraph 1, A collector plate alignment device characterized in that the operating member operates the mounting member and the alignment member to move the collector plate aligned to the alignment member to a transport carrier.

10. In paragraph 9, The above operating member is, A rotating member coupled to the alignment member and rotating the alignment member; and A collector plate alignment device characterized by including a power unit coupled to the rotating unit and rotating the rotating unit.

11. In paragraph 9, A current collector alignment device characterized in that the transfer carrier is located on the lower side of the alignment member, and the operating member rotates the alignment member so that it is positioned corresponding to the transfer carrier.

12. In paragraph 11, The above alignment member includes a pair of alignment guides arranged on each side of the mounting member to press both sides of the current collector plate, respectively. A collector plate alignment device characterized in that when the alignment member is positioned to correspond to the transport carrier, the pair of alignment guides release the pressure on the collector plate so that the collector plate descends to the transport carrier.

13. In paragraph 12, An alignment hole is formed in the above current collector plate, and an alignment protrusion is formed in the above transport carrier. A collector plate alignment device characterized in that the collector plate is lowered and the alignment hole of the collector plate is inserted into the alignment protrusion of the transport carrier.

14. In paragraph 1, A collector plate alignment device characterized by including a detection sensor installed in the mounting member to detect the mounting of the collector plate.

15. A battery cell produced using a collector plate alignment device according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A battery pack comprising at least one battery cell according to paragraph 15.

17. A vehicle comprising at least one battery cell according to paragraph 15.

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