Die coater inspection apparatus and method

Abstract

A die coater inspection device for inspecting a die coater including a first die, a second die, and a shim formed between the first die and the second die according to an embodiment of the present application includes a sensor module that moves in a thickness direction of the die coater and inspects a lip or a shim of the die coater, a control portion that controls an operation of the sensor module, and a storage portion in which reference data related to a thickness of the lip or the shim is stored, the sensor module includes a position detection sensor that detects a position of the lip and a distance detection sensor that measures a height of the lip or the shim, the control portion includes a first encoder that recognizes a coordinate value of the sensor module each time the sensor module moves in the thickness direction of the die coater, a reception portion that receives a signal transmitted by the position detection sensor, a determination portion that determines a position of the lip or the shim based on the signal received by the reception portion, and a calculation portion that performs a calculation based on the position of the lip or the shim and the coordinate value to derive a coordinate value of the lip or a coordinate value of the shim.

Description

[0001] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0087147, filed on July 14, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to a die coater inspection device and method, and more particularly, to a die coater inspection device and method in which the position of a lip of a die coater can be accurately measured to determine whether assembly defects of a die and a gasket occur, and in which inspection can be directly performed while the die coater is in a state of being installed on a production line without the need to provide a separate inspection line. BACKGROUND

[0004] In general, the types of secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, lithium-ion batteries, lithium-ion polymer batteries, and the like. Such secondary batteries are applied and used for small products such as digital cameras, P-DVDs, MP3Ps, mobile phones, PDAs, portable game devices, power tools, electric bicycles, and the like; large products requiring high power such as electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and the like; and power storage devices for storing excess generated power or renewable energy, backup power storage devices, and the like.

[0005] In order to manufacture the above-described secondary battery, first, an electrode active material slurry is applied to a positive electrode current collector and a negative electrode current collector to manufacture a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and the positive electrode and the negative electrode are stacked on both sides of a separator to form an electrode assembly having a predetermined shape. Then, the electrode assembly is accommodated in a battery case, after which an electrolyte is injected and sealed.

[0006] A slurry, which can be prepared by mixing an electrode active material, a binder, and a plasticizer, is applied to an electrode current collector such as a positive electrode current collector and a negative electrode current collector, and then dried and pressed to manufacture an electrode such as a positive electrode and a negative electrode. In order to apply such a slurry to an electrode current collector, a die coater is used.

[0007] A die coater generally includes a first die, a gasket, and a second die, and the die coater can be formed by assembling the first die and the second die with the gasket interposed therebetween. At this time, a third die can be further provided between the first die and the second die, in which case a first gasket can be interposed between the first die and the third die, and a second gasket can be interposed between the second die and the third die. That is, the die coater can include various numbers of dies and gaskets.

[0008] The die coater has a very narrow gap between discharge ports through which slurry or the like is discharged. However, when such a gap is different from a design gap due to assembly tolerance or the like, the amount of slurry applied to an electrode current collector or the like will greatly differ from a design value. In this case, the quality of the manufactured electrode will differ from a design quality.

[0009] Alternatively, when the die coater is used for a long time once assembled, the die and the gasket can be disassembled and then reassembled for internal cleaning or the like. However, in this process, the positions of the first lip of the first die, the guide of the gasket, and the second lip of the second die can deviate from their original positions. Then, even when the same die coater is used to manufacture electrodes, the quality of the electrodes can differ before and after reassembly.

[0010] Therefore, in order to reduce assembly tolerance or the like, a user directly contacts the lips of the die coater with a micrometer to measure the heights of the first lip, the gasket, and the second lip and the gap therebetween. However, since the gap of the discharge port between such lips is very narrow, the user does not easily directly contact it to make a measurement, and there is also a problem in that errors increase due to different measurements by each user.

[0011] [Related Art Documents]

[0012] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Publication No. 2013-0128912 SUMMARY

[0013] TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0014] An object to be achieved by the present application is to provide a die coater inspection device and method in which the positions of lips of a die coater can be accurately measured to determine whether assembly defects of a die and a gasket occur, and inspection can be directly performed while the die coater is in a state of being installed on a production line without the need to provide a separate inspection line.

[0015] The object of the present application is not limited to the foregoing object, but other objects not described herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0016] TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0017] To achieve the above object, a die coater inspection device for inspecting a die coater including a first die, a second die, and a gasket formed between the first die and the second die according to an embodiment of the present application includes a sensor module moving in a thickness direction of the die coater and configured to inspect a lip or a gasket of the die coater, a control portion configured to control an operation of the sensor module, and a storage portion in which reference data related to a thickness of the lip or the gasket is stored, wherein the sensor module includes a position detection sensor configured to detect a position of the lip and a distance detection sensor configured to measure a height of the lip or the gasket, and the control portion includes a first encoder configured to recognize a coordinate value of the sensor module every time the sensor module moves in the thickness direction of the die coater, a reception portion configured to receive a signal transmitted by the position detection sensor, a determination portion configured to determine a position of the lip or the gasket according to the signal received by the reception portion, and a calculation portion configured to perform a calculation based on the position of the lip or the gasket and the coordinate value of the sensor module to derive a coordinate value of the lip or a coordinate value of the gasket.

[0018] In addition, the position detection sensor can change a signal transmitted to the reception portion from a first signal to a second signal when an edge of the lip is detected.

[0019] In addition, the first encoder can recognize the coordinate value of the sensor module as a coordinate value of the edge when the first signal is changed to the second signal.

[0020] In addition, the storage portion can store the coordinate value of the edge recognized by the first encoder.

[0021] In addition, the determination portion can determine the position of the lip or the gasket using the edge as a boundary when the second signal is received by the reception portion.

[0022] In addition, the calculation portion can load the reference data related to the thickness of the lip or the gasket from the storage portion, and can perform a calculation based on the coordinate value of the edge and the reference data related to the thickness of the lip or the gasket to derive the coordinate value of the lip or the gasket by reflecting the position of the lip or the gasket.

[0023] In addition, the calculation portion can calculate a half of the thickness of the lip or the gasket to the coordinate value of the edge to derive the coordinate value of the lip or the gasket.

[0024] Further, the storage section can store the coordinate values of the lip or the gasket derived.

[0025] Further, the sensor module can be moved to a position corresponding to the coordinate values of the lip or the gasket derived.

[0026] Further, the distance detection sensor can measure the height of the lip or the gasket at a position corresponding to the coordinate values of the lip or the gasket.

[0027] Further, the storage section can store measurement data related to the height of the lip or the gasket.

[0028] Further, the storage section can store reference data related to the height of the lip or the gasket.

[0029] Further, the determination section can compare the measurement data related to the height of the lip or the gasket and the reference data related to the height of the lip or the gasket to determine whether a defect occurs.

[0030] To achieve the above object, a die coater inspection method for inspecting a die coater including a first die, a second die, and a gasket formed between the first die and the second die according to an embodiment of the present application includes the following steps: moving a sensor module including a position detection sensor; detecting an edge of a lip of the die coater by the position detection sensor; recognizing coordinate values of the edge; deriving coordinate values of the lip or the gasket based on the coordinate values of the edge and reference data related to the thickness of the lip or the gasket by performing a calculation; moving the sensor module to a position corresponding to the coordinate values of the lip or the gasket; measuring the height of the lip or the gasket by a distance detection sensor included in the sensor module; storing measurement data related to the height of the lip or the gasket in a storage section; and determining whether the die coater has a defect based on the measurement data related to the height of the lip or the gasket.

[0031] Further, in the sensor module, the position detection sensor and the distance detection sensor can be arranged in parallel with each other in the length direction of the die coater.

[0032] Further, the position detection sensor can include at least one of a fiber optic sensor, a light sensor, a proximity sensor, and a vision sensor; and the distance detection sensor can include at least one of a laser displacement sensor and an ultrasonic displacement sensor.

[0033] Further, the gasket can include at least one guide configured to divide an inner space between the first mold and the second mold into a plurality of spaces, and a base configured to connect end portions of the guide to each other and extend in a length direction of the mold coater.

[0034] Further, in the process of moving the sensor module, the position detection sensor can move along a first path in which the guide is not present, and the distance detection sensor can move along a second path in which the guide is present.

[0035] Further, the sensor module can move in a direction from the first mold to the second mold.

[0036] Further, in the process of moving the sensor module, a first encoder can identify a coordinate value of the sensor module each time the sensor module moves.

[0037] Further, the mold coater inspection method can further include changing a signal transmitted by the position detection sensor from a first signal to a second signal before identifying the coordinate value of the edge.

[0038] Further, in the process of identifying the coordinate value of the edge, the first encoder can identify the coordinate value of the sensor module as the coordinate value of the edge when the second signal is received.

[0039] Further, in the process of identifying the coordinate value of the edge, the coordinate value of the edge can be stored in the storage.

[0040] Further, the reference data related to a thickness of the lip or the gasket can be stored in the storage.

[0041] Further, the process of deriving the coordinate value of the lip or the gasket can include loading the reference data related to the thickness of the lip or the gasket, and deriving the coordinate value of the lip or the gasket by calculating half of the thickness of the lip or the gasket to the coordinate value of the edge.

[0042] Further, in the process of deriving the coordinate value of the lip or the gasket, the coordinate value of the lip or the gasket can be stored in the storage.

[0043] Further, the reference data related to a height of the lip or the gasket can be stored in the storage.

[0044] Further, the process of determining whether the die coater is defective can include loading the reference data related to the height of the lip or the shim, and comparing the measured data related to the height of the lip or the shim with the reference data related to the height of the lip or the shim to determine whether a defect occurs.

[0045] Other specific details of the present application are included in the detailed description and drawings.

[0046] Advantages

[0047] According to the embodiments of the present application, at least the following effects are obtained.

[0048] Since the die coater inspection device can automatically detect the position and height of the lip and the shim, the inspection can be easily performed, and the problem of an increase in error due to different measurement results of each user can be prevented.

[0049] Effects according to the present application are not limited by what is illustrated above, and more various effects are included herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0050] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a die coater 2 and a die coater inspection device 1 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0051] Figure 2 is an assembly view of the die coater 2 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0052] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a die coater inspection method according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0053] Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of a lip 22 of the die coater 2 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0054] Figure 5 is a block diagram of the die coater inspection device 1 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0055] Figure 6 is an enlarged top view of the lip 22 of the die coater 2 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0056] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a die coater 2a and a die coater inspection device 1a according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0057] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a die coater 2b and a die coater inspection device 1b according to still another embodiment of the present application.

[0058] Figure 9is a perspective view of a die coater 2 and a die coater inspection device 1c according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0059] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a die coater 2 and a die coater inspection device 1d according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0060] Figure 11 is a perspective view of a die coater 2 and a die coater inspection device 1e according to another embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] The advantages and features of the present application and methods of accomplishing the same will be set forth in part in the following description conjointly with the reference to the accompanying drawings. The present application may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present application to those skilled in the art. Also, the present application is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0062] Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein including technical terms and scientific terms have the same meanings as those generally understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the field to which the present application pertains. Also, unless specifically defined, terms defined in generally used dictionaries are not ideally or excessively interpreted.

[0063] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application. In the present disclosure, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" are intended to include the recited elements, not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements.

[0064] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0065] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a die coater 2 and a die coater inspection device 1 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0066] According to an embodiment of the present application, the die coater inspection device 1 is formed on one surface of the first die 211 of the die coater 2, easily measures the height of the lip 22, the gap, etc. (shown in the middle) without the user directly performing a measurement or a separate setting, and can reduce an error, thereby accurately determining the die 21 and the gasket 23 (in the Figure 4 Figure 2 ​The assembly of the mold coating machine 2 (as shown in the diagram) is free from defects. Furthermore, the mold coating machine 2 can be inspected directly while it is installed on the production line, without needing to move it to a separate inspection line, thus reducing inspection time and improving production efficiency. In addition, the mold coating machine inspection device 1 can automatically detect the position and height of the lip 22 and the gasket 23, making inspection easy and preventing increased errors due to different measurement results from each user.

[0067] Therefore, in order to inspect including the first mold 211 (in) Figure 2 (shown in the image), second mold 212 (in) Figure 2 In an apparatus for a mold coating machine 2 (shown in the diagram) and a gasket 23 formed between a first mold 211 and a second mold 212, a mold coating machine inspection device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a guide rail 11, which is formed to be elongatedly fixed to a surface of the first mold 211 in the longitudinal direction of the mold coating machine 2; and at least one sensor assembly 12, which moves along the guide rail 11 and inspects the lip 22 or the gasket 23 of the mold coating machine 2. Here, the sensor assembly 12 includes: a movable part 121, which moves along the guide rail 11 in the longitudinal direction of the mold coating machine 2; and a sensor module 122, which is connected to the movable part 121, moves in the thickness direction of the mold coating machine 2, and inspects the lip 22 or the gasket 23 of the mold 21.

[0068] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a mold coating machine 2 includes: a first mold 211 and a second mold 212 for supplying slurry to the outside, and a gasket 23 formed between the first mold 211 and the second mold 212. Here, a guide rail 11 is formed to be elongatedly fixed to a surface of the first mold 211 in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, it further includes at least one sensor assembly 12 that moves along the guide rail 11 and inspects the lip 22 or the gasket 23, and a control unit 13 configured to control the operation of the sensor assembly 12. Here, the sensor assembly 12 includes: a movable part 121 that moves along the guide rail 11 in the longitudinal direction; and a sensor module 122 connected to the movable part 121, moving in the thickness direction, and inspecting the lip 22 or the gasket 23.

[0069] The guide rail 11 is formed elongated in the length direction of the die coater 2. Also, the movable part 121 of the sensor assembly 12 moves along the guide rail 11. The guide rail 11 is formed to be fixed to one surface of the first die 211 so that the die coater 2 and the guide rail 11 are not easily separated from or misaligned with each other. Therefore, the user does not need to directly measure the lip 22 of the die coater 2 or separately set the sensor, so that the sensor assembly 12 can easily check the lip 22 or the gasket 23 formed at the discharge side of the die coater 2. Also, since the measurement results of each user are not different, the error can be reduced, so that it can be accurately determined whether the assembly of the die 21 and the gasket 23 is defective. According to an embodiment of the present application, the guide rail 11 can be formed to be coupled to one surface of the first die 211 by a separate coupling member (not shown) such as a bolt or a rivet, but is not limited thereto, and can be coupled to one surface of the first die 211 by various methods.

[0070] The sensor assembly 12 includes a movable part 121 that moves along the guide rail 11 in the length direction of the die coater 2, and a sensor module 122 that is connected to the movable part 121 and checks the lip 22 or the gasket 23 of the die 21.

[0071] The movable part 121 moves along the guide rail 11 in the length direction of the die coater 2, and in particular, can slide along the guide rail 11. To this end, the guide rail 11 and the movable part 121 can be coupled to each other so as to slide, and also, at least one of the guide rail 11 and the movable part 121 can have a wheel or a roller.

[0072] The sensor module 122 moves in the thickness direction of the die coater 2 and can check the lip 22 or the gasket 23. As described above, when the height or position of the lip 22 or the gasket 23 is different from the design value due to assembly tolerance or the like, the quality of the manufactured electrode can be different from the design quality. To this end, the sensor module 122 measures the height of the lip 22 or the gasket 23 and can confirm whether the die coater 2 is defective by the size of the assembly tolerance. The sensor module 122 is connected to the movable part 121, so that when the movable part 121 moves along the guide rail 11, the sensor module 122 also moves in the length direction of the die coater 2. Therefore, the straightness of the lip 22 or the gasket 23 of the die 21 can be checked. Also, when the sensor module 122 checks the lip 22 or the gasket 23 of the die 21, the movable part 121 can move along the guide rail 11 and check the lip 22 or the gasket 23 at various positions.

[0073] According to an embodiment of the present application, the sensor module 122 includes a non-contact sensor and checks the height of the lip 22 or the spacer 23. Thus, the user does not need to directly contact the lip 22, thereby preventing the problem of errors. In addition, the sensor assembly 12 including the sensor module 122 moves along the guide rail 11 formed to be fixed to one surface of the first die 211, such that the sensor module 122 is not separated from the die coater 2. Thus, the die coater 2 can be directly checked in a state where the die coater 2 is installed on a production line without performing a process of moving the die coater 2 to a separate checking line to perform measurement and then moving the die coater 2 back to the production line, thereby being able to shorten a checking time and improve production efficiency. The sensor module 122 will be described in detail later.

[0074] Figure 2 is an assembled view of the die coater 2 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0075] The die coater 2 is supplied with slurry from the outside and then supplies the slurry to the outside, thereby applying the slurry on a substrate such as an electrode current collector in a predetermined direction in an elongated and continuous manner. To this end, as shown in Figure 2 the die coater 2 according to an embodiment of the present application includes the first die 211 and the second die 212 that supply slurry to the outside, and the spacer 23 formed between the first die 211 and the second die 212, in which the guide rail 11 is formed to be fixed to one surface of the first die 211 in a length direction. Thus, the die coater 2 and the guide rail 11 can not be easily separated from or misaligned with each other.

[0076] The die 21 applies slurry supplied from the outside on at least one surface of a substrate such as an electrode current collector. At this time, as shown in Figure 2 two dies 21 are formed, the die coater 2 can be assembled by inserting one spacer 23 between the first die 211 and the second die 212. However, the die coater 2 is not limited thereto, and a third die 213 (shown in Figure 4 ) can be further included between the first die 211 and the second die 212, in which case a first spacer 233 (shown in Figure 4 ) can be inserted between the first die 211 and the third die 213, and a second spacer 234 (shown in Figure 4 ) can be inserted between the second die 212 and the third die 213. That is, the number of the dies 21 and the spacers 23 included in the die coater 2 is not limited thereto but can vary.

[0077] As shown in Figure 2As shown in the middle, the first mold 211 and the second mold 212 have a truncated pyramid shape symmetrical to each other, and surfaces of the first mold 211 and the second mold 212 corresponding to bottom surfaces of the truncated pyramids are assembled to face each other. In addition, at least one of the first mold 211 and the second mold 212 can have a supply hole (not shown) for supplying slurry from the outside. The slurry supplied from the outside through the supply hole is stored in an internal space (not shown) formed inside the first mold 211 and the second mold 212.

[0078] When the mold coater 2 further includes a third mold 213, the third mold 213 can have a rectangular thin plate shape. In addition, two shims 23 are formed, a first shim 233 is inserted between the first mold 211 and the third mold 213, and a second shim 234 is inserted between the second mold 212 and the third mold 213. In this case, a supply hole (not shown) can be formed in both the first mold 211 and the second mold 212, a first internal space (not shown) can be formed inside the first mold 211 and the third mold 213, and a second internal space (not shown) can be formed inside the second mold 212 and the third mold 213. Accordingly, the slurry supplied from the outside through each supply hole is stored in each of the first internal space and the second internal space.

[0079] The shim 23 for the mold coater includes at least one guide 231 configured to divide an internal space between the first mold 211 and the second mold 212 into a plurality of spaces, and a base 232 connecting end portions of the guide 231. The base 232 connects the end portions of the at least one guide 231, thereby supporting the plurality of guides 231, and is formed to extend from the end portions of the at least one guide 231 in a side direction, specifically, in a length direction of the mold coater 2. Accordingly, the base 232 can be formed in a simple rectangular shape, but is not limited thereto, and can have various shapes to adjust an amount of slurry applied.

[0080] The at least one guide 231 has a predetermined width and is formed to be parallel to each other. In addition, an internal space for storing slurry is formed inside the mold 21, and the guide 231 divides the internal space into a plurality of spaces. The slurry stored in the internal space flows inside the mold coater 2 along the guide 231, and is discharged to the outside through a discharge port. The discharge port is formed to be elongated, and the mold coater 2 and the base material are moved at a constant rate relative to each other so that the slurry can be widely and uniformly applied to the base material.

[0081] When the slurry is discharged through the discharge port and applied to the substrate, a non-coated portion, i.e., a portion of the substrate to which the slurry is not applied, can be formed by the guide 231. Thus, the substrate can be formed in a stripe pattern in which the coated portion and the non-coated portion of the slurry are elongated in one direction while having a predetermined width. Since the coated portion and the non-coated portion are formed in such a stripe pattern, when the user cuts the electrode into an appropriate size thereafter, the non-coated portion becomes an electrode tab, thereby easily manufacturing the electrode tab. In addition, by adjusting the width of the coated portion and the non-coated portion, the size of the electrode and the electrode tab can also be adjusted when the electrode is cut.

[0082] Hereinafter, the die coater 2 according to an embodiment of the present application is described as having three dies 21 and two spacers 23. However, this is for convenience of description and is not intended to limit the scope of the right.

[0083] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a die coater inspection method according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0084] In a method for inspecting a die coater 2 including a first die 211, a second die 212, and a spacer 23 formed between the first die 211 and the second die 212, the die coater inspection method according to an embodiment of the present application using the die coater inspection apparatus 1 includes the following procedures: moving a sensor module 122 including a position detection sensor 1221; detecting an edge of a lip 22 of the die coater 2 by the position detection sensor 1221; recognizing a coordinate value of the edge; performing a calculation based on the coordinate value of the edge and reference data related to the thicknesses l1 to l5 (shown in Figure 6 ) of the lip 22 or the spacer 23 to derive a coordinate value of the lip 22 or the spacer 23; moving the sensor module 122 to a position corresponding to the coordinate value of the lip 22 or the spacer 23; measuring a height of the lip 22 or the spacer 23 by a distance detection sensor 1222 included in the sensor module 122; storing measurement data related to the height of the lip 22 or the spacer 23 in the storage 14; and determining whether the die coater 2 is defective based on the measurement data related to the height of the lip 22 or the spacer 23.

[0085] Hereinafter, each procedure shown in the flowchart of Figure 4 to Figure 6 will be described in detail. Figure 3

[0086] Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of the lip 22 of the die coater 2 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0087] ​As described above, the sensor module 122 moves in the thickness direction of the die coater 2, and the lip 22 or the gasket 23 can be inspected. According to an embodiment of the present application, the sensor module 122 includes a position detection sensor 1221 configured to detect the position of the lip 22, and a distance detection sensor 1222 configured to measure the height of the lip 22 or the gasket 23.

[0088] When the sensor module 122 moves in the thickness direction of the die coater 2, the position detection sensor 1221 recognizes the position of the lip 22, and specifically, the position of the lip 22 can be detected by detecting the edge of the lip 22. The position detection sensor 1221 can include at least one of a fiber optic sensor, a light sensor, a proximity sensor, and a vision sensor.

[0089] Specifically, the fiber optic sensor uses glass fiber to manufacture, and is a sensor configured to detect a nearby object in a non-contact manner. In the fiber optic sensor, the glass fiber itself can detect light, or if a separate element receives light, the glass fiber cable can transmit a signal of the received light. Unlike typical light sensors, the fiber optic sensor has a lens that can be removed, and thus can be manufactured in an ultra-small size and can be easily installed in a narrow place. Examples of the fiber optic sensor include an optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) sensor, an optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) sensor, a Brillouin optical time domain analysis (BOTDA) sensor, a Brillouin optical correlation domain analysis (BOCDA) sensor, etc.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 1, generally, a substrate (not shown) that is a coating target to which paste is applied by the die coater 2 can be placed on a flat surface, but can also be placed on a curved surface as shown in FIG. 2. Figure 4 Figure 4 ​As shown in FIG. 1, the substrate is placed on the roll 3 and passes through the die coater 2. At this time, if the thickness of the substrate itself is negligible, the gap g between the lip 22 of the die 21 and the substrate is about 10 cm. The height h of the sensor module 122 should be smaller than the gap g between the lip 22 and the substrate, so that the sensor module 122 can be moved in the thickness direction of the die coater 2 even when the die coater 2 is in a state of being installed on the production line. Thus, the die coater 2 can be directly inspected in a state of being installed on the production line without performing a process of moving the die coater 2 to a separate inspection line to perform measurement and then moving the die coater 2 back to the production line. Accordingly, according to an embodiment of the present application, the height h of the sensor module 122 can be smaller than the gap g between the lip 22 and the substrate to be coated, and can be about 8 cm or less. In addition, preferably, the sensor module 122 moves between the lip 22 and the substrate to be coated without being contacted or interfered by additional components. Thus, in order to control this, the movable part 121 according to an embodiment of the present application can include a rod for moving the sensor module 122 in the width direction of the die coater 2.

[0091] The position detection sensor 1221 according to an embodiment of the present application can be manufactured in an ultra-small size, and detects the position of the lip 22 in a non-contact manner, and should quickly and accurately detect the position of the lip 22 even when the sensor module 122 is moved. For this, preferably, the position detection sensor 1221 according to an embodiment of the present application is an optical fiber sensor. In particular, since it is not possible to separately install a sensor inside the die 21, a reflection sensor in which a light transmission part and a light receiving part are not separately formed but are all formed in one sensor body is preferred.

[0092] When the coordinate value of the lip 22 or the gasket 23 is later derived, the distance detection sensor 1222 measures the height of the lip 22 or the gasket 23 at a position corresponding to the coordinate value of the lip 22 or the gasket 23. As the distance detection sensor 1222, a typical reflection type displacement sensor can be used, and can include at least one of a laser displacement sensor and an ultrasonic displacement sensor.

[0093] In particular, when a laser emitter emits laser light, the laser displacement sensor measures a certain distance using the time taken for the laser light to be reflected by a corresponding object and returned to be received. Preferably, the distance detection sensor 1222 according to an embodiment of the present application is a laser displacement sensor.

[0094] Figure 5 is a block diagram of a die coater inspection device 1 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0095] In a device for inspecting a die coater 2 including a first die 211, a second die 212, and a gasket 23 formed between the first die 211 and the second die 212, a die coater inspection device 1 according to an embodiment of the present application includes a sensor module 122 that moves in a thickness direction of the die coater 2 and inspects a lip 22 or the gasket 23 of the die coater 2, a control section 13 configured to control an operation of the sensor module 122, and a storage section 14 in which reference data related to thicknesses l1 to l5 (shown in Figure 6 FIG. 1) of the lip 22 or the gasket 23 is stored. Here, the sensor module 122 includes a position detection sensor 1221 configured to detect a position of the lip 22 and a distance detection sensor 1222 configured to measure a height of the lip 22 or the gasket 23, the control section 13 includes a first encoder 131 configured to recognize a coordinate value of the sensor module 122 each time the sensor module 122 moves in the thickness direction of the die coater 2, a reception section 132 configured to receive a signal transmitted by the position detection sensor 1221, a determination section 133 configured to determine a position of the lip 22 or the gasket 23, and a calculation section 134 configured to perform a calculation based on the coordinate value to derive a coordinate value of the lip 22 or a coordinate value of the gasket 23.

[0096] The control section 13 controls the operation of the sensor assembly 12, i.e., the operation of the sensor module 122 and the movable section 121, in response to receiving a signal from the sensor assembly 12, calculates a coordinate value of the lip 22 or the gasket 23, and determines whether the die coater 2 is defective through the height of the lip 22 or the gasket 23. The control section 13 includes the first encoder 131, the reception section 132, the determination section 133, and the calculation section 134. Preferably, a central processing unit (CPU), a micro controller unit (MCU), a digital signal processor (DSP), or the like is used as the control section 13, but is not limited thereto, and various logical operation processors can be used.

[0097] The storage section 14 stores programs for processing and controlling the operation of the mold coater inspection device 1 and various data generated during execution of each program or received signals. The storage section 14 stores reference data related to the thicknesses l1 to l5 of the lip portion 22 or the gasket 23, and also stores reference data related to the height of the lip portion 22 or the gasket 23. Furthermore, when the first encoder 131 recognizes the coordinate value of the edge, the coordinate value of the recognized edge is stored in the storage section 14, and thereafter when the calculation section 134 derives the coordinate value of the lip portion 22 or the gasket 23, the coordinate value of the lip portion 22 or the gasket 23 is stored in the storage section 14, and when the distance detection sensor 1222 measures the height of the lip portion 22 or the gasket 23, the measurement data related to the height of the lip portion 22 or the gasket 23 is also stored in the storage section 14. The storage section 14 can be built in the mold coater inspection device 1, but can also be provided as a separate storage server. The storage section 14 includes a non-volatile memory device and a volatile memory device. Preferably, the non-volatile memory device is a NAND flash memory that is small in volume, light in weight, and resistant to external impact, and the volatile memory device is a DDR SDRAM.

[0098] The first encoder 131 recognizes the coordinate value of the sensor module 122 each time the sensor module 122 moves in the thickness direction of the mold coater 2. Preferably, the first encoder 131 recognizes the coordinate value of the sensor module 122 in real time, at which time the coordinate value can be recognized by detecting the amount of movement of the sensor module 122 and converting the amount into a coordinate. The coordinate value can be a relative coordinate measured based on an arbitrarily selected standard. Thereafter, when the first signal sent from the position detection sensor 1221 to the reception section 132 becomes the second signal, it means that the position detection sensor 1221 has detected the edge of the lip portion 22, so that the coordinate value of the sensor module 122 at that time can be recognized as the coordinate value of the edge.

[0099] The reception section 132 receives the signal sent by the position detection sensor 1221. The position detection sensor 1221 changes the first signal sent to the reception section 132 to the second signal when it detects the edge of the lip portion 22. Therefore, it is possible to inform the control section 13 whether the edge of the lip portion 22 has been detected.

[0100] The determination section 133 determines the position of the lip 22 or the gasket 23 using the edge as a boundary based on the signal received by the reception section 132. That is, it is determined whether the lip 22 or the gasket 23 is located in front of the sensor module 122 and whether the lip 22 or the gasket 23 is located in the rear of the sensor module 122 with the edge as a reference. Here, the front refers to the direction in which the sensor module 122 moves, and the rear refers to the direction opposite to the direction in which the sensor module 122 moves. Thereafter, when the height of the lip 22 or the gasket 23 is measured by the distance detection sensor 1222, the measured data related to the height of the lip 22 or the gasket 23 is compared with the reference data related to the height of the lip 22 or the gasket 23 to determine whether there is a defect.

[0101] The calculation section 134 performs a calculation based on the coordinate value of the edge and the reference data related to the thicknesses l1 to l5 of the lip 22 or the gasket 23 to derive the coordinate value of the lip 22 or the gasket 23. Specifically, the calculation section 134 loads the reference data related to the thicknesses l1 to l5 of the lip 22 or the gasket 23 from the storage section 14 and performs a calculation based on the coordinate value of the edge and the reference data related to the thicknesses l1 to l5 of the lip 22 or the gasket 23 to derive the coordinate value of the lip 22 or the gasket 23 by reflecting the position of the lip 22 or the gasket 23. In particular, the calculation section 134 adds half of the thicknesses l1 to l5 of the lip 22 or the gasket 23 to the coordinate value of the edge to derive the coordinate value of the lip 22 or the gasket 23. At this time, the calculation varies depending on the position of the lip 22 or the gasket 23. If the lip 22 is located in front of the sensor module 122 and the gasket 23 is located in the rear of the sensor module 122 with the edge as a reference, the calculation section 134 adds half of the thicknesses l1 to l3 of the lip 22 to the coordinate value of the edge to derive the coordinate value of the lip 22. Thereafter, the coordinate value of the gasket 23 is derived by subtracting half of the thicknesses l4 and l5 of the gasket 23 from the coordinate value of the edge.

[0102] The control portion 13 can further include a second encoder 135. The second encoder 135 recognizes the coordinate value of the movable portion 121 whenever the movable portion 121 moves along the guide rail 11 in the length direction of the die coater 2. As described above, the sensor module 122 is connected with the movable portion 121, and thus, when the movable portion 121 moves along the guide rail 11, the sensor module 122 also moves in the length direction of the die coater 2. Accordingly, the straightness of the lip portion 22 or the gasket 23 of the die 21 can be checked. At this time, the second encoder 135 can recognize the coordinate value of the portion in which the straightness is poor by recognizing the coordinate value of the movable portion 121. Alternatively, data regarding the coordinate value of the portion of the guide 231 in which the gasket 23 is present and the coordinate value of the portion of the guide 231 in which the gasket 23 is not present can be loaded, and the sensor module 122 can automatically move to the corresponding coordinates and check the assembly tolerance of the lip portion 22 or the gasket 23, etc. Preferably, the second encoder 135 recognizes the coordinate value of the movable portion 121 in real time, at which time the coordinate value can be recognized by detecting the amount of movement of the movable portion 121 and converting the amount of movement into coordinates. The coordinate value can be a relative coordinate measured based on an arbitrary standard.

[0103] Each of the elements of the sensor assembly 12, the control portion 13, and the storage portion 14 described so far can be implemented by software such as tasks, classes, subroutines, procedures, objects, execution threads, and programs executed in predetermined areas on a memory, hardware such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or by a combination of software and hardware. These elements can be included in a computer-readable storage medium, or a part thereof can be divided and distributed in multiple computers.

[0104] Furthermore, each block can represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which includes one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks can occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks can sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved.

[0105] Figure 6 is an enlarged top view of the lip portion 22 of the die coater 2 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0106] To perform the die coater inspection method using the above-described die coater inspection device 1, first, the sensor module 122 is moved in the thickness direction of the die coater 2. As described above, the sensor module 122 is connected with the movable portion 121, and thus, when the movable portion 121 moves along the guide rail 11, the sensor module 122 also moves in the length direction of the die coater 2. Accordingly, the straightness of the lip portion 22 or the gasket 23 of the die 21 can be checked. At this time, the second encoder 135 can recognize the coordinate value of the portion in which the straightness is poor by recognizing the coordinate value of the movable portion 121. Alternatively, data regarding the coordinate value of the portion of the guide 231 in which the gasket 23 is present and the coordinate value of the portion of the guide 231 in which the gasket 23 is not present can be loaded, and the sensor module 122 can automatically move to the corresponding coordinates and check the assembly tolerance of the lip portion 22 or the gasket 23, etc. Preferably, the second encoder 135 recognizes the coordinate value of the movable portion 121 in real time, at which time the coordinate value can be recognized by detecting the amount of movement of the movable portion 121 and converting the amount of movement into coordinates. The coordinate value can be a relative coordinate measured based on an arbitrary standard. Figure 6As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor module 122 can move in a direction from the first die 211 to the second die 212.

[0107] The sensor module 122 includes a position detection sensor 1221 and a distance detection sensor 1222, and the position detection sensor 1221 and the distance detection sensor 1222 can be disposed in parallel with each other in a length direction of the die coater 2. In addition, as described above, the spacer 23 of the die coater according to an embodiment of the present application includes at least one guide 231. In addition, the sensor module 122 moves to pass through the guide 231, at which time, in the sensor module 122, the position detection sensor 1221 can move along a first path R1 in which the guide 231 is not present, and the distance detection sensor 1222 can move along a second path R2 in which the guide 231 is present. Accordingly, the position detection sensor 1221 can recognize the edge of the lip 22 by the presence or absence of the lip 22, and the distance detection sensor 1222 can measure the height of the lip 22 or the height of the spacer 23. Here, the height of the spacer 23 is preferably the height of the guide 231 of the spacer 23.

[0108] When the sensor module 122 moves in the thickness direction of the die coater 2, the position detection sensor 1221 detects the edge of the lip 22 (S302). Then, the position detection sensor 1221 changes the signal transmitted to the reception part 132 of the control part 13 from the first signal to the second signal.

[0109] The optical fiber sensor or the optical sensor can be a reflection sensor or a light-receiving type sensor. The reflection sensor is a sensor in which a light transmission part and a light reception part are formed in one sensor main body so that light is received in the light reception part when an object is detected. In addition, the light-receiving type sensor is a sensor in which a light transmission part and a light reception part are separately manufactured and installed to face each other so that light received by the light reception part is blocked when the light reception part detects an object while receiving light. As described above, since it is not possible to separately install a sensor inside the die 21, it is preferable that the position detection sensor 1221 according to an embodiment of the present application is a reflection sensor.

[0110] In addition, each time the sensor module 122 moves, the first encoder 131 recognizes the coordinate value of the sensor module 122. When the reception part 132 of the control part 13 receives the second signal from the position detection sensor 1221, the first encoder 131 recognizes the coordinate value of the sensor module 122 as the coordinate value of the edge (S303). After that, the storage part 14 stores the coordinate value of the edge.

[0111] For example, as Figure 6As shown in FIG. 6, if the sensor module 122 moves past the upper side of the first lip portion 221 of the first mold 211, the position detection sensor 1221 detects the first lip portion 221, and thus sends an On signal indicating that the light receiving portion receives light to the receiving portion 132 of the control portion 13. However, when the sensor module 122 completely passes the first lip portion 221, a space in which the first spacer 233 is inserted between the first mold 211 and the third mold 213 appears without the first lip portion 221. However, as described above, the position detection sensor 1221 moves along the first path Rl in which the guide 231 in which the spacer 23 is not present, so that the position detection sensor 1221 does not detect anything. That is, since the light receiving portion of the position detection sensor 1221 does not receive light, an Off signal is sent to the receiving portion 132. Thus, the point at which the sensor module 122 passes at the time when the light receiving portion of the position detection sensor 1221 that receives light no longer receives light is the first edge 2211 of the first lip portion 221. Further, at the time when the signal sent from the position detection sensor 1221 to the receiving portion 132 changes from the On signal to the Off signal, the first encoder 131 recognizes the coordinate value of the sensor module 122 as the coordinate value of the first edge 2211. Here, the first signal is the On signal, and the second signal is the Off signal. Further, the storage portion 14 stores the coordinate value of the first edge 2211.

[0112] On the other hand, if the sensor module 122 moves past the upper side of the space in which the first spacer 233 is inserted, the position detection sensor 1221 does not detect anything, and thus sends an Off signal indicating that the light receiving portion does not receive light to the receiving portion 132 of the control portion 13. However, when the sensor module 122 completely passes the space in which the first spacer 233 is inserted, the third lip portion 223 of the third mold 213 appears. Then, the position detection sensor 1221 detects the third lip portion 223 and the light receiving portion receives light, and thus again sends an On signal to the receiving portion 132. Thus, the point at which the sensor module 122 passes at the time when the light receiving portion of the position detection sensor 1221 that does not receive light receives light is the second edge 2231 of the third lip portion 223. Further, at the time when the signal sent from the position detection sensor 1221 to the receiving portion 132 changes from the Off signal to the On signal, the first encoder 131 recognizes the coordinate value of the sensor module 122 as the coordinate value of the second edge 2231. Here, the first signal is the Off signal, and the second signal is the On signal. Further, the storage portion 14 stores the coordinate value of the second edge 2231.

[0113] In the above-described manner, the position detection sensor 1221 of the sensor module 122 can detect the edges of the lip portions 22 of the mold coater 2, and the storage portion 14 can store the coordinate values of the edges.

[0114] In addition, when the receiving section 132 of the control section 13 receives the second signal from the position detection sensor 1221, the determining section 133 determines the position of the lip 22 or the gasket 23 with reference to the detected edge. For example, when the signal received by the receiving section 132 changes from the on signal to the off signal, it indicates that the position detection sensor 1221 encountered the space into which the gasket 23 is inserted while detecting the lip 22. Therefore, with reference to the edge, the gasket 23 is located in front of the sensor module 122, and the lip 22 is located behind the sensor module 122. On the other hand, when the signal received by the receiving section 132 changes from the off signal to the on signal, it indicates that the position detection sensor 1221 detected the lip 22 after passing through the space into which the gasket 23 is inserted and detecting nothing. Therefore, with reference to the edge, the lip 22 is located in front of the sensor module 122, and the gasket 23 is located behind the sensor module 122.

[0115] In addition, the determining section 133 determines which of the first to third lips 221 to 223 the lip 22 whose position is determined is, and which of the first and second gaskets 233 and 234 the gasket 23 is. As described above, the sensor module 122 moves in the direction from the first mold 211 to the second mold 212, and stores the coordinate value of the edge of each lip 22. Therefore, if the signal received by the receiving section 132 first changes from the on signal to the off signal, it indicates that the corresponding edge is the edge of the first lip 221, and with reference to the edge of the first lip 221, the first gasket 233 is located in front and the first lip 221 is located behind.

[0116] In addition, the storage section 14 also stores reference data related to the thicknesses l1 to l5 of the lips 22 or the gaskets 23. Therefore, after the determining section 133 determines the positions of the lips 22 or the gaskets 23 as described above, the calculating section 134 derives the coordinate values of the lips 22 or the gaskets 23 using the stored reference data related to the thicknesses of the lips 22 or the gaskets 23. The thicknesses l1 to l5 of the lips 22 or the gaskets 23 have the manufacturing design data at the time of initial manufacture. In addition, when the lips 22 or the gaskets 23 are good products, they have thicknesses within the error range of the design data. Therefore, the reference data related to the thicknesses of the lips 22 or the gaskets 23 can be the design data.

[0117] The calculating section 134 loads the reference data related to the thicknesses l1 to l5 of the lips 22 or the gaskets 23 from the storage section 14. Thereafter, the coordinate values of the lips 22 or the gaskets 23 are derived by calculating half of the thickness of the lips 22 or the gaskets 23 to the coordinate values of the edges (S304). At this time, the calculation is performed by reflecting the positions of the lips 22 or the gaskets 23.

[0118] For example, since the first gasket 233 is located in front of the first edge 2211 and the first lip 221 is located behind the first edge 2211, the calculating section 134 loads reference data related to the thickness l4 of the first gasket 233 and the thickness l1 of the first lip 221 from the storage section 14. Further, when half of the thickness l4 of the first gasket 233 is added to the coordinate value of the first edge 2211, the coordinate value of the center point of the first gasket 233 is derived, which is set as the coordinate value of the first gasket 233. Further, when half of the thickness l1 of the first lip 221 is subtracted from the coordinate value of the first edge 2211, the coordinate value of the center point of the first lip 221 is derived, which is set as the coordinate value of the first lip 221.

[0119] In the above-described manner, the calculating section 134 can derive the coordinate values of all the lips 22 and gaskets 23 of the die coater 2. Further, the storage section 14 can store the coordinate values of the lips 22 and gaskets 23.

[0120] Since the coordinate values of the lips 22 and gaskets 23 are derived, the sensor module 122 moves to positions corresponding to these coordinate values (S305). Thereafter, the distance detection sensor 1222 included in the sensor module 122 measures the height of the lips 22 or gaskets 23 at the positions (S306). The distance detection sensor 1222 measures the distance of each lip 22 or each gasket 23 from the distance detection sensor 1222. Thus, the height of the lips 22 or gaskets 23 can be a relative height measured based on an arbitrary standard. However, the present application is not limited to this, and if the height of the distance detection sensor 1222 from the ground has been stored in the storage section 14, the height of the lips 22 or gaskets 23 can be an absolute height measured from the ground. When the height of each lip 22 or gasket 23 is measured by the distance detection sensor 1222 as described above, the measurement data is stored in the storage section 14.

[0121] The determining section 133 can determine whether the die coater 2 is defective based on the measurement data of the lip 22 or the gasket 23 (S306). Specifically, the storage section 14 also stores reference data related to the height of the lip 22 or the gasket 23. This can also be design data for manufacturing the die coater 2. Then, the determining section 133 loads the reference data related to the height of the lip 22 or the gasket 23 from the storage section 14. Thereafter, the measurement data related to the height of the lip 22 or the gasket 23 and the reference data related to the height of the lip 22 or the gasket 23 can be compared to determine whether the die coater 2 is defective. If the measurement data is within the error range after the comparison of the two data, the assembly tolerance of the die coater 2 is not large, so the determining section 133 determines that the corresponding die coater 2 is a good product. However, if the measurement data is outside the error range after the comparison of the two data, the assembly tolerance of the die coater 2 is large, so the determining section 133 determines that the corresponding die coater 2 is defective.

[0122] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a die coater 2a and a die coater inspection device la according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0123] According to another embodiment of the present application, as shown in Figure 7 the guide rail 11a is integrally formed on one surface of the first die 211. Thus, the guide rail 11a and the die 21 can be more firmly fixed to each other than when formed to be coupled to each other by a separate coupling section. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the die coater 2a and the guide rail 11a from being separated from or misaligned with each other.

[0124] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a die coater 2b and a die coater inspection device lb according to still another embodiment of the present application.

[0125] According to still another embodiment of the present application, as shown in Figure 8 the guide rail 11b is formed to be embedded in one surface of the first die 211. Thus, it is possible to reduce the volume of the die coater 2b in the thickness direction. At this time, the guide rail 11b and the first die 211 can be integrally formed, but the present application is not limited thereto. The guide rail 11b and the first die 211 can be separately formed, or a groove can be formed on one surface of the first die 211, and the guide rail 11b can be inserted into the groove and then coupled with a separate coupling section.

[0126] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a die coater 2 and a die coater inspection device lc according to still another embodiment of the present application.

[0127] According to still another embodiment of the present application, as shown in Figure 9As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of sensor assemblies 12a, 12b, and 12c are provided. Accordingly, the plurality of sensor modules 122 can check the lip 22 or the gasket 23 at different positions more quickly. Figure 9 Three sensor assemblies 12a, 12b, and 12c are shown to be formed, but the present application is not limited thereto. The sensor assemblies 12a, 12b, and 12c can be formed in various numbers.

[0128] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a die coater 2 and a die coater inspection device Id according to still another embodiment of the present application.

[0129] According to still another embodiment of the present application, as Figure 10 As shown in FIG. 1, the movable portion 121 includes a rotatable portion that rotates around an axis parallel to the length direction of the die coater 2. In a state where the die coater 2 is installed on a production line, the sensor assembly 12d directly inspects the die coater 2, and then the rotatable portion rotates. Accordingly, the sensor assembly 12d is positioned outside the die coater 2, and there is no longer an obstacle between the lip 22 of the die coater 2 and the substrate to be coated. Then, the die coater 2 can directly coat the paste on the substrate, so that the production efficiency can be improved. Further, when the die coater 2 is inspected again later, the rotatable portion rotates in the opposite direction, so that the sensor assembly 12d can be positioned toward the lip 22 of the die coater 2.

[0130] Figure 11 is a perspective view of a die coater 2 and a die coater inspection device le according to still another embodiment of the present application.

[0131] According to still another embodiment of the present application, as Figure 11 As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor assembly 12e can be detached from the guide rail 11. In a state where the die coater 2 is installed on a production line, the sensor assembly 12e inspects the die coater 2, and then the sensor assembly 12e is detached from the guide rail 11. Accordingly, there is no longer an obstacle between the lip 22 of the die coater 2 and the substrate to be coated, and the die coater 2 can directly coat the paste on the substrate. Further, when the die coater 2 is inspected again later, the sensor assembly 12e can be installed on the guide rail 11 again, so that the sensor assembly 12e can be positioned toward the lip 22 of the die coater 2.

[0132] Those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present application pertains will understand that the present application can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative, not restrictive. The scope of the present application is represented by the appended claims rather than the above detailed description, and various embodiments derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present application.

[0133] [Reference numeral description]

[0134] 1: mold coater inspection device 2: mold coater

[0135] 3: roller 11: guide rail

[0136] 12: sensor assembly 13: control section

[0137] 14: storage section 21: mold

[0138] 22: lip 23: gasket

[0139] 121: movable section 122: sensor module

[0140] 1221: position detection sensor 1222: distance detection sensor

[0141] 131: first encoder 132: receiving section

[0142] 133: determination section 134: calculation section

[0143] 135: second encoder 211: first mold

[0144] 212: second mold 213: third mold

[0145] 221: first lip 222: second lip

[0146] 223: third lip 231: guide

[0147] 232: base 233: first gasket

[0148] 234: second gasket 2211: first edge

[0149] 2231: second edge

Claims

1. A die coater inspection apparatus for inspecting a die coater including a first die, a second die, and a shim formed between the first die and the second die, the die coater inspection apparatus comprising: a sensor module moving in a thickness direction of the die coater and configured to inspect a lip or a shim of the die coater; a control portion configured to control an operation of the sensor module; and a storage portion in which reference data related to a thickness of the lip or the shim is stored, wherein the sensor module includes: a distance detection sensor configured to measure a height of the lip or the shim; and a position detection sensor configured to detect a position of an edge of the lip by changing a transmitted signal from a first signal to a second signal, and the control portion includes: a first encoder configured to recognize a coordinate value of the sensor module each time the sensor module moves in the thickness direction of the die coater, wherein the first encoder recognizes the coordinate value of the sensor module as a coordinate value of the edge when the first signal is changed to the second signal; a reception portion configured to receive a signal transmitted by the position detection sensor; a determination portion configured to determine the position of the edge of the lip from the signal received by the reception portion; and a calculation portion configured to perform a calculation based on the reference data related to the thickness of the lip or the shim and the coordinate value of the edge to derive a coordinate value of the lip or a coordinate value of the shim. 2.The die coater inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage portion stores the coordinate value of the edge recognized by the first encoder. 3.The die coater inspection apparatus of claim 1, wherein the calculation portion loads the reference data related to the thickness of the lip or the shim from the storage portion, and performs a calculation based on the coordinate value of the edge and the reference data related to the thickness of the lip or the shim to derive a coordinate value of the lip or the shim by reflecting a position of the lip or the shim. 4.The die coater inspection apparatus of claim 3, wherein the calculation portion calculates half of the thickness of the lip or the shim to the coordinate value of the edge to derive a coordinate value of the lip or the shim. 5.The die coater inspection apparatus of claim 3, wherein the storage portion stores the derived coordinate value of the lip or the shim. 6.The die coater inspection apparatus of claim 3, wherein the sensor module moves to a position corresponding to the derived coordinate value of the lip or the shim. 7.The die coater inspection apparatus of claim 6, wherein the distance detection sensor measures a height of the lip or the shim at a position corresponding to the coordinate value of the lip or the shim. ​ 8. The die coater inspection apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the storage section stores measurement data related to the height of the lip or the shim.

9. The die coater inspection apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the storage section stores reference data related to the height of the lip or the shim.

10. The die coater inspection apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the determination section compares the measurement data related to the height of the lip or the shim and the reference data related to the height of the lip or the shim to determine whether a defect is present.

11. A die coater inspection method for inspecting a die coater including a first die, a second die, and a shim formed between the first die and the second die, using the die coater inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the die coater inspection method comprising the following steps: moving a sensor module including a position detection sensor; detecting an edge of a lip of the die coater by the position detection sensor; identifying a coordinate value of the edge; deriving a coordinate value of the lip or the shim based on a calculation performed using the coordinate value of the edge and reference data related to the thickness of the lip or the shim; moving the sensor module to a position corresponding to the coordinate value of the lip or the shim; measuring a height of the lip or the shim by a distance detection sensor included in the sensor module; storing measurement data related to the height of the lip or the shim in a storage section; and determining whether the die coater has a defect based on the measurement data related to the height of the lip or the shim.

12. The die coater inspection method according to claim 11, wherein, In the sensor module, the position detection sensor and the distance detection sensor are arranged in parallel with each other in a length direction of the die coater.

13. The die coater inspection method according to claim 11, wherein the position detection sensor includes at least one of a fiber optic sensor, a light sensor, a proximity sensor, and a vision sensor; and the distance detection sensor includes at least one of a laser displacement sensor and an ultrasonic displacement sensor.

14. The die coater inspection method according to claim 11, wherein the shim includes: at least one guide configured to divide an internal space between the first die and the second die into a plurality of spaces; and a base configured to connect end portions of the guides to each other and extend in a length direction of the die coater.

15. The die coater inspection method according to claim 14, wherein, In the step of moving the sensor module, the position detection sensor is moved along a first path in which the guide is not present, and the distance detection sensor is moved along a second path in which the guide is present.

16. The die coater inspection method according to claim 11, wherein the sensor module is moved in a direction from the first die to the second die.

17. The die coater inspection method of claim 11, wherein, In the step of moving the sensor module, a first encoder identifies a coordinate value of the sensor module each time the sensor module is moved.

18. The die coater inspection method of claim 17, further comprising: The signal transmitted by the position detection sensor is changed from a first signal to a second signal before the coordinate value of the edge is identified.

19. The die coater inspection method according to claim 18, wherein, In the process of identifying the coordinate value of the edge, the first encoder identifies the coordinate value of the sensor module as the coordinate value of the edge when the second signal is received.

20. The die coater inspection method of claim 11, wherein, In the process of identifying the coordinate value of the edge, the coordinate value of the edge is stored in the storage section.

21. The die coater inspection method according to claim 11, wherein the reference data related to the thickness of the lip or the shim is stored in the storage section.

22. The die coater inspection method according to claim 21, wherein the process of deriving the coordinate value of the lip or the shim includes: loading the reference data related to the thickness of the lip or the shim; and deriving the coordinate value of the lip or the shim by calculating half of the thickness of the lip or the shim to the coordinate value of the edge.

23. The die coater inspection method according to claim 21, wherein, In the process of deriving the coordinate value of the lip or the shim, the coordinate value of the lip or the shim is stored in the storage section.

24. The die coater inspection method according to claim 11, wherein the reference data related to the height of the lip or the shim is stored in the storage section.

25. The die coater inspection method according to claim 24, wherein the process of determining whether the die coater is defective includes: loading the reference data related to the height of the lip or the shim; and comparing the measured data related to the height of the lip or the shim and the reference data related to the height of the lip or the shim to determine whether a defect occurs.

Images