Prevention of separator slippage of battery cell during battery cell transfer

Abstract

Provided is a method for preventing separator slippage of a battery cell stopped by a stopper in a manufacturing line, the method comprising the steps of: transferring the battery cell in a longitudinal direction in the manufacturing line so that a terminal tab of the battery cell is parallel to the moving direction of the manufacturing line; and controlling acceleration at which the battery cell moves on the manufacturing line to be less than 7G so that separator slippage is prevented upon impact between the battery cell and the stopper.

Description

Prevention of separator slippage during battery cell movement

[0001] Cross-citation with related application(s)

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on U.S. Patent Application No. 19 / 035,657 of January 23, 2025, and all contents disclosed in the document of said U.S. Patent Application are incorporated herein as part of this specification.

[0003] The present disclosure relates to preventing separator slip within a battery cell during battery cell movement, particularly during battery cell movement on a manufacturing line.

[0004] Due to their ability to store and discharge electrical energy multiple times over their lifespan, rechargeable batteries serve as energy sources for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Rechargeable batteries also function as energy storage sources, such as in energy storage systems (ESS). One of the goals of rechargeable batteries is to reduce the use of fossil fuels in automobiles, which pollute the environment and generate greenhouse gases. Additionally, rechargeable batteries can be utilized as energy storage sources within renewable energy infrastructure, providing eco-friendly and highly energy-efficient energy sources.

[0005] Generally, secondary batteries typically start with battery cells having an operating voltage of about 2.5V to 4.5V. Since higher output voltages may be required for practical purposes, multiple battery cells can be stacked and connected. Additionally, depending on the required charge / discharge capacity, multiple stacked battery cells can be connected to form a battery pack or a battery rack. Battery packs are typically used in EVs and HEVs, and battery racks are typically used in ESS. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in a battery pack or battery rack can be varied depending on the required output voltage and / or charge / discharge capacity.

[0006] Each battery cell may be a pouch-type, cylindrical, or prismatic battery cell, but is not limited thereto. For example, a pouch-type battery cell may have a soft aluminum-coated plastic or aluminum foil pouch configured to accommodate an electrode assembly having two conductive terminal tabs protruding from one side along the longitudinal direction of the pouch. Both conductive terminal tabs may protrude in the same direction, or one of the conductive terminal tabs may protrude in the opposite direction to the other terminal tab.

[0007] On the other hand, a cylindrical or prismatic battery cell comprises a metal cell case configured to house an electrode assembly and a top cap located on the top of the cell case, wherein the metal cell case is electrically connected to the negative lead of the electrode assembly. The top cap is not electrically connected to the cell case due to an insulating member but is electrically connected to the positive lead of the electrode assembly, and accordingly, the top cap acts as a positive terminal, and this terminal may protrude further than the upper surface of the cell case.

[0008] The electrode assembly includes a cell assembly and a lead. The cell assembly may be a jellyroll-type cell assembly, having a structure in which a long sheet-type anode and a long sheet-type cathode are wound with a separator in between. The cell assembly may be a stack-type cell assembly including unit cells, each unit cell having a structure in which a rectangular anode and a rectangular cathode are stacked with a separator interposed between them. The cell assembly may be a stack-and-fold type cell assembly, configured such that the unit cell consists of a long anode film and a cathode film, with a long separator film interposed between them, and is folded and stacked. It should be noted that the above description is merely illustrative and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0009] In a pair of leads comprising a positive lead and a negative lead, in the case of a pouch-type battery cell, the positive lead and the negative lead may be connected directly or indirectly to their respective terminal tabs. In the case of a cylindrical or prismatic battery cell, the positive lead may be connected directly and indirectly to the positive and top caps of the cell assembly, and the negative lead may be electrically connected to the cell case. Since the electrode assembly constituting the pouch-type, cylindrical, or prismatic battery cell is generally well known, no further description is provided.

[0010] The present disclosure aims to prevent separator displacement in a battery cell that is stopped by a stopper while moving the battery cell on a manufacturing line. Separator displacement may occur when a terminal tab is pressed into the battery cell, and as a result, at least a portion of the separator is displaced from its proper position.

[0011] To solve the problem of separator slippage, the present disclosure provides a method for preventing separator slippage in a battery cell stopped by a stopper in a manufacturing line, comprising: a step of transporting the battery cell in a longitudinal direction in the manufacturing line such that the terminal tab of the battery cell is parallel to the direction of movement of the manufacturing line; and a step of controlling the acceleration of the battery cell moving on the manufacturing line to less than 7G so as to prevent separator slippage upon impact between the battery cell and the stopper.

[0012] The method may additionally include a step of controlling the acceleration of the battery cell moving on the manufacturing line to 6.8G or less.

[0013] The method may additionally include a step of controlling the speed so that the speed of the battery cell does not exceed 610 mm / second when impacted by the stopper.

[0014] The method may additionally include a step of controlling the speed so that the speed of the battery cell does not exceed 526 mm / second when impacted by the stopper.

[0015] When transferring a battery cell to another manufacturing line, the method may include the step of transferring the battery cell in the width direction in the other manufacturing line such that the terminal tab of the battery cell is orthogonal to the direction of movement of the other manufacturing line.

[0016] In another embodiment, a method for preventing slippage of a separator in a battery cell stopped by a stopper in a manufacturing line may include: a step of transporting the battery cell in the width direction in a manufacturing line such that the terminal tab of the battery cell is orthogonal to the direction of movement of the manufacturing line; a step of transporting the battery cell to another manufacturing line such that the terminal tab of the battery cell moves in the length direction parallel to the direction of movement of another manufacturing line; and a step of controlling the acceleration of the battery cell moving on the other manufacturing line to less than 7G so that slippage of the separator is prevented upon impact between the battery cell and the stopper.

[0017] The acceleration of the battery cell moving on another manufacturing line can be 6.8G or less.

[0018] The method may include a step of controlling the speed at which the battery cell moves in another manufacturing line so that the speed of the battery cell does not exceed 610 mm / second when impacted by the stopper.

[0019] The method may include a step of controlling the speed at which the battery cell moves in another manufacturing line so that the speed of the battery cell does not exceed 526 mm / second when impacted by the stopper.

[0020] In another embodiment, a method for preventing separator slippage in a battery cell stopped by a stopper in a manufacturing line may include: a step of transporting the battery cell in the longitudinal direction in the manufacturing line such that the terminal tab of the battery cell is orthogonal to the direction of movement of the manufacturing line; and a step of transporting the battery cell to another manufacturing line such that the tab of the battery cell moves in the width direction such that the terminal tab of the battery cell is orthogonal to the direction of movement of another manufacturing line.

[0021] The method may additionally include a step of rotating the battery cell so that the battery cell moves in the width direction when transferred to another manufacturing line.

[0022] The other manufacturing line is orthogonal to the manufacturing line, and the method may include the step of rotating the battery cell by 90 degrees so as to transfer the battery cell in the width direction from the other manufacturing line when transferring to the other manufacturing line.

[0023] Therefore, it is possible to prevent separator displacement in battery cells and improve productivity. In addition, it is possible to resolve issues related to low-voltage defects and prevent the possibility of ignition or explosion of the battery cell caused by a potential short circuit between the positive and negative electrodes.

[0024] In addition, the present disclosure may have various other effects, which are described in each embodiment, or effects that can be easily inferred by those skilled in the art are omitted.

[0025] The attached drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and serve to aid in a further understanding of the technical features of the present disclosure together with the following detailed description; therefore, the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited to the drawings.

[0026] FIG. 1 (a) is a drawing illustrating an exemplary pouch-type cell, and FIG. 1 (b) is a drawing illustrating an exemplary pouch-type cell in which displacement of the separator has occurred.

[0027] Figure 2 is a drawing illustrating a pallet through which pouch-type battery cells can move along a manufacturing line.

[0028] FIG. 3a is a drawing showing a pouch-type cell on a pallet moving on a manufacturing line, and FIG. 3b is a drawing showing a pouch-type cell on a pallet stopped by a stopper on a manufacturing line.

[0029] FIG. 4(a) is a drawing illustrating the impact measurement of a pouch-type battery cell on a pallet stopped by a stopper, FIG. 4(b) is a drawing showing the impact measurement data, and FIG. 4(c) is a drawing showing a pouch-type cell in which the separator has been pushed out.

[0030] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the acceleration graph of pouch-type battery cells on a pallet moving on a manufacturing line.

[0031] FIG. 6(a) is a diagram illustrating acceleration measurements according to range settings, and FIG. 6(b) is a diagram illustrating whether slippage of the separator occurs according to various range settings.

[0032] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating impact values ​​according to various range settings.

[0033] FIG. 8(a) is a drawing showing pouch-type battery cells on a pallet moving in the longitudinal direction on a manufacturing line, and FIG. 8(b) is a drawing showing pouch-type battery cells on a pallet moving in the width direction on a manufacturing line.

[0034] FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating a pouch-type cell moving in a manufacturing line according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating a pouch-type cell moving in a manufacturing line according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a pouch-type cell moving in a manufacturing line according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] The present disclosure may be modified in various ways and may have various embodiments, and specific embodiments disclosed in detail herein are used to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure by those skilled in the art.

[0038] Accordingly, there is no intention to limit the present disclosure to the specific embodiments disclosed, but rather the present disclosure should be understood to encompass all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0039] In this application, terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to indicate the presence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should not be understood as excluding the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0040] FIG. 1(a) is a drawing illustrating an exemplary pouch-type battery cell (10), and FIG. 1(b) is a drawing illustrating an exemplary pouch-type battery cell (10) in which a separator has been pushed out. Referring to FIG. 1(a), the pouch-type battery cell (10) may have a soft aluminum-coated plastic or aluminum foil pouch configured to accommodate an electrode assembly. The pouch may be filled with a liquid electrolyte or a solid electrolyte. The electrode assembly may be a jelly roll or a layer in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode are laminated with a separator in between. The positive electrode and the negative electrode may be connected to another pouch-type battery cell or an external circuit by connecting to a respective terminal tab (12) protruding from the pouch-type battery cell (10). The pouch-type battery cell (10) shown in FIG. 1(a) has a terminal tab (12) protruding from one side of the pouch-type battery cell (10) and another terminal tab (12) protruding longitudinally from the opposite side of the pouch-type battery cell (10). However, pouch-type battery cells are not limited to this, and, for example, may have both terminal tabs protruding longitudinally from the same side of the pouch-type battery cell.

[0041] FIG. 1(b) illustrates an exemplary pouch-type battery cell (10) in which the separator has been pushed inward. As shown in FIG. 1(b), the lead terminal tab (12) is pressed into the pouch of the pouch-type battery cell (10) by a distance (b), causing at least a portion of the separator to be pushed out of its original position. When the outermost part of the separator is pushed inward from its original position, the pouch-type battery cell may not be able to charge or discharge to its maximum potential, and a low-voltage defect may occur. In the worst case, the pushing inward of the separator may cause a potential short circuit between the positive and negative electrodes, which may cause the pouch-type battery cell (10) to ignite or explode. One of the causes of the outermost part of the separator being pushed inward may be due to impact applied to the lead terminal tab (12) as the pouch-type battery cell (10) moves from one station to another on the manufacturing line. The lead terminal tab (12) at the leading edge of the pouch-type battery cell (10) while in motion may collide with an object while the station is stopped. For example, the object may be a stopper of the station or a closed end of the pallet in which the pouch-type battery cell (10) is moving.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a pallet (20) that can move pouch-type battery cells along a manufacturing line. The pallet (20) shown in FIG. 2 is designed to accommodate two pouch-type battery cells, one in front and one behind, along the length of the pallet. However, the pallet is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 2 and may be configured to accommodate one pouch-type battery cell or two or more pouch-type battery cells along the length of the pallet. In various cases, two or more pouch-type battery cells may be stacked on top of each other on the pallet (20). The stacked battery cells may be combined together to facilitate handling, for example, when placed in a pack or rack. The pallet (20) shown in FIG. 2 has a central portion that is open at both ends to accommodate the terminal tabs of the pouch-type battery. However, in other cases, unlike that shown in FIG. 2, the pallet may not have an open central portion, so the ends of the pallet are closed to surround the pouch-type battery or batteries including the terminal tabs within the pallet. In the case of such pallets, the lead terminal tabs of the pouch-type batteries may collide with the ends of the pallet due to the momentum of the pouch-type batteries when the pallet enters the station and is stopped by the stopper.

[0043] FIG. 3a is a drawing illustrating a pouch-type battery cell (10) on a pallet (20) moving on a manufacturing line, and FIG. 3b is a drawing illustrating a pouch-type battery cell (10) on a pallet (20) stopped by a stopper (40) on a manufacturing line (30). The stopper on the manufacturing line is well known and therefore will not be described further. In FIG. 3a, the pallet (20) can move toward a station at a constant speed while carrying two pouch-type battery cells (10). In FIG. 3b, when the pallet (20) arrives at the station, the pallet (20) is stopped by a stopper (40) at the station, and accordingly, the speed of the pallet (20) is decelerated from a constant speed to zero speed. During this time, the lead terminal tab of the lead pouch-type battery cell (10) may strike the stopper (40) through the open central part at the end of the pallet (20). When the end of the pallet is closed, the lead terminal tab of the lead pouch-type battery cell may strike the end of the pallet. In addition, there is a possibility that two pouch-type battery cells may collide with each other. Since it has been confirmed that separator displacement may occur between them, it is necessary to investigate the speed boundary based on the impact speed of the battery cell where separator displacement did not occur.

[0044] FIG. 4(a) is a drawing illustrating the impact measurement of a pouch-type battery cell on a pallet stopped by a stopper, FIG. 4(b) is a drawing showing the impact measurement data, and FIG. 4(c) is a drawing showing a pouch-type cell in which the separator has been pushed out.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 4(a), an accelerometer is placed over a pouch-type battery cell, and the speed of the pouch-type battery cell (i.e., pallet) is measured until it is stopped by a stopper. The pouch-type battery cell is moved toward the stopper, and the speed of the pouch-type battery cell is measured by the accelerometer at predetermined intervals until it strikes the stopper. Since the accelerometer measures in the unit of acceleration, "G," the relative speed of the pallet can be determined. Therefore, to determine the actual speed corresponding to the measured G of the pallet, the distance the pallet travels over time is measured and the speed is calculated. For example, referring to FIG. 3b, the time taken for the pallet to travel one pallet length before being stopped by the stopper can be measured. Based on the pallet length and the measured time, the speed corresponding to the G value measured by the accelerometer before being stopped by the stopper can be determined. It should be noted that this is only one method of speed measurement, and other speed measurement methods may also be used.

[0046] The pouch-type battery cell is moved at various speeds to determine the speed boundary at which no slippage of the separator occurs. Figure 4(b) shows the accelerometer measurements when the pouch-type battery cell moves toward the stopper and is finally stopped by the stopper. The movement speed of the pouch-type battery cell can be determined to coincide with the slippage of the separator, thereby allowing the determination of the speed boundary at which slippage of the separator is prevented. In each test, the pouch-type battery cell is checked to determine whether slippage of the separator has occurred. Figure 4(c) shows a pouch-type battery cell in which slippage of the separator has occurred. Now, a test to reproduce slippage of the separator according to the movement speed of the battery cell at the time of collision will be described in detail.

[0047] Referring again to FIG. 3a, a pouch-type battery cell equipped with an accelerometer placed on a pallet is placed at a reference point on the manufacturing line at a certain distance from a stopper. In this case, the reference point may be the length of the pallet away from the stopper. However, the reference point may be any point suitable for testing the speed boundary. The pallet is then accelerated until it moves to a test speed (test G value). Then, as shown in FIG. 3b, the pallet is stopped by the stopper, at which point the pallet is decelerated to zero speed. Next, as shown in FIG. 4(c), the displacement of the separator of the pouch-type battery cell is checked, for example.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an acceleration graph of a pouch-type battery cell on a pallet moving on a manufacturing line. Referring to the acceleration graph in FIG. 5, a pouch-type battery cell equipped with an accelerometer placed on a pallet is accelerated to a test speed (test G value). Once the test speed is reached, the movement speed of the pallet is maintained at a constant test speed. The accelerometer transmits the pallet G value measured at set intervals from the point when the pallet first accelerates. The set interval can be set by the user on the accelerometer. The acceleration graph in FIG. 5 can be generated based on the G value of the moving pallet transmitted by the accelerometer at set intervals. The acceleration graph represents the speed over time. The speed can be calculated at set intervals in which the accelerometer transmits the G value measured based on the distance the pallet has moved over time. Since the speed of the pallet is measured at set intervals, it may be difficult to determine exactly when the section where a constant speed must be maintained is reached. Nevertheless, this may be irrelevant, as the speed important for separator slippage is the speed just before the pallet is stopped by the stopper (impact speed). From the acceleration graph of Fig. 5, the test speed just before the pallet is stopped by the stopper can be determined.

[0049] FIG. 6(a) is a diagram illustrating acceleration measurements according to range settings, and FIG. 6(b) is a diagram showing whether slippage of the separator occurs according to various range settings. Referring to FIG. 6(a), a pouch-type battery cell equipped with an accelerometer was placed on a pallet, and acceleration tests were performed on a manufacturing line at speeds of 5G (526 mm / sec) and 6G (610 mm / sec). The test was performed 5 times for each test speed. FIG. 6(a) shows the measurements taken by the accelerometer after repeating the test 5 times at test speeds of 5G (526 mm / sec) and 6G (610 mm / sec). It is noteworthy that a value of 6.8G was measured by the accelerometer in the 4th test at 5G. In addition, a value of 7.1G was measured by the accelerometer in the 3rd test at 6G, and a value of 7.0G was measured by the accelerometer in the 5th test at 6G.

[0050] Referring to Fig. 6(b), tests were performed on three different pouch-type battery cells at test speeds of 4G, 5G, 6G, and 7G. Fifteen tests were performed for each test. Subsequently, it was checked whether slippage of the separator occurred in the pouch-type battery cells. As shown in Fig. 6(b), slippage of the separator occurred at 7G in the first pouch-type battery cell, which was tested 15 times. However, slippage of the separator did not occur at test speeds of 4G, 5G, and 6G.

[0051] Based on the above results, no displacement of the separator occurred at impact velocities below 7G. Under the 5G (526 mm / sec) test condition, a measurement of 6.8G was obtained, which was lower than the critical impact velocity of 7G. Under the 6G (610 mm / sec) test condition, a measurement of 7.1G was obtained, which was higher than the critical impact velocity of 7G. As a result of the test, no displacement of the separator occurred under the 5G and 6G conditions, but under the 6G condition, a value (7.1G) higher than the critical impact velocity of 7G was observed.

[0052] Figure 7 illustrates impact values ​​according to various range settings. Referring to Figure 7, pouch-type battery cells on a pallet moving at 858 mm / sec on a manufacturing line are initially assumed. However, this movement speed resulted in a maximum impact value of 13.1G, causing displacement of the separator in the pouch-type battery cells. An improvement was made to reduce the movement speed to 794 mm / sec, and as a result, the maximum impact value became 9.7G. In this case as well, displacement of the separator in the pouch-type battery cells occurred. Another improvement was made to reduce the movement speed to 600 mm / sec, and as a result, the maximum impact value became 7.5G. However, in this case as well, displacement of the separator in the pouch-type battery cells occurred. Furthermore, another improvement was made to reduce the movement speed to 380 mm / sec, and as a result, the maximum impact value became 4.5G. In this case as well, no displacement of the separator in the pouch-type battery cells occurred.

[0053] Tests were performed at 380 mm / sec (4G), 526 mm / sec (5G), and 610 mm / sec (6G). As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6B, no slippage of the separator occurred at 380 mm / sec (4G), 526 mm / sec (5G), and 610 mm / sec (6G). However, at a moving speed of 610 mm / sec (6G), a maximum impact speed of 7.1G occurred. Referring to FIGS. 6(b), it can be seen that no slippage of the separator occurred in the pouch-type battery cell at moving speeds of 4G, 5G, and 6G, but slippage of the separator occurred at 7G. Based on the above test results, the speed limit was concluded to be up to 6.8G or 526 mm / sec. It should be noted that since slippage of the separator occurred at 7G, a speed limit of less than 7G should be set.

[0054] FIG. 8(a) is a drawing showing a pouch-type battery cell (10) on a pallet (20) moving in the longitudinal direction on a manufacturing line, and FIG. 8(b) is a drawing showing a pouch-type battery cell (10) on a pallet (20) moving in the width direction on a manufacturing line. Referring to FIG. 8(a), the pouch-type battery cell (10) on the pallet (20) moving in the longitudinal direction on the manufacturing line (30) may be vulnerable to the lead terminal tab (12) of the pouch-type battery cell (10) being pressed into the inside of the pouch-type battery cell (10), thereby causing the separator to be pushed out. For example, the lead terminal tab (12) of the lead pouch-type battery cell (10) may hit a stopper through the open central part of the end of the pallet (20). When the end of the pallet is closed, the lead terminal tab of the lead pouch-type battery cell may hit the end of the pallet. Additionally, there is a possibility that the lead terminal tab of a pouch-type battery cell may collide with another pouch-type battery cell. Referring to FIG. 8(b), a pouch-type battery cell (10) on a pallet (20) moving in the width direction on a manufacturing line (30) has a side in the direction of movement, and a terminal tab (12) protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement. The pouch-type battery cell (10) on the pallet (20) moving in the width direction on the manufacturing line (30) is designed so that the terminal tab (12) is protected from impact with a stopper, the end of the pallet, or another pouch-type battery cell. Accordingly, the terminal tab (12) of the pouch-type battery cell (10) is pressed into the interior of the pouch-type battery cell (10), preventing the separator from being pushed out.

[0055] FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating a pouch-type battery cell (10) moving along a manufacturing line according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 9, the manufacturing line includes a transfer line, a line B, a line C, and a stacking line. A pouch-type battery cell (10) moving along line A is transferred to a stacking line. Line A moves the pouch-type battery cell (10) in the longitudinal direction and is configured to move the pouch-type battery cell (10) at a speed boundary of less than 7G, preferably greater than 0, and in a speed range of up to 526 mm / sec or 610 mm / sec. Alternatively, line A is configured to move the pouch-type battery cell (10) in the longitudinal direction and is configured to move such that the maximum impact received by the lead terminal tab of the pouch-type battery cell is 6.8G or less. At the end of line A, the pouch-type battery cell (10) is transferred to a stacking line, where the pouch-type battery cell (10) moves in the width direction along the stacking line.

[0056] In line B, the pouch-type battery cell (10) moves in the longitudinal direction, and line B is configured to move the pouch-type battery cell (10) at a speed boundary of less than 7G, preferably greater than 0 and up to 526 mm / sec or 610 mm / sec. Alternatively, line B is configured to move the pouch-type battery cell (10) in the longitudinal direction, and is configured to move the pouch-type battery cell such that the maximum impact value received by the lead terminal tab of the pouch-type battery cell is 6.8G or less. At the end of line B, the pouch-type battery cell (10) is transferred to a stacking line, where the pouch-type battery cell (10) joins the pouch-type battery cell (10) moving along the stacking line in line A. The pouch-type battery cell (10) in line B is stacked on top of the pouch-type battery cell (10) in line A, and all stacked pouch-type battery cells move in the width direction in the stacking line.

[0057] In line C, the pouch-type battery cell (10) moves in the longitudinal direction, and line C is configured to move the pouch-type battery cell (10) at a speed boundary range of less than 7G, preferably greater than 0 and up to 526 mm / sec or 610 mm / sec. Alternatively, line C is configured to move the pouch-type battery cell (10) in the longitudinal direction, and is configured to move the pouch-type battery cell such that the maximum impact received by the lead terminal tab of the pouch-type battery cell (10) is 6.8G or less. At the end of line C, the pouch-type battery cell (10) is transferred to a stacking line, where the pouch-type battery cell 10 moves along the stacking line where the pouch-type battery cells stacked from lines A and B join together. The pouch-type battery cell (10) in line C is stacked on top of the stacked pouch-type battery cell, and three stacked pouch-type battery cells move in the width direction along the stacking line, and then the three stacked pouch-type battery cells are joined together.

[0058] FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating a pouch-type battery cell (10) moving in a manufacturing line according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 9, the manufacturing line includes a transfer line, a line B, a line C, and a stacking line. A pouch-type battery cell (10) moving along line A is transferred to the stacking line. Line A moves the pouch-type battery cell (10) in the width direction. At the end of line A, the pouch-type battery cell is transferred to the stacking line, where the pouch-type battery cell (10) moves in the length direction along the stacking line. The stacking line is configured to move the pouch-type battery cell (10) at a speed boundary of less than 7G, preferably in a speed range greater than 0 and 526 mm / sec or 610 mm / sec. Alternatively, the stacking line is configured to move the pouch-type battery cell (10) such that the maximum impact received by the lead terminal tab of the pouch-type battery cell (10) is 6.8G or less.

[0059] In line B, the pouch-type battery cell (10) moves in the width direction. At the end of line B, the pouch-type battery cell (10) is transferred to a stacking line, where the pouch-type battery cell (10) joins the pouch-type battery cell (10) of line A and moves along the stacking line. The pouch-type battery cell (10) of line B is stacked on the pouch-type battery cell (10) of line A, and all the stacked pouch-type battery cells move in the length direction along the stacking line. The stacking line is configured to move the stacked pouch-type battery cells at a speed boundary of less than 7G, preferably in a speed range greater than 0 and 526 mm / sec or 610 mm / sec. Alternatively, the stacking line is configured to move the stacked pouch-type battery cells so that the maximum impact value received by the lead terminal tabs of the stacked pouch-type battery cells is 6.8G or less.

[0060] In line C, the pouch-type battery cell (10) moves in the width direction. At the end of line C, the pouch-type battery cell (10) is transferred to a stacking line, where the pouch-type battery cell joins the stacked pouch-type battery cells from lines A and B and moves along the stacking line. The pouch-type battery cell (10) in line C is stacked on top of the stacked pouch-type battery cells, and the three stacked pouch-type battery cells move in the length direction in the stacking line. Line C is configured to move the stacked pouch-type battery cells at a speed boundary of less than 7G, preferably at a speed range greater than 0 and up to 526 mm / sec or 610 mm / sec. Alternatively, line C is configured to move the stacked pouch-type battery cells such that the maximum impact received by the lead terminal tabs of the stacked pouch-type battery cells is 6.8G or less. After that, the three stacked pouch-type battery cells are joined together.

[0061] FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a pouch-type battery cell (10) moving along a manufacturing line according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 11, the manufacturing line includes a transfer line, a line B, a line C, and a stacking line. A pouch-type battery cell 10 moving along line A is transferred to the stacking line. Line A moves the pouch-type battery cell (10) in the width direction. At the end of line A, the pouch-type battery cell (10) is transferred to the stacking line, where the pouch-type battery cell (10) is rotated 90 degrees. The pouch-type battery cell (10) may be rotated by a turntable. The turntable of the manufacturing line is well known and will not be described further. Afterward, the pouch-type battery (10) moves along the stacking line in the width direction.

[0062] In line C, the pouch-type battery cell (10) moves in the width direction. At the end of line C, the pouch-type battery cell (10) is transferred to a stacking line, where the pouch-type battery cell is rotated 90 degrees by a turntable or the like to join the pouch-type battery cells stacked in lines A and B and moves along the stacking line. The pouch-type battery cell (10) from line C is stacked on top of the stacked pouch-type battery cells, and the three stacked pouch-type battery cells move in the width direction along the stacking line. Subsequently, the three stacked pouch-type battery cells are combined with each other.

[0063] The present disclosure has been described in more detail above through the drawings and embodiments. Although the present disclosure has been described based on preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will clearly understand that various obvious modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure should be interpreted to include various modifications as defined by the appended claims.

[0064] [Explanation of the symbol]

[0065] 10: Battery cell

[0066] 20: Palette

[0067] 30: Manufacturing line

[0068] 40: Stopper

Claims

1. A method for preventing the displacement of a separator in a battery cell stopped by a stopper on a manufacturing line, A step of transporting the battery cell in the longitudinal direction along the manufacturing line such that the terminal tab of the battery cell is parallel to the direction of movement of the manufacturing line; and A step of controlling the acceleration of the battery cell moving on the manufacturing line to less than 7G so as to prevent the separator from shifting upon impact between the battery cell and the stopper; A method including 2. In Paragraph 1, A method further comprising the step of controlling the acceleration of the battery cell moving on the above manufacturing line to 6.8G or less.

3. In Paragraph 1, A method further comprising the step of controlling the speed so that the speed of the battery cell does not exceed 610 mm / second when impacted by the stopper.

4. In Paragraph 1, A method further comprising the step of controlling the speed so that the speed of the battery cell does not exceed 526 mm / second when impacted by the stopper.

5. In Paragraph 1, A method comprising the step of transferring the battery cell to another manufacturing line, wherein the method comprises transferring the battery cell in the width direction in the other manufacturing line such that the terminal tab of the battery cell is orthogonal to the direction of movement of the other manufacturing line.

6. A method for preventing the displacement of a separator in a battery cell stopped by a stopper on a manufacturing line, A step of transporting the battery cell in the width direction on the manufacturing line such that the terminal tab of the battery cell is orthogonal to the direction of movement of the manufacturing line; A step of transferring a battery cell to another manufacturing line so that the battery cell moves in a longitudinal direction parallel to the direction of movement of the other manufacturing line, with the terminal tab of the battery cell moving in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the other manufacturing line; and A step of controlling the acceleration of the battery cell moving on another manufacturing line to less than 7G so as to prevent the separator from sliding upon impact between the battery cell and the stopper; A method including 7. In Paragraph 6, A method further comprising the step of controlling the acceleration of the battery cell moving on the other manufacturing line above to 6.8G or less.

8. In Paragraph 6, A method further comprising the step of controlling the speed at which the battery cell moves in another manufacturing line so that the speed of the battery cell does not exceed 610 mm / second when impacted by the stopper.

9. In Paragraph 6, A method further comprising the step of controlling the speed at which the battery cell moves in another manufacturing line so that the speed of the battery cell does not exceed 526 mm / second when impacted by the stopper.

10. A method for preventing the displacement of a separator in a battery cell stopped by a stopper on a manufacturing line, A step of transporting the battery cell in the width direction in the manufacturing line such that the terminal tab of the battery cell is orthogonal to the direction of movement of the manufacturing line; and A step of transferring the battery cell to another manufacturing line so that the battery cell moves in a width direction orthogonal to the direction of movement of the other manufacturing line, wherein the terminal tab of the battery cell moves in a width direction orthogonal to the direction of movement of the other manufacturing line; A method including 11. In Paragraph 10, A method further comprising the step of rotating the battery cell so that the battery cell moves in the width direction when transferred to another manufacturing line.

12. In Paragraph 10, A method wherein the other manufacturing line is orthogonal to the manufacturing line, and the method further comprises the step of rotating the battery cell by 90 degrees to transfer the battery cell in the width direction from the other manufacturing line during transfer to the other manufacturing line.

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