Battery cell storage device and battery cell activation method using same

Abstract

The present invention provides a battery cell storage device and a battery cell activation method using same, the battery cell storage device comprising: a main body in which a battery cell is accommodated and which can be sealed; a charge / discharge unit comprising charge / discharge terminals electrically connected to electrode leads of the battery cell in the main body; and a vacuum unit, wherein the vacuum unit controls the pressure inside the main body.

Description

Battery cell storage device and battery cell activation method using the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery cell storage device and a method for activating a battery cell using the same.

[0002] The present disclosure claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0148883 filed October 28, 2024, and all contents of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0148883 are incorporated by reference into the present disclosure.

[0003]

[0004] Rechargeable secondary batteries are attracting attention as a power source for devices requiring high output and large capacity, including electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, which are being proposed as solutions to address air pollution caused by conventional gasoline and diesel vehicles using fossil fuels.

[0005] In terms of battery shape, there is high demand for prismatic and pouch-type rechargeable batteries, which are thin and suitable for applications in products such as mobile phones; in terms of materials, there is high demand for lithium-ion batteries and lithium-ion polymer batteries, which possess advantages such as high energy density, discharge voltage, and output stability.

[0006] These secondary batteries are also classified according to the structure of the electrode assembly, which consists of a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode. Representative examples include a jelly-roll (wound-type) electrode assembly in which long sheet-type positive and negative electrodes are wound with a separator interposed; a stack-type (laminated-type) electrode assembly in which multiple positive and negative electrodes cut into units of a predetermined size are sequentially stacked with a separator interposed; and a stack / folding-type electrode assembly in which bi-cells or full cells, each consisting of a specific unit of positive and negative electrodes stacked with a separator interposed, are wound.

[0007] A cylindrical battery cell is formed in which the above-mentioned wound electrode assembly is housed together with an electrolyte in a cylindrical battery case, and a prismatic battery cell is formed in which the above-mentioned stacked or stacked / folded electrode assembly is housed together with an electrolyte in a prismatic battery case. Additionally, a pouch-type battery cell is formed in which the above-mentioned stacked or stacked / folded electrode assembly is housed together with an electrolyte in a pouch-type battery case.

[0008] However, if the electrolyte is not fully impregnated into the electrode assembly, there is a risk of defects. Additionally, problems have occurred where the electrolyte is not fully injected into the battery case because air inside the battery case is not properly removed during the electrolyte injection process. Such issues ultimately lead to reduced process efficiency and increased product unit costs.

[0009] In addition, such residual air inside can cause the battery case to be sealed, excessively increasing internal pressure during charging and discharging, which may lead to an explosion.

[0010] A battery cell, in which an electrode assembly and an electrolyte are housed in a battery case and sealed, undergoes an activation process to impart its characteristics. The activation process is carried out by charging and discharging the battery cell, during which an activation gas may be generated inside the sealed battery case.

[0011] Conventionally, there was a problem that it was very cumbersome because the battery case had to be opened again to release the activation gas, or the battery case had to be sealed again after undergoing a separate gas removal process.

[0012] Accordingly, the present invention was devised to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a device capable of smoothly carrying out the injection and impregnation of an electrolyte.

[0013] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a device capable of performing electrolyte injection, electrolyte impregnation, and activation processes.

[0014] Other objects and advantages of the present invention may be understood from the following description and will become more clearly apparent from the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the claims.

[0015] According to the present invention, a battery cell storage device is provided comprising: a main body capable of accommodating a battery cell inside and being sealable; a charge / discharge unit including a charge / discharge terminal electrically connected to an electrode lead of the battery cell inside the main body; and a vacuum unit, wherein the vacuum unit controls the pressure inside the main body.

[0016] The above battery cell can be accommodated within the main body with an opening formed on one side.

[0017] The above vacuum unit is connected to the interior of the main body and can reduce pressure by sucking in air from the interior of the main body, or increase pressure by injecting air into the interior of the main body.

[0018] The above main body includes at least one pressure regulator, and the vacuum unit can be connected to the pressure regulator.

[0019] The vacuum unit comprises: a pressure pump; a double valve unit installed in the pressure regulator and including a fluid outlet open toward the interior of the main body at the bottom; an air transfer pipe connecting the pressure pump and the double valve unit; and a fluid discharge pipe connected to the fluid outlet; wherein the double valve unit may include a fluid flow path formed so that the air transfer pipe and the fluid outlet are in communication.

[0020] The above dual valve unit further includes an electrolyte inlet formed on one side to be openable and closable and communicating with the fluid flow path, and the electrolyte supplied through the electrolyte inlet can be delivered to the battery cell in the main body through the fluid discharge pipe.

[0021] The end of the above fluid discharge pipe may face the opening of the above battery cell.

[0022] The main body includes a plurality of pressure regulators, and the vacuum unit may include a plurality of double valve units corresponding to the number of pressure regulators.

[0023] The above fluid discharge pipe is composed of a main pipe directly connected to the fluid discharge port; and a plurality of sub-pipes branched from the main pipe; and the fluids moving through each of the sub-pipes may have the same fluid pressure.

[0024] The end of each of the above sub-tubes can face the opening of a different battery cell.

[0025] The above main body may further include a gas outlet formed to be openable and closable to regulate internal air pressure and discharge gas.

[0026] The above main body may further include a fixing member that fixes the battery cell so that the opening faces upward.

[0027] The above battery cell may have a shape of either a cylindrical type including a cylindrical battery case with an open top, or a pouch type including a pouch-type battery case with one side open.

[0028] According to the present invention, a method for activating a battery cell is provided, comprising: a preparation step of accommodating a battery cell in a battery cell storage device; an electrolyte injection step of supplying an electrolyte to the battery cell; and an activation step of activating the battery cell by charging and discharging it.

[0029] A step of depressurizing the interior of the main body prior to the preparation step may be further included.

[0030] A step of depressurizing the interior of the main body after the preparation step may be further included.

[0031] According to the present invention, the electrolyte injection and impregnation processes can be carried out smoothly to prevent defective battery cell assembly.

[0032] In addition, according to the present invention, process efficiency can be improved by using a device capable of performing all processes of electrolyte injection, impregnation, and activation.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the battery cell storage device of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main body included in a battery cell storage device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 3 is a side view of the main body of Figure 2.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the process of accommodating a battery cell inside the main body of FIG. 2.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the process of connecting charge / discharge terminals to the battery cell of FIG. 4.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the double valve unit of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the double valve unit of FIG. 6.

[0040] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the double valve unit of Figure 6.

[0041] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the main body of a battery cell storage device according to a first embodiment in which a battery cell is accommodated.

[0042] FIG. 10 is a modified example of the main body of FIG. 3.

[0043] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a main body included in a battery cell storage device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Fig. 12 is a side view of the main body of Fig. 11.

[0045] FIG. 13 is a side view of the main body of FIG. 12 in which a battery cell is housed.

[0046] FIG. 14 is a side view of a main body included in a battery cell storage device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a main body and a battery cell contained therein included in a battery cell storage device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 16 is a process flow diagram showing the battery cell activation process.

[0049] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, and should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms to best describe his invention.

[0050] Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention; thus, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0051] In addition, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known components or functions may obscure the essence of the invention, such detailed description is omitted.

[0052] Since embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the invention to those skilled in the art, the shapes and sizes of the components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically depicted for clearer explanation. Accordingly, the size or proportion of each component does not entirely reflect the actual size or proportion.

[0053] In describing each drawing, similar reference numerals have been used for similar components. In the attached drawings, the dimensions of the structures are depicted enlarged from their actual size for the clarity of the invention. The terms used to describe the various components are for illustrative purposes only and should not limit the components. The terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the invention, a first component may be named a second component, and similarly, a second component may be named a first component. A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0054]

[0055] Terms such as "comprising" or "having," as used throughout the specification of the present invention, are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0056] Furthermore, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is described as being "on" another part, this includes not only cases where it is "immediately above" the other part, but also cases where there is another part in between. Conversely, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is described as being "under" another part, this includes not only cases where it is "immediately below" the other part, but also cases where there is another part in between. Additionally, in the specification of the present invention, being "placed on" may include cases where it is placed not only on the upper part but also on the lower part.

[0057]

[0058]

[0059] The present invention relates to a battery cell storage device and a method for activating a battery cell using the same.

[0060] FIGS. 1 to 16 relate to a battery cell storage device of the present invention, and FIG. 17 relates to a battery cell activation method of the present invention.

[0061] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the battery cell storage device and battery cell activation method of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. For reference, the directions of front, back, up, down, left, and right used to specify relative positions in the following description are intended to aid in understanding the invention, and unless otherwise specifically defined, the directions shown in the drawings are used as the reference.

[0062] (Additionally, the length direction of a configuration is defined as the direction corresponding to the side having the longest length of the configuration shown in the drawing with respect to the horizontal direction, and the width direction of a configuration is defined as the direction perpendicular to the length direction with respect to the horizontal direction.)

[0063]

[0064] Battery cell storage device (1000)

[0065] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a battery cell storage device (1000) of the present invention.

[0066] The battery cell storage device (1000) of the present invention includes a main body (100), a charging / discharging unit (200), and a vacuum unit (300) as shown in FIG. 1.

[0067] The above main body (100) provides a space in which a battery cell (10) is accommodated.

[0068] The above charging / discharging unit (200) serves to supply power so that the battery cell (10) housed in the above main body (100) can be charged or discharged.

[0069] The above-mentioned charging and discharging unit (200) includes a charging and discharging terminal (210) that can be electrically connected to the battery cell (10), and the end of the charging and discharging terminal (210) is positioned to face the inside of the main body (100).

[0070] The above vacuum unit (300) serves to control the pressure inside the main body (100).

[0071] Specifically, the vacuum unit (300) is connected to the interior of the main body (100) to reduce pressure by sucking in air from the interior of the main body (100) or to increase pressure by injecting air into the interior of the main body (100).

[0072] The vacuum unit (300) includes a pressure pump (310) that operates to regulate the pressure inside the main body (100).

[0073] The vacuum unit (300) includes an air transfer pipe (330) that connects the pressure pump (310) and the main body (100). The pressure pump (310) can communicate with the interior of the main body (100) through the air transfer pipe (330).

[0074] By operating the pressure pump (310), the fluid moves between the main body (100) and the pressure pump (310) through the air transfer pipe (330).

[0075] The pressure pump (310) increases or decreases the internal pressure of the main body (100). For example, the pressure pump (310) can decrease the internal pressure of the main body (100) to induce a vacuum state.

[0076]

[0077] (First embodiment)

[0078] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main body (100) included in a battery cell storage device (1000) according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the main body (100) of FIG. 2.

[0079] The main body (100) of the present invention includes a space in which a battery cell (10) can be accommodated, as shown in FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 3.

[0080] The above main body (100) may further include a fixing member (130) that supports the battery cell (10) so that the battery cell (10) accommodated inside can be fixed in an upright position.

[0081] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the fixing member (130) is coupled to the bottom of the main body (100) and extended upward to a certain height. The battery cell (10) housed inside the main body (100) can be fixed by being sandwiched between the fixing members (130).

[0082] The above fixing member (130) is not limited to the form shown in FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 3, and any form capable of supporting and fixing the side of the battery cell (10) can be applied.

[0083]

[0084] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the process of accommodating a battery cell (10) inside the main body (100) of FIG. 2.

[0085] The above battery cell (10) is accommodated in the main body (100) with an opening (12) formed on one side as shown in FIG. 4.

[0086] The above main body (100) is composed of a box-shaped tray (100a) with an open top and a cap (100b) that is coupled to the top of the tray (100a) to seal the internal space of the tray (100a).

[0087] As shown in FIG. 4, the battery cell (10) enters the interior of the main body (100) through the upper part of the tray (100a) and is fixed by being fitted into the fixing member (130).

[0088] The method of joining the above cap (100b) and tray (100a) may be any method and structure that allows them to be joined so as not to be separated even under high pressure.

[0089] The battery cell (10) shown in the above example is a pouch-type battery cell (10) and is composed of an electrode assembly (13), a pair of electrode leads (11) electrically connected to the electrode assembly (13), and a pouch-type battery case (14) that encloses the electrode assembly (13) so that the electrode leads (11) are exposed.

[0090] The battery cell (10) has a battery case (14) that is not sealed so that the top is open, and the rest of the part is sealed to support the electrode assembly (13) and the electrode lead (11).

[0091] The above battery cell (10) is in the form where electrode leads (11) are extended on both sides.

[0092] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the process of connecting a charge / discharge terminal (210) to the battery cell (10) of FIG. 4.

[0093] A pair of charge / discharge terminals (210) are protruded into the main body (100) as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0094] The above charging / discharging terminal (210) is configured to be able to move back and forth toward the battery cell (10) and is electrically in contact with the electrode lead (11) of the battery cell (10) fixed to the fixing member (130).

[0095]

[0096]

[0097] * FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the double valve unit (320) of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the double valve unit (320) of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of the double valve unit (320) of FIG. 6.

[0098] The vacuum unit (300) included in the battery cell storage device (1000) of the present invention further includes a double valve unit (320) as shown in FIG. 2.

[0099] The main body (100) of the present invention includes at least one pressure regulator (110) on the upper part as shown in FIG. 2, and the vacuum unit (300) is coupled to the main body (100) so as to be connected to the pressure regulator (110).

[0100] The above double valve unit (320) serves to transmit fluid pressure, which is moved by the operation of the pressure pump (310), to the main body (100).

[0101] The air transfer pipe (330) is coupled with the double valve unit (320) as shown in FIG. 7, connecting the pressure pump (310) and the double valve unit (320). Thus, the air transfer pipe (330) communicates with the interior of the main body (100) through the double valve unit (320).

[0102] The above double valve unit (320) includes a fluid outlet (321) that is open toward the interior of the main body (100) at the bottom as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and a fluid flow path (322) formed so that the air transfer pipe (330) and the fluid outlet (321) are in communication.

[0103] Additionally, the vacuum unit (300) includes a fluid discharge pipe (340) connected to the fluid discharge port (321) of the double valve unit (320).

[0104] The above fluid discharge pipe (340) is formed to extend downward for a certain length and faces the open upper portion of the battery cell (10) housed within the main body (100) as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0105] The above fluid discharge pipe (340) serves to accurately control the direction of movement of the fluid moving by the operation of the pressure pump (310). For example, when the pressure pump (310) sucks in air, it first sucks in the air inside the battery cell (10) through the fluid discharge pipe (340) directed into the battery cell (10).

[0106]

[0107] The battery cell storage device (1000) of the present invention is characterized in that, in addition to controlling the pressure inside the main body (100) through the double valve unit (320), it can supply an electrolyte (15) to the battery cell (10) contained within the main body (100).

[0108] The above double valve unit (320) further includes an electrolyte injection port (323) formed on one side to be openable and closable and communicating with the fluid flow path (322) as shown in FIG. 6.

[0109] The above double valve unit (320) may further include a sealing member (324) that blocks the inlet so that the electrolyte injection port (323) is sealed.

[0110] The sealing member (324) may be provided to slide on the double valve, or may be provided to be detachable from the double valve.

[0111] The sealing member (324) is separated from the electrolyte injection port (323) when the electrolyte (15) is injected into the electrolyte injection port (323).

[0112] The sealing member (324) blocks the electrolyte inlet (323) so that when the electrolyte (15) injection is completed as shown in FIG. 8, the movement of fluid through the electrolyte inlet (323) does not affect the pressure inside the main body (100).

[0113] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the main body (100) of a battery cell storage device (1000) according to a first embodiment in which a battery cell (10) is accommodated.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 9, the fluid discharge pipe (340) is inserted to a certain depth into the opening (12) of the battery cell (10) to inject the electrolyte (15), and the electrolyte (15) is filled inside the battery case (14) together with the electrode assembly (13).

[0115]

[0116] FIG. 10 is a modified example of the main body (100) of FIG. 3.

[0117] The main body (100) included in the battery cell storage device (1000) of the present invention may have a gas outlet (120) formed on one side as shown in FIG. 10, and the main body (100) may include a control valve (140) coupled to the gas outlet (120).

[0118] The above control valve (140) can finely adjust the pressure within the main body (100) by controlling the degree of opening and closing.

[0119] In addition, when the pressure increases as gas is filled through the activation of the battery cell (10) inside the main body (100), the control valve (140) can be opened to release the gas.

[0120]

[0121] (Second embodiment)

[0122] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a main body (100) included in a battery cell storage device (1000) according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 12 is a side view of the main body (100) of FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 is a side view of the main body (100) of FIG. 12 in which a battery cell (10) is accommodated.

[0123] The battery cell storage device (1000) of the present invention can accommodate a plurality of battery cells (10) as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13.

[0124] A plurality of fixing members (130) may be provided on the bottom of the main body (100) to support both sides of each of the battery cells (10). Specifically, the fixing members (130) are spaced apart along one direction of the main body (100) by an amount equal to the thickness of the battery cells (10), and the plurality of battery cells (10) are fitted and fixed between the fixing members (130).

[0125] The above charging / discharging terminals (210) may also be provided spaced apart at a predetermined interval along the arrangement direction of the fixing member (130) in correspondence with the number of electrode leads (11) of the battery cell (10).

[0126] The above plurality of charge / discharge terminals (210) are electrically connected to each battery cell (10) fixed to the fixed member (130) so that the plurality of battery cells (10) can be simultaneously charged and discharged to activate them.

[0127] The main body (100) includes a plurality of pressure regulators (110) corresponding to the number of each battery cell (10), and the vacuum unit (300) includes a plurality of double valve units (320) corresponding to the openings of the pressure regulators (110).

[0128] According to some embodiments, the dual valve units (320) connected to each pressure regulator (110) may be connected to a single pressure pump (310).

[0129] According to some other embodiments, the dual valve units (320) connected to each pressure regulator (110) may be connected to different pressure pumps (310) and each may be independent.

[0130]

[0131] (Third embodiment)

[0132] FIG. 14 is a side view of a main body (100) included in a battery cell storage device (1000) according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0133] The battery cell storage device (1000) of the present invention can simultaneously supply an electrolyte (15) to a plurality of battery cells (10) through a single double valve unit (320) and can suck in air, etc. inside.

[0134] According to FIG. 14, a fluid discharge pipe (340) connected to a single double valve unit (320) may be composed of a main pipe (341) directly connected to the fluid discharge port (321) and a plurality of sub-pipes (342) branched from the main pipe (341).

[0135] Each of the above sub-tubes (342) is inserted into the opening (12) of each different battery cell (10) placed within the main body (100).

[0136] Since each of the above sub-pipes (342) is branched from a single main pipe (341) connected to a double valve unit (320), the fluids moving through each sub-pipe (342) have the same fluid pressure.

[0137]

[0138] (Fourth embodiment)

[0139] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a main body (100) and a battery cell (10) contained therein, included in a battery cell storage device (1000) according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0140] The battery cell storage device (1000) of the present invention may also be applied to a cylindrical battery cell (10) including a cylindrical battery case.

[0141] An electrode assembly (13) is received in the above-mentioned cylindrical battery case in a rolled-up jelly-roll shape, and one of a pair of electrode leads (11) is connected to the bottom of the cylindrical battery case, while the other electrode lead (11) is extended to the open top.

[0142] In this case, the battery cell storage device (1000) can modify the shape of the fixing member (130) so that the battery cell (10) can be fixed upright in correspondence with the shape of the cylindrical battery case.

[0143] According to some embodiments, the fixing member (130) is divided into a grid shape as shown in FIG. 15, and is formed so that a battery cell (10) is inserted into the divided space.

[0144] A portion of the charge / discharge terminal (210) of the battery cell storage device (1000) is formed on the bottom of the main body (100) and is electrically connected to the lower part of the battery cell (10) supported by the fixing member (130), and another portion is provided to be connected to an electrode lead (11) that is drawn out through the opening (12) of the battery cell (10).

[0145]

[0146] Method to activate battery cell (10)

[0147] Figure 16 is a process flow diagram showing the activation process of a battery cell (10).

[0148] The method for activating a battery cell (10) according to the present invention consists of a preparation step (S1), an electrolyte injection step (S2), and an activation step (S3).

[0149] The preparation step (S1) is a step of accommodating a battery cell (10) within the battery cell storage device (1000) of the present invention, wherein a fluid discharge pipe (340) is inserted into the upper portion of the battery cell (10) fixed to a fixing member (130), and a charge / discharge terminal (210) is electrically connected to the electrode lead (11) of the battery cell (10).

[0150] The electrolyte (15) injection step (S2) is a step of supplying the electrolyte (15) to the battery cell (10), wherein the electrolyte (15) injected through the fluid discharge pipe (340) is filled into the battery case (14) together with the electrode assembly (13).

[0151] The activation step (S3) is a process of charging and discharging the battery cell (10) through the charge / discharge terminal (210), and the activation of the present invention is characterized by maintaining a state in which a part of the battery cell (10) is open. Accordingly, the activation gases generated during the activation step do not remain inside the battery cell (10) but are released into the main body (100) through the opening (12).

[0152] According to some embodiments, a pressure reduction step (S0) for reducing pressure inside the main body (100) as shown in FIG. 16 may be further included prior to the preparation step (S1) of supplying the electrolyte (15) to the battery cell (10).

[0153] That is, before filling the electrolyte (15), residual air inside the battery cell (10) can be sucked in to remove impregnation-hindering factors of the electrolyte (15) in advance.

[0154] According to some other embodiments, a pressure reduction step (S0) for reducing pressure inside the main body (100) may be further included after a preparation step (S1) for supplying an electrolyte (15) to the battery cell (10).

[0155] According to some other embodiment, a pressure reduction step (S0) for reducing pressure inside the main body (100) may be further included before and after the preparation step (S1) for supplying the electrolyte (15) to the battery cell (10).

[0156] As described above, the battery cell (10) activation method of the present invention allows for the injection and filling of the electrolyte (15) to proceed smoothly through the vacuum unit (300) at an appropriate time, and also allows for the impregnation of the electrolyte (15) and activation to proceed nonstop in one go. Ultimately, the efficiency of the process can be improved and the effects of cost reduction and defect rate reduction can be obtained through the battery cell storage device (1000) of the present invention and the battery cell (10) activation method using it.

[0157]

[0158]

[0159] The present invention has been described in more detail above through drawings and embodiments. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments described in this specification are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all technical concepts of the present invention; therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0160]

[0161] [Explanation of the symbol]

[0162] 1000: Battery cell storage device

[0163] 10: (Prior art) Battery cell

[0164] 11: (Prior art) Electrode lead

[0165] 12: (Prior art) Opening

[0166] 13: (Prior art) Electrode assembly

[0167] 14: (Prior art) Battery case

[0168] 15: (Prior art) Electrolyte

[0169] 100: Main body

[0170] 100a: Tray

[0171] 100b: Cap

[0172] 110: Pressure regulator

[0173] 120: Gas outlet

[0174] 130: Fixing member

[0175] 140: Control valve

[0176] 200: Charge / Discharge Unit

[0177] 210: Charge / Discharge Terminal

[0178] 300: Vacuum unit

[0179] 310: Pressure pump

[0180] 320: Dual valve unit

[0181] 321: Fluid outlet

[0182] 322: Fluid flow path

[0183] 323: Electrolyte inlet

[0184] 324: Sealing member

[0185] 330: Air transfer pipe

[0186] 340: Fluid discharge pipe

[0187] 341: Main Hall

[0188] 342: Sub-section

[0189] S0: Depressurization stage

[0190] S1: Preparation stage

[0191] S2: Electrolyte injection step

[0192] S3: Activation phase

Claims

A main body capable of accommodating battery cells internally and being sealable; A charge / discharge unit comprising a charge / discharge terminal electrically connected to the electrode lead of the battery cell within the main body; and Includes a vacuum unit; and A battery cell storage device characterized by the above vacuum unit controlling the pressure inside the main body. In paragraph 1, The above battery cell is a battery cell storage device that accommodates the above battery cell within the main body with an opening formed on one side. In paragraph 1, A battery cell storage device in which the above vacuum unit communicates with the interior of the main body to reduce pressure by sucking in air from the interior of the main body or to increase pressure by injecting air into the interior of the main body. In paragraph 2, The above main body includes at least one pressure regulating member, and The above vacuum unit is a battery cell storage device connected to the above pressure regulator. In paragraph 4, The above vacuum unit is, Pressure pump; A double valve unit installed in the pressure regulator and including a fluid outlet at the bottom that is open toward the interior of the main body; An air transfer pipe connecting the pressure pump and the double valve unit; and A fluid discharge pipe connected to the above fluid discharge port; comprising, The above-described dual valve unit is a battery cell storage device comprising a fluid flow path formed to communicate with the air transfer pipe and the fluid discharge port. In paragraph 5, The above dual valve unit further includes an electrolyte injection port formed on one side to be openable and closable and communicating with the fluid flow path, and A battery cell storage device in which the electrolyte supplied through the above electrolyte injection port is transferred to the battery cell within the main body through the above fluid discharge pipe. In paragraph 5, A battery cell storage device in which the end of the fluid discharge pipe faces the opening of the battery cell. In paragraph 5, The above main body includes a plurality of pressure regulating ports, and The above vacuum unit is a battery cell storage device comprising a plurality of double valve units corresponding to the number of pressure regulators. In paragraph 5, The above fluid discharge pipe is, A main pipe directly connected to the above fluid outlet; and It is composed of a plurality of sub-pipes branched from the main pipe; and The fluids moving through each of the above sub-tubes are battery cell storage devices having the same fluid pressure. In Paragraph 9, A battery cell storage device in which the ends of each of the above sub-tubes face the openings of different battery cells. In paragraph 1, The above-described main body is a battery cell storage device further comprising a gas outlet formed to be openable and closable to regulate internal air pressure and discharge gas. In paragraph 2, A battery cell storage device comprising a main body that further includes a fixing member for fixing the battery cell so that the opening of the battery cell faces upward. In paragraph 1, The above battery cell is a battery cell storage device having one of the following forms: a cylindrical type including a cylindrical battery case with an open top, and a pouch type including a pouch-type battery case with an open side. A preparation step of accommodating a battery cell within the battery cell storage device of claim 1; Electrolyte injection step for supplying an electrolyte to the battery cell; and A battery cell activation method comprising an activation step of activating the battery cell by charging and discharging it. In Paragraph 14, A battery cell activation method further comprising a step of depressurizing the interior of the main body prior to the preparation step. In Paragraph 14, A battery cell activation method further comprising a step of depressurizing the interior of the main body after a preparation step.

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