Roll map generation apparatus for merged wound electrodes

Abstract

An apparatus for generating a roll map of a merged and wound electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a position measuring device configured to acquire coordinate data of the longitudinal position of the electrode based on the rotation amount of the rewinder when the electrode moves between a dewinder and a rewinder in a roll-to-roll configuration; an input device configured to input an input signal indicating the start or end of the merged winding when two or more old electrodes, each marked with a plurality of reference points at predetermined intervals, are connected to be merged and wound into a new electrode; and a seam detector configured to detect seams, wherein the seam is a part of the merged winding. The system includes a new electrode connecting the old electrode to the new electrode and a position measuring device to obtain the electrode coordinates of the seam; a reference point detector configured to detect the reference point of the newly wound electrode and obtain the electrode coordinates of the reference point; and a roll map generator configured to generate a roll map based on the input signal of the input device to simulate the movement of the new electrode in a roll-to-roll state and to display the longitudinal coordinates of the electrode, the electrode coordinates of the seam, and the electrode coordinates of the reference point on the roll map using the position measuring device, the seam detector, and the reference point detector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating a roll map of merged and wound electrodes in which multiple electrodes are merged and wound together.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0152305, filed on November 8, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] With the development of technologies for mobile devices and the increasing demand for such devices, the demand for rechargeable batteries is also rapidly increasing. Among rechargeable batteries, lithium-ion batteries have high energy density and operating voltage, as well as excellent storage and lifespan characteristics, and are therefore widely used as energy sources for various types of electronic products and mobile devices.

[0004] The electrode manufacturing process for manufacturing electrodes for lithium secondary batteries includes several detailed processes, such as the coating process of applying active materials and some insulating materials to the surface of a metal electrode plate that serves as a current collector and forming positive and negative electrodes, the rolling process of rolling the coated electrodes, and the slitting process of cutting the rolled electrodes according to size.

[0005] Electrodes manufactured during the electrode manufacturing process are assembled through an assembly process. This assembly process involves forming electrode taps through a grooving process, inserting separators between the positive and negative electrodes to form electrode assemblies, which are then stacked or folded for packaging in bags or cans, and injected with electrolyte to create the shape of a secondary battery. Subsequently, the assembled secondary battery undergoes an activation process involving charging and discharging to impart battery characteristics, transforming it into a secondary battery as the final product.

[0006] Electrode manufacturing is performed in a roll-to-roll configuration, where electrode rolls move between a dewinder and a rewinder. Typical ordinary electrode rolls (master rolls) vary in length depending on their type, but typically have a total electrode length of, for example, 2,000 m to 3,000 m. However, during the electrode manufacturing process, there are situations where the entire electrode cannot be used for subsequent processes, inevitably resulting in the retention of waste electrodes with lengths of several hundred meters. Alternatively, there are situations where numerous defects occur, the defective portions are removed, and a portion of the ordinary electrode is retained. Considering productivity, there are cases where multiple electrodes are bundled, merged, and wound into a standard winding diameter (batch merging) without discarding such waste electrodes.

[0007] Figure 1 The diagram illustrates how different batches of old electrodes are fed into the unwinder (UW) and connected to each other, and then wound (combined) with new electrodes on the rewinder (RW).

[0008] As shown in the figure, the electrodes of batch A and batch B are each 600m long. For example, assuming that the waste electrodes are connected to manufacture a total of 3,000m of new electrodes (batch C), it is only necessary to combine and wind the five 600m long electrodes together.

[0009] When connecting multiple electrodes, typically, the starting or ending portion of one electrode is cut and connected. Therefore, in most cases, the length of the newly wound electrodes differs from the sum of the lengths of the old electrodes (1,200m). That is, although each electrode unwound by the unwinding machine has a length of 600m and thus a total length of 1,200m, the total length of the electrodes wound on the rewinding machine can be measured as 1,000m. Traditionally, only the total length of the new electrodes in batch C is measured by the rewinding machine's encoder during the merging process, and the detailed configuration of the new electrodes in batch C (electrode lengths or electrode coordinate values ​​of batches A and B) is not managed. Therefore, it is impossible to determine the position of the electrode coordinate values ​​of the ending portion of batch A and the starting portion of batch B within the new electrodes of batch C. Consequently, when defects occur in slotted electrodes or electrode assemblies manufactured using electrodes from batch C in subsequent processes such as slotting or assembly, quality tracking to determine the cause of the defect is practically impossible because it is impossible to pinpoint exactly which portion of the batch C electrodes the slotted electrode originates from. Furthermore, when problems arise in batteries that are the final product manufactured using electrodes from batch C, the electrode from which the battery was derived can be found by tracing the battery back to the grooving process. However, since the specific coordinates of the raw material electrodes from batches A and B, which are the combined winding electrodes of batch C, cannot be determined, it is difficult to accurately determine the cause of the defect.

[0010] Furthermore, the applicant has recently developed technology related to roll mapping, in which the movement of electrodes in a roll-to-roll state is simulated and displayed in bar form during electrode manufacturing. In the roll mapping, electrodes in a roll-to-roll state can be simulated to display data on quality or defects in bar form on the roll mapping screen, making the data on quality or defects during the electrode coating process easily visually clear.

[0011] Such roll maps can be generated for each of the detailed processes, such as electrode coating, rolling, and slitting. For example, information about the roll map generated in the first process can be used in the second process, and defects can be removed by referring to the roll map from the first process in the second process. However, in the first process, in the case of merging and winding waste electrodes into new electrodes in batch C as described above, when the length of the electrodes is such as Figure 1When the length is changed, the coordinate values ​​of the electrode should be corrected according to the changed length. If the electrode coordinate values ​​are not corrected even though the length of the electrode has changed, accurate subsequent operations cannot be performed in the second process. Furthermore, as mentioned above, in cases where multiple electrodes are combined and wound, and problems arise in products manufactured using combined and wound electrodes, quality tracking or reverse tracking can be easily performed for each defect type when the length or coordinates of each electrode constituting the new electrode can be accurately displayed on the roll map.

[0012] Therefore, a technology related to roll mapping is needed that allows for easy quality tracking when merging and winding multiple electrodes.

[0013] [Related Technical Documents]

[0014] (Patent Document) Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1731983 (May 2, 2017). Summary of the Invention

[0015] Technical issues

[0016] The objective of this invention is to provide an apparatus for generating a roll map of merged winding electrodes, wherein the coordinate information of the merged winding electrodes is accurately reflected in the merging winding process of connecting multiple different electrodes, thereby tracking quality based on electrode coordinates.

[0017] Technical solution

[0018] An apparatus for generating a roll map of a merged and wound electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a position measuring device configured to acquire coordinate data of the longitudinal position of the electrode based on the rotation amount of the rewinder when the electrode moves between a dewinder and a rewinder in a roll-to-roll configuration; an input device configured to input an input signal indicating the start or end of the merged winding when two or more old electrodes, each marked with a plurality of reference points at predetermined intervals, are connected to be merged and wound into a new electrode; and a seam detector configured to detect seams, wherein the seam is a part of the merged winding. The system includes a new electrode connecting the old electrode to the new electrode and a position measuring device to obtain the electrode coordinates of the seam; a reference point detector configured to detect the reference point of the newly wound electrode and obtain the electrode coordinates of the reference point; and a roll map generator configured to generate a roll map based on the input signal of the input device to simulate the movement of the new electrode in a roll-to-roll state and to display the longitudinal coordinates of the electrode, the electrode coordinates of the seam, and the electrode coordinates of the reference point on the roll map using the position measuring device, the seam detector, and the reference point detector.

[0019] As an example, the position measuring device could be a rotary encoder configured to extract the electrode position from the amount of rotation of a motor configured to drive a rewinder.

[0020] The input device can be an automatic or manual input device.

[0021] Input devices can be human-machine interface (HMI) control buttons displayed on a touchscreen.

[0022] As another example, the input signal can be an automatically or manually input start or end signal for splicing operations to connect old electrodes.

[0023] Additionally, the roll map generator may include a visualization device configured to define a visualization area in which a roll map for simulating a new electrode is to be generated, display coordinate value data on the defined visualization area, and represent the seams and reference points by visualizing the coordinate value data of the seams and reference points.

[0024] As an example, the device may further include a controller configured to control the movement of the electrode between the unwinder and the rewinder, wherein the controller may be connected to an input device, a position measuring device, a seam detector, and a reference point detector to transmit the input signal from the input device, coordinate data of the longitudinal position of the electrode, coordinate values ​​of the seam, and coordinate values ​​of the reference point to the roll map generator.

[0025] As a specific example, a roll map generator can be a manufacturing execution system (MES) or a component of an MES.

[0026] As an example, the roll map generator can be configured to compare the coordinate values ​​of the reference points of the new electrode detected by the reference point detector with the interval between the reference points marked on the old electrode to calculate the amount of change in electrode length during merging and winding, and can reflect the calculated amount of change to correct the longitudinal coordinate values ​​of the electrode on the roll map and display the corrected longitudinal coordinate values ​​on the roll map.

[0027] Specifically, the old electrodes to be merged and wound can each be marked with multiple reference points, and the coordinate values ​​of the reference points of the new electrode derived from each old electrode in the old electrodes can be compared with the intervals between the multiple reference points of each old electrode in the old electrodes to calculate the amount of change in electrode length during merging and winding.

[0028] More specifically, the coordinate values ​​of the reference points of the new electrode derived from each of the old electrodes can be compared with the intervals between multiple reference points of each of the old electrodes and the electrode coordinate values ​​of the seam obtained by the seam detector to calculate the amount of change in electrode length during the merging and winding process.

[0029] In addition, the intervals between reference points for each old electrode can be the same or different.

[0030] Beneficial effects

[0031] According to the present invention, a roll map can be automatically generated, which can reflect the detailed coordinate information of the combined winding electrodes.

[0032] Therefore, electrode quality can be easily tracked based on the electrode coordinates of the combined wound electrodes. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 The diagram illustrates how different batches of old electrodes are fed into a dewinding machine (UW) and connected to each other, and then wound (combined) with new electrodes on a rewinding machine (RW).

[0034] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an apparatus for generating a roll map of merging wound electrodes according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 3 An embodiment is shown in which an input signal indicating the start of merging and winding is automatically input when old electrodes are spliced.

[0036] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a roll map generator for generating a roll map of merged wound electrodes.

[0037] Figure 5 An example of a roll map generated by the apparatus for generating roll maps according to the present invention is illustrated.

[0038] Figures 6 to 8 The diagram shows schematic representations of various embodiments of a roll map displayed after the longitudinal coordinate values ​​of the electrodes have been corrected by the apparatus of the present invention for generating roll maps.

[0039] (Description of reference numerals in the attached diagram)

[0040] 1: Used electrode (batch A)

[0041] 2: Used electrodes (batch B)

[0042] 3: New electrode (batch C)

[0043] UW, UW1, UW2: Uncoilers

[0044] RW: Rewinder

[0045] 10: Position measuring equipment (rotary encoder)

[0046] 20: Input devices (HMI control buttons)

[0047] 20': Motion sensor for the cutting machine

[0048] 21: Splicing Unit

[0049] 22: Support

[0050] 30: Seam Detector

[0051] 40: Reference Point Detector

[0052] 50: Controller

[0053] 60: Roller Map Generator

[0054] 6: Database

[0055] 62: Central Processing Unit

[0056] 63: Visualization equipment

[0057] 70: Display Unit

[0058] M1, M2, M3: Reference points for old electrode 1

[0059] N1, N2, N3: Reference points for old electrode 2

[0060] T: Joint (connecting component)

[0061] C1, C2, C3: Cutting parts

[0062] 100: Apparatus for generating a roll map of merging wound electrodes Detailed Implementation

[0063] The detailed configuration of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and various embodiments. Embodiments described below are provided for ease of understanding. Additionally, the drawings are not drawn to scale, and the dimensions of some components may be enlarged for ease of understanding.

[0064] While the present invention is open to various modifications and alternative embodiments, specific embodiments thereof will be described and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but rather it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions within the concept and scope of the invention.

[0065] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an apparatus for generating a roll map of fused wound electrodes according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] An apparatus 100 for generating a roll map according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a position measuring device 10 configured to acquire coordinate data of the longitudinal position of the electrode based on the rotation amount of the rewinder RW when the electrode moves between a dewinder UW and a rewinder RW in a roll-to-roll configuration; an input device 20 configured to input an input signal indicating the start or end of the merging and winding when two or more old electrodes 1 and 2, each marked with a plurality of reference points at predetermined intervals, are connected to be merged and wound into a new electrode 3; and a seam detector 30 configured to detect a seam T, the seam T being an old seam of the merged and wound new electrode 3. The electrode connection part, and the electrode coordinate value of the seam T is obtained in conjunction with the position measuring device 10; the reference point detector 40 is configured to detect the reference point of the new electrode 3 that is merged and wound, and obtain the electrode coordinate value of the reference point in conjunction with the position measuring device 10; and the roll map generator 60 is configured to generate a roll map RM for simulating the movement of the new electrode 3 in a roll-to-roll state based on the input signal of the input device 20, and display the longitudinal coordinate value of the electrode, the electrode coordinate value of the seam T, and the electrode coordinate value of the reference point on the roll map RM in conjunction with the position measuring device 10, the seam detector 30, and the reference point detector 40.

[0067] The apparatus 100 for generating roll maps according to the present invention includes a position measuring device 10, an input device 20, a seam detector 30, a reference point detector 40, and a roll map generator 60.

[0068] During electrode manufacturing, the electrode is placed between the unwinder (UW) and the rewinder (RW). After the electrode is unwound from the unwinder (UW) and completes a certain process, it is wound onto the rewinder (RW) to become an electrode roll. Furthermore, the electrode roll that has completed a process (previous process) is placed again between the unwinder (UW) and the rewinder (RW) in a subsequent process and moves in a roll-to-roll manner to undergo the next process. That is, the process of moving the electrode in a roll-to-roll manner is repeated during electrode manufacturing. Therefore, when the position of the electrode during its movement can be represented by coordinates, the position of the electrode in each process can be specified. Additionally, in the case of acquiring data on quality or defects, if an event such as electrode breakage occurs, and the broken electrode is connected by a seam connecting member (T), when the position of the seam or the data acquisition section can be represented by coordinates, historical information on the quality, defects, and various events of the electrode in the corresponding process can be displayed. Since the electrodes move according to the rotation of the unwinder UW and the rewinder RW, the longitudinal positions of electrodes 1, 2, and 3 can be specified based on the amount of rotation of the unwinder UW and the rewinder RW. In this invention, since old electrodes 1 and 2 are connected to be combined and wound into a new electrode 3 on the rewinder RW, the longitudinal positions of the electrodes are specified based on the amount of rotation of the rewinder. Therefore, in this invention, the coordinate data of the longitudinal positions of electrodes 1, 2, and 3 can be detected by a rotary encoder 10 installed in the rewinder RW. Typically, the rotary encoder 10 is installed in the motor drive unit that drives the unwinder UW and the rewinder RW to detect the electrode movement distance based on the number of motor revolutions (rotation amount). Therefore, when electrodes 1, 2, and 3 move between the unwinder UW and the rewinder RW, their movement distance can be detected by the rotary encoder 10.

[0069] Facilities such as manufacturing execution systems (MES) for manufacturing electrodes or controllers for controlling the roll-to-roll transfer process of electrodes cannot recognize merging and winding unless a merging and winding signal is input. Therefore, the device does not know the coordinates of the end point of electrode 1 in batch A to be merged and wound. Therefore, in order to find the coordinate values ​​of the electrodes to be merged and wound and generate a roll map RM, the device 100 of the present invention for generating a roll map includes an input device 20 capable of receiving an input signal indicating the start or end of merging and winding.

[0070] In this case, multiple reference points are marked at predetermined intervals on each of the connected old electrodes (electrode 1 of batch A and electrode 2 of batch B). Figure 2Each of three reference points M1, M2, and M3 is marked on electrode 1 of batch A, and each of three reference points N1, N2, and N3 is also marked on electrode 2 of batch B. These reference points serve as criteria for calculating the amount of change in electrode length during the merging and winding process. That is, when no reference points are marked and no reference point detector 40 is present, the electrode coordinates of the seam can only be obtained by the seam detector. To determine the accurate coordinates of each electrode (batch A or B) constituting the new electrode (batch C) by reflecting the amount of change in electrode length, a reference point detector 40 capable of obtaining the reference points and their coordinates is required.

[0071] When the input device 20 receives an input signal, the system (e.g., MES) is informed that the current roll-to-roll transfer process is a merged winding transfer process. Furthermore, for example, the MES, or the roll map generator 60, which is a component of the MES, generates a roll map RM for the merged winding electrodes (batch C) based on the input signal. Therefore, the importance of the input device 20 of the present invention lies in the fact that the input device 20 specifies the reason for the electrode connection and provides the roll map generation signal.

[0072] Input device 20 can be provided as an automatic or manual input device. Figure 2 An example of a manual input device is shown for input device 20. When an operator connects old electrode 1 of batch A and old electrode 2 of batch B on the stitching table 21, the operator can press a button on the manual input device connected to the roll map generator 60 to input an input signal for starting or ending the merging and winding at the start or end of the operation. For example, the manual input device can be a human-machine interface (HMI) control button 20 displayed on a touch screen. On the stitching table 21, the operator can press the HMI control button before or after connecting old electrodes 1 and 2. The HMI control button can be generated using known HMI forming solutions—such as HMI generation software and hardware such as touch panel screens, computers, and devices for transmitting data to the roll map generator. Therefore, its detailed description is omitted in this specification.

[0073] The input signal can also be a start or end signal for the splicing operation to connect the old electrodes, which can be entered automatically or manually. Manually entered start or end signals can be input via HMI control buttons operated by the operator, as described above.

[0074] Figure 3 An embodiment is shown in which an input signal indicating the start of merging and winding is automatically input when old electrodes are spliced.

[0075] As shown in the figure, the end portion 1A of the electrode drawn from the old electrode roll UW1 of batch A is connected to the starting portion 2A of the electrode drawn from another old electrode roll UW2. For example, in... Figure 3 In the standby state of the other old electrode roll UW2 shown in (a), when the roll diameter sensor (not shown) mounted on the old electrode roll UW1 receives the electrode end signal of the old electrode roll, it drives the pressure roller R1 on which the end portion 1A of the old electrode is wound and the pressure roller R2 that squeezes the starting end portion 2A of the other old electrode to approach each other (see [reference]). Figure 3 (b)). Since the double-sided tape 3 is attached to the starting end portion 2A of another old electrode roll, the old electrode is joined by being squeezed by the pressure roller. After the joining is completed, when the cutter 20' installed near the end portion 1A of the old electrode is lowered to cut the old electrode, the electrode of the other old electrode roll connected to the old electrode roll moves toward the rewinder (not shown) in a roll-to-roll state. Therefore, roll-to-roll transfer from the unwinder to the rewinder can be continuously performed without interruption. The support 22 is installed on the rear surface of the electrode so that the cutter 20' can easily cut the electrode. In this case, the descent of the cutter 20' (see Figure 3 (b) or rise (see Figure 3 (c) becomes a signal indicating the start or end of the merging and winding (stitching). More precisely, the operating signal of the motion sensor installed in the lifting cylinder, etc., which is connected to the cutter 20' that cuts the old electrode 1, becomes a signal for the start or end of the merging and winding. The motion sensor is connected to the roll map generator 60 to automatically transmit input signals related to the merging and winding. As will be described below, the roll map generator 60 identifies the merging and winding based on the input signals and generates a roll map RM based on the coordinate values ​​obtained by the position measuring device 10, etc.

[0076] When old electrodes are joined by merging and wrapping, the joint detector 30 detects the joint or joint connecting member T (e.g., connecting tape) attached to the electrodes. When the joint detector 30 detects the joint connecting member T, the system or facility recognizes that the electrodes are connected for some reason. (Reference) Figure 2 The electrode is transferred from the unwinder UW to the rewinder RW in a roll-to-roll state, and a merging and winding input signal has been input from the splicing table 21 on the unwinder side. When the seam detector 30 near the rewinder RW detects the seam, it identifies or marks the seam as being formed due to merging and winding.

[0077] The seam detector 30 can be connected to the rotary encoder 10 via wired or wireless means to obtain encoder values ​​when the seam connecting member T is detected. Based on the encoder values, the seam detector 30 can acquire electrode coordinate data regarding the position of the seam connecting member T. Therefore, the presence of the seam connecting member T and the acquisition of its coordinate values ​​should be performed in advance to correct the roll map coordinates. The seam detector 30 can be, for example, a color sensor. Since the connecting tape typically has a different color than the electrodes, the color sensor can detect the connecting tape as a portion with a different color from the electrodes.

[0078] The reference point detector 40 can interact with the encoder to obtain the position coordinate data of reference points M1, M2, and M3 on the old electrode 1. That is, the reference point detector 40 can be connected to the encoder via wired or wireless means to obtain encoder values ​​when a reference point is detected. Therefore, the reference point detector 40 can obtain data regarding the position coordinate values ​​of the reference points M1, M2, and M3 marked on electrode 1. Additionally, when the old electrode 1 and old electrode 2 are combined and wound (stitched) and continue to move towards the rewinder RW, the coordinate data of the reference points N1, N2, and N3 marked on the old electrode 2 can also be obtained. The reference point detector 40 can be an OCR reader capable of reading printed characters via optical character recognition (OCR). Alternatively, a vision camera equipped with a vision sensor and capable of detecting reference points M1, M2, and M3 (N1, N2, and N3) can be used as the reference point detector 40.

[0079] Refer again Figure 2 The apparatus 100 of the present invention includes a roll map generator 60, which generates a roll map RM for simulating the movement of a new electrode 3 in a roll-to-roll state based on the input signal of the input device 20, and interacts with the position measuring device 10, the seam detector 30, and the reference point detector 40 to display the longitudinal coordinate values ​​of the electrode, the electrode coordinate values ​​of the seam, and the electrode coordinate values ​​of the reference point on the roll map RM.

[0080] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of a roll map generator 60 that generates a roll map RM for merging and winding electrodes.

[0081] The roll map generator 60 may include a database 61 that stores data obtained from the position measuring device 10, the seam detector 30, and the reference point detector 40, or information such as the length of old electrodes as waste electrodes and the number of reference points or the intervals between them.

[0082] Additionally, as described below, the roll map generator 60 includes a central processing unit 62 (computation unit) that calculates the change in electrode length during merging and winding based on data stored in a database 61, and reflects the calculated change to correct the longitudinal coordinate values ​​of the electrodes on the roll map RM. The central processing unit 62 can also process the acquired data and instruct a visualization device 63 provided in the roll map generator 60 to visualize the processed data.

[0083] That is, the roll map generator 60 includes a visualization device 63, which is configured to define a visualization area in which a roll map for simulating the electrode 3 is to be generated and to display coordinate value data on the defined area. The visualization device 63 can visualize and display the seams and reference points at the locations of the coordinate value data of the seams and reference points.

[0084] refer to Figure 4 The visualization device 63 includes a data input unit 63a, a roll map coordinate determination unit 63b, and an image generation unit 63c.

[0085] First, the data input unit 63a receives data from the central processing unit 62.

[0086] The roller map coordinate determination unit 63b can define the visualization area in which the roller map is to be formed, and can define pixel coordinate values ​​in the visualization area for each data element of the acquired source data. In this case, when data regarding specifications such as the batch number, length, and width of the electrode rollers are registered as electrode roller information and input to the controller 50 or the server, the roller map coordinate determination unit 63b can calculate and determine the visualization area of ​​the roller map based on data regarding the size of the electrodes according to a certain scaling transformation ratio.

[0087] The coordinate determination unit 63b can map the acquired quality or defect data and electrode position data (in the width and length directions) and can assign the mapped data on the visualization area (roller map) according to the pixel coordinates.

[0088] Image generation unit 63c can represent elements of mapped data assigned to each pixel coordinate in one or more legends within the visualization area. Legends refer to various shapes, such as circular, quadrilateral, and triangular shapes, or shapes that have been colored and displayed in the visualization area. Thus, through image generation unit 63c, at the pixel coordinates (coordinates on the roll map) corresponding to each position data of the actual electrode in the visualization area called the roll map, the longitudinal coordinate values ​​of the electrode, the coordinate values ​​of the seam, and the coordinate values ​​of the reference point are visually displayed on a display unit having a form, shape, and color specified for each data point, thereby generating the roll map of the present invention.

[0089] In addition, based on the data stored in storage units such as database 61, and combined with a specific range of the roll map, data corresponding to that specific range can be read from the storage units and displayed on the screen (image generation).

[0090] Setting the size of the visualization area or generating an image by finding the coordinates of the visualization area can be done using various conventional user interfaces or various programs or processing tools related to data distribution, processing, analysis, and visualization. Therefore, the roller map generator 60 described above is merely an example and is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0091] The aforementioned roll map generator 60 can be a data processing system such as a MES or a component of that system. A data processing system is a system (including hardware or software) that performs input, processing, output, and communication to manipulate data. In the electrode manufacturing process, an electrode MES is provided to manage a series of electrode manufacturing processes, such as coating, pressing, and slitting processes. Therefore, when the aforementioned coordinate data, inspection data, etc., are transmitted to the electrode MES, the aforementioned roll map can be generated by the electrode MES.

[0092] The apparatus 100 for generating roll maps according to the present invention may include a controller 50 (PLC controller) that controls the movement of the electrode between the unwinder UW and the rewinder RW. In this case, the controller 50 may be connected to the input device 20, the position measuring device 10, the seam detector 30, and the reference point detector 40 to transmit the input signal from the input device 20, coordinate data of the longitudinal position of the electrode, the coordinate values ​​of the seam, and the coordinate values ​​of the reference point to the roll map generator 60. In this case, the controller 50 can process the coordinate data in a form that is easily processed in the roll map generator 60. Since the PLC controller 50 is connected to the encoder to control the roll-to-roll transfer of the electrode in terms of data processing and management, transmitting data through the controller 50 is more efficient than transmitting data directly from the encoder or the like to a data processing system such as the electrode MES.

[0093] Furthermore, in the apparatus 100 for generating a roll map according to the present invention, since the generated roll map is displayed on the display unit 70, data related to the merging and winding electrodes can be easily and visually understood at a glance (see [link]). Figure 2 and Figure 4 ).

[0094] The roll map generator 60 can be configured to compare the coordinates of the reference points of the new electrode 3 detected by the reference point detector 40 with the intervals between the reference points marked on the old electrodes 1 and 2 to calculate the change in electrode length during merging and winding. It can also reflect the calculated change to correct the longitudinal coordinates of the electrodes on the roll map RM and display the corrected longitudinal coordinates on the roll map RM. Therefore, a roll map RM of the merged and wound electrodes can be generated, showing the coordinates of the actual electrodes 3 whose lengths have changed during merging and winding.

[0095] Specifically, the old electrodes are marked with multiple reference points M1, M2 and M3 and N1, N2 and N3 and are merged and wound together. The coordinate values ​​of the reference points of the new electrode 3 derived from each of the old electrodes 1 and 2 are compared with the intervals between the multiple reference points of the old electrodes to calculate the amount of change in electrode length during the merging and winding.

[0096] Furthermore, since the roll map RM is a roll map for merging and winding electrodes, the end point of the old electrode 1 to be merged and wound and the start point of the old electrode 2 can be specified only when the coordinate position of the seam is specified. In addition, by comparing the coordinate values ​​of the reference points of the new electrode derived from each old electrode with the intervals between the multiple reference points of each old electrode and the electrode coordinate values ​​of the seam obtained by the seam detector, the amount of change in electrode length during merging and winding can be calculated more accurately.

[0097] Invention Model

[0098] In the following description, the process of generating a roll map by means of an apparatus according to the invention for generating a roll map of merging wound electrodes will be described with reference to various embodiments.

[0099] (First Embodiment)

[0100] Figure 5 An example of a roll map generated by the apparatus 100 for generating roll maps according to the present invention is illustrated.

[0101] Figure 5The upper diagram is a schematic diagram of waste electrodes that need to be merged and wound, and illustrates used electrodes 1 and 2 introduced from the unwinding machine. Multiple reference points M1, M2, M3, N1, N2, and N3 are marked on used electrodes 1 and 2 at predetermined intervals. The intervals between the reference points of each used electrode can be the same or different. When the used electrodes are merged and wound, the reference points are also retained on the new electrodes. Therefore, even if the used electrodes have different intervals between the reference points, these intervals correspond to the intervals between the reference points of the used electrode portions retained on the new electrodes, and there is no problem in calculating the amount of change in electrode length by comparing the reference points. However, in the following embodiments, for ease of description, the intervals between the reference points marked on different used electrodes 1 and 2 are the same. In batch A of used electrodes with a total length of 600m, reference points M1, M2, and M3 are marked at 100m, 300m, and 500m. In the old electrodes of batch B with a total length of 600m, reference points N1, N2, and N3 were marked at 100m, 300m, and 500m.

[0102] In this embodiment, although the old electrodes 1 and 2 of batches A and B are merged and wound, there is no change in electrode length. The illustrated roll map RM shows the electrodes wound on the rewinder being unwound in the length direction and a new electrode 3 simulating roll-to-roll movement. The coordinate values ​​displayed on the roll map RM are the coordinate values ​​at the time points when winding is performed in the rewinder RW, and include coordinate values ​​obtained by the seam detector 30 and the reference point detector 40, which interact with the position measurement device 10 of the rewinder.

[0103] As described above, when the input device 20 transmits the winding start or end signal to the roll map generator 60, the roll map generator 60 generates a roll map RM 40 by displaying coordinate data later detected by the reference point detector 40, the seam detector 30, and the rewinder position measuring device 10 on the strip roll map.

[0104] In the first embodiment, the electrode lengths of batches A and B remain unchanged, with the end portion of the electrode in batch A having a length of 600 m, and the seam detector 30 detects the seam connection member T at such coordinates. Since the electrode lengths remain unchanged, the interval between the reference points also remains unchanged. Therefore, Figure 5The upper view (roll map or absolute coordinate roll map of the old electrode on the unwinder input side) and the lower view (roll map or relative coordinate roll map of the new electrode on the rewinder output side) are substantially the same, and the coordinate values ​​do not change. Such merging and winding is ideal, and in actual merging and winding, the electrode length is changed, as in the following example. The apparatus 100 of the present invention for generating roll maps specifies the coordinates (600m) of the seam in the new electrode of batch C and the length (600m) of each of batches A and B. However, the coordinate values ​​of the reference point of the old electrode of batch B are added to the coordinate values ​​of the old electrode of batch A by merging and winding and are displayed in the new electrode of batch C (in Figure 5 In the lower figure, reference points N1, N2, and N3 are changed from 100, 300, and 500 to 700, 900, and 1100, respectively. As described above, according to the present invention, since the coordinates of the seams in the new electrodes of batch C, the length of the old electrodes constituting the new electrodes of batch C, and the coordinate values ​​of the reference points are clearly specified, even if defects occur in subsequent processes, the quality can be easily tracked using the roll map of the new electrodes of batch C.

[0105] (Second Embodiment)

[0106] Figure 6 A schematic diagram is shown illustrating an example of a roll map RM displayed after the longitudinal coordinate values ​​of the electrodes are corrected by the apparatus 100 for generating roll maps according to the present invention.

[0107] In this embodiment, the end portion of the old electrode 1 of batch A is cut by 50m and then connected to the starting end portion of the old electrode 2 of batch B via a seam. Considering the cut end portion C1, the interval between the reference point M3 of the old electrode 1 of batch A and the coordinate value of the seam T is changed to 50m. Therefore, the length of the old electrode 1 of batch A is 550m, and the coordinate value of the seam, which is the end portion of the old electrode 1, is also 550m.

[0108] Since old electrodes 1 and 2 are connected at point 550m, the coordinates of the starting end portion of old electrode 2 are also located at 550m. In this case, since the interval between the reference points of old electrode 2 remains unchanged, each length of old electrode 2 can be added to the coordinate value of old electrode 1 at 550m to obtain the roll map (relative coordinates) of the new electrode for batch C. From the roll map information of the new electrode for batch C, it can be seen that the length of the old electrode of batch A is 550m, and the interval between the reference points of batch A has been changed (the interval between reference point M3 and the end portion is reduced from 100 to 50). Therefore, the amount of change in electrode length during the merging and winding can be found (the total length is reduced by 50m). In addition, from the roll map information of the new electrode for batch C, it can be seen that the length of the old electrode of batch B, which constitutes the new electrode of batch C, is 600m, which has not changed, but due to the merging and winding, the electrode coordinate value is changed to the value obtained by adding the electrode length of batch A.

[0109] Similarly, in this embodiment, since the coordinates of the seams in the new electrodes of batch C, the length of the old electrodes constituting the new electrodes of batch C, and the coordinates of the reference points are clearly specified, even if defects occur in subsequent processes, the quality can be easily tracked using the roll map of the new electrodes of batch C.

[0110] (Third Embodiment)

[0111] Figure 7 A schematic diagram is shown illustrating an example of a roll map RM displayed after the longitudinal coordinate values ​​of the electrodes are corrected by the apparatus of the present invention for generating roll maps.

[0112] In this embodiment, a roll map is shown where the end portion of the old electrode 1 in batch A is cut by 50m and the starting end portion of batch B is also cut by 50m, and then batch A and batch B are connected by a seam. Taking into account the cut end portions C1 and C2, the interval between the reference point M3 of the old electrode 1 in batch A and the coordinate value of the seam is changed to 50m. Therefore, the length of the old electrode 1 in batch A is 550m, and the coordinate value of the seam, which is the end portion of the old electrode 1, is also 550m.

[0113] Since the starting portion of the old electrode 2 was also cut by 50m, the interval between the reference point N1 and the cutting starting portion was changed to 50m. By reflecting this, when the coordinate values ​​of subsequent reference points N2 and N3, as well as the end portion of the old electrode 2, are corrected, the following is obtained: Figure 7 The lower part of the image. Figure 7 The upper part of the image can be viewed as a roll map showing the absolute coordinates of the cut sections C1 and C2, and Figure 7The lower part of the diagram can be viewed as a roll map that already reflects and displays the relative coordinates of the cut sections C1 and C2.

[0114] from Figure 7 As shown in the lower part of the figure, the length of old electrode 1 is 550m, the length of old electrode 2 is also 550m, and the length of new electrode 3 is 1100m.

[0115] As described above, the coordinate values ​​of the reference point of the new electrode 3 detected by the reference point detector 40 can be compared with the interval between the reference points marked on the old electrodes 1 and 2 to easily calculate the amount of change in electrode length during the merging and winding process.

[0116] In addition, by reflecting the change in electrode length calculated when generating the roll map of the new electrodes in batch C, the longitudinal coordinate values ​​of the electrodes on the roll map RM are corrected and displayed according to absolute coordinates.

[0117] Similarly, in this embodiment, since the coordinates (550m) of the seam in the length (1,100m) of the new electrode of batch C, the length (550m) of each old electrode in the old electrodes constituting the new electrode of batch C, and the coordinate values ​​of the reference point are clearly specified, the quality can be easily tracked using the roll map of the new electrode of batch C even if defects occur in subsequent processes.

[0118] (Fourth Embodiment)

[0119] Figure 8 Schematic diagrams of various embodiments of a roll map are shown, illustrating the display of the roll map after the longitudinal coordinate values ​​of the electrodes are corrected by the apparatus for generating roll maps according to the present invention.

[0120] In this embodiment, the end portion of the old electrode 1 of batch A is cut by 50m, the starting end portion of the old electrode 2 of batch B is also cut by 50m, and then the end portion of the old electrode 2 of batch B is cut by 100m to be merged and wound into a new electrode for batch C. Considering the cut end portion C1, the interval between the reference point M3 of the old electrode of batch A and the coordinate value of the seam is changed to 50m. Therefore, the length of the old electrode 1 of batch A is 550m, and the coordinate value of the seam as the end portion of the old electrode 1 is also 550m.

[0121] Since the starting portion of the old electrode 2 is also cut by 50m, the interval between reference point N1 and the cutting starting portion C2 is changed to 50m. By reflecting this, the coordinate values ​​of subsequent reference points N2 and N3, as well as the end portion of the old electrode 2, are corrected. Furthermore, when the coordinate values ​​of the end portion of the old electrode 2 are also corrected by reflecting the 100m cutting portion C3, the following is obtained: Figure 8 The lower part of the image.

[0122] from Figure 8 The lower part of the diagram shows that the length of old electrode 1 is 550m, the length of old electrode 2 is 450m, and the total length of new electrode 3 is 1000m. Furthermore, the coordinate values ​​of the reference points for the new electrodes derived from each old electrode are corrected based on the changes in electrode length.

[0123] Similarly, in this embodiment, since the coordinates of the seam (550m) in the length (1,000m) of the new electrode of batch C, the lengths of the old electrodes constituting the new electrode of batch C (550m of batch A and 450m of batch B), and the coordinates of the reference point are clearly specified, the quality can be easily tracked using the roll map RM of the new electrode of batch C, even if defects occur in subsequent processes.

[0124] The present invention has been described in more detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. However, the configurations described in the embodiments of the drawings or specification are merely embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the full technical concept of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications may be used instead of them when this application is filed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for generating a roll map of merging wound electrodes, the apparatus comprising: A position measuring device is configured to acquire coordinate data of the longitudinal position of the electrode based on the amount of rotation of the rewinder when the electrode moves between the unwinder and the rewinder in a roll-to-roll manner. An input device configured to input an input signal indicating the start or end of merging and winding when two or more old electrodes, each marked with a plurality of reference points at predetermined intervals, are connected to be merged and wound into a new electrode. A seam detector, configured to detect seams that are the connection portions of old electrodes that are merged and wound together with the new electrodes, and to obtain the electrode coordinate values ​​of the seams in conjunction with the position measuring device; A reference point detector, configured to detect a reference point of the newly fused and wound electrodes and to obtain the electrode coordinates of the reference point in conjunction with the position measuring device; as well as A roll map generator is configured to generate a roll map based on the input signal of the input device to simulate the movement of the new electrode in a roll-to-roll state, and to display the longitudinal coordinate values ​​of the electrode, the electrode coordinate values ​​of the seam, and the electrode coordinate values ​​of the reference point on the roll map in conjunction with the position measuring device, the seam detector, and the reference point detector.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The position measuring device is a rotary encoder configured to extract the electrode position from the amount of rotation of a motor configured to drive the rewinder.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The input device is an automatic or manual input device.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The input device is a human-machine interface (HMI) control button displayed on a touchscreen.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The input signal is an automatic or manual input signal used to start or end the splicing operation of connecting the old electrodes.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The roll map generator includes a visualization device configured to define a visualization area in which a roll map for simulating the new electrode is to be generated, display the coordinate value data on the defined visualization area, and represent the seam and the reference point by visualizing the coordinate value data on the seam and the reference point.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The roll map generator is a manufacturing execution system (MES) or a component of the MES.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to control the movement of electrodes between the unwinder and the rewinder. The controller is connected to the input device, the position measuring device, the seam detector, and the reference point detector to transmit the input signal from the input device, the coordinate data of the longitudinal position of the electrode, the coordinate value of the seam, and the coordinate data of the reference point to the roll map generator.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The roll map generator is configured to compare the coordinate values ​​of the reference points of the new electrode detected by the reference point detector with the interval between the reference points marked on the old electrode to calculate the amount of change in electrode length during the merging and winding, and to reflect the calculated amount of change to correct the longitudinal coordinate values ​​of the electrode on the roll map and display the corrected longitudinal coordinate values ​​on the roll map.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: The old electrodes to be merged and wound are each marked with the plurality of reference points; and The coordinate value of the reference point of the new electrode derived from each of the old electrodes is compared with the interval between the plurality of reference points of each of the old electrodes to calculate the amount of change in the electrode length during the merging and winding.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, The coordinate values ​​of the reference points of the new electrode derived from each of the old electrodes are compared with the intervals between the plurality of reference points of each of the old electrodes and the electrode coordinate values ​​of the seam obtained by the seam detector to calculate the amount of change in the electrode length during the merging and winding.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, The intervals between the reference points of each old electrode are either the same or different.

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