Patent Description:
A prior art technology is disclosed in <CIT>.

In general, types of secondary batteries include a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-hydrogen battery, a lithium-ion battery, a lithium-ion polymer battery and so on. Such secondary batteries have been applied to and used in not only small products such as digital camera, P-DVD, MP3P, mobile phone, PDA, portable game device, power tool and E-bike, but also large products, such as electric vehicle and hybrid vehicle, which require higher powers, energy storage devices for storing surplus electricity or new renewable energy, and energy storage devices for backup.

In order to manufacture such a secondary battery, a positive electrode collector and a negative electrode collector are coated with electrode active material slurry to make a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and then the positive electrode and the negative electrode are stacked alternately with a separator therebetween to form an electrode assembly having a predetermined shape. Thereafter, a battery case accommodates the electrode assembly and is sealed after injection of an electrolyte to manufacture the secondary battery.

The secondary batteries are classified into a pouch type, a can type, etc., according to a material of the case for accommodating the electrode assembly. A pouch type secondary battery is manufactured so that an electrode assembly is accommodated and sealed in a pouch made of a flexible polymer material, and a can type secondary battery is manufactured so that an electrode assembly is accommodated in a case made of a material such as metal or plastic.

The pouch to be provided as a case of the pouch type secondary battery is manufactured so that one or two cup parts are formed by press processing of a pouch film having flexibility. After the cup part is formed, an accommodation space of the cup part accommodates an electrode assembly, and a circumferential part of a side thereof is sealed to manufacture the secondary battery.

Referring to <FIG> illustrating configurations before and after an electrode assembly is mounted in a pouch, a material of the pouch <NUM> is modified by press to form a first cup part <NUM> and a second cup part <NUM>, each of which is formed in a concave shape to have a predetermined size of a space formed therein, and unpressed parts form a first circumferential part 1a and a second circumferential part 2a along circumferences.

In addition, when an electrode assembly <NUM> is mounted in the first cup part <NUM>, the second cup part <NUM> is folded along a connection part <NUM> that is a portion folded between the first cup part <NUM> and the second cup part <NUM>, and the first circumferential part 1a and the second circumferential part 2a are in contact with each other. Thereafter, heat and pressure are applied to the first circumferential part 1a and the second circumferential part 2a in contact with each other, followed by sealing.

Meanwhile, referring to <FIG> illustrating configurations in which a pouch is being folded according to a conventional method, a conventional folding device has a structure in which an upper nest <NUM> and a lower nest <NUM> are coupled through a guide <NUM> (50a and 50b), and one side part 50b of the guide is coupled to the upper nest <NUM> and another side part 50a is coupled to the lower nest <NUM>. In addition, the guide <NUM> has a structure in which a support protrusion <NUM> protrudes to support a bottom surface of a connection part <NUM>. One side part 51b of the support protrusion <NUM> protrudes from the one side part 50b of the guide, and another side part 51a protrudes from the other side part 50a of the guide.

In a state where the first cup part <NUM>, the second cup part <NUM> and the connection part <NUM> are placed on the lower nest <NUM>, the upper nest <NUM> and the support protrusion <NUM>, when the upper nest <NUM> rotates, the connection part <NUM> is folded so that the second cup part <NUM> is placed on the first cup part <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

However, in such a conventional structure, there has been a case where the connection part <NUM> is separated from the support protrusion <NUM> during rotation of the upper nest <NUM> and is thus incompletely folded. In particular, since there might be a difference in separation occurrence rate, etc. according to flexibility, strength, etc. of the pouch <NUM>, there has been a problem that the consistent folding quality is difficult to secure.

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a device for folding a pouch, which is capable of solving the problem of incomplete folding caused by separation of a connection part from a support protrusion.

According to the present invention for solving the problems as described above, a device for folding a pouch which has a first cup part and a second cup part, each having a concavely recessed shape to accommodate an electrode assembly, and in which a first circumferential part is formed flat along a circumference of the first cup part and a second circumferential part is formed flat along a circumference of the second cup part, includes: a lower nest on which the first cup part is seated; an upper nest on which the second cup part is seated; a guide provided with a first guide fixed to the lower nest and having a first protrusion protruding upwardly therefrom, and a second guide fixed to the upper nest and having a second protrusion protruding upwardly therefrom, the first protrusion and the second protrusion which protrude from the first guide and the second guide being in close contact with each other to form a support protrusion; and a pressing part that allows a connection part of the first circumferential part and the second circumferential part to be in close contact with the support protrusion when the first cup part and the second cup part are seated on the lower nest and the upper nest, respectively. In a state where the pressing part allows the connection part to be in close contact with the support protrusion, the upper nest rotates so that the second cup part is folded to be on the first cup part.

When the first guide and the second guide are in horizontal contact with each other, the lower nest and the upper nest may be horizontal.

The first protrusion may protrude from the first guide, the second protrusion may protrude from the second guide, and the first protrusion and the second protrusion may be in close contact with each other to form the support protrusion, wherein, when the upper nest rotates, the first protrusion and the second protrusion in close contact with each other may be separated to be spread apart from each other.

The first protrusion may be formed integrally with the first guide, and the second protrusion may be formed integrally with the second guide.

The first protrusion and the second protrusion may respectively define, as slopes, surfaces in contact with the first cup part and the second cup part so that the support protrusion has a cross-sectional shape getting sharper towards an end.

A first corner formed between surfaces that are perpendicular to each other as the first protrusion protrudes from the first guide, and a second corner formed between surfaces that are perpendicular to each other as the second protrusion protrudes from the second guide, may be formed to be curved surfaces.

The pressing part may include a body part that allows the connection part of the first circumferential part and the second circumferential part to be in close contact with the support protrusion and an extension part that extends from the body part and allows a sidewall surface of the first cup part to be in close contact with the first protrusion when the body part presses the connection part.

A seating groove may be formed between the extension part and the body part so that an upper end of the support protrusion is seated thereon.

A first corner may be formed between surfaces that are perpendicular to each other as the first protrusion protrudes from the first guide, and when the body part of the pressing part allows the connection part to be in close contact with the support protrusion, the extension part may allow the first cup part to be in close contact with the first corner.

In addition, the pressing part may be configured so that an end protrudes from the extension part to such an extent that when the extension part is in close contact with the first protrusion, the body part is in contact only with the first protrusion and not in contact with the second protrusion.

The pouch may be manufactured by stacking an inner layer made of a polymer; an outer layer made of a different type of a polymer from the inner layer; and a metal layer stacked between the inner layer and an outer layer and made of an aluminum material.

Alternatively, a device for folding a pouch provided in the present invention may include a guide in which a second guide is omitted and a first guide is included alone.

That is, the device for folding the pouch according to the present invention may include a lower nest, an upper nest, and a pressing part, and the guide may be included in a configuration fixed to the lower nest and having a support protrusion protruding upwardly.

The present invention having the technical features as above may prevent the separation phenomenon of the connection part because the pressing part allows the connection part to be in close contact with the support protrusion during the rotation of the upper nest.

The first protrusion and the second protrusion respectively define, as slopes, surfaces in contact with the first cup part and the second cup part so that the support protrusion has the cross-sectional shape getting sharper towards the end thereof. Accordingly, the first protrusion and the second protrusion may be brought into closer contact with the outside surfaces of the first cup part and the second cup part.

The pressing part may include the body part that allow the connection part of the first circumferential part and the second circumferential part to be in close contact with the support protrusion and the extension part that extends from the body part and allows the sidewall surface of the first cup part to be in close contact with the first protrusion when the body part presses the connection part. Accordingly, the wider portion (e.g., the inner surface of the first cup part) is brought into close contact with the support protrusion, and thus the connection part may be more stably supported on the support protrusion during the folding.

In addition, the seating groove may be formed between the extension part and the body part so that the upper end of the support protrusion is seated thereon. Accordingly, the pressing part may be stably supported on the support protrusion.

Moreover, the first corner may be formed between the surfaces that are perpendicular to each other as the first protrusion protrudes from the first guide, and when the body part of the pressing part allows the connection part to be in close contact with the support protrusion, the extension part may allow the first cup part to be in close contact with the first corner. Accordingly, the separation of the pressing part may be prevented, and the deformation of the first cup part may be prevented.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to enable those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains to easily carry out the present invention.

The parts unrelated to the description will be ruled out in order to clearly describe the present invention. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the whole specification.

Moreover, terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be restrictively interpreted as ordinary meanings or dictionary-based meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts conforming to the scope of the present invention on the basis of the principle that an inventor can properly define the concept of a term to describe and explain his or her invention in the best ways.

The present invention relates to a device for folding a pouch <NUM> which has a first cup part <NUM> and a second cup part <NUM>, each having a concave shape to accommodate an electrode assembly, and in which a first circumferential part 1a is formed flat along a circumference of the first cup part <NUM>, and a second circumferential part 2a is formed flat along a circumference of the second cup part <NUM>. Hereinafter, the device for folding the pouch according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As in <FIG> illustrating configurations in which a pouch is being folded in a state where a pressing part supports a connection part, a folding device according to the present invention includes a lower nest <NUM>, an upper nest <NUM>, a guide <NUM> and a pressing part <NUM>.

The lower nest <NUM> is sized to have the first cup part <NUM> of the pouch <NUM> seated thereon, and defines a seating surface as a flat surface. The upper nest <NUM> is sized to have the second cup part <NUM> of the pouch <NUM> seated thereon, and defines a seating surface as a flat surface.

The guide <NUM> includes a first guide 50a and a second guide 50b. The first guide 50a has a structure fixed to one side (i.e., one side facing the upper nest) of the lower nest <NUM> and having a first protrusion 51a protruding upwardly therefrom.

The second guide 50b is fixed to one side (i.e., one side facing the lower nest) of the upper nest <NUM> and has a second protrusion 51b protruding upwardly therefrom. When the upper nest <NUM> and the lower nest <NUM> are placed to be parallel to each other, the first guide 50a and the second guide 50b are in close contact with each other. When the upper nest <NUM> rotates, the first guide 50a and the second guide 50b may be spread apart.

That is, in the guide <NUM>, the first guide 50a and the second guide 50b can be in close contact with and separated from each other (being separated herein means being spread apart so that an angle formed therebetween increases as illustrated in <FIG>). The first protrusion 51a and the second protrusion 51b form the support protrusion <NUM> in a state in close contact with each other.

In addition, the pressing part <NUM> further provided in the present invention approaches a connection part <NUM> of the first circumferential part 1a and the second circumferential part 2a to allow the connection part <NUM> to be in close contact with the support protrusion <NUM> when the first cup part <NUM> and the second cup part <NUM> are seated on the lower nest <NUM> and the upper nest <NUM>, respectively.

Thus, as illustrated in <FIG>, in a state where the first cup part <NUM> and the second cup part <NUM> are seated on the lower nest <NUM> and the upper nest <NUM>, respectively, and the connection part <NUM> is placed on the support protrusion <NUM>, the pressing part <NUM> comes to allow the connection part <NUM> to be in close contact with the support protrusion <NUM>.

In addition, the upper nest <NUM> starts to rotate so that the second cup part <NUM> is folded onto the first cup part <NUM>. The pressing part <NUM> is separated before the upper nest <NUM> is in contact with the pressing part <NUM>. The upper nest <NUM> rotates upwardly until being parallel with the lower nest <NUM>.

Meanwhile, when the first guide 50a and the second guide 50b provided in the present invention are in horizontal contact with each other, the lower nest <NUM> and the upper nest <NUM> are horizontal. The first guide 50a is formed integrally to have the first protrusion 51a protruding therefrom, and the second guide 50b is formed integrally to have the second protrusion 51b protruding therefrom. Accordingly, the first protrusion 51a and the second protrusion 51b are brought into close contact with each other to form the support protrusion <NUM>. In addition, when the upper nest <NUM> rotates, the first protrusion 51a and the second protrusion 51b in close contact with each other are separated to be spread apart from each other. Here, the first protrusion 51a and the second protrusion 51b in close contact with each other being separated to be spread apart from each other means that the second protrusion 51b is separated to be spread apart from the first protrusion 51a while rotating with the rotation of the upper nest <NUM>, and in particular, may mean that the second protrusion 51b rotates about end portions, serving as a center of rotation, protruding from the first protrusion 51a and the second protrusion 51b, and accordingly is separated so that an angle between the first protrusion 51a and the second protrusion 51b increases. Moreover, the pressing part <NUM> provided in the present invention may include only a body part <NUM> having a shape getting sharper towards an end, and may further include an extension part <NUM> extending from the body part <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> illustrating configurations in which the pouch <NUM> is being folded in a state where the pressing part <NUM> having an extension part <NUM> formed therein supports the connection part <NUM>, <FIG> illustrating the configuration in which a pressing part <NUM> having an extension part <NUM> formed therein is in contact with the support protrusion <NUM>, and <FIG> illustrating a configuration in which the pressing part <NUM> having an extension part <NUM> formed therein is spaced apart from the support protrusion <NUM>, the pressing part <NUM> provided in the present invention includes a body part <NUM> that allows a connection part <NUM> of a first circumferential part 1a and a second circumferential part 2a to be in close contact with a support protrusion <NUM> and the extension part <NUM> that extends along one side of the body part <NUM> so that the area become larger, and allows a sidewall surface of a first cup part <NUM> to be in close contact with a first protrusion 51a when the body part <NUM> presses the connection part <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the extension part <NUM> allows an outer surface of the first cup part <NUM> to be in close contact with a side surface of the support protrusion <NUM> when the body part <NUM> allows the connection part <NUM> to be in close contact with the support protrusion <NUM>. Accordingly, the likelihood of separation that may occur in the first cup part <NUM> may be further decreased.

In addition, as more clearly illustrated in <FIG>, a seating groove <NUM> is formed between the extension part <NUM> and the body part <NUM> so that an upper end of the support protrusion <NUM> is seated thereon. The seating groove <NUM> enables the pressing part <NUM> to be seated on the support protrusion <NUM> so that the extension part <NUM> may be held on the support protrusion <NUM> when the body part <NUM> supports the connection part <NUM>. Accordingly, the pressing part <NUM> may be more stably kept in a fixed position.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in the present invention, the first protrusion 51a and the second protrusion 51b respectively define, as slopes, surfaces in contact with the first cup part <NUM> and the second cup part <NUM> so that the support protrusion <NUM> has a cross-sectional shape getting sharper towards an end.

That is, after processed by press, the first cup part <NUM> and the second cup part <NUM> are cooled and contracted to have a configuration in which a slight upward slope is formed, not a fully perpendicular configuration. Accordingly, the first protrusion 51a and the second protrusion 51b define, as slopes, surfaces in contact with the first cup part <NUM> and the second cup part <NUM> so as to be in close contact with outer surfaces of the first cup part <NUM> and the second cup part <NUM> to avoid an occurrence of an unnecessary gap.

In addition, for the same reason (in consideration of contraction after the press processing, or intentionally), corner portions of the first cup part <NUM> and the second cup part <NUM> have a structure rounded with a predetermined curvature. Accordingly, in order for the support protrusion <NUM> to be in close contact with the rounded portions of the first cup part <NUM> and the second cup part <NUM>, a first corner 52a formed between surfaces that are perpendicular to each other as the first protrusion 51a protrudes from the first guide 50a, and a second corner 52b formed between surfaces that are perpendicular to each other as the second protrusion 51b protrudes from the second guide 50b, are formed to be curved surfaces.

As shown in <FIG> illustrating a configuration in which an extension part <NUM> formed in a pressing part <NUM> extends to a first corner 52a, the extension part <NUM> may have an extending structure to allow the first cup part <NUM> to be in close contact with the first corner 52a when the body part <NUM> of the pressing part allows the connection part <NUM> to be in close contact with the support protrusion <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the pouch <NUM> provided in the present invention may have a structure in which an inner layer made of a polymer, an outer layer made of a different type of a polymer from the inner layer, and a metal layer stacked between the inner layer and an outer layer and made of an aluminum material, are stacked, and be manufactured so that the inner layer constitutes a sealant layer, and the outer layer constitutes a drawing assistance layer and a surface protection layer, and the metal layer constitutes a moisture barrier layer.

The sealant layer formed by the inner layer may be made of a polymer and formed as an innermost layer to be in direct contact with an electrode assembly. Since the sealant layer is in direct contact with the electrode assembly, the sealant layer has insulating nature and corrosion resistance against an electrolyte. Since the inside needs to be completely sealed to block material movement between the inside and the outside, the sealant layer has high sealability. Such a sealant layer may be made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, acryl-based polymer, polyacrylonitrile, polyimide, polyamide, cellulose, aramid, nylon, polyester, poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole), polyarylate, Teflon, and glass fiber.

The moisture barrier layer formed by the metal layer provides functions of securing the mechanical strength of the pouch <NUM>, blocking entry and exit of gas, moisture, etc. outside the pouch <NUM>, and preventing leakage of an electrolyte.

The surface protection layer included in the outer layer is formed as an outermost layer to protect the pouch <NUM> from friction and collision with the exterior and to electrically insulate an electrode assembly from the outside. In addition, the drawing assistance layer which may be included in the outer layer is located between the surface protection layer and the moisture barrier layer and provides a function of preventing the surface protection layer and the moisture barrier layer from being detached when drawn.

The present invention having the technical features as above may prevent a separation phenomenon of the connection part <NUM>, since the pressing part <NUM> allows the connection part <NUM> to be in close contact with the support protrusion <NUM> during rotation of the upper nest <NUM>.

The first protrusion 51a and the second protrusion 51b respectively define, as slopes, surfaces in contact with the first cup part <NUM> and the second cup part <NUM> so that the support protrusion <NUM> has a cross-sectional shape getting sharper towards an end. Accordingly, the first protrusion 51a and the second protrusion 51b may be brought into closer contact with outside surfaces of the first cup part <NUM> and the second cup part <NUM>.

In addition, the protrusion length of the body part <NUM> of the pressing part <NUM> may be restricted so that an interference to rotation of the second cup part <NUM> does not occur when the connection part <NUM> is in close with the support protrusion <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> illustrating a configuration in which the pressing part <NUM> having the body part <NUM> formed relatively shorter than the structure of the pressing part <NUM> described above is in contact with a support protrusion <NUM>, the pressing part <NUM> may be formed a litter shorter than the embodiment described above so as to prevent occurrence of interference to folding of the connection part <NUM> according to the thickness or material of a pouch and to enable adjustment of a portion at which the connection part <NUM> starts to be bent.

That is, the pressing part <NUM> may be provided in a structure where the length of an end protruding from the extension part <NUM> is restricted to such an extent that when the extension part <NUM> is in close contact with the first protrusion 51a, the body part <NUM> is in contact only with the first protrusion 51a and not in contact with the second protrusion 51b.

In addition, a device for folding a pouch provided in the present invention may include a guide in which a second guide 50b is omitted and a first guide 50a is included alone.

That is, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the pressing part <NUM> may press the connection part <NUM> on a surface of the first protrusion 51a during rotation of the second cup part <NUM>, and thus the second guide 50b may be omitted.

Here, the first protrusion 51a may protrude only from the first guide 50a and have a shape of a combination with the second protrusion 51b.

Therefore, the device for folding the pouch in which the second guide 50b is omitted includes a lower nest on which the first cup part is seated, an upper nest on which the second cup part is seated therein, and a pressing part that allows a connection part of a first circumferential part and a second circumferential part to be in close contact with a support protrusion when the first cup part and the second cup part are seated on the lower nest and the upper nest, respectively. Here, the guide may be included in a configuration consisting only of a first guide, that is, in a structure where the guide is fixed to the lower nest and a first protrusion 51a protruding upwardly therefrom forms a support protrusion <NUM>.

Alternatively, a guide <NUM> may include a second guide 50b together with a first guide 50a, and be provided in a structure where a first protrusion 51a is formed only on the first guide 50a and a second protrusion 51b is not be formed on the second guide 50b.

In the present invention having the configuration as above, the pressing part <NUM> includes a body part <NUM> that allows a connection part <NUM> of a first circumferential part 1a and a second circumferential part 2a to be in close contact with a support protrusion <NUM> and an extension part <NUM> that extends from the body part <NUM> and allows a sidewall surface of a first cup part <NUM> to be in close contact with a first protrusion 51a when the body part <NUM> presses the connection part <NUM>. Accordingly, a wider portion is brought into close contact with the support protrusion <NUM>, and thus the connection part may be more stably supported during folding.

In addition, a seating groove <NUM> is formed between the extension part <NUM> and the body part <NUM> so that an upper end of the support protrusion <NUM> is seated thereon. Accordingly, the pressing part <NUM> may be stably supported on the support protrusion <NUM>.

Moreover, a first corner 52a is formed between surfaces that are perpendicular to each other as the first protrusion 51a protrudes from the first guide 50a, and when the body part <NUM> of the pressing part <NUM> allows the connection part <NUM> to be in close contact with the support protrusion, the extension part <NUM> allows the first cup part <NUM> to be in close contact with the first corner 52a. Accordingly, separation of the pressing part <NUM> may be prevented, and deformation of the first cup part <NUM> may be prevented.

Claim 1:
A device for folding a pouch (<NUM>) which has a first cup part (<NUM>) and a second cup part (<NUM>), each having a concavely recessed shape to accommodate an electrode assembly (<NUM>), and in which a first circumferential part (1a) is formed flat along a circumference of the first cup part (<NUM>), and a second circumferential part (2a) is formed flat along a circumference of the second cup part (<NUM>), the device comprising,
a lower nest (<NUM>) configured to seat the first cup part (<NUM>) thereon;
an upper nest (<NUM>) configured to seat the second cup part (<NUM>) thereon;
a guide (<NUM>) provided with a first guide (50a) fixed to the lower nest (<NUM>) and having a first protrusion (51a) protruding upwardly therefrom, and a second guide (50b) fixed to the upper nest (<NUM>) and having a second protrusion (51b) protruding upwardly therefrom, the first protrusion (51a) and the second protrusion (51b) which protrude from the first guide (50a) and the second guide (50b) being in close contact with each other to form a support protrusion (<NUM>); and
a pressing part (<NUM>) that allows a connection part (<NUM>) of the first circumferential part (1a) and the second circumferential part (2a) to be in close contact with the support protrusion (<NUM>) when the first cup part (<NUM>) and the second cup part (<NUM>) are seated on the lower nest (<NUM>) and the upper nest (<NUM>), respectively,
wherein in a state where the pressing part (<NUM>) allows the connection part (<NUM>) to be in close contact with the support protrusion (<NUM>), the upper nest (<NUM>) rotates so that the second cup part (<NUM>) is folded onto the first cup part (<NUM>).