Patent Description:
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly.

Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries may be rechargeable and have small scales and high capacities. Recently, research and development have been actively conducted on the secondary batteries. As development of technologies and demands for mobile devices are increased, there is a rapidly increasing demand for rechargeable batteries as energy sources.

The secondary batteries are classified into coin batteries, cylindrical batteries, angular batteries, and pouch-type batteries depending on shapes of battery casings. In the secondary battery, an electrode assembly mounted in the battery casing is a power generation element that has a structure made by stacking electrodes and separators and may be charged and discharged.

The electrode assemblies may be approximately classified into a Jelly-roll-type electrode assembly made by winding sheet-shaped positive and negative electrodes coated with active materials with a separator interposed therebetween, a stack-type electrode assembly made by sequentially stacking a plurality of positive and negative electrodes in a state in which separators are interposed between the plurality of positive and negative electrodes, and a stack-and-folding-type electrode assembly made by winding stack-type unit cells by using long separation films.

In this case, a stacked and folded type electrode assembly is manufactured by fixing a stack, in which separators are folded in a zigzag manner and electrodes are positioned between the separators, by using a gripper and then heating and pressing the stack, as disclosed in patent application <CIT>.

There is a problem in that the separator is creased because pressure is not applied to a portion corresponding to the gripper during the process of fixing the stack, in which the plurality of positive electrodes and the plurality of negative electrodes are sequentially stacked with the separators interposed therebetween, by using the gripper and then heating and pressing the stack.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly.

The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an electrode assembly as recited in claim <NUM>, method including: manufacturing a stack by stacking first electrodes, separators, and second electrodes on a stack table so that the first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately disposed between the folded separators; fixing the stack on the stack table by gripping a first area of the stack by means of a first gripper; heating and pressing only a second area of the stack fixed by the first gripper; releasing the first area of the stack by releasing the first gripper after the heating and pressing of the second area of the stack are completed; fixing the stack to the stack table by gripping the second area of the stack by means of a second gripper; and heating and pressing only the first area of the stack fixed by the second gripper, in which the first and second areas partially overlap each other or are different from each other.

In addition, the present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly as recited in claim <NUM>, which manufactures the electrode assembly by stacking a first electrode, a separator, and a second electrode, the apparatus including: a stack table on which the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode are stacked in the form of a stack in which the first and second electrodes are alternately disposed between the folded separators; a first gripper configured to grip a first area of the stack and fix the stack to the stack table; a second gripper configured to grip a second area of the stack and fix the stack to the stack table; and a press part positioned between the first gripper and the second gripper and configured to bond the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode by heating and pressing only the first or second area of the stack, in which the first and second areas partially overlap each other or are different from each other.

The method and apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to the embodiment of the present application may reduce a problem in which the separator is creased or the position of the electrode is distorted during the process of manufacturing the electrode assembly by stacking the electrodes and the separator.

The method and apparatus for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to the embodiment of the present application may manufacture the electrode assembly with uniform performance and align and fix the electrode and the separator so that the position of the electrode is not distorted. Therefore, it is possible to improve energy density and prevent the electrode of the electrode assembly from protruding to the external appearance of the battery.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail so that those with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains may easily carry out the present invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

Throughout the specification, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word "comprise" or "include" and variations, such as "comprises", "comprising", "includes" or "including", means the further inclusion of stated constituent elements, not the exclusion of any other constituent elements.

In the present specification, the term 'p to q' means 'p or more and q or less'.

In the present specification, a configuration in which the first electrode and the second electrode are stacked such that the first electrode and the second electrode are alternately disposed between the folded separators is referred to as zigzag stacking.

The folded separators may mean separators stacked while overlapping one another in a zigzag manner. More specifically, the separators are stacked in a zigzag manner while being folded in a shape in which the separators are alternately disposed at a left side of a stacking axis and a right side of the stacking axis based on the stacking axis. Further, the first and second electrodes are alternately disposed and stacked between the stacked separators. In this case, the stacking axis means an axis parallel to a direction in which the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode are stacked. The stacking axis means an imaginary axis passing through a center of the stack in which the electrodes and the separator are stacked.

In the present specification, the term "heating" means a heating process.

In the present specification, the term "stack" may correspond to an incomplete electrode assembly. In addition, in the present specification, a case in which a step of heating and pressing the stack is completed may represent a complete electrode assembly. Unless otherwise particularly mentioned, the electrode assembly in the present specification means a complete electrode assembly.

Further, in the description of the present invention, the specific descriptions of well-known related technologies will be omitted when it is determined that the specific descriptions may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention.

As recited in claim <NUM>, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing an electrode assembly, the method including: manufacturing a stack by stacking first electrodes, separators, and second electrodes on a stack table so that the first electrodes and the second electrodes are alternately disposed between the folded separators; fixing the stack on the stack table by gripping a first area of the stack by means of a first gripper; heating and pressing only a second area of the stack fixed by the first gripper; releasing the first area of the stack by releasing the first gripper after the heating and pressing of the second area of the stack are completed; fixing the stack to the stack table by gripping the second area of the stack by means of a second gripper; and heating and pressing only the first area of the stack fixed by the second gripper, in which the first and second areas partially overlap each other or are different from each other.

In the present specification, the first and second areas mean areas of the stack fixed by the first or second gripper when the stack is made by alternately disposing and stacking the first and second electrodes between the folded separators.

Specifically, the separator, the first electrode, and the second electrode of the stack may be fixed by being gripped by the first gripper. In this case, the fixed area is defined as the first area. The separator, the first electrode, and the second electrode of the stack may be fixed by being gripped by the second gripper. In this case, the fixed area is defined as the second area.

That is, according to the present invention, the electrode assembly is manufactured by means of a process of distinguishing a predetermined area of the stack to be heated and pressed, when the stack is made by alternately disposing and stacking the first and second electrodes between the separators, so that the gripper is not heated or pressed.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem in which the separator is creased or a position of the electrode is distorted during a process of zigzag folding and positioning the separator between the first and second electrodes. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture the electrode assemblies having uniform performance, improve energy density, and prevent the electrode of the electrode assembly from protruding to an external appearance of a battery.

In the present specification, the configuration in which the first area and the second area partially overlap means that boundaries between the first and second areas may partially overlap one another during the process of heating and pressing the stack in which the first and second electrodes are alternately disposed and stacked.

In the present specification, the configuration in which the first and second areas are different from each other means that the first and second areas are completely different from each other during the process of heating and pressing the stack made by alternately disposing and stacking the first and second electrodes, such that the second area is not heated and pressed while the first area is heated and pressed, and in contrast, the first area is not heated and pressed while the second area is heated and pressed.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the first and second areas may be different from each other. That is, in case that the first and second areas are different from each other, the gripper is not heated and pressed, and no area occurs on which heating and pressing are repeatedly applied, which may more effectively prevent damage to the electrode or separator or the crease of the separator.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the method further including: supplying the first electrode to the stack table; supplying the second electrode to the stack table; and supplying the separator to the stack table, in which the manufacturing of the stack by stacking the first electrodes, the separators, and the second electrodes on the stack table so that the first and second electrodes are alternately disposed between the folded separators includes: continuously supplying the separator, which is supplied to the stack table, to the stack table; rotating the stack table to one side to allow the stack table to face the first electrode when the first electrode is stacked on the stack table; and rotating the stack table to the other side to allow the stack table to face the second electrode when the second electrode is stacked, and in which the rotating of the stack table to one side to allow the stack table to face the first electrode and the rotating of the stack table to the other side to allow the stack table to face the second electrode when the second electrode is stacked may be alternately performed.

That is, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include the supplying of the first electrode to the stack table; the supplying of the second electrode to the stack table; and the supplying of the separator to the stack table.

In this case, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the supplying of the first electrode to the stack table, the supplying of the second electrode to the stack table, and the supplying of the separator to the stack table may respectively supply the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator to the stack table while heating the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator. That is, the method may supply the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator while heating the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the supplying of the first electrode to the stack table may include supplying the first electrode to the stack table while heating the first electrode.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the supplying of the second electrode to the stack table may include supplying the second electrode to the stack table while heating the second electrode.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the supplying of the separator to the stack table may include supplying the separator to the stack table while heating the separator.

In case that the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator are heated and supplied to the stack table, the process of heating and pressing the stack may be more efficiently performed, which may reduce process costs and time.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the heating and pressing of only the first or second area of the stack may include: heating the stack by heating the stack table body; and surface-pressing only the first or second area of the stack by moving a pair of pressing blocks in a direction in which the pair of pressing blocks face each other.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the heating and pressing of only the first or second area of the stack may be performed under a condition of a temperature of <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less, particularly <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the heating and pressing of only the first or second area of the stack may be performed under a condition of pressure of <NUM> MPa or more and <NUM> MPa or less, particularly <NUM> MPa or more and <NUM> MPa or less.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the heating and pressing of only the first or second area of the stack may be performed for <NUM> seconds or more and <NUM> seconds or less, particularly <NUM> seconds or more and <NUM> seconds or less.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the heating and pressing of only the first or second area of the stack may include heating and pressing the stack for <NUM> seconds to <NUM> seconds under a condition of a temperature of <NUM> to <NUM> and a condition of pressure of <NUM> MPa to <NUM> MPa, particularly for <NUM> seconds to <NUM> seconds under a condition of a temperature of <NUM> to <NUM> and under a condition of pressure of <NUM> MPa to <NUM> MPa. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

When the temperature, pressure, and time conditions are satisfied, it is possible to minimize damage to a unit electrode, which constitutes the electrode assembly, and ensure both a bonding force and permeability at an appropriate level between the electrode and the separator that constitute the electrode assembly.

<FIG> is a top plan view exemplarily illustrating an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a front view illustrating a concept of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In this case, for convenience, a separator supply part <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is omitted in <FIG>. A gripper <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is omitted in <FIG>. A press part <NUM> positioned at a rear side in the top plan view is indicated by the dotted line.

With reference to <FIG>, an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a stack table <NUM>, the separator supply part <NUM> configured to supply the separator <NUM> while heating the separator <NUM>, a first electrode supply part <NUM> configured to supply the first electrode <NUM> while heating the first electrode <NUM>, a second electrode supply part <NUM> configured to supply the second electrode <NUM> while heating the second electrode <NUM>, a first electrode stacking part <NUM> configured to stack the first electrode <NUM> on the stack table <NUM>, a second electrode stacking part <NUM> configured to stack the second electrode <NUM> on the stack table <NUM>, and the press part <NUM> configured to bond the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM>. In addition, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include the gripper <NUM> configured to fix the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> when the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> are stacked on the stack table <NUM>.

In the present invention, the gripper includes a first gripper configured to fix the first area of the stack, and a second gripper configured to fix the second area of the stack. The materials or operating methods of the first and second grippers may be identical to each other, except that the areas to be fixed are different from each other.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view exemplarily illustrating an electrode assembly manufactured by the electrode assembly manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In addition, the embodiment of the present invention provides the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus that manufactures the electrode assembly by stacking the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode and includes: the stack table on which the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode are stacked in the form of the stack in which the first and second electrodes are alternately disposed between the folded separators; the first gripper configured to grip the first area of the stack and fix the stack to the stack table; the second gripper configured to grip the second area of the stack and fix the stack to the stack table; and the press part positioned between the first gripper and the second gripper and configured to bond the first electrode and the second electrode by heating and pressing only the first or second area of the stack, in which the first and second areas partially overlap each other or are different from each other.

The first and second areas of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention may be different from each other. That is, in case that the first and second areas are different from each other even in the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus, the gripper is not heated and pressed, and no area occurs on which heating and pressing are repeatedly applied, which may more effectively prevent damage to the electrode or separator or the crease of the separator.

When the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention is used, the electrode assembly is manufactured by means of a process of distinguishing a predetermined area of the stack to be heated and pressed, when the stack is made by alternately disposing and stacking the first and second electrodes between the separators, so that the gripper is not heated or pressed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem in which the separator is creased or a position of the electrode is distorted during a process of zigzag folding and positioning the separator between the first and second electrodes. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture the electrode assemblies having uniform performance, improve energy density, and prevent the electrode of the electrode assembly from protruding to an external portion of a battery.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode supply part, which supplies the first electrode, and the second electrode supply part, which supplies the second electrode, may respectively supply the first and second electrodes while heating the first and second electrodes.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode supply part may supply the first electrode while heating the first electrode.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the second electrode supply part may supply the second electrode while heating the second electrode.

Hereinafter, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view exemplarily illustrating an electrode assembly manufactured by the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to <FIG>, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention (see an apparatus for manufacturing the electrode assembly <NUM> by stacking the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM>.

The electrode assembly <NUM> may be a power generation element that may be charged or discharged. The electrode assembly <NUM> may be provided in the form in which the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM> are alternately stacked. In this case, for example, in the electrode assembly <NUM>, the separator <NUM> is folded in a zigzag manner, and the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> are alternately disposed between the folded separators <NUM>. In this case, the separator <NUM> may surround an outermost periphery of the electrode assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a separator supply part of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

See <FIG> and <FIG>, the separator supply part <NUM> may supply the separator <NUM> to the stack table <NUM> while heating the separator <NUM>. In addition, the separator supply part <NUM> may include a separator heating part <NUM> having a passageway through which the separator <NUM> passes and is configured to heat the separator <NUM> passing through the passageway.

The separator heating part <NUM> may include a pair of bodies 121a, and a separator heater 121b configured to heat the bodies 121a. The pair of bodies 121a may be positioned to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined distance so that the separator <NUM> may pass. In this case, for example, the separator <NUM> passes through the separator heating part <NUM> in a non-contact manner, and the separator <NUM> may be heated in a non-contact manner. Meanwhile, for example, the body 121a may be provided in the form of a quadrangular block.

Meanwhile, the separator supply part <NUM> may further include a separator roll <NUM> around which the separator <NUM> is wound. In this case, the separator <NUM> wound around the separator roll <NUM> may be gradually unwound and supplied to the stack table <NUM> while passing through the separator heating part <NUM>.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the stack table may include a heater configured to heat the stack by heating the stack table body. The press part may include a pair of pressing blocks capable of surface-pressing the stack. The surface-pressing on the stack is performed only on the first or second area of the stack, and the first area and the second area are not surface-pressed simultaneously.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an electrode assembly manufacturing method using the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a view illustrating an electrode assembly manufacturing method using an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus in the related art.

That is, with reference to <FIG>, the first area of the stack S, in which the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> are alternately disposed between the folded separators <NUM>, may be gripped and fixed by the first gripper <NUM>, and only the first area of the stack may be heated and pressed by the press part <NUM> positioned between the first gripper <NUM> and the second gripper <NUM>, such that the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM> in the first area may be bonded. Thereafter, the first gripper is released such that the first area of the stack is unfixed, and the second area of the stack is fixed by the second gripper <NUM>. The first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM> in the first area may be bonded by heating and pressing only the second area of the stack by the press part positioned between the first gripper <NUM> and the second gripper <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the gripper from being directly heated and pressed. As described below, the press part <NUM> may include the pair of pressing blocks <NUM> and <NUM>. In this case, a process of moving the stack from the stack table <NUM> to the press part <NUM> may be included.

In contrast, as illustrated in <FIG>, the electrode assembly manufacturing method using the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus in the related art directly heats and presses portions corresponding to the first gripper <NUM> and the second gripper <NUM>. In this case, the gripper portion receives pressure less than pressure applied to the other portions. For this reason, the separator is highly likely to be creased. For reference, the description of the configuration in <FIG> may be applied, except that the portions corresponding to the first gripper <NUM> and the second gripper <NUM> are directly heated and pressed.

That is, in the case that the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus and the electrode assembly manufacturing method according to the present invention are used, it is possible to manufacture the electrode assembly such that the electrodes of the stack, in which the first and second electrodes are alternately disposed between the folded separators, may be fixed without being distorted, and the separator may not be creased.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the press part may include the heater. More specifically, the press part <NUM> may further include press heaters <NUM> and <NUM> configured to heat the pair of pressing blocks <NUM> and <NUM>. The pair of pressing blocks <NUM> and <NUM> may heat and press the stack S of the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM>. Therefore, thermal bonding may be more properly performed between the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM> at the time of pressing the stack S by the press part <NUM>, such that the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM> may be more securely bonded.

That is, the stack table body may be heated, and the press part having the heater may directly heat and press the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode that are stacked, such that the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode <NUM> may be bonded.

In addition, as described above, the press part <NUM> may include the pair of pressing blocks <NUM> and <NUM>. The pair of pressing blocks <NUM> and <NUM> may surface-press the stack S made by stacking the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM> while moving in the directions toward each other.

In this case, in case that the separator <NUM> surrounds an outer surface of the stack S, an outer portion of the separator <NUM> positioned at the outermost periphery of the stack S may be bonded to inner portions of the first electrode <NUM>, the second electrode <NUM>, and the separator <NUM> that face the outer portion of the separator <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively prevent the first electrode <NUM>, the second electrode <NUM>, and the separator <NUM> from deviating from their positions and prevent the stacked state from collapsing during the process of forming the electrode assembly <NUM> by stacking the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM>.

Pressing surfaces of the pair of pressing blocks <NUM> and <NUM> are formed as flat surfaces. Horizontal and vertical lengths of the pressing surface may be longer than horizontal and vertical lengths of the stack S made by stacking the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM>.

Further, the pair of pressing blocks <NUM> and <NUM> may include a first pressing block <NUM> and a second pressing block <NUM>. The first pressing block <NUM> and the second pressing block <NUM> may each be provided in the form of a quadrangular block having a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus may further include: the first electrode supply part configured to supply the first electrode; the second electrode supply part configured to supply the second electrode; the first electrode stacking part configured to stack the first electrode, which is supplied from the first electrode supply part, on the stack table; and the second electrode stacking part configured to stack the second electrode, which is supplied from the second electrode supply part, on the stack table.

In addition, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode supply part may include the first electrode seating table on which the first electrode is seated before the first electrode is stacked on the stack table by the first electrode stacking part. The second electrode supply part may include the second electrode seating table on which the second electrode is seated before the second electrode is stacked on the stack table by the second electrode stacking part.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode stacking part may include a first suction head configured to suck the first electrode seated on the first electrode seating table by vacuum. The second electrode stacking part may include a second suction head configured to suck the second electrode seated on the second electrode seating table by vacuum.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the manufacturing apparatus may further include a rotation part configured to rotate the stack table. The first electrode stacking part is provided at one side of the rotation part, and the second electrode stacking part is provided at the other side of the rotation part, such that the separator may be folded in a zigzag manner so as to be positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. The rotation part may alternately perform the operation of rotating the stack table toward one side to allow the stack table to face the first suction head of the first electrode stacking part at the time of stacking the first electrode and the operation of rotating the stack table toward the other side to allow the stack table to face the second suction head of the second electrode stacking part at the time of stacking the second electrode.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a stack table of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM> may be stacked on the stack table <NUM> so that the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> are alternately disposed between the folded separators <NUM>.

In addition, the stack table <NUM> may include a table body <NUM> on which the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM> are stacked, and a stack table heater <NUM> configured to heat the stack S by heating the table body <NUM>.

The first electrode <NUM> may be a positive electrode, and the second electrode <NUM> may be a negative electrode, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the first electrode <NUM> may be a negative electrode, and the second electrode <NUM> may be a positive electrode.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a first electrode seating table of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first electrode supply part <NUM> may supply the first electrode <NUM> to the first electrode stacking part <NUM> while heating the first electrode <NUM>.

In addition, the first electrode supply part <NUM> may include: a first electrode seating table <NUM> on which the first electrode <NUM> is seated before the first electrode <NUM> is stacked on the stack table <NUM> by the first electrode stacking part <NUM>; and a first electrode heater <NUM> configured to heat the first electrode <NUM> by heating the first electrode seating table <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the first electrode supply part <NUM> may further include: a first electrode roll <NUM> around which the first electrode <NUM> is wound in the form of a sheet; a first cutter <NUM> configured to form the first electrode <NUM> having a predetermined size by cutting the first electrode <NUM> at a predetermined interval when the first electrode <NUM> wound in the form of a sheet around the first electrode roll <NUM> is unwound and supplied; a first conveyor belt <NUM> configured to convey the first electrode <NUM> cut by the first cutter <NUM>; and a first electrode supply head <NUM> configured to suck the first electrode <NUM>, which is conveyed by the first conveyor belt <NUM>, by vacuum and seat the first electrode <NUM> on the first electrode seating table <NUM>. In this case, the first cutter <NUM> may cut the first electrode <NUM> in the form of a sheet so that a first electrode tab 11a protrudes from an end of the first electrode <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a second electrode seating table of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the second electrode supply part <NUM> may supply the second electrode <NUM> to the second electrode stacking part <NUM> while heating the second electrode <NUM>.

In addition, the second electrode supply part <NUM> may include: a second electrode seating table <NUM> on which the second electrode <NUM> is seated before the second electrode <NUM> is stacked on the stack table <NUM> by the second electrode stacking part <NUM>; and a second electrode heater <NUM> configured to heat the second electrode <NUM> by heating the second electrode seating table <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the second electrode supply part <NUM> may further include: a second electrode roll <NUM> around which the second electrode <NUM> is wound in the form of a sheet; a second cutter <NUM> configured to form the second electrode <NUM> having a predetermined size by cutting the second electrode <NUM> at a predetermined interval when the second electrode <NUM> wound in the form of a sheet around the second electrode roll <NUM> is unwound and supplied; a second conveyor belt <NUM> configured to convey the second electrode <NUM> cut by the second cutter <NUM>; and a second electrode supply head <NUM> configured to suck the second electrode <NUM>, which is conveyed by the second conveyor belt <NUM>, by vacuum and seat the second electrode <NUM> on the second electrode seating table <NUM>. In this case, the second cutter <NUM> may cut the second electrode <NUM> in the form of a sheet so that a second electrode tab 12a protrudes from an end of the second electrode <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a first suction head of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a bottom plan view illustrating the first suction head of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the first electrode stacking part <NUM> may stack the first electrode <NUM> on the stack table <NUM>.

In addition, the first electrode stacking part <NUM> may include a first suction head <NUM>, a first head heater <NUM>, and a first movement part <NUM>.

The first suction head <NUM> may suck, by vacuum, the first electrode <NUM> seated on the first electrode seating table <NUM>. In this case, the first suction head <NUM> has a vacuum inlet 151a formed in a bottom surface 151b and sucks the first electrode <NUM> through the vacuum inlet 151a, thereby fixing the first electrode <NUM> on the bottom surface 151b of the first suction head <NUM>. In this case, the first suction head <NUM> may have therein a passageway that connects the vacuum inlet 151a and a vacuum suction device (not illustrated).

The first head heater <NUM> may heat the first suction head <NUM> and heat the first electrode <NUM>, which is sucked by the first suction head <NUM>, by heating the first suction head <NUM>.

The first movement part <NUM> may move the first suction head <NUM> to the stack table <NUM> so that the first suction head <NUM> may stack the first electrode <NUM>, which is seated on the first electrode seating table <NUM>, on the stack table <NUM>.

Meanwhile, with reference to <FIG>, the second electrode stacking part <NUM> may stack the second electrode <NUM> on the stack table <NUM>. In this case, the second electrode stacking part <NUM> may have the same structure as the first electrode stacking part <NUM>. In this case, the second electrode stacking part <NUM> may include a second suction head <NUM>, a second head heater (not illustrated), and a second movement part <NUM>.

The second suction head <NUM> may suck, by vacuum, the second electrode <NUM> seated on the second electrode seating table <NUM>.

The second head heater may heat the second suction head <NUM> and heat the second electrode <NUM>, which is sucked by the second suction head <NUM>, by heating the second suction head <NUM>.

The second movement part <NUM> may move the second suction head <NUM> to the stack table <NUM> so that the second suction head <NUM> may stack the second electrode <NUM>, which is seated on the first electrode seating table <NUM>, on the stack table <NUM>.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus includes the gripper configured to grip the first or second electrode and fix the first or second electrode to the stack table at the time of stacking the first or second electrode on the stack table.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the gripper may press and fix the upper surface of the first electrode stacked at an uppermost side of the stack table at the time of stacking the first electrode on the stack table and press and fix an upper surface of the second electrode stacked at the uppermost side of the stack table at the time of stacking the second electrode on the stack table.

<FIG> is a top plan view illustrating a gripper and the stack table of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the gripper <NUM> may hold and fix the first electrode <NUM> or the second electrode <NUM> to the stack table <NUM> at the time of stacking the first electrode <NUM> or the second electrode <NUM> on the stack table <NUM>.

In addition, the gripper <NUM> may press and fix the upper surface of the first electrode <NUM> stacked at the uppermost side of the stack table <NUM> at the time of stacking the first electrode <NUM> on the stack table <NUM> and press and fix the upper surface of the second electrode <NUM> stacked at the uppermost side of the stack table <NUM> at the time of stacking the second electrode <NUM> on the stack table <NUM>.

That is, at the time of forming the stack so that the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> are stacked to be positioned between the separators <NUM>, the gripper <NUM> may hold the stack by pressing the surface positioned at the uppermost side of the stack in the direction toward the stack table <NUM>, thereby preventing the stack from separating from the stack table <NUM>.

In the present specification, the gripper may be referred to as the first and second grippers in accordance with an area in which the stack is fixed. The above-mentioned description of the gripper may be applied to the functions and operational principles of the first and second grippers.

That is, the gripper <NUM> may include the first gripper <NUM> and the second gripper <NUM> and fix two opposite sides of the first electrode <NUM> or the second electrode <NUM>. However, in the present invention, the gripper may fix only one side without fixing the two opposite sides and perform the heating and pressing processes.

In addition, when the gripper <NUM> holds the first electrode <NUM> or the second electrode <NUM> and then the stack table <NUM> rotates, the separator <NUM> may be unwound from the separator roll <NUM> in proportion to the rotation amount of the stack table <NUM> and supplied to the stack table <NUM>.

Meanwhile, for example, the gripper <NUM> and the stack table <NUM> may be connected or coupled to a rotation device (not illustrated). In this case, for example, the rotation device may be configured as a mandrel. In this case, when the gripper <NUM> holds the first electrode <NUM> or the second electrode <NUM>, the rotation device may rotate the gripper <NUM> and the stack table <NUM>.

An operation of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG>. The separator <NUM> wound around the separator roll <NUM> is supplied while being heated by passing through the separator heating part <NUM> and stacked on the stack table <NUM>, and the separator <NUM> is heated by the heated stack table <NUM>.

Further, when the first electrode <NUM> is heated and supplied from the first electrode supply part <NUM> to the first electrode stacking part <NUM>, the first electrode stacking part <NUM> stacks the first electrode <NUM> on the upper surface of the separator <NUM> stacked on the stack table <NUM> while heating first electrode <NUM>.

In this case, the gripper <NUM> presses the upper surface of the first electrode <NUM>, thereby fixing the first electrode <NUM> so that the first electrode <NUM> does not separate from the stack table <NUM>.

Thereafter, when the stack table <NUM> rotates in the direction toward the second electrode stacking part <NUM>, the separator <NUM> is continuously supplied and covers the upper surface of the first electrode <NUM>.

Further, the second electrode stacking part <NUM> stacks the second electrode <NUM>, which is heated and supplied from the second electrode supply part <NUM>, on a portion of the separator <NUM> that covers the upper surface of the first electrode <NUM>. In this case, the second electrode stacking part <NUM> continuously heats the second electrode <NUM> as the second suction head <NUM> presses and heats the second electrode <NUM>.

In this case, the gripper <NUM>, which presses the upper surface of the first electrode <NUM>, moves away from the pressing portion and then presses the upper surface of the second electrode <NUM>, thereby preventing the stack including the second electrode <NUM> from separating from the stack table <NUM>.

Thereafter, the process of stacking the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> is repeated, such that the separator <NUM> is folded in a zigzag manner, and the stack may be formed in which the separator <NUM> is positioned between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>.

Further, the electrode assembly <NUM> may be manufactured by moving the stack to the press part <NUM> and bonding the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM> which are pressed and heated when the press part <NUM> presses the stack while applying heat to the stack. In this case, the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM>, which are heated, may be thermally bonded as the press part <NUM> presses the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM> while applying heat to the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM>.

The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is configured as described above, stacks the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM> while heating the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM> and bonds the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM> by pressing and heating the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM> by using the press part <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the electrode assembly <NUM> from being unfolded and prevent the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> from deviating from the stacking positions on the electrode assembly <NUM>.

The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a vision device configured to inspect the first electrode or the second electrode. <FIG> is a front view illustrating a concept of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus further including the vision device.

In <FIG>, the gripper is omitted for convenience, and the press part <NUM> positioned at the rear side of the top plan view is indicated by the dotted line.

Referring to <FIG>, an electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus <NUM> may include: the stack table <NUM>, the separator supply part <NUM> configured to supply the separator <NUM>, the first electrode supply part <NUM> configured to supply the first electrode <NUM>, the second electrode supply part <NUM> configured to supply the second electrode <NUM>, the first electrode stacking part <NUM> configured to stack the first electrode <NUM> on the stack table <NUM>, the second electrode stacking part <NUM> configured to stack the second electrode <NUM> on the stack table <NUM>, the press part <NUM> configured to bond the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM>, and the gripper <NUM> configured to fix the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> at the time of stacking the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> on the stack table <NUM> (see <FIG>). The electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus <NUM> may further include a vision device <NUM> configured to vision-inspect the first and second electrodes <NUM> and <NUM> and the rotation part R for rotating the stack table <NUM>.

That is, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus <NUM> in <FIG> differs from the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus <NUM> according to the above-mentioned embodiment in that the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus <NUM> further includes the rotation part R and the vision device <NUM>.

In more detail, the vision device <NUM> of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a first camera <NUM> and a second camera <NUM>.

The first camera <NUM> may capture an image of the first electrode <NUM> seated on the first electrode seating table <NUM> of the first electrode supply part <NUM>. The second camera <NUM> may capture an image of the second electrode <NUM> seated on the second electrode seating table <NUM> of the second electrode supply part <NUM>.

It is possible to inspect the stack quality of the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> on the basis of image information acquired by the first camera <NUM> and the second camera <NUM>. In this case, it is possible to inspect seating position, sizes, stacked states, and the like of the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>.

The rotation part R may rotate the stack table <NUM> in one direction r1 and the other direction r2. In this case, the first electrode stacking part <NUM> may be provided at one side of the rotation part R, and the first electrode stacking part <NUM> may be provided at the other side of the rotation part R.

In addition, the rotation part R may rotate the stack table <NUM> toward one side so that the stack table <NUM> faces the first suction head <NUM> at the time of stacking the first electrode <NUM>. The rotation part R may rotate the stack table <NUM> toward the other side so that the stack table <NUM> faces the second suction head <NUM> at the time of stacking the second electrode <NUM>.

Further, the rotation part R may alternately rotate the stack table <NUM> in the direction toward the first electrode stacking part <NUM> and the direction toward the second electrode stacking part <NUM>, such that the separator <NUM> may be folded in a zigzag manner (zig zag folding) so as to be positioned between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>.

Hereinafter, an operation of the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the separator <NUM> wound around the separator roll <NUM> is supplied while being heated by passing through the separator heating part <NUM> and stacked on the stack table <NUM>, and the separator <NUM> is heated by the heated stack table <NUM>.

In addition, when the first electrode <NUM> is supplied and seated on the first electrode seating table <NUM> of the first electrode supply part <NUM>, the vision device <NUM> is used to inspect stacking quality of the first electrode <NUM>. In this case, the first electrode <NUM> is heated by the first electrode seating table <NUM> heated by the first electrode heater <NUM>.

Further, when the heated first electrode <NUM> is supplied to the first electrode stacking part <NUM>, the first electrode stacking part <NUM> stacks the first electrode <NUM> on the upper surface of the separator <NUM> stacked on the stack table <NUM>.

In this case, the first gripper <NUM> presses the upper surface of the first electrode <NUM>, thereby fixing the stack so that the first electrode <NUM> does not separate from the stack table <NUM>.

Thereafter, when the rotation part R rotates the stack table <NUM> in the direction toward the second electrode stacking part <NUM>, the separator <NUM> is continuously supplied and covers the upper surface of the first electrode <NUM>.

Meanwhile, when the second electrode <NUM> is supplied and seated on the second electrode seating table <NUM> of the second electrode supply part <NUM>, the vision device <NUM> is used to inspect stacking quality of the second electrode <NUM>. In this case, the second electrode <NUM> is heated by the second electrode seating table <NUM> heated by the second electrode heater.

Further, when the heated second electrode <NUM> is supplied to the second electrode stacking part <NUM>, the second electrode stacking part <NUM> stacks the second electrode <NUM> on the upper surface of the separator <NUM> stacked on the stack table <NUM>.

Thereafter, the process of stacking the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> while rotating the stack table <NUM> is repeated, such that the separator <NUM> is folded in a zigzag manner, and the stack may be formed in which the separator <NUM> is positioned between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>.

Further, the electrode assembly <NUM> may be manufactured by moving the stack to the press part <NUM> and bonding the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM> which are pressed and heated when the press part <NUM> presses the stack while applying heat to the stack. In this case, the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM>, which are heated, may be thermally bonded as the press part <NUM> presses the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM> while applying heat to the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM> (see <FIG>).

In this case, only the first area of the stack, in which the first and second electrodes are alternately disposed between the folded separators, is fixed by the first gripper, and only the second area of the stack is heated and pressed. Thereafter, only the second area of the stack is fixed by the second gripper, and only the first area of the stack is heated and pressed.

As described above, the boundaries between the first and second areas may partially overlap. However, the first and second areas may be different from each other so that there are no areas that overlap.

That is, the electrode assembly manufacturing apparatus <NUM> also manufactures the electrode assembly while distinguishing the area in which the stack is fixed and the area in which the stack is heated and pressed, similar to the above-mentioned method, except that the vision device is provided.

Claim 1:
A method of manufacturing an electrode assembly (<NUM>), the method comprising:
manufacturing a stack (S) by stacking first electrodes (<NUM>), separators (<NUM>), and second electrodes (<NUM>) on a stack table (<NUM>) so that the first electrodes (<NUM>) and the second electrodes (<NUM>) are alternately disposed between the folded separators (<NUM>);
fixing the stack (S) on the stack table (<NUM>) by gripping a first area of the stack (S) by means of a first gripper (<NUM>);
heating and pressing only a second area of the stack (S) fixed by the first gripper (<NUM>);
releasing the first area of the stack (S) by releasing the first gripper (<NUM>) after the heating and pressing of the second area of the stack (S) are completed;
fixing the stack (S) to the stack table (<NUM>) by gripping the second area of the stack (S) by means of a second gripper (<NUM>); and
heating and pressing only the first area of the stack (S) fixed by the second gripper (<NUM>),
wherein the first and second areas partially overlap each other or are different from each other.