Patent ID: 12221308

In the present application, it should be understood that the terms “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” etc. specify the presence of stated features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

In addition, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to parts that perform similar functions or operations. In the case in which one part is said to be connected to another part in the specification, not only may the one part be directly connected to the other part, but also, the one part may be indirectly connected to the other part via a further part. In addition, that a certain element is included does not mean that other elements are excluded, but means that such elements may be further included unless mentioned otherwise.

Hereinafter, an electrode sheet rewinding apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG.1is a front view schematically showing an electrode sheet rewinding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When describing the electrode sheet rewinding apparatus1000according to the present invention in detail with reference toFIG.1, the electrode sheet rewinding apparatus1000includes an idle roller unit100, a bobbin200, a bobbin holder300, a base plate400, a vertical plate500, a touch roll510, and a PET film sensor600.

First, a predetermined length of PET film P is wound around the bobbin200in the state in which the bobbin200is empty before an electrode sheet is rewound therearound.

As previously described, the PET film P is provided in order to use the entirety of the electrode sheet without waste upon unwinding the electrode sheet wound around the bobbin.

Next, the bobbin holder300is located on the base plate400to hold the bobbin200.

In addition, the vertical plate500, which is upright in a vertical direction in a state of being spaced apart from the bobbin holder300by a predetermined distance, is located on the base plate400.

The touch roll510may be attached to one side of the vertical plate500.

The touch roll510, which is configured in the shape of a roller, presses the electrode sheet that is rewound around the bobbin200above the bobbin200in order to prevent meandering of the electrode sheet and to prevent introduction of air between electrode sheet layers.

Meanwhile, the PET film sensor600is coupled to the base plate400or the bobbin holder300to sense the position of the PET film P that is unwound from the bobbin200, thereby providing data necessary to set a movement range of the idle roller unit100.

A laser sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or an optical sensor may be used as the PET film sensor600. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and any of various known sensors capable of detecting the PET film P may be used.

FIG.2is a perspective view of an idle roller unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When describing the position-changeable idle roller unit100according to the present invention in detail with reference toFIG.2, the idle roller unit100includes an idle roller110, a first driving means120, an upper frame130, a second driving means140, a lower frame150, and a guide roller160.

First, the idle roller110contacts the PET film P or the electrode sheet together with the touch roll510to maintain tension of the PET film P or the electrode sheet and to form a tangential line to the PET film or the electrode sheet such that the electrode sheet can be easily rewound. The idle roller is a roller having a width greater than the width of the electrode sheet or the PET film P.

Next, the first driving means120includes a driving shaft121, a first gear122, and an idle roller support123.

Here, the idle roller support123is connected to opposite ends of the driving shaft121, which extends through the first gear122. The driving shaft is rotated together with the first gear122when the first gear is rotated in order to rotate the idle roller support123connected thereto from a position perpendicular to the floor to a position parallel to the floor or from the position parallel to the floor to the position perpendicular to the floor.

In addition, one end of the idle roller support123is connected to the driving shaft, and the other end of the idle roller support is connected to the idle roller110. Consequently, the idle roller110is also rotated with rotation of the idle roller support123, whereby the position of the idle roller110is changed.

Meanwhile, the upper frame130includes an upper frame body131and a second gear132.

The first driving means120is fastened to the upper frame body131, and the second gear132is engaged with the first gear122of the first driving means120in order to drive the first gear122.

The gear ratio of the first gear122to the second gear132and the rotational speed of the second gear may be appropriately adjusted to control the position change speed of the idle roller110.

Next, the second driving means140is located under the upper frame130.

The second driving means140, which is configured to straightly move the upper frame130in a direction parallel to the floor, may be a combination of a linear motion (LM) guide and a motor. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and any of various known devices capable of performing straight reciprocation may be used.

The upper frame130is straightly reciprocated by the second driving means140, and therefore the first driving means120coupled to the upper frame130and the idle roller110coupled to the first driving means120may be straightly reciprocated.

Meanwhile, the lower frame150is coupled to the base plate400, and second driving means140is provided on the lower frame. The lower frame serves to fix and support the idle roller unit100.

In addition, the guide roller160may be coupled to one side of the lower frame150.

The guide roller160is a roller that serves to maintain tension of the electrode sheet together with the idle roller110.

FIGS.3and4are schematic views showing a process of automatically connecting the PET film to the electrode sheet rewinding apparatus using the idle roller unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

When describing a process of automatically connecting the PET film P to the electrode sheet rewinding apparatus to form a roll path for rewinding of the electrode sheet with reference toFIGS.3and4, first, the bobbin200having only the PET film P wound therearound is mounted to the electrode sheet rewinding apparatus1000.

Subsequently, as shown in (a) ofFIG.3, the position of the PET film P is sensed by the PET film sensor600, and the first driving means120is driven based on sensed data in order to rotate the idle roller110so as to be located under the PET film P.

Subsequently, as shown in (b) ofFIG.3, the idle roller110is straightly moved in the direction parallel to the floor using the second driving means140in order to accurately adjust the position of the idle roller.

Subsequently, as shown in (c) ofFIG.4, the PET film P is sufficiently unwound to a position lower than the idle roller110, and then the idle roller110is returned to the original position thereof ((d) ofFIG.4), whereby a roll path of the PET film P for rewinding of the electrode sheet is formed.

Although the specific details of the present invention have been described in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the detailed description thereof discloses only preferred embodiments of the present invention and thus does not limit the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications are possible, without departing from the category and technical idea of the present invention, and it will be obvious that such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1000: Electrode sheet rewinding apparatus100: Idle roller unit110: Idle roller120: First driving means121: Driving shaft122: First gear123: Idle roller support130: Upper frame131: Upper frame body132: Second gear140: Second driving means