KR20250029656A - Battery cell insulation tape attachment system - Google Patents

Abstract

A battery cell insulating tape attachment system is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a battery cell insulating tape attachment system includes: a first insulating tape attachment device that attaches an insulating tape to a lower surface facing an upper surface where a terminal of a battery cell is formed, and to a side surface excluding the upper surface and the lower surface; and a second insulating tape attachment device that is spaced apart from one side of the first insulating tape attachment device and receives a battery cell having an insulating tape attached to the lower surface and the side surface from the first insulating tape attachment device, and attaches an insulating tape to a border portion surrounding the terminal of the upper surface. The first insulating tape attachment device and the second insulating tape attachment device are each provided to move a battery cell in a circular turntable movement manner so that an insulating tape attachment process is performed, and at least a part of the insulating tape attachment process performed in the first insulating tape attachment device is performed in a process of transferring the battery cell from the first insulating tape attachment device to the second insulating tape attachment device.

Description

Battery cell insulation tape attachment system {Battery cell insulation tape attachment system}

The present invention relates to a battery cell insulating tape attachment system, and more specifically, to a battery cell insulating tape attachment system capable of attaching an insulating tape to the outside of a square battery cell more quickly and accurately, and in particular, by using one sheet of insulating tape to attach not only the lower surface and side surfaces of a square battery cell where terminals are not formed, but also the edge portion around the terminals of the upper surface where the terminals are formed, at once, thereby improving the insulating performance of the battery cell, simplifying the insulating tape attachment process, increasing the efficiency of the process, and increasing productivity.

A secondary cell is a battery that converts chemical energy into electrical energy to power an external circuit, and can store electricity by converting electrical energy into chemical energy when discharged by receiving external power. These secondary batteries are commonly called capacitors.

These secondary batteries have many advantages, such as high energy density, high operating voltage, and excellent preservation and life characteristics, and are widely used in various portable electronic devices such as personal computers, camcorders, portable telephones, portable CD players, PDAs, and electric vehicles.

Secondary batteries can be classified into various types according to the structure of the electrode stack. For example, secondary batteries can be classified into stack-type structures, roll-type structures, and stack/folding-type structures.

Examples of secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, and lithium batteries. Lithium secondary batteries can be manufactured to have higher energy density and longer lifespan than other types of secondary batteries, so they are used in many fields.

A lithium secondary battery has a case filled with an electrolyte and an electrode assembly accommodated inside the case. The electrode assembly is composed of an anode, a separator, and a cathode, and has a jelly-roll-shaped winding structure or a stack structure.

Referring to Fig. 1, the principle of such a lithium secondary battery is examined. The lithium ions contained in the positive electrode active material (2) of the positive electrode having the positive electrode substrate (1) pass through the separator (3) by the electrolyte (4) composed of an organic solvent and move to the negative electrode having the negative electrode substrate (5), and then are inserted between the negative electrode active materials (6) having a layered structure. This is called charging, and discharging generates electricity by utilizing the flow of electrons that occur when the lithium ions inserted between the negative electrode active materials (6) move back to the positive electrode through the separator (3). In other words, this is the principle of generating electric current by the movement of lithium ions through an electrochemical oxidation-reduction reaction.

Meanwhile, in order to manufacture a positive or negative electrode, the electrode plate of a typical lithium secondary battery goes through a coating process in which a positive or negative electrode material is coated on an aluminum or copper film and then dried. Then, a notching process is performed in which the positive or negative electrode material is removed from each electrode plate portion (or non-coated portion) except for a portion for grounding a tab. After this, after completing various molding processes, including a stack process in which a plurality of electrode plates are stacked, the battery cell is manufactured into various shapes such as a pouch type, a cylindrical type, and a square type.

Additionally, depending on the conditions such as the purpose of use and place of use of the battery cell, a process of attaching an insulating tape to the outer surface of the battery cell may be added, and an automated attachment system is currently being used for this insulating tape attachment process.

However, in the case of square batteries, they are generally formed as flat hexahedrons, and terminals are generally formed on the upper surface with a narrow area. Therefore, in the past, in order to attach insulating tape to battery cells of this shape, it was common to automate the attachment of insulating tape only to five surfaces excluding the narrow upper surface where the terminals are formed.

However, since attaching insulating tape to the remaining edge portion, excluding the portion where the terminal is formed on the narrow upper surface, can improve the insulation performance of the battery cell while also helping to prevent the attached insulating tape from easily falling off, an automated insulating tape attachment system capable of attaching insulating tape to such portions is required.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-1849421, (April 16, 2018)

Therefore, the technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a battery cell insulation tape attachment system capable of attaching insulation tape to the outside of a square battery cell more quickly and accurately.

In particular, by using a single sheet of insulating tape to attach not only the lower and side surfaces of a square battery cell where terminals are not formed, but also the edge around the terminals of the upper surface where terminals are formed, at once, the insulating performance of the battery cell can be improved, and a battery cell insulating tape attachment system is provided that simplifies the insulating tape attachment process, increases process efficiency, and increases productivity.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a battery cell insulating tape attachment system may be provided, including: a first insulating tape attachment device for attaching an insulating tape to a lower surface opposite to an upper surface where a terminal of a battery cell is formed, and to the remaining side surfaces excluding the upper surface and the lower surface; and a second insulating tape attachment device which is spaced apart from one side of the first insulating tape attachment device and receives a battery cell with the insulating tape attached to the lower surface and the side surface from the first insulating tape attachment device, and attaches the insulating tape to a border portion surrounding the terminal of the upper surface, wherein the first insulating tape attachment device and the second insulating tape attachment device are each provided to move the battery cell in a circular turntable movement manner so that an insulating tape attachment process is performed, and at least a part of the insulating tape attachment process performed in the first insulating tape attachment device is performed in a process of transferring the battery cell from the first insulating tape attachment device to the second insulating tape attachment device.

The above insulating tape is a single insulating tape sheet, and is sequentially attached from the lower surface to the side surface of the battery cell by the first insulating tape attaching device, and is attached in a state in which the insulating tape protrudes a predetermined length toward the upper surface when attached to the side surface, and a part of the insulating tape sheet is attached to the lower surface and the first side surface extending from the long side of the lower surface at an attachment start position where attachment of the insulating tape sheet starts by the first insulating tape attaching device, and in a process of transferring the battery cell to which a part of the insulating tape sheet is attached from the first insulating tape attaching device to the second insulating tape attaching device, another part of the insulating tape sheet can be attached to the second side surface extending from the short side of the lower surface.

The first insulating tape attachment device may include a first rotary table unit in which a plurality of battery cell grip portions for fixing the battery cell to which a portion of the insulating tape sheet is attached are arranged spaced apart at a predetermined interval; and a battery cell lower side insulating tape attachment unit arranged spaced apart on the outside along a rotation radius of the first rotary table unit.

The battery cell lower side insulating tape attachment unit may include: an insulating tape sheet supply module that supplies the insulating tape sheet to the attachment start position; a battery cell supply module that supplies the battery cell to the battery cell grip portion of the first rotary table unit; a lower side attachment module that is arranged on one side of the attachment start position and attaches a central region of the insulating tape sheet to the lower surface of the battery cell; a first side side attachment module that is provided spaced apart from the lower side attachment module and attaches both ends of the insulating tape sheet attached to the lower surface of the battery cell to a first side surface that extends from a long side of the lower surface; and a battery cell transfer and second side side attachment module that transfers the battery cell to which a portion of the insulating tape sheet is attached from the battery cell grip portion of the first rotary table unit to the second insulating tape attachment device and attaches another portion of the insulating tape sheet to the second side surface.

The above-described insulating tape sheet supply module may include a sheet suction plate that suctions the insulating tape sheet so that the adhesive surface of the insulating tape sheet is maintained horizontally facing downward at a sheet supply position where the insulating tape sheet is supplied; and an suction plate transport section that horizontally transports the sheet suction plate from the sheet supply position to the attachment start position.

The above lower surface attachment module may include one lower side roller that rolls the insulating tape sheet supplied to the attachment start position while applying pressure toward the lower surface of the battery cell to attach the insulating tape sheet to the lower surface.

The first side surface attachment module may include a pair of long side rollers that roll while applying pressure to both ends of the insulating tape sheet attached to the lower surface of the battery cell toward the first side surface of the battery cell to attach the sheet to the first side surface.

The battery cell transfer and second side surface attachment module may include: a transfer base; a battery cell chucking unit coupled to one side of the transfer base and chucking the first side surface to which the insulating tape sheet is attached by the first side surface attachment module; a battery cell horizontal transfer unit horizontally transferring the transfer base from the first rotary table unit toward the second insulating tape attachment device; a battery cell vertical transfer unit vertically transferring the transfer base from the first rotary table unit along a direction intersecting the direction toward the second insulating tape attachment device; and a pair of short-side rollers that roll while pressing both ends of the insulating tape sheet attached to the first side surface of the battery cell toward the second side surface of the battery cell to attach the sheet to the second side surface.

The second insulating tape attachment device may include a second rotary table unit in which a plurality of battery cell grip portions for fixing the battery cells to which a portion of the insulating tape sheet is attached are arranged spaced apart along a predetermined interval; and a battery cell terminal-side insulating tape attachment unit arranged spaced apart on the outside along a rotation radius of the second rotary table unit.

The battery cell terminal-side insulating tape attachment unit may include a second side surface edge pressing module that heats and compresses an edge of the insulating tape sheet attached to the second side surface; a battery cell inversion module that inverts the battery cell, which is fixed to the battery cell grip portion with the lower surface of the battery cell facing upward, to a state where the upper surface faces upward; a first upper surface attachment module that attaches the insulating tape sheet to a long-side edge of the upper surface of the inverted battery cell; a second upper surface attachment module that attaches the insulating tape sheet to a short-side edge of the upper surface of the inverted battery cell; and an upper surface heating and compression module that heats and compresses the insulating tape sheets attached to the long-side edge and the short-side edge of the upper surface.

The upper surface heating and pressing module may include a pressing plate having a through hole formed therein so as not to interfere with a terminal portion of the battery cell in order to heat and press only the edge portion of the upper surface; and a pressing plate transport unit that elevates the pressing plate so that it can approach and move away from the upper surface.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an automated insulating tape attachment system that divides predetermined areas of a square battery cell and attaches insulating tape to each area, thereby enabling faster and more accurate attachment of insulating tape to the outside of a square battery cell.

In addition, by using a single sheet of insulating tape to attach the battery cell to the lower and side surfaces where terminals are not formed, as well as the edge around the terminals on the upper surface where terminals are formed, at once, the insulating performance of the battery cell can be improved, and the insulating tape attachment process can be simplified, the efficiency of the process increased, and productivity can be increased.

Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a typical secondary battery.
Figure 2 is a drawing showing the process of attaching insulating tape to five sides of a battery cell using a conventional method in sequence.
FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically illustrating a secondary battery insulation tape attachment system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the lower surface attachment module of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the first side surface attachment module of Figure 3.
FIG. 6 is a front view schematically illustrating the battery cell transfer and second side surface attachment module of FIG. 3.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the battery cell chucking part of the battery cell transfer and second side surface attachment module of FIG. 6.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the second side surface corner pressurizing module of the second insulating tape attachment unit of Fig. 3.
Figure 9 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the upper surface heating compression module of the second insulating tape attachment unit of Figure 3.

In order to fully understand the present invention, the operational advantages of the present invention, and the objects achieved by practicing the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention and the contents described in the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by describing preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings. The same reference numerals presented in each drawing represent the same components.

In order to fully understand the present invention, the operational advantages of the present invention, and the objects achieved by practicing the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention and the contents described in the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by describing a preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings. The same reference numerals presented in each drawing represent the same components.

Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a typical secondary battery, and Figure 2 is a drawing showing the process of attaching insulating tape to five surfaces of a battery cell using a conventional method in sequence.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, in the case of a square battery cell (B) formed into a flat hexahedron, a terminal (T) is generally formed on a narrow upper surface (F1), and a conventional method of attaching an insulating tape to the outside of such a battery cell generally attaches the insulating tape (S) to only five surfaces excluding the narrow upper surface (F1) where the terminal (T) is formed, in order to attach the insulating tape (S) to the square battery cell (B) formed into a hexahedron, and most of these methods were configured as automated systems.

That is, in the process (a) of FIG. 2, a part of the insulating tape (S) is attached to the lower surface (F2) opposite the upper surface (F1) where the terminal (T) of the battery cell (B) is formed, in the process (b) of FIG. 2, another part of the insulating tape (S) is attached to the first side surface (F3) extending from the long side of the lower surface (F2), in the process (c) of FIG. 2, another part of the insulating tape (S) is attached to the second side surface (F4) extending from the short side of the lower surface (F2), and in the process (d) of FIG. 2, the remaining part of the insulating tape (S) is attached to the edge (E) of the second side surface (F4), thereby completing the process in which the insulating tape (S) is attached only to five surfaces excluding the narrow upper surface (F1) where the terminal (T) is formed in a shape like FIG. 2 (e).

However, if the insulating tape (S) is attached only to five surfaces excluding the upper surface (F1), the overall insulating performance of the battery cell is bound to deteriorate because insulation is not provided on the upper surface (F1) where the terminal (T) is formed, and there is a problem that the attached insulating tape easily falls off.

Therefore, according to the present invention, by providing an automated insulating tape attachment system that divides predetermined areas of a square battery cell and attaches insulating tape to each area, the above-mentioned problem is solved, and the insulating tape can be attached to the outside of a square battery cell more quickly and accurately.

In addition, according to the present invention, by using a single sheet of insulating tape to attach not only the lower surface and side surfaces of a square battery cell where terminals are not formed, but also the edge portion around the terminals of the upper surface where terminals are formed, at once, the insulating performance of the battery cell can be improved, and the insulating tape attachment process can be simplified and the efficiency of the process increased, thereby increasing productivity.

FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically illustrating a secondary battery insulation tape attachment system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a bottom attachment module of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a first side attachment module of FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is a front view schematically illustrating a battery cell transfer and second side attachment module of FIG. 3, FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a battery cell chucking unit of the battery cell transfer and second side attachment module of FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a second side edge pressurizing module of the second insulation tape attachment unit of FIG. 3, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an upper surface heating and pressing module of the second insulation tape attachment unit of FIG. 3.

As shown in these drawings, a battery cell insulation tape attachment system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first insulation tape attachment device (100) and a second insulation tape attachment device (200).

First, the first insulating tape attachment device (100) serves to attach an insulating tape to the lower surface (F2, see FIG. 2) facing the upper surface (F1) where the terminal (T) of the battery cell (B, see FIG. 2) is formed, and to the remaining side surfaces (F3, F4, see FIG. 2) excluding the upper surface (F1) and the lower surface (F2).

And, the second insulating tape attachment device (200) is spaced apart from one side of the first insulating tape attachment device (100) and receives a battery cell (B, see Fig. 2) with insulating tape attached to the lower surface (F2) and side surfaces (F3, F4) from the first insulating tape attachment device (100) and attaches the insulating tape to the edge portion surrounding the terminal (T) of the upper surface (F1, see Fig. 2).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first insulating tape attachment device (100) and the second insulating tape attachment device (200) are arranged to move the battery cell (B) in a circular turntable manner so that the insulating tape attachment process can proceed.

And, it is characterized in that at least a part of the insulating tape attachment process performed in the first insulating tape attachment device (100) is performed during the process of transferring the battery cell (B) from the first insulating tape attachment device (100) to the second insulating tape attachment device (200).

In this way, the first insulating tape attachment device (100) and the second insulating tape attachment device (200) are provided separately to divide a predetermined area of a square battery cell (B, see FIG. 2) and to attach an insulating tape to each area, so that compared to a case where insulating tape is attached to all six sides of a battery cell using a single attachment device, the insulating tape attachment device does not need to be configured in a complex manner, thereby simplifying the insulating tape attachment process, increasing process efficiency, and enhancing productivity.

That is, by distributing and arranging an optimized process of attaching insulating tape to each of the separated areas of the battery cell (B, see FIG. 2) through the first insulating tape attachment device (100) and the second insulating tape attachment device (200) that are separately provided, it is possible to attach the insulating tape to the entire area of the battery cell (B, see FIG. 2) more quickly and accurately.

In addition, by arranging for at least a part of the insulating tape attachment process performed in the first insulating tape attachment device (100) to be performed in the process of transferring the battery cell (B) from the first insulating tape attachment device (100) to the second insulating tape attachment device (200), not only is the optimized process of attaching the insulating tape to each area distributed and arranged, but also part of the process can be performed during the process of moving between the distributedly arranged areas, so there is an advantage of being able to increase productivity and enhance process efficiency.

Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the present invention, similarly to the conventional method illustrated in FIG. 2, the insulating tape is provided as a single insulating tape sheet (S).

In this way, by sequentially attaching a single sheet of insulating tape (S) to the lower surface (F2) and side surfaces (F3, F4) of the battery cell (B), as well as a portion of the upper surface (F1), the insulating tape can be attached to the outside of the battery cell (B) without any gaps, thereby providing the advantage of improving the insulation performance of the battery cell.

That is, according to the present invention, since it is possible to attach the insulating tape to the edge portion of the upper surface (F1) where the terminal (T) of the battery cell (B) is formed using a single sheet of insulating tape (S), not only can the insulating performance of the battery cell be greatly improved compared to the existing method of attaching the insulating tape to only five sides of the battery cell, but there is also an advantageous advantage in preventing the attached insulating tape from easily coming off.

To this end, the battery cell (B) is sequentially attached from the lower surface (F2) to the side surfaces (F3, F4) by the first insulating tape attachment device (100), but unlike in (b) of FIG. 2, when attached to the side surfaces (F3, F4), it is attached in a state in which it protrudes a predetermined length toward the upper surface (F1), and as described above, a separate attachment process is performed by the second insulating tape attachment device (200) specialized in the function of attaching the protruding portion. Therefore, not only can the work be done faster and more accurately, but the configuration of the entire device can be simplified, so there is an advantage in that the cost of configuring the entire system is low.

And, in the process of transferring the battery cell (B) to which a part of the insulating tape sheet (S) is attached from the first insulating tape attaching device (100) to the second insulating tape attaching device (200), the system is configured so that another part of the insulating tape sheet (S) is attached to the second side surface (F4) that extends from the short side of the lower surface (F2), thereby allowing the necessary transfer process and the attachment process of a part of the insulating tape sheet (S) to be performed simultaneously, simplifying the insulating tape attachment process and increasing the efficiency of the process, thereby increasing productivity.

As illustrated in detail in FIG. 3, the first insulating tape attachment device (100) includes a first rotary table unit (110) and a battery cell lower side insulating tape unit (120).

The first rotary table unit (110) is provided with a plurality of battery cell grip parts (111) that secure battery cells (B) to which a portion of an insulating tape sheet (S) is attached, spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval.

As this first rotary table unit (110) rotates, each battery cell grip part (111) is sequentially placed in a predetermined work area, so that each process is performed simultaneously.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 3, battery cell grip parts (111) are provided at four locations spaced at 90-degree intervals on the first rotary table unit (110), and thus, each insulating tape attachment process is sequentially performed while moving at 90-degree intervals.

The battery cell lower side insulation tape unit (120) is spaced apart from the outside along the rotation radius of the first rotary table unit (110) and plays a role in performing each insulation tape attachment process.

This battery cell lower side insulation tape unit (120) includes an insulation tape sheet supply module (130), a battery cell supply module (140), a lower side attachment module (150), a first side side attachment module (160), and a battery cell transfer and second side side attachment module (170), as shown in FIGS. 3 to 7.

The insulating tape sheet supply module (130) serves to supply the insulating tape sheet (S) to the attachment start position (P1), and the battery cell supply module (140) serves to supply the battery cell (B) to the battery cell grip portion (111) of the first rotary table unit (110).

The insulating tape sheet supply module (130) serves to supply an insulating tape sheet (S) to an attachment start position (P1), and includes a sheet suction plate (131) and a suction plate transfer unit (132), as shown in FIG. 3.

The sheet suction plate (131) serves to suction the insulating tape sheet (S) so that the adhesive surface of the insulating tape sheet (S) is maintained horizontally so that it faces downward at the sheet supply position (PS) where the insulating tape sheet (S) is supplied, and the suction plate transport unit (132) serves to transport the sheet suction plate (131) horizontally from the sheet supply position (PS) to the attachment start position (P1).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the insulating tape is unwound and transported from an insulating tape supply roll (113) provided in a roll type to an attachment start position (P1), and then cut by an insulating tape sheet cutter (114) at a sheet supply position (PS) to provide an insulating tape sheet (S). At this time, the sheet suction plate (131) suctions the insulating tape sheet (S), and the insulating tape sheet is supplied to the attachment start position (P1) by the suction plate conveying part (132).

As illustrated in FIG. 2, when a battery cell (B) is supplied to the battery cell grip portion (111) by the battery cell supply module (140), the first rotary table unit (110) starts to rotate counterclockwise and moves to the attachment start position (P1) close to the insulating tape sheet supply module (130), where the insulating tape sheet (S) is supplied.

Meanwhile, the lower surface attachment module (150) is positioned on one side of the attachment start position (P1) and serves to attach the central area of the insulating tape sheet (S) to the lower surface (F2) of the battery cell (B).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the lower surface attachment module (150) includes one lower side roller (151), and one lower side roller (151) rolls an insulating tape sheet (S) supplied to an attachment start position while applying pressure toward the lower surface (F2) of a battery cell (B) to attach it to the lower surface (F2).

The form illustrated here is a schematic drawing for explaining that, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a lower surface attachment module (150) is spaced apart on one side of the first rotary table unit (110), and, as illustrated in FIG. 6, one lower roller (151) can move up and down and perform a rolling operation by a lower roller driving unit (152).

In this form, the lower roller (151) is lowered by the downward driving of the lower roller driving unit (152) while positioned in the upward direction of the lower surface (F2) of the battery cell (B), thereby pressing the insulating tape sheet (S) toward the lower surface (F2) of the battery cell (B), and the lower roller (151) is rolled by the forward and backward driving of the lower roller driving unit (152), thereby attaching the insulating tape sheet (S) to the lower surface (F2) of the battery cell (B).

However, this form is merely an example to explain the approximate position of the lower roller (151), and the lower surface attachment module (150) of the present invention is not limited to the form of FIG. 6, and may be provided in various forms.

Meanwhile, the first side surface attachment module (160) is provided spaced apart from the bottom surface attachment module (150) and serves to attach both ends of an insulating tape sheet (S) attached to the bottom surface (F2) of the battery cell (B) to the first side surface (F3) extending from the long side of the bottom surface (F2).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the first side surface attachment module (160) includes a pair of long side rollers (161), and the pair of long side rollers (161) serve to roll while applying pressure to both ends of an insulating tape sheet (S) attached to a lower surface (F2) of a battery cell (B) toward the first side surface (F3) of the battery cell (B) to attach the sheet to the first side surface (F3).

The form illustrated here is a schematic drawing for explaining that, as in the case of the lower surface attachment module (150) described above, a first side surface attachment module (160) is spaced apart on one side of the first rotary table unit (110), and, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a pair of long side rollers (161) can approach and move away from the battery cell (B) by the long side roller driving unit (162).

In this form, the lower surface (F2) of the battery cell (B) rises by passing between a pair of long side rollers (161), and a pair of long side rollers (161) of the first side surface attachment module (160) can roll and attach the insulating tape sheet (S) while pressing it toward the first side surface (F3) of the battery cell (B).

However, this form is merely an example for explaining the approximate position of a pair of long side rollers (161), and therefore, the first side surface attachment module (160) of the present invention is not limited to the form of FIG. 5, and may be provided in various forms.

Meanwhile, the battery cell transfer and second side surface attachment module (170) transfers a battery cell (B) to which a part of an insulating tape sheet (S) is attached from the battery cell grip portion (111) of the first rotary table unit (110) to the second insulating tape attachment device (200) while attaching another part of the insulating tape sheet (S) to the second side surface (F4).

This battery cell transfer and second side surface attachment module (170) includes a transfer base (171), a battery cell chucking unit (172), a battery cell horizontal transfer unit (173), a battery cell vertical transfer unit (174), an insulating tape sheet cutting unit (not shown), and a pair of short-side rollers (176), as illustrated in detail in FIG. 6.

The battery cell chucking unit (172) is coupled to one side of the transfer base (171) and serves to chuck the first side surface (F3) to which the insulating tape sheet (S) is attached by the first side surface attachment module (160).

The battery cell horizontal transfer unit (173) serves to transfer the transfer base (171) horizontally in a direction from the first rotary table unit (110) toward the second insulating tape attachment device (200), and the battery cell vertical transfer unit (174) serves to transfer the transfer base (171) vertically in a direction intersecting the direction from the first rotary table unit (110) toward the second insulating tape attachment device (200).

An insulating tape sheet cutting section (not shown) is arranged to be positioned between a battery cell (B) chucked in a battery cell chucking section (172) and a pair of short-side rollers (176), and serves to cut a predetermined area of an insulating tape sheet (S) attached to a lower surface (F2) and a first side surface (F3) of a battery cell (B) before attaching the insulating tape sheet (S) to the second side surface (F4).

In this way, by cutting a predetermined area of the insulating tape sheet (S), the corner portion of the insulating tape sheet (S) can be prevented from being crumpled or bunched up, thereby enabling the corner portion of the insulating tape sheet (S) to be attached more neatly.

A pair of short-side rollers (176) roll and press both ends of an insulating tape sheet (S) attached to a first side surface (F3) of a battery cell (B) toward a second side surface (F4) of the battery cell (B) to attach it to the second side surface (F4).

As illustrated in FIG. 7, a pair of short-side rollers (176) are provided so as to be approachable and spaceable toward the second side surface (F4) of the battery cell (B), and by moving the battery cell (B) by the vertical movement of the battery cell vertical transport unit (174), the pair of short-side rollers (176) can perform a pressing and rolling operation at a required position on the second side surface (F4).

However, the structure of the present invention is not limited thereto, and alternatively, a pair of short-side rollers (176) may be provided to be independently moved up and down.

Meanwhile, the second insulating tape attachment device (200) includes a second rotary table unit (210) and a battery cell terminal side insulating tape attachment unit (220), as shown in FIG. 3.

The second rotary table unit (210) is provided with a plurality of battery cell grip parts (211) that secure battery cells (B) to which a portion of an insulating tape sheet (S) is attached, spaced apart at a predetermined interval.

As this rotary table unit (210) rotates, each battery cell grip section (211) is sequentially placed in a predetermined work area, so that each process is performed simultaneously.

The battery cell terminal side insulation tape attachment unit (220) is spaced apart from the outside along the rotation radius of the rotary table unit (210) and plays a role in performing each insulation tape attachment process.

This battery cell terminal-side insulation tape attachment unit (220) includes a second side surface corner pressurizing module (230), a battery cell inversion module (240), a first upper surface attachment module (250), a second upper surface attachment module (260), and an upper surface heating and pressing module (270), as illustrated in detail in FIG. 3.

The second side surface corner pressurizing module (230) heats and pressurizes the corner of the insulating tape sheet (S) attached to the second side surface (F4), and includes a pressurizing section (231) and a pressurizing section transfer section (232).

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the pressurizing portion (231) of a pair of corner pressurizing modules (230) is provided so as to be able to approach and move away from the second side surface (F4) of the battery cell (B) placed in the battery cell grip portion (211) by the operation of the pressurizing portion transfer portion (232), so that the pair of corner pressurizing portions (231) can perform an operation of heating and pressing the insulating tape sheet (S) of the corner of the second side surface (F4).

The battery cell inversion module (240) has the function of inverting the battery cell (B) fixed to the battery cell grip portion (211) by being transferred with the lower surface (F2) facing upward by the second insulating tape attachment device (200) to a state in which the upper surface (F1) faces upward.

The first upper surface attachment module (250) serves to attach an insulating tape sheet (S) to the long side edge of the upper surface (F1) of the inverted battery cell (B), and the second upper surface attachment module (260) serves to attach an insulating tape sheet (S) to the short side edge of the upper surface (F1) of the inverted battery cell (B).

The upper surface heating and pressing module (270) heats and presses the insulating tape sheet (S) attached to the long side edge and the short side edge of the upper surface (F1).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, as detailed in FIG. 9, the upper surface heating pressing module (270) includes a pressure plate (271) and a pressure plate transport unit (273).

The pressure plate (271) is provided with a structure in which a through hole (272) is formed so as not to interfere with the terminal (T) portion of the battery cell (B) in order to heat and pressurize only the edge portion of the upper surface (F1), and the pressure plate transport unit (273) serves to elevate the pressure plate (271) so that it can approach and move away from the upper surface (F1).

By providing an upper surface heating press module (270) having such a structure, an insulating tape sheet (S) can be more firmly attached to the edge portion of the upper surface (F1) of the battery cell (B), thereby preventing the attached insulating tape sheet from easily falling off.

In this way, according to the present embodiment, by providing an automated insulating tape attachment system that divides predetermined areas of a square battery cell and attaches insulating tape to each area, it is possible to attach insulating tape to the outside of a square battery cell more quickly and accurately.

In addition, by using a single sheet of insulating tape to attach the battery cell to the lower and side surfaces where terminals are not formed, as well as the edge around the terminals on the upper surface where terminals are formed, at once, the insulating performance of the battery cell can be improved, and the insulating tape attachment process can be simplified, the efficiency of the process increased, and productivity can be increased.

As such, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, such modified or modified examples should fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

B: Battery cell S: Insulating tape sheet
PS: Sheet supply location PB: Battery supply location
P1: Attachment start position P3: Attachment end position
F1: Top surface F2: Bottom surface
F3: My side F4: My second side
100: 1st insulation tape attachment device 110: 1st rotary table unit
111: Battery cell grip section
120: Battery cell lower side insulation tape attachment unit
130: Insulating tape sheet supply module 131: Sheet adsorption plate
132: Adsorption plate transfer unit 140: Battery cell supply module
150: Lower surface attachment module 160: First side surface attachment module
170: Battery cell transfer and second side surface attachment module
171: Transfer base 172: Battery cell chucking unit
173: Battery cell horizontal transfer unit 174: Battery cell vertical transfer unit
176: A pair of short-side rollers 200: A second insulating tape attachment device
210: Second rotary table unit 211: Battery cell grip section
220: Battery cell terminal side insulation tape attachment unit
230: Second side surface corner pressurizing module 231: Corner pressurizing section
240: Battery cell inversion module 250: First upper surface attachment module
260: Second upper surface attachment module 270: Upper surface heating compression module
271: Pressurized plate 272: Through hole
273: Pressurized plate conveyor

Claims (11)

A first insulating tape attachment device that attaches an insulating tape to a lower surface opposite to an upper surface where a terminal of a battery cell is formed and to the remaining side surfaces excluding the upper surface and the lower surface; and
A second insulating tape attachment device is disposed at a distance from one side of the first insulating tape attachment device, receives a battery cell with the insulating tape attached to the lower surface and the side surface from the first insulating tape attachment device, and attaches the insulating tape to a border portion surrounding the terminal of the upper surface.
The above first insulating tape attachment device and the above second insulating tape attachment device are each provided to move the battery cell in a circular turntable movement manner so that the insulating tape attachment process can proceed.
A battery cell insulating tape attachment system, characterized in that at least a part of the insulating tape attachment process performed in the first insulating tape attachment device is performed during the process of transferring the battery cell from the first insulating tape attachment device to the second insulating tape attachment device. In the first paragraph,
The above insulating tape is a single sheet of insulating tape,
The battery cell is sequentially attached from the lower surface to the side surface by the first insulating tape attachment device, and is attached in a state in which it protrudes toward the upper surface by a predetermined length when attached to the side surface.
In the first insulating tape attachment device, a portion of the insulating tape sheet is attached to the lower surface and the first side surface extending from the long side of the lower surface at the attachment start position where attachment of the insulating tape sheet begins,
A battery cell insulating tape attachment system, characterized in that, in the process of transferring the battery cell to which a portion of the insulating tape sheet is attached from the first insulating tape attachment device to the second insulating tape attachment device, another portion of the insulating tape sheet is attached to a second side surface extending from a short side of the lower surface. In the second paragraph,
The above first insulating tape attachment device,
A first rotary table unit provided with a plurality of battery cell grip portions that secure the battery cells to which a portion of the insulating tape sheet is attached and arranged at a predetermined interval; and
A battery cell insulation tape attachment system characterized by including a battery cell lower side insulation tape attachment unit spaced apart from the outside along the rotation radius of the first rotary table unit. In the third paragraph,
The above battery cell lower side insulation tape attachment unit is
An insulating tape sheet supply module that supplies the above insulating tape sheet to the above attachment start position;
A battery cell supply module that supplies the battery cell to the battery cell grip portion of the first rotary table unit;
A lower surface attachment module positioned on one side of the above attachment start position and attaching the central area of the insulating tape sheet to the lower surface of the battery cell;
A first side surface attachment module that is provided spaced apart from the lower surface attachment module and attaches both ends of the insulating tape sheet attached to the lower surface of the battery cell to a first side surface extending from the long side of the lower surface; and
A battery cell insulating tape attachment system characterized by including a battery cell transfer and second side surface attachment module that transfers a battery cell to which a portion of the insulating tape sheet is attached from the battery cell grip portion of the first rotary table unit to the second insulating tape attachment device while attaching another portion of the insulating tape sheet to the second side surface. In paragraph 4,
The above insulating tape sheet supply module,
A sheet suction plate that is suctioned so that the adhesive surface of the insulating tape sheet is kept horizontally facing downward at the sheet supply position where the insulating tape sheet is supplied; and
A battery cell insulation tape attachment system characterized by including an absorption plate transport unit that horizontally transports the sheet suction plate from the sheet supply position to the attachment start position. In paragraph 4,
The above lower surface attachment module is,
A battery cell insulating tape attachment system characterized by including one lower roller that rolls the insulating tape sheet supplied to the attachment start position while applying pressure toward the lower surface of the battery cell to attach the insulating tape sheet to the lower surface. In paragraph 4,
The above first side surface attachment module is,
A battery cell insulating tape attachment system characterized by including a pair of long-side rollers that roll while applying pressure to both ends of the insulating tape sheet attached to the lower surface of the battery cell toward the first side surface of the battery cell and attach the insulating tape sheet to the first side surface. In paragraph 4,
The above battery cell transfer and second side surface attachment module,
transfer base;
A battery cell chucking unit coupled to one side of the above transfer base and chucking the first side surface to which the insulating tape sheet is attached by the first side surface attachment module;
A battery cell horizontal transfer unit that horizontally transfers the transfer base from the first rotary table unit in a direction toward the second insulating tape attachment device;
A battery cell vertical transfer unit that vertically transfers the transfer base from the first rotary table unit in a direction intersecting the direction toward the second insulating tape attachment device; and
A battery cell insulating tape attachment system characterized by including a pair of short-side rollers that roll while applying pressure to both ends of the insulating tape sheet attached to the first side surface of the battery cell toward the second side surface of the battery cell to attach the insulating tape sheet to the second side surface. In the second paragraph,
The above second insulating tape attachment device,
A second rotary table unit provided with a plurality of battery cell grip portions that secure the battery cells to which a portion of the insulating tape sheet is attached and arranged at a predetermined interval; and
A battery cell insulation tape attachment system characterized by including a battery cell terminal-side insulation tape attachment unit spaced apart from the outside along the rotation radius of the second rotary table unit. In Article 9,
The above battery cell terminal side insulation tape attachment unit is
A second side surface edge pressurizing module that heats and presses the edge of the insulating tape sheet attached to the second side surface;
A battery cell inversion module that inverts the battery cell, which is fixed in the battery cell grip portion with the lower surface of the battery cell facing upward, to a state where the upper surface faces upward;
A first upper surface attachment module for attaching the insulating tape sheet to the long side edge of the upper surface of the inverted battery cell;
A second upper surface attachment module for attaching the insulating tape sheet to the short-side edge of the upper surface of the inverted battery cell; and
A battery cell insulating tape attachment system characterized by including an upper surface heating and compression module that heats and compresses the insulating tape sheet attached to the long side edge and the short side edge of the upper surface. In Article 10,
The above upper surface heating pressing module is,
A pressurizing plate having a through hole formed therein so as not to interfere with the terminal portion of the battery cell in order to heat and press only the edge portion of the upper surface; and
A battery cell insulation tape attachment system characterized by including a pressure plate transport unit that elevates the pressure plate so that it can approach and separate from the upper surface.

Images