BUTTON-TYPE SECONDARY BATTERY AND DEVICE FOR ASSEMBLING THE SAME

Abstract

A button-type secondary battery includes a can including a lower side and an opened upper side; electrode assembly is mounted in the can, the electrode assembly including an electrode tab; a cap coupled to cover the upper side of the can, the electrode tab being electrically connected to the cap; a can holder to fix the can so that a top surface of the electrode assembly faces an upper side; a cap holder to grip the cap so that the cap rotates and ascends or descends; and a guide that is slidable toward the electrode tab so that an end of one side of the guide presses a predetermined point to form a bending point, at which bending of the electrode tab occurs when the electrode tab is bent.

Claims

1. A button-type secondary battery comprising: a can including a lower side and an opened upper side; electrode assembly is mounted in the can, the electrode assembly including an electrode tab extending therefrom; a cap coupled to cover the upper side of the can, the electrode table being electrically connected to an inner surface of the cap; a can holder configured to fix the can so that a top surface of the electrode assembly faces an upper side; a cap holder configured to grip the cap so that the cap rotates and ascends or descends; and a guide that is slidable toward the electrode tab so that an end of one side of the guide presses a predetermined point to form a bending point, at which bending of the electrode tab occurs when the electrode tab is bent, wherein, when the guide forms the bending point at the electrode tab, the cap holder being configured to allow the cap to be coupled to the can so that the opened upper side of the can is closed.

2. The button-type secondary battery of claim 1, wherein, before the guide approaches the electrode tab to define the bending point, the cap holder allows the cap to rotate in a direction perpendicular to a sliding direction of the guide.

3. The button-type secondary battery of claim 2, wherein, when the cap rotates in the direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the guide, the can and the cap are fixed to be perpendicular to each other.

4. The button-type secondary battery of claim 1, wherein a vacuum device configured to generate a negative pressure so that the gripping is performed at a contact point with the cap by the negative pressure is coupled to the cap holder.

5. The button-type secondary battery of claim 2, wherein, when the cap holder couples the cap to the can, the cap holder is configured to allow the cap to rotate so that a lower edge of the cap is in contact with an upper edge of the can and is configured to allow the cap to descend so that a side surface of the can is inserted into a side surface of the cap.

6. The button-type secondary battery of claim 4, wherein the cap holder and the guide are disposed to face each other with the can holder therebetween.

7. The button-type secondary battery of claim 6, wherein the cap holder comprises: an upper coupling plate into which the cap is inserted to be fixed through the vacuum device; a first sliding part slid toward the can holder in a sliding direction that is the same as a direction in which the guide is slid; a second sliding part coupled to the first sliding part and slid to allow the cap to ascend or descend; and a rotation part having one end, to which the upper coupling plate is coupled, and the other end that is coupled to be rotatable on the second sliding part, wherein the first sliding part, the second sliding part, and the rotation part are simultaneously or individually operable.

8. The button-type secondary battery of claim 6, wherein the can holder comprises a lower coupling plate in which a groove is punched so that the can is inserted to be fixed.

9. The button-type secondary battery of claim 1, wherein the can holder fixes two or more cans, the cap holder grips a same number of caps as the cans, and the guide forms the bending points at the electrodes connected to the cap holders at the same time through one sliding.

10. The button-type secondary battery of claim 1, wherein, when the guide presses the electrode tab to form the bending point, the cap holder fixes the cap so that an opposite side of the pressed point is supported by an inner surface of the cap.

11. The button-type secondary battery of claim 1, wherein the guide is controlled to vary in pressing force according to a thickness of the electrode tab.

12. A button-type secondary battery, comprising: a can including a closed lower side and an opened upper side an electrode assembly mounted in the can; a cap is coupled to the can to close the upper side of the can; an electrode tab having one end coupled to the electrode assembly and the other end bonded to an inner surface of the cap, wherein the electrode tab is bent between the electrode assembly and the cap, and a bending point C pressed by an external pressure to induce bending is formed at the electrode tab, wherein, the bending is performed at the bending point (C).

13. The button-type secondary battery of claim 12, wherein the bending point (C) is a point that is pressed by the external pressure so that the electrode tab is thinner in thickness or deformed in material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG. 1 is a view sequentially illustrating states in which a cap behaves while assembling is performed through a device for assembling a button-type secondary battery according to the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device for assembling the button-type secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged view illustrating a portion A of FIG. 2.

[0034] FIG. 4a is a view illustrating a state before a guide enters an electrode tab.

[0035] FIG. 4b is a view illustrating a state in which the guide enters the electrode tab.

[0036] FIG. 4c is a view illustrating a state in which the guide retreats to its original position.

[0037] FIG. 4d is a view illustrating a state in which a first sliding part approaches a can holder so that a second sliding part ascends, and a rotation part rotates.

[0038] FIG. 4e is a view illustrating a state before the second sliding part descends.

[0039] FIG. 4f is a view illustrating a state in which the second sliding part completely descends.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0040] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in such a manner that the technical idea of the present invention may easily be carried out by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. The present invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0041] In order to clearly describe the present invention, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted, and the same reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0042] Also, terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be restrictively interpreted as ordinary meanings or dictionary-based meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts conforming to the scope of the present invention on the basis of the principle that an inventor can properly define the concept of a term to describe and explain his or her invention in the best ways.

[0043] The present invention relates to a device for assembling a button-type secondary battery, which couples a cap 4 to a can 3 after forming a bending point C on an electrode tab 2 when the cap 4 and the can 3 are coupled to each other. Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

[0044] FIG. 1 is a view sequentially illustrating states in which a cap behaves while assembling is performed through a device for assembling a button-type secondary battery according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device for assembling the button-type secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged view illustrating a portion A of FIG. 2.

[0045] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the device for assembling the button-type secondary battery provided in this embodiment comprises a can holder 10, a cap holder 20, and a guide 30.

[0046] Here, in the button-type secondary battery to be assembled by the assembling device provided in this embodiment, an electrode assembly 1 is mounted in the can 3 in a state in which a negative electrode tab extending from a bottom surface of the electrode assembly 1 is welded to the can 3, and a positive electrode tab 2 extending from a top surface of the electrode assembly 1 is welded at a predetermined point W on an inner surface of the can 4. The cap 4 and the can 3 are provided in a state <a> in FIG. 1 when seated on a cap holder 20 and a can holder 10, which will be described later. However, in this case, the electrode assembly may be seated in reverse. That is, the electrode assembly 1 is mounted in the can 3 in a state in which a positive electrode tab extending from the bottom surface of the electrode assembly 1 is welded to the can 3, and a negative electrode tab extending from the top surface of the electrode assembly 1 is welded at a predetermined point W on an inner surface of the cap 4.

[0047] The can holder 10 is configured to fix the can 3 so that the top surface of the electrode assembly 1 face an upper side. That is, as more clearly illustrated in FIG. 3, the can holder 10 comprises a lower coupling plate 11 in which a groove 12 having an inner diameter is punched so that the can 3 is inserted to be fixed, and a frame capable of fixing the lower coupling plate 11 at a predetermined height. Thus, the can holder 10 may fix movement of the can 3 while the cap 4 is coupled to the can 3 at a predetermined height.

[0048] The cap holder 20 is configured to grip the cap 4 so that the cap 4 rotates and ascends/descends.

[0049] That is, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cap holder 20 comprises an upper coupling plate 21, a first sliding part 23, a second sliding part 24, and a rotation part 25.

[0050] A groove 22 having an inner diameter so that the cap is inserted to be fixed is punched in the upper coupling plate 21. In addition, the upper coupling plate 21 may be connected to an external vacuum device (not shown) through a hose 26 to fix the cap 4.

[0051] That is, a point at which air is suctioned by the vacuum device may be formed in the groove 22 of the upper coupling plate 21, and thus, the cap 4 may be fixed by a negative pressure generated at the point. In FIG. 1, the cap 4 has a schale shape having a closed top surface and an opened bottom surface like the can 3. However, as described above, if the can 3 and the cap 4 are not press-fitted, but coupled to each other through welding, the cap 4 may have a circular plate shape. Even if the cap 4 is formed in the circular plate shape, the cap 4 may be fixed to the cap holder 20 by the negative pressure generated in the vacuum device.

[0052] Also, the upper coupling plate 21 is coupled to an end of one side of the rotation part 25. An end of the other side of the rotation part 25 may be rotatably coupled to the second sliding part 24. The rotation part 25 may rotate by a predetermined angle at a connection point of the second sliding part 24 by a motor or pneumatic or hydraulic pressure. Here, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a rotation direction means a rotation direction on an XY plane in FIG. 2 as a rotation direction in which the cap 4 is covered on the can 3.

[0053] The second sliding part 24 may allow the upper coupling part 21 and the rotation part 25 to ascend and descend. That is, the second sliding part 24 may be slid in a Y direction in FIG. 2. The second sliding part 24 may be also driven by the motor or pneumatic or hydraulic pressure.

[0054] The second sliding part 24 may be connected to the first sliding part 23 to be slid in an X direction in FIG. 2, which is the same direction as the sliding direction of a guide 30 to be slid. The first sliding part 23 may also be driven by the motor or pneumatic or hydraulic pressure.

[0055] In addition, the first sliding part 23, the second sliding part 24, and the rotation part 25 may be configured to be operable simultaneously or individually.

[0056] Furthermore, the guide 30 is disposed at an opposite side of the cap holder 20 with the can holder 10 in a center thereof. The guide 30 may have a structure in which a blade 32 made of a metal having hardness greater than that of the electrode tab 2 is coupled to an end of the sliding device that is slid in the X direction.

[0057] Thus, when the blade 31 presses a specific point of the electrode tab 2 in a state in which the electrode tab 2 is fixed, a bending point C may be formed at a point that is pressed by the blade 31.

[0058] FIG. 4a is a view illustrating a state before a guide enters an electrode tab, FIG. 4b is a view illustrating a state in which the guide enters the electrode tab, FIG. 4c is a view illustrating a state in which the guide retreats to its original position, FIG. 4d is a view illustrating a state in which a first sliding part approaches a can holder so that a second sliding part ascends, and a rotation part rotates, FIG. 4e is a view illustrating a state before the second sliding part descends, and FIG. 4f is a view illustrating a state in which the second sliding part completely descends. However, in order to avoid complication of the drawings, in FIGS. 4a to 4f, a state in which the cap 4 and the can 3 are deleted is illustrated.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4A to 4F, a secondary battery is provided in a state in which the can 3 is seated on the lower coupling plate 11 of the can holder 10, and the cap 4 is gripped to the upper coupling plate 21 of the cap holder 20. Here, the electrode assembly 1 may be in a state of being stated in the can 3, and the electrode tab 2 extending from the electrode assembly 1 may be one of the positive electrode tab or the negative electrode tab and in a state of being welded to a specific point W on an inner ceiling surface of the cap 4. In addition, the other of the positive electrode tab or the negative electrode tab is in a state of being welded to an inner bottom surface of the can 3.

[0060] That is, as illustrated in FIG. 4a, the can holder 10 and the cap holder 20 are disposed as in a state <a> of FIG. 1.

[0061] Also, in the state of FIG. 4a, the sliding device of the guide 30 approaches the electrode tab 2 as illustrated in FIG. 4b. An end of the blade 31 coupled to the sliding device presses the electrode tab 2 so that the electrode tab 2 has a bending point C at a predetermined point. Here, the bending point C means a point which is pressed by the blade 31 to form a mark or notch so that the electrode tab 2 is relatively thinner in thickness or deformed in material to induce bending (mechanical strength or ductility is changed at a specific point).

[0062] After the bending point C is formed, the guide 30 returns to its original position as illustrated in FIG. 4c.

[0063] After the guide 30 returns, the cap holder 20 may lift and rotate the cap 4 so that the cap 4 moves upward. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 4d, the cap 4 may rotate and ascend from a state <b> to a state <e> of FIG. 1 and then be disposed above the can 3. That is, each of the first sliding part 23 and the second sliding part 24 is slid in the X and Y directions, and simultaneously, the rotation part 25 is rotated, and thus, the cap 4 is rotatable to be gradually coupled to the can 3. In more detail, when the first sliding part 23 moves in a direction approaching the can holder 10, and the second sliding part 24 ascends, and simultaneously, the rotation part 25 is rotated in a clockwise direction with respect to FIG. 1, the posture may be changed from a state <b> to a state <e> of FIG. 1.

[0064] When the cap holder 20 is in the same state as in FIG. 4e, the cap 4 has the same posture as in state <e> of FIG. 1. Here, when the cap 4 is rotated, the electrode tab 2 is bent at the bending point C.

[0065] Also, finally, when the second sliding part 24 descends as illustrated in FIG. 4f, the cap 4 descends like the rotation part 25 and the upper coupling plate 21, so that the cap 4 and the can 3 are completely coupled to each other as illustrated in a state <g> of FIG. 1. Here, when the cap 4 has the circular plate shape as described above, an edge of the cap 4 may be fitted into an upper end of the can 3 or move from the mounted state to the welding process.

[0066] Next, when the negative pressure is removed from the cap holder 20, and the cap 4 is separated, a button-type secondary battery in which the coupling of the cap 4 and the can 3 is completed, remains in the can holder 10. After the assembled button-type secondary battery is withdrawn, the next cap 4 and the next can 3, which will be assembled, are seated again in the cap holder 20 and the can holder 10.

Second Embodiment

[0067] Furthermore, in the present invention, a device for assembling a button-type secondary battery, in which a plurality of button-type secondary batteries are capable of being assembled at the same time as is provided as a second embodiment.

[0068] In this embodiment, the can holder 10 may fix two or more cans 3, and the cap holder 20 may grip the caps 4 having the same number as the cans 3. Thus, the guide 30 may be configured to form the bending point C at each of electrode tabs 2, which are griped to the cap holders 20 through single sliding.

[0069] That is, in the structure of this embodiment, the can holder 10 comprises a lower coupling plate 11 having a plurality of grooves 12, each of which has an inner diameter so that the can 3 is inserted and fixed, and the upper coupling plate 21 may have grooves 22 having the same number as the grooves 12 formed in the lower coupling plate 11. Here, each of the grooves 22 formed in the upper coupling plate 21 may be connected to the vacuum device to apply the negative pressure, thereby individually gripping each of the caps 4.

[0070] Also, the guide 30 may also be configured to form the plurality of bending points C at the same time by disposing the plurality of blades 31 at the end of the sliding device.

[0071] Therefore, after seating and gripping the cans 3 and caps 4 of the individual button-type secondary batteries in the grooves 12 formed in the lower coupling plate 11 and the grooves 22 formed in the upper coupling plate 21, respectively, as described above, when the operation of the guide 30 and the cap holder 20 are performed at the same time, the plurality of button-type secondary batteries may be assembled at the same time by one operation.

[0072] When the guide 30 presses the electrode tab 2 to form the bending point C, the guide 30, the guide 30 may be controlled to vary in pressing force according to a thickness of the electrode tab 2 so that the bending point C is also formed at the electrode tabs 2 having various thicknesses and materials.

Third Embodiment

[0073] The present invention provides a button-type secondary battery, which is capable of being manufactured with the assembling device according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment, as a third embodiment.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 1, a button-type secondary battery provided in this embodiment comprises a can 3 having a closed lower side and an opened upper side, an electrode assembly 1 mounted in the can 3, and a cap 4 coupled to close the upper side of the can 3 when the electrode assembly 1 is mounted in the can 3. Also, inner ceiling surfaces of the electrode assembly 1 and the cap 4 are connected to an electrode tab 2. That is, one end of the electrode tab 2 is connected to the electrode assembly 1, and the other end of the electrode tab 2 is connected to the cap 4. Here, the electrode tab 2 may be either a negative electrode tab extending from a negative electrode or a positive electrode tab extending from a positive electrode, which are provided in the electrode assembly 1.

[0075] The electrode tab 2 is bent between the electrode assembly 1 and the cap 4, and a bending point C pressed by an external pressure (i.e., is physically pressed to an end of the guide as described in the previous embodiment) to induce bending is formed at the electrode tab 2. Here, the bending is performed at the bending point C.

[0076] The bending point C is a point, which is pressed by the external pressure so that the electrode tab 2 is relatively thinner in thickness or deformed in material (a point at which rigidity decreases, ductility increases, or elastic deformation occurs). Thus, when a behavior of the cap 4 occurs, and thus, bending force is applied to the electrode tab 2, the bending of the electrode tab 2 occurs at the bending point C at which supporting force is relatively weaker than at other points.

[0077] Thus, in a state in which the electrode tab 2 is bent at the bending point C, the cap 4 is coupled to the can 3.

[0078] In the present invention having the above-described configuration, since the bending point C at which the bending of the electrode tab 2 is induced before the cap 4 and the can 3 are coupled to each other, the cap 4 and the can 3 may be assembled in a state in which the electrode tab 2 is uniformly bent.

[0079] The electrode tab 2 may have the bending point C at a point that is pressed by pressing of a guide 30, and a cap holder 20 may be movable and rotatable so that the electrode tab 2, of which an end is welded to the cap 4, is disposed at a proper position when the guide 30 approaches the cap holder 20.

[0080] Since the cap holder 20 grips the cap 4 through the negative pressure, the deformation or traces due to the grip may not occur in the cap 4.

[0081] In addition, since a can holder 10 and the cap holder 20 are capable of fixing or gripping a plurality of cans 3 and cap 4, a plurality of secondary batteries may be assembled at the same time.

[0082] Furthermore, since the guide 30 is controlled to vary in pressing force according to a thickness of the electrode tab 2, the bending point C may be formed at the electrode tabs 2 having various thicknesses and materials.

[0083] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SYMBOLS

[0084] 10: Can holder [0085] 11: Lower coupling plate [0086] 20: Cap holder [0087] 21: Upper coupling plate [0088] 30: Guide