Apparatus and method for laminating tape on electrode of rechargeable battery

An apparatus for laminating tape on an electrode for a rechargeable battery, the apparatus comprising:

• a supplying section for supplying the electrode at a constant rate, the electrode comprising a current collector having surfaces on which active materials are coated at distances from each other, the electrode being wound a plurality of times in a roll shape on the supplying section;
• a first buffering section for carrying the electrode from the supplying section at the constant rate;
• a laminating section for receiving the electrode from the first buffering section, the laminating section configured to laminate tape on end portions of the active materials after movement of the electrode is stopped in the laminating section and while the supplying section continuously supplies the electrode to the first buffering section at the constant rate;
• a feeding section for stopping the movement of the electrode for a predetermined time in the laminating section and conveying the electrode from the laminating section at a desired pitch, the feeding section stopping the movement of the electrode in the laminating section while the supplying section continuously supplies the electrode to the first buffering section at the constant rate;
• a second buffering section for carrying the electrode from the feeding section and conveying the electrode at the constant rate;
• and
• a winding section for receiving the electrode from the second buffering section at the constant rate and winding the electrode in a roll shape,
• wherein the first buffering section comprises:
• a first conveying roller for conveying the electrode from the supplying section;
• a first supporting roller for supporting the electrode;
• and
• a first elevating roller for delaying movement of the electrode,
• wherein the first supporting roller is mounted at a rear portion of the first conveying roller, and the first elevating roller is mounted between the first conveying roller and the first supporting roller so as to descend due to a weight of the first elevating roller when movement of the electrode is stopped in the laminating section and to ascend due to tension of the electrode during feeding of the electrode in the feeding section, and
• wherein the second buffering section comprises:
• a second conveying roller for conveying the electrode to the winding section;
• a second supporting roller mounted in front of the second conveying roller for supporting the electrode;
• and
• a second elevating roller mounted between the second supporting roller and the second conveying roller so as to ascend due to tension of the electrode when movement of the electrode is stopped in the laminating section and to descend due to a weight of the second elevating roller during the feeding of the electrode in the feeding section.