Patent Description:
In general, a secondary battery refers to a battery which can be repeatedly used through a discharging process of converting chemical energy into electrical energy and a charging process of converting electrical energy into chemical energy.

Examples of the secondary battery may include a nickelcadmium (Ni-Cd) battery, a nickel-hydrogen (Ni-MH) battery, a lithium-metal battery, a lithium-ion (NLi-Ion) battery, and a lithium-ion (Li-Ion) Polymer Battery (hereafter, referred to as "LIPB").

Among the secondary batteries, the lithium secondary battery has a cycle life of about <NUM> or more times and a short charging time of about one or two hours, and is lighter by about <NUM> to <NUM>% than the nickel-hydrogen battery, thereby making it possible to reduce the weight of a product. Furthermore, the lithium secondary battery has excellent energy density and the highest voltage per unit battery, which ranges from <NUM> to <NUM> V, among the existing secondary batteries. Thus, the lithium secondary battery may have characteristics optimized to mobile devices.

Such a lithium secondary battery may include an electrode assembly housed in a battery case, a lead tab electrically connected to electrode tabs of electrodes included in the electrode assembly and extended to the outside of the battery case, and an insulating film configured to electrically insulate the lead tab.

In particular, the insulating film may have one surface fused to the lead tab and the other surface corresponding to the opposite surface of the one surface and fused to the battery case, and may perform a function of sealing the interface between the lead tab and the electrode case.

However, since the lead tab and the insulating film are made of different materials, there is a limitation in reliably fusing the insulating film to the lead tab.

In the related art, the surface of the lead tab has been chemically treated with a chemical, in order to improve the fusion performance between the lead tab and the insulating film.

However, the existing surface treatment technology may cause an environmental pollution problem because a toxic substance may be contained in the chemical used to treat the surface of the lead tab. In addition, the existing surface treatment technology may require a long time to treat the surface of the lead tab, thereby reducing the productivity of the secondary battery.

Therefore, there is a need for the development of a lead tab which can improve the fusion performance between the lead tab and an insulating film without using a chemical, and thus minimize the environmental pollution and the defect rate while raising the productivity.

Hereafter, the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Terms such as "module" and "unit" for components used in the following descriptions are simply given in consideration of the ease of writing this specification, and the "module" and the "unit" may be interchangeably used.

In this specification, general terms which are widely used at the moment are selected as the terms used herein in consideration of functions in the present disclosure.

<FIG> is a diagram for describing a lead tab according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a diagram for describing a lead tab according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

<FIG> illustrates the lead tab for a positive electrode, and <FIG> illustrates the lead tab for a negative electrode.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a lead tab <NUM> according to the present disclosure includes a metal plate <NUM> and a plurality of concavo-convex patterns <NUM> formed on the surface of the metal plate <NUM>.

The plurality of concavo-convex patterns <NUM> is formed through a surface treatment of applying predetermined external energy onto the surface of the metal plate <NUM>.

The external energy is laser light energy.

Furthermore, the external energy has an output value decided on the basis of the material of the metal plate <NUM>, and the surface of the metal plate <NUM> is treated with the external energy having the decided output value.

That is, the surface of the metal plate <NUM> is treated with the external energy having a first output value, when the metal plate <NUM> is made of a single metal, and the surface of the metal plate <NUM> is treated with the external energy having a second output value, when the metal plate <NUM> is made of a composite metal.

The first and second output values of the external energy are equal to each other.

In some cases, the first and second output values of the external energy are different from each other.

At this time, the second output value of the external energy is larger than the first output value of the external energy.

For example, the surface of the metal plate <NUM> is treated with the external energy having the first output value, when the metal plate <NUM> is made of a single metal of aluminum (AI), and the surface of the metal plate <NUM> is treated with the external energy having the second output value, when the metal plate <NUM> is made of a composite metal of nickel and copper (NiCu).

In this case, the second output value of the external energy is larger than the first output value of the external energy.

The output value of the external energy is decided on the basis of preset surface roughness of the metal plate <NUM>, and the surface of the metal plate <NUM> is treated with the external energy having the decided output value.

For example, the surface roughness of the metal plate <NUM> is set in advance, and the output value of the external energy is decided according to the surface roughness. Then, the external energy having the decided output value is emitted onto the surface of the metal plate <NUM>, in order to form the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> on the surface of the metal plate <NUM> such that the metal plate <NUM> has the set surface roughness.

The external energy is applied to at least one surface of the front and rear surfaces of the metal plate <NUM>, in order to form the plurality of concavo-convex patterns <NUM>.

At this time, the external energy having the first output value is applied onto the front surface of the metal plate <NUM> so as to form first concavo-convex patterns 120a, and the external energy having the second output value is applied onto the rear surface of the metal plate <NUM> so as to form second concavo-convex patterns 120b.

In this case, the first output value of the external energy is equal to the second output value of the external energy.

In some cases, the first output value of the external energy is different from the second output value of the external energy.

For example, according to the present disclosure, first laser light having the first output value is emitted onto the front surface of the metal plate <NUM> so as to form the first concavo-convex patterns 120a, and second laser light having the second output value is emitted onto the rear surface of the metal plate <NUM> so as to form the second concavo-convex patterns 120b.

Furthermore, the first concavo-convex patterns 120a formed on the front surface of the metal plate <NUM> are the same as the second concavo-convex patterns 120b formed on the rear surface of the metal plate <NUM>.

In some cases, the first concavo-convex patterns 120a formed on the front surface of the metal plate <NUM> are different from the second concavo-convex patterns 120b formed on the rear surface of the metal plate <NUM>.

Furthermore, the spacing between the first concavo-convex patterns 120a is different from the spacing between the second concavo-convex patterns 120b.

In some cases, the spacing between the first concavo-convex patterns 120a is equal to the spacing between the second concavo-convex patterns 120b.

Furthermore, the size of the first concavo-convex pattern 120a is different from the size of the second concavo-convex pattern 120b.

In some cases, the size of the first concavo-convex pattern 120a is equal to the size of the second concavo-convex pattern 120b.

Furthermore, the first concavo-convex patterns 120a are arranged according to a different arrangement rule from that of the second concavo-convex patterns 120b.

In some cases, the first concavo-convex patterns 120a are arranged according to the same arrangement rule as that of the second concavo-convex patterns 120b.

Furthermore, the roughness value of the front surface of the metal plate <NUM> on which the first concavo-convex patterns 120a are formed is different from that of the rear surface of the metal plate <NUM> on which the second concavo-convex patterns 120b are formed.

In some cases, the roughness value of the front surface of the metal plate <NUM> on which the first concavo-convex patterns 120a are formed is equal to the roughness value of the rear surface of the metal plate <NUM> on which the second concavo-convex patterns 120b are formed.

The concavo-convex pattern <NUM> includes at least one pattern among a dot pattern, a line pattern, a lattice pattern, and combinations thereof, but is not limited thereto.

The concavo-convex patterns <NUM> adjacent to each other has a spacing of about <NUM> to about <NUM> therebetween.

The concavo-convex patterns <NUM> have an etching depth ranging from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% of the total thickness of the metal plate <NUM>.

Furthermore, the area of the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> range from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% of the total area of the metal plate <NUM>.

The concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed only in a partial region of the metal plate <NUM>.

In this case, the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are located between an end and a central region of the metal plate <NUM>.

For example, the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed in the widthwise direction of the metal plate <NUM>, and have a stripe shape.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the metal plate <NUM> of the lead tab <NUM> for a positive electrode is formed of a single metal layer, and the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed on the surface of the single metal layer.

For example, the metal plate <NUM> is formed of an Al layer, and the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed on the surface of the Al layer.

Furthermore, as illustrated in <FIG>, the metal plate <NUM> of the lead tab <NUM> for a negative electrode is composed of a first metal layer <NUM> and a second metal layer <NUM> plated on the surface of the first metal layer <NUM>, and the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> is formed on the surface of the second metal layer <NUM>.

The second metal layer <NUM> includes a second metal layer 114a plated on the top surface of the first metal layer <NUM> and a second metal layer 114b plated on the bottom surface of the first metal layer <NUM>.

For example, the metal plate <NUM> is composed of a Cu layer and a Ni layer plated on the surface of the Cu layer, and the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed on the surface of the Ni layer.

The concavo-convex pattern <NUM> has a depth equal to or smaller than the thickness of the second metal layer <NUM>.

In some cases, the concavo-convex pattern <NUM> has a depth equal to or larger than the thickness of the second metal layer <NUM>.

According to the present disclosure, the plurality of concavo-convex patterns for increasing the surface area of the lead tab is formed by treating the surface of the lead tab with external energy, and thus improve the fusion performance between the lead tab and the insulating film without using a chemical, which makes it possible to minimize the environmental pollution and the defect rate while raising the productivity.

Furthermore, the concavo-convex patterns are formed on the surface of the processing area of the lead tab, to which the insulating film is fused or bonded, such that the surface area of the fused or bonded surface of the lead tab is increased, which makes it is possible to improve the fusion or bonding performance between the insulating film and the processing area of the lead tab.

Furthermore, when the insulating films are fused or bonded, bubbles formed at the interfaces between the insulating films and the processing area of the lead tab are discharged to the outside through the concavo-convex patterns, which makes it possible to prevent the bubbles from being contained in the interfaces.

<FIG> are diagrams for describing concavo-convex patterns according to the present disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the lead tab according to the present disclosure has the plurality of concavo-convex patterns <NUM> formed on the surface of the metal plate <NUM>.

The plurality of concavo-convex patterns <NUM> is formed through a surface treatment of applying predetermined external energy such as laser light onto the surface of the metal plate <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed as line patterns or formed as lattice patterns as illustrated in <FIG>, or formed as dot patterns as illustrated in <FIG>.

In some cases, the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed as a pattern combination including dot patterns, line patterns, and lattice patterns.

The spacing between the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> adjacent to each other ranges from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, the etching depth of the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> ranges from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% of the total thickness of the metal plate <NUM>, and the area of the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> ranges from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% of the total area of the metal plate <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

<FIG> is a diagram for describing the position of the concave-convex patterns according to the present disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed only in a partial region of the metal plate <NUM>.

For example, the formation region <NUM> of the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> is formed in the widthwise direction of the metal plate <NUM>, and have a stripe shape. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Furthermore, the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed with a uniform depth in a predetermined region of the metal plate <NUM>.

For example, the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed with a depth ranging from <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the thickness of the metal plate <NUM>.

In some cases, the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed with non-uniform depths in a predetermined region of the metal plate <NUM>.

In this case, the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> formed in an edge region of the predetermined region of the metal plate <NUM> have a larger depth than the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> formed in the central region of the predetermined region of the metal plate <NUM>.

In a different case, the depths of the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> gradually increase from the central region toward the edge region in the predetermined region.

Furthermore, the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed in the entire predetermined region of the metal plate <NUM>.

In some cases, the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed only in a part of the predetermined region of the metal plate <NUM>.

For example, the area of the concavo-convex patterns ranges from <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the total area in the predetermined region of the metal plate <NUM>.

Furthermore, the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed in plurality in the predetermined region of the metal plate <NUM>, and the concavo-convex patterns adjacent to each other have a uniform spacing distance therebetween.

In some cases, the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed in plurality in the predetermined region of the metal plate <NUM>, and the concavo-convex patterns adjacent to each other have a non-uniform spacing distance therebetween.

At this time, the spacings between the concavo-convex patterns adjacent to each other gradually decrease from the central region toward the edge region in the predetermined region.

<FIG> is a diagram for describing the depth of the concavo-convex patterns formed in the lead tab of <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the metal plate <NUM> of the lead tab for a positive electrode is formed of a single metal layer, and the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed on the surface of the single metal layer.

The concavo-convex patterns <NUM> have an etching depth d1 ranging from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% of the total thickness of the metal plate <NUM>, but is not limited thereto.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams for describing the depth of the concavo-convex patterns formed in the lead tab of <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the metal plate <NUM> of the lead tab for a negative electrode is composed of the first metal layer <NUM> and the second metal layer <NUM> plated on the first metal layer <NUM>, and the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed on the surface of the second metal layer <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> have a depth d2 equal to or smaller than the thickness of the second metal layer <NUM>.

In some cases, as illustrated in <FIG>, the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> have a depth d3 equal to or larger than the thickness of the second metal layer <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams for describing a lead tab according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a lead tab <NUM> according to the present disclosure includes a metal plate <NUM>, an insulating film <NUM> bonded to the metal plate <NUM>, and a plurality of concavo-convex patterns <NUM> formed on a surface region of the metal plate <NUM>, to which the insulating film <NUM> is bonded.

The plurality of concavo-convex patterns <NUM> is formed through a surface treatment of emitting laser light onto the surface region of the metal plate <NUM>, to which the insulating film <NUM> is bonded.

The concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are located between an end and a central region of the metal plate <NUM>.

Furthermore, the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed in the widthwise direction of the metal plate <NUM>, and have a stripe shape like the shape of the insulating film <NUM>.

The concavo-convex patterns <NUM> have an area equal to or smaller than the contact area between the metal plate <NUM> and the insulating film <NUM>.

The concavo-convex pattern <NUM> is formed in at least one pattern among a dot pattern, a line pattern, a lattice pattern, and combinations thereof, but is not limited thereto.

The concavo-convex patterns <NUM> adjacent to each other have a spacing of about <NUM> to about <NUM> therebetween.

Furthermore, the area of the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> ranges from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% of the total area of the metal plate <NUM>.

The concavo-convex patterns <NUM> include first concavo-convex patterns formed on the front surface of the metal plate <NUM> and second concavo-convex patterns formed on the rear surface of the metal plate <NUM>.

The first concavo-convex patterns are formed at the same position as the second concavo-convex patterns.

Furthermore, the first concavo-convex patterns and the second concavo-convex patterns face each other with the metal plate <NUM> interposed therebetween.

In addition, the first concavo-convex patterns formed on the front surface of the metal plate <NUM> are the same shape as the second concavo-convex patterns formed on the rear surface of the metal plate <NUM>.

In some cases, the first concavo-convex patterns formed on the front surface of the metal plate <NUM> have a different shape from the second concavo-convex patterns formed on the rear surface of the metal plate <NUM>.

The spacing between the first concavo-convex patterns is different from the spacing between the second concavo-convex patterns.

In some cases, the spacing between the first concavo-convex patterns is equal to the spacing between the second concavo-convex patterns.

Furthermore, the first concavo-convex pattern has a different size from the second concavo-convex pattern.

In some cases, the first concavo-convex pattern has the same size as the second concavo-convex pattern.

Furthermore, the first concavo-convex patterns are arranged according to a different arrangement rule from that of the second concavo-convex patterns.

In some cases, the first concavo-convex patterns are arranged according to the same arrangement rule as that of the second concavo-convex patterns.

Furthermore, the roughness value of the front surface of the metal plate <NUM> on which the first concavo-convex patterns are formed is different from that of the rear surface of the metal plate <NUM> on which the second concavo-convex patterns are formed.

In some cases, the roughness value of the front surface of the metal plate <NUM> on which the first concavo-convex patterns are formed is equal to that of the rear surface of the metal plate <NUM> on which the second concavo-convex patterns are formed.

The area of the first concavo-convex patterns formed on the front surface of the metal plate <NUM> is equal to that of the second concavo-convex patterns formed on the rear surface of the metal plate <NUM>.

In some cases, the area of the first concavo-convex patterns formed on the front surface of the metal plate <NUM> is different from that of the second concavo-convex patterns formed on the rear surface of the metal plate <NUM>.

The laser light has an output value decided on the basis of the material of the metal plate <NUM>, and the surface of the metal plate <NUM> is treated with the laser light having the decided output value.

That is, the surface of the metal plate <NUM> is treated with the laser light having a first output value, when the metal plate <NUM> is made of a single metal, and the surface of the metal plate <NUM> is treated with the laser light having a second output value, when the metal plate <NUM> is made of a composite metal.

In this case, the first and second output values of the laser light are equal to each other.

In some cases, the first and second output values of the laser light are different from each other.

At this time, the second output value of the laser light is larger than the first output value of the laser light.

For example, the surface of the metal plate <NUM> is treated with the laser light having the first output value, when the metal plate <NUM> is made of AI, and the surface of the metal plate <NUM> is treated with the laser light having the second output value, when the metal plate <NUM> is made of NiCu.

In this case, the second output value of the laser light is larger than the first output value of the laser light.

The output value of the laser light is decided on the basis of preset surface roughness of the metal plate <NUM>, and the surface of the metal plate <NUM> is treated with the laser light having the decided output value.

For example, the surface roughness of the metal plate <NUM> is set in advance, and the output value of the laser light is decided according to the surface roughness. Then, the laser light having the decided output value is emitted onto the surface of the metal plate <NUM>, in order to form the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> on the surface of the metal plate <NUM> such that the metal plate <NUM> has the set surface roughness.

The laser light is applied to at least one surface of the front and rear surfaces of the metal plate <NUM>, in order to form the plurality of concavo-convex patterns <NUM>.

At this time, the laser light having the first output value is applied onto the front surface of the metal plate <NUM> so as to form first concavo-convex patterns, and the laser light having the second output value is applied onto the rear surface of the metal plate <NUM> so as to form second concavo-convex patterns.

In this case, the first output value of the laser light is equal to the second output value of the laser light.

In some cases, the first output value of the laser light is different from the second output value of the laser light.

For example, according to the present disclosure, first laser light having the first output value is emitted onto the front surface of the metal plate <NUM> so as to form the first concavo-convex patterns, and second laser light having the second output value is emitted onto the rear surface of the metal plate <NUM> so as to form the second concavo-convex patterns.

When the lead tab <NUM> according to the present disclosure is applied to a positive electrode, the metal plate <NUM> is formed of a single metal layer, and the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed on the surface of the single metal layer.

When the lead tab according to the present disclosure is applied to a negative electrode, the metal plate <NUM> is composed of a first metal layer and a second metal layer plated on the surface of the first metal layer, and the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed on the surface of the second metal layer.

The second metal layer includes a second metal layer plated on the top surface of the first metal layer and a second metal layer plated on the bottom surface of the first metal layer.

The concavo-convex patterns <NUM> have a depth equal to or smaller than the thickness of the second metal layer.

In some cases, the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> have a depth equal to or larger than the thickness of the second metal layer.

The concavo-convex patterns <NUM> of the lead tab <NUM> according to the present disclosure are coated with a coating solution.

In an example not falling within the scope of the invention, the lead tab <NUM> having the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> formed thereon is dipped into a coating solution for a predetermined time, such that the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are coated with the coating solution.

In another example not falling within the scope of the invention, a sprayer is used to spray a coating solution onto the region where the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed, such that the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are coated with the coating solution.

In still another example not falling within the scope of the invention, a brush is used to apply a coating solution onto the region where the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed, such that the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are coated with the coating solution.

After the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are coated with the coating solution, the lead tab <NUM> is dried for a predetermined time.

Then, the insulating film <NUM> is bonded onto the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> coated with the coating solution.

According to the present disclosure, the lead tab <NUM> is cut into preset sizes before the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed.

In some cases, the lead tab <NUM> is cut into preset sizes, before the coating solution is applied after the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed.

In a different case, when the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are coated with the coating solution, the lead tab <NUM> is cut into preset sizes.

In this case, when the lead tab <NUM> is cut into the preset sizes, cutting positions of the lead tab <NUM> are scanned and decided on the basis of the concavo-convex patterns <NUM>, and the lead tab <NUM> is cut on the basis of the decided cutting positions.

According to the present disclosure, the plurality of concavo-convex patterns for increasing the surface area of the lead tab is formed by treating the surface of the lead tab, to which the insulating film is bonded or fused, with laser light, and thus improve the fusion performance between the lead tab and the insulating film without using a chemical, which makes it possible to minimize the environmental pollution and the defect rate while raising the productivity.

Furthermore, the laser-etched patterns are formed on the surface of the processing area of the lead tab to which the insulating film is fused or bonded, in order to increase the surface area of the fused or bonded surface of the lead tab. Thus, it is possible to improve the fusion or bonding performance between the insulating film and the processing region of the lead tab.

Furthermore, when the insulating films are fused or bonded, bubbles generated at the interfaces between the insulating films and the processing area of the lead tab are discharged to the outside through the laser-etched patterns, which makes it possible to prevent the bubbles from being contained in the interfaces.

<FIG> is a diagram for describing the area of the concave-convex patterns according to the present disclosure.

Furthermore, the area of the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> is equal to or smaller than the contact area between the metal plate <NUM> and the insulating film <NUM>.

That is, the width of the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> is equal to or smaller than the width of the insulating film <NUM>.

That is because, when the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed to have a larger width than the insulating film <NUM>, the resultant structure becomes inefficient, and when the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed to have a too small width, a surface area corresponding to the bonded or fused surface is so small that the bonding or fusion efficiency may be degraded.

In this case, the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> formed at an edge region of the predetermined region of the metal plate <NUM> have a larger depth than the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> formed in the central region of the predetermined region of the metal plate <NUM>.

In a different case, the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed in the predetermined region of the metal plate <NUM> such that the depths of the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> gradually increase from the central region toward the edge region in the predetermined region.

For example, the area of the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> formed in the predetermined region ranges from <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the total area of the metal plate <NUM>.

Furthermore, the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed in the predetermined region of the metal plate <NUM>, and the concavo-convex patterns adjacent to each other have a uniform spacing therebetween.

In some cases, the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed in the predetermined region of the metal plate <NUM>, and the concavo-convex patterns adjacent to each other have a non-uniform spacing therebetween.

At this time, the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed in the predetermined region of the metal plate <NUM> such that the spacings between the concavo-convex patterns adjacent to each other gradually decrease from the central region toward the edge region in the predetermined region.

In another example not falling within the scope of the invention, a sprayer is used to spray a coating solution onto the around where the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed, such that the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are coated with the coating solution.

In still another example not falling within the scope of the invention, a brush is used to apply a coating solution onto the around where the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are formed, such that the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> are coated with the coating solution.

Furthermore, when the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> of the lead tab <NUM> are coated with the coating solution, the lead tab <NUM> is dried for a predetermined time, and then the insulating film <NUM> is bonded onto the concavo-convex patterns <NUM> coated with the coating solution.

<FIG> is a diagram for describing a laser etching device for forming the concavo-convex patterns according to the present disclosure.

A laser etching device is installed between a supply unit and a cutting unit so as to perform a laser etched pattern formation process on a lead tab material roll LO.

In some cases, the laser etching device is installed between the cutting unit and a loading box so as to perform a laser marking process on a lead tab.

The laser etching device is configured to laser-mark laser etched patterns P on the top and bottom surfaces of the lead tab material roll LO.

For example, the laser etching device includes a first marking machine <NUM> for laser-marking the laser-etched patterns on the top surface of a predetermined laser etched pattern processing area of the lead tab material roll LO, and a second marking machine for laser-marking the laser etched patterns on the bottom surface of the laser etched pattern processing area of the lead tab material roll LO.

The installation position of the first marking machine <NUM> is not specifically limited. For example, the first marking machine <NUM> is installed to emit laser beam LB onto the lead tab material roll LO transferred from a feeding roller, or specifically the top surface of a predetermined laser etched pattern processing area of the lead tab material roll LO located between a first conveyer belt and a second conveyer belt.

The installation position of the second marking machine is not specifically limited. For example, the second marking machine is installed to emit laser beam LB onto the lead tab material roll LO having passed through the first marking machine <NUM>, or specifically the bottom surface of a predetermined laser etched pattern processing area of the lead tab material roll LO located between the second conveyer belt and a third conveyer belt.

The first marking machine <NUM> includes a first laser oscillator configured to generate and oscillate the laser beam LB, a first laser scanner configured to emit the laser beam LB, transferred from the first laser oscillator, onto a predetermined scan area, a first scanner driver configured to reciprocate the first laser scanner in the widthwise direction of the lead tab material roll LO, and one or more first reflecting mirrors installed between the first laser oscillator and the first laser scanner and configured to transfer the laser beam LB oscillated by the first laser oscillator to the first laser scanner.

The second marking machine includes a second laser oscillator configured to generate and oscillate the laser beam LB, a second laser scanner configured to emit the laser beam LB, transferred from the second laser oscillator, onto the predetermined scan area, a second scanner driver configured to reciprocate the second laser scanner in the widthwise direction of the lead tab material roll LO, and one or more second reflecting mirrors installed between the second laser oscillator and the second laser scanner and configured to transfer the laser beam LB oscillated by the second laser oscillator to the second laser scanner.

The first marking machine <NUM> and the second marking machine have the same structure except the locations onto which the first and second marking machines emit the laser beams LB. Thus, hereafter, the first marking machine <NUM> will be taken as an example for describing the structures of the marking machines.

The first laser oscillator generates and oscillates the laser beam LB capable of laser-processing the lead tab material roll LO. For example, when the lead tab material roll LO is made of synthetic resin, the first laser oscillator generates and oscillate CO<NUM> laser beam LB having a wavelength of <NUM> or <NUM>.

The first laser scanner is configured to adjust an optical path of the laser beam LB transferred through the first reflecting mirror from the first laser oscillator, such that the laser beam LB can be emitted onto the predetermined scan area. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first laser scanner includes an X-axis mirror 32e and a Y-axis mirror <NUM>. The X-axis mirror 32e is driven by an X-axis servo motor 32f, and is configured to change the optical path of the laser beam LB in the widthwise direction, and the Y-axis mirror <NUM> is driven by a Y-axis servo motor <NUM>, and is configured to change the optical path of the laser beam LB in a longitudinal direction. The laser beam LB whose optical path has been changed by the X-axis mirror 32e and the Y-axis mirror <NUM> is concentrated by a lens 32i included in the first laser scanner, and emitted onto the lead tab material roll LO. The lens 32i is an f-theta (θ) lens, but is not limited thereto.

The laser etched pattern processing area is one area of the lead tab material roll LO, on which a surface treatment is to be performed through a laser marking process, and is set to the position to which an insulating film for sealing the interface between the lead tab and a battery case is fused. Such a processing area is set with a predetermined reference spacing on the lead tab material roll LO, such that each of the lead tabs divided from the lead tab material roll LO by the cutting unit includes the laser etched patterns. The reference spacing is not specifically limited. For example, the reference spacing corresponds to a length L of the lead tab.

The lead tab having the concavo-convex patterns according to the present disclosure is applied to a pouch-type secondary battery.

The pouch-type secondary battery includes a battery case serving as a pouch-type exterior material, an electrode assembly housed in the battery case, a lead tab electrically connected to electrode tabs of electrodes included in the electrode assembly and extended to the outside of the battery case, and an insulating film configured to electrically insulate the lead tab.

In particular, the insulating film has one surface fused to the lead tab and the other surface opposite to the one surface and fused to the battery case, and performs a function of sealing the interface between the lead tab and the battery case serving as a pouch-type exterior material.

The lead tab is made of a metallic material such as aluminum (Al) or copper (Cu), the insulating film is made of synthetic resin such as polypropylene, and the battery case serving as a pouch-type exterior material is made of synthetic resin and includes a synthetic resin layer fused with the insulating film.

Therefore, the concavo-convex patterns of the lead tab according to the present disclosure increase the bonding and fusion area with the insulating film, thereby improving the fusion or bonding performance between the insulating film and the lead tab.

Claim 1:
A pouch-type secondary battery comprising a lead tab (<NUM>), wherein the lead tab (<NUM>) comprises:
a metal plate (<NUM>);
a plurality of concavo-convex patterns (<NUM>) formed on a surface of the metal plate (<NUM>) between an end and a central region of the metal plate (<NUM>); and
an insulating film (<NUM>) bonded to the surface of the metal plate (<NUM>), on which the plurality of concavo-convex patterns (<NUM>) is located,
wherein the plurality of concavo-convex patterns (<NUM>) are formed through a surface treatment of applying predetermined laser light energy onto the surface of the metal plate (<NUM>), and comprise first concavo-convex patterns (120a) formed by applying the laser light energy having a first output value onto a first area of the front surface of the metal plate (<NUM>), and second concavo-convex patterns (120b) formed by applying the laser light energy having a second output value onto a second area of the rear surface of the metal plate (<NUM>),
wherein the first and second concavo-convex patterns (120a, 120b) are formed so that the concavo-convex patterns (<NUM>) adjacent to each other have a spacing of <NUM> to <NUM>, and the spacings between the concavo-convex patterns (<NUM>) adjacent to each other gradually decrease from a central region toward either edge region in a predetermined region of the metal plate (<NUM>), while the depths of the concavo-convex patterns (<NUM>) gradually increase from the central region toward the either edge region in the predetermined region of the metal plate (<NUM>),
an area occupied by the concavo-convex patterns (<NUM>) ranges from <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the entire area of the metal plate (<NUM>),
the concavo-convex patterns (<NUM>) are formed with a depth ranging from <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the thickness of the metal plate (<NUM>),
an area occupied by the first concavo-convex patterns (120a) formed on the first area of the front surface of the metal plate (<NUM>) is different from an area occupied by the second concavo-convex patterns (120b) formed on the second area of the rear surface of the metal plate (<NUM>), and
an spacing between the first concavo-convex pattern is different from an spacing between the second concavo-convex pattern.