KR-20260065670-A - Electrode Cutting Device With Improved Electrode Tab Detection Capability And Electrode Cutting Method Thereof

KR20260065670AKR 20260065670 AKR20260065670 AKR 20260065670AKR-20260065670-A

Abstract

The present invention provides an electrode cutting device comprising an electrode tab detection sensor capable of moving in response to the meandering of an electrode. The electrode cutting device comprises a transfer device for driving the electrode and a cutter for cutting the electrode. The electrode cutting device comprises a meandering detection sensor for detecting the meandering of the driving electrode. The electrode cutting device comprises an actuator capable of moving the electrode tab detection sensor in response to the detected meandering. The electrode tab detection sensor may detect the height or spacing of the electrode tab and transmit a detection signal to the cutter. The cutter may cut the electrode based on the detection signal.

Inventors

박민구
임혜진

Assignees

주식회사 엘지에너지솔루션

Dates

Publication Date: 20260511
Application Date: 20241101

Claims (12)

Transfer device for driving electrodes; An electrode tab detection sensor for detecting an electrode tab provided at the widthwise end of the moving electrode; A meandering detection sensor for detecting the meandering of the above-mentioned electrode while it is moving; An actuator that moves the electrode tab detection sensor based on the meandering of the electrode detected by the meandering detection sensor; and An electrode cutting device comprising: a cutter that cuts the electrode according to the electrode tab detection signal of the electrode tab detection sensor.
In claim 1, The above electrode tabs are formed in multiple numbers along the longitudinal direction of the electrode parallel to the driving direction in a non-transparent portion provided at the widthwise end of the electrode, and An electrode cutting device comprising a plurality of electrode tabs, each having a different height protruding outward in the width direction of the electrode along the length direction of the electrode.
In claim 2, The electrode tab detection sensor detects the height of the electrode tab, and The above cutter is an electrode cutting device that cuts the electrode based on the detected height.
In claim 3, The electrode cutting device, wherein the electrode tab detection sensor includes a laser sensor that detects the height.
In claim 4, The laser sensor detects the electrode tab, the height of which is a predetermined height, and The above cutter is an electrode cutting device that cuts a cutting area spaced apart from the detected electrode tab by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the electrode.
In claim 1, The above electrode tabs are formed in multiple numbers along the longitudinal direction of the electrode parallel to the driving direction in a non-transparent portion provided at the widthwise end of the electrode, and An electrode cutting device comprising a plurality of electrode tabs, wherein the electrode tabs are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the electrode.
In claim 6, The electrode tab detection sensor detects the gap between adjacent electrode tabs along the longitudinal direction of the electrode, and The above cutter is an electrode cutting device that cuts the electrode based on the detected gap.
In claim 7, The electrode cutting device, wherein the electrode tab detection sensor includes a laser sensor that detects the gap.
In claim 8, The laser sensor detects the electrode tabs, the spacing being a predetermined spacing, and The above cutter is an electrode cutting device that cuts a cutting area spaced apart from the detected electrode tab by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction of the electrode.
An electrode cutting method using an electrode cutting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein A meandering detection step in which the above meandering detection sensor detects the meandering of the electrode traveling; A movement step in which the actuator moves the electrode tab detection sensor in the width direction; An electrode tab detection step in which the electrode tab detection sensor detects the electrode tab; and An electrode cutting method comprising: a cutting step in which the cutter cuts the electrode based on the electrode tab detection signal of the electrode tab detection sensor.
In claim 10, The electrode tab detection sensor detects the height of the electrode tab, and The above cutter is an electrode cutting method that cuts the electrode based on the detected height.
In claim 10, The electrode tab detection sensor detects the gap between adjacent electrode tabs along the longitudinal direction of the electrode, and The above cutter is an electrode cutting method that cuts the electrode based on the detected gap.

Description

Electrode Cutting Device With Improved Electrode Tab Detection Capability and Electrode Cutting Method Thereof The present invention relates to an electrode cutting device, and more specifically, to a device for cutting an electrode by detecting an electrode tab of an electrode included in an electrode assembly. Rechargeable batteries, which possess electrical characteristics such as high energy density and high applicability across product categories, are widely applied not only to portable devices but also to electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles powered by electric sources, and power storage devices. These rechargeable batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for enhancing eco-friendliness and energy efficiency, not only for the primary advantage of drastically reducing the use of fossil fuels but also because they generate no by-products from energy use. Secondary batteries are classified into cylindrical, pouch, and prismatic types according to their shape. Secondary batteries house an electrode assembly inside. A cylindrical secondary battery is a type in which a jelly-roll type electrode assembly is housed inside a cylindrical battery can. In the winding process, the winding device assembles the jelly-roll electrode assembly by winding the first electrode and the second electrode with a separator interposed therebetween. The electrode included in the electrode assembly is manufactured in the form of a sheet extending in the longitudinal direction with a predetermined width. The electrode is manufactured in a form in which an active material is coated on a current collector. The electrode includes not only a retaining portion, which is an area where the active material is coated on the current collector, but also an uncoated portion, which is an area where the active material is not coated on the current collector. The unsupported portion may be located at one end of the width direction of the retaining portion. The unsupported portion may include an electrode tab extending in the width direction along the length direction. The electrode tab may extend in the axial direction of the electrode assembly and serve as a passage for electron movement. Multiple electrode tabs may be formed along the longitudinal direction of the electrode in the unoccupied portion. The multiple electrode tabs may differ in height as they protrude outward in the width direction of the electrode along the longitudinal direction. The electrode is fed into the winding device by a transfer device, and the winding device winds the electrode with a separator interposed therebetween. In order for the winding device to assemble an electrode assembly that satisfies a predetermined specification, the electrode cutting device cuts the fed electrode at predetermined intervals. The electrode cutting device can detect an electrode tab and cut the electrode to a predetermined size. For example, if the height of the detected electrode tab satisfies a predetermined standard, the electrode cutting device can cut the electrode. Meanwhile, during the process in which the electrode is fed into the winding device by the transfer device, the electrode may meander. If meandering occurs, the electrode cutting device may not accurately detect the height of the electrode tab, raising concerns that the electrode may not be cut at a predetermined interval. Consequently, the number of electrodes included in the electrode assembly may be greater or less than the predetermined standard. If more electrodes than the specified standard are included in the electrode assembly, the electrode assembly may not meet the specified specifications and may be difficult to accommodate in the housing. If fewer electrodes than the specified standard are included in the electrode assembly, problems such as a decrease in battery cell capacity may occur. Therefore, an electrode cutting device is required that can accurately detect the electrode tab of a meandering electrode and cut the electrode to a predetermined size. Figure 1 is an exploded view of the electrode and separator before winding of the electrode assembly. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electrode assembly of FIG. 1 before winding, showing the stacked state of the electrode and the separator. FIG. 3 is a diagram briefly showing a winding device winding a first electrode and a second electrode with a separator interposed therebetween. Figure 4 is a diagram briefly showing the cutting of an electrode fed into a winding device. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an electrode assembly assembled including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator. FIG. 6 is a perspective view briefly illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a plan view briefly illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a plan view briefly illustrating how an electrode tab detection sensor detects the height of an electrode tab for an electrode comprising a plurality of electrode