Electrode Lead Aligning and Masking Device

Disclosed herein is an electrode lead aligning and masking device. The electrode lead aligning and masking device of the present disclosure can be configured to align electrode leads bent on each of bus bars in a welding process of the electrode leads. The electrode lead aligning and masking device can include a pair of aligning jigs, each inserted into a slot between the bus bars and configured to align positions of the electrode leads. A masking jig can be disposed between the pair of aligning jigs to surround welding portions of the electrode leads.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electrode lead aligning and masking device, and more particularly, to an electrode lead aligning and masking device capable of aligning an electrode lead bent on a bus bar at a correct position, significantly reducing a welding defect rate, and preventing damage to an electrode rib.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte, and generate electric energy by using a chemical reaction. The use of secondary batteries is gradually increasing due to the advantage of being able to charge and discharge. Among these secondary batteries, lithium secondary batteries have a high energy density per unit weight, and thus are widely used as power sources for electronic communication devices, driving sources for high-power hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, or the like.

In terms of the shape of the secondary batteries, there is a growing demand for prismatic-type secondary batteries and pouch-type secondary batteries that can be applied to products such as mobile phones and the like due to their small thickness. In terms of the material of the secondary batteries, there is a growing demand for lithium secondary batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries and lithium-ion polymer batteries, which have high energy density, discharge voltage, and output stability.

A plurality of battery cells are stacked inside a battery case of the secondary battery. Electrode tabs are formed to protrude from each of the plurality of battery cells, and an electrode lead is welded to each of the electrode tabs. A negative electrode lead and a positive electrode lead are bent to overlap a bus bar by a bending tool in a bending process. In a welding process, which is a subsequent process of the bending process, the bent negative and positive electrode leads are welded to the bus bar by a welding tool in an overlapped state.

However, conventionally, when the welding process is performed after the electrode lead bending process, the bent electrode leads are welded to the bus bar in an unaligned state. Accordingly, even when a plurality of electrode leads are unified in length, a welding length of the electrode lead varies, and thus a welding defect rate may be increased.

In addition, when a pair of electrode leads are bent in a state in which the pair of electrode leads are spread outward in a width direction of the bus bar, the length at which the pair of electrode leads are overlapped is reduced. In this case, when the overlapping portion is welded while being pressed with a masking jig, an actual welding section becomes shorter than a design welding section, and thus, a bonding strength of the welding portion is significantly reduced.

In addition, when a pair of electrode leads are bent in a state in which the pair of electrode leads are gathered toward both side surfaces in the width direction of the bus bar, the length at which the pair of electrode leads are overlapped is excessively increased. In this case, end portions of the pair of electrode leads overlap a portion bent to be rounded, and thus the overlapping portion of the pair of electrode leads may be locally lifted or a gap may widen. Accordingly, the bonding strength of the welding portion may be reduced. In addition, welding sparks or spatters may splash in the vicinity, and thus a welding defect rate may be increased.

In addition, since the welding length of the pair of electrode leads in each bus bar may be different, an actual welding length deviates from the required design dimension, and thus a welding defect rate may be increased.

The background art of the present invention is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 2019-0097614 (published on Aug. 21, 2019, title of the invention: Jig for spot welding).

DISCLOSURE

Technical Solution

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and is directed to providing an electrode lead aligning and masking device capable of aligning an electrode lead bent on a bus bar at a correct position and significantly reducing a welding defect rate.

The present invention is also directed to providing an electrode lead aligning and masking device allowing an actual welding length of an electrode lead to be matched with a design welding length thereof.

The present invention is also directed to providing an electrode lead aligning and masking device capable of preventing electrode leads from spreading outward in a width direction of a bus bar and thus preventing a bonding area and a bonding strength of a welding portion from being reduced.

The present invention is also directed to providing an electrode lead aligning and masking device capable of preventing an overlapping portion of a pair of electrode leads from being locally lifted or preventing a gap from widening.

The present invention is also directed to providing an electrode lead aligning and masking device capable of preventing an electrode lead and an aligning jig from being damaged.

Technical Solution

One aspect of the present invention provides an electrode lead aligning and masking device configured to align electrode leads bent on each of bus bars in a welding process of the electrode leads, the electrode lead aligning and masking device including a pair of aligning jigs each inserted into a slot between the bus bars and configured to align positions of the electrode leads, and a masking jig disposed between the pair of aligning jigs and surrounding welding portions of the electrode leads.

The pair of aligning jigs may be coupled to both sides of the masking jig in a width direction.

The aligning jig may gather the electrode lead toward the bus bar while being inserted into the slot on an outer side of the electrode lead.

The aligning jig may include an alignment body portion facing each of both sides of the masking jig, and an alignment rib extending from the alignment body portion, formed to be thinner than a thickness of the alignment body portion, and configured to align the electrode lead while being inserted into the slot.

An alignment taper portion may be formed on an inner side of the alignment rib in a thickness direction to gather the electrode lead toward the bus bar.

A stepped portion may be formed on a lower side of the alignment body portion to be spaced apart from a bent portion of the electrode lead, and a pressing surface portion of the masking jig may be disposed at a lower position than the stepped portion.

The aligning jig may be formed in a shape of a rectangular panel.

A welding space portion passing through the masking jig in a vertical direction may be formed in the masking jig.

The masking jig may be formed in a shape of a rectangular cylinder parallel to the bus bar in a longitudinal direction, and the welding space portion may be formed parallel to the bus bar in the longitudinal direction.

The masking jig may press the electrode lead to the bus bar.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an electrode lead aligning and masking device configured to align electrode leads bent on each of bus bars in a welding process of the electrode leads, the electrode lead aligning and masking device including a pair of aligning jigs each inserted into a slot between the bus bars and configured to align positions of the electrode leads, a masking jig which is disposed between the pair of aligning jigs and installed to surround welding portions of the electrode leads, and to which the aligning jigs are movably coupled, and at least two elastic members respectively installed on both sides of the masking jig to elastically support the pair of aligning jigs.

The masking jig may include a masking body portion having a welding space portion passing therethrough in a vertical direction, and a sliding guide portion disposed on each of both sides of the masking body portion and formed with a sliding groove portion to which the aligning jig is slidably coupled.

The aligning jig may include an alignment body portion facing each of both sides of the masking jig, an alignment rib extending downward from the alignment body portion, formed to be thinner than a thickness of the alignment body portion, and configured align the electrode lead by being inserted into the slot, and a slider extending upward from the alignment body portion and slidably coupled to the sliding groove portion.

The alignment rib may gather the electrode lead toward the bus bar while being inserted into the slot on an outer side of the electrode lead.

An alignment taper portion may be formed on an inner side of the alignment rib in a thickness direction to gather the electrode lead toward the bus bar.

A thickness of the slider may be formed smaller than the thickness of the alignment body portion.

A movement limiting portion configured to limit a movement distance of the aligning jig by being caught on a lower end portion of the sliding guide portion may be formed on an upper side of the alignment body portion.

The elastic member may be supported by an upper end portion of the alignment body portion and an upper end portion of the sliding groove portion.

The elastic member may be disposed on each of both sides of the alignment body portion in a longitudinal direction.

A stepped portion may be formed on a lower side of the alignment body portion to be spaced apart from a bent portion of the electrode lead, and a pressing surface portion of the masking jig may be disposed at a lower position than the stepped portion.

Advantageous Effects

According to the present invention, since a pair of aligning jigs align positions of bent electrode leads, and a welding tool welds the electrode leads while a masking jig presses the bent electrode leads, the bent electrode leads can be welded to a correct position of a bus bar.

According to the present invention, since the electrode leads are welded to the correct position of the bus bar, an actual welding length of the electrode lead can be matched with a design welding length. In addition, a welding length of the electrode lead in each bus bar can be uniform.

According to the present invention, electrode leads are welded in a state in which the electrode leads are gathered on a bus bar, so that it is possible to prevent a bonding area and a bonding strength of a welding portion from being reduced.

According to the present invention, since an end portion of the bent electrode lead does not overlap a bent portion of the opposite electrode lead, which is bent to be rounded, it is possible to prevent an overlapping portion of the pair of electrode leads from being locally lifted or prevent a gap from widening. Accordingly, a bonding strength of the welding portion can be increased.

According to the present invention, an aligning jig is movably coupled to a masking jig and is elastically supported by an elastic member, so that an impact between the aligning jig and the electrode lead can be buffered. Accordingly, damage to the aligning jig and the electrode lead can be prevented.

In addition to the above-described effects, specific effects of the present invention will be described together with the following detailed description for implementing the present invention.

MODES OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in detail.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be variously changed and implemented in various different forms. The present embodiments are provided so that the present invention will be thorough and complete, and also to provide a more complete understanding of the scope of the present invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but the configuration of any one embodiment and the configuration of another embodiment can be substituted or added, and the present invention includes all alterations, equivalents, and alternatives that are included in the technical spirit and scope of the present invention.

It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are provided only to allow those skilled in the art to easily understand the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, and the technical spirit disclosed in the present specification is not limited by the accompanying drawings, and includes all alterations, equivalents, and alternatives that are included in the spirit and the technical scope of the present invention. In the drawings, sizes or thicknesses of components may be exaggerated, increased, or decreased for convenience of understanding, but the protection scope of the present invention should not be restrictively construed.

The terms used in the present specification are used only for the purpose of describing particular examples or embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, singular expressions include plural expressions unless clearly described as different meanings in the context. In the specification, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “containing,” “has,” “having”, and other variations thereof are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, integers, steps, operations, components, parts, and/or combinations thereof disclosed in the specification. That is, in the specification, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “containing,” “has,” “having”, and other variations thereof do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, components, parts, and/or combinations thereof.

The terms including ordinal numbers such as “first,” “second,” and the like may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another component.

When one component is described as being “coupled” or “connected” to another component, it should be understood that one component can be coupled or connected directly to another component, and an intervening component can also be present between the components. In contrast, when one component is described as being “coupled directly to” or “connected directly to” another component, it should be understood that no intervening component is present between the components.

When one component is described as being “disposed above” or “disposed below” another component, it should be understood that one component can be disposed directly on another component, and an intervening component can also be present between the components.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. The terms such as those defined in a commonly used dictionary should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with meanings in the context of related technologies and should not be interpreted as ideal or excessively formal meanings unless explicitly defined in the present application.

Hereinafter, an electrode lead aligning and masking device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG.1is a plan view schematically illustrating a secondary battery module according to the present invention, andFIG.2is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which an electrode lead aligning and masking device is disposed on an upper side of a bus bar in the secondary battery module according to the present invention.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, in a secondary battery module1, a plurality of battery cells30are stacked inside a case10. An electrode tab31extends to protrude from each of the battery cells30, and is welded to an electrode lead33. A bus bar frame20is assembled to a battery cell stack (not shown). A plurality of bus bars21are arranged side by side in the bus bar frame20. A slot23is formed between each of the plurality of bus bars21in the bus bar frame20. The slot23may be formed with a width that is about 5 to 7 times a thickness of the electrode lead33. When the bus bar frame20is assembled to the battery cell stack, a plurality of electrode leads33pass through the corresponding slots23and protrude vertically or nearly vertically outwardly from the bus bar frame20.

In the battery cell stack, the electrode lead33is bent so as to come into close contact with the bus bar21using a bending tool (not shown) in a bending process. In each bus bar21, a pair of electrode leads33are bent in a width direction of the bus bar21and overlap each other. When the operation of bending the electrode lead33on the bus bar21is completed, a welding process is performed. In the welding process, an electrode lead aligning and masking device100welds the bent electrode leads33to the bus bar21in a state in which the electrode leads33are aligned on the bus bar21. This will be described in detail below.

The electrode lead aligning and masking device100according to the embodiment of the present invention is a device for aligning and masking the electrode leads33bent on the bus bar21of the secondary battery module1in the welding process of the electrode leads33. Here, on the bus bar21, the electrode leads33having the same polarity may be bent or the electrode leads33having opposite polarities may be bent. In addition, the electrode leads33having the same polarity may be bent on some bus bars21, and the electrode leads33having opposite polarities may be bent on the remaining bus bars21.

FIG.3is a perspective view schematically illustrating an electrode lead aligning and masking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention,FIG.4is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating the electrode lead aligning and masking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention,FIG.5is a front view schematically illustrating the electrode lead aligning and masking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention,FIG.6is a view schematically illustrating a state in which the electrode lead aligning and masking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is located on an upper side of an electrode lead, andFIG.7is a view schematically illustrating a state in which an alignment jig of the electrode lead aligning and masking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is inserted into a slot to align the electrode lead.

The electrode lead aligning and masking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Referring toFIGS.3to7, an electrode lead aligning and masking device100according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of aligning jigs110and a masking jig120.

The pair of aligning jigs110are inserted into the slots23on both sides of the bus bar21and align positions of a pair of electrode leads33. The pair of aligning jigs110gather the bent electrode leads33on both side surfaces of the bus bar21in the width direction while being inserted into the slots23. Here, the pair of electrode leads33may be aligned to be in close contact with or slightly spaced apart from both side surfaces of the bus bar21in the width direction. In addition, when the pair of electrode leads33are bent on the bus bar21, an end portion of one electrode lead33has a length so as to be spaced apart from a bent portion34of the other electrode lead33by a predetermined distance.

The masking jig120is coupled to the aligning jigs110and is formed to surround a welding portion of the electrode lead33. The masking jig120shields a circumference of the welding portion so that sparks or spatters do not deviate from the welding portion when the electrode lead33is welded to the bus bar21. Accordingly, it is possible to significantly reduce a welding defect rate by preventing spatters or sparks generated during welding from splashing to a surrounding structure.

As described above, since the pair of aligning jigs110align the positions of the bent electrode leads33, and a welding tool (not shown) welds the electrode leads33in a state in which the masking jig120presses the bent electrode leads33, the bent electrode leads33can be welded to a correct position of the bus bar21. In addition, an actual welding length of the electrode lead33may be matched with a design welding length thereof. The welding length refers to a length at which the electrode lead is welded in parallel to a length of the bus bar21in the width direction. In addition, the electrode leads33may be prevented from spreading outward in the width direction of the bus bar21. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a bonding area and a bonding strength of the welding portion from being reduced and reduce a welding defect rate.

In addition, since the end portion of the bent electrode lead33does not overlap the bent portion34of the opposite electrode lead33, which is bent to be rounded, it is possible to prevent an overlapping portion of the pair of electrode leads33from being locally lifted or prevent a gap from widening. Accordingly, the bonding strength of the welding portion can be increased.

In addition, since the welding length of the pair of electrode leads33in each bus bar21becomes uniform, the actual welding length is matched with a required design dimension, thereby reducing the welding defect rate.

The pair of aligning jigs110are coupled to both sides of the masking jig120in the width direction. At this time, the pair of aligning jigs110may be welded or adhered to both sides of the masking jig120in the width direction or coupled to the both sides by fastening members such as screws or rivets. Accordingly, the aligning jigs110and the masking jig120may be lifted and moved by one moving device (not shown) to align and weld the electrode leads33.

The aligning jig110gathers the electrode lead33toward the bus bar21while being inserted into the slot23on an outer side of the electrode lead33. Here, outer sides of the pair of aligning jigs110in a thickness direction may be in contact with or be spaced apart from outer surfaces of the slot23. In addition, inner sides of the pair of aligning jigs110in the thickness direction may be in contact with outer side surfaces of the electrode leads33. Accordingly, when the aligning jig110descends, the pair of electrode leads33may be aligned while being gathered toward the bus bar21.

The aligning jig110includes an alignment body portion111and an alignment rib113.

The alignment bodies111face both sides of the masking jig120. The alignment bodies111may be fixed to both sides of the masking jig120in the width direction by welding or an adhesive, or may be fixed to both sides of the masking jig120in the width direction by fastening members such as screws or rivets.

The alignment rib113extends downward from the alignment body portion111and is formed to be thinner than a thickness of the alignment body portion111. The alignment rib113aligns the electrode lead33while being inserted into the slot23. The alignment rib113presses the outer side surfaces of the electrode lead33toward the bus bar21to bring the electrode lead33into close contact with the bus bar21or align the electrode lead33to be finely separated from the bus bar21. Whether the electrode lead33is in contact with the bus bar21may be determined according to a thickness of the aligning jig.

An alignment taper portion114is formed on an inner side of the alignment rib113in the thickness direction to gather the electrode lead33toward the bus bar21. In this case, a thickness of the alignment rib113becomes gradually smaller toward the lower side due to the alignment taper portion114. Accordingly, a lower end portion of the alignment rib113is easily inserted between the outer side surface of the electrode lead33and an outer side surface of the slot23, and as the alignment rib113descends, the electrode lead33may be aligned while being pressed toward the bus bar21. In addition, it is possible to prevent the alignment rib113or the electrode lead33from being damaged or broken due to the end portion of the alignment rib113caught on the bent portion34of the electrode lead33when the alignment rib113is inserted into the slot23.

A stepped portion115may be formed on a lower side of the alignment body portion111to be spaced apart from the bent portion34of the electrode lead33. Here, a pressing surface portion123of the masking jig120is disposed at a lower position than the stepped portion115. The stepped portion115may be formed to be horizontal or slightly inclined with respect to the pressing surface portion123. Accordingly, when the pressing surface portion123of the masking jig120presses the electrode lead33, the bent portion34of the electrode lead33is spaced apart from the stepped portion115by a predetermined distance, thereby preventing the alignment body portion111from pressing the bent portion34of the electrode lead33. Furthermore, the electrode lead33or the electrode tab31may be prevented from being bent or broken by a pressing force of the alignment body portion111.

The aligning jig110is formed in the shape of a rectangular panel. A length of the aligning jig110may be formed to be slightly smaller than a length of the slot23. In addition, the length of the aligning jig110may also be formed to be equal to or slightly larger than a length of the electrode lead33. Of course, the aligning jig110may be formed in various shapes such as the shape of a sawtooth, the shape of a plurality of bars arranged in a row, and the like, as long as it is inserted into the slot23and aligns the electrode lead33.

A welding space portion121passing through the masking jig120in a vertical direction is formed in the masking jig120. The welding tool may pass through the welding space portion121and weld the bent electrode lead33to the bus bar21. The welding tool may be a laser welding tool that welds the electrode leads33by irradiating a laser thereto, or a spot welding tool that welds the electrode leads33by applying an electric current thereto. Various welding types may be applied according to the type of material of each of the electrode lead33and the bus bar21. As described above, since the welding tool enters the welding space portion121to weld the electrode lead33, it is possible to prevent spatters or welding sparks from splashing around the electrode lead33.

The masking jig120may be formed in the shape of a rectangular cylinder parallel to the bus bar21in the longitudinal direction. The welding space portion121is formed parallel to the bus bar21in the longitudinal direction. A width of the masking jig120may be formed smaller than a width of the bus bar21. A width of the welding space portion121may be formed smaller than the width of the bus bar21. A length of the welding space portion121may be formed to be slightly smaller than the length of the electrode lead33. A cross section of the welding space portion121may be formed in a rectangular shape parallel to the bus bar21in the longitudinal direction. Since the masking jig120is formed in the shape of a rectangular cylinder, the overlapping portion of the electrode leads33may be welded in the longitudinal direction.

The masking jig120presses the bent electrode leads33to the bus bar21. Accordingly, when the welding tool welds the electrode leads33, the overlapping portion of the electrode leads33may be prevented from being lifted or spaced. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the welding bonding strength of the overlapping portion of the electrode leads33from being degraded. In addition, a local temperature deviation of the electrode lead33due to the lifting or spacing of the electrode lead33is prevented from occurring, thereby preventing a welding defect.

The electrode lead aligning and masking device100according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include a pair of aligning jigs110and one masking jig120to align a pair of electrode leads33to one bus bar21. The electrode lead aligning and masking device100aligns and masks the electrode leads33on one bus bar21each time the electrode lead aligning and masking device100descends.

In addition, the electrode lead aligning and masking device100according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be manufactured in a form in which four or more aligning jigs110and two or more masking jigs120are arranged to align a pair of electrode leads33to each of at least two or more bus bars21. The electrode lead aligning and masking device100may simultaneously align the electrode leads33to two or more bus bars21each time the electrode lead aligning and masking device100descends.

Next, an electrode lead aligning and masking device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG.8is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating an electrode lead aligning and masking device according to a second embodiment of the present invention,FIG.9is a perspective view schematically illustrating the electrode lead aligning and masking device according to the second embodiment of the present invention,FIG.10is a front view schematically illustrating the electrode lead aligning and masking device according to the second embodiment of the present invention,FIG.11is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which the electrode lead aligning and masking device ofFIG.10is cut along line11-11,FIG.12is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which the electrode lead aligning and masking device ofFIG.11is cut along line12-12in the electrode lead, andFIG.13is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which the electrode lead aligning and masking device ofFIG.11is cut along line13-13in the electrode lead.

Referring toFIGS.8to13, an electrode lead aligning and masking device100according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of aligning jigs110, a masking jig120, and at least two elastic members130.

The pair of aligning jigs110are inserted into the slots23on both sides of the bus bar21and align positions of a pair of electrode leads33. The pair of aligning jigs110gather the bent electrode leads33on both side surfaces of the bus bar21in the width direction while being inserted into the slots23. Here, the pair of electrode leads33may be aligned to be in close contact with or slightly spaced apart from both side surfaces of the bus bar21in the width direction. In addition, when the pair of electrode leads33are bent on the bus bar21, an end portion of one electrode lead33may have a length so as to be spaced apart from a bent portion34of the other electrode lead33by a predetermined distance.

The masking jig120is disposed between the pair of aligning jigs110and is formed to surround a welding portion of the electrode lead33. The aligning jigs110are movably coupled to the masking jig120. The masking jig120shields a circumference of the welding portion so that sparks or spatters do not deviate from the welding portion when the electrode lead33is welded to the bus bar21. Accordingly, it is possible to significantly reduce a welding defect rate by preventing spatters or sparks generated during welding from splashing to a surrounding structure.

At least two elastic members130are installed on both sides of the masking jig120to elastically support the pair of aligning jigs110. The elastic member130may be a coil spring configured to connect the masking jig120and the aligning jig110. The elastic member130may applied in various forms and in various positions, as long as it elastically support the aligning jig110.

As described above, the aligning jig110is movably coupled to the masking jig120and is elastically supported by the elastic member130. Accordingly, since the electrode leads33are aligned while the aligning jigs110move up and down, deformation of the electrode leads33may be minimized. In addition, since the impact of the aligning jig110and the electrode lead33is buffered at the moment when the aligning jig110presses the electrode lead33, it is possible to prevent damage to the aligning jig110and the electrode lead33. In addition, it is possible to prevent scratches from occurring on a surface of the electrode lead33and to significantly reduce the possibility of overheating and ignition of the electrode lead33.

In addition, since the pair of aligning jigs110align the positions of the bent electrode leads33, and a welding tool (not shown) welds the electrode leads33in a state in which the masking jig120presses the bent electrode leads33, the bent electrode leads33can be welded to a correct position of the bus bar21. In addition, an actual welding length of the electrode lead33can be matched with a design welding length thereof. The welding length refers to a length at which the electrode lead is welded in parallel to a length of the bus bar21in the width direction. In addition, the electrode leads33may be prevented from spreading outward in the width direction of the bus bar21. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a bonding area and a bonding strength of the welding portion from being reduced and reduce a welding defect rate.

In addition, since the end portion of the bent electrode lead33does not overlap the bent portion34of the opposite electrode lead33, which is bent to be rounded, it is possible to prevent an overlapping portion of the pair of electrode leads33from being locally lifted or prevent a gap from widening. Accordingly, a bonding strength of the welding portion can be increased.

In addition, since the welding length of the pair of electrode leads33in each bus bar21becomes uniform, the actual welding length is matched with a required design dimension, thereby reducing the welding defect rate.

The masking jig120includes a masking body portion122and a sliding guide portion125.

A welding space portion121passing through the masking body portion122in the vertical direction is formed in the masking body portion122. The welding space portion121may be formed in the shape of a long hole parallel to the masking body portion122in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, the welding tool may approach and weld the electrode lead33via the welding space portion121.

The welding tool may be a laser welding tool that welds the electrode leads33by irradiating a laser thereto, or a spot welding tool that welds the electrode leads33by applying an electric current thereto. Various welding types may be applied according to the type of material of each of the electrode lead33and the bus bar21. As described above, since the welding tool enters the welding space portion121to weld the electrode lead33, it is possible to prevent spatters or welding sparks from splashing around the electrode lead33.

The sliding guide portions125are disposed on both sides of the masking body portion122. A sliding groove portion126is formed in the sliding guide portion125such that the aligning jig110is slidably coupled to the sliding guide portion125. The sliding groove portion126is a space surrounded by a side surface of the masking body portion122and an inner side surface of the sliding guide portion125. The sliding groove portion126is formed in the shape of a long hole along a longitudinal direction of the masking body portion122. In addition, a lower side of the sliding groove portion126is open. The sliding guide portion125supports the aligning jig110so that the aligning jig110does not move.

The aligning jig110gathers the electrode lead33toward the bus bar21while being inserted into the slot23on an outer side of the electrode lead33. Here, outer sides of the pair of aligning jigs110in a thickness direction may be in contact with or be spaced apart from outer side surfaces of the slots23. In addition, inner sides of the pair of aligning jigs110in the thickness direction may be in contact with outer side surfaces of the electrode leads33. Accordingly, when the aligning jig110descends, the pair of electrode leads33may be aligned while being gathered toward the bus bar21.

The aligning jig110includes an alignment body portion111, an alignment rib113, and a slider116. The aligning jig110may be entirely formed in the shape of a rectangular panel.

The alignment bodies111face both sides of the masking jig120. An inner side surface of the alignment body portion111is formed in a flat plate shape so as to be in surface contact with a side surface of the masking jig120when the aligning jig110moves in the vertical direction.

The alignment rib113extends downward from the alignment body portion111and is formed to be thinner than a thickness of the alignment body portion111. The alignment rib113align the electrode lead33by being inserted into the slot23between the bus bars21. The alignment rib113may be formed to have the same length as or a slightly different length from the alignment body portion111.

The slider116extends upward from the alignment body portion111and is slidably coupled to the sliding groove portion126. The slider116may be formed in a plate shape so as to be inserted into the sliding groove portion126. A length of the slider116may be formed to be slightly smaller than a length of the sliding groove portion126.

A thickness of the slider116may be formed smaller than a thickness of the alignment body portion111. Accordingly, a lower end portion of the slider116and an upper end portion of the alignment body portion111may be formed to be stepped. In addition, since the thickness of the slider116is formed to be small, a width of the sliding guide portion125and a width of the sliding groove portion126may be prevented from increasing unnecessarily.

An alignment taper portion114is formed on an inner side of the alignment rib113in the thickness direction to gather the electrode lead33toward the bus bar21. In this case, a thickness of the alignment rib113becomes gradually smaller toward the lower side due to the alignment taper portion114. Accordingly, a lower end portion of the alignment rib113is easily inserted between the outer side surface of the electrode lead33and an outer side surface of the slot23, and as the alignment rib113descends, the electrode lead33may be aligned while being pressed toward the bus bar21. In addition, it is possible to prevent the alignment rib113or the electrode lead33from being damaged or broken due to the end portion of the alignment rib113caught on the bent portion34of the electrode lead33when the alignment rib113is inserted into the slot23.

A movement limiting portion112configured to limit a movement distance of the aligning jig110by being caught on a lower end portion of the sliding guide portion125is formed on an upper side of the alignment body portion111. The movement limiting portion112may be a step formed at a boundary between the upper end portion of the alignment body portion111and the lower end portion of the slider116. The movement limiting portion112may be formed in various structures on the alignment body portion111or the slider116.

A stepped portion115may be formed on a lower side of the alignment body portion111to be spaced apart from the bent portion34of the electrode lead33. Here, a pressing surface portion123of the masking jig120is disposed at a lower position than the stepped portion115. The stepped portion115may be formed to be horizontal or slightly inclined with respect to the pressing surface portion123. Accordingly, when the pressing surface portion123of the masking jig120presses the electrode lead33, the bent portion34of the electrode lead33is spaced apart from the stepped portion115by a predetermined distance, thereby preventing the alignment body portion111from pressing the bent portion34of the electrode lead33. Furthermore, the electrode lead33or the electrode tab31may be prevented from being bent or broken by a pressing force of the alignment body portion111.

A length of the aligning jig110may be formed to be slightly smaller than a length of the slot23. In addition, the length of the aligning jig110may also be formed to be equal to or slightly larger than a length of the electrode lead33. Of course, the aligning jig110may be formed in various shapes such as the shape of a sawtooth, the shape of a plurality of bars arranged in a row, and the like, as long as it is inserted into the slot23and aligns the electrode lead33.

The masking jig120may be formed in the shape of a rectangular cylinder parallel to the bus bar21in the longitudinal direction. A width of the masking jig120may be formed smaller than a width of the bus bar21. A width of the welding space portion121may be formed smaller than the width of the bus bar21. A length of the welding space portion121may be formed to be slightly smaller than the length of the electrode lead33. A cross section of the welding space portion121may be formed in a rectangular shape parallel to the bus bar21in the longitudinal direction. Since the masking jig120is formed in the shape of a rectangular cylinder, the overlapping portion of the electrode leads33may be welded in the longitudinal direction.

The masking jig120presses the bent electrode leads33on the bus bar21. Accordingly, when the welding tool welds the electrode leads33, the overlapping portion of the electrode leads33may be prevented from being lifted or spaced. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the welding bonding strength of the overlapping portion of the electrode leads33from being degraded. In addition, a local temperature deviation of the electrode lead33due to the lifting or spacing of the electrode lead33is prevented from occurring, thereby preventing a welding defect.

The elastic member130may be supported by the upper end portion of the alignment body portion111and an upper end portion of the sliding groove portion126. The elastic members130may be disposed on both sides of the alignment body portion111, respectively, in the longitudinal direction. Since the elastic members130are disposed on both sides of the alignment body portion111in the longitudinal direction, the aligning jig110may be finely inclined to one side in the longitudinal direction. Accordingly, even when the electrode lead33or the bus bar21is slightly inclined, the electrode lead33may be aligned as the aligning jig110is finely inclined to one side in the longitudinal direction.

The electrode lead aligning and masking device100according to the second embodiment of the present invention may include a pair of aligning jigs110and one masking jig120to align a pair of electrode leads33to one bus bar21. The electrode lead aligning and masking device100aligns and masks the electrode leads33on one bus bar21each time the electrode lead aligning and masking device100descends.

In addition, the electrode lead aligning and masking device100according to the second embodiment of the present invention may be manufactured in a form in which four or more aligning jigs110and two or more masking jigs120are arranged to align a pair of electrode leads33to each of at least two or more bus bars21. The electrode lead aligning and masking device100may simultaneously align the electrode leads33to two or more bus bars21each time the electrode lead aligning and masking device100descends.

An operation of the aligning and masking device according to the second embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described.

FIG.14is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which the electrode lead of the battery cell is inserted into the slot of the bus bar in the secondary battery module according to the present invention,FIG.15is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which the electrode lead of the battery cell is bent on the bus bar in the secondary battery module according to the present invention,FIG.16is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which the aligning and masking device according to the present invention is located on an upper side of the bus bar,FIG.17is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which the aligning jig of the aligning and masking device according to the present invention is inserted into the slot between the bus bars,FIG.18is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which the stepped portion of the aligning jig the aligning and masking device according to the present invention presses the bent portion of the electrode lead,FIG.19is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which the pressing surface portion of the masking jig of the aligning and masking device according to the present invention presses the electrode lead, andFIG.20is a view schematically illustrating a state in which the electrode lead is welded to the bus bar via the welding space portion of the masking jig according to the present invention.

Referring toFIGS.14to20, the electrode leads33of the battery cell30are inserted into the slots23on both sides of the bus bar21. Here, the electrode leads33may be vertically inserted on both sides of the bus bar21.

A bending device (not shown) presses and bends the electrode lead33toward the bus bar21. At this time, the pair of electrode leads33may be spread toward both sides of the bus bar21or may be spaced apart from each other on both side surfaces of the bus bar21(seeFIG.15).

The aligning and masking device100is moved to an upper side of the bus bar21. At this time, the aligning jig110maintains the state of being most descended from the sliding guide portion25by an elastic force of the elastic member130.

When the aligning and masking device100descends, the aligning jigs110are inserted into the slots23on both sides of the bus bar21. At this time, when an impact is applied to the bent portion34of the electrode lead33by the alignment taper portion114of the aligning jig110, the impact applied to the electrode lead33is buffered as the elastic member130is slightly contracted.

The alignment taper portion114of the aligning jig110gently descends while sliding along the bent portion34of the electrode lead33. The electrode lead33is gathered toward the bus bar21as the alignment taper portion114presses an outer side of the electrode lead33.

As the aligning jig110further descends, the electrode leads33are in close contact with both side surfaces of the bus bar21(seeFIG.17). Here, the electrode lead33may be lifted or spaced apart from an upper surface of the bus bar21.

When the aligning jig110is completely inserted into the slot23, the stepped portion115of the aligning jig110is in close contact with the bent portion34of the electrode lead33(FIG.18). At this time, a pressing force of the aligning and masking device100is applied to the bent portion34of the electrode lead33.

The masking jig120descends in a state in which the stepped portion115of the aligning jig110is caught on the bent portion34of the electrode lead33. When the masking jig120descends in a state in which the aligning jig110is stopped, the elastic member130is contracted in the longitudinal direction. When the pressing surface portion123on a lower side of the masking jig120presses the electrode lead33, the electrode lead33is brought into close contact with the upper surface of the bus bar21. Subsequently, the welding tool welds the electrode lead33to the upper surface of the bus bar21via the welding space portion121of the masking jig120see (FIG.20). Accordingly, the electrode lead33may be welded to the bus bar21in a state in which the electrode lead33is brought into close contact with both side surfaces and the upper surface of the bus bar21.

While the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to the drawings and the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, and it is apparent that the present invention may be variously changed by those skilled in the art without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. Further, even though the operational effects of the configurations of the present invention have not been explicitly disclosed and described in the description of the embodiment of the present invention, the effects, which can be expected by the corresponding configurations, should, of course, be acceptable.