Apparatus and method for folding battery cell

An apparatus for folding a sealing part of a pouch-type battery cell, the apparatus comprising:

• a base configured to contact an accommodation part of a battery cell in a first position;
• a guide protruding upward from opposite sides of the base to surround the accommodation part at opposite sides of the accommodation part;
• a pressing member configured to press a sealing part of the battery cell to fold the sealing part toward outer surfaces of the guide to form a folded sealing part;
• a heating member configured to heat the sealing part when the pressing member presses the sealing part;
• a transfer member configured to move the base with the battery cell from the first position to a second position where the guide is removed from between a sidewall of the accommodation part and the folded sealing part, and
• a cooling member configured to inject cold air to the folded sealing part in the second position, wherein the injected cold air from the cooling member is directed toward a lower portion of the folded sealing part at an inclined angle to press and further fold the sealing part from a first angle to a second angle in contact with or adjacent to the sidewall of the accommodation part,
• wherein the cooling member is positioned in a non-contact arrangement with the folded sealing part such that the cooling member does not engage the folded sealing part during cooling.