Device for detecting defects in anode or cathode of battery and machine comprising such device

Abstract

A device (100) for detecting defects in an anode or cathode of a battery, the anode or cathode comprising a film (1) of an electrically conductive material, the film being at least partially coated with a coating (3) on its two opposite faces. The apparatus comprises a controller (10) and a device arranged along the transport path of the anode or cathode to be controlled, the device comprising: a contact image sensor (12); a beam splitter (14); a first illuminator (16) that sends a first light beam (A) on a beam splitter that deflects the first light beam towards a first face of the anode or cathode; a second illuminator (18) which sends a second light beam (B) of substantially glancing light towards the first face. The controller drives the illuminators to emit respective light beams in a synchronized and alternating manner with each other. The contact image sensor captures an image of the first surface while being illuminated, and the controller detects the presence of a defect based on the captured image.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for detecting defects during production of an anode and a cathode of a battery, and to a machine for producing a battery and / or an anode and / or a cathode of a battery, which machine comprises at least such a device. BACKGROUND

[0002] It is known that, in the last few years, the use of batteries has undergone a significant boom in several technical sectors; for example, in the automotive sector, the development of electric vehicles is constantly evolving and growing.

[0003] The production process of such batteries as a whole and of the various components, in particular the electrodes, is particularly complex.

[0004] For example, the production of an anode and a cathode comprises the use of a film of electrically conductive material, for example copper or aluminum, which is coated on at least one portion of its two main faces with a suitable coating, for example made of graphite or of another similar material, or in any case suitable for the purpose.

[0005] It is clear that this process, in its various steps, plays an important role in guaranteeing the effectiveness of the performance of the battery and the competitiveness and success of the companies involved in the production, commercialization and application chain of the battery.

[0006] In fact, any defects in the electrodes in production can not only lead to unwanted waste or low production efficiency, but they can also lead to malfunctions in the devices that use the electrodes, for example electric vehicles, if the defects are not correctly identified during the production phase.

[0007] The scope of the present invention is therefore to face and at least mitigate such problems, and in particular to provide a solution that makes it possible to find any defects in the production of an anode and a cathode of a battery in a more effective way with respect to the currently used solutions, or in any case to provide an effective solution instead of the known solutions. SUMMARY

[0008] This scope and other scopes that will become apparent from the following description are achieved by means of a device for controlling and detecting defects in an anode or a cathode of a battery, characterized in the embodiments.

[0009] This scope and other scopes that will become apparent from the following description are also achieved by means of a machine for producing a battery and / or an anode and / or a cathode of a battery, characterized in that it comprises at least such a device.

[0010] In a first aspect, there is disclosed a device for detecting defects in an anode or a cathode of a battery, the anode or the cathode comprising a film of electrically conductive material, the film being at least partially and on both of its opposite faces coated with a coating, the device comprising:

[0011] - at least one controller;

[0012] - at least a first apparatus, the first apparatus being arranged along a path followed by the anode or the cathode to be controlled and comprising, arranged at a first face of the film:

[0013] - a first contact image sensor;

[0014] - a first beam splitter;

[0015] - a first illuminator configured to send a first light beam on the first beam splitter, the first beam splitter being configured to deflect at least a portion of the first light beam towards the first face of the anode or the cathode;

[0016] - a second illuminator configured to send a second light beam of substantially grazing light towards the first face of the anode or the cathode;

[0017] wherein the at least one controller is configured to drive the first illuminator and the second illuminator so that they emit the first light beam and the second light beam in a synchronized and alternating manner with each other;

[0018] wherein the first contact image sensor is configured to capture a first image and a second image of at least a portion of the first face of the anode or the cathode when illuminated by the deflected at least a portion of the first light beam and the second light beam respectively;

[0019] and wherein the at least one controller is configured to detect, based at least on the first image and the second image captured by the first contact image sensor, a presence of one or more defects possibly present on at least the first face of the anode or the cathode.

[0020] In some embodiments, the device further comprises at least a second apparatus, the second apparatus being arranged along the path followed by the anode or the cathode to be controlled and comprising, arranged at a second face of the film opposite the first face:

[0021] - a second contact image sensor;

[0022] - a second beam splitter;

[0023] - a third illuminator configured to send a third light beam on the second beam splitter, the second beam splitter being configured to deflect at least a portion of the third light beam towards the second face of the anode or the cathode;

[0024] - a fourth illuminator, the fourth illuminator being configured to send a fourth light beam of substantially grazing light towards the second face of the anode or of the cathode;

[0025] wherein the at least one controller is configured to drive the third illuminator and the fourth illuminator so that they emit the third light beam and the fourth light beam in a mutually synchronized and alternating manner;

[0026] wherein the second contact image sensor is configured to capture a third image and a fourth image of at least a portion of the second face of the anode or of the cathode when illuminated by the deflected at least portion of the third light beam and by the fourth light beam, respectively;

[0027] and wherein the at least one controller is configured to detect the presence of one or more defects possibly present on at least the second face of the anode or of the cathode based at least on the third image and the fourth image captured by the second contact image sensor.

[0028] In some embodiments, the at least one controller is configured to detect the presence of at least one defect possibly present in the anode or in the cathode based on comparing the first image and the third image captured by the first contact image sensor and by the second contact image sensor, respectively.

[0029] In some embodiments, at least one of the first contact image sensor and of the second contact image sensor is positioned with a respective field of view arranged in a virtual plane substantially perpendicular to a substantially straight direction followed by the anode or by the cathode to be controlled.

[0030] In some embodiments, at least one of the first beam splitter and of the second beam splitter is configured to deflect at least between 30% and 70% of a percentage of the first light beam emitted by the first illuminator or of the third light beam emitted by the third illuminator, respectively, towards the anode or the cathode.

[0031] In some embodiments, at least one of the first beam splitter and of the second beam splitter comprises an at least partially reflective surface formed according to an inclined plane comprising a respective acute angle between 30° and 70° with the film.

[0032] In some embodiments, at least one of the second illuminator and of the fourth illuminator is configured to send a second light beam and respectively a fourth light beam of substantially grazing light towards the anode or the cathode, the second light beam and the fourth light beam being inclined with respect to the film by an acute angle comprised between 5° and 30°.

[0033] In some embodiments, the at least one controller is configured to drive at least one of the first illuminator and of the third illuminator to emit the first light beam and respectively the third light beam in a time interval comprised between 1 ps and 30 ps.

[0034] In some embodiments, the at least one controller is configured to drive at least one of the second illuminator and the fourth illuminator to emit the second light beam and, respectively, the fourth light beam within a time interval comprised between 1 ps and 30 ps.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first device further comprises at least one additional first contact image sensor configured to capture a respective first image and second image of at least a portion of the first face of the anode or cathode when illuminated by, respectively, the deflected at least portion of the first light beam and the second light beam.

[0036] In some embodiments, the second device further comprises at least one additional second contact image sensor configured to capture a respective third image and fourth image of at least a portion of the second face of the anode or cathode when illuminated by, respectively, the deflected at least portion of the third light beam and the fourth light beam.

[0037] In another aspect, a machine for producing a battery and / or an anode and / or a cathode of a battery is disclosed, the machine comprising at least one device according to the present disclosure.

[0038] According to the reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 Other characteristics and advantages of the application will become apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of non-restrictive example, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 and Figure 2 A possible embodiment of a device for controlling and detecting defects in an anode or cathode of a battery is schematically illustrated according to a side view.

[0039] It should be noted that the same or similar parts, from a structural and / or functional point of view, can have the same or different reference numerals in the following detailed description, regardless of whether they are shown in different embodiments of the application or in separate parts.

[0040] It should also be noted that, for the sake of clarity and conciseness of the description of the application, the parts shown can not be to scale and some of the features described can be shown in a certain diagrammatic form.

[0041] Furthermore, when the term "adapted", or "configured", or "shaped" or similar terms are used in this document with reference to any part, or any portion of a part, or a combination of parts, as a whole, it should be intended to mean and accordingly include structure and / or configuration and / or shape and / or positioning.

[0042] In particular, whenever such terms refer to hardware or software electronic devices, it shall be intended to include portions of circuitry or electronic circuitry, as well as software / firmware, such as algorithms, routines and programs that are typically run and / or resident in any memory support.

[0043] Moreover, when the terms "about" or "approximately" or "substantially" are used herein, it shall be intended to include variations due to inevitable manufacturing tolerances, or current variations greater or less than 5% with respect to the indicated reference value, direction or position.

[0044] Finally, in the present disclosure, ordinal first, second, etc. will be used for illustrative clarity purposes and shall not be taken as limiting in any way, nor imply that the order shall be exactly the one described with reference to the example embodiments described. For example, the indication of first light beam, second light beam, third light beam, fourth light beam does not imply that said light beams are emitted in such sequence, or that the light beams mentioned must be present in every possible embodiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0045] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A possible embodiment of a device for controlling and detecting any defects in the anode or cathode of a battery is schematically shown, indicated in general with the reference number 100. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] According to well-known embodiments and for this reason not described in detail herein, the anode or cathode of the battery comprises a continuous film 1 of electrically conductive material (for example, copper or aluminum) having a substantially planar shape and at least partially and on both of its opposite faces coated with a coating 3, for example of graphite or other similar material, or in any case suitable for the purpose.

[0047] In practice, the film 1 is initially wound as a coil and uncoiled by making it slide during the production process, and then wound again at the end of the manufacturing.

[0048] During the manufacturing, more processes or production phases can be performed, among which, first of all, the deposition of graphite (or other similar material) and the associated drying, typically.

[0049] Depending on the application, for example based on the thickness and / or other factors, the graphite (or other similar material) can be printed, spread or dropped, and further layers of graphite (or other similar material) can also be deposited.

[0050] Another step comprises, for example, calendering, in which the material is pressed via passing between specific rollers.

[0051] The device 100 according to the application can be installed in all the different processes or production phases.

[0052] Depending on the application, the coating 3 arranged on the face of the conductive film 1 can be made of an entire sheet, or of separate parts of appropriate geometry, for example plates or bands of more or less elongated rectangular shape, patterns, i.e. small quadrangular shaped patches, etc.

[0053] Such a coating is represented in Figure 1 by a pair of substantially square patches 3, represented for simplicity arranged only on the upper face of the film 1, while the coating is represented in Figure 2 by two pairs of substantially square patches, where one pair of patches 3 is arranged on the upper face of the film 1, while the other pair of patches 3 is arranged on the opposite lower face of the film 1.

[0054] As shown in Figure 1 , the device 100 according to the application comprises at least:

[0055] - an electronic control unit or controller 10 (hereinafter referred to simply as controller 10) ;

[0056] - at least a first apparatus arranged along the path through which the anode or cathode to be controlled passes, and comprising arranged at the first face of the film 1, i.e. for example (with respect to the film 1) on the upper half-plane as shown in Figure 1 :

[0057] - a first contact image sensor 12 (CIS) ;

[0058] - a first beam splitter 14;

[0059] - a first illuminator 16; and

[0060] - a second illuminator 18.

[0061] In particular, the first illuminator 16 is configured to send a first light beam A on the first beam splitter 14, and the first beam splitter 14 is configured to deflect at least a portion of the emitted first light beam A towards the first face (for example, the upper face) of the anode or cathode.

[0062] As shown in the figure, the deflected light beam is incident on the upper face of the anode or cathode by irradiating the upper face of the anode or cathode, and is reflected towards the first contact image sensor 12.

[0063] For example, the first illuminator 16 can be an LED illuminator with diffuser, with parallel light beam or with diffused light.

[0064] The second illuminator 18 is configured to send a second light beam B substantially grazingly towards said first face or upper face of the anode or cathode to be controlled.

[0065] The definition of grazing beam is intended herein to include a light beam forming a suitably selected acute angle with the plane of the face of the film 1.

[0066] For example, the second illuminator 18 can be of various types: light with parallel beams, light with diffused light or light with focused light.

[0067] Conveniently, the at least one controller 10 is configured to drive the first illuminator 16 and the second illuminator 18 so that the illuminators emit the first light beam A and the second light beam B, respectively, in a mutually synchronized and alternating manner.

[0068] The first contact image sensor 12 is configured to capture a first image and a second image, for example interleaved or concatenated with each other, of at least a portion of the first face of the anode or cathode when said at least a portion of the first light beam A and said second substantially grazing light beam B, respectively deflected, impinge thereon.

[0069] Usefully, the at least one controller 10 is configured to detect the presence of one or more defects possibly present on at least the first face of the anode or cathode, based at least on said first image and said second image captured by the first contact image sensor 12.

[0070] For example, the first captured image is analyzed by the controller 10 to perform a measurement of the anode or cathode being controlled to detect geometric defects, for example by evaluating the correctness of the distance of the edges of the coating 3 (or of each component thereof, whether rectangular laminae or patches, etc.) on the upper face from the edges of the underlying film 1, the mutual alignment between the components forming the coating 3 (whether rectangular laminae, patches, etc. arranged to form two or more lines).

[0071] For example, the second captured image is analyzed by the controller 10 to detect different types of defects of the anode or cathode being controlled, for example the presence of cracks, wrinkles, intrusion of other materials, indentations, smudges, etc.

[0072] In Figure 2 In the particularly preferred embodiment shown, the device 100 according to the application also comprises a second apparatus, also arranged along the path followed by the anode or cathode to be controlled, and comprising a second contact image sensor 22 (CIS) arranged on a second face of the film 1 opposite the first face, i.e. for example (with respect to the film 1) as Figure 2 shown on the semiplane:

[0073] - a second contact image sensor 22 (CIS);

[0074] - a second light beam separator 24;

[0075] - a third illuminator 26;

[0076] - a fourth illuminator 28.

[0077] In particular, the third illuminator 26 is configured to send a third light beam C on the first light beam separator 14, and the second light beam separator 24 is configured to deflect at least a portion of the emitted third light beam C towards the second face (e.g. the lower face) of the anode or cathode.

[0078] As illustrated, such a deflected light beam is incident on the lower face of the anode or cathode by illuminating the lower face of the anode or cathode, and is reflected towards the second contact image sensor 22.

[0079] The fourth illuminator 28 is configured to send a substantially grazing fourth light beam D towards the second face or lower face of the anode or cathode being controlled.

[0080] Conveniently, the at least one controller 10 is configured to drive the third illuminator 26 and the fourth illuminator 28 so that the illuminators emit the third light beam C and the fourth light beam D respectively in a synchronized and alternating manner with each other.

[0081] The second contact image sensor 22 is configured to capture a third image and a fourth image, for example interleaved or concatenated with each other, of at least said second face of the anode or cathode when illuminated by said at least a portion of the deflected third light beam C and by the substantially grazing fourth light beam D respectively.

[0082] Usefully, the at least one controller 10 is configured to detect the presence of one or more defects possibly present on at least said second face of the anode or cathode, based at least on said third image and said fourth image captured by the second contact image sensor 22.

[0083] For example, the controller 10 uses the third image to highlight defects possibly present on the lower face of the anode or cathode being controlled, which are similar to the above-mentioned defects that can be detected by using the first image.

[0084] Similarly, the controller 10 uses for example the fourth image to highlight defects possibly present on the lower face of the anode or cathode being controlled, which are similar to the above-mentioned defects that can be detected by using the second image.

[0085] In a possible implementation, the second device as a whole and its components are substantially identical to the first device and its corresponding components.

[0086] Advantageously, in a preferred embodiment of the device 100 according to the application, the at least one controller 10 is configured to detect the presence of at least one defect possibly present in the anode or cathode being controlled, based on a comparison between the first image captured from the first contact image sensor 12 and the third image captured from the second contact image sensor 22 respectively.

[0087] In particular, the at least one controller 10 is configured to verify whether the components (single sheets, patches, rectangular flakes, etc.) forming the coating 3 on the upper face of the film 1 are each substantially aligned with the corresponding components (single coating sheets, patches, flakes, etc.) forming the coating 3 on the lower face of the film 1.

[0088] In a possible implementation, the at least one controller 10 is configured to drive at least one of, preferably both, said first illuminator 16 and third illuminator 26, so that each illuminator emits said first light beam A and respectively third light beam C in a predetermined time interval comprised between 1 and 30 μβ, preferably between 10 and 20 μβ.

[0089] Conveniently, each of such time intervals can be selectively modified according to the application, to balance the need for proper production times with the need for effective detection of the first and third images.

[0090] In a possible implementation, the at least one controller 10 is configured to drive at least one of, preferably both, said second illuminator 18 and fourth illuminator 28, so that each illuminator emits said second light beam B and respectively said fourth light beam D in a predetermined time interval comprised between 1 and 30 μβ, preferably between 10 and 20 μβ.

[0091] Conveniently, each of such time intervals can also be selectively modified according to the application, to balance the need for proper production times with the need for effective detection of the second and fourth images in which the device 100 is used.

[0092] In particular, the first light beam A and the second light beam B can be emitted alternately and sequentially to each other substantially without any temporal interruption, or can comprise a temporal interruption between the two respective time intervals, which can be selected according to the running speed of the machine in which the device 100 is used.

[0093] In particular, the at least one controller 10 can be configured to drive the first illuminator 16 and the second illuminator 18 in a mutually synchronized and alternating manner, independently of the third illuminator 26 and the fourth illuminator 28, or the at least one controller can be configured to drive the first illuminator 16 and the third illuminator 26 simultaneously with each other and the second illuminator 18 and the fourth illuminator 28 simultaneously with each other.

[0094] In this last case, the controller 10 drives the pairs of illuminators 16-26 and 18-28 in a mutually synchronized and alternating manner.

[0095] In Figure 1 and Figure 2In the illustrated embodiment, only one controller 10 is shown, associated with two devices.

[0096] Obviously, depending on the application, two controllers 10 can be used, respectively associated with the first device or with the second device.

[0097] The controller 10, or each controller 10, can comprise or consist of any processor-based device, such as a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller of the type commercially available, suitably programmed and provided with the necessary circuits to perform the innovative functions designed for the device 100 according to the present application.

[0098] The controller 10 can comprise other components, such as a memory unit, and it can be centralized, i.e. consisting of a single unit, or distributed, i.e. consisting of two or more parts associated with each other in cooperation.

[0099] In a possible embodiment, at least one of said first contact image sensor 12 and second contact image sensor 22 is positioned so as to arrange the respective field of view in a virtual plane substantially perpendicular to the substantially rectilinear direction X along which the anode or cathode to be controlled passes.

[0100] In Figure 1 and Figure 2 such a plane is represented in dashed line and indicated with capital letter Y therein. Figure 1 Figure 2 Further, the substantially rectilinear direction X along which the anode or cathode to be controlled passes is a direction substantially parallel to or lying on the plane of the sheet.

[0101] Further, the substantially rectilinear direction X along which the anode or cathode to be controlled passes is a direction substantially parallel to or lying on the plane of the sheet.

[0102] Preferably, the first contact image sensor 12 or the second contact image sensor 22 is positioned so as to arrange the respective field of view on a virtual plane Y substantially perpendicular to the direction X along which the anode or cathode to be controlled passes.

[0103] In particular, depending on the application, the two contact image sensors 12 and 22 can be arranged so as to arrange the respective fields of view in the same plane Y, or they can be displaced from each other, i.e. arranged on two respective virtual planes Y parallel to each other.

[0104] In this case, the distance between the two planes can be suitably selected when the device 100 is installed.

[0105] ​In possible embodiments, at least one among said first beam splitter 14 and second beam splitter 24 is configured to deflect at least a percentage of the first light beam A emitted by the first illuminator 16 or respectively of the corresponding third light beam C emitted by the third illuminator 26 towards the anode or cathode being controlled, said percentage being comprised between 30% and 70%, preferably between 40% and 60%, more preferably about 50%.

[0106] Preferably, both said first beam splitter 14 and second beam splitter 24 are configured to deflect at least a percentage of the first light beam A emitted from the first illuminator 16 or respectively of the corresponding third light beam C emitted from the third illuminator 26 towards the anode or cathode being controlled, said percentage being comprised between 30% and 70%, preferably between 40% and 60%, more preferably about 50%.

[0107] In possible embodiments, at least one among said first beam splitter 14 and second beam splitter 24 comprises at least a partially reflective surface formed according to an inclined plane forming a respective acute angle a with the film 1, said acute angle a being comprised between 30° and 70°, preferably between 40° and 60°, more preferably about 45°.

[0108] Preferably, both said first beam splitter 14 and second beam splitter 24 comprise at least a partially reflective surface formed according to an inclined plane forming a respective acute angle a with the film 1, said acute angle a being comprised between 30° and 70°, preferably between 40° and 60°, more preferably about 45°.

[0109] In possible embodiments, at least one among said second illuminator 18 and fourth illuminator 28 is configured to send said second light beam B and respectively substantially grazing fourth light beam D towards the anode or cathode to be controlled, the second light beam B and substantially grazing fourth light beam D being inclined with respect to the film 1 by an acute angle b comprised between 5° and 30°, preferably between 8° and 20°, more preferably about 15°.

[0110] Preferably, both said second illuminator 18 and fourth illuminator 28 are configured to send said second light beam B and respectively substantially grazing fourth light beam D towards the anode or cathode to be controlled, the second light beam B and substantially grazing fourth light beam D being inclined with respect to the film 1 by an acute angle b comprised between 5° and 30°, preferably between 8° and 20°, more preferably about 15°.

[0111] In possible embodiments, for example depending on the width of the anode or cathode to be controlled, which can range typically between 300 mm and 1700 mm, the first device can comprise two first contact image sensors 12 (of which the second is not shown in the figures), for example identical to each other and arranged at the first face of the film 1, for example smaller than the first contact image sensor when used individually.

[0112] The two first contact image sensors 12 can be arranged adjacent to each other or at any suitable mutual position between each other, so that the sum of their respective fields of view covers the desired width of the anode or cathode to be controlled, and both of them will capture, respectively, a first image and a second image of the portions of the first face of the anode or cathode assigned to each of them when the first face is respectively illuminated by the deflected at least one portion of the first light beam A and by the second light beam B.

[0113] In particular, in this embodiment, a single first light beam separator 14 can be used, which is suitably positioned to deflect at least one portion of the first light beam A towards the first face of the anode or cathode and then reflect it towards both of the two first contact image sensors 12, or two first light beam separators 14 can be used, each of which is associated with a respective first contact image sensor 12.

[0114] Similarly, the second device can comprise two second contact image sensors 22 arranged at the first face of the film 1, for example substantially identical to each other, for example smaller than the second contact image sensor when used individually.

[0115] The two second contact image sensors 22 can be arranged adjacent to each other or at any suitable mutual position between each other, so that the sum of their respective fields of view covers the desired width of the anode or cathode to be controlled, and both of them will capture, respectively, a third image and a fourth image of the portions of the second face of the anode or cathode assigned to each of them when the second face is respectively illuminated by the deflected at least one portion of the third light beam C and by the fourth light beam D.

[0116] Also in the second device, a single second light beam separator 24 can be used, which is suitably positioned to deflect at least one portion of the third light beam C towards the second face of the anode or cathode and then reflect it towards both of the two second contact image sensors 22, or two second light beam separators 24 can be used, each of which is associated with a respective second contact image sensor 22.

[0117] Obviously, in the attached drawings, the various components of the device are represented in a schematic way, for the sake of clarity. The dimensions of the components, their positioning with respect to each other and with respect to the anode or cathode to be controlled (for example, the distance from the anode and cathode) can vary appropriately according to the application.

[0118] For example, in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the first illuminator 16 and the second illuminator 18 are shown positioned on the same side with respect to the first beam splitter 14, but they can be arranged on opposite sides with respect to the first beam splitter 14, for example as shown for the third illuminator 26 and the fourth illuminator 28 with respect to the second beam splitter 24.

[0119] In fact, it has been proven that the device 100 according to the present application appropriately meets the expected range, since it makes it possible to effectively detect defects in the production of the anode and cathode of the battery.

[0120] Moreover, the device 100 has a structure that makes it suitable for use in new machines or already operating machines for the production of batteries and / or of the anode and / or of the cathode of the batteries.

[0121] In such machines, more devices 100 can be used, at a distance and functionally separated from each other and distributed along different control units of the machine.

[0122] Of course, given the principles of the present application, the embodiments and their details can vary widely with respect to what has been described and illustrated by way of non-limiting example only, without departing from the scope of protection of the present application, as defined by the appended claims, including any possible, also partial, combination of the above-described embodiments. For example, the contact image sensor or each contact image sensor can comprise or consist of any CIS available on the market and suitable for use in the device 100; the components shown in the attached drawings can be positioned in a different way with respect to those already shown, as long as they are compatible with their intended use in the framework of the present application, etc.

Claims

1. A device (100) for detecting defects in an anode or a cathode of a battery, said anode or cathode comprising a film (1) of electrically conductive material, said film (1) being at least partially and on both of its opposite faces coated with a coating (3), said device (100) being characterized in that it comprises: - at least one controller (10); - at least a first apparatus, arranged along a path to be travelled by said anode or cathode to be controlled, and comprising, arranged at a first face of said film (1): - a first contact image sensor (12); - a first beam splitter (14); - a first illuminator (16) configured to send a first light beam (A) on said first beam splitter (14), said first beam splitter (14) being configured to deflect at least a portion of said first light beam (A) towards said first face of said anode or cathode; - a second illuminator (18) configured to send a second light beam (B) of substantially grazing light towards said first face of said anode or cathode; wherein said at least one controller (10) is configured to drive said first illuminator (16) and said second illuminator (18) so that they emit said first light beam (A) and said second light beam (B) in a mutually synchronized and alternating manner; wherein said first contact image sensor (12) is configured to capture a first image and a second image of at least a portion of a first face of said anode or cathode when illuminated by said deflected at least a portion of said first light beam (A) and by said second light beam (B), respectively; and wherein said at least one controller (10) is configured to detect the presence of one or more defects possibly present on at least said first face of said anode or cathode, based at least on said first image and said second image captured by said first contact image sensor (12).

2. The device (100) according to claim 1, further comprising at least a second apparatus, arranged along a path to be travelled by said anode or cathode to be controlled, and comprising, arranged at a second face of said film (1) opposite said first face: - a second contact image sensor (22); - a second beam splitter (24); - a third illuminator (26) configured to send a third light beam (C) on said second beam splitter (24), said second beam splitter (24) being configured to deflect at least a portion of said third light beam (C) towards said second face of said anode or cathode; - a fourth illuminator (28) configured to send a fourth light beam (D) of substantially grazing light towards said second face of said anode or cathode; wherein said at least one controller (10) is configured to drive said third illuminator (26) and said fourth illuminator (28) so that they emit said third light beam (C) and said fourth light beam (D) in a mutually synchronized and alternating manner; ​ wherein said second contact image sensor (22) is configured to capture third and fourth images of at least a portion of the second face of the anode or cathode when illuminated by deflected at least portions of said third (C) and fourth (D) light beams, respectively; and wherein said at least one controller (10) is configured to detect the presence of one or more defects possibly present on at least said second face of the anode or cathode based on at least said third and fourth images captured by said second contact image sensor (22).

3. The apparatus (100) of claim 2, wherein said at least one controller (10) is configured to detect the presence of at least one defect possibly present in the anode or cathode based on comparing said first and third images captured by said first (12) and second (22) contact image sensors, respectively.

4. The apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein, at least one of said first (12) and second (22) contact image sensors is positioned with a respective field of view arranged in a virtual plane (Y) substantially perpendicular to a substantially straight direction (X) through which said anode or cathode to be controlled passes.

5. The apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein, at least one of said first (14) and second (24) beam splitters is configured to deflect at least between 30% and 70% of a percentage of said first (A) or third (C) light beams emitted by said first (16) and third (26) illuminators, respectively, towards said anode or cathode.

6. The apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein, at least one of said first (14) and second (24) beam splitters comprises an at least partially reflective surface formed according to an inclined plane forming a respective acute angle (a) comprised between 30° and 70° with said film (1).

7. The apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein, at least one of said second (18) and fourth (28) illuminators is configured to send towards said anode or cathode said second (B) and fourth (D) light beams, respectively, of substantially grazing light, said second (B) and fourth (D) light beams being inclined with respect to said film (1) by an acute angle (b) comprised between 5° and 30°.

8. The apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein, said at least one controller (10) is configured to drive at least one of said first (16) and third (26) illuminators to emit said first (A) and third (C) light beams, respectively, in a time interval comprised between 1 and 30 μβ.

9. The apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein, said at least one controller (10) is configured to drive at least one of said second (18) and fourth (28) illuminators to emit said second (B) and fourth (D) light beams, respectively, in a time interval comprised between 1 and 30 μβ.

10. The apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The first device further comprises at least one additional first contact image sensor (12) configured to capture a respective first image and second image of at least a portion of the first face of the anode or cathode when illuminated by a deflected at least portion of the first light beam (A) and the second light beam (B), respectively.

11. The apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein The second device further comprises at least one additional second contact image sensor (22) configured to capture a respective third image and fourth image of at least a portion of the second face of the anode or cathode when illuminated by a deflected at least portion of the third light beam (C) and the fourth light beam (D), respectively.

12. A machine for producing a battery and / or an anode and / or a cathode of a battery, characterized in that, The machine comprises at least one apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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