Lead processing apparatus capable of processing electrode lead into round shape and battery cell including electrode lead processed by using the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10723034-B2
Application number	US-201715724592-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 4, 2017
Priority date	Oct 4, 2016
Publication date	Jul 28, 2020
Grant date	Jul 28, 2020

Abstract

A lead processing apparatus includes a fixing die configured to maintain a position of a preliminary lead when a portion to be removed of the preliminary lead protrudes from a first end that is one side end and a cutting jig is configured to form the preliminary lead into an electrode lead shape by removing the portion to be cut except for a portion of the preliminary lead coupled to the fixing die, while being actuated in a downward direction with respect to the fixing die. In particular, each of corners of the first end has a round shape on a plane. A portion of the cutting jig, configured to cross the first end during the removal process (e.g., cutting) is performed by actuation in the downward direction is recessed in correspondence to the shape of the first end.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A lead processing apparatus to process an electrode lead for an electric connection of a battery cell, the electrode lead having a predetermined length and shape, the lead processing apparatus comprising:
a fixing die configured to maintain a position of a preliminary lead when a portion to be removed from the preliminary lead protrudes from a first end of a side end of the fixing die: and
a cutting jig configured to form the preliminary lead into an electrode lead shape of the electrode lead by removing the portion to be removed while a portion of the preliminary lead coupled to the fixing die remains on the fixing die, the cutting jig being actuated in a downward direction with respect to the fixing die,
wherein a plurality of corners of the first end of the side end of the fixing die have a round shape on a plane, and a portion of the cutting jig, which crosses the first end during removal by actuation in the downward direction, is recessed in correspondence to the round shape of the plurality of corners of the first end,
wherein the fixing die comprises:
a first die having the first end, a second end, and a third end, the second end and the third end respectively extending from opposite sides of the first end, and the preliminary lead is seated on the first die;
a second die integrated with and extending from the second end of the first die; and
a third die integrated with and extending from the third end of the first die, and
wherein the first end protrudes further away from the second and third ends with respect to the second and third dies and with reference to a length of the preliminary lead, and the cutting jig is configured to simultaneously cross the first end, the second die, and the third die during an actuation of the cutting jig in the downward direction for cutting the preliminary lead.

2. The lead processing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein, when the cutting jig crosses the fixing die by actuation in the downward direction, the preliminary lead is removed when the round shape of the plurality of corners of the first end are engaged with the cutting jig and forms the electrode lead having round corners.

3. The lead processing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cutting jig comprises:
a jig main body;
a pair of guide portions integrated with and extending from the jig main body at positions that correspond to the second die and the third die; and
first and second curved portions that are curved surfaces extending from the jig main body to the guide portions and located between the guide portions,
wherein a recessed space defined by the first and second curved portions and the jig main body between the guide portions crosses the first end of the fixing die during actuation of the cutting jig in the downward direction for cutting the preliminary lead.

4. The lead processing apparatus of claim 3 , wherein, during the actuation of the cutting jig in the downward direction, round corners of the electrode lead are formed by cutting the preliminary lead when the first and second curved portions are engaged with the plurality of corners of the first end, and an end of the electrode lead, disposed between the plurality of corners of the first end, is formed by cutting the preliminary lead when an extended portion between the plurality of corners of the first end is engaged with the jig main body.

5. The lead processing apparatus of claim 3 , wherein, during the actuation of the cutting jig in the downward direction, as the guide portions respectively abut the first and second dies, the cutting jig is translated in the downward direction with respect to the fixing die.

6. The lead processing apparatus of claim 5 , wherein, during the actuation of the cutting jig in the downward direction, when the preliminary lead is engaged with each of the guide portions at side surfaces of the first end, a portion of side surfaces of the preliminary lead is removed.

7. The lead processing apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first aperture through which a gas flows and a plurality of second apertures branched from the first aperture defined in the first die;
openings respectively communicated with the second apertures perforated in a surface of the first die; and
a vacuum pump for pneumatic pressure drop coupled to the first aperture.

8. The lead processing apparatus of claim 7 , wherein an interior of each of the first and second apertures are converted into a vacuum state by the vacuum pump when the preliminary lead abuts the first die to seal the plurality of second apertures, and the preliminary lead is coupled to the first die by a vacuum pressure during the vacuum state.

9. The lead processing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein on a vertical cross-section of the fixing die, the second die protrudes in an upward direction with respect to a surface of the first die with the first die and the second die forming a first stepped portion with respect to each other, and the third die protrudes in an upward direction with respect to the surface of the first die with the first die and the third die forming a second stepped portion with respect to each other.

10. The lead processing apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the preliminary lead is seated on the first die when the preliminary lead abuts the first and second stepped portions and is obstructed from moving by the first and second stepped portions during actuation in the downward direction of the cutting jig.

11. The lead processing apparatus of claim 9 , wherein a distance between the first and second stepped portions is about 99% to 100% of a width of the preliminary lead, and a protruding height of each of the first and second stepped portions is about 100% to 110% of a thickness of the preliminary lead.

12. The lead processing apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the round shape of the plurality of corners of the first end has a radius of curvature in the range of about 10R to 100R.

13. A battery cell comprising an electrode lead processed by the lead processing apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein each of corners of the electrode lead has a round shape having a radius of curvature in the range of about 10R to 100R on the plane.

Assignees

• Lg Chemical Ltd

Inventors

• Yun Ji Ho
• Jang Jae Young

Classifications

• H01M50/178

  for pouch or flexible bag cells · CPC title

• H01M50/553

  Terminals adapted for prismatic, pouch or rectangular cells · CPC title

• H01M50/55

  on the same side of the cell · CPC title

• H01M50/533 Primary

  characterised by the shape of the leads or tabs · CPC title

• H01M50/557

  Plate-shaped terminals · CPC title