Battery expansion inspection apparatus and method, battery manufacturing device

Abstract

An object of the present application is to provide a device and method for inspecting battery swelling, which can detect a distribution of battery swelling and / or a swelling pressure of each portion of a battery. According to one aspect of the present application, the swelling pressure and swelling distribution of each portion of a battery can be detected. Therefore, the device for inspecting battery swelling has the advantage of more accurately and delicately inspecting the swelling of a battery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a battery expansion inspection apparatus and method, and more specifically, to a battery expansion inspection apparatus and method capable of inspecting the expansion of battery cells. Background Technology

[0002] Recently, demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, cameras, and mobile phones has increased dramatically, and electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, batteries, robots, satellites, and more are also developing rapidly. Therefore, high-performance batteries that allow for repeated charging and discharging are being actively researched.

[0003] Currently commercially available batteries include nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), nickel-zinc (NiZn), and lithium-ion batteries. Among these, lithium-ion batteries have attracted significant attention due to their virtually non-memory effect compared to nickel-based batteries, as well as their very low self-charging rate and high energy density.

[0004] This type of battery may swell, as gas is generated within the battery during charging and discharging or at high temperatures, causing the battery to expand. Because of the risk of fire or explosion due to battery swelling, it is important to accurately inspect the battery's swelling behavior.

[0005] Conventionally, a device for checking battery expansion using multiple load cells has been disclosed (Patent Document 1). Referring to Patent Document 1, a first plate, multiple load cells, a second plate, a measurement target (battery cell), and a third plate are stacked, and multiple fastening members are used to fix the first, second, and third plates. Specifically, since the second plate, which is positioned between the battery cell and the multiple load cells, is fixed by the fastening members, the expansion pressure transmitted to each region of the battery cell to the multiple load cells is inevitably severely lost. In other words, in Patent Document 1, because the movement of the second plate caused by the expansion pressure is restricted by the fastening members, there is a limitation that the expansion of the battery cell cannot be accurately checked.

[0006] Additionally, referring to Patent Document 1 Figure 9 The present invention discloses a structure in which the second plate is composed of multiple partial flatplates, and the partial flatplates are connected to each other by connecting units. Because the partial flatplates are connected to each other, there is a problem that an expansion pressure applied to one partial flatplate may affect the other partial flatplates.

[0007] Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, the multiple partial plates are constrained to each other by connecting units made of elastic or ductile materials. That is, if expansion pressure is applied to any one of the partial plates, the expansion pressure is not only transmitted to the load element located in the lower direction, but also dispersed through the connecting units.

[0008] Considering the above, there is a problem that the pressure of the battery cell measured by the battery cell pressure measuring device disclosed in Patent Document 1 may be inaccurate.

[0009] (Patent Document 1) KR 10-2017-0042082A Summary of the Invention

[0010] Technical issues

[0011] This disclosure is designed to address the problems of the prior art, and therefore aims to provide a battery expansion inspection apparatus and method capable of inspecting the expansion distribution of a battery and / or the expansion pressure in each region of the battery.

[0012] These and other objects and advantages of this disclosure may be understood from the following detailed description and will become even clearer from exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. Furthermore, it will be readily understood that the objects and advantages of this disclosure may be achieved by the means shown in the appended claims and combinations thereof.

[0013] Technical solution

[0014] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a battery swelling inspection apparatus may include: an upper plate configured as a plate; a lower plate configured as a plate and positioned facing the upper plate, the lower plate being configured such that a battery is placed on the lower plate; a fixing frame configured such that a portion of the upper plate and a portion of the lower plate are fixedly connected to the fixing frame; a pressure measuring unit located on at least one of an upper portion and a lower portion of the lower plate and configured to measure a first pressure value applied from the battery toward the lower plate; and a pressure measuring pad having a connecting surface and a measuring surface, the connecting surface being configured to connect to a lower surface of the upper plate or an upper surface of the lower plate, the measuring surface being located on a side opposite to the connecting surface facing the battery and configured such that pressure is applied to at least a portion thereto, the pressure measuring pad being configured to measure the pressure distribution of the measuring surface based on the pressure applied from the battery to at least a portion of the measuring surface and a preset reference value.

[0015] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a battery swelling inspection device may further include a processor connected to the pressure measuring unit and the pressure measuring pad to obtain the first pressure value and the pressure distribution, and configured to calculate a plurality of second pressure values ​​applied to each portion of the measuring surface based on the obtained first pressure value and the obtained pressure distribution, and to detect whether the battery is swollen based on the plurality of calculated second pressure values.

[0016] The processor can be configured to calculate an absolute pressure value applied to the measuring surface by substituting the first pressure value into the pressure distribution, and to calculate the plurality of second pressure values ​​based on the calculated absolute pressure value and the pressure distribution.

[0017] The pressure measuring unit may include a first pressure measuring unit located below the lower plate and having a head positioned facing the lower surface of the lower plate, the first pressure measuring unit being configured to measure the first pressure value applied to the head.

[0018] The pressure measuring pad can be configured such that the connecting surface is connected to the lower surface of the upper plate.

[0019] The pressure measurement unit may include a second pressure measurement unit, which includes a plurality of pressure measurement elements connected to the upper surface of the lower plate and configured to measure the first pressure value based on a unit pressure value measured by each of the plurality of pressure measurement elements.

[0020] The pressure measuring unit may further include a third pressure measuring unit located below the lower plate and having a head positioned facing the lower surface of the lower plate, the third pressure measuring unit being configured to measure a third pressure value applied to the head.

[0021] The processor can be connected to the second pressure measurement unit to obtain the first pressure value, connected to the third pressure measurement unit to obtain the third pressure value, and configured to correct the third pressure value based on the first pressure value.

[0022] The processor can be configured to calculate multiple second pressure values ​​based on the corrected third pressure value and pressure distribution.

[0023] The processor can be configured to detect at least one of the expansion distribution of the battery and the expansion pressure of each region based on the obtained pressure distribution and the plurality of calculated second pressure values.

[0024] The pressure measuring pad can be configured to measure the relative pressure distribution with respect to the pressure applied to the measuring surface by using a reference value as a threshold.

[0025] A battery manufacturing apparatus according to another aspect of this disclosure may include a battery expansion inspection device according to one aspect of this disclosure.

[0026] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a battery expansion inspection method for inspecting the expansion of a battery inserted between an upper plate and a lower plate configured as a plate may include the following steps: a first pressure measurement step, wherein the first pressure measurement step measures a first pressure value applied from the battery toward the lower plate by means of a pressure measuring unit located on at least one of an upper portion and a lower portion of the lower plate and configured to measure the first pressure value applied from the battery toward the lower plate; a pressure distribution measurement step, wherein the pressure distribution measurement step measures a pressure measuring pad having a connecting surface and a measuring surface based on at least a pressure value applied from the battery to the measuring surface. The pressure distribution on the measuring surface is measured using a portion of the pressure and a preset reference value. The connecting surface is configured to be connected to the lower surface of the upper plate or the upper surface of the lower plate, and the measuring surface is located on the side opposite to the connecting surface, facing the battery, and configured such that pressure is applied to at least a portion of the measuring surface; a second pressure measurement step, wherein the processor calculates a plurality of second pressure values ​​applied to each portion of the measuring surface based on the first pressure value and the pressure distribution; and an expansion check step, wherein the processor detects whether the battery is swollen based on the plurality of calculated second pressure values.

[0027] Beneficial effects

[0028] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the expansion pressure and expansion distribution in each local area of ​​the battery can be detected. Therefore, the battery expansion inspection device has the advantage of more accurate and precise inspection of battery expansion.

[0029] The effects of this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other unmentioned effects can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the foregoing disclosure, serve to provide a further understanding of the technical features of the present disclosure; therefore, the present disclosure is not to be construed as limited to the drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery swelling inspection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a diagram that only schematically illustrates some components of a battery swelling inspection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a pressure measuring unit in a battery expansion inspection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a battery swelling inspection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 5 This is a diagram schematically illustrating a second embodiment of a battery swelling inspection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 6 This is a diagram schematically illustrating a third embodiment of a battery swelling inspection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a second pressure measuring unit included in a battery expansion inspection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 8 This schematically shows the inclusion of Figure 7 An exemplary configuration of the pressure measuring element in the second pressure measuring unit.

[0039] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of a second pressure measuring unit included in a battery expansion inspection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 10 This is a diagram schematically illustrating a fourth embodiment of a battery swelling inspection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 11 It schematically shows that the battery is inserted in Figure 10 An exemplary configuration in the fourth embodiment.

[0042] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery swelling inspection method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] (See attached image labels)

[0044] 10: Battery

[0045] 11: Containment section

[0046] 12: Sealing part

[0047] 100: Battery swelling inspection equipment

[0048] 110: On the board

[0049] 120: Lower board

[0050] 130: Fixed Frame

[0051] 140: Pressure Measurement Unit

[0052] 141: First pressure measurement unit

[0053] 142: Second pressure measurement unit

[0054] 142a: Head

[0055] 142b: Main body

[0056] 142c: Cover

[0057] 142d: Supporting component

[0058] 143: Third pressure measurement unit

[0059] 150: Pressure measuring pad

[0060] 160: Processor Detailed Implementation

[0061] It should be understood that the terms used in the specification and appended claims should not be construed as limited to their general and dictionary meanings, but rather as being interpreted based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical solutions of this disclosure, on the basis of the principle that the inventors are allowed to define the terms appropriately for the best interpretation.

[0062] Therefore, the description presented herein is merely a preferred example for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. It should be understood that other equivalent substitutions and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0063] Additionally, in describing this disclosure, detailed descriptions of relevant known elements or functions are omitted here where such descriptions would obscure the key subject matter of the disclosure.

[0064] Ordinal terms such as “first” and “second” can be used to distinguish one element from others among various elements, but are not intended to limit the element by means of the term.

[0065] Throughout this specification, when a part is referred to as “comprising” or “including” any element, unless otherwise expressly stated, it means that the part may include other elements rather than exclude other elements.

[0066] In addition, the term "processor" as described in the specification refers to a unit that processes at least one function or operation and can be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0067] Furthermore, throughout the specification, when one part is referred to as "connected" to another part, it is not limited to the case where they are "directly connected," but also includes the case where they are "indirectly connected," with another element inserted between them.

[0068] In the following, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0069] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery swelling inspection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 This is a diagram that only schematically shows some components of the battery swelling inspection device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0070] Reference Figure 1 The battery swelling inspection device 100 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include an upper plate 110, a lower plate 120, a fixing frame 130, a pressure measuring unit 140 and a pressure measuring pad 150.

[0071] Here, battery 10 refers to a single, physically separable battery having a negative terminal and a positive terminal. For example, a pouch-type lithium polymer battery can be considered a battery. Alternatively, battery 10 can refer to a battery module in which multiple batteries 10 are connected in series and / or in parallel.

[0072] The upper plate 110 and the lower plate 120 can be configured as plates. In addition, the lower plate 120 is positioned facing the upper plate 110 and can be configured so that the battery 10 can be placed on it.

[0073] For example, in Figure 2 In this embodiment, the upper plate 110 and the lower plate 120 are configured as plates and can be positioned facing each other. That is, the upper plate 110 and the lower plate 120 can be spaced apart by a predetermined distance, and the battery 10 can be inserted between the lower plate 120 and the upper plate 110. Specifically, the battery 10 can be placed on the upper part of the lower plate 120 between the upper plate 110 and the lower plate 120.

[0074] The fixed frame 130 can be configured such that a portion of the upper plate 110 is fixedly connected to a portion of the lower plate 120 thereto.

[0075] The fixed frame 130 can fix a part of the upper plate 110 and a part of the lower plate 120, so that the upper plate 110 and the lower plate 120 can move or rock in the longitudinal (x-axis direction) and width (y-axis direction).

[0076] Furthermore, the distance between the upper plate 110 and the lower plate 120 can be adjusted according to the battery inserted therebetween. That is, the positions of the upper plate 110 and the lower plate 120 fixedly connected to the fixed frame 130 can be adjusted according to the battery 10. Since the positions of the upper plate 110 and the lower plate 120 fixedly connected to the fixed frame 130 can be adjusted according to the battery 10, the battery swelling inspection device according to the embodiments of this disclosure is not limited to the size of the battery 10, and can inspect the swelling of various types of batteries 10.

[0077] The pressure measuring unit 140 can be configured to be located on at least one of the upper and lower portions of the lower plate 120. Additionally, the pressure measuring unit 140 can be configured to measure a first pressure value applied from the battery 10 toward the lower plate 120.

[0078] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the pressure measuring unit 140 in the battery expansion inspection device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0079] Reference Figure 3 The pressure measuring unit 140 may include at least one of the first pressure measuring unit 141 and the second pressure measuring unit 142.

[0080] Specifically, the first pressure measuring unit 141 and the second pressure measuring unit 142 can be units with different shapes. Since the first pressure measuring unit 141 and the second pressure measuring unit 142 have different shapes, their positions in the battery expansion inspection device 100 can be different from each other.

[0081] For example, the first pressure measuring unit 141 may have a single pressure measuring element and be located on at least a portion of the lower part of the lower plate 120. Conversely, the second pressure measuring unit 142 may have multiple pressure measuring elements and be located on at least a portion of the upper part of the lower plate 120.

[0082] The pressure measuring pad 150 can be configured to include a coupling surface and a measuring surface, the coupling surface being configured to be coupled to the lower surface of the upper plate 110 or the upper surface of the lower plate 120, and the measuring surface being located on the side opposite to the coupling surface to face the battery 10 and being configured to apply pressure to at least a portion thereof.

[0083] Specifically, the pressure measuring pad 150 may have a pad shape in which one surface is a connecting surface and its opposite surface is a measuring surface. The connecting surface may be connected to the lower surface of the upper plate 110 or the upper surface of the lower plate 120, and the measuring surface may be in contact with the battery 10.

[0084] Preferably, the pressure measuring pad 150 may have a plate-shaped pressure measuring element. Additionally, the connecting surface of the pressure measuring pad 150 may be connected to the lower surface of the upper plate 110 or the upper surface of the lower plate 120, and the pressure of the battery 10 applied to the measuring surface can be measured by the plate-shaped pressure measuring element. For example, the pressure measuring device provided in the pressure measuring pad 150 may be a plate-shaped pressure-sensitive pressure sensor.

[0085] Figure 4 This is a diagram schematically illustrating a first embodiment of a battery swelling inspection device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 This is a diagram schematically illustrating a second embodiment of the battery swelling inspection device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the battery swelling inspection device 100 according to the present disclosure.

[0086] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 The battery swelling inspection device 100 may include a first pressure measuring unit 141 and a pressure measuring pad 150.

[0087] For example, in Figure 4 In this embodiment, the first pressure measuring unit 141 can be located below the lower plate 120, and its head can contact the lower surface of the lower plate 120. Additionally, the pressure measuring pad 150 can be attached to the lower surface of the upper plate 110. Specifically, the contact surface of the pressure measuring pad 150 can be attached to the lower surface of the upper plate 110. Furthermore, the battery 10 can be inserted between the lower plate 120 and the pressure measuring pad 150. That is, the battery 10 can be placed on the upper surface of the lower plate 120.

[0088] In addition, Figure 5 In this embodiment, the first pressure measuring unit 141 can be located below the lower plate 120, and its head can contact the lower surface of the lower plate 120. Additionally, the pressure measuring pad 150 can be attached to the upper surface of the lower plate 120. Specifically, the contact surface of the pressure measuring pad 150 can be attached to the upper surface of the lower plate 120. Furthermore, the battery 10 can be inserted between the upper plate 110 and the pressure measuring pad 150. That is, the battery 10 can be placed on the contact surface of the pressure measuring pad 150.

[0089] Reference Figure 6 The battery swelling inspection device 100 may include a second pressure measuring unit 142 and a pressure measuring pad 150.

[0090] For example, in Figure 6In this embodiment, the second pressure measuring unit 142 is located on the lower plate 120 and connected to the upper surface of the lower plate 120. Specifically, the second pressure measuring unit 142 can be attached to the upper surface of the lower plate 120. Additionally, the pressure measuring pad 150 can be connected to the lower surface of the upper plate 110. Specifically, the connecting surface of the pressure measuring pad 150 can be attached to the lower surface of the upper plate 110. Furthermore, the battery 10 can be inserted between the second pressure measuring unit 142 and the pressure measuring pad 150. That is, the battery 10 can be placed on the second pressure measuring unit 142.

[0091] The pressure measuring pad 150 can be configured to measure the pressure distribution on the measuring surface based on the pressure applied from the battery 10 to at least a portion of the measuring surface and a preset reference value.

[0092] In one embodiment, the pressure measuring pad 150 can be configured to measure the relative pressure distribution relative to the pressure applied to the measuring surface using a reference value as a threshold. That is, the pressure measuring pad 150 can measure the pressure distribution of at least a portion of the pressure applied from the battery 10 to the measuring surface. Here, the pressure measuring pad 150 can measure the relative pressure distribution applied to the measuring surface based on a preset reference value.

[0093] For example, the default reference value can be set to 0. Figures 4 to 6 In this embodiment, the battery 10 can be inserted, and a reference value can be set before charging and discharging the battery 10. After setting the reference value, pressure can be applied to any part of the measuring surface while the battery is being charged and discharged. In this case, the pressure measuring pad 150 can measure the relative pressure value of the part to which pressure is applied as a positive real value.

[0094] As a specific example, assuming the reference value is set to 0, and pressure is applied from the battery 10 to the first, second, and third portions of the measuring surface while the battery 10 is charging and discharging, the pressure measuring pad 150 can measure the relative pressure values ​​of the first, second, and third portions as +100, +200, and +300, respectively. Additionally, the relative pressure value of the remaining portions of the measuring surface other than the first, second, and third portions can be measured as 0. In this way, the pressure measuring pad 150 can measure the relative pressure distribution across the entire measuring surface.

[0095] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery swelling inspection device 100 can measure a first pressure value applied from the battery 10 to the pressure measuring unit 140 and the pressure distribution applied from the battery 10 to the pressure measuring pad 150 while the inserted battery 10 is being charged and discharged.

[0096] According to the battery expansion inspection device 100, not only can the absolute pressure applied from the battery 10 be measured by the pressure measuring unit 140, but the relative pressure distribution applied from the battery 10 can also be measured by the pressure measuring pad 150. That is, during the inspection of the battery 10's expansion, because both the absolute pressure and the relative pressure distribution applied from the battery 10 can be considered, it is possible to detect not only the expansion pressure and expansion distribution for the entire battery 10, but also the expansion pressure and expansion distribution for each local area of ​​the battery 10. Therefore, the battery expansion inspection device 100 has the advantage of more accurately and precisely inspecting the expansion of the battery 10.

[0097] Reference Figure 1 The battery swelling inspection device 100 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may further include a processor 160.

[0098] Here, processor 160 may optionally include application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), other chipsets, logic circuits, registers, communication modems, data processing, etc., known in the art, to execute the various control logics performed in this disclosure. Furthermore, when the control logic is implemented in software, processor 160 may be implemented as a set of program modules. In this case, the program modules may be stored in memory and executed by processor 160. RAM memory may be located internally or externally to processor 160 and may be connected to processor 160 in various well-known ways.

[0099] The pressure processor 160 can be connected to the pressure measuring unit 140 and the pressure measuring pad 150 to obtain a first pressure value and pressure distribution.

[0100] Specifically, the processor 160 can receive a measured first pressure value from the pressure measuring unit 140 and a measured pressure distribution from the pressure measuring pad 150.

[0101] Additionally, the processor 160 can be configured to calculate multiple second pressure values ​​applied to each part of the measuring surface based on the obtained first pressure value and the obtained pressure distribution.

[0102] Specifically, the processor 160 can be configured to calculate the absolute pressure value applied to the measuring surface by substituting the pressure distribution into the first pressure value, and to calculate each of a plurality of second pressure values ​​based on the calculated absolute pressure value and the pressure distribution.

[0103] For example, the pressure measuring unit 140 can measure the total pressure applied from the battery 10 as a first pressure value. For example, the first pressure value can be measured as an absolute pressure value between 0 [N] and 100 [N]. In addition, the pressure measuring pad 150 can measure the relative pressure distribution applied from the battery 10 to each part of the measuring surface.

[0104] Therefore, the processor 160 can calculate a second pressure value applied to each portion of the measuring surface of the pressure measuring pad 150 based on a first pressure value, which is the total pressure value applied from the battery 10, and the relative pressure distribution applied from the battery 10. Here, similar to the first pressure value, the second pressure value can be an absolute pressure value between 0 [N] and 100 [N].

[0105] For example, suppose the pressure measuring pad 150 measures the relative pressure values ​​of the first, second, and third portions of the measuring surface as +100, +200, and +300, respectively, and the pressure measuring unit 140 measures a first pressure value of 6 [N] applied from the battery 10. Based on the relative pressure value of the first portion of the measuring surface and the first pressure value, the processor 160 can calculate a second pressure value for the first portion as 1 [N]. Similarly, the processor 160 can calculate a second pressure value for the second portion of the measuring surface as 2 [N], and a second pressure value for the third portion of the measuring surface as 3 [N]. Additionally, the processor 160 can calculate a second pressure value for the remaining portions of the measuring surface other than the first, second, and third portions as 0 [N].

[0106] The processor 160 can be configured to detect whether the battery 10 is swollen based on multiple calculated second pressure values.

[0107] Preferably, the processor 160 can be configured to detect at least one of the expansion distribution of the battery 10 and the expansion pressure of each region based on the obtained pressure distribution and a plurality of calculated second pressure values.

[0108] Here, while the battery 10 is being charged and discharged, the expansion distribution of the battery 10 is detected by a pressure distribution measured by a pressure measuring pad 150, and can be a distribution with respect to the degree of expansion. As described above, the expansion distribution can be expressed as a relative pressure distribution based on a reference value.

[0109] Furthermore, the expansion pressure of each region can be a value obtained by substituting the degree of expansion of each region of the battery 10 into the absolute pressure, based on the pressure distribution obtained by the processor 160 and the calculated second pressure value. That is, if the expansion distribution of the battery 10 represents the relative pressure distribution of each region of the battery 10, then the expansion pressure of each region represents the absolute pressure value of each region of the battery 10.

[0110] In other words, the battery expansion inspection device 100 according to the embodiments of this disclosure can detect not only the relative pressure (expansion distribution) of each region of the battery 10, but also the pressure value (expansion pressure of each region) of the battery 10. Therefore, the expansion of the battery 10 can be inspected from more aspects. In addition, since the absolute pressure value (first pressure value) and relative pressure distribution of each region of the battery 10 are considered while inspecting the expansion of the battery 10, the accuracy of the expansion inspection can be improved.

[0111] In the following text, reference will be made to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The first and second embodiments of the battery swelling inspection device 100 are described in detail.

[0112] The pressure measuring unit 140 may include a first pressure measuring unit 141.

[0113] For example, the first pressure measuring unit 141 can be a pressure measuring element. That is, the first pressure measuring unit 141 can be a pressure sensor.

[0114] Additionally, the first pressure measuring unit 141 may be located below the lower plate 120, and its head may be configured to face the lower surface of the lower plate 120.

[0115] For example, the first pressure measuring unit 141 may be a load element including a head and a body. In addition, the head of the first pressure measuring unit 141 may contact the lower surface of the lower plate 120.

[0116] Additionally, the first pressure measuring unit 141 can be configured to measure a first pressure value applied to the head.

[0117] exist Figure 4 and Figure 5 In this embodiment, the first pressure measuring unit 141 can measure a first pressure value applied from the battery 10 to the head through the lower plate 120. That is, the measured first pressure value can be the total pressure value applied by the expansion of the battery 10.

[0118] For example, suppose the first pressure value measured by the first pressure measuring unit 141 is 6 [N]. Since the first pressure measuring unit 141 can measure an absolute pressure value (6 [N]) applied by the expansion of the battery 10, there are limitations when measuring the local pressure of the battery 10. Therefore, the processor 160 can calculate a second pressure value based on the first pressure value (6 [N]) measured by the first pressure measuring unit 141 by substituting the pressure distribution of the battery 10 measured by the pressure measuring pad 150 into the absolute pressure value. In addition, the processor 160 can detect the expansion pressure of each region based on the calculated second pressure value of each region of the battery 10.

[0119] In the following text, reference will be made to Figures 6 to 9 A third embodiment of the battery swelling inspection device 100 is described in detail.

[0120] Reference Figure 6 The pressure measuring pad 150 can be configured such that its connecting surface is connected to the lower surface of the upper plate 110. Additionally, the pressure measuring unit 140 may include a second pressure measuring unit 142 connected to the upper surface of the lower plate 120. That is, the pressure measuring pad 150 can be connected to the lower surface of the upper plate 110, and the second pressure measuring unit 142 can be connected to the upper surface of the lower plate 120. Furthermore, the battery 10 can be inserted between the pressure measuring pad 150 and the second pressure measuring unit 142.

[0121] Specifically, the pressure measuring unit 140 may include a second pressure measuring unit 142, which is configured to have a plurality of pressure measuring elements coupled to the upper surface of the lower plate 120. That is, the second pressure measuring unit 142 may include a plurality of pressure measuring elements. In addition, each of the plurality of pressure measuring elements can measure a unit pressure value applied from the battery 10.

[0122] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of a second pressure measuring unit 142 included in a battery expansion inspection device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0123] For example, refer to Figure 7 A second pressure measuring unit 1421, which includes multiple pressure measuring elements, can be connected to the upper surface of the lower plate 120.

[0124] Furthermore, the second pressure measuring unit 142 can be configured to measure a first pressure value based on a unit pressure value measured by each of the plurality of pressure measuring elements. That is, the sum of the plurality of unit pressure values ​​measured by the plurality of pressure measuring elements can be the first pressure value.

[0125] Figure 8 Schematic illustration including Figure 7 An exemplary configuration of the pressure measuring element in the second pressure measuring unit 142.

[0126] Each of the plurality of pressure measuring elements includes: a body 142b configured to be coupled to the upper surface of the lower plate 120; a head 142a coupled to the body 142b and configured to apply pressure thereto from the battery 10; and a cover 142c configured to attach a central portion of its lower surface to the head 142a.

[0127] For example, the head 142a and the cover 142c of the pressure measuring element can be made of a magnetic material that can be attached to each other. More preferably, the top tip of the head 142a and the central portion of the lower surface of the cover 142c can be made of a magnetic material. Therefore, the central portion of the lower surface of the cover 142c can be magnetically attached to the top tip of the head 142a. In addition, the cover 142c can be detachably attached to the head 142a.

[0128] exist Figure 8 In this embodiment, at least a portion of the head 142a of the pressure measuring element may be configured in an angled shape or as a curved surface. Preferably, the pressure measuring element may be configured such that at least a portion of the head 142a is a curved surface. Therefore, when pressure is applied from the battery 10 to the cover 142c, causing the cover 142c to tilt, the restriction on the movement of the cover 142c due to the shape of the head 142a can be minimized. That is, since the head 142a of the pressure measuring element is configured in a shape that allows the cover 142c to tilt easily, the cover 142c can easily tilt in response to pressure applied from the battery 10. In addition, the tips of the cover 142c and the head 142a may be made of a magnetic material, so that the cover 142c can easily return to its original shape after tilting.

[0129] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of a second pressure measuring unit 142 included in a battery expansion inspection device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0130] Reference Figure 9 The second pressure measuring unit 142 may also include a support member 142d. The support member 142d may be configured such that one end is attached to the upper surface of the lower plate 120 and a hollow or recessed space is formed therein, such that a portion of the cover 142c is inserted.

[0131] Because the portion of the cover 142c inserted into the support member 142d can move only within the support member 142d, even if the cover 142c tilts due to pressure applied from the battery 10, contact between adjacent covers 142c can be prevented. Since contact between the covers 142c of multiple adjacent pressure measuring elements is prevented by the support member 142d, the unit pressure value measured by each of the multiple pressure measuring elements can be more accurate.

[0132] In other words, multiple pressure measuring elements included in the second pressure measuring unit 142 can be used to have a structure capable of calculating unit pressure values ​​more accurately. Therefore, the battery expansion inspection device 100 according to the embodiments of this disclosure can more accurately detect the expansion distribution of the battery 10 and the expansion pressure of each region based on the first pressure value calculated by the second pressure measuring unit 142.

[0133] Figure 10 This is a diagram schematically illustrating a fourth embodiment of the battery swelling inspection device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 11 This is a schematic illustration of battery 10 inserted in... Figure 10 A diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration in the fourth embodiment.

[0134] For example, in Figure 10 and Figure 11 In one embodiment, the pressure measuring unit 140 may further include a third pressure measuring unit 143 located below the lower plate 120, such that its head is positioned facing the lower surface of the lower plate 120 and configured to measure a third pressure applied to the head.

[0135] Here, the third pressure measuring unit 143 can be connected with... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The first pressure measuring unit 141 of the embodiment is the same. However, in order to distinguish it from the description of the previous embodiment, the second pressure measuring unit 142 and the third pressure measuring unit 143 will be described below as being included in the pressure measuring unit 140.

[0136] exist Figure 10 and Figure 11 In one embodiment, the pressure measuring unit 140 may include a second pressure measuring unit 142 and a third pressure measuring unit 143.

[0137] Specifically, the second pressure measuring unit 142 can be connected to the upper surface of the lower plate 120, and the third pressure measuring unit 143 can be located below the lower plate 120. In this case, the second pressure measuring unit 142 can measure a first pressure value based on multiple unit pressure values ​​applied from the battery 10 to the multiple pressure measuring elements respectively. In addition, the third pressure measuring unit 143 can measure a third pressure value applied from the battery 10 through the lower plate 120.

[0138] The processor 160 can be connected to a second pressure measurement unit 142 to obtain a first pressure value, connected to a third pressure measurement unit 143 to obtain a third pressure value, and configured to correct the third pressure value based on the first pressure value. The processor 160 can be configured to calculate a plurality of second pressure values ​​based on the corrected third pressure value and the pressure distribution.

[0139] In other words, the processor 160 can correct the third pressure value based on the first pressure value obtained from the second pressure measurement unit 142 before calculating the second pressure value of each region of the battery 10, based on the third pressure value obtained from the third pressure measurement unit 143 and the pressure distribution of the battery 10 obtained from the pressure measurement pad 150.

[0140] For example, refer to Figure 11 The battery 10 may include a housing portion 11 and a sealing portion 12 in which electrode assemblies and electrolyte are disposed. Here, the electrode assembly may be an assembly including a positive electrode plate, a spacer, and a negative electrode plate. In addition, when the housing portion 11 of the battery 10 expands during the charging and discharging of the battery 10, the expansion pressure of the battery 10 may be applied toward the upper plate 110 and the lower plate 120.

[0141] Since the measuring surface of the pressure measuring pad 150 is in direct contact with the battery 10, the expansion pressure applied by the battery 10 to the pressure measuring pad 150 may not be lost. That is, there is no need to correct the pressure distribution of the battery 10 measured by the pressure measuring pad 150.

[0142] However, since the expansion pressure of the battery 10 is applied to the third pressure measuring unit 143 through the second pressure measuring unit 142 and the lower plate 120, the third pressure value measured by the third pressure measuring unit 143 may differ slightly from the actual expansion pressure of the battery 10. For example, when the expansion pressure of the battery 10 is applied to the second pressure measuring unit 142, the expansion pressure of the battery 10 may be lost due to friction generated between the head 142a and the cover 142c, and between the head 142a and the body 142b of the plurality of pressure measuring elements. In addition, the expansion pressure of the battery 10 may also be lost due to the tension of the lower plate 120 and / or the friction between the lower plate 120 and the fixing frame 130.

[0143] Additionally, the second pressure measuring unit 142 includes multiple pressure measuring elements, and gaps may exist between the caps 142c of the multiple pressure measuring elements. If pressure is applied to the portion of the battery 10 corresponding to the gap, the first pressure value measured by the second pressure measuring unit 142 may also be slightly different from the expansion pressure of the battery 10.

[0144] Therefore, the processor 160 can more accurately check the expansion of the battery 10 by correcting the third pressure value based on the first pressure value and calculating the second pressure value based on the corrected third pressure value.

[0145] For example, processor 160 can calculate the average of the first pressure value and the third pressure value, and use the calculated average to correct the third pressure value. In this case, since the third pressure value calculated by the third pressure measuring unit 143 and the first pressure value calculated by the second pressure measuring unit 142 can be taken into account, the corrected third pressure value can be a value that is very close to the expansion pressure of battery 10. Therefore, based on the corrected third pressure value and the pressure distribution measured by pressure measuring pad 150, the expansion pressure of each region can be calculated more accurately.

[0146] In other words, the battery expansion inspection device 100 according to the embodiments of this disclosure has the advantage of more accurately inspecting the expansion of the battery 10 by using all of the second pressure measuring unit 142, the third pressure measuring unit 143 and the pressure measuring pad 150.

[0147] In addition, refer to Figure 11 Since the pressure measuring pad 150 must measure the pressure distribution in each region of the battery 10, the area of ​​the measuring surface of the pressure measuring pad 150 can be greater than or equal to the area of ​​the receiving portion 11. Specifically, the area of ​​the measuring surface of the pressure measuring pad 150 can be equal to or greater than the area of ​​the receiving portion 11 that contacts it in the +Z direction.

[0148] Similarly, since the second pressure measuring unit 142 must also measure the first pressure value of each region of the battery 10, the area of ​​the second pressure measuring unit 142 in the +Z direction can be larger than the area of ​​the receiving portion 11 in the -Z direction that it contacts.

[0149] A battery manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include a battery expansion inspection device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0150] For example, the battery manufacturing equipment can be used for a testing process during the manufacturing process of the battery 10. Preferably, the testing process is performed after the aging process for the battery 10 is completed, and it can be a process of selecting defective batteries 10 while repeatedly charging and discharging the battery 10. In this process, the battery 10 is inserted into the battery expansion inspection device 100, and while the battery 10 is repeatedly charged and discharged, the processor 160 can detect the expansion distribution of the battery 10 and the expansion pressure of each region.

[0151] Therefore, the battery manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure has the advantage of being able to select batteries 10 with defects (especially defects related to expansion) before the batteries 10 are shipped.

[0152] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a battery swelling inspection method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0153] The battery swelling inspection method is a method for inspecting the swelling of the battery 10 inserted between the upper plate 110 and the lower plate 120 which are arranged in a plate-like configuration, and each step of the method can be performed by the battery swelling inspection device 100.

[0154] The first pressure measurement step (S100) may be a step of measuring a first pressure value applied from the battery 10 to the lower plate 120. Specifically, the first pressure measurement step (S100) may be performed by a pressure measurement unit 140 located on at least one of the upper or lower parts of the lower plate 120, and is configured to measure the first pressure value applied from the battery 10 to the lower plate 120.

[0155] The first pressure value measured by the pressure measuring unit 140 can be the absolute pressure value applied from the battery 10 to the pressure measuring unit 140.

[0156] The pressure distribution measurement step (S200) can be a step of measuring the pressure distribution on the measuring surface based on the pressure applied from the battery 10 to at least a portion of the measuring surface of the pressure measuring pad 150 and a preset reference value. Specifically, the pressure distribution measurement step (S200) can be performed by a pressure measuring pad 150 having a connecting surface and a measuring surface. The connecting surface is configured to be connected to the lower surface of the upper plate 110 or the upper surface of the lower plate 120, and the measuring surface is located on the side opposite to the connecting surface facing the battery 10 and is configured such that pressure is applied to at least a portion of it.

[0157] The pressure distribution measured by the pressure measuring pad 150 can be the distribution of the relative pressure applied from the battery 10 to each part of the measuring surface of the pressure measuring pad 150.

[0158] The second pressure measurement step (S300) is a step of calculating multiple second pressure values ​​applied to each part of the measuring surface based on the first pressure value and the pressure distribution. Specifically, the second pressure calculation step can be executed by the processor 160.

[0159] The processor 160 can obtain a first pressure value from the pressure measuring unit 140 and a pressure distribution from the pressure measuring pad 150. Additionally, the processor 160 can calculate a second pressure value (absolute pressure value) for each portion of the measuring surface applied from the battery 10 based on the first pressure value and the pressure distribution.

[0160] The expansion check step (S400) is a step that detects whether the battery 10 has expanded based on multiple calculated second pressure values. Specifically, the expansion check step (S400) can be executed by the processor 160.

[0161] The processor 160 can detect the expansion distribution of the battery 10 and the expansion pressure of each region based on multiple calculated second pressure values.

[0162] The embodiments of this disclosure described above can be implemented not only by devices and methods, but also by a program that implements functions corresponding to the configuration of the embodiments of this disclosure, or a recording medium on which the program is recorded. Those skilled in the art can readily implement the program or recording medium based on the above description of the embodiments.

[0163] This disclosure has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that while the detailed description and specific examples indicate preferred embodiments of this disclosure, they are given by way of example only, as various variations and modifications within the scope of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

[0164] Furthermore, those skilled in the art can make many substitutions, modifications, and variations to the above-described disclosure without departing from the technical aspects of this disclosure, and this disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and accompanying drawings, and each embodiment can be selectively combined in part or in whole to allow for various modifications.

[0165] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0067294, filed in Korea on June 3, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A battery swelling inspection device, the battery swelling inspection device comprising: Upper plate, the upper plate being configured as a plate; A lower plate, the lower plate being configured as a plate and positioned to face the upper plate, the lower plate being configured such that a battery is placed on the lower plate; A fixed frame, the fixed frame being configured such that a portion of the upper plate and a portion of the lower plate are fixedly connected to the fixed frame; A pressure measuring unit is located on at least one of the upper and lower portions of the lower plate and is configured to measure a first pressure value applied from the battery toward the lower plate; A pressure measuring pad having a connecting surface and a measuring surface, the connecting surface being configured to be connected to a lower surface of an upper plate or an upper surface of a lower plate, the measuring surface being located on a side opposite to the connecting surface facing the battery and configured such that pressure is applied to at least a portion of the measuring surface, the pressure measuring pad being configured to measure the pressure distribution of the measuring surface based on the pressure applied from the battery to at least a portion of the measuring surface and a preset reference value; as well as A processor, connected to the pressure measuring unit and the pressure measuring pad, obtains the first pressure value and the pressure distribution, and is configured to calculate a plurality of second pressure values ​​applied to each portion of the measuring surface based on the obtained first pressure value and the obtained pressure distribution, and to detect whether the battery is swollen based on the plurality of calculated second pressure values. The processor is configured to calculate the absolute pressure value applied to the measuring surface by substituting the pressure distribution into the first pressure value, and to calculate each of the plurality of second pressure values ​​based on the calculated absolute pressure value and the pressure distribution.

2. The battery swelling inspection device according to claim 1, in, The pressure measuring unit includes a first pressure measuring unit located below the lower plate and having a head positioned facing the lower surface of the lower plate. The first pressure measuring unit is configured to measure the first pressure value applied to the head.

3. The battery swelling inspection device according to claim 1, in, The pressure measuring pad is configured such that the connecting surface is connected to the lower surface of the upper plate, and The pressure measuring unit includes a second pressure measuring unit having a plurality of pressure measuring elements connected to the upper surface of the lower plate, and configured to measure the first pressure value based on a unit pressure value measured by each of the plurality of pressure measuring elements.

4. The battery swelling inspection device according to claim 3, in, The pressure measuring unit further includes a third pressure measuring unit located below the lower plate and having a head positioned to face the lower surface of the lower plate, the third pressure measuring unit being configured to measure a third pressure value applied to the head.

5. The battery swelling inspection device according to claim 4, in, The processor is connected to the second pressure measurement unit to obtain the first pressure value, connected to the third pressure measurement unit to obtain the third pressure value, and configured to correct the third pressure value based on the first pressure value.

6. The battery swelling inspection device according to claim 5, in, The processor is configured to calculate the plurality of second pressure values ​​based on the corrected third pressure value and the pressure distribution.

7. The battery swelling inspection device according to claim 1, in, The processor is configured to detect at least one of the expansion distribution of the battery and the expansion pressure of each region based on the obtained pressure distribution and the plurality of calculated second pressure values.

8. The battery swelling inspection device according to claim 1, in, The pressure measuring pad is configured to measure the relative pressure distribution relative to the pressure applied to the measuring surface by using the reference value as a threshold.

9. A battery manufacturing apparatus, the battery manufacturing apparatus comprising a battery swelling inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A battery expansion inspection method for inspecting the expansion of a battery inserted between an upper plate and a lower plate configured as plates, the battery expansion inspection method comprising the following steps: A first pressure measurement step, wherein the first pressure measurement step measures a first pressure value applied from the battery toward the lower plate by means of a pressure measurement unit located on at least one of the upper and lower parts of the lower plate; A pressure distribution measurement step, wherein the pressure distribution measurement step measures the pressure distribution of the measuring surface based on the pressure applied from the battery to at least a portion of the measuring surface and a preset reference value using a pressure measuring pad having a connecting surface and a measuring surface, the connecting surface being configured to be connected to the lower surface of the upper plate or the upper surface of the lower plate, and the measuring surface being located on the side opposite to the connecting surface to face the battery and configured such that pressure is applied to at least a portion of the measuring surface; The second pressure measurement step involves a processor calculating multiple second pressure values ​​applied to each part of the measurement surface based on the first pressure value and the pressure distribution. as well as The expansion check step involves the processor detecting whether the battery is swollen based on multiple calculated second pressure values. In the second pressure measurement step, the processor calculates the absolute pressure value applied to the measuring surface by substituting the first pressure value into the pressure distribution, and calculates each of the plurality of second pressure values ​​based on the calculated absolute pressure value and the pressure distribution.

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