Patent Description:
The present invention relates to an electrode-connecting film winding device for improving electrode loss.

More particularly, the present invention relates to an electrode-connecting film winding device, capable of minimizing electrode loss that occurs when connecting electrodes between roll-to-roll processes by installing and winding an electrode-connecting film on an empty bobbin and allowing the electrode to be connected to the electrode-connecting film.

In addition, the present invention relates to a method of winding an electrode-connecting film for improving electrode loss.

In addition, the present invention relates to an electrode roll having an electrode-connecting film.

Recently, secondary batteries capable of charging and discharging have been widely used as an energy source of wireless mobile devices.

In addition, the secondary batteries have attracted attention not only as energy sources of portable devices such as mobile phones, laptop computers, and camcorders, but also as energy sources of electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and the like, which are proposed as a solution for air pollution of existing gasoline vehicles and diesel vehicles using fossil fuel.

Accordingly, the types of applications using the secondary batteries are becoming very diverse due to the advantages of the secondary batteries, and it is expected that the secondary batteries will be applied to more fields and products than now in the future.

Such secondary batteries may be classified into lithium-ion batteries, lithium-ion polymer batteries, lithium polymer batteries, and the like depending on the composition of the electrode and the electrolyte, and the amount of use of lithium-ion polymer batteries that are less likely to leak electrolyte and are easy to manufacture is on the increase.

In general, secondary batteries are classified into cylindrical batteries and prismatic batteries in which an electrode assembly is embedded in a cylindrical or prismatic metal can, depending on the shape of a battery case, and pouch-type batteries in which the electrode assembly is embedded in a pouch-type case of an aluminum laminate sheet.

In addition, the electrode assembly embedded in the battery case is composed of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and is a power generating element capable of charging and discharging. The electrode assembly is classified into a jelly-roll type wound with a separator interposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode which are long sheet-shaped and are coated with active materials, and a stack type in which a plurality of positive electrodes and negative electrodes of a predetermined size are sequentially stacked while a separator is interposed therebetween.

Here, the electric vehicles or the like require a plurality of battery modules because high-power electric energy is used, and these battery modules have a plurality of battery cells connected in series or parallel therein.

Meanwhile, electrodes completed by an electrode coating process may be wound on empty bobbins and sequentially transferred to subsequent processes such as a roll press process, a slitter process, and the like.

When an electrode roll (jumbo roll) is manufactured by winding an electrode on a bobbin, a double-sided tape is first wound and attached to an empty bobbin. Next, an adhesive tape (e.g., an oriented polypropylene (OPP) tape) is attached onto the double-sided tape wound on the bobbin. For the adhesive tape, pre-work is carried out directly on the empty bobbin by the operator's manual work, such that an adhesive surface is exposed facing the electrode to be wound while a non-adhesive surface is attached facing the double-sided tape.

In this way, the electrode roll is manufactured by attaching and winding one end of the electrode to the adhesive surface of the adhesive tape on which the pre-work is performed.

As described above, the electrode roll is conventionally manufactured by winding the double-sided tape on the bobbin, attaching the adhesive tape to the double-sided tape, and attaching the electrode to the adhesive side of the adhesive tape.

Such an electrode roll is mounted on an unwinder of a roll press device for subsequent operations (e.g., a roll press operation). An end portion of the electrode roll is unwound toward the rewinder and roll-to-roll processed between the unwinder and the rewinder. In this process, a predetermined operation (e.g., a roll pressing operation) is performed. A splicing operation, which connects an end portion of a new electrode roll to the end portion of the electrode of the almost completely used electrode roll, is performed when the electrode roll on the unwinder is almost completely unwound.

When the electrode roll with few electrodes left to work on is called an old roll, and the newly input electrode roll is called a new roll, the new and old rolls are automatically spliced.

At this time, the old roll and/or the new roll are rotated so that the electrode of the old roll and the electrode of the new roll are automatically spliced. The roll press operation continues for the electrode on the new roll, which is automatically spliced, and the electrode that is cut off after splicing and remains on the old roll is discarded.

Here, an end portion of the electrode of the old roll will not be used because it is attached to the adhesive tape on the bobbin, and this causes electrode loss as much as the portion attached to the adhesive tape and the cut section.

In addition, since the pre-work is manually performed, there is a problem in that work efficiency is reduced and safety accidents may occur.

<CIT> discloses a device and method for winding electrode sheet for a battery according to the preamble of independent claims <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

<CIT> discloses a method of manufacturing an electrode roll body. (Patent Document <NUM>) <CIT>.

The present invention has been made to solve at least some of the above problems. For example, the present invention is directed to providing an electrode-connecting film winding device according to claim <NUM> and an electrode-connecting film winding method according to claim <NUM>, capable of minimizing electrode loss generated when connecting electrodes in a roll press process by installing an electrode-connecting film on a bobbin and then connecting the electrode to the electrode-connecting film, and winding the electrode.

Further, the present invention is directed to providing an electrode-connecting film winding device and winding method, capable of preventing electrode loss and quality defects by replacing an electrode loss portion with an electrode-connecting film.

Further, the present invention is directed to providing an electrode roll according to claim <NUM> having a structure capable of connecting an electrode of a new roll and an electrode of an old roll to prevent electrode loss.

In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention includes a bobbin installation unit in which a bobbin is installed, a film supply unit configured to supply an electrode-connecting film to the bobbin, a transfer unit configured to transfer the electrode-connecting film installed in the film supply unit to the bobbin installation unit, an adhesive tape attaching unit installed above the bobbin installation unit and configured to attach an end portion of the electrode-connecting film drawn out to the transfer unit to the bobbin, a double-sided tape attaching unit configured to attach a double-sided tape to the electrode-connecting film wound on the bobbin, and a frame body on which the adhesive tape attaching unit and the double-sided tape attaching unit are movably installed.

The bobbin installation unit may include a winder configured to wind the electrode-connecting film by rotating the bobbin and a chucking member configured to fix the bobbin installed in the winder.

The adhesive tape attaching unit may be installed to be horizontally movable in a width direction of the bobbin, and the adhesive tape attaching unit may fix the electrode-connecting film on the bobbin by attaching an adhesive tape to the end portion of the electrode-connecting film while moving in the width direction of the bobbin.

The electrode-connecting film winding device may include a cutting unit connected to the adhesive tape attaching unit and configured to cut the electrode-connecting film to which the double-sided tape is attached by the double-sided tape attaching unit.

The electrode-connecting film winding device may include a finishing sticker attaching unit provided below the cutting unit and configured to fix the electrode-connecting film by attaching a finishing sticker to the cut end portion of the electrode-connecting film.

The double-sided tape attaching unit may be installed above the transfer unit to be vertically movable.

The electrode-connecting film winding device may include a release paper peeling unit configured to peel a release paper from the double-sided tape attached to the electrode-connecting film.

The transfer unit may include one or more base plates configured to support the electrode-connecting film being transferred, one or more driving rollers configured to transfer the electrode-connecting film, and a moving roller movably installed to maintain the tension of the electrode-connecting film being transferred.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided, a method of winding an electrode-connecting film, the method including introducing and installing a bobbin, positioning an end portion of an electrode-connecting film on the bobbin, fixing the electrode-connecting film to the bobbin by attaching an adhesive tape to the end portion of the electrode-connecting film, winding the electrode-connecting film on the bobbin by rotating the bobbin, attaching a double-sided tape to the electrode-connecting film wound on the bobbin, and cutting the electrode-connecting film on which the double-sided tape is attached.

The method may further include, after the attaching of the double-sided tape to the electrode-connecting film, peeling a release paper from the double-sided tape.

The method may further include, after the cutting of the electrode-connecting film to which the double-sided tape is attached, fixing the end portion of the electrode-connecting film by attaching a finishing sticker to the end portion of the electrode-connecting film, which is adjacent to a portion to which the double-sided tape is attached.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrode roll including a bobbin, an electrode-connecting film wound along a circumference of the bobbin, a double-sided tape attached to the outermost end portion of the electrode-connecting film wound along a circumference of the bobbin, and an electrode connected to the double-sided tape and wound along the circumference of the bobbin on an outer side of the electrode-connecting film.

The electrode roll may include an adhesive tape for bonding the bobbin to a winding start end portion of the electrode-connecting film.

The electrode-connecting film may include one of the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), oriented polypropylene (OPP), polyimide (PI), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyester, polyacetal, polyamide, polyethersulfone, polyphenyleneoxide, polyphenylenesulfide, polyethylenenaphthalene, flexible silicone, and the like.

According to the present invention, electrode loss can be prevented by installing an electrode-connecting film on a bobbin and then winding an electrode on the electrode-connecting film to minimize the electrode that remains on an electrode roll and is discarded during the automatic splicing of the electrodes in a roll-to-roll process.

In addition, by replacing an electrode loss portion with an electrode-connecting film, the electrode loss can be minimized and quality defects can be prevented.

Further, work processes can be simplified and worker efforts can be reduced by automating pre-work previously dependent on manual work.

The present invention provides an electrode-connecting film winding device including a bobbin installation unit in which a bobbin is installed, a film supply unit configured to supply an electrode-connecting film to the bobbin, a transfer unit configured to transfer the electrode-connecting film installed in the film supply unit to the bobbin installation unit, an adhesive tape attaching unit installed above the bobbin installation unit and configured to attach an end portion of the electrode-connecting film drawn out to the transfer unit to the bobbin, a double-sided tape attaching unit configured to attach a double-sided tape to the electrode-connecting film wound on the bobbin, and a frame body on which the adhesive tape attaching unit and the double-sided tape attaching unit are movably installed.

The present invention also provides a method of winding an electrode-connecting film, the method including introducing and installing a bobbin, positioning an end portion of an electrode-connecting film on the bobbin, fixing the electrode-connecting film to the bobbin by attaching an adhesive tape to the end portion of the electrode-connecting film, winding the electrode-connecting film on the bobbin by rotating the bobbin, attaching a double-sided tape to the electrode-connecting film wound on the bobbin, and cutting the electrode-connecting film on which the double-sided tape is attached.

The present invention also provides an electrode roll including a bobbin, an electrode-connecting film wound along a circumference of the bobbin, a double-sided tape attached to an outermost end portion of the electrode-connecting film wound along the circumference of the bobbin, and an electrode connected to the double-sided tape and wound along the circumference of the bobbin on an outer side of the electrode-connecting film.

It is to be understood that the terms such as "including," "having," and "comprising" used throughout the specification of the present invention are intended to indicate the presence of features, numbers, operations, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, operations, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Further, when it is stated that a portion of a layer, film, region, plate, and the like is "on" another portion, the statement includes the meaning of the portion "being directly on" the other portion in addition to still another portion being interposed therebetween. In contrast, when it is stated that a portion of a layer, film, region, plate, and the like is "below" another portion, the statement includes the meaning of the portion "being directly below" the other portion in addition to still another portion being interposed therebetween. Further, in the specification of the present invention, being disposed "on" may include not only being disposed above but also being disposed below.

<FIG> is a schematic view of an electrode-connecting film winding device according to one embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a view schematically illustrating a state in which release paper is peeled from a double-sided tape by a release paper peeling unit of the electrode-connecting film winding device according to one embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a process diagram schematically illustrating a process of installing an electrode-connecting film on a bobbin. <FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method of winding the electrode-connecting film according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in <FIG>, an electrode-connecting film winding device <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a bobbin installation unit <NUM>, an electrode-connecting film supply unit <NUM>, a transfer unit <NUM>, an adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM>, a double-sided tape attaching unit <NUM>, and a frame body <NUM>.

The bobbin installation unit <NUM> is for installing an empty bobbin <NUM> in a state before an electrode is wound.

To this end, the bobbin installation unit <NUM> includes winders <NUM> configured to wind an electrode-connecting film <NUM> by rotating the empty bobbin <NUM>, and a chucking member (not shown) configured to fix the empty bobbin <NUM> installed in the winders <NUM>.

The winders <NUM> are coupled to both end portions of the empty bobbin <NUM> and rotate the empty bobbin <NUM>. The chucking member may chuck an edge of the empty bobbin <NUM> coupled to the winders <NUM> to fix the empty bobbin <NUM> to the winders <NUM>.

Since the winder <NUM> for rotating the empty bobbin <NUM> and the chucking member for fixing the empty bobbin <NUM> to the winder <NUM> are known configurations, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The electrode-connecting film supply unit <NUM> is disposed adjacent to the bobbin installation unit <NUM> and supplies the electrode-connecting film <NUM> to the empty bobbin <NUM>.

To this end, an unwinder <NUM> for installing the electrode-connecting film <NUM> in the form of a roll is provided in the electrode-connecting film supply unit <NUM>, and the unwinder <NUM> may be formed in a cantilever structure.

The unwinder <NUM> may be partially fixed to prevent the electrode-connecting film <NUM> from sagging due to the weight of the electrode-connecting film <NUM>.

The electrode-connecting film <NUM> installed on the unwinder <NUM> is supplied to the empty bobbin <NUM> of the bobbin installation unit <NUM>.

By the structure as described above, when the electrode-connecting film supply unit <NUM> supplies the electrode-connecting film <NUM> to the bobbin installation unit <NUM>, the empty bobbin <NUM> is rotated by the operation of the winder <NUM> to wind the electrode-connecting film <NUM> on the empty bobbin <NUM>.

The transfer unit <NUM> transfers the electrode-connecting film <NUM> installed in the electrode-connecting film supply unit <NUM> to the bobbin installation unit <NUM>. That is, the transfer unit <NUM> serves to transfer the electrode-connecting film <NUM> supplied from the electrode-connecting film supply unit <NUM> to the empty bobbin <NUM> of the bobbin installation unit <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the transfer unit <NUM> includes a base plate <NUM>, a driving roller <NUM> that rotates to transfer the electrode-connecting film <NUM>, and a moving roller <NUM>.

The base plate <NUM> may be formed in the shape of a flat plate, and may be provided as one or more base plates. The base plate <NUM>, in addition to supporting the electrode-connecting film drawn from the electrode-connecting film supply unit <NUM>, serves as a worktable when attaching a tape to the electrode-connecting film <NUM> or cutting.

The base plate <NUM> may include a first base plate 31a disposed adjacent to the electrode-connecting film supply unit <NUM> and a second base plate 31b disposed adjacent to the empty bobbin <NUM>.

At least one driving roller <NUM> is provided adjacent to the base plate <NUM>, and the electrode-connecting film is transferred toward the bobbin installation unit <NUM> while being supported by the base plate <NUM> by the rotation of the driving roller <NUM>.

The moving roller <NUM> is for constantly maintaining the tension of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> drawn from the electrode-connecting film supply unit <NUM>, and is movably installed such that a position thereof is adjusted in response to the tension acting on the electrode-connecting film <NUM> while rotating so that the electrode-connecting film <NUM> is transferred toward the bobbin installation unit <NUM>.

The moving roller <NUM> may maintain the tension during cutting, taping, and finishing of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> drawn from the electrode-connecting film supply unit <NUM>. When the electrode-connecting film <NUM> transferred by the driving of the driving roller <NUM> is cut, taped, and finished on the base plate <NUM>, the process may be performed in a state in which the moving roller <NUM> moves to maintain the tension.

The adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM> is installed above the bobbin installation unit <NUM>. Preferably, the adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM> is installed above the bobbin installation unit <NUM> to be vertically movable. The adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM> attaches an end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> drawn from the electrode-connecting film supply unit <NUM> through the transfer unit <NUM> to the empty bobbin <NUM>.

An adhesive tape <NUM> in the form of a roll is installed in the adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM>, and the installed adhesive tape <NUM> is supplied to the bobbin <NUM>.

The adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM> is installed to be horizontally movable in a width direction of the empty bobbin <NUM>. Thus, the adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM> attaches the adhesive tape to the end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> while moving in the width direction of the empty bobbin <NUM>. Accordingly, the electrode-connecting film <NUM> is fixed on the bobbin due to the adhesive tape.

Specifically, the adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM> descends toward the empty bobbin <NUM> installed in the bobbin installation unit <NUM>, and attaches the adhesive tape <NUM> so that the adhesive tape <NUM> covers the bobbin <NUM> and the end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM>. First, the adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM> attaches the adhesive tape <NUM> to one side of the empty bobbin <NUM> in the width direction, and then moves horizontally toward the other side of the empty bobbin <NUM> in the width direction to attach the adhesive tape <NUM>, thereby fixing the electrode-connecting film <NUM> on the empty bobbin <NUM>.

After attaching the adhesive tape <NUM> along the width direction of the bobbin, the adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM> returns to its initial position. This process is repeated for the next empty bobbin <NUM>, which is newly installed in the bobbin installation unit <NUM>, in the same manner.

When the electrode-connecting film <NUM> is fixed on the empty bobbin <NUM>, the winder <NUM> rotates the bobbin a predetermined number of times to wind as much as a predetermined length of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> on the empty bobbin <NUM>.

The double-sided tape attaching unit <NUM> is disposed adjacent to an upper portion of the transfer unit <NUM> to attach a double-sided tape <NUM> to the electrode-connecting film <NUM> wound on the empty bobbin <NUM>.

To this end, the double-sided tape attaching unit <NUM> may be provided above the transfer unit <NUM> to be vertically movable, and attaches the double-sided tape <NUM> to the electrode-connecting film <NUM> transferred by the transfer unit <NUM>.

In the double-sided tape attaching unit <NUM>, the double-sided tape <NUM> having adhesive surfaces on both sides is installed in the form of a roll.

The double-sided tape attaching unit <NUM> descends toward the electrode-connecting film <NUM>, which is drawn from the electrode-connecting film supply unit <NUM> and transferred through the transfer unit <NUM>. The lowered double-sided tape attaching unit <NUM> attaches the double-sided tape <NUM> to the electrode-connecting film <NUM> and then rises again. This process is repeated for the next empty bobbin <NUM>, which is newly installed in the bobbin installation unit <NUM>, in the same manner.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the double-sided tape attaching unit <NUM> is provided to be vertically movable, but the double-sided tape attaching unit <NUM> may also be installed to be horizontally movable in a width direction of the electrode-connecting film <NUM>. In this case, the double-sided tape attaching unit <NUM> may attach the double-sided tape <NUM> to the electrode-connecting film <NUM> while moving in the width direction. In addition, various other design changes are possible, such as the double-sided tape attaching unit <NUM> moving in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction.

Meanwhile, the electrode-connecting film winding device <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a release paper peeling unit <NUM>. The release paper peeling unit <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to the double-sided tape attaching unit <NUM> and may peel a release paper 51a from the double-sided tape <NUM> attached to the electrode-connecting film <NUM>.

To this end, the release paper peeling unit <NUM> may include a gripper <NUM> for gripping the release paper 51a.

The double-sided tape <NUM> may be attached to the electrode-connecting film <NUM>, which is drawn out to the transfer unit <NUM>, through the double-sided tape attaching unit <NUM>, on the second base plate 31b of the transfer unit <NUM>. In addition, the electrode-connecting film <NUM> to which the double-sided tape <NUM> is attached continuously moves by rotation of each driving roller <NUM>, and the release paper 51a attached to the double-sided tape <NUM> is removed through the release paper peeling unit <NUM>.

That is, as shown in <FIG>, after the double-sided tape <NUM> is attached to the electrode-connecting film <NUM>, the moving roller <NUM> provided adjacent to the first base plate 31a moves in a diagonal direction toward a lower portion of the first base plate 31a, and at this time, the gripper <NUM> provided at a front end of the release paper peeling unit <NUM> may grip the release paper 51a and then peel the release paper 51a from the double-sided tape <NUM>. After peeling off the release paper 51a, the moving roller <NUM> may be moved back in the diagonal direction to return to its original position.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the release paper peeling unit <NUM> includes the gripper <NUM>, but it is also possible that a suction unit (not shown) is provided in the release paper peeling unit <NUM> to peel the release paper 51a from the double-sided tape <NUM> using a suction force.

The electrode-connecting film winding device <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes a cutting unit <NUM> for cutting the electrode-connecting film <NUM>. The cutting unit <NUM> may be connected to the adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM>. The cutting unit <NUM> cuts the electrode-connecting film <NUM> to which the double-sided tape <NUM> is attached to an appropriate length.

As described above, the electrode-connecting film <NUM>, to which the double-sided tape <NUM> is attached, on the empty bobbin <NUM> is cut by the cutting unit <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM> according to the present embodiment may be installed to be movable forward and backward with respect to a traveling direction of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> wound on the empty bobbin <NUM> as well as in the width direction of the empty bobbin <NUM>.

For example, after the adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM> moves forward and backward with respect to the traveling direction of the electrode-connecting film <NUM>, the cutting unit <NUM> connected to the adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM> may cut the wound electrode-connecting film <NUM> a predetermined number of times.

To this end, the electrode-connecting film winding device <NUM> according to the present invention may include the electrode-connecting film supply unit <NUM>, the transfer unit <NUM>, the adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM>, and a control unit (not shown) for controlling operations of the double-sided tape attaching unit <NUM>.

The frame body <NUM> may be provided above the bobbin installation unit <NUM>. The adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM> and the double-sided tape attaching unit <NUM> may be movably installed on the frame body <NUM>. For example, the adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM> and the double-sided tape attaching unit <NUM> may be installed to be horizontally movable, able to descend/ascend (vertically movable), or both horizontally and vertically movable along the frame body <NUM>.

By installing the adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM> and the double-sided tape attaching unit <NUM> together on the frame body <NUM>, when the electrode-connecting film <NUM> is supplied to the empty bobbin <NUM>, the adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM> installed on the frame body <NUM> may descend to attach the end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> supplied to the empty bobbin <NUM> to the empty bobbin <NUM>, and subsequently, the double-sided tape attaching unit <NUM> may descend toward the transfer unit <NUM> to attach the double-sided tape <NUM> to the electrode-connecting film <NUM>.

The adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM> and the double-sided tape attaching unit <NUM> installed on the frame body <NUM> may be implemented to be movable by a known rail structure, and thus, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

At this time, the adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM> installed on the frame body <NUM> may be configured to be able to ascend/descend in longitudinal and width directions of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> and the vertical direction. The double-sided tape attaching unit <NUM> may be configured to be able to ascend/descend in the vertical direction.

In addition, the release paper peeling unit <NUM> may also be installed on the frame body <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a method of winding the electrode-connecting film according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

First, the empty bobbin <NUM> is introduced and installed (S10). That is, the empty bobbin <NUM> in a state before an electrode is wound is introduced into the bobbin installation unit <NUM> and installed in the winder <NUM>.

In addition, the empty bobbin <NUM> is fixed to the winder <NUM> by coupling the chucking member to the empty bobbin <NUM> installed in the winder <NUM>.

After installing the empty bobbin <NUM> in the bobbin installation unit <NUM>, the electrode-connecting film supply unit <NUM> is driven to supply the electrode-connecting film <NUM> installed on the unwinder <NUM> to the empty bobbin <NUM>.

The electrode-connecting film <NUM> is transferred to the bobbin installation unit <NUM> through the transfer unit <NUM>. The electrode-connecting film <NUM> is transferred to the bobbin installation unit <NUM> by rotation of each driving roller <NUM> of the transfer unit <NUM>, while being supported on the first base plate 31a and the second base plate 31b. At this time, the electrode-connecting film <NUM> is transferred while the tension of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> is adjusted by the movement of the moving roller <NUM>.

An end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> transferred through the transfer unit <NUM> is positioned on the empty bobbin <NUM> installed in the bobbin installation unit <NUM> (S20).

In addition, the adhesive tape <NUM> is attached to the end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> to fix the electrode-connecting film <NUM> to the empty bobbin <NUM> (S30).

That is, the end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> is positioned on the empty bobbin <NUM>, and then the adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM> descends toward the empty bobbin <NUM>. The lowered adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM> first attaches a portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> on the empty bobbin <NUM>. Thereafter, the adhesive tape attaching unit <NUM> horizontally moves to attach the remaining portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> to the empty bobbin <NUM>, thereby attaching the electrode-connecting film <NUM> to the empty bobbin <NUM> with the adhesive tape <NUM>.

After fixing the electrode-connecting film <NUM> to the empty bobbin <NUM> with the adhesive tape <NUM>, the winder <NUM> is rotated to wind the electrode-connecting film <NUM> multiple times on the empty bobbin <NUM> (S40).

When an old roll and a new roll are automatically bonded (spliced), the discarded and lost electrode wound on the old roll is approximately <NUM> to <NUM>, and thus, the electrode-connecting film <NUM> being wound on the empty bobbin <NUM> is preferably wound multiple times so that it is wound by about <NUM> to <NUM>, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Next, the double-sided tape <NUM> is attached to the electrode-connecting film <NUM> wound on the empty bobbin <NUM> (S50).

That is, after winding the electrode-connecting film <NUM> on the empty bobbin <NUM>, the double-sided tape attaching unit <NUM> provided above the first base plate 31a of the transfer unit <NUM> descends to attach the double-sided tape <NUM> to the electrode-connecting film <NUM> on the first base plate 31a.

After attaching the double-sided tape <NUM> to the electrode-connecting film <NUM>, the release paper 51a is peeled from the double-sided tape <NUM> by the release paper peeling unit <NUM> disposed adjacent to a traveling direction of the double-sided tape attaching unit <NUM> (S60).

Here, the moving roller <NUM> adjacent to the first base plate 31a moves in the diagonal direction toward a lower portion of the first base plate 31a, and the gripper <NUM> provided at a front end of the release paper peeling unit <NUM> grips the release paper 51a and peels the release paper 51a from the double-sided tape <NUM>.

The electrode-connecting film <NUM> from which the release paper 51a is peeled is moved downward in the diagonal direction along the moving roller <NUM> and then transferred to the bobbin installation unit <NUM> while being supported by the second base plate 31b.

Then, the electrode-connecting film <NUM>, to which the double-sided tape <NUM> is attached and which is transferred to the bobbin installation unit <NUM>, is cut (S70).

That is, the electrode-connecting film <NUM> from which the release paper 51a is peeled by the release paper peeling unit <NUM> is continuously transferred toward the bobbin installation unit <NUM>, and the double-sided tape <NUM> attached to the electrode-connecting film <NUM> is positioned below the cutting unit <NUM> provided above the bobbin installation unit <NUM>. The cutting unit <NUM> descends and cuts a portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM>, which is adjacent to a portion to which the double-sided tape <NUM> is attached, through a cutter unit (not shown).

The electrode-connecting film <NUM> cut by the cutting unit <NUM> is wound on the empty bobbin <NUM>. The empty bobbin <NUM> on which the electrode-connecting film <NUM> is wound is unloaded and then moved to a post-process for winding the electrode to manufacture a jumbo roll. The double-sided tape is positioned at the outermost end portion of the electrode-connecting film wound on the bobbin. When the electrode having a predetermined length is attached to an adhesive surface of the double-sided tape from which the release paper is peeled and the electrode is rewound again, an electrode roll is completed.

As described above, the double-sided tape <NUM> attached to the electrode-connecting film <NUM> is for attaching the end portion of the electrode when the electrode roll is manufactured by winding the electrode. When the end portion of the electrode is attached to the double-sided tape <NUM> and the electrode is wound, the electrode may be used up to the end portion of the electrode when bonding the electrodes of the old and new rolls in a roll-to-roll process, thereby minimizing electrode loss.

<FIG> is a schematic view of an electrode-connecting film winding device according to another embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a process diagram schematically illustrating a process of installing an electrode-connecting film on a bobbin according to another embodiment. <FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method of winding the electrode-connecting film according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in <FIG>, an electrode-connecting film winding device <NUM>' according to the present embodiment further includes a finishing sticker attaching unit <NUM>.

That is, the finishing sticker attaching unit <NUM> is for fixing an electrode-connecting film <NUM> by attaching a finishing sticker <NUM> to a cut end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> to prevent the end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> cut by a cutting unit <NUM> from fluttering.

Here, the finishing sticker attaching unit <NUM> is provided below the cutting unit <NUM>, and is provided below a second base plate 31b of a transfer unit <NUM> to fix the electrode-connecting film <NUM> by attaching the finishing sticker <NUM> to the cut end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> wound on an empty bobbin <NUM>.

At this time, the finishing sticker attaching unit <NUM> is formed such that a suction member <NUM> is provided in the finishing sticker attaching unit <NUM> to suction the cut end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> being transferred and then attach the finishing sticker <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cut end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> cut by the cutting unit <NUM> is suctioned by the suction member <NUM>, and the finishing sticker <NUM> is attached to the suctioned end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM>.

Here, about <NUM>/<NUM> of an adhesive surface of the finishing sticker <NUM> is attached to a lower surface of the cut end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> passing over a first base plate 31a. Thereafter, the electrode-connecting film <NUM> continuously transferred to a bobbin installation unit <NUM> is wound on the bobbin while being rotated along a rotation direction of the empty bobbin <NUM>. The remaining <NUM>/<NUM> of the adhesive surface of the finishing sticker <NUM> is attached to a surface of a portion of the electrode-connecting film facing or overlapping the wound end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM>, thereby fixing the cut end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM>.

Accordingly, unwinding of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> wound on the empty bobbin <NUM> may be prevented. In addition, even when the bobbin moves to a post-process, the unwinding of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> wound on the empty bobbin <NUM> may be prevented.

The finishing sticker attaching unit <NUM> may move in a width direction of the empty bobbin <NUM>. The finishing sticker attaching unit <NUM> may attach the finishing sticker <NUM> to the cut end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> and each of a plurality of points of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> wound on the empty bobbin <NUM> while moving in a width direction of the electrode-connecting film <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a method of winding the electrode-connecting film on the empty bobbin for improving electrode loss according to the present embodiment further includes, after cutting the electrode-connecting film <NUM> to which the double-sided tape <NUM> is attached, attaching the finishing sticker <NUM> to the end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM>, which is adjacent to a portion to which a double-sided tape <NUM> is attached, to fix the end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> and the electrode-connecting film <NUM> wound on the empty bobbin <NUM> (S80).

As described above, by attaching the finishing sticker <NUM> to the end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> by the finishing sticker attaching unit <NUM>, the cut end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> may be prevented from fluttering. In addition, the electrode-connecting film <NUM> may be maintained in a fixed state when the empty bobbin <NUM> to which the electrode-connecting film <NUM> is attached is moved to a post-process for winding the electrode.

According to the electrode-connecting film winding device and winding method of the present invention, the following electrode roll may be manufactured.

According to the present invention, instead of an electrode roll in which an end portion of an electrode is directly connected to a bobbin as in the related art, an electrode roll in which an electrode-connecting film is first connected to a bobbin and an electrode is connected to the electrode-connecting film and wound may be manufactured. That is, as shown in <FIG>, an electrode roll according to another aspect of the present invention includes an empty bobbin <NUM>, an electrode-connecting film <NUM> wound along a circumference of the empty bobbin <NUM>, a double-sided tape <NUM> attached to the outermost end portion of the electrode-connecting film wound along the circumference of the bobbin <NUM>, and an electrode (not shown) connected to the double-sided tape and wound along the circumference of the bobbin on an outer side of the electrode-connecting film <NUM>.

The electrode roll may include an adhesive tape for bonding the empty bobbin <NUM> to a winding start end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM>. That is, by directly bonding the winding start end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> on the empty bobbin <NUM> with the adhesive tape, the winding start end portion of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> can be fixed on the empty bobbin <NUM>.

The electrode-connecting film <NUM> may employ a film made of a flexible material capable of absorbing tension to relieve stress. When the film made of such a material is connected to the electrode, a problem of damage to the connected portion due to local tension concentration may be prevented. Examples of such a film include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), oriented polypropylene (OPP), polyimide (PI), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyester, polyacetal, polyamide, polyethersulfone, polyphenyleneoxide, polyphenylenesulfide, polyethylenenaphthalene, flexible silicone, and the like.

A thickness of the electrode-connecting film <NUM> may be determined in consideration of a material and physical properties.

The adhesive tape may be an OPP tape. However, the adhesive tape is not limited thereto, and any tape known in the art may be used as the adhesive tape. For example, a tape coated with a predetermined adhesive such as an acrylic-based adhesive applied to film paper such as paper or synthetic resin may be used as the adhesive tape.

The electrode-connecting film is positioned at a winding start portion of the electrode roll of the present invention, which is wound on the bobbin, and the electrode is wound on the outer periphery of the electrode-connecting film. Accordingly, when electrodes of old and new rolls are spliced and the electrode of the old roll is cut, the electrode of the old roll may be used to the end portion. That is, when the end portion of the electrode spliced to the electrode-connecting film of the old roll is bonded to the electrode of the new roll and cut, there is almost no electrode portion discarded in the old roll. Conventionally, since the electrode is wound on the bobbin from a starting end portion, when splicing the electrodes, there is inevitably a portion of the electrode that is discarded from the old roll.

Claim 1:
An electrode-connecting film winding device (<NUM>) comprising:
a bobbin installation unit (<NUM>) in which a bobbin (<NUM>) is installed;
a film supply unit (<NUM>) configured to supply an electrode-connecting film (<NUM>) to the bobbin (<NUM>); characterized in that the electrode-connecting film winding device further comprises
a transfer unit (<NUM>) configured to transfer the electrode-connecting film (<NUM>) installed in the film supply unit (<NUM>) to the bobbin installation unit (<NUM>);
an adhesive tape attaching unit (<NUM>) installed above the bobbin installation unit (<NUM>) and configured to attach an end portion of the electrode-connecting film (<NUM>) drawn out to the transfer unit (<NUM>) to the bobbin (<NUM>);
a double-sided tape attaching unit (<NUM>) configured to attach a double-sided tape (<NUM>) to the electrode-connecting film (<NUM>) wound on the bobbin (<NUM>); and
a frame body on which the adhesive tape attaching unit (<NUM>) and the double-sided tape attaching unit (<NUM>) are movably installed.