Battery cell production apparatus, battery cell produced using same, and battery pack and vehicle comprising battery cell

Abstract

A battery cell production apparatus, a battery cell produced using same, and a battery pack and a vehicle comprising the battery cell are disclosed. The battery cell production apparatus. according to one embodiment of the present invention, which produces a battery cell by using an electrode foil on which a coating layer is formed, comprises: an electrode generation member for generating an electrode foil; a winding member for winding, in the form of a jelly roll, an electrode generated using the electrode generation member; and a folding member for folding the electrode.

Description

Battery cell production device and battery cell produced using the same, and battery pack and vehicle including the battery cell

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0114152, filed on August 26, 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 battery cell production 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 battery cell production device capable of facilitating electrode folding, a battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell.

[0003] In general, a secondary battery refers to a battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, such as a lithium-ion battery, a lithium polymer battery, a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-hydrogen battery, or a nickel-zinc battery.

[0004] Secondary batteries can be classified into cylindrical battery cells and prismatic battery cells, in which the electrode assembly is built into a cylindrical or prismatic metal can, and pouch-type battery cells, in which the electrode assembly is built into a pouch-type case made of aluminum laminate sheet, depending on the shape of the battery case.

[0005] In addition, the electrode (positive electrode or negative electrode) of the secondary battery may include a support portion in which a coating layer is formed by pressing an electrode mixture onto the surface of an electrode foil, and a non-support portion in which the coating layer is not formed.

[0006] In a conventional cylindrical battery cell, an active material of a positive or negative electrode is applied to the electrode, and then the electrode is slit (the electrode is cut), and the end of the slit electrode (e.g., the non-conductive portion) is pressed to bend it.

[0007] However, there is a problem that the electrode is damaged when the end of the slit electrode is excessively crumpled during the process of pressing the end of the electrode, which has a negative effect on the overall quality of the battery cell.

[0008] Accordingly, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery cell production device that forms preset lines on an electrode so that the electrode can be easily folded, a battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell.

[0009] In addition, the present invention provides a battery cell production device capable of preventing electrode damage during electrode folding and thereby improving the quality of battery cells, a battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell.

[0010] 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.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, a battery cell production device for producing a battery cell using an electrode foil having a coating layer formed thereon may be provided, the device including: an electrode production member for producing an electrode using the electrode foil; a winding member for winding an electrode produced through the electrode production member into a jelly roll shape; and a folding member for folding the electrode.

[0012] In one embodiment, the electrode generating member may include a transport member that transports the electrode foil; and a folding line forming member that forms a folding line on the electrode foil transported by the transport member.

[0013] In one embodiment, the folding line forming member may be configured to pressurize the electrode foil.

[0014] In one embodiment, the folding line forming member may include a pressing portion that contacts the electrode foil to form a folding line on the electrode foil; and a supporting portion that is coupled to the pressing portion and supports the pressing portion.

[0015] In one embodiment, the pressurizing portion may be formed so that the cross-sectional area decreases toward one end.

[0016] In one embodiment, the pressurizing portion may have one end formed to be pointed.

[0017] In one embodiment, the electrode includes a holding portion having the coating layer formed on the surface and a non-coating portion having no coating layer formed thereon, and the folding line forming member can form the folding line on the non-coating portion.

[0018] In one embodiment, the pressurizing portions are provided in pairs, and one pair of the pressurizing portions can be disposed on each side of the electrode foil.

[0019] In one embodiment, the folding line re-pressurizing member may be spaced apart from the winding member and may include a folding line re-pressurizing member that re-presses the folding line along the folding line.

[0020] In one embodiment, the folding line pressurizing member can re-pressurize the folding line while the winding member winds the electrode and separator into a jelly roll-shaped electrode assembly.

[0021] In one embodiment, the folding member can fold the electrode along the folding line.

[0022] In one embodiment, the folding member is provided with a plurality of unit press parts, and the plurality of unit press parts can press the electrode while moving from the outside of the jelly roll-shaped electrode toward the center.

[0023] In one embodiment, a plurality of the unit press sections can press the electrode simultaneously or sequentially.

[0024] In one embodiment, the plurality of unit press sections have the same shape and the same size and can press the electrode at the same speed.

[0025] Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, a battery cell produced using the above-described battery cell production device can be provided, and further, a battery pack including at least one of the above-described battery cells can be provided, and further, an automobile including at least one of the above-described battery cells can be provided.

[0026] Embodiments of the present invention have the effect of forming a preset line on the electrode so that the electrode can be easily folded.

[0027] Additionally, it has the effect of preventing electrode damage during electrode folding, thereby improving the quality of battery cells.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an electrode production member in a battery cell production device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Fig. 2 is a plan view showing a folding line formed on an electrode foil by an electrode generating member in Fig. 1.

[0032] Figure 3 is a drawing of part A in Figure 2 viewed along the arrow.

[0033] FIG. 4(a) is a drawing illustrating a folding line forming member in a battery cell production device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4(b) is a drawing illustrating a folding line forming member according to a modified embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of an electrode being wound into a jelly roll shape by a winding member in a battery cell production device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a battery cell production device according to one embodiment of the present invention before a folding member folds an electrode.

[0036] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a battery cell production device according to one embodiment of the present invention after the folding member folds the electrode.

[0037] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of a battery cell production device according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing a folding member moving toward an electrode to fold the electrode.

[0038] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional side view of the folding member in Figure 8, showing the electrode folded.

[0039] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the folding member in Fig. 9, which is separated from the electrode after folding the electrode.

[0040] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a battery pack including battery cells produced using a battery cell production device according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 12 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 11.

[0042] 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 modified examples may exist as of the time of this application.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an electrode forming member in a battery cell production device according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a folding line formed on an electrode foil by the electrode forming member in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a view looking along an arrow at part A in FIG. 2, FIG. 4(a) is a view showing a folding line forming member in a battery cell production device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4(b) is a view showing a folding line forming member according to a modified embodiment.

[0046] Referring to the drawings, a battery cell production device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention relates to a battery cell production device (10) that produces an electrode (600, see FIG. 2, positive or negative electrode) using an electrode foil (500) on which a coating layer (510) is formed, and produces a battery cell (20, see FIG. 11) using the electrode (600). Here, the electrode (600) is a concept that includes both a wet electrode and a dry electrode.

[0047] For example, a wet electrode is manufactured by applying an electrode mixture in a slurry state including a solvent to the surface of an electrode substrate such as an electrode foil (500) to form a coating layer (510), and drying the coating layer (510).

[0048] And, the dry electrode is manufactured through a process of forming a coating layer (510) by pressing an electrode mixture in a powder state (powder mixture) that does not contain a solvent onto the surface of an electrode foil (500). That is, the electrode mixture is mixed without a liquid medium such as a solvent or dispersion medium, and then pressed while passing the electrode mixture in a powder state through a rolling roll.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrode generating member (100) is configured to generate an electrode (600) using an electrode foil (500). The electrode generating member (100) may include a transfer member (110) and a folding line forming member (120). In addition, the electrode generating member (100) may include various types of coating forming members (130) that form a coating layer (510) on the electrode foil (500).

[0050] The conveying member (110) conveys the electrode foil (500). The conveying member (110) may be various, and for example, may include a plurality of rollers (111) to convey the electrode foil (500) in a roll-to-roll manner. Although the conveying member (110) is not limited thereto, for convenience of explanation, an embodiment in which the conveying member (110) includes a plurality of rollers (111) will be described below. In addition, arrows in FIG. 1 indicate the conveying direction of the electrode foil (500).

[0051] For example, when multiple rollers (111) rotate, the electrode foil (500) moves in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1.

[0052] The coating forming member (130) is configured to form a coating layer (510) on the electrode foil (500). An electrode active material can be coated on the surface of the electrode foil (500) by the coating forming member (130). Referring to FIG. 2, the electrode foil (500) may include a holding portion (520) on which a coating layer (510) of an electrode active material is formed on the surface, and a non-coated portion (530, for example, both ends of the electrode foil (500)) on which a coating layer (510) of an electrode active material is not formed.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 1, the folding line forming member (120) is configured to form a folding line (540) on the electrode foil (500) transported by the transport member (110).

[0054] The manner in which the folding line forming member (120) forms a folding line (540) on the electrode foil (500) may vary, and for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the folding line forming member (120) may be configured to press the electrode foil (500).

[0055] The folding line forming member (120) can be configured in various ways, and for example, can be configured to include a pressing portion (121) and a supporting portion (122).

[0056] The pressurizing portion (121) contacts the electrode foil (500) and pressurizes the electrode foil (500) at a preset pressure, thereby forming a folding line (540) on the electrode foil (500), as shown in FIG. 3. The pressurizing portion (121) may be positioned at various locations, and for example, may be positioned to pressurize the upper side of the electrode foil (500).

[0057] In this way, when the pressurizing part (121) presses the upper side of the electrode foil (500), the electrode foil (500) can be formed into a shape in which it is pressed downward based on FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0058] The pressurizing unit (121) can pressurize the electrode foil (500) while the electrode foil (500) is being transported by the plurality of rollers (111) of the transporting unit (110). In addition, the pressurizing unit (121) may be positioned either in front or behind the coating forming unit (130) based on the transporting direction of the electrode foil (500).

[0059] Referring to Fig. 4(a), the pressurizing portion (121) may be formed so that the size of the cross-sectional area decreases toward one end. In Fig. 4(a), the lower end of the pressurizing portion (121) may be formed pointed. Alternatively, referring to Fig. 4(b) as a modified embodiment, the lower end of the pressurizing portion (121) may be formed rounded. However, the shape of the pressurizing portion (121) is not limited thereto.

[0060] The pressurizing portion (121) may be provided as a pair. In this case, a pair of pressurizing portions (121) may be arranged on each side of the electrode foil (500). In addition, the pressurizing portion (121) may pressurize the non-coated portion (530) of the electrode (600, or electrode foil (500)) to form a folding line (540) on the non-coated portion (530).

[0061] The support member (122) is coupled to the pressure member (121) and supports the pressure member (121). If the pressure members (121) are provided in pairs, a pair of pressure members (121) can be coupled to each of the two sides of the support member (122).

[0062] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of an electrode being wound into a jelly roll shape by a winding member in a battery cell production device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 5, the winding member (200) winds the electrode (600) generated through the electrode generating member (100) into a jelly roll shape to form an electrode assembly (700). The electrode assembly (700) may have a jelly roll shape in which a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate are wound in one direction.

[0064] The winding member (200) may be of various shapes, and for example, as shown in FIG. 5, may be formed in a rod shape. However, the winding member (200) is not limited to a rod shape, but for convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on a case where the winding member (200) is rod-shaped.

[0065] The winding member (200) is inserted into the center hole of the electrode assembly (700) and rotates to wind the electrode assembly (700). Here, when the winding member (200) and the electrode assembly (700) rotate, a folding line material pressure member (400) may be provided to further pressurize the folding line (540) formed by the folding line forming member (120).

[0066] Referring to Fig. 5, the folding line pressurizing member (400) is separated from the winding member (200) and pressurizes the folding line (540) again along the folding line (540). As a result, the folding line (540) can be formed more clearly.

[0067] That is, the folding line pressurizing member (400) pressurizes the folding line (540) again while the winding member (200) winds the electrode (600) and the separator into a jelly roll-shaped electrode assembly (700).

[0068] However, the folding line pressure member (400) is not necessarily required and may be optionally provided as needed.

[0069] Since the folding line pressurizing member (400) has a similar configuration to the folding line forming member (120), the description of the folding line pressurizing member (400) is replaced with the description of the folding line forming member (120) described above.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a battery cell production device according to an embodiment of the present invention before a folding member folds an electrode, FIG. 7 is a plan view of a battery cell production device according to an embodiment of the present invention after a folding member folds an electrode, FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of a folding member moving toward an electrode to fold the electrode in a battery cell production device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of a folding member folding an electrode in FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of a folding member being separated from an electrode after folding the electrode in FIG. 9.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the folding member (300) folds the electrode (600). That is, the folding member (300) pressurizes and folds the electrode (600) so that the electrode (600) is folded along the folding line (540) formed on the electrode (600) by the folding line forming member (120).

[0072] The folding member (300) may be provided with a plurality of unit press parts (310a, 310b, 310c, 310d, 310e, 310f). And, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the plurality of unit press parts (310a, 310b, 310c, 310d, 310e, 310f) may be configured to press the electrode (600) while moving from the outside of the jelly roll-shaped electrode (600) toward the center.

[0073] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of Fig. 6. Referring to Fig. 8, a plurality of unit press parts (310a, 310b, 310c, 310d) press the electrode (600) so that the electrode (600) is folded along the folding line (540) of the electrode (600) while moving obliquely from the upper side to the lower side toward the center of the electrode (600).

[0074] However, it is not limited thereto, and a plurality of unit press parts (310a, 310b, 310c, 310d, 310e, 310f) may be configured to move toward the center of the electrode (600) along the horizontal direction, not located on the upper side, but located at the same height as the folding line (540).

[0075] Referring to FIG. 9, a plurality of unit press parts (310a, 310b, 310c, 310d) press the folding line (540) of the electrode (600) so that the electrode (600) is folded. In this way, when a plurality of unit press parts (310) move from the outside of the electrode (600) toward the center and press the folding line (540) formed on the electrode (600), the electrode (600) is folded evenly, so that tearing of the electrode (600) or damage due to uneven folding of the non-coated portion (530) can be prevented.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 10, a plurality of unit press parts (310a, 310b, 310c, 310d) are separated from the electrode (600) after completing folding of the electrode (600).

[0077] The plurality of unit press units (310a, 310b, 310c, 310d, 310e, 310f) can press the electrode (600) in various ways. For example, the plurality of unit press units (310a, 310b, 310c, 310d, 310e, 310f) can press the electrode (600) simultaneously or sequentially. Alternatively, the plurality of unit press units (310a, 310b, 310c, 310d, 310e, 310f) may have the same shape and the same size and press the electrode (600) at the same speed. However, the pressing method of the plurality of unit press units (310a, 310b, 310c, 310d, 310e, 310f) is not limited thereto.

[0078] Meanwhile, in FIGS. 6 and 7, the plurality of unit press parts (310a, 310b, 310c, 310d, 310e, 310f) are configured as six, but this is not limited to the number, and the number of the plurality of unit press parts (310a, 310b, 310c, 310d, 310e, 310f) may vary.

[0079] FIG. 11 is a drawing schematically showing the configuration of a battery pack including a battery cell (20) produced using a battery cell production device (10) according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 11, 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 using a battery cell production device (10) according to each embodiment of the present invention as described above.

[0081] 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.

[0082] FIG. 12 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 11.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 12, a vehicle (40) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery cells (20) produced using a battery cell production device (10) according to each embodiment of the present invention, or the battery pack (30). Here, the vehicle (40) includes various vehicles that are designed to use electricity, such as electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles, for example.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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 from an illustrative rather than a restrictive perspective. 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.

[0086] The present invention relates to a battery cell production device and a battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and an automobile including the battery cell, and is particularly applicable to industries related to secondary batteries.

Claims

1. In a battery cell production device that produces a battery cell using an electrode foil on which a coating layer is formed, An electrode generating member that generates an electrode using the above electrode foil; A winding member that winds the electrode generated through the above electrode generating member into a jelly roll shape; and A battery cell production device including a folding member for folding the above electrode.

2. In paragraph 1, The above electrode generating member is, A transfer member for transferring the electrode foil; and A battery cell production device including a folding line forming member that forms a folding line on the electrode foil conveyed by the conveying member.

3. In paragraph 2, A battery cell production device characterized in that the above folding line forming member is configured to press the electrode foil.

4. In paragraph 3, The above folding line forming member is, A pressurizing portion that contacts the electrode foil to form a folding line on the electrode foil; and A battery cell production device characterized by including a support member that is coupled to the pressurizing member and supports the pressurizing member.

5. In paragraph 4, A battery cell production device characterized in that the pressurizing portion is formed so that the size of the cross-sectional area decreases toward one end.

6. In paragraph 5, A battery cell production device characterized in that the pressurizing portion has one end formed to be pointed.

7. In paragraph 2, The above electrode includes a maintenance portion having the coating layer formed on the surface and a non-coating portion having no coating layer formed thereon. A battery cell production device characterized in that the folding line forming member forms the folding line in the non-woven portion.

8. In paragraph 4, The above pressurizing part is provided in pairs, A battery cell production device, characterized in that a pair of the above pressurizing parts are respectively arranged on both sides of the electrode foil.

9. In paragraph 3, A battery cell production device characterized by including a folding line re-pressurizing member that is spaced apart from the above-mentioned winding member and re-pressurizes the folding line along the folding line.

10. In paragraph 9, A battery cell production device characterized in that the above folding line pressurizing member pressurizes the folding line again while the winding member winds the electrode and separator into a jelly roll-shaped electrode assembly.

11. In paragraph 2, A battery cell production device characterized in that the above folding member folds the electrode along the above folding line.

12. In paragraph 11, The above folding member is provided with multiple unit press sections, A battery cell production device characterized in that the plurality of unit press parts press the electrode while moving from the outside of the jelly roll-shaped electrode toward the center.

13. In paragraph 12, A battery cell production device characterized in that a plurality of the above unit press sections press the electrodes simultaneously or sequentially.

14. In paragraph 12, A battery cell production device characterized in that the plurality of unit press sections have the same shape and the same size and press the electrode at the same speed.

15. A battery cell produced using a battery cell production 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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