Metal foreign matter inspection device and metal foreign matter inspection method

Abstract

A metal foreign matter inspection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a housing unit into which air containing a metal foreign matter flows; an electrode unit that comes into contact with a metal foreign matter contained in the air flowing into the case unit and acquires information relating to the metal foreign matter; and a fan unit that blows air in one direction toward the metal foreign matter located on the electrode unit, in which the case unit includes an air accommodating unit that accommodates air containing the metal foreign matter and an air inflow unit located at an upper portion of the case unit, and in which the electrode unit may be located at a lower portion of the case unit, the fan unit may be located on one side of the housing unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0119529 filed on September 8, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a metal foreign matter inspection device and a metal foreign matter inspection method, and more particularly, to a metal foreign matter inspection device and a metal foreign matter inspection method for detecting metal foreign matter contained in the air on a production line and distinguishing the types of the metal foreign matter. Background Art

[0004] With the technological development and increasing demand for mobile devices, the demand for secondary batteries as energy sources is rapidly increasing. In particular, secondary batteries have attracted considerable attention as energy sources for power-driven devices such as electric bicycles, electric vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles, as well as for mobile devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, laptop computers, and wearable devices.

[0005] Based on the shape of the battery case, secondary batteries can be divided into: cylindrical batteries in which the electrode assembly is installed in a cylindrical metal container, prismatic batteries in which the electrode assembly is installed in a prismatic metal container, or pouch-type batteries in which the electrode assembly is installed in a pouch-shaped case made of an aluminum laminate. Here, the electrode assembly installed in the battery case serves as a power generation element capable of charging / discharging, and includes a stacked structure of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrodes. The electrode assembly can be divided into a jelly roll type formed by interposing a separator between a long sheet-type positive electrode and a long sheet-type negative electrode and winding them, and a stacked type formed by sequentially stacking a plurality of positive electrodes and negative electrodes with a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrodes.

[0006] Among them, in particular, pouch-type batteries configured to have a structure in which such a stacked or stacked / folded electrode assembly is installed in a pouch-type battery case made of an aluminum laminate sheet are increasingly used due to low manufacturing cost, light weight, easy shape change, etc.

[0007] In production lines for manufacturing such secondary batteries, metallic foreign matter contained in the air can increase the defect rate of secondary batteries. In particular, in production lines, selective detection of metallic foreign matter in the air is required to understand the cause of metallic foreign matter.

[0008] Conventionally, metal foreign matter contained in the air is infiltrated into oil using a suction device such as an air pump, and the infiltrated oil is then circulated to detect the metal foreign matter. However, this method has problems, such as oil contamination with foreign matter such as metal foreign matter or oil evaporation over time. In these cases, the oil must be replaced or refilled to a certain level.

[0009] Therefore, there is an increasing demand for developing a foreign metal object inspection device and a foreign metal object inspection method that can detect foreign metal objects contained in the air on a production line and distinguish the types of the foreign metal objects in a dry state without internal oil. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Technical issues

[0011] The present disclosure is designed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and therefore an object of the present disclosure is to provide a metal foreign matter inspection device and a metal foreign matter inspection method that detects metal foreign matter contained in the air on a production line and distinguishes the types of the metal foreign matter.

[0012] However, the objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above objects, and other objects not mentioned herein should be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

[0013] Technical Solution

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a metal foreign matter inspection device is provided, which includes: a shell unit, into which air containing metal foreign matter flows; an electrode unit, which contacts the metal foreign matter contained in the air flowing into the shell unit and obtains information related to the metal foreign matter; and a fan unit, which blows air in a direction toward the metal foreign matter located on the electrode unit, wherein the shell unit includes an air accommodating unit that accommodates the air containing the metal foreign matter and an air inflow unit located at the upper part of the shell unit, and wherein the electrode unit is located at the lower part of the shell unit, and the fan unit is located on one side of the shell unit.

[0015] The presence or absence of the metallic foreign matter and the size of the metallic foreign matter may be analyzed based on information related to the capacitance value acquired by the electrode unit over time.

[0016] The air containing the metal foreign matter flowing into the air inflow unit moves in the direction of gravity in the air holding unit, and the metal foreign matter moving in the direction of gravity in the air holding unit accumulates on the electrode unit, and the presence or absence of the metal foreign matter and the size of the metal foreign matter can be analyzed based on the difference in capacitance value during the time when the metal foreign matter accumulates.

[0017] The fan unit repeats starting and stopping air blowing at regular time intervals, and the metal foreign matter can be analyzed based on the information acquired by the electrode unit in a state where the air blowing of the fan unit is stopped.

[0018] The metal foreign matter inspection device further includes a metal foreign matter collecting unit, which is arranged to be spaced apart from the fan unit along the air supply direction of the fan unit and is located on the opposite side of the housing unit to a side surface of the fan unit, wherein at least a portion of the metal foreign matter located on the electrode unit can be moved to the metal foreign matter collecting unit along the air supply direction of the fan unit.

[0019] The metal foreign matter inspection device further includes a magnet unit located below the electrode unit, wherein ferrous foreign matter containing iron (Fe) among the metal foreign matter located on the electrode unit can be fixed to the electrode unit by the magnetic force of the magnet unit.

[0020] The iron metal foreign matter fixed to the electrode unit can be removed by wiping the surface of the electrode unit with a cloth or a brush.

[0021] Among the metallic foreign matter located on the electrode unit, non-ferrous metallic foreign matter not containing iron (Fe) may be moved to the metallic foreign matter collecting unit by air blown by the fan unit.

[0022] As the metallic foreign matter collecting unit is replaced with another metallic foreign matter collecting unit, the non-ferrous metallic foreign matter collected in the metallic foreign matter collecting unit may be removed.

[0023] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a metal foreign matter inspection method is provided, comprising: an air inflow step of causing air containing metal foreign matter to flow into a housing unit; a metal foreign matter information acquisition step of causing the metal foreign matter contained in the air flowing into the housing unit to contact an electrode unit to acquire information related to the metal foreign matter; and a metal foreign matter moving step of blowing air in a direction toward the metal foreign matter located on the electrode unit through a fan unit, wherein the housing unit comprises an air accommodating unit for accommodating the air containing the metal foreign matter and an air inflow unit located at an upper portion of the housing unit, and wherein the electrode unit is located at a lower portion of the housing unit, and the fan unit is located on one side of the housing unit.

[0024] The metal foreign matter inspection method may further include a metal foreign matter analysis step of analyzing the presence or absence of the metal foreign matter and the size of the metal foreign matter based on information related to the capacitance value acquired by the electrode unit over time.

[0025] The metal foreign matter moves from the air inflow unit in the gravity direction, and the metal foreign matter moving in the gravity direction accumulates on the electrode unit, and the metal foreign matter analysis step can analyze the size of the metal foreign matter based on the difference in capacitance value during the time when the metal foreign matter accumulates.

[0026] In the metal foreign matter moving step, the fan unit may repeat starting and stopping air supply at a certain time interval, and the metal foreign matter information acquiring step and the metal foreign matter analyzing step may be performed while the fan unit stops supplying air.

[0027] In the metal foreign matter inspection method, it further includes a magnet unit located at the bottom of the electrode unit, wherein the iron metal foreign matter containing iron (Fe) among the metal foreign matter located on the electrode unit is fixed to the electrode unit by the magnetic force of the magnet unit, and after the metal foreign matter moving step, the iron metal foreign matter can be fixed to the above-mentioned electrode unit.

[0028] The metal foreign matter inspection method may further include a metal foreign matter collecting step, in which at least a portion of the metal foreign matter located on the electrode unit is moved along the air supply direction of the fan unit so as to be collected by a metal foreign matter collecting unit, wherein the metal foreign matter collecting unit is spaced apart from the fan unit along the air supply direction of the fan unit and is located on the opposite side of the housing unit to a side surface where the fan unit is located.

[0029] Beneficial effects

[0030] The metal foreign matter inspection device and the metal foreign matter inspection method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are capable of detecting metal foreign matter contained in the air on a production line and distinguishing the types of metal foreign matter based on metal foreign matter information obtained by bringing metal foreign matter contained in the air flowing in from the air inflow unit into contact with the electrode unit.

[0031] Effects obtainable by the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and additional other effects not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 2 is a diagram illustrating a foreign metal object inspection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A view of the air delivery intensity of a fan unit over time.

[0034] Figure 3 It shows that the Figure 1 View of metal foreign matter in the metal foreign matter inspection device.

[0035] Figures 4 to 6 It shows that Figure 3 A view showing the change in capacitance caused by the accumulation of metallic foreign matter over time.

[0036] Figures 7 to 9 It shows that Figure 3 This diagram shows the change in capacitance caused by the accumulation of metallic foreign matter according to their location.

[0037] Figure 10 It shows Figure 3 A view of a portion of a metal foreign object being moved by air supplied by a fan unit.

[0038] Figure 11 2 is a diagram illustrating a metal foreign matter inspection method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. The present disclosure can be modified in various ways and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0040] In order to clearly describe the present disclosure, parts irrelevant to the description will be omitted, and the same reference numerals will be used throughout the specification to denote the same or similar elements.

[0041] In addition, throughout the application, when a part is referred to as “including” or “comprising” a certain component, it means that the part may further include other components, and does not exclude other components, unless otherwise specified.

[0042] Figure 1 2 is a diagram illustrating a foreign metal object inspection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A view of the air delivery intensity of a fan unit over time.

[0043] Reference Figure 1 The metal foreign matter inspection device 1000 includes: a shell unit 100, into which air containing metal foreign matter 10 flows; an electrode unit 300, which contacts the metal foreign matter 10 contained in the air flowing into the shell unit 100 and obtains information related to the metal foreign matter 10; and a fan unit 200, which blows air in one direction toward the metal foreign matter 10 located on the electrode unit 300.

[0044] More specifically, the housing unit 100 may include an air receiving unit 110 that receives air containing the metallic foreign matter 10, and an air inflow unit 150 that allows the air containing the metallic foreign matter 10 to flow in. The housing unit 100 may be configured such that no additional inspection fluid, such as oil or water, flows within the air receiving unit 110. In other words, the housing unit 100 is configured such that the interior of the air receiving unit 110 can be in a dry state, and only the air containing the metallic foreign matter 10, which flows in through the air inflow unit 150, can flow within the air receiving unit 110.

[0045] Therefore, the advantage of the metal foreign matter inspection device 1000 according to this embodiment is that a separate inspection fluid does not flow inside the air containing unit 110, and therefore, there is no need to replace or replenish the inspection fluid during the inspection process. In addition, since the inspection is performed while the interior of the air containing unit 110 is in a dry state, it is possible to prevent the inspection fluid from being contaminated by metal foreign matter 10 contained in the air and thus prevent the inspection performance from being degraded.

[0046] In the housing unit 100, the air inflow unit 150 may be located at an upper portion of the housing unit 100. As an example, Figure 1 As shown, the air inflow unit 150 may have a guide structure in which the upper portion of the housing unit 100 may be open to the outside and may extend outward from the upper portion of the housing unit 100. External air flowing in through the air inflow unit 150 located at the upper portion of the housing unit 100 may move in a first direction d1 inside the air receiving unit 110. As an example, the first direction d1 may refer to a gravity direction, and the gravity direction may refer to a direction from the upper portion of the housing unit 100 toward the lower portion of the housing unit 100.

[0047] The fan unit 200 may be located on one side of the housing unit 100. More specifically, the fan unit 200 may be located on one side of the air receiving unit 110. Here, the fan unit 200 may blow air from one side toward the other side of the air receiving unit 110 in the second direction d2. Figure 1 As shown, the second direction d2 as the air supply direction of the fan unit 200 may be a direction from one side surface of the air receiving unit 110 toward the other side surface with reference to the bottom surface of the air receiving unit 110 .

[0048] Therefore, in the metal foreign matter inspection device 1000 according to the present embodiment, the air containing the metal foreign matter 10 that has flowed into the air containing unit 110 can move in the air blowing direction of the fan unit 200 .

[0049] The electrode unit 300 may be located at the lower portion of the housing unit 100. More specifically, at the lower portion of the housing unit 100, the electrode unit 300 may be located between the fan unit 200 and the metal foreign matter collecting unit 500. As an example, Figure 1 As shown, the electrode unit 300 may be located on the same vertical line as the air inflow unit 110. In other words, the electrode unit 300 may be formed at a position spaced apart from the air inflow unit 110 in the gravity direction at the lower portion of the housing unit 100. However, the position of the electrode unit 300 is not limited to Figure 1 The positions shown may be included in this embodiment as long as they are located within a path where the air flowing in through the air inflow unit 110 flows in the blowing direction of the fan unit 200 .

[0050] Therefore, in the metal foreign matter inspection device 1000 according to this embodiment, the metal foreign matter 10 contained in the air moving along the gravity direction inside the air holding unit 110 can be easily accumulated on the electrode unit 300, and the metal foreign matter accumulated on the electrode unit 300 can be easily inspected.

[0051] The metal foreign matter inspection device 1000 according to this embodiment may include a metal foreign matter collection unit 500 spaced apart from the fan unit 200 along the air supply direction of the fan unit 200. In other words, in the housing unit 100, the metal foreign matter collection unit 500 may be located on a side opposite to the side of the housing unit 100 where the fan unit 200 is located. That is, in the housing unit 100, the metal foreign matter collection unit 500 may be located on a side opposite to the side of the air holding unit 110 where the fan unit 200 is located. That is, when air is blown from the fan unit 200 along the second direction d2, at least a portion of the metal foreign matter 10 located on the electrode unit 300 may move along the air supply direction of the fan unit 200 to the metal foreign matter collection unit 500.

[0052] Therefore, in the metal foreign matter inspection device 1000 according to this embodiment, the metal foreign matter 10 that has passed the metal foreign matter inspection on the electrode unit 300 can be collected in the metal foreign matter collection unit 500 along the air supply direction of the fan unit 200, thereby preventing the metal foreign matter 10 from excessively accumulating on the electrode unit 300 and making it easier to inspect the metal foreign matter 10 accumulated on the electrode unit 300.

[0053] The metal foreign matter inspection device 1000 according to the present embodiment may further include a magnet unit 400 located below the electrode unit 300. More specifically, the magnet unit 400 may be located between the electrode unit 300 and the metal foreign matter collecting unit 500 below the electrode unit 300. As an example, the magnet unit 400 may be located on the same vertical line as the electrode unit 300 below the electrode unit 300, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 In other words, the magnet unit 400 may be formed at a position spaced apart from the electrode unit 300 in the gravity direction at the lower portion of the electrode unit 300. However, the position of the magnet unit 400 is not limited to Figure 1 The positions shown may be included in this embodiment as long as the metallic foreign matter accumulated on the electrode unit 300 is located within a path flowing in the air supply direction of the fan unit 200 .

[0054] More specifically, the magnet unit 400 can fix ferrous foreign matter containing iron (Fe) among the metallic foreign matter 10 located on the electrode unit 300 to the electrode unit 300. In contrast, the magnet unit 400 can prevent non-ferrous foreign matter not containing iron (Fe) located on the electrode unit 300 from being fixed to the electrode unit 300. In other words, non-ferrous foreign matter not containing iron (Fe) among the metallic foreign matter 10 located on the electrode unit 300 can be moved to the metallic foreign matter collecting unit 500 by air flow from the fan unit 200.

[0055] That is, the magnet unit 400 may be made of a magnetic material having a magnetic force sufficient to fix ferrous metallic foreign matter including iron (Fe) to the electrode unit 300 even by air blowing from the fan unit 200 .

[0056] Therefore, in the metal foreign matter inspection device 1000 according to this embodiment, when the fan unit 200 is supplying air, the metal foreign matter 10 that has passed the metal foreign matter inspection on the electrode unit 300 can be fixed on the electrode unit 300 or collected in the metal foreign matter collection unit 500 according to the type of the metal foreign matter 10, so that the type of the metal foreign matter 10 can be easily detected based on whether the metal foreign matter 10 on the electrode unit 300 contains iron (Fe).

[0057] As an example, ferrous metal foreign matter containing iron (Fe) fixed to the electrode unit 300 can be removed by wiping the surface of the electrode unit 300 with a cloth or a brush. In addition, non-ferrous metal foreign matter not containing iron (Fe) collected in the metal foreign matter collecting unit 500 by the air supply of the fan unit 200 can be removed by replacing the metal foreign matter collecting unit 500 with another metal foreign matter collecting unit.

[0058] Therefore, in the metal foreign matter inspection device 1000 according to the present embodiment, ferrous metal foreign matter accumulated on the electrode unit 300 or non-ferrous metal foreign matter collected in the metal foreign matter collecting unit 500 can be removed relatively easily in a dry state.

[0059] Reference Figure 2 , the fan unit 200 may repeat the start and stop of air supply at a certain time interval. More specifically, the fan unit 200 may perform the start and stop of air supply in a form of a first time t1 when air supply is stopped and a second time t2 when air supply is started, which is crossed. Here, the first time t1 and the second time t2 may be equal to each other, but the corresponding time may be appropriately adjusted as needed. In addition, as Figure 2 As shown, the fan unit 200 may have the same air supply intensity at each second time t2, but the corresponding intensity may be appropriately adjusted as needed.

[0060] The first time t1 at which the air supply is stopped may be the time for the air flowing in through the air inflow unit 150 to move into the air receiving unit 110 and the time for the metal foreign matter contained in the air to accumulate on the electrode unit 300. Furthermore, the first time t1 at which the air supply is stopped may include the time required to obtain information related to the metal foreign matter accumulated on the electrode unit 300. That is, the metal foreign matter inspection device 1000 according to this embodiment can analyze the metal foreign matter based on the information obtained by the electrode unit 300 at the first time t1 at which the air supply of the fan unit 200 is stopped.

[0061] The second time t2 for which air is supplied may be the time required to remove a portion of the metallic foreign matter accumulated on the electrode unit 300. In other words, the second time t2 for which air is supplied may be the time required to distinguish the types of metallic foreign matter accumulated on the electrode unit 300. As an example, as described below, among the metallic foreign matter accumulated on the electrode unit 300, ferrous metallic foreign matter may be fixed to the electrode unit 300 during the second time t2, and non-ferrous metallic foreign matter may be moved to the metallic foreign matter collecting unit 500 during the second time t2.

[0062] Therefore, in the metal foreign matter inspection device 1000 according to this embodiment, since the air flowing into the air inflow unit 150 is not immediately blown by the fan unit 200, it is possible to ensure that the air flowing into the air inflow unit 150 can have sufficient time to come into contact with the electrode unit 300. In other words, it is possible to fully ensure the time required to obtain information related to the metal foreign matter 10 on the electrode unit 300, thereby further improving the inspection performance of the metal foreign matter 10 contained in the air.

[0063] Furthermore, in the metal foreign matter inspection device 1000 according to this embodiment, since the air supply is stopped and started repeatedly at regular intervals, there are advantages in preventing the metal foreign matter 10 from being excessively accumulated on the electrode unit 300 and also in distinguishing the types of the metal foreign matter 10 .

[0064] In addition, despite Figure 1 Although not shown in the figure, the metal foreign body inspection device 1000 according to this embodiment may include a control unit (not shown) capable of controlling the fan unit 200 and the electrode unit 300. Here, the control unit may include one or more of the following: a CPU (central processing unit), a RAM (random access memory), a GPU (graphics processing unit), one or more microprocessors, and other electronic components capable of processing input data according to predetermined logic. As an example, the control unit (not shown) can expand the metal foreign body inspection process of the metal foreign body inspection device 1000 on the RAM and control the air supply time, speed, intensity, etc. of the fan unit 200 according to the developed program, or perform various processes, such as storing and analyzing the metal foreign body information obtained by the electrode unit 300.

[0065] The analysis of metallic foreign matter by the electrode unit 300 will be described in more detail below.

[0066] Figure 3 It shows that the Figure 1 View of metal foreign matter in the metal foreign matter inspection device.

[0067] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3The metal foreign matter inspection device 1000 according to this embodiment can analyze the presence or absence of metal foreign matter and the size of the metal foreign matter based on information related to the capacitance value over time acquired by the electrode unit 300. More specifically, the air containing the metal foreign matter 10 flowing into the air inflow unit 150 moves in the direction of gravity within the air holding unit 110. The metal foreign matter 10 moving in the direction of gravity inside the air holding unit 110 accumulates on the electrode unit 300. The presence or absence of the metal foreign matter and the size of the metal foreign matter can be analyzed based on the difference in capacitance value during the time when the metal foreign matter 10 accumulates.

[0068] The electrode unit 300 may include at least one capacitance sensor and a signal processing circuit that processes an electrical signal acquired by the capacitance sensor. Here, the capacitance sensor may be a sensor that measures capacitance by applying AC power between a positive electrode and a negative electrode.

[0069] As an example, the capacitive sensor included in the electrode unit 300 may be a capacitive sensor having a single electrode structure including one positive electrode and one negative electrode. As another example, the capacitive sensor included in the electrode unit 300 may be a capacitive sensor having a matrix structure including multiple positive electrodes and multiple negative electrodes.

[0070] Therefore, in the metal foreign matter inspection device 1000 according to this embodiment, when the capacitive sensor included in the electrode unit 300 has a single electrode structure, information on the sequential accumulation of capacitance values ​​over time can be obtained. In addition, when the capacitive sensor included in the electrode unit 300 has a matrix structure, information on the accumulation of capacitance values ​​according to the locations where metal foreign matter accumulates on the electrode unit 300 can be obtained.

[0071] As an example, Figure 3 As shown, the metal foreign matter 10 may include a first metal foreign matter 1, a second metal foreign matter 2, and a third metal foreign matter of different sizes. Here, the relative sizes and the inflow order of the first metal foreign matter 1, the second metal foreign matter 2, and the third metal foreign matter 3 are as shown in FIG. Figure 3 The diameter and number of the circle shown are shown. Figure 3 As shown, the metallic foreign matter 10 is accumulated on the electrode unit 300 in the order of first metallic foreign matter 1, second metallic foreign matter 2, and third metallic foreign matter 3, and has relatively larger sizes in the order of first metallic foreign matter 1, second metallic foreign matter 2, and third metallic foreign matter 3.

[0072] Figures 4 to 6 It shows that Figure 3 This is a view of the change in capacitance caused by the accumulation of metallic foreign matter over time. Figures 4 to 6The electrode unit 300 includes a capacitive sensor having a single electrode structure.

[0073] More specifically, if Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in (a), the first metal foreign matter 1 may be accumulated on the electrode unit 300. At this time, the electrode unit 300 may obtain Figure 4 (b) shows information on the change in capacitance value. In addition, the time when the first metallic foreign object 1 is detected can be interpreted as t=0.

[0074] In addition, if Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown in (a), the second metal foreign matter 2 can be accumulated on the electrode unit 300 where the first metal foreign matter 1 is accumulated. Figure 4 The result of (b) is obtained as follows Figure 5 (b) shows information on the change in capacitance value. Furthermore, the time t = 1 second at which both the first foreign metal object 1 and the second foreign metal object 2 were detected can be interpreted as the elapsed time of 1 second from the time the first foreign metal object 1 was detected. However, this time interval is merely illustrative, and capacitance value changes can be acquired at various time intervals as needed.

[0075] Here, when the first metal foreign body 1 is detected Figure 4 (b) The first metal foreign body 1 and the second metal foreign body 2 are detected Figure 5 (b) When compared, it can be confirmed that the peak occurs at the same position and the intensity of the peak changes. Figure 5 The peak capacitance value generated by the first metal foreign body 1 and the second metal foreign body 2 in (b) is greater than Figure 4 (b) is the peak capacitance value generated by the first metal foreign body 1. Figure 5 The capacitance value at the peak of (b) is Figure 4 By comparing the capacitance values ​​appearing at the peak in (b), the difference in relative size between the first metallic foreign object 1 and the second metallic foreign object 2 can be confirmed.

[0076] In addition, if Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown in (a), the third metal foreign matter 3 can be accumulated on the electrode unit 300 where the first metal foreign matter 1 and the second metal foreign matter 2 are accumulated. Figure 5 The result of (b) is obtained as follows Figure 6(b) shows information on the change in capacitance value. Furthermore, the time t = 2s between the detection of the first metal foreign object 1 and the third metal foreign object 3 can be interpreted as the elapsed time of 1 second from the detection of the first metal foreign object 1 and the second metal foreign object 2. However, this time interval is merely illustrative, and capacitance value changes can be acquired at various time intervals as needed.

[0077] Here, when the first metal foreign body 1 and the second metal foreign body 2 are detected Figure 5 (b) The first to third metal foreign bodies 1 to 3 are detected Figure 6 (b) When compared, it can be confirmed that the intensity of the peak becomes larger as the first metal foreign matter 1, the second metal foreign matter 2, and the third metal foreign matter 3 accumulate. Figure 5 The peak capacitance values ​​generated by the first metal foreign body 1 and the second metal foreign body 2 in (b) are Figure 6 By comparing the peak capacitance values ​​generated by the third metal foreign object 3 in (b), the difference in relative size between the third metal foreign object 3 and the first and second metal foreign objects 1 and 2 can be confirmed.

[0078] Therefore, according to the metal foreign matter inspection device 1000 of this embodiment, by comparing the size of the capacitance value accumulated over time in the electrode unit 300 and the position of the peak value, it is possible to confirm the presence or absence of the metal foreign matter 10, the inflow order, and the relative size difference of the metal foreign matter 10 when the metal foreign matter 10 is fixed to the electrode unit 300, thereby further improving the accuracy of the metal foreign matter inspection performance.

[0079] Figures 7 to 9 It shows that Figure 3 This is a view showing the change in capacitance caused by the accumulation of metallic foreign matter according to their position. Figures 4 to 6 The electrode unit 300 is different, Figure 7 The electrode unit 300a includes a capacitive sensor having a matrix structure.

[0080] Most of the content and Figures 4 to 6 The contents described in the same way, but the following will only describe the electrode unit 300a instead of Figures 4 to 6 The electrode unit 300 has different contents.

[0081] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 7 (a), the first metal foreign matter 1 can be accumulated on the electrode unit 300a. At this time, the electrode unit 300a can obtain Figure 7 (b) shows information on the change in capacitance value. In addition, the time when the first metallic foreign object 1 is detected can be interpreted as t=0.

[0082] In addition, if Figure 3 and Figure 8 As shown in (a), the second metal foreign matter 2 can be accumulated on the electrode unit 300a where the first metal foreign matter 1 is accumulated. Figure 7 The result of (b) is obtained as follows Figure 8 (b) shows information on the change in capacitance value. Furthermore, the time at which both the first foreign metal object 1 and the second foreign metal object 2 are detected is t = 1, which can be interpreted as the time of 1 second from the time the first foreign metal object 1 is detected. However, this time interval is merely illustrative, and the change in capacitance value can be acquired at various time intervals as needed.

[0083] Here, when the first metal foreign body 1 is detected Figure 7 (b) The first metal foreign body 1 and the second metal foreign body 2 are detected Figure 8 (b) When making a comparison, considering that the peaks (Peak) occur at different positions, it can be confirmed that the first metallic foreign matter 1 and the second metallic foreign matter 2 are accumulated at different positions on the electrode unit 300 a .

[0084] Furthermore, considering that the capacitance value of the peak at which the second metal foreign object 2 is located is relatively greater than the capacitance value of the peak at which the first metal foreign object 1 is located, it can be confirmed that the size of the second metal foreign object 2 is larger than the size of the first metal foreign object 1. In other words, the relative size difference of the metal foreign object 10 can be confirmed by comparing the capacitance values ​​detected by the electrode unit 300a.

[0085] In addition, if Figure 3 and Figure 9 As shown in (a), the third metal foreign matter 3 can be accumulated on the electrode unit 300a where the first metal foreign matter 1 and the second metal foreign matter 2 are accumulated. Figure 8 The result of (b) is obtained as follows Figure 9 (b) shows the information of the change of capacitance value.

[0086] Here, when the first metal foreign body 1 and the second metal foreign body 2 are detected Figure 8 (b) The first to third metal foreign bodies 1 to 3 are detected Figure 9 (b) When compared, it can be confirmed that the intensity of the peak where the first metallic foreign matter 1 and the first metallic foreign matter 1 are located becomes larger. In other words, it can be confirmed that the third metallic foreign matter 3 is accumulated at the same position as the first metallic foreign matter 1 on the electrode unit 300a.

[0087] In addition, through Figure 8 The peak capacitance values ​​generated by the first metal foreign body 1 and the second metal foreign body 2 in (b) are Figure 9Comparing the capacitance values ​​of the peaks generated by the third metal foreign object 3 in (b) confirms that the third metal foreign object 3 is larger than the first metal foreign object 1. Furthermore, by comparing the capacitance value, which is relatively increased due to the accumulation of the third metal foreign object 3 at the same location as the first metal foreign object 1, with the capacitance value of the peak generated by the second metal foreign object, the relative size difference between the second metal foreign object 2 and the third metal foreign object 3 can be confirmed.

[0088] Therefore, the metal foreign matter inspection device 1000 according to this embodiment can confirm the presence or absence of the metal foreign matter 10, its accumulation position and the relative size difference of the metal foreign matter 10 when the metal foreign matter 10 is fixed to the electrode unit 300a by comparing the size of the capacitance value obtained according to the accumulation position and the peak position in the electrode unit 300a, thereby further improving the accuracy of the metal foreign matter inspection performance.

[0089] Figure 10 It shows Figure 3 A view of a portion of a metal foreign object being moved by air supplied by a fan unit.

[0090] Reference Figure 10 , in the case of Figures 4 to 6 The electrode unit 300 or Figures 7 to 9 After the presence and size of the metal foreign matter in the electrode unit 300a are checked, air can be supplied from the fan unit 200. As an example, Figure 8 As shown, even when air is blown from the fan unit 200, the first and second metal foreign matter 1 and 2 can be fixed to the electrode unit 300, and the third metal foreign matter 3 can be moved to the metal foreign matter collecting unit 500. That is, it can be confirmed that the first and second metal foreign matter 1 and 2 are ferrous metal foreign matter containing iron (Fe), and the third metal foreign matter 3 is a non-ferrous metal foreign matter not containing iron (Fe).

[0091] Therefore, the advantages of the metal foreign body inspection device 1000 according to this embodiment are as follows: Figure 8 As shown, since the type of the metal foreign matter 10 can be distinguished according to whether the metal foreign matter 10 contains iron in addition to the presence or absence of the metal foreign matter 10, the cause of the generation of the metal foreign matter 10 can be further understood.

[0092] Figure 11 2 is a diagram illustrating a metal foreign matter inspection method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0093] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 11According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a metal foreign matter inspection method is a method using the above-mentioned metal foreign matter inspection device 1000, and includes: an air inflow step (S100), causing air containing metal foreign matter to flow into the housing unit 100; a metal foreign matter information acquisition step (S200), causing the metal foreign matter 10 contained in the air flowing into the housing unit 100 to contact the electrode unit 300 to acquire information related to the metal foreign matter; a metal foreign matter analysis step (S300), analyzing the presence or absence of metal foreign matter and the size of the metal foreign matter based on information related to the capacitance value over time acquired by the electrode unit 300; and a metal foreign matter moving step (S400), blowing air in one direction toward the metal foreign matter 10 located on the electrode unit 300 through the fan unit 200. Here, the housing unit 100 includes an air receiving unit 110 that receives air containing metal foreign matter 10 and an air inflow unit 150 located at the upper portion of the housing unit 100, and the electrode unit 300 is located at the lower portion of the housing unit 100, and the fan unit 200 is located on one side of the housing unit 100.

[0094] As above Figures 1 to 10 As described in, in the metal foreign matter inspection method according to the present embodiment, the metal foreign matter 10 moves from the air inflow unit 150 in the direction of gravity, and the metal foreign matter 10 moving in the direction of gravity accumulates on the electrode unit 300, wherein the metal foreign matter analysis step (S300) can analyze the size of the metal foreign matter 10 based on the difference in capacitance value during the time when the metal foreign matter 10 accumulates.

[0095] In the metal foreign matter inspection method according to this embodiment, in the metal foreign matter moving step (S400), the fan unit 200 repeats the start and stop of air supply at a certain time interval, and the metal foreign matter information acquisition step (S200) and the metal foreign matter analysis step (S300) can be performed in the state where the air supply of the fan unit 200 is stopped.

[0096] In the metal foreign matter inspection method according to this embodiment, a magnet unit 400 is further included at the lower part of the electrode unit, wherein the iron metal foreign matter containing iron (Fe) among the metal foreign matter located on the electrode unit 300 is fixed to the electrode unit 300 by the magnetic force of the magnet unit 400, and after the metal foreign matter moving step (S400), the iron metal foreign matter is fixed to the electrode unit 300.

[0097] The metal foreign matter inspection method according to this embodiment further includes a metal foreign matter collection step (S500), in which at least a portion of the metal foreign matter located on the electrode unit 300 is moved along the air supply direction of the fan unit 200, thereby being collected by the metal foreign matter collection unit 500, wherein the metal foreign matter collection unit 500 is arranged to be spaced apart from the fan unit along the air supply direction of the fan unit 200, and can be located on the opposite side of the housing unit 100 on which the fan unit 200 is located.

[0098] Therefore, the metal foreign matter inspection method according to this embodiment can compare the magnitude of the capacitance value accumulated over time included in the metal foreign matter information in the metal foreign matter information acquisition step (S200) by the electrode unit 300. In this case, the metal foreign matter information is acquired while the metal foreign matter 10 is fixed to the electrode unit 300, allowing the metal foreign matter analysis step (S300) to more accurately analyze the presence or absence of the metal foreign matter 10 and the relative size difference of the metal foreign matter 10.

[0099] Furthermore, in the metal foreign object detection method according to this embodiment, whether the metal foreign object 10 is moving in the airflow direction of the fan unit 200 during the metal foreign object detection step (S400) depends on whether the metal foreign object 10 contains iron, and the type of the metal foreign object can be distinguished based on this. This advantageously allows the cause of the metal foreign object 10 to be determined based on the type of metal foreign object 10 identified by the metal foreign object detection apparatus 1000.

[0100] Although the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto and that various modifications and improvements may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A metal foreign body inspection device, comprising: a housing unit into which air containing metallic foreign matter flows; an electrode unit that contacts the metal foreign matter contained in the air flowing into the housing unit and acquires information related to the metal foreign matter; as well as a fan unit that blows air in one direction toward the metal foreign matter located on the electrode unit, wherein the housing unit includes an air receiving unit for receiving air containing the metal foreign matter and an air inflow unit located at an upper portion of the housing unit, and The electrode unit is located at a lower portion of the housing unit, and the fan unit is located on one side of the housing unit.

2. The metal foreign body inspection device according to claim 1, wherein: The presence or absence of the metallic foreign matter and the size of the metallic foreign matter are analyzed based on information related to the capacitance value acquired by the electrode unit over time.

3. The metal foreign body inspection device according to claim 2, wherein: The air containing the metal foreign matter flowing into the air inflow unit moves in the air receiving unit in the direction of gravity. The metallic foreign matter moving in the direction of gravity in the air containing unit accumulates on the electrode unit, and The presence or absence of the metallic foreign matter and the size of the metallic foreign matter are analyzed based on the difference in capacitance value during the time when the metallic foreign matter accumulates.

4. The metal foreign body inspection device according to claim 1, wherein: The fan unit repeatedly starts and stops blowing air at certain time intervals, and The metal foreign matter is analyzed based on the information acquired by the electrode unit in a state where the air blowing of the fan unit is stopped.

5. The metal foreign matter inspection device according to claim 1 , further comprising a metal foreign matter collecting unit, the metal foreign matter collecting unit being spaced apart from the fan unit along the air supply direction of the fan unit and being located on a side of the housing unit opposite to the side surface where the fan unit is located, At least a portion of the metal foreign matter on the electrode unit moves to the metal foreign matter collecting unit along the air blowing direction of the fan unit.

6. The metal foreign matter inspection device according to claim 5, further comprising a magnet unit located below the electrode unit, Among the metallic foreign matter located on the electrode unit, the ferrous metallic foreign matter containing iron (Fe) is fixed to the electrode unit by the magnetic force of the magnet unit.

7. The metal foreign body inspection device according to claim 6, wherein: The iron metal foreign matter fixed to the electrode unit is removed by wiping the surface of the electrode unit with a cloth or a brush.

8. The metal foreign body inspection device according to claim 6, wherein: Among the metallic foreign matter located on the electrode unit, non-ferrous metallic foreign matter not containing iron (Fe) is moved to the metallic foreign matter collecting unit by air blown by the fan unit.

9. The metal foreign body inspection device according to claim 8, wherein: As the metallic foreign matter collecting unit is replaced with another metallic foreign matter collecting unit, the non-ferrous metallic foreign matter collected in the metallic foreign matter collecting unit is removed.

10. A method for detecting metallic foreign matter, comprising: an air inflow step of causing air containing the metallic foreign matter to flow into the housing unit; a metal foreign matter information acquisition step of bringing the metal foreign matter contained in the air flowing into the housing unit into contact with an electrode unit to acquire information related to the metal foreign matter; as well as a metal foreign matter moving step of blowing air in one direction toward the metal foreign matter located on the electrode unit by a fan unit, wherein the housing unit includes an air receiving unit for receiving air containing the metal foreign matter and an air inflow unit located at an upper portion of the housing unit, and The electrode unit is located at a lower portion of the housing unit, and the fan unit is located on one side of the housing unit.

11. The metal foreign matter inspection method according to claim 10, further comprising a metal foreign matter analysis step of analyzing the presence or absence of the metal foreign matter and the size of the metal foreign matter based on information related to the capacitance value over time acquired by the electrode unit.

12. The method for inspecting metallic foreign matter according to claim 11, wherein: The metallic foreign matter moves from the air inflow unit in the direction of gravity, and the metallic foreign matter moving in the direction of gravity accumulates on the electrode unit, and The metallic foreign matter analyzing step analyzes the size of the metallic foreign matter based on a difference in capacitance value during a time when the metallic foreign matter accumulates.

13. The method for inspecting metallic foreign matter according to claim 11, wherein: In the metal foreign matter moving step, the fan unit repeats the start and stop of air supply at a certain time interval, and The metal foreign matter information acquisition step and the metal foreign matter analysis step are performed in a state where the air blowing of the fan unit is stopped.

14. The method for inspecting metallic foreign matter according to claim 10, wherein: further comprising a magnet unit located below the electrode unit, wherein the ferrous foreign matter containing iron (Fe) among the foreign metal matter located on the electrode unit is fixed to the electrode unit by the magnetic force of the magnet unit, and After the foreign metal object moving step, the ferrous foreign metal object is fixed to the electrode unit.

15. The metal foreign matter inspection method according to claim 10, further comprising a metal foreign matter collecting step of causing at least a portion of the metal foreign matter located on the electrode unit to move along the air supply direction of the fan unit so as to be collected by a metal foreign matter collecting unit. The metal foreign matter collecting unit is spaced apart from the fan unit along the air blowing direction of the fan unit and is located on a side of the housing unit opposite to a side surface where the fan unit is located.

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