Patent ID: 12186838

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may easily implement the present invention.

However, since descriptions of the present invention are merely embodiments for structural or functional description, the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the embodiments described in the context.

For example, since the embodiments may be modified in various ways and may have various forms, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention includes equivalents capable of realizing technical ideas.

In addition, since objects or effects described in the present invention do not mean that a specific embodiment should include all the objects or effects or only such effects, the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto.

In this specification, the embodiments are provided to make the disclosure of the present invention complete and to allow those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains to fully understand the scope of the invention. Further, the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, well-known components, well-known operations, and well-known techniques have not been specifically described in order to avoid obscuring the description of the present invention.

Meanwhile, the meaning of the terms described in the present invention is not limited to the dictionary meaning, and should be understood as follows.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with those in the context of the related art. Unless explicitly defined in the present application, the terms are not interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense.

Hereinafter, a horn fixing device and a horn fixing method of an ultrasonic welding device for a secondary battery tab according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The horn fixing device of the ultrasonic welding device for the secondary battery tab according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an amplifier10for ultrasonic welding of a secondary battery tab, an amplifier through hole113having the amplifier10installed therethrough, a fixing block member110having a pad insertion space part114formed at an upper portion of the amplifier through hole113, wherein the insertion space part114allows an amplifier compression member130to be installed therein, and the amplifier compression member130installed in the pad insertion space part114so as to compress the amplifier10placed in the amplifier through hole113.

FIG.1is a three-dimensional view showing a horn fixing device of an ultrasonic welding device for a secondary battery tab according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,FIG.2is an exploded three-dimensional view showing the horn fixing device of the ultrasonic welding device for the secondary battery tab according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, andFIG.3is a bottom exploded three-dimensional view showing the horn fixing device of the ultrasonic welding device for the secondary battery tab according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown inFIGS.1to3, the horn fixing device of the ultrasonic welding device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the fixing block member110having the amplifier10installed therethrough, the amplifier compression member130installed inside the fixing block member110to compress and fix the amplifier10, and a setting block member150configured to adjust an angle of the amplifier10.

The fixing block member110includes a lower block111and an upper block112separately formed to be a lower portion of the fixing block member110and an upper portion thereof in a vertical direction so that the amplifier10is placed therebetween, the amplifier through hole113formed in the lower block111and the upper block112and configured to allow the amplifier10to be installed therethrough, the pad insertion space part114formed to extend at an upper portion of the amplifier through hole113so as to install the amplifier compression member130therein, guide bolt holes116formed to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance on the upper surface of the upper block112and configured to enable guide bolts142to be fastened to the amplifier compression member130, a plurality of compression bolt holes117formed to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance on the upper surface of the upper block112so as to press the amplifier compression member130in the vertical direction and compress the same.

The fixing block member110includes the lower block111and the upper block112, and the lower block111and the lower block112are respectively formed to be a lower portion of the fixing block member110and an upper portion thereof in the vertical direction based on an imaginary horizontal line of the center of the amplifier through hole113.

The amplifier through hole113is formed in the center of the lower block111and the upper block112to insert the amplifier10through the amplifier through hole113, and the pad insertion space part114is formed in the upper block112and allows a pressure pad unit131configured to compress and fix the amplifier10to be installed therein.

That is, the pad insertion space part114is formed in an inner upper portion of the upper block112, and the pressure pad unit131configured to compress the amplifier10with uniform pressure is installed in the pad insertion space part114.

Vertical bolt holes115are formed on opposite sides of the upper surface of the upper block112so that the upper block112is coupled to the lower block111, and of course, bolts (not shown) fastened to the lower block111are respectively fastened to the vertical bolt holes115.

In addition, the guide bolt holes116and the compression bolt holes117are formed to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance on the upper surface of the upper block112, thereby enabling a compression bolt unit141of the amplifier compression member130to be fastened thereto.

That is, two guide bolt holes116are formed, and three compression bolt holes117are formed between and outside the guide bolt holes116.

A plurality of the compression bolt holes117may be formed, and for example, more than two compression bolt holes117may be formed, as necessary. The plurality of compression bolt holes117are formed in a row at a predetermined distance along a center line of the upper surface of the upper block112. Here, a center line of an ultrasonic oscillator15and the amplifier10and the center line of the upper surface of the upper block112are parallel to each other. The compression bolt holes117are formed to vertically intersect the center line of the ultrasonic oscillator15and the amplifier10.

Accordingly, when first compression bolts145are sequentially fastened to the compression bolt holes117, it is possible to prevent generation of torque that causes the amplifier10to deviate from a preset angle thereof, that is, to prevent a change in the preset angle of the amplifier10. For this reason, a tightening direction of each of the first compression bolts145is configured to vertically intersect the center line of the ultrasonic oscillator15and the amplifier10.

In addition, a horizontal bolt hole118is formed in one surface side of the upper block112, and a bolt (not shown) may be fastened to the horizontal bolt hole118.

FIG.4is an exploded three-dimensional view showing the amplifier compression member of the horn fixing device of the ultrasonic welding device for the secondary battery tab according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,FIG.5is a plan view showing the horn fixing device of the ultrasonic welding device for the secondary battery tab according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,FIG.6is a cross-sectional view showing the horn fixing device of the ultrasonic welding device for the secondary battery tab according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, andFIG.7is a cross-sectional view showing the horn fixing device of the ultrasonic welding device for the secondary battery tab according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown inFIGS.4to7, in order to quickly and accurately fix the position of the amplifier10installed in the amplifier through hole113, the amplifier compression member130is configured so that pressure (or external force) of fixing bolts applied to the amplifier10is uniformly applied thereto to prevent deviation of the amplifier10from a preset angle thereof when the fixing bolts are fastened, thereby making it possible to significantly reduce time of setting the amplifier10therein.

The amplifier compression member130includes the pressure pad unit131installed in the pad insertion space part114, and the compression bolt unit141configured to allow the pressure pad unit131to press and fix the amplifier10.

The pressure pad unit131includes a pressure pad body132formed in a predetermined shape, an amplifier compression surface133formed to correspond to the upper surface of the amplifier10, and guide bolt holes134formed in the upper surface of the pressure pad body132and configured to allow the guide bolts142of the compression bolt unit141to be respectively fastened thereto.

In addition, the compression bolt unit141includes the guide bolts142respectively fastened to the guide bolt holes134and guide pins143respectively installed on the outer sides of the guide bolts142to facilitate insertion of the guide bolts142. Further, the compression bolt unit141includes the first compression bolts145respectively fastened to the plurality of compression bolt holes117formed on the upper surface of the upper block112so that the same presses the pressure pad body132to allow the amplifier compression surface133to compress the amplifier10, and second compression bolts146respectively fastened to upper portions of the first compression bolts145so as to press the first compression bolts145respectively fastened to the compression bolt holes117.

As described above, each of the second compression bolts146is fastened to a corresponding one of the first compression bolts145, thereby making it possible not only to prevent the first compression bolts145from being loosened due to vibration generated in the ultrasonic oscillator15, but also to prevent the preset angle of the amplifier10from deviating due to a difference in fastening force by allowing the first compression bolts145to be respectively fastened to the compression bolt holes117through the fixing block member110so as to uniformly distribute the pressure applied to the amplifier compression member130.

The amplifier compression member130may uniformly press the amplifier10using the pressure pad unit131, and may stably fix the amplifier10using the compression bolts145and146fastened in the vertical direction.

The overall shape of the pressure pad body132of the pressure pad unit131is formed in a “∩” shape, and the pressure pad body132has the amplifier compression surface133formed on the bottom surface thereof. Here, the amplifier compression surface133is formed in the same arc as the amplifier10.

As shown inFIG.6, the amplifier compression surface133is uniformly in close contact with the outer surface of the amplifier10, and in this state, the amplifier10is compressed and fixed while pressure of the amplifier compression surface133applied in the vertical direction is evenly distributed to the amplifier10.

The guide bolt holes134are formed on the upper surface of the pressure pad body132to allow the guide bolts142to be respectively fastened thereto, and the guide bolt holes134are formed of two holes.

The pressure pad body132is compressed and fixed to the amplifier10by the compression bolts145and146fastened to the upper block112.

The compression bolt unit141includes the two guide bolts142corresponding to the two guide bolt holes134, and the guide pins143are provided to enable the guide bolts142to be easily fastened to the upper block112.

Each of the guide pins143is fitted into and coupled to a corresponding one of the guide bolt holes134, and each of the guide bolts142passes through a corresponding one of the guide pins143to be fastened to a corresponding one of the guide bolt holes134formed in the pressure pad unit131.

The guide bolts142move the pressure pad unit131in the upper block112downwards by the fastening of the first compression bolts145, thereby allowing the pressure pad body132of the pressure pad unit131to compress the amplifier10.

As shown inFIG.4, the compression bolt unit141includes the guide bolts142respectively fastened to the guide bolt holes134, and the compression bolts145and146respectively fastened to the compression bolt holes117formed on the upper surface of the upper block112.

As shown inFIG.7, each of the guide bolts142is formed to have a length long enough to enable the same to be fastened to the pressure pad body132through a corresponding one of the guide bolt holes116, and each of the guide pins143is formed to have a length shorter than a length of the guide bolt142.

The guide pins143are respectively inserted into the guide bolt holes116, and the guide bolts142respectively pass through the guide pins143to be fastened to the pressure pad body132.

Additionally, the compression bolts145and146of the compression bolt unit141are formed of the first compression bolts145having short lengths and the second compression bolts146formed to have lengths longer than those of the first compression bolts145.

In addition, the compression bolts145and146are respectively fastened to the three compression bolt holes117formed in a row, and the compression bolts145and146are alternately fastened thereto, thereby enabling the pressure pad body132to be evenly compressed toward the center line of the amplifier10.

That is, as shown inFIG.4, the first compression bolts145are fastened in this order. A first compression bolt145aon the left is fastened, a first compression bolt145bon the right is fastened, and finally, a first compression bolt145cin the middle is fastened.

As described above, since these first compression bolts145are alternately fastened, the pressure pad body132may be uniformly in close contact with the amplifier10without causing deviation of the pre-set angle of the amplifier10while the compression bolts145are fastened according to the fastening order thereof.

Meanwhile, the first compression bolts145a,145b, and145cmay be fastened by changing the fastening order thereof as long as the deviation of the pre-set angle of the amplifier10does not occur.

After the first compression bolts145are respectively fastened to the compression bolt holes117, the second compression bolts146are fastened to prevent the first compression bolts145from being loosened by vibration.

That is, the second compression bolts146are fastened after the first compression bolts145are fastened.

In the state in which the pressure pad body132is in close contact with the amplifier10, the first compression bolts145first press the pressure pad body132, and then the second compression bolts146press the first compression bolts145, thereby making it possible to adjust external force applied to the pressure pad body132.

Here, since the first compression bolts145and the second compression bolts146are fastened to the pressure pad body132in the vertical direction, the pressure pad body132is pressed from the top of the upper block112toward the center line of the amplifier10with strong force in the vertical direction.

Accordingly, since the first compression bolts145and the second compression bolts146are vertically fastened toward the center line of the amplifier10in a state in which a horn11installed in the amplifier10is set, torque (rotational force) of rotating the amplifier10is not generated and the deviation of the angle of the amplifier10does occur.

That is, since the second compression bolts146press the first compression bolts145in the vertical direction toward the center line of the amplifier10, the torque (rotational force) may not be applied to the amplifier10and the horn11, and the second compression bolts146may indirectly apply force to the first compression bolts145.

Accordingly, force applied to the pressure pad body132by the compression bolts145and146may be finely adjusted.

Furthermore, the first compression bolts145are applied to the amplifier10with minute force by the second compression bolts146, and the second compression bolts146press the first compression bolts145in the vertical direction toward the center line of the amplifier10, thereby making it possible to stably install the amplifier10without deviation thereof.

A spring washer (not shown) may be inserted into each of the compression bolt holes117and then the first compression bolts145may be fastened. The spring washer may prevent loosening of the first compression bolts145by applying pressure to the first compression bolts145.

The setting block member150includes a setting block151installed on one surface of the fixing block member110to adjust the angle of the amplifier10, and an angle adjustment unit161installed in the setting block151to adjust the angle of the amplifier10passing through the setting block151.

The setting block151includes a through hole152formed to allow the amplifier10to be installed therethrough, a cutout portion153formed to be cut out on the upper portion of the setting block151and configured to allow the amplifier10to be press-fitted thereinto, a horizontal bolt hole154formed at the upper portion of the setting block151so that the amplifier10is compressed by pressure of the cutout portion153, and an insert hole155formed on one lower portion of the setting block151and configured to enable the angle adjustment unit161to be installed in the setting block151.

The setting block member150is provided to adjust an installation angle of the amplifier10, and includes the setting block151installed on one surface of the fixing block member110and the angle adjustment unit161configured to rotate the setting block151by a predetermined angle.

The through hole152is formed in the setting block151to allow the amplifier10to be installed therethrough, and the cutout portion153is formed on the upper portion of the setting block151to compress and fix the amplifier10more reliably.

In addition, the horizontal bolt hole154is formed at the upper portion of the setting block151to narrow a gap of the cutout portion153, and a bolt (not shown) is provided in the horizontal bolt hole154to compress and fix the amplifier10.

Further, the insert hole155is formed at one lower portion of the setting block151, and an angle adjustment hole156is formed in a direction intersecting the insert hole155.

The angle adjustment unit161rotates the setting block151with respect to the fixing block member110, and the angle adjusting unit161includes an insert frame162coupled to the insert hole155.

An angle adjustment bolt163is installed in the insert frame162, an angle adjustment bracket164is coupled to the angle adjustment bolt163, and a fixing bracket165is installed in the angle adjustment bracket164.

A bolt hole is formed in the fixing bracket165to be fixed to the upper block112.

The angle adjustment unit161may rotate the setting block151and the amplifier10by a predetermined limited angle by rotating the angle adjustment bolt163clockwise or counterclockwise.

That is, when the angle adjustment bolt163is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, the insert frame162coupled to the insert hole155is moved depending on a change in length of the angle adjustment bolt163.

Accordingly, the angle adjustment bolt163rotates the setting block151to a desired angle, and the angle of the amplifier10coupled to the setting block151, that is, the horn11may be adjusted.

The setting block member150and the angle adjustment unit161are no longer necessary after completing the angle adjustment of the horn11. Therefore, after the amplifier compression member130of the horn fixing device of the ultrasonic welding device for the secondary battery tab is compressed and fixed to the amplifier10, the setting block member150and the angle adjustment unit161may be removed from the ultrasonic welding device for the secondary battery tab, or the same may be left as they are if replacement of the horn11is frequently performed.

FIGS.8A and8Bare three-dimensional views showing an amplifier compression member of a horn fixing device of an ultrasonic welding device for a secondary battery tab according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS.8A and8Bare diagrams showing the amplifier compression member according to another embodiment of the present invention. Here,FIG.8Ais a three-dimensional view, andFIG.8Bis a bottom three-dimensional view.

As shown inFIGS.8A and8B, a plurality of close contact grooves135are formed at a predetermined distance on the amplifier compression surface133of the pressure pad body132.

The close contact grooves135are in close contact with the outer surface of the amplifier10by force (external force) applied in the vertical direction from the first and second compression bolts145and146fastened to the upper block112.

That is, while the close contact grooves135are uniformly deformed by the external force applied to the pressure pad body132, a large area of each of the close contact grooves135closely and strongly contacts the amplifier10. In this manner, when the amplifier10is compressed and fixed using the amplifier compression member130, fixing pressure may be uniformly applied to the amplifier10by the tightening of the compression bolts without deviation of the pre-set angle of the amplifier10.

Meanwhile, although each of the close contact grooves135is shown as a quadrangle, it is needless to say that the same may be formed in various shapes such as a triangle, a circle, or an oval.

Next, a description will be given as to operation of the horn fixing method of the ultrasonic welding device for the secondary battery tab according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference toFIGS.1to9.

FIG.9is a flowchart showing a horn fixing method of the ultrasonic welding device for the secondary battery tab according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown inFIGS.1to9, as the horn fixing method of the ultrasonic welding device according to the embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a horn fixing method of an ultrasonic welding device, configured to weld a secondary battery tab using the ultrasonic welding device and to fix a horn, the horn fixing method including inserting the pressure pad unit131into the pad insertion space part114of the fixing block member110(S10), fastening the guide bolts142to the pressure pad unit131so that the pressure pad unit131is positioned at a correct position (S20), inserting the amplifier10into the amplifier through hole113of the fixing block member110(S30), fixing the lower block111and the upper block112by fastening a bolt to the vertical bolt hole115of the fixing block member110(S40), temporarily and preliminarily fastening each of the first compression bolts145of the compression bolt unit141to a corresponding one of the compression bolt holes117formed in the upper block112to press and fix the amplifier10to such an extent that an angle of the amplifier10is adjustable (S50), adjusting, by the angle adjustment unit161, the setting block151installed on one side of the fixing block member110to obtain an angle suitable for operation of the ultrasonic horn11(S60), and respectively fastening the first compression bolts145and the second compression bolts146of the compression bolt unit141to the compression bolt holes117formed in the upper block112to press and fix the amplifier10(S70).

The pressure pad body132capable of pressing and fixing the amplifier10is inserted into the pad insertion space part114of the upper block112(S10).

After the guide pins143are respectively inserted into the guide bolt holes116, the guide bolts142are respectively fastened to the guide bolt holes134of the pressure pad body132(S20).

Accordingly, the pressure pad unit131of the amplifier compression member130is stably installed in the upper block112.

The amplifier10is inserted into the amplifier through hole113of the fixing block member110(S30).

Accordingly, the lower block111is positioned at the lower portion of the amplifier10, and the pressure pad body132is positioned at the upper portion of the amplifier10.

In addition, bolts (not shown) are respectively fastened to the vertical bolt holes115of the lower block111and the upper block112to integrate the lower block111and the upper block112of the fixing block member110(S40).

Each of the first compression bolts145of the compression bolt unit141is temporarily and preliminarily fastened to a corresponding one of the compression bolt holes117formed in the upper block112to press and fix the amplifier10to such an extent that the angle of the amplifier10is adjustable (S50).

The angle of the amplifier10is adjusted by the setting block151installed on one surface of the fixing block member110(S60).

That is, the angle adjustment unit161may rotate the amplifier10by rotating the angle adjustment bolt163clockwise or counterclockwise, and the amplifier10may be rotated at a desired angle by the setting block151(S60).

In this manner, the first compression bolts145and the second compression bolts146are fastened in the state in which angle adjustment of the amplifier10is completed (S70).

The fastening of the first compression bolts145and the second compression bolts146(S70) includes temporarily and preliminary fastening each of the first compression bolts145of the compression bolt unit141to the corresponding one of the compression bolt holes117formed in the upper block112to press and fix the amplifier10to such an extent that the angle of the amplifier10is adjustable (S50), completing the fastening of each of the first compression bolts145temporarily and preliminarily fastened to the corresponding one of the plurality of compression bolt holes117formed in the upper block112so that the first compression bolts145are in close contact with the upper surface of the pressure pad unit131(S80), and fastening each of the second compression bolts146to a corresponding one of the upper surfaces of the first compression bolts145so that the first compression bolts145are pressed by the second compression bolts146, and fastening the second compression bolts146so that the amplifier10is pressed by the first compression bolts145and the second compression bolts146(S90).

After each of the first compression bolts145is completely fastened to the corresponding one of the compression bolt holes117, each of the second compression bolts146is fastened to the corresponding one of the upper surfaces of the first compression bolts145(S90).

The first compression bolts145and the second compression bolts146are respectively fastened to the compression bolt holes117formed in the upper block112, and the three first compression bolts145are alternately fastened thereto.

Accordingly, the pressure pad body132uniformly compresses the outer surface of the amplifier10, thereby pressing and fixing the amplifier10.

In this manner, setting of the amplifier10may be completed by the pressure pad body132within 5 minutes with an error of about 0.01° without deviation of the amplifier10.

As described above, by fastening of the first compression bolts145and the second compression bolts146, an amount of deviation from the pre-set angle of the amplifier10is significantly reduced. Further, since the first compression bolts145and the second compression bolts146disposed in a row at an equal distance are fastened while movement directions thereof vertically pass through the center line of the amplifier10, torque of rotating the amplifier10is not generated due to force applied to the amplifier10by fastening the first compression bolts145and the second compression bolts146. As a result, the amount of deviation from the pre-set angle of the amplifier10is significantly reduced.

Although the invention made by the present inventor has been described in detail according to the above-described embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and may be changed in various ways without departing from the sprit and scope thereof.

As is apparent from the above description, a horn fixing device and a horn fixing method of an ultrasonic welding device for a secondary battery tab according to the present invention has the following effects.

An amplifier may be uniformly pressed by a pressure pad unit, thereby making it possible to set the amplifier without deviation thereof, and the amplifier may be set more precisely by first and second compression bolts vertically fastened. Further, the amplifier may be set precisely within an error of about 0.01°, and the amplifier may be quickly set without repeated angle adjustment thereof, thereby having an effect of precisely setting the amplifier within about 5 minutes.

In addition, the first compression bolts are fastened, and then the second compression bolts are additionally fastened, thereby having an effect of preventing loosening of the bolts due to vibration generated in an ultrasonic oscillator.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.