Electrode matching system and method

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a battery electrode matching system comprising: one or more sensors configured to detect a first characteristic of a first electrode and a second characteristic of a second electrode; one or more signature applicators configured to mark the first electrode with a first signature and mark the second electrode with a second signature; and a memory circuit. The memory circuit is configured to store a first profile corresponding to the first electrode, the first profile including first data indicative of the first characteristic and the first signature. The memory circuit is also configured to store a second profile corresponding to the second electrode, the second profile including second data indicative of the second characteristic and the second signature.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 597,946, filed on November 10, 2023, entitled “ELECTRODE MATCHING SYSTEM AND METHOD,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Background Art

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to battery cells, and more particularly to electrode marking and matching in battery cells.

[0004] A battery cell may include an electrolyte, one or more separators, and two or more electrodes, such as an anode and a cathode, disposed in a housing. Each electrode may include a current collector (e.g., a foil) and an active material disposed on, for example, one side or two opposite sides of the current collector. In certain manufacturing processes, the electrodes may be mass-produced and then assembled into individual battery cells. The size (e.g., thickness) and / or weight of each electrode may vary for various reasons (such as deviations allowed by engineering tolerances). Therefore, the size and / or weight of the electrodes in the assembled battery cells may vary, which may result in battery degradation, reduced battery performance, and / or reduced battery life. Summary of the invention

[0005] The following describes a summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein. It should be understood that these aspects are presented only to provide the reader with a concise summary of these specific embodiments, and these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In fact, the present disclosure may encompass a number of aspects that may not be described below.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery electrode matching system includes: one or more sensors configured to detect a first characteristic of a first electrode and a second characteristic of a second electrode; one or more signature applicators configured to mark the first electrode with a first signature and mark the second electrode with a second signature; and a memory circuit. The memory circuit is configured to store a first profile corresponding to the first electrode, the first profile including first data indicating the first characteristic and the first signature. The memory circuit is also configured to store a second profile corresponding to the second electrode, the second profile including second data indicating the second characteristic and the second signature.

[0007] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for matching battery cell electrodes includes: detecting a first characteristic of a first electrode; marking the first electrode with a first signature; detecting a second characteristic of a second electrode; and marking the second electrode with a second signature. The method also includes storing first data indicating a first correspondence between the first characteristic and the first signature in a memory circuit. The method also includes storing second data indicating a second correspondence between the second characteristic and the second signature in the memory circuit.

[0008] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery cell includes a first battery electrode including a first unique signature associated with a first size or weight characteristic of the first battery electrode. The battery cell also includes a second battery electrode including a second unique signature associated with a second size or weight characteristic of the second battery electrode.

[0009] With respect to various aspects of the present disclosure, there may be various improvements to the above-mentioned features. Other features may also be incorporated into these various aspects. These improvements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For example, the various features discussed below with respect to one or more embodiments in the illustrated embodiments may be incorporated into any of the above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure individually or in any combination. The brief summary presented above is intended only to familiarize the reader with certain aspects and contexts of the embodiments of the present disclosure, without limiting the claimed subject matter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Various aspects of the present disclosure may be better understood upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings described below, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts.

[0011] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0012] Figure 2 is configured to Figure 1 A schematic block diagram of a battery cell for powering an electronic device and including an electrode signature;

[0013] Figure 3 is a method for generating, marking, measuring and matching according to an embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an electrode matching system for electrodes (e.g., anode and cathode) of a battery cell;

[0014] Figure 4 is a top view of a foil signature pattern for a current collector sheet configured to include a continuous active material coating thereon according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 5 is a top view of a signature pattern corresponding to a continuous active material coating according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 6 is a top view of a foil signature pattern for a foil configured to include a striped active material coating thereon according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 7 is a top view of a foil signature pattern for a foil having a striped active material coating thereon according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 8 is a top view of a signature pattern corresponding to a striped active material coating according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Fig. 9 is a top view of a foil signature pattern for a foil configured to include a discontinuous active material coating thereon according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Fig.10 is a top view of a foil signature pattern for a foil having a discontinuous active material coating thereon according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Fig.11 is a top view of a measurement position of a current collector sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Fig.12 is a top view of a measurement location of a coated current collector sheet according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0023] Fig.13 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method of assembling a battery cell including marking, measuring, and matching electrodes of the battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] When introducing the elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles "one", "an" and "the" are intended to mean one or more elements present in the elements. The terms "include", "comprise" and "have" are intended to be inclusive, and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that the reference to "one embodiment" or "embodiment" of the present disclosure is not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the described features. In addition, specific features, structures or characteristics can be combined in any appropriate manner in one or more embodiments. The use of the terms "roughly", "close to", "about", "close to" and / or "substantially" should be understood to mean including close to a target (e.g., design, value and amount), such as within the limits of any suitable or conceivable error (e.g., within 0.1% of a target, within 1% of a target, within 5% of a target, within 10% of a target, within 25% of a target, etc.). Furthermore, it should be understood that any exact value, number, measurement, etc. provided herein is contemplated to include approximations of such exact value, number, measurement, etc. (e.g., within a suitable or contemplated error margin). Additionally, the term "set" may include one or more. That is, a set may include a single set of one member, but a set may also include sets of multiple members.

[0025] The present disclosure generally relates to batteries, such as secondary or rechargeable batteries (e.g., lithium-ion batteries, nickel-manganese-cobalt batteries, nickel-cobalt-aluminum batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, lithium iron phosphate batteries, lithium-ion polymer batteries, etc.) More specifically, the present disclosure relates to electrode marking and matching in battery cells.

[0026] In addition to other features, the battery cell generally includes an electrolyte, one or more separators, and two or more electrodes, such as one or more anodes and one or more cathodes, disposed in a housing. In some manufacturing processes, the electrodes (or their parts) may be mass-produced and then assembled into separate battery cells. For example, a first current collector sheet (e.g., a first foil sheet, such as a first copper foil sheet) may be coated with a first active material and the first current collector sheet may be cut (or "cut") into a plurality of electrodes, such as a plurality of anodes. A second current collector sheet (e.g., a second foil sheet, such as an aluminum foil sheet) may be coated with a second active material and the second current collector sheet may be cut (or "cut") into a plurality of electrodes, such as a cathode. The first active material and the second active material may be different depending on the embodiment.

[0027] The size (such as thickness) and / or weight of the electrode may vary for various reasons, including, but not limited to, allowable deviations from engineering tolerances, constraints, and manufacturing techniques, among others. However, it may be desirable that each battery cell include electrodes having substantially similar (e.g., within a threshold percentage) size and / or weight, or a desired relationship between the size and / or weight of these electrodes. For example, it may be desirable that the battery cell include at least one anode having a substantially similar size and / or weight to at least one cathode, or include a size and / or weight having a predefined target relationship relative to the size and / or weight of the cathode. Additionally or alternatively, it may be desirable that a battery cell employing multiple anodes and multiple cathodes include substantially similar sizes and / or weights for each anode and substantially similar sizes and / or weights for each cathode. In this way, the capacity ratio (in some cases referred to as the N / P ratio) can be controlled to a target value, which, in addition to other technical benefits, can also improve battery life and performance.

[0028] According to the present disclosure, an electrode matching system is used to assemble a battery cell, which includes electrodes having substantially similar (e.g., within a threshold percentage) size, weight, or other physical properties or having a predefined target relationship between such physical properties (e.g., to control the capacity ratio or N / P ratio of the battery). The electrode matching system includes a signature applicator configured to mark each electrode with a signature (e.g., a unique signature). For example, the unique signature may include a quick response (QR) code, a barcode, laser etching, an ink mark, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the signature is set on a current collector (e.g., a foil) of the electrode, such as a position of the current collector that is not covered by an active material. Additionally or alternatively, the signature may be set on the active material of the electrode. In certain embodiments, multiple signatures may be used on a single electrode (e.g., one signature on the current collector, another signature on the active material, etc.).

[0029] The electrode matching system also includes one or more measuring devices (e.g., sensors) configured to detect one or more physical properties (e.g., dimensions (such as thickness) and / or weight) of each electrode. The sensor may include, for example, a beta sensor configured to detect the thickness and / or weight of the electrode. In certain embodiments, for example, the beta sensor may measure each electrode or each area corresponding to each electrode on a continuous sheet (e.g., a current collector sheet) multiple times, and use such multiple measurements to estimate the thickness and / or weight of each electrode. In some embodiments, the thickness and / or weight may be determined for the current collector sheet of the electrode, the active material of the electrode, or both.

[0030] In addition, the electrode matching system may include a storage device for storing the information described above, such as a memory circuit and / or a database system. For example, the database system may include an electrode configuration file for each electrode, which stores data indicating the physical properties of the electrode and the signature (e.g., unique signature) of the electrode. Additionally or alternatively, the electrode configuration file may include a corresponding relationship or data link between the signature of the electrode and the physical properties of the electrode.

[0031] During the assembly process of the battery cell, a matching component (e.g., a scanner, a controller, a processing circuit, a memory circuit, logic, etc.) of the electrode matching system may be used to detect (e.g., scan) the signature of the electrode, and based on this detection, a database system is accessed, such as an electrode configuration file corresponding to the electrode. In this way, the matching component can locate the physical properties (e.g., size (such as thickness) and / or weight) of the electrode. In addition, the matching component can be used to select electrodes (e.g., anodes and cathodes) with sufficiently similar (e.g., within a threshold percentage) physical properties or a predefined relationship between such physical properties for inclusion in the battery cell. Additionally or alternatively, the matching component may prevent, not select, deselect, or remove electrodes that do not have sufficiently similar physical properties or a predefined relationship between such physical properties from being included in the same battery cell. In some embodiments, the electrodes may be classified by physical properties (e.g., size (such as thickness) and / or weight), and all or some of the matching components in the matching component are not required. In these and / or other embodiments, signatures on electrodes can be used to identify and / or diagnose failure modes, responsible electrodes for such failure modes, etc. when the battery pack or battery cell is disassembled. These and other aspects of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Now continue to refer to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electronic device 10 may include, among other things, one or more processors 12 (collectively referred to herein as a single processor for convenience, which may be implemented in any suitable form of processing circuitry), a memory 14, a non-volatile storage device 16, a display 18, an input structure 22, an input / output (I / O) interface 24, a network interface 26, and a power supply 29. Figure 1The various functional blocks shown may include hardware elements (including circuits), software elements (including machine executable instructions), or a combination of hardware and software elements (which may be referred to as logical components). Processor 12, memory 14, non-volatile storage device 16, display 18, input structure 22, input / output (I / O) interface 24, network interface 26, and / or power supply 29 may each be directly or indirectly communicatively coupled to each other (e.g., through or via another component, a communication bus, a network) to transmit and / or receive signals between each other. It should be noted that Figure 1 This is merely one example of a particular implementation and is intended to illustrate the types of components that may be present in electronic device 10 .

[0033] By way of example, electronic device 10 may include any suitable computing device, including a desktop or laptop computer, a portable electronic or handheld electronic device (such as a wireless electronic device or a smart phone), a tablet computer, a wearable electronic device, and other similar devices. In additional or alternative embodiments, electronic device 10 may include an access point, such as a base station, a router (e.g., a wireless or Wi-Fi router), a hub, a switch, etc. It should be noted that Figure 1 The processor 12 and other related items in the embodiment may be embodied in whole or in part as software, hardware, or both. Figure 1 The processor 12 and other related items in the electronic device 10 may be a single contained processing module, or may be fully or partially incorporated into any of the other elements within the electronic device 10. The processor 12 may be implemented using a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device (PLD), a controller, a state machine, a gated logic, a discrete hardware component, a dedicated hardware finite state machine, or any other suitable entity that can perform calculations or other manipulations of information. The processor 12 may include one or more application processors, one or more baseband processors, or both, and perform various functions described herein.

[0034] exist Figure 1In the electronic device 10, the processor 12 may be operably coupled to the memory 14 and the non-volatile storage device 16 to execute various algorithms. Such programs or instructions executed by the processor 12 may be stored in any suitable article including one or more tangible computer-readable media. The tangible computer-readable medium may include the memory 14 and / or the non-volatile storage device 16, individually or collectively, to store instructions or routines. The memory 14 and the non-volatile storage device 16 may include any suitable article for storing data and executable instructions, such as random access memory, read-only memory, rewritable flash memory, hard drive, and optical disk. In addition, the program encoded on such a computer program product (e.g., an operating system) may also include instructions that can be executed by the processor 12 to enable the electronic device 10 to provide various functions.

[0035] In certain embodiments, display 18 may facilitate a user viewing images generated on electronic device 10. In some embodiments, display 18 may include a touch screen that may facilitate a user interacting with a user interface of electronic device 10. Furthermore, it should be understood that in some embodiments, display 18 may include one or more liquid crystal displays (LCDs), light emitting diode (LED) displays, organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, active matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) displays, or some combination of these and / or other display technologies.

[0036] The input structures 22 of the electronic device 10 may enable a user to interact with the electronic device 10 (e.g., pressing a button to increase or decrease a volume level). As with the network interface 26, the I / O interface 24 may enable the electronic device 10 to interact with a variety of other electronic devices. In some embodiments, the I / O interface 24 may include an I / O port for a hardwired connection for charging and / or content manipulation using a standard connector and protocol, such as a Lightning connector, a universal serial bus (USB), or other similar connectors and protocols. The network interface 26 may include, for example, one or more interfaces for: a personal area network (PAN), such as an ultra-wideband (UWB) or Bluetooth network; a local area network (LAN) or a wireless local area network (WLAN), such as a network that adopts one of the IEEE 802.11x series of protocols (e.g., WI-FI); and / or a wide area network (WAN), such as any standard related to the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including, for example, a 3rd generation (3G) cellular network, a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), a 4th generation (4G) cellular network, a long term evolution (LTE) cellular network, a long term evolution licensed assisted access (LTE-LAA) cellular network, a 5th generation (5G) cellular network and / or a new radio (NR) cellular network, a 6th generation (6G) or beyond 6G cellular network, a satellite network, a non-terrestrial network, etc. Specifically, the network interface 26 may include, for example, one or more interfaces for using a cellular communication standard that defines and / or implements a frequency range for wireless communication including a millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency range (e.g., 24.25 gigahertz (GHz) to 300 GHz) of the 5G specification. The network interface 26 of the electronic device 10 may allow communication via the aforementioned networks (e.g., 5G, Wi-Fi, LTE-LAA, etc.).

[0037] The network interface 26 may also include, for example, one or more interfaces for broadband fixed wireless access networks (e.g., WIMAX), mobile broadband wireless networks (mobile WIMAX), asynchronous digital subscriber lines (e.g., ADSL, VDSL), digital video broadcasting-terrestrial (DVB-H) networks and their extensions, DVB handheld (DVB-T) networks, ultra-wideband (UWB) networks, alternating current (AC) power lines, etc.

[0038] The power source 29 of the electronic device 10 may include any suitable power source, such as a rechargeable lithium polymer (Li-poly) battery and / or an alternating current (AC) power converter. According to the present disclosure, the battery of the power source 29 may include an electrode signature configured to facilitate a matching technique, by which electrodes having sufficiently compatible physical properties (e.g., size (such as thickness) and / or weight) or a predefined relationship between these physical properties are selected for inclusion in the battery. Additionally or alternatively, the matching component facilitated by the electrode signature may prevent, not select, deselect, or remove electrodes that do not have sufficiently similar physical properties or a predefined relationship between these physical properties from being included in the same battery cell. Additionally or alternatively, the electrode signature may be used to identify and / or diagnose failure modes, responsible electrodes for such failure modes, etc. when the battery pack or battery cell is disassembled. These and other aspects of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a battery cell 40 including an electrode signature. The battery cell 40 includes a housing 42, a first electrode 44 (e.g., an anode) configured to be disposed in the housing 42, and a second electrode 46 (e.g., a cathode) configured to be disposed in the housing 42. A separator 48 is disposed in the housing 42, between the first electrode 44 and the second electrode 46. The first electrode 44, the second electrode 46, and the separator 48 may form an electrode assembly 50 of the battery cell 40, which may be soaked in or wetted by an electrolyte disposed in the housing 42. Although for purposes of simplicity, the electrode assembly 50 in the illustrated embodiment includes the first electrode 44, the second electrode 46, and the separator 48, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the electrode assembly 50 may include additional instances of the first electrode 44, the second electrode 46, and / or the separator 48. In fact, Figure 2 is merely a block diagram of an embodiment of a battery cell 40 in the present disclosure. It should be understood that the electrode assembly 50 of the battery cell 40 may include a stacked configuration (e.g., including multiple instances of the first electrode 44 or anode, the second electrode 46 or cathode, and / or the separator 48), a jelly roll configuration (e.g., including the first electrode, the second electrode 46, and the separator 48 wound in a jelly roll shape), or any other suitable electrode assembly configuration.

[0040] Typically, the electrode assembly 50 is electrically coupled to a first terminal 52 (e.g., a positive terminal) and a second terminal 54 (e.g., a negative terminal) of the battery cell 40. For example, the electrode tabs (or current collector tabs) of the electrodes 44, 46 illustrated in later figures may be used to electrically couple the electrode assembly 50 to the first terminal 52 and the second terminal 54. In addition, for example, the first terminal 52 and the second terminal 54 may be coupled to a load so that the battery cell 40 can supply power to the load. In some embodiments, the first terminal 52 and the second terminal 54 are coupled to other battery cells via a busbar assembly (e.g., a busbar) to form an interconnected battery (e.g., battery cell) group of a battery pack, wherein the battery pack is configured to supply power to a load. Figure 2 The battery cell 40 also includes a memory circuit 56 on which instructions are stored, and a processing circuit 58 configured to execute instructions for performing various functions, such as monitoring the operating conditions of the battery cell 40, regulating the charging and discharging cycles of the battery cell 40, etc.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, the anode 44 includes a first signature 60, and the cathode 46 includes a second signature 62. The first signature 60 may be different from the second signature 62. That is, the first signature 60 and the second signature 62 may be unique signatures for purposes such as identification and / or distinguishing corresponding components (e.g., the anode 44 and the cathode 46). Depending on the embodiment, each of the first signature 60 and the second signature 62 may include a quick response (QR) code, a barcode, laser etching, ink marking, a certain type of signature, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the signatures 60, 62 are respectively disposed on exposed portions of the current collectors (e.g., foils) of the electrodes 44, 46, wherein the exposed portions are not covered by the active materials of the electrodes 44, 46. The exposed portions may include, for example, electrode labels (or current collector labels) described above. Additionally or alternatively, the signatures 60, 62 may be disposed on portions of the current collectors (e.g., foils) that are covered by active materials (e.g., coated with active materials). Additionally or alternatively, the signatures 60 , 62 may be disposed on the active material of the electrodes 44 , 46 .

[0042] As described in more detail with reference to later embodiments, the battery electrode matching system ( Figure 2The battery electrode matching system (not shown) may determine and store (e.g., in a memory and / or a database) first data indicating a first signature 60 and one or more first characteristics (e.g., one or more first physical characteristics, such as a first thickness and / or a first weight) of the first electrode 44, and second data indicating a second signature 62 and one or more second characteristics (e.g., one or more second physical characteristics, such as a second thickness and / or a second weight) of the second electrode 46. For example, the battery electrode matching system may include a sensor configured to detect electrode thickness and / or electrode weight, such as a beta sensor. In some embodiments, the battery electrode matching system is configured to determine and / or store the first data and second data described above during an electrode manufacturing process (such as an electrode manufacturing process for mass producing battery electrodes before the battery electrodes are selected for use in a battery and / or assembled into a battery).

[0043] The first and second data described above may be called upon later during the battery assembly process (e.g., via a scan of the signatures 60, 62) to, for example, pair the first electrode 44 and the second electrode 46 for inclusion in the battery cell 40. Such pairing may be based on, for example, one or more first characteristics of the first electrode 44 being relatively similar to one or more second characteristics of the second electrode 46 (e.g., within a threshold percentage of each other), or satisfying a certain predefined relationship between the one or more first characteristics and the one or more second characteristics. In this way, electrodes having relatively dissimilar characteristics or characteristics that do not satisfy a certain desired predefined target relationship may be excluded for pairing in a common battery. In fact, undesirable electrode pairing may otherwise lead to battery degradation, reduced battery performance, and / or reduced battery life. Therefore, the pairing of electrodes in a battery cell may be performed in a manner that is consistent with the prior art. Figure 2 Use of the battery electrode matching system illustrated in signatures 60, 62 and described in detail with reference to later figures can reduce battery degradation, improve battery performance and / or improve battery life by pairing electrodes having relatively similar properties (e.g., thickness and / or weight).

[0044] Additionally or alternatively, the signatures 60, 62 of the electrodes 44, 46, respectively, may be employed upon battery disassembly to diagnose battery failure and / or other conditions. For example, the first characteristic of the first electrode 44 and the second characteristic of the second electrode 46 may be invoked after failure and / or end of life of the battery cell 40 by scanning the corresponding signatures 60, 62 during battery disassembly, and the first characteristic and the second characteristic may inform the diagnosis of any failure mode of the battery cell 40. In some embodiments, such as embodiments employing a battery pack having multiple instances of the battery cell 40, the battery-level and / or electrode assembly-level signatures 64 may be employed for the same or similar reasons.

[0045] Figure 3 is used to generate, mark, measure and match Figure 2 Schematic diagram of an embodiment of an electrode matching system 80 for electrodes 44, 46 (e.g., anode and cathode, respectively) and / or other electrodes of a battery cell 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the system 80 includes a signature applicator 82 configured to mark, for example, a current collector (e.g., foil) sheet 84 (and / or other electrode features, such as active materials) with various signatures, such as Figure 2 4 (e.g., anode) in the embodiment of the present invention (and additional signatures corresponding to additional electrodes (such as additional anodes)). Although the following description refers to the first signature 60 and the first electrode 44 (e.g., anode), it should be understood that the same or similar system 80 can be used with Figure 2 The second signature 62 corresponding to the second electrode 46 (e.g., cathode) in the illustrated embodiment may include a copper material corresponding to the anode, while the current collector sheet corresponding to the cathode may include, for example, aluminum. However, other materials are possible depending on the battery chemistry, among other possible factors. The current collector material may include, for example, aluminum, copper, nickel, titanium, stainless steel, etc.

[0046] The mixing assembly 86 of the system 80 is used to mix the various material components to form an active material 88 (e.g., a slurry). The active material for the anode may include, for example, graphite, silicon, other materials, or any combination thereof. The active material for the cathode may include, for example, a metal oxide, other materials, or any combination thereof. The system 80 also includes an oven 90 in which the active material 88 is applied to the current collector sheet 84 or otherwise attached to the current collector sheet (e.g., via heating). In the illustrated embodiment, as shown, the active material 88 is applied to the current collector sheet 84 that does not correspond to the active material 88. Figure 2 The signature 60 of the first electrode 44 in the current collector sheet 84 (and the additional signatures corresponding to the additional electrodes) overlaps each portion. In this way, the signature (e.g., including the signature 60) is disposed on the exposed portion 89 of the current collector sheet 84. In some embodiments, the exposed portion 89 may correspond to the electrode label (also referred to herein as the current collector label).

[0047] However, other arrangements described in detail with reference to later figures are also possible. For example, in certain embodiments, signatures (e.g., including signature 60) may be provided on portions of current collector sheet 84 that are covered by active material 88, on active material 88 instead of current collector sheet 84, on both active material 88 and current collector sheet 84, etc. In addition, signatures may be provided on both current collector sheet 84 and active material 88. Thus, signature applicator 82 (or multiple such applicators) may be employed before current collector sheet 84 reaches oven 90 to obtain a coating of active material 88, after current collector sheet 84 passes through oven 90 and is coated with active material 88, or in both cases.

[0048] The current collector sheet 84 (hereinafter referred to as the coated current collector sheet 91) coated with the active material 88 thereon can be transferred to a roller press 92, which is configured to reduce the thickness of the coated current collector sheet 91 (e.g., within an engineering tolerance), for example, by compacting the coated current collector sheet 91. Then, the coated current collector sheet 91 can be transferred to a cutting device 94, which is configured to cut (or cut) the coated current collector sheet 91 into individual electrodes 98 (e.g., jelly rolls). For example, as shown, a large roll 96 corresponding to the coated current collector sheet 91 can be cut (or cut) by the cutting device 94 into individual electrodes 98 (or jelly rolls) corresponding to the battery electrodes. However, it should be understood that the same or similar system 80 can be used for embodiments that do not use jelly rolls, such as embodiments that use stacked electrode configurations.

[0049] At some stage of the system 80, such as after the coated current collector sheet 91 passes through the roller press 92, the measuring device 100 (e.g., including a sensor, such as a beta sensor) measures a property (e.g., thickness and / or weight) of the current collector sheet 84, the coated current collector sheet 91, or both. For example, the measuring device 100 can measure properties corresponding to various locations on the current collector sheet 84 and / or the coated current collector sheet 91 from which the electrodes will be derived. For example, the measuring device 100 can measure such properties before the coated current collector sheet 91 (or large roll 96) is cut (or cut) into individual electrodes 98 (e.g., jelly rolls).

[0050] In some embodiments, the measuring device 100 can take measurements at two or more locations on each electrode and use these measurements to determine or estimate the thickness and / or weight of each electrode (or its individual components, such as the current collector sheet 84, the active material 88, or a combination thereof) that ultimately results from coating the current collector sheet 91. In addition, the scanner 102 can scan a signature (e.g., including Figure 2In some embodiments, the scanner 102 and the measuring device 100 may form an assembly 103 (e.g., an integrated assembly), and the assembly 203 may be configured to store a configuration file corresponding to the electrode (e.g., a separate electrode roll 98) obtained from the coated current collector sheet 91 in a memory 104 (e.g., a database). That is, each electrode (e.g., including Figure 2 The first electrode 44 and the second electrode 46 of the measuring device 100 may include a configuration file stored to the memory 104, wherein the configuration file includes data indicating the signature and data indicating a characteristic (e.g., thickness and / or weight) determined by the measuring device 100.

[0051] exist Figure 2 During the assembly process of the battery cell 40, for example, Figure 3 The electrode matching assembly 106 of the system 80 is used to scan, for example Figure 2 The electrode matching component 106 includes an additional scanner 108, a memory circuit 110 storing instructions thereon, and a processing circuit 112 configured to execute instructions for performing various functions. In response to the additional scanner 108 scanning the signature 60 of the first electrode 44, the processing circuit 112 of the electrode matching component 106 may receive data indicating an electrode profile corresponding to the first electrode 44 from the memory 104 (e.g., a database), such as data indicating physical properties (e.g., thickness and / or weight) of the first electrode 44. In some embodiments, only one of the scanners 102, 108 is employed in the system 80 (e.g., for first storing data in an electrode profile and then calling such data for pairing various electrodes).

[0052] As previously described, the first electrode 44 may be an anode. The processing circuit 112 may employ data indicating a physical property of the first electrode 44 or anode to identify another electrode (e.g., Figure 2 The second electrode 46, or cathode, in the common battery (such as Figure 2 Additionally or alternatively, in embodiments where multiple anodes and multiple cathodes are employed in a shared battery, the same or similar techniques may be employed to position multiple anodes having sufficiently related (e.g., similar) physical properties, multiple cathodes having sufficiently related (e.g., similar) properties, or both. It should be noted that Figure 2 This is merely an example of a battery cell 40 according to the present disclosure, and other examples (eg, employing component parts in different locations and / or in a different order) are possible.

[0053] The signature pattern and the number of signatures may vary depending on the embodiment, for example, depending on the type of active material coating, the type of electrode assembly, and / or the type of battery. Figures 4 to 10 Various such examples are illustrated. Figure 4 and Figure 5 For example, this corresponds to an embodiment comprising a continuous active material coating. Figure 4 including a current collector sheet 84 prior to a continuous active material coating, and Figure 5 Includes coated current collector sheet 91 (ie, includes a continuous coating of active material 88 on current collector sheet 84). Figure 4 In FIG. 8 , the signature 60 is disposed on the current collector sheet 84. Figure 5 In the embodiment, signature 60 may be disposed on current collector sheet 84 (i.e., below active material 88) or on active material 88 itself. In practice, as previously described, various properties (e.g., thickness and / or weight) may be measured for current collector sheet 84, active material 88, or a combination thereof (e.g., coated current collector sheet 91), where such properties are later employed to pair or match electrodes having sufficiently related (e.g., similar) properties, such as sufficiently related (e.g., similar) current collector thickness, current collector weight, active material thickness, active material weight, total electrode thickness, total electrode weight, etc. It should be understood that Figure 4 and Figure 5 Each of the signatures 60 in can be unique relative to each other.

[0054] Figure 6 and Figure 7 For example, this corresponds to an embodiment comprising a striped active material coating. Figure 6 including a current collector sheet 84 prior to a stripe-shaped active material coating, and Figure 7 Includes coated current collector sheet 91 (ie, includes a striped coating of active material 88 on current collector sheet 84). Figure 6 In FIG. 8 , the signature 60 is disposed on the current collector sheet 84 . Figure 7 Also illustrated is a signature 60 disposed on an exposed portion 89 of a current collector sheet 84, as previously described with respect to Figure 3 Stripe coating refers to coating of active material 88 on current collector sheet 84 to form stripes (eg, three stripes) coating current collector sheet 91 . Figure 8 This also corresponds to an embodiment including a striped active material coating, wherein signature 60 is disposed on active material 88. Figure 8 The signature on the exposed portion 89 of the current collector sheet 84 is not illustrated, but in some embodiments, the signature may be disposed on both the exposed portion 89 of the current collector sheet 84 and the active material 88, as previously described. It should be understood that Figures 6 to 8 Each of the signatures 60 in can be unique relative to each other.

[0055] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 This corresponds, for example, to embodiments comprising a discontinuous active coating. Fig. 9 including a current collector sheet 84 prior to a discontinuous active material coating, and Fig.10 Includes coated current collector sheet 91 (ie, includes a discontinuous coating of active material 88 on current collector sheet 84). Fig. 9 In FIG. 8 , the signature 60 is disposed on the current collector sheet 84 . Fig.10 Also illustrated is a signature 60 disposed on an exposed portion 89 of a current collector sheet 84. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 Different numbers of signatures 60 are illustrated, but it should be understood that Fig. 9 and Fig.10 This is merely a schematic illustration of an exemplary discontinuous active coating. Other arrangements are possible. Furthermore, it should be understood that Fig. 9 and Fig.10 Each of the signatures 60 in can be unique relative to each other.

[0056] Fig.11 It is a top view of the measurement location on the embodiment of the current collector sheet 84. For example, the current collector sheet 84 can be measured without coating or otherwise providing active material on the current collector sheet. In certain embodiments, the measurement can be performed by a measuring device, such as a sensor (e.g., a beta sensor), which translates along the width direction 121 when the current collector sheet 84 translates along the length direction 113 transverse to the width direction 111. In this way, various measurements 114a, 114b, 114c, 114d, 114e, 114f, 114g, 114h, 114i can be performed at various locations on the current collector sheet 84, wherein the measurements 114a, 114b, 114c, 114d, 114e, 114f, 114g, 114h, 114i are used to estimate, infer or otherwise determine the characteristics (e.g., thickness and / or weight) of the current collectors of various electrodes obtained later from the current collector sheet 84.

[0057] As previously described, the measurements may be made after the active material is disposed on the current collector sheet 84. For example, Fig.12 8 is a top view of a measurement location on an embodiment of a coated current collector sheet 91 (eg, including a current collector sheet 84 and an active material 88 disposed thereon). Fig.11The coated current collector sheet 91 is measured 116a, 116b, 116c in the same or similar manner as outlined for the coated current collector sheet 84 and at various locations on the coated current collector sheet 91. The measurements 116a, 116b, 116c are used to estimate, infer, or otherwise determine the characteristics (e.g., thickness and / or weight) of various electrodes (or active materials of electrodes) that are later obtained from the coated current collector sheet 61.

[0058] Fig.13 is a process flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method 200 of assembling a battery cell, including marking, measuring, and matching electrodes of a battery cell. It should be understood that Fig.12 The order in which the steps of method 200 are illustrated in the example and the order in which such steps are described below should not be considered to necessarily imply a chronological order for the steps of method 200. In addition, in certain embodiments, Fig.12 Certain steps illustrated in the method 200 may be omitted, and / or Fig.12 Certain steps not illustrated in the diagram may be included in method 200 .

[0059] In the illustrated embodiment, method 200 includes marking (block 202) a first current collector sheet, a first active material disposed on the first current collector sheet, or both with a plurality of first signatures (e.g., first unique signatures). As previously described, a plurality of first electrodes (e.g., anodes) may be obtained from a first coated current collector sheet. Each first electrode may include at least one first signature, such as at least one first signature on the current collector sheet, at least one signature on the active material coated on the current collector sheet, or both.

[0060] Method 200 also includes determining (block 204) various first measurements of a first current collector sheet, a first active material disposed on the first current collector sheet, a combination of a first active material and a first current collector sheet (e.g., a first coated current collector sheet), or any combination thereof. The first measurement may include, for example, the thickness and / or weight of the component portion described above. In some embodiments, two or more first measurements may be made for each first electrode (e.g., an anode) ultimately obtained from the first current collector sheet. As previously described, the first measurement may be made by a sensor (such as a beta sensor), and the thickness and / or weight may be determined based on sensor data from the sensor.

[0061] The method 200 also includes separating (block 206) individual first electrodes from the first coated current collector sheet. For example, the first coated current collector sheet may be cut (or cut) into individual first electrodes, such as anodes, wherein each individual first electrode includes at least one first signature, as previously described. The method 200 also includes storing (block 208) data indicating the first signature and data indicating the first measurement in a memory. In some embodiments, a first electrode profile corresponding to the first electrode may be stored in the memory.

[0062] The method 200 includes marking (block 210) a second current collector sheet, a second active material disposed on the second current collector sheet, or both with a plurality of second signatures (e.g., second unique signatures). As previously described, a plurality of second electrodes (e.g., cathodes) may be obtained from a second coated current collector sheet. Each second electrode may include at least one second signature, such as at least one second signature on the current collector sheet, at least one signature on the active material coated on the current collector sheet, or both.

[0063] Method 200 also includes determining (block 212) various second measurements of a second current collector sheet, a second active material disposed on the second current collector sheet, a combination of a second active material and a second current collector sheet (e.g., a second coated current collector sheet), or any combination thereof. The second measurement may include, for example, the thickness and / or weight of the component portion described above. In some embodiments, two or more second measurements may be made for each second electrode (e.g., cathode) ultimately obtained from the second current collector sheet. As previously described, the second measurement may be made by a sensor (such as a beta sensor), and the thickness and / or weight may be determined based on sensor data from the sensor.

[0064] The method 200 also includes separating (block 214) a separate second electrode from the second coated current collector sheet. For example, the second coated current collector sheet may be cut (or cut) into separate second electrodes, such as cathodes, wherein each separate first electrode includes at least one first signature, as previously described. The method 200 also includes storing (block 216) data indicating the second signature and data indicating the second measurement in a memory. In some embodiments, a second electrode profile corresponding to the second electrode may be stored in a memory.

[0065] The method 200 also includes pairing the at least one first electrode (e.g., anode) with the at least one second electrode (e.g., cathode) based on the characteristics of at least one first electrode of the first electrodes (e.g., anodes) and at least one second electrode of the second electrodes (e.g., cathodes) satisfying a predefined relationship (e.g., within a threshold percentage of each other, differing by a predefined preferred amount from each other, etc.) (block 218). For example, a scanner may be employed to scan a first signature corresponding to one of the first electrodes and a second signature corresponding to one of the second electrodes. Such a scan may retrieve data indicating the characteristics of the first electrode and the second electrode from a memory. Based on the data indicating the characteristics, the first electrode may be paired with the second electrode (e.g., in response to the characteristics satisfying the predefined relationship), or excluded from being paired together (e.g., in response to the characteristics not satisfying the predefined relationship).

[0066] The specific embodiments described above have been shown by way of example, and it should be understood that these embodiments are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. It should also be understood that the claims are not intended to be limited to the specific forms disclosed, but are intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0067] The technology presented and claimed herein is cited and applied to specific examples of a physical and practical nature that significantly improves the art and is therefore not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical. In addition, if any claim appended at the end of this specification contains one or more elements designated as "means for [performing] [the function] ..." or "steps for [performing] [the function] ...", it is intended that such elements should be interpreted in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claim containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements should not be interpreted in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

[0068] It is understood that the use of personally identifiable information should be subject to privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized to meet or exceed industry or government requirements for maintaining user privacy. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of the authorized use should be clearly stated to users.

Claims

1. A battery electrode matching system, comprising: one or more sensors configured to detect a first characteristic of the first electrode and a second characteristic of the second electrode; one or more signature applicators configured to mark the first electrode with a first signature and mark the second electrode with a second signature; and a memory circuit configured to store: a first configuration file corresponding to the first electrode, the first configuration file comprising first data indicating the first characteristic and the first signature; and A second configuration file corresponding to the second electrode, the second configuration file comprising second data indicating the second characteristic and the second signature.

2. The battery electrode matching system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more signature applicators are configured to: marking a first foil with a first plurality of signatures including said first signature of said first electrode; and A second foil is marked with a second plurality of signatures comprising said second signature of said second electrode.

3. The battery electrode matching system according to claim 1, comprising an electrode matching component, wherein the electrode matching component is configured as follows: receiving at least a first portion of the first profile from the memory circuit based on detecting the first signature of the first electrode; receiving at least a second portion of the second profile from the memory circuit based on detecting the second signature of the second electrode; as well as The first electrode is paired with the second electrode for use in a battery cell based on the first characteristic satisfying a predefined relationship with respect to the second characteristic. 4 . The battery electrode matching system of claim 3 , wherein the predefined relationship corresponds to the first characteristic of the first electrode being within a threshold percentage of the second characteristic of the second electrode.

5. The battery electrode matching system according to claim 1, comprising an electrode matching component, wherein the electrode matching component is configured as follows: receiving at least a first portion of the first profile from the memory circuit in response to detecting the first signature of the first electrode; receiving at least a second portion of the second profile from the memory circuit in response to detecting the second signature of the second electrode; as well as Based on the first characteristic not satisfying a predefined relationship with respect to the second characteristic, the first electrode is precluded from being paired with the second electrode for use in a battery cell.

6. The battery electrode matching system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more signature applicators are configured to: labeling a first active material of the first electrode with the first signature; and A second active material of the second electrode is labeled with the second signature. 7 . The battery electrode matching system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors include a sensor configured to detect an electrode thickness corresponding to the first characteristic, the second characteristic, or both.

8. The battery electrode matching system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more signature applicators are configured to: marking a first foil of the first electrode with the first signature in a first area not designated as being covered by a first active material of the first electrode; and The second foil of the second electrode is marked with the second signature in a second area not designated as being covered by the second active material of the second electrode. 9 . The battery electrode matching system of claim 8 , wherein the first region includes a first current collector label of the first electrode, and the second region includes a second current collector label of the second electrode.

10. A method for matching battery cell electrodes, comprising: detecting a first characteristic of a first electrode; marking the first electrode with a first signature; detecting a second characteristic of the second electrode; marking the second electrode with a second signature; storing, in a memory circuit, first data indicating a first corresponding relationship between the first characteristic and the first signature; as well as Second data indicating a second corresponding relationship between the second characteristic and the second signature is stored in the memory circuit.

11. The method according to claim 10, comprising: determining an additional first characteristic of the first electrode; determining an additional second characteristic of the second electrode; storing in the memory circuit the first data indicating the first corresponding relationship between the first characteristic, the additional first characteristic and the first signature; as well as The second data indicating the second corresponding relationship between the second characteristic, the additional second characteristic, and the second signature is stored in the memory circuit.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The first characteristic corresponds to a first thickness of the first electrode, and the additional first characteristic corresponds to a first weight of the first electrode; and The second characteristic corresponds to a second thickness of the second electrode, and the additional second characteristic corresponds to a second weight of the second electrode.

13. The method according to claim 10, comprising: receiving at least a first portion of the first data based on detecting the first signature; receiving at least a second portion of the second data based on detecting the second signature; as well as The first electrode is paired with the second electrode for use in a battery cell based on the first characteristic satisfying a predefined relationship with respect to the second characteristic.

14. The method according to claim 10, comprising: receiving at least a first portion of the first data based on detecting the first signature; receiving at least a second portion of the second data based on detecting the second signature; determining whether the first characteristic satisfies a predefined relationship with respect to the second characteristic; as well as Based on the first characteristic not satisfying the predefined relationship with respect to the second characteristic, the first electrode is precluded from being paired with the second electrode for use in a battery cell.

15. The method according to claim 10, comprising: marking a first foil corresponding to the first electrode or a first active material corresponding to the first electrode with the first signature; as well as A second foil corresponding to the second electrode or a second active material corresponding to the second electrode is marked with the second signature.

16. The method according to claim 10, comprising: marking the first electrode with a first quick response (QR) code or barcode corresponding to the first signature; as well as The second electrode is labeled with a second quick response (QR) code or barcode corresponding to the second signature.

17. A battery cell comprising: a first battery electrode comprising a first unique signature associated with a first size or weight characteristic of the first battery electrode; and A second battery electrode includes a second unique signature associated with a second size or weight characteristic of the second battery electrode.

18. The battery cell of claim 17, wherein the first unique signature is disposed on a first foil of the first battery electrode, and the second unique signature is disposed on a second foil of the second battery electrode.

19. The battery cell of claim 17, wherein the first battery electrode comprises an anode and the second battery electrode comprises a cathode.

20. The battery cell of claim 17, wherein the first unique signature comprises a first quick response (QR) code or a barcode, and the second unique signature comprises a second quick response (QR) code or a barcode.

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