Methods, systems, and media for inspecting electrode tab folds

Abstract

Methods, systems, and media for inspecting electrode tab folds are disclosed. A method of inspecting electrode tab folding includes obtaining an image in which an electrode plate has been captured, on which an electrode tab is formed, where the image includes an electrode plate region and an electrode tab region, dividing the electrode tab region in the image into a plurality of regions, and performing an electrode tab folding check based on the width of the electrode tab region in each of the plurality of regions.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method, system, and medium for inspecting electrode tab folding. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method, system, and medium for performing electrode tab folding inspection by dividing an electrode tab formed on an electrode plate into a plurality of regions via visual inspection and determining whether a width of each region is within a reference width. BACKGROUND

[0002] Unlike a primary battery not designed to be (re)charged, a secondary (or rechargeable) battery is a battery designed to be discharged and recharged. Low-capacity secondary batteries are used for portable small electronic devices such as smart phones, feature phones, notebook computers, digital cameras, and camcorders, while high-capacity secondary batteries are widely used as power sources for driving electric motors in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles and for storing electric power (e.g., home and / or utility-scale power storage). A secondary battery generally includes an electrode assembly composed of a cathode and an anode, a case that accommodates the electrode assembly, and an electrode terminal connected to the electrode assembly.

[0003] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancing the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and therefore, it can contain information that does not constitute the related (or prior) art. SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure provides a method for inspecting electrode tab folding, a computer program stored on a recording medium, and an apparatus (system) that solves the above problems.

[0005] These and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will be described in the following description of embodiments of the present disclosure, or will be apparent from the following description of the present disclosure.

[0006] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of inspecting electrode tab folding performed by at least one processor can include obtaining an image having captured an electrode plate on which an electrode tab is formed, wherein the image includes an electrode plate region and an electrode tab region, dividing the electrode tab region in the image into a plurality of regions, and performing an electrode tab folding inspection based on a width of the electrode tab region in each of the plurality of regions.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, the plurality of regions includes a first region, a second region, and a third region, and performing the electrode tab folding inspection can include determining that the electrode plate is defective in response to determining that the width of the electrode tab region in the first region is less than a predetermined first width, the width of the electrode tab region in the second region is less than a predetermined second width, or the width of the electrode tab region in the third region is less than a predetermined third width.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the predetermined first width, the predetermined second width, and the predetermined third width are different from each other.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the first region is connected to the electrode pad region, the second region is disposed between the first region and the third region, the predetermined second width is smaller than the predetermined first width, and the predetermined third width is smaller than the predetermined second width.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the dividing into the plurality of regions can include determining a plurality of straight lines associated with an outline of the electrode tab region, and dividing the electrode tab region into the predetermined number of regions based on the plurality of straight lines.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the determining the plurality of straight lines can include determining a first straight line associated with a side of the electrode pad region, determining a second straight line and a third straight line associated with a height of the electrode tab region, and determining a fourth straight line parallel to the first straight line and associated with an uppermost point of the electrode tab region.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the determining the first straight line can include identifying a first point and a second point on a side of the electrode pad region, and determining the first straight line by connecting the first point and the second point, and wherein the electrode tab region is connected to the electrode pad region on the side.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the determining the second straight line and the third straight line can include determining a first intersection point and a second intersection point at which the first straight line intersects two different points on the outline of the electrode tab region, respectively, determining a third intersection point spaced apart from the first intersection point by a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the first straight line, determining a fourth intersection point spaced apart from the second intersection point by a predetermined distance in the direction perpendicular to the first straight line, determining the second straight line by connecting the first intersection point and the first intersection point, and determining the third straight line by connecting the second intersection point and the fourth intersection point.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, the determining the fourth straight line can include identifying an uppermost point of the electrode tab region that is tangent to the second straight line or the third straight line, and determining the fourth straight line passing through the uppermost point and parallel to the first straight line.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the dividing the electrode tab region into the predetermined number of regions based on the plurality of straight lines can include dividing the electrode tab region into N+1 regions by placing N predetermined division lines between the first straight line and the fourth straight line, where N is a natural number greater than 0.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the dividing the electrode tab area into N+1 regions can include determining a first dividing line spaced apart from the fourth straight line by a predetermined first distance in a direction toward the electrode plate area, and determining a second dividing line spaced apart from the fourth straight line by a predetermined second distance in the direction toward the electrode plate area, and wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the dividing the electrode tab area into N+1 regions can further include determining the electrode tab area between the first straight line and the first dividing line as a first region, determining the electrode tab area between the first dividing line and the second dividing line as a second region, and determining the electrode tab area between the second dividing line and the fourth straight line as a third region.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the method can further include determining that the electrode plate is defective if a distance between the third straight line and the electrode tab area exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the third straight line is located downstream of the second straight line in a process direction.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the method can further include, after obtaining the image and before dividing the electrode tab area in the image into a plurality of regions, determining the electrode plate as a target for the electrode tab fold inspection in response to determining that a width of an electrode tab area among the electrode tab areas is less than a predetermined reference criterion.

[0021] In one or more embodiments, the plurality of regions includes a first region, a second region, and a third region, and wherein performing the electrode tab fold inspection can include determining an average of widths of the electrode tab area measured in the first region as a width of the electrode tab in the first region, determining an average of widths of the electrode tab area measured in the second region as a width of the electrode tab in the second region, and determining an average of widths of the electrode tab area measured in the third region as a width of the electrode tab in the third region.

[0022] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause performance of the method can be provided.

[0023] According to one or more embodiments of the disclosure, a system for inspecting electrode tab folding includes an image sensor configured to capture an electrode plate on which an electrode tab is formed, a communication module, a memory, and at least one processor connected to the memory and configured to execute at least one computer-readable program included in the memory, wherein the at least one program includes instructions for obtaining an image including an electrode plate region and an electrode tab region captured by the image sensor, dividing the electrode tab region in the image into a plurality of regions, and performing an electrode tab folding inspection based on a width of the electrode tab region in each of the plurality of regions.

[0024] In one or more embodiments, the plurality of regions can include a first region, a second region, and a third region, and performing the electrode tab folding inspection can include determining that the electrode plate is defective in response to determining that the width of the electrode tab region in the first region is less than a predetermined first width, the width of the electrode tab region in the second region is greater than a predetermined second width, or the width of the electrode tab region in the third region is less than a predetermined third width.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, the at least one program can further include instructions for, after obtaining the image and before dividing into the plurality of regions, determining the electrode plate as a target for the electrode tab folding inspection in response to determining that the width of the electrode tab in the electrode tab region is less than a predetermined reference standard.

[0026] According to some embodiments of the disclosure, if the folding of the electrode tab is within a range that has no or little influence on the welding quality of the electrode plate and the electrode terminal, which is determined based on an area required for a welding process for each height portion of the electrode tab, the corresponding electrode plate can be reclassified as a non-defective product, thereby improving the yield of the electrode plate.

[0027] According to some embodiments of the disclosure, if it is determined that the electrode tab is folded in a direction opposite to the process direction, it is possible to prevent product defects due to folding caused by unknown impacts other than the process by determining that the corresponding electrode plate is defective.

[0028] However, aspects and features of the disclosure are not limited to the above-described aspects and features, and other aspects and features not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art through the detailed description described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] The following accompanying drawings, attached to this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the detailed description below further describe aspects and features of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the drawings.

[0030] Figure 1FIG. 1 is a diagram for describing an example of an electrode plate on which an electrode tab is formed.

[0031] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a flowchart for illustrating an example of an electrode tab inspection method according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

[0032] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing a method for measuring a width of an electrode tab region based on an electrode plate image according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

[0033] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a flowchart for illustrating an example of an electrode tab fold inspection method according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

[0034] Figure 5 FIG. 5 is a diagram for generally describing a method of performing an electrode tab fold inspection according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

[0035] Figure 6 FIG. 6 is a diagram for illustrating an example of determining a first straight line associated with one side of an electrode tab region based on an electrode plate image.

[0036] Figure 7 FIG. 7 is a diagram for illustrating an example of determining a second straight line, a third straight line, and a fourth straight line based on an electrode plate image.

[0037] Figure 8 FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing a method of determining division lines that divide an electrode tab region based on an electrode plate image according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

[0038] Figure 9 FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing a method of dividing an electrode tab region into a plurality of regions by using division lines based on an electrode plate image according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

[0039] Figure 10 FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing a method of determining whether an electrode plate is defective by measuring a width of an electrode tab region in each of a plurality of regions based on an electrode plate image according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

[0040] Figure 11 FIG. 11 is a diagram for describing an example of determining that an electrode plate is defective if an electrode tab is folded in a direction opposite to a process direction according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

[0041] Figure 12 FIG. 12 is a flowchart for illustrating an example of an electrode tab fold inspection method according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

[0042] Figure 13 FIG. 13 is a block diagram for illustrating an internal configuration of a processor according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

[0043] Explanation of some reference numerals

[0044] 110: first electrode plate

[0045] 120: second electrode plate

[0046] 112, 122: electrode tabs DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms or words used in the present specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to commonly used meanings or meanings in dictionaries and should be interpreted as having meanings and concepts consistent with the technical idea of the present disclosure based on the principle that the inventor can properly define the concept of the terms to best explain his / her own invention.

[0048] The embodiments described in the present specification and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are only some of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not represent all technical ideas, aspects, and features of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that, at the time of filing the present application, various equivalents and modifications which can replace or modify the embodiments described herein can exist.

[0049] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on" another element or layer, "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or layer, it can be directly on the other element or layer, directly connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers can also be present. When an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on" another element or layer, "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. For example, when a first element is described as being "coupled" or "connected" to a second element, the first element can be directly coupled or connected to the second element, or the first element can be indirectly coupled or connected to the second element via one or more intervening elements.

[0050] In the figures, the size of various elements, layers, etc. can be exaggerated for clarity. Like reference numbers signify like elements throughout. As used in herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. In addition, use of “can” in describing embodiments of the present disclosure relates to “one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.” When using expressions such as “at least one of,” “each of one or more of,” or “any one of,” the expression is intended to cover any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. When using terminology “at least one of’ A, B, and C,” “at least one of’ a list of items, and the like, it is taken to mean any one of A, B, or C; any one or combination of A, B, and C; or A and / or B and / or C. As used herein, the terms “use,” “using,” and variations thereof can be taken in their broadest sense to mean, respectively, “utilizing,” “utilize,” and variations thereof. As used herein, the terms “substantially,” “approximately,” and like terms are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent variations in a measurement or calculated value.

[0051] It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of example embodiments.

[0052] For the purposes of this description, spatially relative terms such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like can be used to describe one element or feature’s relationship to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientations depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” or “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0053] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments of the present disclosure and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0054] Further, any numerical ranges recited herein are intended to include all sub-ranges of the same whole number recited as the upper limit and to include all sub-ranges of the same whole number recited as the lower limit, in combination with every between the same whole number recited as the upper and lower limit. As an example, a range of "1.0 to 10.0" is intended to include every possible sub-range between (and including) the recited minimum limit of 1.0 and the recited maximum limit of 10.0, e.g., every possible sub-range between (and including) the minimum of 1.0 and the maximum of 10.0, e.g., 2.4 to 7.6, 3.8 to 6.1. Any maximum numerical limitation recited herein is intended to include all lower numerical limitations subsumed therein and any minimum numerical limitation recited in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limitations subsumed therein. Accordingly, Applicant reserves the right to amend this specification, including the claims, to expressly recite any sub-range included in the ranges recited herein.

[0055] Referring to two compared elements, features, etc. as "the same" can mean that they are "substantially the same." Thus, the phrase "substantially the same" can include cases where there is a deviation considered to be low in the art (e.g., a deviation of 5% or less). Further, when a parameter is referred to as being uniform in a given region, this can mean that it is uniform in terms of average value.

[0056] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise indicated, each element can be singular or plural.

[0057] Referring to an arbitrary element as being "on" or "under" another element can mean that the arbitrary element can be disposed in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of the element, and still another element can be interposed between the element and the arbitrary element disposed on (or under) the element.

[0058] Further, it will be understood that when a component is referred to as being "coupled," "linked," or "connected" to another component, it can be directly coupled, linked, or connected to the other component, or a further component can be interposed therebetween.

[0059] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise indicated, when it is stated that "A and / or B", it means A, B, or A and B. That is, "and / or" includes any or all combinations of the listed items. Unless otherwise indicated, when it is stated that "C to D", it means above C and below D.

[0060] The electrode plate is a component of the electrode assembly, and can be classified into a cathode plate and an anode plate. The cathode plate can be formed by coating an electrode active material such as a transition metal oxide to an electrode current collector formed of a metal foil such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. In contrast, the anode plate can be formed by coating an electrode active material such as graphite or carbon to an electrode current collector formed of a metal foil such as copper, a copper alloy, nickel, or a nickel alloy. Further, the electrode plate (e.g., the cathode plate and the anode plate) can include an electrode tab, which is a region where the electrode active material is not coated.

[0061] The electrode assembly can have a structure in which units each having a separator disposed between a cathode plate and an anode plate are stacked. The electrode assembly can be inserted into a battery case, and the battery case in which the electrode assembly is inserted can be sealed with a cover plate.

[0062] The cover plate can include electrode terminals (cathode terminals and anode terminals) electrically connected to the electrode plates. For example, the cathode terminal of the cover plate can be directly or indirectly connected to the electrode tab of the cathode plate. Further, the anode terminal of the cover plate can be directly or indirectly connected to the electrode tab of the anode plate.

[0063] The electrode tab can be electrically connected to the electrode terminal by welding. Conventionally, if folding occurs in the electrode tab during a process, the corresponding electrode plate can be completely determined as a defective product. However, because there is a case where even if the electrode tab is partially folded, there is no or little influence on the welding quality of the electrode terminal, such an electrode plate must be reclassified as a non-defective product. Accordingly, if the folding of the electrode tab is within a range in which there is no or little influence on the welding quality of the electrode plate and the electrode terminal based on an area required for a welding process for each height portion of the electrode tab, the corresponding electrode plate can be reclassified as a non-defective product, thereby improving the yield of the electrode plate.

[0064] Figure 1 A diagram to show examples of an electrode plate 110 and an electrode plate 120 on which an electrode tab 112 and an electrode tab 122 are formed, respectively. The first electrode plate 110 is an electrode plate having an electrode tab 112 that is not folded. The electrode tab 112 of the first electrode plate 110 can have a constant width from the bottom to the top. The second electrode plate 120 is an electrode plate having an electrode tab 122 that is partially folded. The second electrode plate 120 can be an electrode plate in which a portion of the electrode tab 122 is folded during a process.

[0065] Conventionally, only the first electrode plate 110 is determined as a non-defective product, and the second electrode plate 120 can be determined as a defective product. However, even for the second electrode plate 120, if the folding of the electrode tab is within a range determined to have no or little influence on the welding quality of the electrode plate and the electrode terminal, the corresponding electrode plate can be determined as a non-defective product. In the following, a method for performing the electrode tab folding inspection on the second electrode plate 120 in which the electrode tab is partially folded will be described in detail.

[0066] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating an example of an electrode tab inspection method 200 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The method 200 can be performed by a processor (e.g., at least one processor of an information processing system). The method 200 can start with obtaining, by the processor, an image of an electrode plate on which an electrode tab is formed, the image having been captured (step S210). The image can include an electrode plate region corresponding to a main body of the electrode plate and an electrode tab region corresponding to the electrode tab extending from the electrode plate.

[0067] The processor can determine whether a width of the electrode tab region is less than a predetermined reference criterion for the width of the electrode tab region (step S220). In some embodiments, the predetermined reference criterion for the width of the electrode tab region can be determined based on a reference criterion for the width of the electrode tab. For example, if the reference criterion for the width of the electrode tab is 10 mm, the reference criterion for the width of the electrode tab region can be determined to be 10 mm. In another example, when the reference criterion for the width of the electrode tab is 10 mm, the reference criterion for the width of the electrode tab region can be 9 mm or 11 mm reflecting a measurement error. The above examples of the reference criterion are for convenience of description, and the reference criterion for the width of the electrode tab and the electrode tab region and the measurement error are not limited to the above specific examples.

[0068] In response to determining that the width of the electrode tab region is greater than or equal to the predetermined reference criterion, the processor can determine the electrode plate as a non-defective product (step S230). In another example, in response to determining that the width of the electrode tab region is less than the predetermined reference criterion, the processor can determine the corresponding electrode plate as a target for the electrode tab folding inspection (step S240).

[0069] For the electrode plate determined as the target for the electrode tab folding inspection, the electrode tab folding inspection can be performed to determine whether the width of the electrode tab (or the electrode tab region) in the corresponding portion of each height portion of the electrode tab (or the electrode tab region) is within a reference width. A specific method of performing the electrode tab folding inspection will be described later with reference to Figure 4 A specific method of performing the electrode tab folding inspection will be described later with reference to

[0070] Figure 3 A diagram for describing a method for measuring a width 310 of an electrode tab area 304 based on an electrode plate image 300 according to some embodiments of the disclosure. The electrode plate image 300 can include an electrode plate area 302 corresponding to a main body of an electrode plate and an electrode tab area 304 corresponding to an electrode tab extending from the electrode plate. The electrode plate, which is the subject of the electrode plate image 300, can have a partially folded electrode tab.

[0071] According to some embodiments, a processor (e.g., at least one processor of an information processing system) can determine whether an electrode plate is a non-defective product by measuring a width 310 of the electrode tab area 304. For example, if it is determined that the width 310 of the electrode tab area 304 is greater than or equal to a predetermined reference standard, the processor can determine that the corresponding electrode plate is a non-defective product. In contrast, if it is determined that the width 310 of the electrode tab area 304 is less than the predetermined reference standard, the processor can suspend a determination that the corresponding electrode plate is defective and determine it as a target for electrode tab fold inspection.

[0072] According to some embodiments, the processor can measure the width of the electrode tab area 304 at a plurality of points in the electrode tab area 304 spaced apart from the electrode plate area 302. In this case, the width 310 of the electrode tab area 304 at a top portion of the electrode tab area 304 can be determined to be less than the predetermined reference standard, and thus, the corresponding electrode plate can be determined as a target for electrode tab fold inspection.

[0073] According to some embodiments, the processor can determine an average distance between each point located on both sides of the electrode tab area 304 as the width 310 of the electrode tab area 304. In this case, the width 310 of the electrode tab area 304 is determined to be less than the predetermined reference standard due to the electrode tab portion fold of the top portion of the electrode tab area 304, and thus, the corresponding electrode plate can be determined as a target for electrode tab fold inspection.

[0074] Figure 4 A flowchart to illustrate an example of an electrode tab fold inspection method 400 according to some embodiments of the disclosure. The electrode tab fold inspection method 400 can be performed on an electrode plate that has been determined as a target for electrode tab fold inspection according to the electrode tab inspection method 200 described above (e.g., Figure 2 The electrode tab fold inspection method 400 can be performed by a processor (e.g., at least one processor of an information processing system).

[0075] According to some embodiments, the processor can divide the electrode tab area in the image into three regions (step S410). For example, the processor can divide the electrode tab area into a first region, a second region, and a third region. According to this embodiment, the electrode tab fold inspection can be performed based on a width of the electrode tab area in each of the plurality of regions.

[0076] The processor can determine whether the width of the electrode tab area in the first region is less than a predetermined first width (step S420). The width of the electrode tab area in the first region can be an average of the widths measured at a plurality of points in the first region. In response to determining that the width of the electrode tab area in the first region is less than the predetermined first width, the processor can determine that the corresponding electrode plate is defective (step S450).

[0077] In response to determining that the width of the electrode tab area in the first region is greater than or equal to the predetermined first width, the processor can determine whether the width of the electrode tab area in the second region is less than a predetermined second width (step S430). The width of the electrode tab area in the second region can be an average of the widths measured at a plurality of points in the second region. In response to determining that the width of the electrode tab area in the second region is less than the predetermined second width, the processor can determine that the corresponding electrode plate is defective (step S450).

[0078] In response to determining that the width of the electrode tab area in the second region is greater than or equal to the predetermined second width, the processor can determine whether the width of the electrode tab area in the third region is less than a predetermined third width (step S440). The width of the electrode tab area in the third region can be an average of the widths measured at a plurality of points in the third region. In response to determining that the width of the electrode tab area in the third region is less than the predetermined third width, the processor can determine that the corresponding electrode plate is defective (step S450).

[0079] In response to determining that the width of the electrode tab area in the third region is greater than or equal to the predetermined third width, the processor can determine that the corresponding electrode plate is a non-defective product (step S460).

[0080] According to some embodiments, the predetermined first width, the predetermined second width, and the predetermined third width can be different from each other. In other embodiments, at least one of the predetermined first width, the predetermined second width, and the predetermined third width can be different from the other widths.

[0081] Figure 5FIG. 1 is a diagram for generally describing a method of performing an electrode tab folding inspection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. An electrode tab image 100 can include an electrode tab region 102 corresponding to an electrode tab of an electrode plate and an electrode plate region 104 corresponding to a main body of the electrode plate. The electrode plate, which is the subject of the electrode tab image 100, can have a partially folded electrode tab.

[0082] According to some embodiments, if it is determined that the width of the electrode tab region 102 is less than a predetermined reference criterion, the processor (e.g., at least one processor of the information processing system) can suspend a determination that the corresponding electrode plate is defective and perform an electrode tab folding inspection on the corresponding electrode plate. For example, the width of the electrode tab region 102 can be an average of the widths measured at a plurality of points in the corresponding region.

[0083] The processor can divide the electrode tab region 102 in the image into a plurality of regions 110, 120, and 130. In the following description, an example in which the electrode tab region 102 is divided into three regions will be described for convenience of description. For example, the processor can divide the electrode tab region 102 into a first region 110, a second region 120, and a third region 130. In this case, the first region 110 can be a bottom portion of the electrode tab region 102, the second region 120 can be a middle portion of the electrode tab region 102, and the third region 130 can be a top portion of the electrode tab region 102. In some embodiments, the division of the electrode tab region can be performed after removing a top 1 mm and a bottom 1 mm from the electrode tab region 102 in consideration of measurement error. The method of dividing the electrode tab region into a plurality of regions will be described later with reference to FIG. 2. Figures 5 to 9 The method of dividing the electrode tab region into a plurality of regions will be described.

[0084] The processor can determine whether the widths W1, W2, and W3 of the electrode tab regions in each of the plurality of regions 510, 520, and 530 are less than a reference standard corresponding to each region. Thereafter, if the width of the electrode tab region in any one of the plurality of regions 510, 520, and 530 is less than the reference standard corresponding to the region, the processor can determine that the corresponding electrode plate is a defective product. For example, the processor can determine whether the width W1 of the electrode tab region in the first region 510 is less than a predetermined first width (e.g., a width according to a standard specification), and if the width W1 of the electrode tab region is less than the first width, determine that the corresponding electrode plate is defective. Further, the processor can determine whether the width W2 of the electrode tab region in the second region 520 is less than a predetermined second width (e.g., a width - 5 mm according to a standard specification), and if the width W2 of the electrode tab region is less than the second width, determine that the corresponding electrode plate is defective. Also, the processor can determine whether the width W3 of the electrode tab region in the third region 530 is less than a predetermined third width (e.g., a width - 10 mm according to a standard specification), and if the width W3 of the electrode tab region is less than the third width, determine that the corresponding electrode plate is defective.

[0085] According to some embodiments, if it is determined that the electrode tab is folded in a direction opposite to the process direction, the processor can determine that the corresponding electrode plate is defective. Since there is a possibility that the folding has occurred due to an unknown impact other than the process if the electrode tab is folded in a direction opposite to the process direction, the corresponding electrode plate can be determined to be defective to prevent product defects caused thereby. A detailed description thereof will be given later with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. Figure 11 A detailed description thereof will be given later with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0086] Figures 6 to 11 A diagram to illustrate a method of performing an electrode tab folding inspection according to some embodiments of the disclosure.

[0087] Figure 6 A diagram to illustrate an example of determining a first straight line 630 associated with one side of an electrode plate region 502 based on an electrode plate image 500. In some embodiments, a processor (e.g., at least one processor of an information processing system) can identify a first point 622 and a second point 624 on one side of the electrode plate region 502. Here, the one side of the electrode plate region 502 can be a side on which an electrode tab is formed.

[0088] The processor can determine a first region of interest 612 located in a first direction (e.g., a left direction) with respect to the electrode tab region 504. Further, the processor can determine a second region of interest 614 located in a second direction (e.g., a right direction) opposite to the first direction with respect to the electrode tab region 504. Here, the first region of interest 612 and the second region of interest 614 can include a portion of one side of the electrode pad region 502.

[0089] The processor can identify a contour within the first region of interest 612 and determine a first point 622 on the corresponding contour. For example, the first point 622 can be a center point or any point on the identified contour. Further, the processor can identify a contour within the second region of interest 614 and determine a second point 624 on the corresponding contour. For example, the second point 624 can be a center point or any point on the identified contour. The method of identifying the first point 622 and the second point 624 on one side of the electrode pad region 502 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various methods can be used to identify them.

[0090] The processor can determine a first straight line 630 associated with one side of the electrode pad region 502 by connecting the first point 622 and the second point 624. The first straight line 630 can be used to determine a straight line associated with the height of the electrode tab region 504. To this end, the processor can determine a first intersection point 642 and a second intersection point 644 at which the first straight line 630 intersects two different points on the contour of the electrode tab region 504, respectively. Thereafter, the processor can determine a third intersection point 652 spaced apart from the first intersection point 642 by a predetermined distance D1 in a direction perpendicular to the first straight line 630. Similarly, the processor can determine a fourth intersection point 654 spaced apart from the second intersection point 644 by the predetermined distance D1 in the direction perpendicular to the first straight line 630.

[0091] Figure 7 A diagram to illustrate an example of determining the second straight line 712, the third straight line 722, and the fourth straight line 750 based on the electrode pad image 500. In some embodiments, the processor (e.g., at least one processor of an information processing system) can determine the second straight line 712 and the third straight line 722 associated with the height of the electrode tab region 504 in the electrode pad image 500. Further, the processor can determine the fourth straight line 750 associated with the topmost point 740 of the electrode tab region 504 in the electrode pad image 500.

[0092] In some embodiments, the processor can determine the second straight line 712 by connecting the first intersection point 642 and the third intersection point 652. Further, the processor can determine the third straight line 722 by connecting the second intersection point 644 and the fourth intersection point 654. The second straight line 712 and the third straight line 722 can be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first straight line 630.

[0093] The processor can determine a fourth straight line 750 parallel to the first straight line 630 and associated with the topmost point 740 of the electrode tab area 504. In one example, the processor can determine a third region of interest 730 including a top portion of the electrode tab area 504, and identify the topmost point 740 of the electrode tab area 504 within the third region of interest 730. In this case, the topmost point 740 can represent a point having the highest longitudinal coordinate value (e.g., y-coordinate value) in the third region of interest 730 based on the image coordinate system. Then, the processor can determine the fourth straight line 750 passing through the topmost point 740 and parallel to the first straight line 630. In another example, the processor can determine a straight line passing through the topmost point 740 and parallel to the first straight line 630, and determine a straight line parallel to the straight line and 1 mm apart from the straight line in a downward direction (in a direction toward the electrode plate) as the fourth straight line 750. In other examples, the processor can identify the topmost point 740 of the electrode tab area 504 tangent to the second straight line 712 or the third straight line 722. The method of identifying the topmost point 740 of the electrode tab area 504 is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it can be identified using various methods. Thereafter, the processor can determine the fourth straight line 750 passing through the topmost point 740 and parallel to the first straight line 630. The fourth straight line 750 can be perpendicular to the second straight line 712 and the third straight line 722.

[0094] Figure 8 To illustrate a method of determining the division lines 810 and 820 dividing the electrode tab area 504 based on the electrode plate image 500 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a diagram is shown. Referring to FIG. 8, Figure 8 The electrode tab area 504 can be divided into three regions by placing two predetermined division lines between the first straight line 630 and the fourth straight line 750. The number of division lines placed between the first straight line 630 and the fourth straight line 750 is not limited to Figure 8 the example of FIG. 8, and N division lines (where N is a natural number greater than 0) can be placed between the first straight line 630 and the fourth straight line 750, such that the electrode tab area 504 is divided into N+1 regions. In some embodiments, considering measurement errors, the placement of the division lines can be performed after removing the top 1 mm and the bottom 1 mm from the electrode tab area 504.

[0095] The processor (e.g., at least one processor of the information processing system) can determine a first division line 810 spaced apart from the fourth straight line 750 by a predetermined first distance D1 in a direction toward the electrode pad region. Further, the processor can determine a second division line 820 spaced apart from the fourth straight line 750 by a predetermined second distance D2 in a direction of the electrode pad region. Here, the first distance D1 can be greater than the second distance D2. For example, if the height of the electrode tab is 10 mm, the first distance D1 can be 4 mm, and the second distance D2 can be 2 mm, but is not limited thereto.

[0096] The height of each portion of the electrode tab region 504 can be determined using the division line 810 and the division line 820 determined in the above-described method. The first height H1 can represent a distance between the first straight line 630 and the first division line 810. The second height H2 can represent a distance between the first division line 810 and the second division line 820. The third height H3 can represent a distance between the second division line 820 and the fourth straight line 750.

[0097] Figure 9 A diagram to illustrate a method of dividing the electrode tab region into a plurality of regions 910, 920, and 930 by using the division line 810 and the division line 820 based on the electrode pad image 500 according to some embodiments of the disclosure. According to some embodiments, the processor (e.g., at least one processor of the information processing system) can identify a plurality of intersection points 942, 944, 946, 948, 952, 954, 956, and 958 at which the first to fourth straight lines 630, 712, 722, and 750 intersect with the division line 810 and the division line 820 by using the region of interest 940 and the region of interest 950. For example, the processor can determine a fourth region of interest 940 associated with the second straight line 712, and identify a first intersection point 942, a second intersection point 944, a third intersection point 946, and a fourth intersection point 948 based on the fourth region of interest 940. Further, the processor can determine a fifth region of interest 950 associated with the third straight line 722, and identify a fifth intersection point 952, a sixth intersection point 954, a seventh intersection point 956, and an eighth intersection point 958 based on the fifth region of interest 950.

[0098] According to some embodiments, the processor can divide the electrode tab area 504 into a plurality of regions 910, 920, and 930 by using the plurality of intersection points 942, 944, 946, 948, 952, 954, 956, and 958, the first to fourth straight lines 630, 712, 722, and 750, and the division line 810 and the division line 820. For example, the processor can determine the electrode tab area 504 between the first straight line 630 and the first division line 810 as the first region 910. Here, the first region 910 can refer to a rectangular region having the first intersection point 942, the second intersection point 944, the fifth intersection point 952, and the sixth intersection point 954 as vertices. In another example, the processor can determine the electrode tab area 504 between the first straight line 630 and the first division line 810 as the first region 910 after removing a 1 mm region at the bottom of the electrode tab area 504.

[0099] Further, the processor can determine the electrode tab area 504 between the first division line 810 and the second division line 820 as the second region 920. Here, the second region 920 can refer to a rectangular region having the second intersection point 944, the third intersection point 946, the sixth intersection point 954, and the seventh intersection point 956 as vertices. Also, the processor can determine the electrode tab area 504 between the second division line 820 and the fourth straight line 750 as the third region 930. For example, the third region 930 can refer to a region in which the electrode tab area 504 overlaps a rectangular region having the third intersection point 946, the fourth intersection point 948, the seventh intersection point 956, and the eighth intersection point 958 as vertices.

[0100] Figure 10 To illustrate a graph of a method of determining whether an electrode plate is defective by measuring a width 1010, 1020, and 1030 of an electrode tab area in each of a plurality of regions 910, 920, and 930 based on an electrode plate image 500 according to some embodiments of the disclosure. The processor (e.g., at least one processor of an information processing system) can measure / determine the width 1010, 1020, and 1030 of the electrode tab area in each of the plurality of regions 910, 920, and 930.

[0101] In some embodiments, an average of the widths of the electrode tab regions measured in each of the regions 910, 920, and 930 can be determined as the width of the electrode tab region in each of the regions 910, 920, and 930. For example, an average of the widths of the electrode tab regions measured at a plurality of points in the first region 910 can be determined as the width 1010 of the electrode tab region in the first region. Similarly, an average of the widths of the electrode tab regions measured at a plurality of points in the second region 920 can be determined as the width 1020 of the electrode tab region in the second region. Also, an average of the widths of the electrode tab regions measured at a plurality of points in the third region 930 can be determined as the width 1030 of the electrode tab region in the third region.

[0102] The method of measuring the widths 1010, 1020, and 1030 of the electrode tab regions in each of the plurality of regions 910, 920, and 930 is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but various methods can be used. For example, a minimum value among the widths of the electrode tab regions measured in each of the regions 910, 920, and 930 can be determined as the width of the electrode tab in the region.

[0103] The processor can determine whether the corresponding electrode plate is defective based on the widths 1010, 1020, and 1030 of the electrode tab regions in each of the plurality of regions 910, 920, and 930. For example, if the width 1010 of the electrode tab region in the first region 910 is less than a predetermined first width, if the width 1020 of the electrode tab region in the second region 920 is less than a predetermined second width, or if the width of the electrode tab region in the third region 930 is less than a predetermined third width, the processor can determine that the corresponding electrode plate is defective. For example, if the width of the electrode tab region in any one of the plurality of regions 910, 920, and 930 is less than a predetermined reference width (e.g., the first width, the second width, or the third width), the processor can determine that the corresponding electrode plate is defective.

[0104] According to some embodiments, the predetermined first width, the predetermined second width, and the predetermined third width can be different from each other. For example, the first width can be the same as a reference standard (e.g., 10 mm) for the electrode tab of the electrode plate. In other examples, the second width can be determined by subtracting a predetermined first correction value (e.g., -5 mm) from the reference standard (e.g., 10 mm) for the electrode tab of the electrode plate, and the third width can be determined by subtracting a predetermined second correction value (e.g., -10 mm) from the reference standard (e.g., 10 mm) for the electrode tab of the electrode plate. In other embodiments, some of the predetermined first width, the predetermined second width, and the predetermined third width can be the same.

[0105] Figure 11 FIG. 12 is a diagram to illustrate an example in which the processor determines that the electrode plate is defective if the electrode tab is folded in the direction opposite to the process direction, according to some embodiments of the disclosure. According to some embodiments, if it is determined that the electrode tab is folded in the direction opposite to the process direction, the processor (e.g., at least one processor of the information processing system) can determine that the corresponding electrode plate is defective.

[0106] According to some embodiments, if the distance between the third straight line 722 and the electrode tab region 504 exceeds a predetermined threshold (e.g., 1 mm), the processor can determine that the corresponding electrode plate is defective. Here, the third straight line 722 can be located downstream of the second straight line 712 based on the process direction 1120.

[0107] The processor can measure a plurality of distances 1110 between the third straight line 722 and one side of the electrode tab region 504 adjacent thereto. The processor can determine whether the electrode plate is defective based on the measured plurality of distances 1110. For example, if any one distance of the measured plurality of distances 1110 exceeds a predetermined threshold, the processor can determine that the corresponding electrode plate is defective. In another example, if the average of the measured plurality of distances 1110 exceeds a predetermined threshold, the processor can determine that the corresponding electrode plate is defective. In this way, product defects caused by folding due to unknown impact other than the process if the electrode tab is folded in the direction opposite to the process direction can be prevented.

[0108] As described in Figure 10 the method of performing the electrode tab folding inspection by determining whether the width of each of a plurality of regions of the electrode tab is within a reference width and the method of performing the electrode tab folding inspection by determining whether the electrode tab is folded in the direction opposite to the process direction as described in Figure 11 may be used in combination. In this case, the two electrode tab folding inspections can be performed in parallel or sequentially.

[0109] Figure 12 FIG. 13 is a flowchart to illustrate an example of an electrode tab folding inspection method 1300 according to some embodiments of the disclosure. The method 1300 can start with obtaining, by a processor (e.g., at least one processor of the information processing system), an image of an electrode plate on which an electrode tab is formed (step S1310). Here, the image can include an electrode plate region and an electrode tab region.

[0110] According to some embodiments, after step S1210, and before step S1220 described below, the processor can determine the electrode pad as a target for the electrode tab folding check in response to determining that a width of the electrode tab region in the electrode tab region is less than a predetermined reference criterion.

[0111] The processor can perform the electrode tab folding check based on the image of the electrode pad determined as the target for the electrode tab folding check.

[0112] According to some embodiments, the processor can divide the electrode tab region in the image into a plurality of regions (step S1220). For example, the processor can determine a plurality of straight lines associated with an outline of the electrode tab region. Thereafter, the processor can divide the electrode tab region into a predetermined number of regions based on the plurality of straight lines.

[0113] According to some embodiments, the processor can determine a first straight line associated with one side of the electrode pad region. For example, the processor can identify a first point and a second point on the one side of the electrode pad region. The processor can determine the first straight line by connecting the first point and the second point. Here, the electrode tab region can be connected to the electrode pad region on the one side.

[0114] According to some embodiments, the processor can determine a second straight line and a third straight line associated with a height of the electrode tab region. For example, the processor can determine a first intersection point and a second intersection point at which the first straight line intersects the outline of the electrode tab region. The processor can determine a third intersection point spaced apart from the first intersection point by a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the first straight line, and a fourth intersection point spaced apart from the second intersection point by a predetermined distance in the direction perpendicular to the first straight line. The processor can determine the second straight line by connecting the first intersection point and the third intersection point, and determine the third straight line by connecting the second intersection point and the fourth intersection point.

[0115] According to some embodiments, the processor can determine a fourth straight line parallel to the first straight line and associated with a topmost point of the electrode tab region. For example, the processor can identify the topmost point of the electrode tab region tangent to the second straight line or the third straight line. The processor can determine the fourth straight line passing through the topmost point and parallel to the first straight line.

[0116] According to some embodiments, the processor can divide the electrode tab region into N+1 regions by placing N predetermined division lines between the first straight line and the fourth straight line (where N is a natural number greater than 0). For example, if N is 2, the processor can determine a first division line spaced apart from the fourth straight line by a predetermined first distance in a direction toward the electrode pad region. Further, the processor can determine a second division line spaced apart from the fourth straight line by a predetermined second distance in the direction toward the electrode pad region. In this case, the first distance can be greater than the second distance.

[0117] According to some embodiments, the processor can determine the electrode tab area between the first straight line and the first division line as a first area. Further, the processor can determine the electrode tab area between the first division line and the second division line as a second area. Also, the processor can determine the electrode tab area between the second division line and the fourth straight line as a third area.

[0118] Thereafter, the processor can perform an electrode tab folding check based on the width of the electrode tab area in each of the plurality of areas (step S1230).

[0119] According to some embodiments, the processor can determine that the electrode plate is defective in response to determining that the width of the electrode tab area in the first area is less than a predetermined first width, the width of the electrode tab area in the second area is less than a predetermined second width, or the width of the electrode tab area in the third area is less than a predetermined third width. In this case, the first area can be connected to the electrode plate area, and the second area can be disposed between the first area and the third area.

[0120] In some embodiments, an average of the widths of the electrode tab areas measured in each of the plurality of areas can be determined as the width of the electrode tab area. For example, the processor can determine an average of the widths of the electrode tab areas measured in the first area as the width of the electrode tab area in the first area. Further, the processor can determine an average of the widths of the electrode tab areas measured in the second area as the width of the electrode tab area in the second area. Also, the processor can determine an average of the widths of the electrode tab areas measured in the third area as the width of the electrode tab area in the third area.

[0121] In some embodiments, the predetermined first width, the predetermined second width, and the predetermined third width can be different from each other. In this case, the predetermined second width can be less than the predetermined first width, and the predetermined third width can be less than the second width. In other embodiments, at least two of the predetermined first width, the predetermined second width, and the predetermined third width can be the same as each other.

[0122] Further, the processor can determine that the electrode plate is defective if the distance between the third straight line and the electrode tab area exceeds a predetermined threshold. Here, the third straight line can be located downstream of the second straight line based on a process direction.

[0123] Figure 13A block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a processor 1320 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The processor 1320 can be included in an information processing system (e.g., an electrode tab folding inspection system). The processor 1320 should be broadly interpreted to encompass all processing devices, including general- purpose processors, central processing units (CPUs), microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), controllers, microcontrollers, state machines, and so forth. In some environments, the processor 1320 can refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc. The processor 1320 can also refer to a combination of processing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0124] Referring to Figure 13 , the processor 1320 of the information processing system can include an image receiving unit 1322, a first visual inspection unit 1324, a second visual inspection unit 1326, and a determination unit 1328.

[0125] The image receiving unit 1322 can receive an image in which an electrode plate on which an electrode tab is formed has been captured from the image sensor 1312. Here, the image can include an electrode plate region corresponding to a main body of the electrode plate as an object and an electrode tab region corresponding to the electrode tab extending from the electrode plate. The image receiving unit 1322 can transmit the received image to the first visual inspection unit 1324.

[0126] The first visual inspection unit 1324 can determine whether the width of the electrode tab region in the electrode tab region is less than a predetermined reference criterion based on the image. For example, the first visual inspection unit 1324 can determine whether the width of the electrode tab region in the electrode tab region is less than a predetermined reference criterion based on the image by using the method described above. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The first visual inspection unit 1324 can transmit the determination result data to the determination unit 1328.

[0127] The determining unit 1328 can receive the determination result data from the first vision inspection unit 1324. If the width of the electrode tab region in the electrode tab region is less than the predetermined reference standard, the determining unit 1328 can determine the electrode plate as a target for the electrode tab fold inspection. In this case, the determining unit 1328 can transmit an electrode tab fold inspection request for the corresponding electrode plate image to the second vision inspection unit 1326. Further, if the width of the electrode tab region in the electrode tab region is greater than or equal to the predetermined reference standard, the determining unit 1328 can determine that the corresponding electrode plate is defective. The determining unit 1328 can output an inspection result 1330 including an electrode tab fold inspection target determination or a defect determination for the electrode plate to be inspected to the user terminal. The user can inspect the inspection result 1330 displayed on the display of the user terminal.

[0128] The second vision inspection unit 1326 can perform the electrode tab fold inspection based on the image of the electrode plate determined as a target for the electrode tab fold inspection. For example, the second vision inspection unit 1326 can perform the electrode tab fold inspection based on the image of the electrode plate determined as a target for the electrode tab fold inspection in the described method. Figures 4 to 11 The second vision inspection unit 1326 can perform the electrode tab fold inspection based on the image of the electrode plate determined as a target for the electrode tab fold inspection. For example, the second vision inspection unit 1326 can perform the electrode tab fold inspection based on the image of the electrode plate determined as a target for the electrode tab fold inspection in the described method.

[0129] The determining unit 1328 can receive the determination result data from the second vision inspection unit 1326. If the width of the electrode tab region in any one of the plurality of regions of the electrode tab region is less than the reference standard corresponding to the region, the determining unit 1328 can determine that the corresponding electrode plate is defective. However, if the width of the electrode tab region in all of the plurality of regions of the electrode tab region is greater than or equal to the reference standard corresponding to the region, the determining unit 1328 can determine that the corresponding electrode plate is a non-defective product. The determining unit 1328 can output an inspection result 1330 including a non-defective product determination or a defect determination for the electrode plate to be inspected to the user terminal. The user can inspect the inspection result 1330 displayed on the display of the user terminal.

[0130] Although Figure 13The memory should be interpreted broadly to encompass any electronic component capable of storing electronic information. The memory can also refer to various types of processor-readable media such as random access memory (RAM) (e.g., static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), or non-volatile RAM (NVRAM)), read only memory (ROM) (e.g., programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM)), FLASH memory, magnetic or optical data storage, registers, and so forth. The memory is in electronic communication with the processor 1320 if the processor 1320 can read information from and / or write information to the memory. Memory that is integrated into the processor 1320 is in electronic communication with the processor 1320.

[0131] In some embodiments, the memory can include any non-transitory computer-readable recording medium. According to some embodiments, the memory can include a permanent mass storage device. As another example, the permanent mass storage device can be included in an information processing system (e.g., the electrode tab folding inspection system), or can be included in a device that is separate from the memory as a permanent mass storage device that can be accessed by the information processing system through a wire or wirelessly. As another example, the memory can be implemented by being included in the processor 1320.

[0132] According to some embodiments, the memory can store an operating system and at least one program code (e.g., a program code for performing electrode tab folding inspection). Further, the memory can store images of the electrode plate that have been captured from the image sensor 1312. Also, the memory can store inspection results performed by the first vision inspection unit 1324 and the second vision inspection unit 1326, and the inspection result 1330 determined by the determination unit 1328.

[0133] Although the present disclosure is described above with respect to embodiments of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Various modifications and changes can be made thereto by those skilled in the art which fall in the spirit of the present disclosure and the scope of equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of inspecting electrode tab folding, comprising: obtaining an image that has captured an electrode plate on which electrode tabs are formed, wherein the image includes an electrode plate region and an electrode tab region; dividing the electrode tab region in the image into a plurality of regions; and performing an electrode tab folding inspection based on a width of the electrode tab region in each of the plurality of regions.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of regions includes a first region, a second region, and a third region, and wherein performing the electrode tab folding inspection includes: determining that the electrode plate is defective in response to determining that the width of the electrode tab region in the first region is less than a predetermined first width, that the width of the electrode tab region in the second region is less than a predetermined second width, or that the width of the electrode tab region in the third region is less than a predetermined third width.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the predetermined first width, the predetermined second width, and the predetermined third width are different from each other.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the first region is connected to the electrode plate region, the second region is disposed between the first region and the third region, the predetermined second width is less than the predetermined first width, and the predetermined third width is less than the predetermined second width.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein dividing into the plurality of regions includes: determining a plurality of straight lines associated with an outline of the electrode tab region; and dividing the electrode tab region into a predetermined number of regions based on the plurality of straight lines.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein determining the plurality of straight lines includes: determining a first straight line associated with a side of the electrode plate region; determining a second straight line and a third straight line associated with a height of the electrode tab region; and determining a fourth straight line parallel to the first straight line and associated with a topmost point of the electrode tab region.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein determining the first straight line includes: identifying a first point and a second point on the side of the electrode plate region; and determining the first straight line by connecting the first point and the second point, and wherein the electrode tab region is connected to the electrode plate region on the side.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein determining the second straight line and the third straight line includes: determining a first intersection point and a second intersection point at which the first straight line intersects two different points on the outline of the electrode tab region; determining a third intersection point spaced apart from the first intersection point by a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the first straight line; determining a fourth intersection point spaced apart from the second intersection point by the predetermined distance in the direction perpendicular to the first straight line; determining the second straight line by connecting the first intersection point and the third intersection point; and determining the third straight line by connecting the second intersection point and the fourth intersection point. ​ 9. The method of claim 6, wherein determining the fourth straight line comprises: identifying the topmost point of the electrode tab region that is tangent to the second straight line or the third straight line; and determining the fourth straight line that passes through the topmost point and is parallel to the first straight line.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein dividing the electrode tab region into the predetermined number of regions based on the plurality of straight lines comprises: dividing the electrode tab region into N+1 regions by placing N predetermined dividing lines between the first straight line and the fourth straight line, where the N is a natural number greater than 0.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the N equals 2, where dividing the electrode tab region into the N+1 regions comprises: determining a first dividing line that is spaced apart from the fourth straight line by a predetermined first distance in a direction toward the electrode plate region; and determining a second dividing line that is spaced apart from the fourth straight line by a predetermined second distance in the direction toward the electrode plate region, and where the first distance is greater than the second distance.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein dividing the electrode tab region into the N+1 regions further comprises: determining the electrode tab region between the first straight line and the first dividing line as a first region; determining the electrode tab region between the first dividing line and the second dividing line as a second region; and determining the electrode tab region between the second dividing line and the fourth straight line as a third region.

13. The method of claim 6, further comprising: determining that the electrode plate is defective if a distance between the third straight line and the electrode tab region exceeds a predetermined threshold.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the third straight line is located downstream of the second straight line in a process direction.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising: after obtaining the image and before dividing the electrode tab region in the image into the plurality of regions, determining the electrode plate as a target for the electrode tab fold inspection in response to determining that the width of the electrode tab region in the electrode tab region is less than a predetermined reference standard.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of regions comprises a first region, a second region, and a third region, and where performing the electrode tab fold inspection comprises: determining an average of the widths of the electrode tab region measured in the first region as a width of the electrode tab in the first region; determining an average of the widths of the electrode tab region measured in the second region as a width of the electrode tab in the second region; and determining an average of the widths of the electrode tab region measured in the third region as a width of the electrode tab in the third region. ​ ​ 17.A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause performance of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16. 18.A system for inspecting electrode tab folding, comprising: an image sensor configured to capture an electrode plate on which an electrode tab is formed; a communication module; a memory; and at least one processor connected to the memory and configured to perform at least one computer-readable program included in the memory by performing the following steps: obtaining an image including an electrode plate region and an electrode tab region captured by the image sensor, dividing the electrode tab region in the image into a plurality of regions, and performing an electrode tab folding inspection based on a width of the electrode tab region in each of the plurality of regions. 19.The system of claim 18, wherein the plurality of regions includes a first region, a second region, and a third region, and wherein performing the electrode tab folding inspection includes: in response to determining that the width of the electrode tab region in the first region is less than a predetermined first width, the width of the electrode tab region in the second region is less than a predetermined second width, or the width of the electrode tab region in the third region is less than a predetermined third width, determining that the electrode plate is defective. 20.The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor performs the following further step: after obtaining the image and before dividing into the plurality of regions, in response to determining that the width of the electrode tab region in the electrode tab region is less than a predetermined reference criterion, determining the electrode plate as a target for the electrode tab folding inspection.

Images