BATTERY CELL PRESSING MODULE AND CHARGE/DISCHARGE APPARATUS FOR SECONDARY BATTERY HAVING THE SAME

Proposed are a cell pressing module and an apparatus for charging and discharging a secondary battery, the apparatus having the cell pressing module. The cell pressing module includes a pressing plate pressing against a battery cell, and a movement guiding unit in which a movement guiding hole into which a plate moving shaft is inserted by passing-through is formed, the movement guiding unit being combined with both sides of the pressing plate, wherein the pressing plate is configured to be detachably attached to the movement guiding unit.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a cell pressing module and an apparatus for charging and discharging a secondary battery, the apparatus having the cell pressing module and, more particularly, to a cell pressing module capable of being simply replaced, and an apparatus for charging and discharging a secondary battery, the apparatus having the cell pressing module.

BACKGROUND ART

Secondary batteries are also widely used as an electric power source for driving an electric vehicle, as well as a mobile device, such as a portable phone, a notebook computer, or a camcorder. Particularly, the use of lithium secondary batteries is rapidly increased because it has advantages, such as a high operating voltage and a high energy density per unit weight.

Normally, secondary batteries, such as lithium batteries and lithium-polymer batteries, undergo varies processes, such as an aging process, a charging and discharging process, an open circuit voltage (OCV) inspection process, an internal resistance (IR) inspection process, and a grading process, at a manufacturing factory before shipment. Among these, the charging and discharging process is a critical process that determines quality of a secondary battery produced.

The process of charging and discharging the secondary battery is performed in an apparatus for charging and discharging a secondary battery.

The apparatus for charging and discharging the secondary battery includes a plurality of pressing plates. In a state where a battery cell is inserted, for charging and discharging, between each of the plurality of pressing plates, the pressing plate presses against the battery cell with a predetermined pressure.

In the state where the battery cell is pressed by the pressing plate, an electrode lead gripper module applies electric current to an electrode lead provided on the battery cell, and thus performs the process of charging and discharging the battery cell. The apparatus for charging and discharging the secondary battery performs charging and discharging of the battery cell in temperature and pressure ranges that are required in such a manner that activation of the battery cell is enhanced.

A movement guiding hole is formed in both end potions of the pressing plate pressing against the battery cell. A plate moving shaft that connects a first support frame and a second support frame, which are spaced a predetermined distance apart, to each other is inserted into the movement guiding hole by passing-through. Accordingly, the pressing plate may be moved along a lengthwise direction of a plate moving shaft while the first pressing unit and the second pressing unit press against the pressing plate. This pressing plate in the related art has an integrated structure. Thus, when the pressing plate in the related art is damaged, there occurs a problem in that it is difficult to perform an operation of replacing the damaged pressing plate.

For example, the operation of replacing the damaged pressing plate is briefly described as follows. First, the plate moving shaft that connects the first support frame and the second support frame to each other are disassembled. Next, all pressing plates that are arranged before the damaged pressing plate have to be separated from the plate moving shaft. Lastly, the damaged pressing plate is replaced, and then the separated pressing plates have to be recombined with the plate moving shaft by being inserted thereinto. As described above, it is difficult to perform the operation of replacing the pressing plate in the apparatus for charging and discharging the secondary battery in the related art.

Therefore, there is a need to perform research and development on various apparatuses for charging and discharging the secondary battery, in which the pressing plate is capable of being simply replaced.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cell pressing module capable of being easily replaced and an apparatus for charging and discharging a secondary battery, the apparatus having the cell pressing module.

Solution to Problem

In order to accomplish the above-mentioned object, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cell pressing module including: a pressing plate pressing against a battery cell; a movement guiding unit in which a movement guiding hole into which a plate moving shaft is inserted by passing-through is formed, the movement guiding unit being combined with both sides of the pressing plate; and a roller assembly on which a movement roller coming into contact with the plate moving shaft is provided, the roller assembly being combined with one-side and other-side surfaces of the movement guiding unit.

In order to accomplish the above-mentioned object, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cell pressing module including: a pressing plate pressing against a battery cell; and a movement guiding unit in which a movement guiding hole into which a plate moving shaft is inserted by passing-through is formed, the movement guiding unit being combined with both sides of the pressing plate, wherein the pressing plate is configured to be detachably attached to the movement guiding unit].

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for charging and discharging a secondary battery, the apparatus having the cell pressing module,

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The cell pressing module according to the present disclosure, which is described above, and the apparatus for charging and discharging a secondary battery, the apparatus having the cell pressing module, have the following effects.

According to the present disclosure, the pressing plate is configured to be detachably attached to the movement guiding unit. Therefore, an operator can simply replace a damaged pressing plate.

The present disclosure is not limited to the effects mentioned above, and it would be understood that any other effect is possibly inferred from Description of Embodiments or constituent elements recited in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and therefore is not limited to the embodiments thereof that are described below. In order to definitely describe the embodiments of the present disclosure, a constituent element not associated with the description is omitted from the drawings, and the same constituent elements are given the same reference numeral throughout the present specification.

In addition, when a constituent element is referred to as being “connected to” one other constituent element, the constituent element may be “directly connected to” one other constituent element or may be “indirectly connected to” one other constituent element with a third constituent element member in between.” Unless otherwise specified, the expression “includes a certain constituent element” means that any other constituent element may further be included, not that any other constituent element is excluded.

Throughout the present specification, the terms “over” and “under” mean being at higher and lower levels, respectively, than something, but not necessarily in the direction of gravity.

FIG.1is a perspective view illustrating an apparatus for charging and discharging a secondary battery according to embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG.2is a view illustrating the apparatus for charging and discharging a secondary battery according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, when viewed from above.FIG.3is a view illustrating the apparatus for charging and discharging a secondary battery according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, when viewed from front.FIG.4is a perspective view illustrating a cell pressing module and an electrode lead gripper module according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG.5is an exploded perspective view illustrating the cell pressing module according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

As illustrated inFIGS.1to5, an apparatus1000for charging and discharging a secondary battery may include a support housing module100, a cell pressing module200, and an electrode lead gripper module300.

The support housing module100is configured to form an entire exterior appearance of the apparatus1000for charging and discharging a secondary battery and to support various constituents that are included in the apparatus1000for charging and discharging a secondary battery.

The support housing module100may include a first support frame110, a second support frame120, a first pressing drive unit130, a first pressing unit140, a second pressing drive unit150, a second pressing unit160, a support shaft171, a second moving screw172, a second moving screw173, a screw support bracket174, a plate moving shaft175, and a gripper moving shaft176.

The first support frame110and the second support frame120constitute one pair, and the first support frame110and the second support frame120are arranged to be spaced a predetermined distance apart. The first support frame110and the second support frame120may be fixed to the support shaft171by being supported thereon.

A plurality of pressing plates210that press against a pouch-type battery cell10and a plurality of electrode lead gripper modules300that activate a battery cell through charging and discharging of the pouch-type battery cell10may be arranged between the first support frame110and the second support frame120that are arranged to be spaced apart in this manner.

Then, the first pressing drive unit130is fixed to the first support frame110by being supported thereon. The first pressing drive unit130may be a power source, such as a motor.

The first pressing drive unit130controls moving of the first pressing unit140that presses against the cell pressing module200. A motive power generated from the first pressing drive unit130may be transferred to the first moving screw172through a plurality of gears (not illustrated), and thus the first moving screw172may be rotated.

The first pressing unit140is combined with the first moving screw172in a manner that forms a TM screw. Thus, the first pressing unit140may be moved along a lengthwise direction of the first moving screw172when the first moving screw172is rotated. For example, in a case where the first pressing drive unit130is rotated forward, the first pressing unit140may be moved toward the second support frame120. Moreover, in a case where the first pressing drive unit130is rotated backward, the first pressing unit140may be moved away from the second support frame120. A moving direction of the first pressing unit140may vary according to a rotational direction (the forward direction or the backward direction) of the first pressing drive unit130.

The first moving screw172that guides the moving direction of the first pressing unit140is configured in such a manner that one end portion thereof is supported on the first support frame110and the other end portion thereof is rotatable in a state of being supported on the screw support bracket174.

The second pressing drive unit132is fixed to the second support frame120by being supported thereon. The second pressing drive unit132may be a power source, such as a motor.

The second pressing drive unit150controls moving of the second pressing unit160that presses against the cell pressing module200. A motive power generated from the second pressing drive unit150may be transferred to the second moving screw173through a plurality of gears (not illustrated).

The second pressing assembly160may be combined with the second moving screw173in a manner that forms a ball screw, and thus the second pressing assembly160may be moved along a lengthwise direction of the second moving screw173when the second moving screw173is rotated. For example, in a case where the second pressing drive unit150is rotated forward, the second pressing assembly160may be moved toward the first support frame110. Moreover, in a case where the second pressing drive unit150is rotated backward, the second pressing assembly160may be moved away from the first support frame110. That is, a moving direction of the second pressing assembly160may vary according to a rotational direction (the forward rotation or the backward direction) of the second pressing drive unit150.

The second moving screw173that guides the moving direction of the second pressing assembly160is configured in such a manner that one end portion thereof is supported on the second support frame120and that the other end portion thereof is rotatable in a state of being supported on the screw support bracket174.

For an activation operation, a plurality of the battery cells10picked up from a battery pick-up apparatus (not illustrated) may be inserted into battery insertion spaces201, respectively, each of which is formed between the pressing plates210arranged adjacent to each other. At this point, the pressing plates210that are arranged adjacent to each other may be connected to each other by a slip sheet260, and the battery cell10inserted into the battery insertion space201may be seated on the slip sheet260.

In a case where the battery cell10is seated on the slip sheet260in this manner, the first pressing unit140, which is combined with the first moving screw172in a manner that forms the TM screw, is moved at a fast speed to a predetermined reference position.

In a state where the first pressing unit140is moved to the predetermined reference position, the second pressing assembly160, which is combined with the second moving screw173in a manner that forms the ball screw, precisely controls moving of the pressing plate210in such a manner that the battery cell10is pressed with required pressure for pressing. In this manner, the apparatus1000for charging and discharging a secondary battery may shorten the time taken to move the pressing plate210, through the selective moving of the first pressing unit140and the second pressing assembly160and at the same time may precisely control the pressure for pressing that is applied to the battery cell10.

As described above, the first pressing unit140is combined with the first moving screw172in a manner that forms the TM screw, and the second pressing assembly160is combined with the second moving screw173in a manner that forms the ball screw. Accordingly, the time taken to move the pressing plate210that presses against the battery cell10may be shortened, and adjustment of the pressure for pressing against the battery cell10may be controlled more precisely. That is, the first pressing unit140and the second pressing assembly160are combined with the moving screws, respectively, in such a manner as to form screws of different shapes. Accordingly, in a state where the first pressing unit140is first fast moved to a required reference position, the second pressing assembly160may then press against the battery cell10in a more precise manner.

A plurality of the cell pressing modules200may be provided between the first support frame110and the second support frame120.

The cell pressing module200may include the pressing plate210, a movement guiding unit220, a heating pad230, a protective pad240, a pocket guide250, and the slip sheet260.

The pressing plate210is configured to press against the battery cell10seated on the slip sheet260.

The movement guiding unit220is provided on both sides of the pressing plate210. The movement guiding unit220is configured to be movable along a lengthwise direction of the plate moving shaft175that is connected to the first support frame110and the second support frame120. That is, a movement guiding hole221into which the plate moving shaft175is inserted by passing-through is formed in the movement guiding unit220. Thus, the movement guiding unit220may be moved along the lengthwise direction of the plate moving shaft175as the first pressing unit140and the second pressing assembly160are moved.

The pressing plate210is configured to be detachably attached to the movement guiding unit220. Therefore, in a case where the pressing plate210needs to be maintained, an operator may simply separate the pressing plate210from the movement guiding unit220.

For reference, a cell pressing module in the related art is not configured to have a movement guiding unit configured to be detachably attached to a pressing plate. A movement guiding hole into which the plate moving shaft175is inserted by passing-through is formed in both sides of a pressing plate in the related art. However, the pressing plate in the related art, when required to be replaced, has to be replaced in a state where all pressing plates, arranged before it, are separated from the plate moving shaft175. Accordingly, it is difficult to perform an operation of replacing the pressing plate in the related art. In contrast, because the pressing plate210according to the present disclosure is configured to be detachably attached to the movement guiding unit220, an operation of replacing the pressing plate210may be simply performed.

Then, the heating pad230is configured to heat the pressing plate210to a predetermined temperature. The pressing plate210presses against the battery cell10with a predetermined pressure for pressing in a state of being heated to the predetermined temperature by the heating pad230.

The protective pad240is configured to prevent the pressing plate210from causing damage to a surface of the battery cell10while the pressing plate210presses against the battery cell10.

The pocket guide250is configured to fix the slip sheet260and the protective pad240to the pressing plate210and at the same time to guide an insertion direction of the battery cell10in such a manner that the plurality of the battery cells10picked up from the battery pickup apparatus are stably inserted into the battery insertion spaces201, respectively.

The electrode lead gripper module300is configured to be movable along a width direction of the cell pressing module200in a state of being inserted into the cell pressing module200. For example, the electrode lead gripper module300is configured to be moved selectively along the width direction of the cell pressing module200according to a size of the battery cell10and to be in a pressurized manner brought into contact with an electrode lead11provided on the battery cell10.

The electrode lead gripper modules300constituting one pair may be provided on both sides, respectively, of the cell pressing module200.

In a state of being brought into contact with the electrode lead11by pressure in such a manner as to make an electric connection, the electrode lead gripper module300recognizes whether the battery cell10is charged or discharged and whether or not the battery cell10is defective.

In this manner, the apparatus1000for charging and discharging a secondary battery is configured to charge and discharge the battery cell10in a state where the pressing plate210presses against the battery cell10. Accordingly, the apparatus1000for charging and discharging a secondary battery prevents occurrence of a swelling phenomenon where the battery cell10is swelled due to expansion of the battery cell10or to occurrence of gas and precisely recognizes whether or not the battery cell10is defective.

FIG.6is a view illustrating a roller assembly270combined with the movement guiding unit220according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG.7is an exploded perspective view illustrating the roller assembly270separated from the movement guiding unit220according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG.8is a perspective view illustrating the roller assembly270according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

As illustrated inFIGS.6to8, the cell pressing module200may include the roller assembly270. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, although the roller assembly270is damaged, only the roller assembly270may be advantageously separated for replacement without the need to separate the entire cell pressing module200from the plate moving shaft175.

The roller assembly270may be combined with each of the one side and the other side of the movement guiding unit220. The roller assembly270is configured to guide smooth moving of the movement guiding unit220along the plate moving shaft175. That is, the roller assembly270is configured to guide the smooth moving of the movement guiding unit220while the pressing plate210presses against the battery cell10.

The roller assembly270may include a roller body271, a roller support portion272, and a movement roller273.

The roller body271forms the exterior appearance of the roller assembly270.

The roller body271may be fixed to the assembly insertion groove222formed on the one-side and other-side surfaces of the movement guiding unit220by being inserted thereinto.

A guide hole274into which the plate moving shaft175is inserted by passing-through is formed in the roller body271. The plate moving shaft175may be inserted into the movement guiding hole221and the guide hole274by passing-through.

The roller support portion272protrudes from the roller body271. A plurality of the roller support portions272are provided and are arranged to be spaced a predetermined distance apart.

For example, the roller support portion272may be arranged to be positioned at a 90-degree angle with respect to the center point of the guide hole274. The roller support portion272is not necessarily limited to a 90-degree angle and may be arranged to be positioned at a different angle with respect to the center point of the guide hole274.

The movement roller273may be combined with the roller support portion272. The movement roller273guides the smooth moving of the movement guiding unit220in a state of coming into contact with an external surface of the plate moving shaft175that is inserted into the guide hole274by passing-through.

An opening275is formed in the roller body271. The guide hole274is exposed to the outside through the opening275. That is, the guide hole274formed in the roller body271is configured to be exposed to the outside through the opening275without being completely closed.

In this manner, the roller assembly270combined with the movement guiding unit220is configured to be separable from the movement guiding unit220even in a state where the plate moving shaft175is inserted into the movement guiding hole221by passing-through. In other words, the formation of the opening275in the roller assembly270makes the roller assembly270independently separable from the movement guiding unit220even in the state where the plate moving shaft175is inserted into the movement guiding hole221by passing-through. The opening275is formed in such a manner as to have a width that corresponds to an outer diameter of the plate moving shaft175. Thus, the roller assembly270may be simply separated from the movement guiding unit220.

Accordingly, for example, in a case where the roller assembly270guiding the smooth moving of the movement guiding unit220is damaged, the operator may simply separate the damaged roller assembly270from the movement guiding unit220for replacement thereof. In this manner, the operation of replacing the roller assembly270may be simply performed.

The movement guiding unit220includes a division combination portion223.

The division combination portion223forms an assembly insertion groove222on each of the one-side and other-side surfaces of the movement guiding unit220. That is, the division combination portion223makes a division into the assembly insertion grooves222into which two roller assemblies270, respectively, are inserted.

The division combination portion223supports the roller assembly270that is inserted into the assembly insertion groove222. The roller assembly270inserted into the assembly insertion groove222may be combined with the division combination portion223or separated from the division combination portion223through a combination member1, such as a bolt. That is, the roller assembly270is configured to be detachably attached to the division combination portion223.

The division combination portion223supports the roller assembly270and, at the same time, forms the movement guiding hole221through which the plate moving shaft175passes. Therefore, the movement guiding unit220combined with the pressing plate210may be moved along the lengthwise direction of the plate moving shaft175.

At this point, it is desired that the roller assembly270is combined with the assembly insertion groove222by being inserted thereinto, in a state where the opening275formed in the roller assembly270is positioned adjacent to the pressing plate210.

The reason for this is to simply replace the damaged roller assembly270when the damaged roller assembly270needs to be replaced in a state where a plurality of the pressing plates210are arranged to be spaced apart.

Specifically, when replacing the damaged roller assembly270, the operator only needs to separate the roller assembly270from the division combination portion223and then to remove the separated roller assembly270from the plate moving shaft175. Thus, the operation of separating the roller assembly270may be simply performed.

In other words, since the roller assembly270is combined with the movement guiding unit220in the state where the opening275is positioned adjacent to the pressing plate210, when separating the roller assembly270, the roller assembly270may be simply separated in the direction opposite to the pressing plate210and that is outward from the center of the pressing plate210. That is, the roller assembly270may be separated from the plate moving shaft175without being stuck on the plate moving shaft175. Conversely, even in a case where the roller assembly270is combined with the division combination portion223, a process of combining the roller assembly270may be simply performed.

In this manner, the roller assembly270is configured to be detachably attached to the division combination portion223. Thus, although the roller assembly270is damaged, only the roller assembly270may be advantageously replaced in a simple way without the need to separate the entire pressing plate210from the plate moving shaft175.

FIG.9is an exploded perspective view illustrating the movement guiding unit and a roller assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

As illustrated inFIG.9, a difference of the roller assembly270′ according to the embodiments from the above-described integration-type roller assembly270according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is that the three roller assemblies270′ resulting from division are configured to be individually combined with the one-side and other-side surfaces of the movement guiding unit220.

In this manner, the integration-type roller assembly270that guides the moving of the movement guiding unit220along the lengthwise direction of the plate moving shaft175may be provided according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the roller assemblies270′ resulting from division may also be individually provided according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. The roller assembly may be configured in various shapes.

FIG.10is an exploded perspective view illustrating the movement guiding unit220and the pressing plate210according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.FIGS.11A and11Bare views each illustrating essential portions of the movement guiding unit220and the pressing plate210according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG.11Ais a view illustrating essential portions of the movement guiding unit220and the pressing plate210according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, when viewed from one side.FIG.11Bis a view illustrating essential portions of the movement guiding unit220and the pressing plate210according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, when viewed from the other side.FIGS.12A and12Bare exploded perspective views each illustrating an upper guide bar281and a lower guide bar282according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

As illustrated inFIGS.10to12, the pressing plate210is configured to be detachably attached to the movement guiding unit220. Accordingly, although the pressing plate210is damaged, only the pressing plate210may be advantageously separated from the movement guiding unit220for replacement without the need to separate the entire cell pressing module200including the pressing plate210and the movement guiding unit220from the plate moving shaft175.

The pressing plate210may be combined with the movement guiding unit220with a fastening member2, such as a bolt. For reference and for convenience in description,FIG.6illustrates that the pressing plate210and the movement guiding unit220are separable. When the pressing plate210is actually separated from the movement guiding unit220, the pressing plate210may be separated from the movement guiding unit220in a state where the movement guiding unit220is fixed to the plate moving shaft175, thereby being supported thereon.

The pressing plate210may include a pressing body211and an insertion coupling portion212.

The pressing body211forms the exterior appearance of the pressing plate210. The pressing body211is configured to press against the battery cell10.

The insertion coupling portions212are configured to protrude from both-side surfaces, respectively, of the pressing body211. The insertion coupling portions212that protrude from one-side and other-side surfaces, respectively, of the pressing body211are configured to have the same shape.

The insertion coupling portion212is combined with the movement guiding unit220in a state of being inserted into an insertion space227formed in the movement guiding unit220.

The insertion coupling portion212may include an upper insertion protrusion213, a lower insertion protrusion214, and an intermediary insertion protrusion215.

The upper insertion protrusion213is provided on an upper portion of the pressing body211.

A shape of the lower insertion protrusion214corresponds to that of the upper insertion protrusion213, and the lower insertion protrusion214is provided on a lower portion of the pressing body211.

The intermediary insertion protrusion215is provided between the upper insertion protrusion213and the lower insertion protrusion214. The intermediary insertion protrusion215is arranged to be spaced apart from the upper insertion protrusion213and is also arranged to be spaced apart from the lower insertion protrusion214.

In this manner, the upper insertion protrusion213, the lower insertion protrusion214, and the intermediary insertion protrusion215are arranged to be spaced from each other, and form an assembly insertion groove216into which a support protrusion225provided on the movement guiding unit220is inserted.

The pressing body211is formed in such a manner as to have a greater thickness than the upper insertion protrusion213, the lower insertion protrusion214, and the intermediary insertion protrusion215. The protruding of the upper insertion protrusion213, the lower insertion protrusion214, and the intermediary insertion protrusion215from both-side surfaces of the pressing body211may form a fastening insertion groove217into which a fastening extension portion226provided on the movement guiding unit220is inserted.

The movement guiding unit220may include a moving body224, the support protrusion225, and the fastening extension portion226.

The moving body224forms the exterior appearance of the movement guiding unit220. The movement guiding hole221is formed in the moving body224, and the movement guiding unit220may be moved along the plate moving shaft175inserted into the movement guiding hole221.

The insertion space227into which the insertion coupling portion212is inserted is formed in an internal surface of the moving body224. The insertion space227may be formed by the support protrusion225protruding from the internal surface of the moving body224.

The insertion space227is configured to correspond to the insertion coupling portion212. The insertion coupling portion212and the insertion space227have male and female shapes, respectively, and the insertion coupling portion212may be combined with the insertion space227by being inserted thereinto.

The support protrusion225protrudes from the moving body224. The support protrusions225constitute one pair in a state of being arranged to be spaced a predetermined distance.

The support protrusion225and the assembly insertion groove216have male and female shapes, respectively, and the support protrusion225may be combined with the assembly insertion groove216by being inserted thereinto.

In this manner, the insertion coupling portion212is provided on the pressing plate210, and the support protrusion225is provided on the movement guiding unit220. Thus, the pressing plate210and the movement guiding unit220may be firmly combined with each other in a fitting-together manner.

The fastening extension portion226is configured to extend from the moving body224and to be inserted into the fastening insertion groove217. A first fastening hole h1is formed in the fastening extension portion226, and a second fastening hole h2is formed in the insertion coupling portion212. A fastening member2is inserted into the first fastening hole h1and the second fastening hole h2by passing-through, thereby combining the pressing plate210and the movement guiding unit220with each other.

The cell pressing module200may include an upper guide bar281, a lower guide bar282, and a connection guide bar283.

The upper guide bar281is combined with an upper fixation groove228by being inserted thereinto. The upper fixation groove is formed in an upper portion of the movement guiding unit220. The upper guide bar281is configured to guide moving of an upper fixation block310provided on the electrode lead gripper module300.

One end portion of the upper guide bar281is combined with the movement guiding unit220through the combination member, such as a bolt. The other end portion of the upper guide bar281supports an upper surface of the pressing plate210.

The upper guide bar281is arranged adjacent to the connection guide bar283that is combined with a guide fixation groove218by being inserted thereinto. The guide fixation groove218is formed in an upper portion of the pressing plate210. Accordingly, the upper fixation block310may be moved along the upper guide bar281and the connection guide bar283that are arranged adjacent to each other.

The lower guide bar282is combined with a lower fixation groove229by being inserted thereinto. The lower fixation groove229is formed in a lower portion of the movement guiding unit220. A fixation member284that is inserted into the lower fixation groove229is provided on the lower guide bar282. The lower guide bar282may be firmly combined with the movement guiding unit220. The lower guide bar282is configured to guide moving of a lower fixation block320provided on the electrode lead gripper module300.

One end portion of the lower guide bar282, like that of the upper guide bar281, is combined with the movement guiding unit220through a combination member, such as a bolt. The other end portion of the lower guide bar282supports a lower surface of the pressing plate210. The upper guide bar281and the lower guide bar282are configured to guide moving of the electrode lead gripper module300and at the same time to stably support upper and lower portions, respectively, of the pressing plate210.

A technical feature (a first feature) of the roller assembly270that is described with reference toFIGS.6to9, and a technical structure (a second feature) of a disassemble structure between the pressing plate210and the movement guiding unit220that are described with reference toFIGS.10to12Bmay be realized individually or in combination. That is, the first feature, the second feature, and a combination of the first feature and the second feature are realized according to the first and embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG.13is an exploded perspective view illustrating the pressing plate210and a heating pad230according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG.14is a cross-sectional view illustrating the pressing plate210and the heating pad230according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

As illustrated inFIGS.13and14, the heating pad230provided on the cell pressing module200is combined with one surface of the pressing plate210. The heating pad230is configured to heat the pressing plate210to a predetermined temperature.

The heating pad230may include a pad support member231and a heating member232. The pad support member231is configured to support a plurality of the heating members232that are provided inside the pad support member231. The pad support member231supports the heating member232and, at the same time, is electrically connected to the heating member232. Thus, electric power that is transferred to the pad support member231may be supplied to the heating member232.

In this manner, the heating pad230that is combined with one surface of the pressing plate210is configured in such a manner that a combination surface thereof corresponds to a combination surface of the pressing plate210. That is, the pressing plate210and the heating pad230are configured in such a manner that the combination surfaces thereof correspond to each other.

In this manner, the pressing plate210presses against the battery cell10with a predetermined pressure in a state of being heated by the heating pad230to the predetermined temperature.

The heating pad230may be made from an epoxy plate in which a heating line is provided. The heating pad230made from the epoxy plate has an excellent combining force when combined with the pressing plate210and thus may be firmly combined with the pressing plate210. In addition, the heating pad230made from the epoxy plate has high thermal conductivity at the combination surface. Thus, heat generated from the heating pad230may be effectively transferred to the pressing plate210.

In this manner, the heating pad230that heats the pressing plate210may be heated to, for example, a temperature of 130° C. or below. It is more desired that the heating pad230heats the pressing plate210to a range of 110 to 130° C. However, the temperature to which the heating pad230heats the pressing plate210is not necessarily limited to 130° C. or lower. Of course, the pressing plate210may be heated to a temperature of above 130° C.

The cell pressing module200according to the present invention has a structure different from a structure where a heating pad is provided between two pressing plates in the related art. That is, the heating pad230is provided on only one surface of the pressing plate210. Thus, an operation of replacing the pressing plate210or the heating pad230may be simply performed. That is, the heating pad230and the pressing plate210are simply separated from each other. Thus, for example, in a case where the heating pad230needs to be replaced, the operator may simply replace the heating pad230.

The cell pressing module in which the heating pad is inserted between the two pressing plates in the related art is designated in such a manner as to have a predetermined thickness. Due to the predetermined thickness of the cell pressing module, the pressing plates that are provided to both sides, respectively, of the heating pad result in having a small thickness. Therefore, the pressing plate that has a small thickness may be warped while the pressing plate presses against the battery cell10. In this manner, in a case where the pressing plate is warped, there occurs a problem in that the warped pressing plate does not uniformly press against a pressing surface of the battery cell10.

In order to solve this problem, the pressing plates that are provided to both sides, respectively, of the heating pad may be formed in such a manner as to have a predetermined thickness or greater. However, in this case, there occurs a problem in that the overall size of the cell pressing module is increased.

In contrast, in the cell pressing module200according to the present disclosure, the heating pad230is provided on only one surface of the pressing plate210. Accordingly, the pressing plate210may have a predetermined thickness or greater. In this case, the pressing plate210may be prevented from being warped while the pressing plate210presses against the battery cell10. In addition, since the heating pad230is provided on only one surface of the pressing plate210, a pressing surface of the pressing plate210that presses against the battery cell10may have exact parallelism.

The protective pad240to be provided on the cell pressing module200is configured to protect the pressing plate210and the heating pad230from the outside.

For example, a cover insertion space which is “⊏”-shaped and into which the pressing plate210and the heating pad230are inserted may be formed in the protective pad240, and the pressing plate210and the heating pad230may be covered with the protective pad240.

The protective pad240may be formed of, for example, a silicone material. The protective pad240made of a silicon material is configured to prevent a surface of the battery cell10from being damaged due to the pressing plate210and the heating pad230while the pressing plate210presses against the battery cell10.

FIG.15is an exploded perspective view illustrating a pressing plate and a heating pad according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated inFIG.15, a combination-position protrusion219is formed to protrude from a combination surface of the pressing plate210with which the heating pad230is combined. A combination-guide fixation jaw233that corresponds to the combination-position protrusion219is provided on an edge portion of the pad support member231provided on the heating pad230.

When the heating pad230and the pressing plate210are combined with each other, the combination-position protrusion219and the combination-guide fixation jaw233are combined with each other in a state where they are engaged with each other. In this manner, the combination-position protrusion219and the combination-guide fixation jaw233are configured in such a manner as to guide the heating pad230and the pressing plate210to a combination position when the heating pad230and the pressing plate210are combined with each other.

It is desired that the combination-position protrusion219is configured in such a manner that a distance over which the combination-position protrusion219protrudes is the same as a thickness of the heating pad230. The reason for this is to flatten upper surfaces of the heating pad230and the combination-position protrusion219with respect to each other in a state where the heating pad230is combined with the pressing plate210.

The desired embodiments of the present disclosure that are described above are exemplary embodiments. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the descriptions of the desired embodiments.

The desired embodiments of the present disclosure are described above in an exemplary manner. It would be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains that the desired embodiments of the present disclosure are readily modified into specific forms without changing the technical idea of the present disclosure and essential features thereof. Therefore, in every aspect, the desired embodiments described above should be understood as being exemplary and non-restrictive. For example, the constituent elements that are described as having their respective single forms may be implemented in a distributed manner, and likewise, the constituent elements that are described as being distributed may be implemented in a combined manner.

The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the following claims, and all modifications or alterations that are derived from the meaning of claim language and the scope of the claims and from equivalents of the claims should be construed as falling within the scope of the present disclosure.