Patent Publication Number: US-2023142362-A1

Title: Cell Preparation Apparatus and Method

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Cross-Reference to Related Applications 
     This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0036394, filed on Mar. 25, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to cell preparation apparatus and method, and more particularly, to cell preparation apparatus and method which may prevent a displacement of an electrode from its original position when the electrode and a separator sheet are stacked in a Z-folding form. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In general, types of secondary batteries include a nickel cadmium battery, a nickel hydride battery, a lithium ion battery, and a lithium ion polymer battery. These secondary batteries are not only applied and used in small products such as digital cameras, P-DVDs, MP3Ps, mobile phones, PDAs, portable game devices, power tools, and E-bikes, but are also applied and used in large products requiring high output, such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, and a power storage device and a power storage device for backup which store surplus generated power or renewable energy. 
     In order to prepare such a secondary battery, first, a positive electrode collector and a negative electrode collector are respectively coated with electrode active material slurries to prepare a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and the positive electrode and the negative electrode are then stacked on opposite sides of a separator to form an electrode assembly having a predetermined shape. Then, after the electrode assembly is accommodated in a battery case and an electrolyte solution is injected, the battery case is sealed. 
     The electrode assembly is classified into various types. For example, there are a simple stack type in which a unit cell is not prepared and positive electrodes, separators, and negative electrodes are simply crossed and continuously stacked, a lamination &amp; stack type (L&amp;S) in which a unit cell is first prepared using a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode and these unit cells are then stacked, a stack &amp; folding type (S&amp;F) in which a plurality of electrodes or unit cells are spaced apart and attached to one surface of a separator sheet having a greater length in one side and the separator sheet is repeatedly folded in the same direction from one end, and a Z-folding type that alternatingly repeats a process in which a plurality of electrodes or unit cells are alternatingly attached to one surface and the other surface of a separator sheet having a greater length in one side and the separator sheet is folded in a specific direction from one end and then folded in an opposite direction. Among them, the Z-folding type has been frequently used in recent years due to a high alignment degree and a high impregnation degree of the electrolyte solution. 
     However, typically, since a separate laminating process was not performed after stacking the electrode and the separator sheet in such a Z-folding form, the electrode and the separator sheet were not adhered to each other, and thus, there was a problem in that the electrode was out of position. In order to solve this problem, a separate laminating process was performed after stacking the electrode and the separator sheet, but, since an overall thickness of a stack, in which the electrode and the separator sheet were stacked, was increased, heat was not transferred to the inside of the stack, and thus, there was a problem in that adhesion was reduced. Also, there was also a problem in that the electrode was out of position in a process of transferring the stack to perform the separate laminating process.
     [Prior Art Documents] Korean Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2010-0016619   

     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     An aspect of the present invention provides cell preparation apparatus and method which may prevent a displacement of an electrode from its original position when the electrode and a separator sheet are stacked in a Z-folding form. 
     The object of the present invention is not limited to the aforesaid, but other objects not described herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from descriptions below. 
     Technical Solution 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for preparing a cell which includes: an electrode reel from which an electrode sheet, which is to be a plurality of electrodes, is unwound; a separator reel from which a separator sheet, which is stacked with the electrode while covering the electrode by being folded when the electrode is stably placed, is unwound; a table having an upper surface on which the electrode and the separator sheet are stably placed; and a nozzle for applying an adhesive to at least a portion of a region of the separator sheet stably placed on the table. 
     Also, the electrode reel may include a first electrode reel from which a first electrode sheet, which is to be a plurality of first electrodes, is unwound; and a second electrode reel from which a second electrode sheet, which is to be a plurality of second electrodes, is unwound. 
     Furthermore, the nozzle may include a first nozzle for applying the adhesive to at least a portion of a first region of the separator sheet which covers the second electrode; and a second nozzle for applying the adhesive to at least a portion of a second region of the separator sheet which covers the first electrode. 
     Also, the first nozzle and the second nozzle may be disposed at opposite sides with the separator sheet disposed therebetween. 
     Furthermore, the first electrode may be stably placed in the first region of the separator sheet, and the second electrode may be stably placed in the second region of the separator sheet. 
     Also, the apparatus for preparing a cell may further include a first header which adsorbs the first electrode to stably place the first electrode in the first region; and a second header which adsorbs the second electrode to stably place the second electrode in the second region. 
     Furthermore, the apparatus for preparing a cell may further include a moving box which accommodates the separator sheet, the first nozzle, and the second nozzle therein. 
     Also, the table may linearly reciprocate in a direction in which the separator sheet covers the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     Furthermore, the table may swing back and forth in a direction in which the separator sheet covers the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     Also, when the first electrode is stably placed on the separator sheet, one side of the separator sheet may be folded to cover the first electrode, and, when the second electrode is stably placed on the separator sheet, the other side of the separator sheet may be folded to cover the second electrode. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of preparing a cell which includes: cutting a first electrode sheet unwound from a first electrode reel to form a plurality of first electrodes; stably placing a separator sheet unwound from a separator reel on a table; applying an adhesive by a first nozzle to at least a portion of a first region of the separator sheet; stably placing the first electrode in the first region to which the adhesive has been applied; and covering the first electrode with a second region of the separator sheet by folding the separator sheet. 
     Also, after the covering of the first electrode, the method may further include cutting a second electrode sheet unwound from a second electrode reel to form a plurality of second electrodes; applying an adhesive by a second nozzle to at least a portion of the second region; stably placing the second electrode in the second region to which the adhesive has been applied; and covering the second electrode with the first region of the separator sheet by folding the separator sheet. 
     Furthermore, in the covering of the first electrode and the covering of the second electrode, the table may linearly reciprocate in a direction in which the separator sheet covers the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     Also, in the covering of the first electrode and the covering of the second electrode, the table may swing back and forth in a direction in which the separator sheet covers the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     Furthermore, in the covering of the first electrode and the covering of the second electrode, a moving box, which accommodates the separator sheet, the first nozzle, and the second nozzle therein, may linearly reciprocate in a direction in which the separator sheet covers the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     Other specific details of the present invention are included in the detailed description and drawings. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     According to the embodiments of the present invention, at least the following effects may be achieved. 
     When stacking an electrode and a separator sheet in a Z-folding form, a displacement of the electrode from its original position may be prevented by applying an adhesive in advance whenever the electrode is stably placed on the separator sheet. 
     The effects according to the present invention are not limited to the contents as exemplified above, but more various effects are included in the specification. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a flowchart of a method of preparing a cell according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which a first electrode is stably placed in a first region of a separator sheet in an apparatus for preparing a cell according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which a table linearly moves and a second nozzle applies an adhesive to a second region of the separator sheet in the apparatus for preparing a cell according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which a second electrode is stably placed in the second region of the separator sheet in the apparatus for preparing a cell according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the table linearly moves and a first nozzle applies an adhesive to the first region of the separator sheet in the apparatus for preparing a cell according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which a first electrode is stably placed in a first region of a separator sheet in an apparatus for preparing a cell according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which a table swings and a second nozzle applies an adhesive to a second region of the separator sheet in the apparatus for preparing a cell according to the another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  8    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which a second electrode is stably placed in the second region of the separator sheet in the apparatus for preparing a cell according to the another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  9    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the table swings and a first nozzle applies an adhesive to the first region of the separator sheet in the apparatus for preparing a cell according to the another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  10    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which a first electrode is stably placed in a first region of a separator sheet in an apparatus for preparing a cell according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  11    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which a moving box linearly moves and a second nozzle applies an adhesive to a second region of the separator sheet in the apparatus for preparing a cell according to the another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  12    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which a second electrode is stably placed in the second region of the separator sheet in the apparatus for preparing a cell according to the another embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  13    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the moving box linearly moves and a first nozzle applies an adhesive to the first region of the separator sheet in the apparatus for preparing a cell according to the another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Advantages and features of the present invention, and implementation methods thereof will be clarified through following embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. Further, the present invention is only defined by scopes of claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
     Unless defined otherwise, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein may be intended to have meanings understood by those skilled in the art. In addition, terms defined in general dictionaries should not be interpreted abnormally or exaggeratedly, unless clearly specifically defined. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. In the specification, the terms of a singular form may include plural forms unless referred to the contrary. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other components. 
     Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG.  1    is a flowchart of a method of preparing a cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, when stacking an electrode  11  and a separator sheet  122  in a Z-folding form, a displacement of the electrode  11  from its original position may be prevented by applying an adhesive in advance whenever the electrode  11  is stably placed on the separator sheet  122 . 
     For this purpose, the method of preparing a unit cell according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of: cutting a first electrode sheet  1111  unwound from a first electrode reel  111  to form a plurality of first electrodes  1112 ; stably placing a separator sheet  122  unwound from a separator reel  121  on a table  16 ; applying an adhesive by a first nozzle  171  to at least a portion of a first region  1221  of the separator sheet  122 ; stably placing the first electrode  1112  in the first region  1221  to which the adhesive has been applied; and covering the first electrode  1112  with a second region  1222  of the separator sheet  122  by folding the separator sheet  122 . 
     Hereinafter, each step illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG.  1    will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS.  2  and  13   . 
       FIG.  2    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the first electrode  112  is stably placed in the first region  1221  of the separator sheet  112  in an apparatus  1  for preparing a cell according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the apparatus  1  for preparing a unit cell according to the embodiment of the present invention may include an electrode reel from which an electrode sheet, which is to be a plurality of electrodes  11 , is unwound; a separator reel  121  from which a separator sheet  122 , which is stacked with the electrode  11  while covering the electrode  11  by being folded when the electrode  11  is stably placed, is unwound; a table  16  having an upper surface on which the electrode  11  and the separator sheet  122  are stably placed; and a nozzle  17  for applying an adhesive to at least a portion of a region of the separator sheet  122  stably placed on the table  16 . In addition, the electrode reel may include a first electrode reel  111  from which a first electrode sheet  1111 , which is to be a plurality of first electrodes  1112 , is unwound; and a second electrode reel  112  from which a second electrode sheet  1121 , which is to be a plurality of second electrodes  1122 , is unwound, and the nozzle  17  may include a first nozzle  171  for applying the adhesive to at least a portion of a first region  1221  of the separator sheet  122  which covers the second electrode  1122 ; and a second nozzle  172  for applying the adhesive to at least a portion of a second region  1222  of the separator sheet  122  which covers the first electrode  1112 . 
     The electrode reel  111  is a reel on which the electrode sheet is wound, and the electrode sheet is unwound from the electrode reel. Then, the electrode sheet is cut to form the electrode  11 . The electrode sheet may be prepared by coating a slurry of an electrode active material, a conductive agent, and a binder on an electrode collector, drying, and then pressing the coated electrode collector. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electrode reel includes the first electrode reel  111  and the second electrode reel  112 . The first electrode reel  111  is a reel on which the first electrode sheet  1111  is wound, and the first electrode sheet  1111  is unwound from the first electrode reel  111 . In addition, the second electrode reel  112  is a reel on which the second electrode sheet  1121  is wound, and the second electrode sheet  1121  is unwound from the second electrode reel  112 . Herein, the first electrode  1112  and the second electrode  1122  may be electrodes  11  having different polarities. That is, if the first electrode  1112  is a positive electrode, the second electrode  1122  may be a negative electrode, and, if the first electrode  1112  is a negative electrode, the second electrode  1122  may be a positive electrode. 
     The separator reel  121  is a reel on which the separator sheet  122  is wound, and the separator sheet  122  is unwound from the separator reel  121 . Then, the separator sheet  122  is stacked with the electrode  11  which is formed by cutting the electrode sheet. The electrode  11  and the separator sheet  122  are stacked in a Z-folding form. Particularly, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the first electrode  1112  is stably placed on the separator sheet  122 , one side of the separator sheet  122  is folded to cover the first electrode  1112 , and, when the second electrode  1122  is stably placed on the separator sheet  122 , the other side thereof is folded to cover the second electrode  1122 . 
     The table  16  is a place where a cell is prepared by stably placing and stacking the electrode  11  and the separator sheet  122  on an upper surface thereof. It is desirable that the upper surface of the table  16  is formed substantially flat so that the cell may be stably prepared. The table  16  may be disposed between the first electrode reel  111  and the second electrode reel  112 . Then, when the first electrode sheet  1111  unwound from the first electrode reel  111  is cut to form the first electrode  1112 , a first transfer device  141  transfers the first electrode  1112  toward the table  16 . Also, when the second electrode sheet  1121  unwound from the second electrode reel  112  is cut to form the second electrode  1122 , a second transfer device  142  transfers the second electrode  1122  toward the table  16 . That is, since the first electrode  1112  and the second electrode  1122  are respectively transferred from opposite sides of the table  16 , it may be easy to alternatingly stack the first electrode  1112  and the second electrode  1122  on the separator sheet  122 . 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the table  16  may linearly reciprocate in a direction in which the separator sheet  122  covers the first electrode  1112  and the second electrode  1122 . That is, if the electrode  11  is stacked on the separator sheet  122  whenever the table  16  linearly reciprocates toward the first transfer device  141  and the second transfer device  142 , the separator sheet  122  may cover the electrode  11 . 
     The nozzle  17  applies an adhesive to the separator sheet  122 . In this case, if the separator sheet  122  is folded in a direction of covering the electrode  11 , the nozzle  17  may apply the adhesive to an upper surface of a region of the separator sheet  122  which covers the electrode  11 . 
     It is desirable that the adhesive is uniformly applied to the region of the separator sheet  122 . However, if the adhesive is applied to an entire surface of the region of the separator sheet  122 , an amount of the adhesive applied may be excessively large. Accordingly, the adhesive may flow to the outside of the separator sheet  122  to contaminate other parts, and a function of generating power may not be smooth when a secondary battery is prepared. Thus, the adhesive may be applied to the upper surface of the region of the separator sheet  122  by a spot application method of applying the adhesive in the form of a dot or a line application method of applying the adhesive in the form of a line. 
     In contrast, if the amount of the adhesive applied is excessively small, the electrode  11  is still not fixed to the separator sheet  122  while the cell is moved, and the electrode  11  may be out of position. Thus, it is desirable that a spacing between regions to which the adhesive is applied is not excessively large. 
     The adhesive must maintain adhesiveness even if a separator is impregnated with an electrolyte solution. Thus, it is desirable that the adhesive has a property of corrosion resistance that is not modified by chemical causes. Such an adhesive is a hot melt adhesive, wherein the adhesive may include a modified olefin-based thermoplastic resin. 
     The nozzle  17  includes the first nozzle  171  for applying the adhesive to at least a portion of the first region  1221  of the separator sheet  122  which covers the second electrode  1122 ; and the second nozzle  172  for applying the adhesive to at least a portion of the second region  1222  of the separator sheet  122  which covers the first electrode  1112 . In addition, the first nozzle  171  and the second nozzle  172  are disposed at opposite sides with the separator sheet  122  disposed therebetween. Thus, among the first nozzle  171  and the second nozzle  172 , the nozzle  17  located above a region where the separator sheet  122  covers the electrode  11  may apply the adhesive to the region. Specifically, if the second region  1222  covers the first electrode  1112 , the second nozzle  172  located above the second region  1222  applies the adhesive to the second region  1222 , and, if the first region  1221  covers the second electrode  1122 , the first nozzle  171  located above the first region  1221  applies the adhesive to the first region  1221 . 
     The plurality of first electrodes  1112  and the plurality of second electrodes  1122  are alternatingly attached to one surface of the separator sheet  122  and the other surface thereof, respectively. The first region  1221  refers to a region on one surface of the separator sheet  122  to which the first electrode  1112  is attached while covering the second electrode  1122 . In addition, the second region  1222  refers to a region on the other surface of the separator sheet  122  to which the second electrode  1122  is attached while covering the first electrode  1112 . 
     However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the nozzle  17  located above the electrode  11  may apply an adhesive to the electrode  11  before the separator sheet  122  covers the electrode  11 . Specifically, before the second region  1222  covers the first electrode  1112 , the first nozzle  171  located above the first electrode  1112  may apply an adhesive to the first electrode  1112 , and, before the first region  1221  covers the second electrode  1122 , the second nozzle  172  located above the second electrode  1122  may also apply an adhesive to the second electrode  1122 . 
     The method of preparing a unit cell according to the embodiment of the present invention may be performed as follows, using the apparatus  1  for preparing a unit cell as described above. 
     When the first electrode sheet  1111  is first unwound from the first electrode reel  111 , a first cutter  131  cuts the first electrode sheet  1111  (S 101 ). Then, the plurality of first electrodes  1112  are formed. When the first transfer device  141  transfers the first electrode  1112 , a first header  151  adsorbs the first electrode  1112 . 
     When the separator sheet  122  is unwound from the separator reel  121 , the separator sheet  122  is stably placed on the upper surface of the table  16  (S 102 ). When the table  16  linearly moves toward the first transfer device  141  that transfers the first electrode  1112 , the first nozzle  171  applies an adhesive to at least a portion of the first region  1221  of the separator sheet  122  stably placed on the table  16  (S 103 ). 
     When the table  16  linearly moves toward the first transfer device  141 , the first header  151  having the first electrode  1112  adsorbed thereon may also linearly move toward the table  16 . In addition, when the first header  151  is located above the table  16 , as illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the first header  151  stably places the electrode  1112  in the first region  1221  of the separator sheet  122  to which the adhesive has been applied (S 104 ). 
       FIG.  3    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the table  16  linearly moves and the second nozzle  172  applies an adhesive to the second region  1222  of the separator sheet  122  in the apparatus  1  for preparing a cell according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     The first electrode  1112  is stably placed in the first region  1221 , and, as illustrated in  FIG.  3   , the table  16  linearly moves toward the second transfer device  142  that transfers the second electrode  1122 . Then, one side of the separator sheet  122  is folded so that the second region  1222  of the separator sheet  122  covers the first electrode  1112  (S 105 ). 
     When the second electrode sheet  1121  is unwound from the second electrode reel  112 , a second cutter  132  cuts the second electrode sheet  1121 . Then, a plurality of second electrodes  1122  are formed. When the second transfer device  142  transfers the second electrode  1122 , a second header  152  adsorbs the second electrode  1122 . When the second region  1222  covers the first electrode  1112 , the second nozzle  172  located above the second region  1222  applies an adhesive to at least a portion of the second regions  1222  of the separator sheet  122 . 
       FIG.  4    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the second electrode  1122  is stably placed in the second region  1222  of the separator sheet  122  in the apparatus  1  for preparing a cell according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     When the table  16  linearly moves toward the second transfer device  142 , the second header  152  having the second electrode  1122  adsorbed thereon may also linearly move toward the table  16 . In addition, when the second header  152  is located above the table  16 , as illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the second header  152  stably places the second electrode  1122  in the second region  1222  of the separator sheet  122  to which the adhesive has been applied. 
       FIG.  5    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the table  16  linearly moves and the first nozzle  171  applies an adhesive to the first region  1221  of the separator sheet  122  in the apparatus  1  for preparing a cell according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     The second electrode  1122  is stably placed in the second region  1222 , and, as illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the table  16  again linearly moves toward the first transfer device  141 . Then, the other side of the separator sheet  122  is folded so that the first region  1221  of the separator sheet  122  covers the second electrode  1122 . When the first region  1221  covers the second electrode  1122 , the first nozzle  171  located above the first region  1221  applies an adhesive to at least a portion of the first regions  1221  of the separator sheet  122 . 
     That is, the method of preparing a cell according to the embodiment of the present invention may be performed by repeating the above-described processes. 
       FIG.  6    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the first electrode  1112  is stably placed in the first region  1221  of the separator sheet  122  in an apparatus  1   a  for preparing a cell according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, a table  16   a  may swing back and forth in a direction in which the separator sheet  122  covers the first electrode  1112  and the second electrode  1122 . Then, accordingly, a first header  151   a  and a second header  152   a  may not linearly move, but may swing. 
     A method of preparing a unit cell according to another embodiment of the present invention may be performed as follows, using the apparatus  1   a  for preparing a unit cell as described above. 
     When the first cutter  131  cuts the first electrode sheet  1111 , a plurality of first electrodes  1112  are formed (S 101 ). The first header  151   a  adsorbs the first electrode  1112  transferred to the first transfer device  141 . 
     When the separator sheet  122  is stably placed on an upper surface of the table  16   a  (S 102 ) and the table  16   a  swings toward the first transfer device  141 , the first nozzle  171  applies an adhesive to at least a portion of the first region  1221  of the separator sheet  122  (S 103 ). 
     When the table  16   a  swings toward the first transfer device  141 , the first header  151   a  having the first electrode  1112  adsorbed thereon may also swing toward the table  16   a . In addition, when the upper surface of the table  16   a  and the first header  151   a  are positioned to face each other, as illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the first header  151   a  stably places the first electrode  1112  in the first region  1221  of the separator sheet  122  to which the adhesive has been applied (S 104 ). 
       FIG.  7    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the table  16   a  swings and the second nozzle  172  applies an adhesive to the second region  1222  of the separator sheet  122  in the apparatus  1   a  for preparing a cell according to the another embodiment of the present invention. 
     When the first electrode  1112  is stably placed in the first region  1221  and, as illustrated in  FIG.  7   , the table  16   a  swings toward the second transfer device  142 , the second region  1222  of the separator sheet  122  covers the first electrode  1112  (S 105 ). 
     When the second cutter  132  cuts the second electrode sheet  1121 , a plurality of second electrodes  1122  are formed. The second header  152   a  adsorbs the second electrode  1122  transferred to the second transfer device  142 . The second nozzle  172  located above the second region  1222  applies an adhesive to at least a portion of the second region  1222  of the separator sheet  122 . 
       FIG.  8    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the second electrode  1122  is stably placed in the second region  1222  of the separator sheet  122  in the apparatus  1   a  for preparing a cell according to the another embodiment of the present invention. 
     When the table  16   a  swings toward the second transfer device  142 , the second header  152   a  having the second electrode  1122  adsorbed thereon may also swing toward the table  16   a . In addition, when the upper surface of the table  16   a  and the second header  152   a  are positioned to face each other, as illustrated in  FIG.  8   , the second header  152   a  stably places the second electrode  1122  in the second region  1222  of the separator sheet  122  to which the adhesive has been applied. 
       FIG.  9    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the table  16   a  swings and the first nozzle  171  applies an adhesive to the first region  1221  of the separator sheet  122  in the apparatus  1   a  for preparing a cell according to the another embodiment of the present invention. 
     When the second electrode  1122  is stably placed in the second region  1222  and, as illustrated in  FIG.  9   , the table  16   a  again swings toward the first transfer device  141 , the first region  1221  of the separator sheet  122  covers the second electrode  1122 . The first nozzle  171  located above the first region  1221  applies an adhesive to at least a portion of the first region  1221  of the separator sheet  122 . 
     That is, the method of preparing a cell according to the another embodiment of the present invention may be performed by repeating the above-described processes. 
       FIG.  10    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the first electrode  1112  is stably placed in the first region  1221  of the separator sheet  122  in an apparatus  1   b  for preparing a cell according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, a table  16   b  does not move, but is fixed. In addition, a moving box  18  accommodating the separator sheet  122 , a first nozzle  171   a , and a second nozzle  172   a  therein may linearly reciprocate in a direction in which the separator sheet  122  covers the first electrode  1112  and the second electrode  1122 . Then, accordingly, the first header  151  and the second header  152  may also linearly move. 
     A method of preparing a unit cell according to another embodiment of the present invention may be performed as follows, using the apparatus  1   b  for preparing a unit cell as described above. 
     When the first cutter  131  cuts the first electrode sheet  1111 , a plurality of first electrodes  1112  are formed (S 101 ). The first header  151  adsorbs the first electrode  1112  transferred to the first transfer device  141 . 
     When the separator sheet  122  is stably placed on an upper surface of the table  16   b  (S 102 ) and the moving box  18  linearly moves toward the second transfer device  142 , the first nozzle  171   a  applies an adhesive to at least a portion of the first region  1221  of the separator sheet  122  (S 103 ). 
     When the moving box  18  linearly moves toward the second transfer device  142 , the first header  151  having the first electrode  1112  adsorbed thereon may also linearly move toward the table  16   b . In addition, when the first header  151  is located above the table  16   b , as illustrated in  FIG.  10   , the first header  151  stably places the first electrode  1112  in the first region  1221  of the separator sheet  122  to which the adhesive has been applied (S 104 ). 
       FIG.  11    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the moving box  18  linearly moves and the second nozzle  172   a  applies an adhesive to the second region  1222  of the separator sheet  122  in the apparatus  1   b  for preparing a cell according to the another embodiment of the present invention. 
     When the first electrode  1112  is stably placed in the first region  1221  and, as illustrated in  FIG.  11   , the moving box  18  linearly moves toward the first transfer device  141 , the second region  1222  of the separator sheet  122  covers the first electrode  1112  (S 105 ). 
     When the second cutter  132  cuts the second electrode sheet  1121 , a plurality of second electrodes  1122  are formed. 
     The second header  152  adsorbs the second electrode  1122  transferred to the second transfer device  142 . The second nozzle  172   a  located above the second region  1222  applies an adhesive to at least a portion of the second region  1222  of the separator sheet  122 . 
       FIG.  12    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the second electrode  1122  is stably placed in the second region  1222  of the separator sheet  122  in the apparatus  1   b  for preparing a cell according to the another embodiment of the present invention. 
     When the moving box  18  linearly moves toward the first transfer device  141 , the second header  152  having the second electrode  1122  adsorbed thereon may also linearly move toward the table  16   b . In addition, when the second header  152  is located above the table  16   b , as illustrated in  FIG.  12   , the second header  152  stably places the second electrode  1122  in the second region  1222  of the separator sheet  122  to which the adhesive has been applied. 
       FIG.  13    is a schematic view illustrating a state in which the moving box  18  linearly moves and the first nozzle  171   a  applies an adhesive to the first region  1221  of the separator sheet  122  in the apparatus  1   b  for preparing a cell according to the another embodiment of the present invention. 
     When the second electrode  1122  is stably placed in the second region  1222  and, as illustrated in  FIG.  13   , the moving box  18  again linearly moves toward the second transfer device  142 , the first region  1221  of the separator sheet  122  covers the second electrode  1122 . The first nozzle  171   a  located above the first region  1221  applies an adhesive to at least a portion of the first region  1221  of the separator sheet  122 . 
     That is, the method of preparing a cell according to the another embodiment of the present invention may be performed by repeating the above-described processes. 
     If the methods of preparing a cell according to the embodiments of the present invention are performed, when stacking the electrode  11  and the separator sheet  122  in a Z-folding form, a displacement of the electrode  11  from its original position may be prevented by applying the adhesive in advance whenever the electrode  11  is stably placed on the separator sheet  122 . 
     It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation. Thus, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims rather than the foregoing detailed description, and it is to be interpreted that all changes or modifications derived from the meaning, scope and equivalent concept of the appended claims are within the scope of the present invention. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE SYMBOLS 
       
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 1: Cell Preparation Apparatus 
                 11: Electrode 
               
               
                   
                 16: Table 
                 17: Nozzle 
               
               
                   
                 18: Moving Box 
                 111: First Electrode Reel 
               
               
                   
                 112: Second Electrode Reel 
                 121: Separator Reel 
               
               
                   
                 122: Separator Sheet 
                 131: First Cutter 
               
               
                   
                 132: Second Cutter 
                 141: First Transfer Device 
               
               
                   
                 142: Second Transfer Device 
                 151: First Header 
               
               
                   
                 152: Second Header 
                 171: First Nozzle 
               
               
                   
                 172: Second Nozzle 
                 1111: First Electrode Sheet 
               
               
                   
                 1112: First Electrode 
                 1121: Second Electrode Sheet 
               
               
                   
                 1122: Second Electrode 
                 1221: First Region 
               
               
                   
                 1222: Second Region