CHARGE/DISCHARGE APPARATUS FOR SECONDARY BATTERY HAVING SUPPORT HOUSING MODULE

Proposed is an apparatus for charging and discharging a secondary battery, the apparatus including a support housing module that includes a first support frame, a second support frame and a second support frame, a screw support bracket provided between the first support frame and the second support frame that constitute one pair, a first moving screw, one end portion thereof being combined with the first support frame and the other portion thereof being combined with the screw support bracket, a second moving screw, one end portion thereof being combined with the second support frame and the other portion thereof being combined with the screw support bracket, a first pressing assembly being moved along a lengthwise direction of the first moving screw, and a second pressing assembly being moved along a lengthwise direction of the second moving screw, wherein pressure sensor units are provided on the first pressing assembly.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for charging and discharging a secondary battery, the apparatus including a support housing module and, more particularly, to an apparatus for charging and discharging a secondary battery, the apparatus having a pressure sensor unit configured to precisely measure pressure for pressing that is applied to a battery cell.

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 battery cell 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 temperature and pressure ranges that are required in such a manner that activation of the battery cell is enhanced.

However, a pressure sensor unit provided in the apparatus for charging and discharging a secondary battery in the related art serves to measure pressure applied to the battery cell, but is configured to measure only pressure that is applied to the center portion of the pressing plate that presses against the battery cell. When pressure for pressing, applied to the left side of the pressing plate, and pressure for pressing, applied to the right side thereof, are different in magnitude, the pressure sensor unit in the related art has the problem of not recognizing this difference.

Therefore, there is a need to perform research and development on various apparatuses for charging and discharging the secondary battery, which are capable of being configured to precisely monitor the difference in magnitude between the pressure for pressing, applied to the left side of the pressing plate and the pressure for pressing, applied to the right side thereof.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

An object of the present disclosure, which is made in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, is to provide a support housing module including a pressure sensor unit configured to precisely measure pressure for pressing that is applied to a battery cell, and an apparatus for charging and discharging a secondary battery, having the support housing module.

Solution to Problem

In order to accomplish the above-mentioned object, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for charging and discharging a secondary battery, the apparatus including a support housing module, wherein the support housing module includes: a first support frame; a second support frame spaced a predetermined distance apart by a support shaft from the first support frame and paired with the first support frame; a screw support bracket fixed to the support shaft by being supported thereon and provided between the first support frame and the second support frame; a first moving screw, one end portion thereof being combined with the first support frame and the other portion thereof being combined with the screw support bracket; a second moving screw, one end portion thereof being combined with the second support frame and the other portion thereof being combined with the screw support bracket; a first pressing assembly being moved along a lengthwise direction of the first moving screw as the first moving screw is rotated; and a second pressing assembly being moved along a lengthwise direction of the second moving screw as the second moving screw is rotated, and wherein pressure sensor units are provided on the first pressing assembly in such a manner as to be symmetrical about an imaginary vertical line passing the center of the first pressing assembly.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The support housing module and the apparatus for charging and discharging a secondary battery, having the support housing module, according to the present disclosure have the following effects.

According to the present disclosure, the pressure sensor units that measure the pressure for pressing against the battery cell are provided in such a manner as to be symmetrical about an imaginary vertical passing the center of the pressing assembly. Thus, the difference in magnitude between the pressure, applied to the left side of the pressing plate, and the pressure for pressing, applied to the right side thereof, can be precisely monitored. Therefore, the apparatus for charging and discharging a secondary battery can press against the pressing plate with uniform pressure without being unequally distributed to the left or right side of the pressing plate, on the basis of information on the pressure for pressing that is measured by the pressure sensor unit.

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 with a third constituent element member in between.” Unless otherwise specified, the expression “includes a certain constituent element” means that other constituent element may further be included, not that any other constituent element is excluded.

Through 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 a first embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.2is a view illustrating the apparatus for charging and discharging a secondary battery according to the first embodiment 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 first embodiment 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 first embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.5is an exploded perspective view illustrating the cell pressing module according to the first embodiment 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 unit131, a first pressing assembly140, a second pressing drive unit132, a second pressing assembly160, a support shaft171, a first 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 plate210that 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 unit131is fixed to the first support frame110by being supported thereon. The first pressing drive unit131may be a power source, such as a motor.

The first pressing drive unit131controls a movement of the first pressing assembly140that presses against the cell pressing module200. A motive power generated from the first pressing drive unit131may be transferred to the first moving screw172through a plurality of gears (not illustrated), and thus the first moving screw172may be rotated.

The first pressing assembly140is combined with the first moving screw172in a manner that forms a TM screw. Thus, the first pressing assembly140may 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 unit131is rotated forward, the first pressing assembly140may be moved toward the second support frame120. Moreover, in a case where the first pressing drive unit131is rotated backward, the first pressing assembly140may be moved away from the second support frame120. A moving direction of the first pressing assembly140may vary according to a rotational direction (the forward direction or the backward direction) of the first pressing drive unit131.

One end portion of the first moving screw172that guides the moving direction of the first pressing assembly140is supported on the first support frame110, and the other end portion thereof is rotatable in a state of being supported on the screw support bracket174.

The screw support bracket174is provided between the first support frame110and the second support frame120and is fixed to the support shaft171by being supported thereon.

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

The second pressing drive unit132controls a movement of the second pressing assembly160that presses against the cell pressing module200. A motive power generated from the second pressing drive unit132may 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 unit132is rotated forward, the second pressing assembly160may be moved toward the first support frame110. Moreover, in a case where the second pressing drive unit132is 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 unit132.

One end portion of the second moving screw173that guides the moving direction of the second pressing assembly160is supported on the second support frame120, and 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 assembly140, 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 assembly140is 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 a movement 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 movements of the first pressing assembly140and 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 assembly140is 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 assembly140and 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 assembly140is 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 for 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 assembly140and 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 for passing-through is formed in both sides of a pressing plated 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 in such a manner as 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 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 charges and discharges the battery cell10in a state where the pressing plate210presses against the battery cell10. Accordingly, a swelling phenomenon where the battery cell10is swelled due to expansion of the battery cell10or occurrence of gas is prevented from occurring, and it is precisely recognized whether or not the battery cell10is defective.

FIG.6is a perspective view illustrating the first pressing assembly according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, when viewed from one side.FIG.7is a perspective view illustrating the first pressing assembly according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, when viewed from the other side.FIG.8is an exploded perspective view illustrating the first pressing assembly according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, when viewed from one side.FIG.9is an exploded perspective view illustrating the first pressing assembly according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, when viewed from the other side.

As illustrated inFIGS.6to9, the first pressing assembly140and the second pressing assembly160are configured to provide the pressure for pressing to the pressing plate210that directly presses again the battery cell10.

The first pressing assembly140and the second pressing assembly160are configured in such a manner as to correspond to each other. As an example, the first pressing assembly140is representatively described with reference toFIGS.6to9. However, the first pressing assembly140may further include a pressure sensor unit143that measures the pressure for pressing against the battery cell10.

The first pressing assembly140may include a first moving plate141, a first push plate142, the pressure sensor unit143, and a separation prevention pin144.

The first moving plate141is moved along the lengthwise direction of the first moving screw172as the first moving screw172is rotated. A first screw nut145that is combined with the first moving screw172is provided on both sides of the first moving plate141, and thus the first moving plate141is moved forward or backward according to a rotational direction of the first moving screw172.

The first moving screw172and the first screw nut145may be combined with each other in a manner forms the TM screw.

With reference toFIG.1, a second screw nut165that is provided on a second moving plate161is combined with a second moving screw173. The second moving screw173and the second screw nut165may be combined with each other in a manner that forms the ball screw.

With reference back toFIGS.6to9, the first push plate142is configured to provide the pressing plate210with the pressure for pressing that is transferred from the first moving plate141.

A first shaft nut146into which the support shaft171is inserted for passing-through is provided on both sides of the first push plate142. Therefore, the first push plate142may be moved along a lengthwise direction of the support shaft171while the first moving screw172is moved. The first push plate142may be stably moved, by the support shaft171, without being shaken.

A pressure-for-pressing transfer member147is provided on the first push plate142. The pressure-for-pressing transfer member147protrudes from one surface of the first push plate142and presses against the pressing plate210arranged adjacent to the first push plate142.

The pressure-for-pressing transfer member147is provided between first through-holes148, symmetrically formed in both sides, respectively, of the first push plates142into which the plate moving shafts175, respectively, are inserted for passing-through.

The pressure sensor unit143is configured to measure the pressure for pressing against the battery cell10.

The pressure sensor unit143is provided between the first moving plate141and the first push plate142.

One side of the pressure sensor unit143is inserted into a first sensor support groove151formed in the first moving plate141. The other side of the pressure sensor unit143is inserted into a second sensor support groove152formed in the first push plate142. In this state, the pressure sensor unit143is configured to measure the pressure for pressing against the battery cell10. The pressure sensor unit143measures the pressure for pressing against the battery cell10while the apparatus1000for charging and discharging a secondary battery presses again the battery cell10.

The pressure sensor unit143provided between the first moving plate141and the first push plate142may be prevented, by the separation prevention pin144, from being separated out of the first moving plate141and the first push plate142.

The separation prevention pin144has a head portion153and an extension portion154, and the other end portion of the extension portion154is fixed, by a fastening member1, to the first push plate142.

The head portion153is provided on one end portion of the extensions portion154. The head portion153may be supported on a stepped-jaw groove155formed in the first moving plate141, in a state of being inserted into the stepped-jaw groove155.

The separation prevention pin144is configured to prevent the first moving plate141and the first push plate142from being spaced a predetermined distance or greater apart from each other. Accordingly, the pressure sensor unit143is prevented from being separated out of the first moving plate141and the first push plate142.

A separation distance between the first moving plate141and the first push plate142may be adjusted while the first pressing assembly140presses against the pressing plate210. That is, the first moving plate141and the first push plate142may be moved within a predetermined separation distance, and the first moving plate141or the first push plate142may be moved while being guided by the extension portion154.

For example, the head portion153is configured in such a manner that, in a case where the first moving plate141is moved backward toward the first support frame110, the first push plate142combined with an end portion of the extension portion154is also moved backward in a state where the head portion153is supported on the stepped jaw groove155.

The apparatus1000for charging and discharging a secondary battery is configured to press against the pressure sensor unit143with a required pressure on the basis of an input value measured from the battery cell10.

The pressure sensor units143are provided in such a manner as to be symmetrical about an imaginary vertical line V passing the center of the first pressing assembly140. The apparatus1000for charging and discharging a secondary battery according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is described above, taking as an example a case where two pressure sensor units143are provided, but the number of the pressure sensor units143is not necessarily limited to 2. The number of the number sensor units143may be 4, 6, or so forth.

Instead of one pressure sensor unit143, two or more pressure sensor units143may be provided in such a manner as to be symmetrical about the imaginary vertical line V passing the center of the first pressing assembly140. Thus, the pressure for pressing that is applied to each of the left and right sides of the pressing plate210pressing against the battery cell10may be precisely measured.

In this manner, the apparatus1000for charging and discharging a secondary battery performs control in such a manner that the pressure for pressing is uniformly applied to the pressing plate210without being unequally distributed to the left or right side of the pressing plate210, on the basis of the input values measured by two pressure sensor units143, respectively. Therefore, a uniform pressure for pressing may be provided on the entire pressing surface of the battery cell10.

Since the pressure for pressing that is transferred from the first push plate142is measured by the two pressure sensor units143, precision in pressure measurement may be further increased. That is, unlike in a case where one pressure sensor unit measures the pressure for pressing in the related art, according to the present disclosure, the two pressure sensor units143measure the pressure for pressing. Thus, because a maximum pressure value that is allocated to each of the pressure sensor unit143is decreased, the pressure sensor unit143may precisely measure the pressure for pressing that is transferred from the first push plate142.

FIG.10is an exploded perspective view illustrating the pressing plate210and the heating pad230according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.11is a cross-sectional view illustrating the pressing plate210and the heating pad230according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated inFIGS.10and11, 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 the predetermined temperature.

The heating pad230may include a pad support member231and a heating member232. The pad support member231is configured to support a plurality of 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 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 heat 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 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, thicknesses of the pressing plates that are provided on both sides, respectively, of the heating pad have to be small. 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 on 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 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 pad230may 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 cell10to be damaged due to the pressing plate210and the heating pad230while the pressing plate210presses against the battery cell10.

FIG.12is an exploded perspective view illustrating a pressing plate and a heating pad according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated inFIG.12, a combination-position protrusion portion211is 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 protrusion portion211is 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 protrusion portion211and the combination-guide fixation jaw233are combined with each in a state where they are engaged with each other. In this manner, the combination-position protrusion portion211and the combination-guide fixation jaw233are configured to guide the heating pad230and the pressing plate210to a combination position when they are combined with each other.

It is desired that the combination-position protrusion portion211is configured in such a manner that a distance over which the combination-position protrusion portion211protrudes is the same as a thickness of the heating pad230. The reason for this is to flatten surfaces of the heating pad230and the combination-position protrusion portion211with 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.