Height adjustment jig for cylindrical battery cells

Abstract

The present invention relates to a height adjustment jig for cylindrical battery cells, the jig comprising: a support unit having a cylindrical mounting part formed at the center thereof; and a pressing unit for pressing the cylindrical battery cell accommodated in the mounting part, wherein the support unit comprises a support-unit lower part having an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the cylindrical battery cell, a support-unit upper part having an inner diameter which is greater than the inner diameter of the support-unit lower part, and a stepped part positioned between the support-unit lower part and the support-unit upper part, the support unit being structured such that an odd number of units are coupled together, the odd number being three or greater.

Description

Height adjustment jig for cylindrical battery cells

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 2024-0168196 filed November 22, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the document of said Korean patent application are incorporated herein as part of this specification.

[0002] The present invention relates to a height adjustment jig for a cylindrical battery cell. Specifically, it relates to a height adjustment jig for a cylindrical battery cell to prevent external defects from occurring on the upper side of the cylindrical battery cell during a sizing process for standardizing the height of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0003]

[0004] Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, which undergo charging and discharging through the movement of lithium ions, are used not only in small battery cells for mobile devices and small electronic products due to their high energy density and high charging voltage, but also in medium to large battery packs used as energy sources for electric vehicles and power storage systems that require high output and high voltage.

[0005] The above-mentioned lithium secondary batteries are classified according to the shape of the battery case into cylindrical and prismatic secondary batteries, in which the electrode assembly is embedded in a cylindrical or prismatic metal can, and pouch-type secondary batteries, in which the electrode assembly is embedded in a pouch-type case made of an aluminum laminate sheet. Among these, cylindrical secondary batteries have the advantages of relatively large capacity and structural safety.

[0006] Cylindrical battery cells are manufactured with standardized height and diameter. Furthermore, when manufacturing medium to large battery packs containing multiple cylindrical cells, a process is performed to uniformly machine the height of the cells to ensure that the height of all cells is consistent. This process is called the sizing process.

[0007] Generally, the sizing process is carried out by fixing the cylindrical side of a cylindrical battery cell with a fixing jig and then pressing the cylindrical battery cell from top to bottom with a punch. Conventionally, since the sizing process was performed with the entire side of the cylindrical battery cell fixed, the upper part of the cylindrical battery cell was pressed by the punch while in close contact with the fixing jig. As the cylindrical battery cell in close contact with the fixing jig is pressed by the punch, its height is reduced, and it has been raised as a problem that appearance defects, such as scratches on the upper side of the cylindrical battery cell, occur at this time.

[0008] To solve this problem, it was necessary to install a device for applying oil to the portion of the fixed jig in close contact with the cylindrical battery cell before placing the cylindrical battery cell inside the fixed jig. However, there is a problem in that the process is extended and production costs increase due to the additional provision of a process and a device for applying oil in this manner.

[0009] Patent Document 1 relates to a cylindrical battery crimping device, wherein the crimping device comprises a fixed chuck unit arranged to surround at least one area of ​​a battery can during a crimping process, and a multi-stage press puncher that forms a crimping shape on a battery can by lowering one by one in order of increasing inner diameter and pressing the upper part of the battery can.

[0010] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for deforming the upper portion of a cylindrical battery, but it is for performing a crimping process on a cylindrical battery and does not present a technique for preventing external defects of a cylindrical battery cell by applying it to a sizing process.

[0011] Therefore, technology is required to reduce the rate of appearance defects by preventing scratches from forming on the upper side of the cylindrical battery cell during the sizing process.

[0012] (Prior Art Literature)

[0013] (Patent Document 1) Korean Published Patent Application No. 2021-0145565 (December 2, 2021)

[0014]

[0015] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problem by providing a height adjustment jig for a cylindrical battery cell that can prevent external defects of the cylindrical battery cell by configuring the upper end of a support member that fixes and supports the cylindrical battery cell during the sizing process so that it does not come into close contact with the upper side of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0016]

[0017] A height adjustment jig for a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention for achieving the above purpose comprises a support member having a cylindrical mounting portion formed at the center, and a pressing portion for pressing a cylindrical battery cell received in the mounting portion, wherein the support member comprises a lower portion having an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the cylindrical battery cell, an upper portion having an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the lower portion of the support member, and a step portion located between the lower portion of the support member and the upper portion of the support member.

[0018] The above support member may be composed of a structure in which a plurality of units consisting of an odd number of three or more are combined.

[0019] In the height adjustment jig of a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention, the inner diameter of the stepped portion may be larger than the inner diameter of the lower portion of the support portion and smaller than the inner diameter of the upper portion of the support portion.

[0020] In the height adjustment jig for a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention, when the cylindrical battery cell is mounted on the mounting portion of the support portion, the lower portion of the support portion is in close contact with the cylindrical side of the cylindrical battery cell, and the stepped portion may be spaced apart from the cylindrical side of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0021] In the height adjustment jig of a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention, the difference in diameter between the stepped portion and the lower portion of the support portion may be 1.0 mm or less.

[0022] In the height adjustment jig of a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention, the support member may include a first unit, a second unit, and a third unit that form a cylindrical mounting part, are arranged radially, and are divided into three equal parts.

[0023] In the height adjustment jig for a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention, the first unit, the second unit, and the third unit may include a coupling portion extending to the opposite side of the inner surface constituting the mounting portion.

[0024] In the height adjustment jig of a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention, the joining surface where the first unit, the second unit, and the third unit are joined together may coincide with the vertical cross-section of the support member.

[0025] In the height adjustment jig of a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention, the angle formed by the coupling surface with respect to the outer contact surface of the support member can be formed in the range of 45° to 135°.

[0026] In the height adjustment jig of a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention, a mounting portion on which the cylindrical battery cell is mounted may be further included.

[0027] In the height adjustment jig of a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention, the pressurizing part includes an extension part whose outer periphery extends downward from the center, and the bottom of the extension part may be formed in a flat shape.

[0028] In the height adjustment jig of a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention, the width of the bottom of the extension part in the pressurizing part may be configured to be greater than or equal to the width of the clamping part of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0029] In the height adjustment jig of a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention, the outer diameter of the extension portion extending downward from the pressurizing portion may be configured to be smaller than the upper inner diameter of the support portion.

[0030]

[0031] The present invention can also be provided in a form that combines various means for solving the above problem.

[0032]

[0033] The present invention can prevent appearance defects, such as scratches, from occurring on the upper side of a cylindrical battery cell during the sizing process of a cylindrical battery cell.

[0034] In addition, since the process of applying oil to prevent external defects of cylindrical battery cells during the conventional sizing process can be omitted, the process can be simplified and production costs can be reduced.

[0035]

[0036] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the pressurizing part of the height adjustment jig of a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention and the cylindrical battery cell.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a state in which a pressing part of a height adjustment jig for a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention is mounted on a cylindrical battery cell.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a cylindrical battery cell mounted inside a height adjustment jig of a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention.

[0039] Figure 4 is a partial enlarged view of Figure 3.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the pressure portion of the height adjustment jig of a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the pressing part of the height adjustment jig of a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention.

[0042]

[0043] Embodiments that enable a person skilled in the art to easily practice the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In describing the operating principles of the embodiments of the present invention in detail, specific descriptions of related known functions or configurations are omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the present invention.

[0044] The same reference numerals are used for parts having similar functions and operations throughout the drawings. Throughout the specification, when a part is described as being connected to another part, this includes not only cases where they are directly connected but also cases where they are indirectly connected with other elements in between. Furthermore, the inclusion of a certain component means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but rather implies that additional components may be included.

[0045] Descriptions that specify or add components may be applied to all inventions unless specifically limited and are not limited to descriptions of specific inventions.

[0046] Throughout the description of the invention and claims of this application, anything indicated in the singular includes cases where it is plural unless otherwise noted.

[0047] Throughout the description of the invention and the claims of the present invention, "or" includes "and" unless otherwise noted. Therefore, "comprising A or B" means all three of the above cases: including A, including B, or including both A and B.

[0048] The present invention is described in detail with reference to the drawings and embodiments.

[0049] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the pressurizing part of the height adjustment jig of a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention and the cylindrical battery cell, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pressurizing part of the height adjustment jig of a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention mounted on the cylindrical battery cell, FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cylindrical battery cell mounted inside the height adjustment jig of the cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged view of FIG. 3.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the height adjustment jig for a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention includes a support member (200) in which a cylindrical mounting member (240) corresponding to a cylindrical side (110) of a cylindrical battery cell (100) is formed at the center, and a pressing member (300) for pressing the cylindrical battery cell (100) received in the mounting member (240).

[0051] The support member (200) includes a lower portion (212, 222, 232) of the support member having an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the cylindrical battery cell (100), an upper portion (211, 221, 231) of the support member having an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the lower portion (212, 222, 232) of the support member, and a stepped portion (215, 225, 235) located between the lower portion (212, 222, 232) of the support member and the upper portion (211, 221, 231) of the support member, and the support member (200) is formed as a structure in which a plurality of units consisting of an odd number of three or more are combined.

[0052] A height adjustment jig for a cylindrical battery cell is used in a sizing process to reduce the overall height of a cylindrical battery cell (100) by positioning a support member (200) to contact the side (110) of the cylindrical battery cell (100) and moving a pressure member (300) positioned on the top of the cylindrical battery cell (100) downward.

[0053] The present invention allows the cylindrical battery cell (100) to be made uniform in height by using a height adjustment jig for the cylindrical battery cell, thereby making the cylindrical battery cell fit to a standardized size.

[0054] The support member (200) forms a mounting member (240) in the form of stacked cylinders with different diameters and aligned centers, and includes a first unit (210), a second unit (220), and a third unit (230) that are arranged radially and divided into three equal parts. Alternatively, unlike as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plurality of units constituting the support member may be configured in a form divided into five or seven parts.

[0055] The first unit (210), the second unit (220), and the third unit (230) are configured in the same shape and are attached to the outer surface of the cylindrical battery cell in a separated state, but the inner diameter of the mounting part (240) can be maintained even when external pressure is applied in a combined state so as not to press the side (110) of the cylindrical battery cell (100).

[0056] In order to prevent scratches from occurring when the upper side (110) of the cylindrical battery cell (100) rubs against the inner side (213, 223) of the support member (200) during the sizing process, when the cylindrical battery cell (100) is mounted on the mounting part (240) of the support member (200), the lower part (212, 222, 232) of the support member is in close contact with the cylindrical side (110) of the cylindrical battery cell (100), and the stepped part (215, 225) is spaced apart from the cylindrical side (110) of the cylindrical battery cell (100).

[0057] That is, the lower part (212, 222, 232) of the support portion must stably support the cylindrical battery cell (100) during the sizing process, so it is in close contact with the cylindrical side (110), and the stepped portion (215, 225) is spaced apart from the cylindrical side (110) to prevent friction with the upper part of the cylindrical side (110).

[0058] Specifically, the spacing distance (D) between the upper part (211, 221, 231) of the support member and the cylindrical side (110) of the cylindrical battery cell may be 1 mm or less, more specifically 0.5 mm or less, and even more specifically 0.25 mm or less. If the spacing distance (D) is greater than 1 mm, it is undesirable because foreign matter may accumulate between the support member and the cylindrical battery cell.

[0059] In addition, the above spacing distance (D) can be formed to be 0.1 mm or more to prevent scratches on the top of the cylindrical side.

[0060] The position and area where the support member (200) wraps around the cylindrical side (110) are not particularly limited, so it can wrap around the entire cylindrical side (110), or it can be configured to wrap at least 10% of the total height of the cylindrical side (110).

[0061] However, the lower part of the support member that is in close contact with the cylindrical side (110) of the cylindrical battery cell (100) is formed so as not to be higher than the beading part (140) of the cylindrical battery cell (100), and the cylindrical side that is higher than the beading part of the cylindrical battery cell (100) is preferably arranged to face the stepped part (215, 225). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, the lower part (212) of the support member and the stepped part (215) may be connected at the position of the support member facing the beading part (140).

[0062] Additionally, the first unit (210), the second unit (220), and the third unit (230) include a connecting portion (214, 224, 234) extending to the opposite side of the inner surface (213, 223) constituting the mounting portion (240). A plurality of units constituting the support portion can be moved so as to be in close contact with each other to form a cylindrical mounting portion (240), and conversely, can be moved so as to be spaced apart from each other to be separated from the cylindrical battery cell; a moving means may be used to move the plurality of units in this manner. The connecting portion (214, 224, 234) is a part for connecting the moving means and the plurality of units.

[0063] FIG. 3 illustrates a form including a mounting part (400) on the lower part of a cylindrical battery cell (100) to which the cylindrical battery cell (100) is mounted. By providing the mounting part (400), the positions of the cylindrical battery cell (100) and the height adjustment jig of the cylindrical battery cell can be pre-set. Therefore, when the cylindrical battery cell (100) is placed on the mounting part (400), the height adjustment jig of the cylindrical battery cell automatically comes into close contact with the side of the cylindrical battery cell (100), and the sizing process can proceed.

[0064] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the pressure portion of the height adjustment jig of a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 5, the stepped portions (215, 225, 235) are spaced apart from the cylindrical side (110) of the cylindrical battery cell (100), and the lower portions (212, 222, 232) of the support portions are configured to be in close contact with the cylindrical side (110). The inner diameter (R1) of the stepped portions (215, 225, 235) is formed to be larger than the lower inner diameter (R2) of the support portions, and the lower inner diameter (R2) of the support portions is formed to be the same size as the outer diameter of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0066] When the first unit (210), the second unit (220), and the third unit (230) are joined together in close contact, they must not overlap or be misaligned with each other so that the joined state can be maintained and the inner diameter of the mounting part (240) can be maintained even when external pressure is applied. Therefore, the joining surface (201) where the first unit (210), the second unit (220), and the third unit (230) are joined together is configured to match the vertical cross-section obtained by cutting the support part (200) in the vertical direction.

[0067] However, when the support member (200) is cut in the vertical direction, the joining surface (201) may meet the inner contact surface (C) of the support member (200) vertically as in (a) and may meet at an angle as in (b).

[0068] Accordingly, the angle (R) formed by the coupling surface (201) with respect to the inner contact surface (C) of the support member (200) can be formed in the range of 45° to 135°.

[0069] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the pressing part of the height adjustment jig of a cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 6, the pressurizing part (300) includes an extension part (320) whose outer periphery extends downward from the center (310). In a cylindrical battery cell (100), the top cap (120) may be configured to protrude above the clamping part (130). In order to allow the pressurizing part (300) to press the clamping part (130) without pressing the top cap (120), the extension part (320) on the outer periphery of the pressurizing part (300) is configured to extend downward from the center (310).

[0071] Since the lower end of the extension part (320) presses the clamping part (130) of the cylindrical battery cell (100) to proceed with the sizing process, the bottom of the extension part (320) is formed in a flat shape to prevent the pressing force of the pressing part (300) from being concentrated on a specific part of the extension part (320) when it is transmitted to the clamping part (130).

[0072] The width (W) of the bottom of the extension part (320) in the pressurizing part (300) can be configured to be greater than or equal to the width (a) of the clamping part (130) of the cylindrical battery cell (100).

[0073] Meanwhile, when the pressurizing part (300) is inserted into the mounting part (240) of the support part (200), in order to prevent friction with the upper part (211, 221, 231) of the support part, the outer diameter (R4) of the extension part extending downward from the pressurizing part (300) may be configured to be smaller than the upper inner diameter (R3) of the support part.

[0074] In this way, by performing the sizing process of a cylindrical battery cell using the height adjustment jig of the cylindrical battery cell according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent external defects from occurring on the upper side of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0075]

[0076] A person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains would be able to perform various applications and modifications within the scope of the present invention based on the above content.

[0077] (Explanation of symbols)

[0078] 100: Cylindrical battery cell

[0079] 110: Side

[0080] 120: Top Cap

[0081] 130: Climbing section

[0082] 140: Bidding Department

[0083] 200: Support

[0084] 201: Joining surface

[0085] 210: 1st Unit

[0086] 211, 221, 231: Upper part of the support

[0087] 212, 222, 232: Lower part of the support

[0088] 213, 223, 233: Inner surface

[0089] 214, 224, 234: Joints

[0090] 215, 225, 235: Step section

[0091] 220: 2nd Unit

[0092] 230: 3rd Unit

[0093] 240: Mounting part

[0094] 300: Pressurizing part

[0095] 310: Center

[0096] 320: Extension part

[0097] 400: Mounting part

[0098] a: Width of the crimping portion of the cylindrical battery cell

[0099] C: Inner surface

[0100] R1: Inner diameter of the stepped section

[0101] R2: Lower inner diameter of the support part

[0102] R3: Upper inner diameter of the support part

[0103] R4: Outer diameter of the extension

[0104] W: Width of the extension floor

Claims

1. A support member having a cylindrical mounting portion formed at the center; and A pressurizing part that pressurizes a cylindrical battery cell accommodated in the above-mentioned mounting part; Includes, The support member comprises a lower portion having an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the cylindrical battery cell, an upper portion having an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the lower portion, and a stepped portion located between the lower portion and the upper portion. The above support member is a height adjustment jig for a cylindrical battery cell, comprising a structure in which a plurality of units consisting of an odd number of three or more are combined.

2. In Paragraph 1, A height adjustment jig for a cylindrical battery cell, wherein the inner diameter of the stepped portion is larger than the inner diameter of the lower portion of the support portion and smaller than the inner diameter of the upper portion of the support portion.

3. In Paragraph 1, With the cylindrical battery cell mounted on the mounting portion of the support member, The lower part of the above support is in close contact with the cylindrical side of the above cylindrical battery cell, and The above step portion is a height adjustment jig for a cylindrical battery cell that is spaced apart from the cylindrical side of the cylindrical battery cell.

4. In Paragraph 3, A height adjustment jig for a cylindrical battery cell in which the difference in diameter between the stepped portion and the lower portion of the support portion is 1.0 mm or less.

5. In Paragraph 1, A height adjustment jig for a cylindrical battery cell comprising a first unit, a second unit, and a third unit that are radially arranged and divided into three equal parts, wherein the support member forms a cylindrical mounting member.

6. In Paragraph 5, The first unit, second unit, and third unit are height adjustment jigs for cylindrical battery cells, each comprising a coupling portion extending to the opposite side of the inner surface constituting the mounting portion.

7. In Paragraph 5, A height adjustment jig for a cylindrical battery cell in which the joining surface where the first, second, and third units are joined together matches the vertical cross-section of the support member.

8. In Paragraph 7, A height adjustment jig for a cylindrical battery, wherein the angle formed by the coupling surface with respect to the outer contact surface of the support member is formed in the range of 45° to 135°.

9. In Paragraph 1, A height adjustment jig for a cylindrical battery, further comprising a mounting portion on which the above-mentioned cylindrical battery cell is mounted.

10. In Paragraph 1, The above-mentioned pressurizing part includes an extension whose outer periphery extends downward from the center, and The bottom of the above extension part is a flat shape. A height adjustment jig for a cylindrical battery cell.

11. In Paragraph 10, A height adjustment jig for a cylindrical battery cell in which the width of the bottom of the extension part in the above-mentioned pressurized part is greater than or equal to the width of the clamping part of the cylindrical battery cell.

12. In Paragraph 10, A height adjustment jig for a cylindrical battery cell, wherein the outer diameter of the extension portion extending downward from the above-mentioned pressurizing portion is smaller than the upper inner diameter of the above-mentioned support portion.

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