Method for Manufacturing Electrode Assembly and Electrochemical Device Including Electrode Assembly
20230187706 · 2023-06-15
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
Y02E60/10
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
H01M10/0587
ELECTRICITY
Y02P70/50
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
International classification
Abstract
In manufacturing an electrode assembly, heat treated first separator and electrodes are passed through a pair of surface-patterned rollers under pressurization to prepare a preliminary electrode assembly including the first separator laminated with the electrodes. A second separator on which the preliminary electrode assemblies are disposed is passed through a pair of surface-patterned rollers under pressurization. The second separator is wound to be interposed between the preliminary electrode assemblies. An electrochemical device includes the electrode assembly.
Claims
1. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, comprising the steps of: heat treating a plurality of electrodes and a first separator interposed between the electrodes; passing the heat treated first separator and electrodes through a pair of surface-patterned rollers under pressurization to prepare a preliminary electrode assembly including the first separator laminated with the electrodes; disposing a plurality of the preliminary electrode assemblies on one surface of a second separator such that the preliminary electrode assemblies are spaced apart from one another; and winding the second separator such that the second separator is interposed between the preliminary electrode assemblies.
2. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, comprising the steps of: heat treating a plurality of electrodes and a first separator interposed between the electrodes; passing the heat treated first separator and electrodes through a pair of non-surface patterned rollers under pressurization to prepare a preliminary electrode assembly including the first separator laminated with the electrodes; disposing a plurality of the preliminary electrode assemblies on one surface of a second separator such that the preliminary electrode assemblies are spaced apart from one another; and passing the second separator on which the preliminary electrode assemblies are disposed through a pair of surface-patterned rollers under pressurization; and winding the second separator such that the second separator is interposed between the preliminary electrode assemblies.
3. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, comprising the steps of: heat treating a plurality of electrodes and a first separator interposed between the electrodes; passing the heat treated first separator and electrodes through a pair of surface-patterned rollers under pressurization to prepare a preliminary electrode assembly including the first separator laminated with the electrodes; and passing the second separator on which a plurality of the preliminary electrode assemblies are disposed through a pair of surface-patterned rollers under pressurization; and winding the second separator such that the second separator is interposed between the preliminary electrode assemblies.
4. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 1, wherein the surface-patterned rollers are formed by carving a pattern on the roller surfaces or by attaching a pattern sheet to the roller surfaces.
5. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pattern is selected from the group comprising a hexagonal pattern, a quadrangular pattern, a triangular pattern, a circular type, a pentagonal pattern, a linear pattern, a diagonal pattern, a polygonal pattern, or any combination thereof.
6. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 1, wherein an area of a pattern on a surface of one of the surface-patterned rollers that directly faces the electrode is 1-99% of the total surface area of the surface-patterned roller.
7. An electrode assembly obtained by the method of claim 1.
8. An electrochemical device comprising: the electrode assembly of claim 7; and a casing in which the electrode assembly is received.
9. The electrochemical device according to claim 8, wherein the electrochemical device is a lithium secondary battery.
10. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second separator is wound such that the second separator is interposed between adjacent ones of the preliminary electrode assemblies.
11. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 2, wherein the second separator is wound such that the second separator is interposed between adjacent ones of the preliminary electrode assemblies.
12. An electrode assembly obtained by the method of claim 2.
13. An electrochemical device, comprising: the electrode assembly of claim 12; and a casing in which the electrode assembly is received.
14. The electrochemical device according to claim 13, wherein the electrochemical device is a lithium secondary battery.
15. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 3, wherein the second separator is wound such that the second separator is interposed between adjacent ones of the preliminary electrode assemblies.
16. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 3, further comprising disposing the plurality of the preliminary electrode assemblies on one surface of the second separator such that the preliminary electrode assemblies are spaced apart from one another.
17. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 3, wherein the surface-patterned rollers are formed by carving a pattern on the roller surfaces or by attaching a pattern sheet to the roller surfaces.
18. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 3, wherein the pattern is selected from the group comprising a hexagonal pattern, a quadrangular pattern, a triangular pattern, a circular type, a pentagonal pattern, a linear pattern, a diagonal pattern, a polygonal pattern, or any combination thereof.
19. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to claim 3, wherein an area of a pattern on a surface of one of the surface-patterned rollers that directly faces the electrode is 1-99% of the total surface area of the surface-patterned roller.
20. An electrode assembly obtained by the method of claim 3.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and together with the foregoing disclosure, serve to provide further understanding of the technical features of the present disclosure, and thus, the present disclosure is not construed as being limited to the drawings.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0051] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to the description, it should be understood that the terms used in the specification and the appended claims should not be construed as being limited to general and dictionary meanings, but rather interpreted based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to technical aspects of the present disclosure on the basis of the principle that the inventor is allowed to define terms appropriately for the best explanation.
[0052] The present disclosure is directed to solving the problems occurring in the methods for manufacturing a stack-folded electrode assembly according to the related art and relates to an improved method for manufacturing an electrode assembly. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to an improved method for manufacturing a stack-folded electrode assembly, and an electrochemical device including the electrode assembly obtained from the method.
[0053] Hereinafter, the method for manufacturing a stack-folded electrode assembly according to the related art will be explained.
[0054]
[0055] Referring to
[0056] In the electrode assembly 10, 20, 30, each of the unit cells 7a, 7b, 7c1, 7c2 is present in the form of a stack. Herein, a continuous single second separator 9a, 9b, 9c disposed to surround each of the unit cells 7a, 7b, 7c1, 7c2 is interposed between the adjacent unit cells 7a, 7b, 7c1, 7c2 facing each other in various forms as shown in
[0057]
[0058] In addition, in a process for manufacturing an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly is subjected to a pressing step, after forming the electrode assembly.
[0059] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, in the structure for manufacturing a stack-folded electrode assembly, a bi-cell (positive electrode/separator/negative electrode/separator/positive electrode structure or negative electrode/separator/positive electrode/separator/negative electrode structure), in which the first separator is disposed on each of both surfaces of the positive electrode or negative electrode and the negative electrode or positive electrode is disposed on the first separator, may be used, instead of the unit cell.
[0060]
[0061] Once the electrode assembly is prepared as described above, a stack-folding process is used to manufacture an electrode assembly from the structure, as shown in
[0062] In
[0063] As shown in the drawings, when the structure is folded from the right end, there is a zone in which no unit cell or bi-cell is disposed approximately by the width of one unit cell 1100 or bi-cell 2100 in such a manner that the electrode 1010, 2010 positioned at the top end of the unit cell 1100 or bi-cell 2100 may be in contact with the separator 1090, 2090.
[0064] Then, folding is carried out continuously at the point represented by the dotted line in the direction of the arrow mark, the unit cells 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500 or bi-cells 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500 are totally surrounded with the second separator 1090, 2090, the second separator 1090, 2090 is interposed between the adjacent unit cells or bi-cells, and the unit cells or bi-cells have a structure in which they are aligned correspondingly with one another in the stack (stack-folding). However, in order to carry out the stack-folding process, the interval in the unit cells 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500 and bi-cells 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500, after the first unit cell 1100 and bi-cell 2100 as shown in
[0065] When manufacturing an electrode assembly, particularly, a stack-folded electrode assembly, the whole interface between an electrode and a separator is adhered by high-temperature pressing, and thus the separator shows an increased air permeation time due to the high-temperature pressing, resulting in an increase in resistance, thereby affecting the performance of a cell. In addition, the separator shows a reduced dielectric breakdown voltage to cause a safety issue. Further, electrolyte wetting characteristics are degraded due to the interfacial adhesion between the electrode and the separator, which affects output characteristics undesirably.
[0066] The improved method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to the present disclosure uses a pair of surface-patterned rollers in the pressing step during the manufacture of an electrode assembly to solve the above-mentioned problems.
[0067] The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to the present disclosure includes least one step selected from: a step of passing heat treated first separator and electrodes through a pair of surface-patterned rollers under pressurization to prepare a preliminary electrode assembly including the first separator laminated with the electrodes; and a step of passing a second separator on which the preliminary electrode assemblies are disposed through a pair of surface-patterned rollers under pressurization, and then carrying out winding in such a manner that the second separator may be interposed between the preliminary electrode assemblies.
[0068] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method which includes carrying out pressurization by using a pair of surface-patterned rollers only to prepare a preliminary electrode assembly.
[0069] Particularly, there is provided a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, including the steps of:
[0070] heat treating a plurality of electrodes and a first separator interposed between the electrodes;
[0071] passing the heat treated first separator and electrodes through a pair of surface-patterned rollers under pressurization to prepare a preliminary electrode assembly including the first separator laminated with the electrodes;
[0072] disposing a plurality of the preliminary electrode assemblies on one surface of a second separator, while allowing the preliminary electrode assemblies to be spaced apart from one another; and
[0073] carrying out winding in such a manner that the second separator may be interposed between the preliminary electrode assemblies.
[0074] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method which includes carrying out pressurization by using a pair of surface-patterned rollers only to pressurize a second separator on which a plurality of preliminary electrode assemblies is disposed.
[0075] Particularly, there is provided a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, including the steps of:
[0076] heat treating a plurality of electrodes and a first separator interposed between the electrodes;
[0077] passing the heat treated first separator and electrodes through a pair of non-surface patterned rollers under pressurization to prepare a preliminary electrode assembly including the first separator laminated with the electrodes;
[0078] disposing a plurality of the preliminary electrode assemblies on one surface of a second separator, while allowing the preliminary electrode assemblies to be spaced apart from one another; and
[0079] passing the second separator on which the preliminary electrode assemblies are disposed through a pair of surface-patterned rollers under pressurization, and then carrying out winding in such a manner that the second separator may be interposed between the preliminary electrode assemblies.
[0080] According to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method which includes carrying out pressurization by using a pair of surface-patterned rollers not only to prepare a preliminary electrode assembly but also to pressurize the second separator on which a plurality of preliminary electrode assemblies is disposed.
[0081] Particularly, there is provided a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, including the steps of:
[0082] heat treating a plurality of electrodes and a first separator interposed between the electrodes;
[0083] passing the heat treated first separator and electrodes through a pair of surface-patterned rollers under pressurization to prepare a preliminary electrode assembly including the first separator laminated with the electrodes;
[0084] disposing a plurality of the preliminary electrode assemblies on one surface of a second separator, while allowing the preliminary electrode assemblies to be spaced apart from one another; and
[0085] passing the second separator on which the preliminary electrode assemblies are disposed through a pair of surface-patterned rollers under pressurization, and then carrying out winding in such a manner that the second separator may be interposed between the preliminary electrode assemblies.
[0086]
[0087] Referring to
[0088]
[0089] In
[0090] In
[0091] In addition, it is possible to prepare a surface-patterned roller according to an embodiment of the present disclosure by attaching a separate pattern sheet (pattern member) having a desired pattern shape to the surface of a roller.
[0092] The surface-patterned roller according to an embodiment of the present disclosure shows a reduced contact area with an electrode and/or a separator that faces the roller, as compared to the conventional roller having a non-patterned surface, i.e. a roller having a flat surface with no surface irregularities, and thus can reduce the pressing (lamination) load of an electrode assembly, resulting in a decrease in physical stimulation applied to the separator and the electrode. It is possible to control the contact area, where the roller directly faces the electrode, or the like, and contact area distribution freely by controlling the pattern shape formed on the shape and surface exposure area.
[0093] When the surface-patterned roller is in contact with the electrode which it faces, or the like, during a lamination process, the portion (surface portion removed by intaglio or embossing, original roller surface to which no pattern sheet is attached, or the like) that is not in direct contact with the electrode due to the pattern formation may reduce the lamination load, and thus may reduce the physical stimulation applied to the electrode and the separator.
[0094] The pattern formed on the roller may have a hexagonal pattern, a quadrangular pattern, a triangular pattern, a circular pattern, a pentagonal pattern, a linear pattern, a diagonal pattern, a polygonal pattern, or a combination of two or more of them.
[0095] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when using a roller surface-patterned with a honeycomb structure, it is possible to maximize the adhesion effect through the minimized adhesion area by virtue of the most stable structure. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the air permeability characteristics and electrolyte wetting characteristics at the portion of the separator that is not pressed directly in the resultant electrode assembly.
[0096] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pattern directly facing the electrode may have an area of 1-99% based on the total surface area of the surface-patterned roller. When the pattern directly facing the electrode satisfies the above-defined range, it is possible to reduce the pressurized area and to minimize the physical stimulation applied to the electrode and the separator.
[0097]
[0098] Herein, the heat treatment may be carried out at a temperature of 25-100° C. for a time of 0.01-10 seconds by using a heater.
[0099] In addition, the pressurization condition (pressure, time, or the like) in the process of pressurizing the heat treated separator and electrodes through a pair of rollers 100 having a pattern 120 formed on the surfaces thereof may be changed flexibly depending on the adhesion and air permeability requirements.
[0100] Meanwhile,
[0101]
[0102] The preliminary electrode assembly 10P as shown in
[0103] On the contrary,
[0104] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of preliminary electrode assemblies may be disposed on one surface of a second separator, while allowing the preliminary electrode assemblies to be spaced apart from one another, the second separator on which the preliminary electrode assemblies are disposed may be passed through a pair of surface-patterned rollers under pressurization, and then winding may be carried out in such a manner that the second separator may be interposed between the preliminary electrode assemblies.
[0105] Referring to
[0106] In addition, the preliminary electrode assemblies disposed on one surface of a second separator 1000 may be subjected to pressurization conditions (pressure, time, or the like) changed flexibly depending on the adhesion and air permeability requirements in the pressurization process using a pair of surface-patterned rollers.
[0107] When the electrode assembly is finished as described above, it is received in a casing and sealed by using a conventional method to provide an electrochemical device. Preferably, the electrochemical device may be a lithium secondary battery.
TABLE-US-00001 [Description of Main Elements] 10, 20, 30: Electrode assembly 3a, 3b, 3c: First separator 1a, 1b, 1c, 2050: Negative electrode 5a, 5b, 5c, 2010: Positive electrode 7a, 7b, 7c1, 7c2, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500: Unit cell 3a, 3b, 3c, 2030: First separator 7a, 7b: Full cell 7c1, 7c2, 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500: Bi-cell 9a, 9b, 9c, 1000, 1090, 2090: Second separator 100, 500: Roller 110, 510: Roller main body 120: Pattern 520: Surface 210: Positive electrode current collector 220, 230: Positive electrode active material layer 310: Negative electrode current collector 320, 330: Negative electrode active material layer 240: Separator 10P, 20P, 200: Preliminary electrode assembly 400: Heating source 610: First electrode current collector 620, 630: First electrode layer 600: First electrode 710: Second electrode current collector 720, 730: Second electrode layer 700: Second electrode 810: Porous polymer substrate 800: Organic/inorganic porous coating layer 800: Separator 820: Contact zone 830: Non-contact zone