Laser welding device and method of operating the same

Abstract

A laser welding device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document may include a laser irradiator configured to laser weld an electrode lead to an electrode tab of an electrode assembly, a mask jig configured to fix the electrode tab and the electrode lead, a communication circuit configured to communicate with a welding control device, and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: receive control instructions from the welding control device by using the communication circuitry; when the control instruction is a welding control instruction, performing a laser welding process of laser welding an electrode lead to an electrode tab by using a laser irradiator and a mask jig; and when the control instruction is an image capture control instruction, performing an image capture process of capturing an image of the mask jig by using the laser irradiator and the mask jig.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0130927, filed on September 27, 2023, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The embodiments disclosed in this document relate to a laser welding apparatus and a method of operating the laser welding apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] Recently, research and development on rechargeable batteries have been actively pursued. In this context, rechargeable batteries can be rechargeable / dischargeable batteries and are interpreted as including existing Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries, as well as more recent lithium-ion batteries. Among rechargeable batteries, lithium-ion batteries advantageously possess a much higher energy density than existing Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries. Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries can be manufactured in small-scale, lightweight forms, enabling their use as power sources for mobile devices. Recently, the application of lithium-ion batteries has expanded to power electric vehicles and is attracting attention as a next-generation energy storage medium.

[0005] Depending on the shape of the battery casing, secondary batteries can be classified as cylindrical or angular secondary batteries in which the electrode assembly is embedded in a cylindrical or angular metal can, and pouch batteries in which the electrode assembly is embedded in a pouch provided in the form of laminated aluminum sheets.

[0006] The electrode assembly of each battery cell may include multiple electrodes stacked with a separator inserted between them. The manufacturing process of the secondary battery may include a welding process.

[0007] Welding processes can be performed by laser welding apparatuses. Laser welding apparatuses may use mask fixtures to hold the object in place. Typically, mask fixtures are used in laser welding processes. A mask fixture can refer to a pad or lug used to hold an object in place during laser welding. A mask fixture for laser welding may have at least one opening that allows the laser beam to be guided toward the object. Optionally, the mask fixture may include slits or other holes for a protective gas, such as nitrogen.

[0008] Laser welding apparatuses melt the welding object using a laser beam while the object is tightly attached and fixed to a mask fixture. In this case, spatter generated during the laser welding process can contaminate the mask fixture, potentially intermittently degrading quality (e.g., tensile strength, external appearance, etc.). Furthermore, in existing technologies, images of a portion of the welding area (e.g., one-third of the entire area) are captured in real time, but image data related to the laser welding mask fixture is not collected separately. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Technical issues

[0010] The embodiments disclosed in this document can provide a laser welding apparatus capable of performing both a laser welding process that welds electrode leads to electrode tabs by laser welding and an image capture process that captures images of a mask fixture, as well as a method for operating the laser welding apparatus.

[0011] The technical problems of the embodiments disclosed in this document are not limited to the above-described technical problems, and those skilled in the art can clearly understand other technical problems not mentioned above from the following description.

[0012] Technical solution

[0013] The laser welding apparatus according to embodiments disclosed in this document may include: a laser irradiator configured to laser weld electrode leads to electrode tabs of an electrode assembly; a mask jig configured to fix the electrode tabs and electrode leads; a communication circuit configured to communicate with a welding control device; and a processor configured to: receive control instructions from the welding control device using the communication circuit; when the control instructions are welding control instructions, perform a laser welding process by using the laser irradiator and the mask jig to laser weld the electrode leads to the electrode tabs; and when the control instructions are image capture control instructions, perform an image capture process by using the laser irradiator and the mask jig to capture an image of the mask jig.

[0014] In a laser welding apparatus according to embodiments disclosed in this document, the laser irradiator may include: a scanner; a laser welding module configured to perform laser welding by using the scanner during a laser welding process; and an image capture module configured to capture an image of a mask fixture by using the scanner during an image capture process.

[0015] In the laser welding apparatus according to the embodiments disclosed in this document, the processor can use an image capture module to acquire multiple sub-images by capturing images of multiple image capture areas, and acquire an analysis image by combining at least some of the multiple sub-images.

[0016] In the laser welding apparatus according to the embodiments disclosed in this document, the analyzed image may be an image of the region including the opening of the mask fixture.

[0017] In the laser welding apparatus according to the embodiments disclosed in this document, the image capture control command may be a command to acquire and analyze an image at each preset cycle.

[0018] In the laser welding apparatus according to the embodiments disclosed in this document, the image capture control command may be a command to acquire an image with a preset brightness.

[0019] In the laser welding apparatus according to the embodiments disclosed in this document, the processor can send an image acquired through an image capture process to a welding control device using a communication circuit.

[0020] A method of operating a laser welding apparatus according to another embodiment disclosed in this document may include: receiving a control instruction from a welding control device; when the control instruction is a welding control instruction, performing a laser welding process to laser weld electrode leads to electrode tabs of an electrode assembly; and when the control instruction is an image capture control instruction, performing an image capture process to capture images of a mask jig configured to fix the electrode tabs and electrode leads.

[0021] In a method of operating a laser welding apparatus according to an embodiment disclosed in this document, the laser welding apparatus may include: a laser irradiator configured to laser weld electrode leads to electrode tabs; and a mask fixture, wherein the laser irradiator may include: a scanner; a laser welding module configured to perform laser welding by using the scanner during a laser welding process; and an image capture module configured to capture an image of the mask fixture by using the scanner during an image capture process.

[0022] In a method of operating a laser welding apparatus according to embodiments disclosed in this document, performing an image capture process may include: acquiring a plurality of sub-images by capturing images of a plurality of image capture regions; and acquiring an analysis image by combining at least some of the plurality of sub-images.

[0023] In the method of operating a laser welding apparatus according to the embodiments disclosed in this document, the analyzed image may be an image of the region including the opening of the mask fixture.

[0024] In the method of operating a laser welding apparatus according to the embodiments disclosed in this document, the image capture control command may be a command to acquire and analyze an image at each preset cycle.

[0025] In the method of operating a laser welding apparatus according to the embodiments disclosed in this document, the image capture control command may be a command to acquire an image with a preset brightness.

[0026] The method of operating a laser welding apparatus according to the embodiments disclosed in this document may further include: sending an image acquired by an image capture process to a welding control device.

[0027] Beneficial effects

[0028] According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, image data of a mask fixture can be acquired to quantitatively analyze the level of spatter accumulated on the mask fixture of a laser welding apparatus.

[0029] According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, the efficiency of acquiring and storing image data can be improved by adjusting the brightness, size, collection cycle, etc. of the image data of the mask fixture.

[0030] In addition, various effects that can be understood directly or indirectly through this document can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is an exemplary view illustrating the state of a mask fixture according to an embodiment.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating a welding control device and a laser welding device according to an embodiment.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing a laser irradiator according to an embodiment.

[0034] Figure 4 This is a view illustrating an example of a laser welding process performed by a laser welding apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0035] Figure 5 This is a view showing an image used to illustrate an image capture process performed by a laser welding apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0036] Figure 6 This is an operation flowchart of the laser welding apparatus according to an embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0037] In the following description, various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the description of the embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments, but it should be understood that the invention will cover all modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives to the embodiments of the invention.

[0038] The various embodiments and terminology used in this document are not intended to limit the technical features disclosed herein to the specific embodiments, but should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the corresponding embodiments. In conjunction with the description of the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for similar parts. Unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of that item.

[0039] As used herein, each of the phrases such as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B or C,” “at least one of A, B and C,” and “at least one of A, B or C” can include any one or all possible combinations of the items listed together in the corresponding phrases of these phrases. Unless specifically stated to the contrary, terms such as “first,” “second,” “first,” “second,” “A,” “B,” “(a),” or “(b)” can be used simply to distinguish the corresponding component from another component and do not otherwise limit the corresponding component (e.g., in terms of importance or order).

[0040] In this document, when an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to (with or without the terms “operably” or “communically”) as being “coupled to”, “coupled to”, “connected to”, or “connected to” another element (e.g., a second element), it means that the element can be coupled directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or via a third element to the other element.

[0041] According to various embodiments, each of the above-described constituent elements (e.g., a module or program) may include a single object or multiple objects, and some of the multiple objects may be individually disposed in different constituent elements. According to various embodiments, one or more constituent elements or operations among the above-described constituent elements may be omitted, or one or more other constituent elements or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, multiple components (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the multiple components in the same or similar manner as they were performed by corresponding components among the multiple components prior to integration. According to various embodiments, operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be performed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or may be performed in a different order or one or more operations may be omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

[0042] Figure 1 This is an exemplary view illustrating the state of a mask fixture according to an embodiment.

[0043] refer to Figure 1The mask fixture 30 may include a substrate 10 having through holes and a foreign matter layer 20 formed in the through holes.

[0044] The mask fixture 30 can refer to a fixing device used to hold electrode tabs and electrode leads during the process of laser welding electrode leads to electrode tabs disposed in an electrode assembly during the packaging of a pouch cell. The mask fixture 30 may include a substrate 10 having through-holes therein. The mask fixture 30 includes the substrate 10, into which a laser beam for welding in the packaging process of the pouch cell can be emitted. In this context, the electrode assembly can refer to an electrode unit made by stacking a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode. The electrode tab can refer to a component configured to connect electrode paste applied to a positive or negative electrode to an electrode lead.

[0045] The foreign matter layer 20 can refer to a layer formed on the mask jig 30 by spatter generated during laser welding of electrode tabs and leads during the packaging process of a pouch cell. In this case, the spatter can include molten foreign matter and adherent foreign matter. In molten foreign matter, molten material melts and adheres to the mask jig 30 due to heat generated during laser welding; in adherent foreign matter, molten material adheres to the mask jig 30 without melting. The mask jig 30 may be contaminated by the foreign matter layer 20, which may intermittently reduce quality (e.g., tensile strength, external appearance, etc.). Therefore, it is necessary to ensure image data of the analysis area (e.g., via area) to pre-analyze the foreign matter layer 20 accumulated on the mask jig 30 and to take measures to prevent quality degradation.

[0046] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating a welding control device and a laser welding device according to an embodiment.

[0047] refer to Figure 2 The laser welding device 200 can be connected to the welding control device 100 via wired and / or wireless means.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the connection 201 between the laser welding apparatus 200 and the welding control apparatus 100 can be a communication connection via a wired and / or wireless network. In an embodiment, the wired network can be based on a local area network (LAN) or power line communication. In an embodiment, the wireless network can be based on a local area communication network (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, or IrDA) or a long-range area communication network (cellular network, 4G network, or 5G network).

[0049] According to another embodiment, the connection 201 between the laser welding device 200 and the welding control device 100 can be established via a device-to-device communication method (e.g., bus, general purpose input and output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobile industry processor interface (MIPI)).

[0050] According to an embodiment, the welding control device 100 may be a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone, laptop computer, smartphone, smart board, etc.) or a personal computer (PC). According to an embodiment, the welding control device 100 may send control instructions to the laser welding apparatus 200 via connection 201. According to an embodiment, the control instructions may include welding control instructions for the laser welding apparatus 200 to perform the laser welding process, and / or image capture control instructions for the laser welding apparatus 200 to capture images of the mask fixture 220.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the laser welding apparatus 200 may include a communication circuit 210, a processor 220, a laser irradiator 230, and a mask fixture 240.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the communication circuit 210 can establish a wired and / or wireless communication channel (e.g., connection 201) between the laser welding apparatus 200 and the welding control device 100, and send data to and receive data from the welding control device 100 through the established communication channel. According to an embodiment, the communication circuit 210 can receive control commands from the welding control device 100. According to an embodiment, the communication circuit 210 can send images acquired through the image capture process of the welding control device 200 described below to the welding control device 100.

[0053] According to an embodiment, processor 220 may include a central processing unit, an application processor, a graphics processing device, a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor. According to an embodiment, processor 220 can control at least one of other constituent elements (e.g., hardware or software constituent elements) of the laser welding apparatus 200 connected to processor 220 by executing software stored in a memory (not shown).

[0054] According to an embodiment, the processor 220 can perform a laser welding process and / or an image capture process in response to control commands received from the welding control device 100 via the communication circuit 210.

[0055] According to an embodiment, processor 220 can identify control instructions and execute only one of the laser welding process and the image capture process. For example, when the control instruction is a welding control instruction, processor 220 can execute a laser welding process by using laser irradiator 230, mask fixture 240 and / or other components (e.g., unit transport device, etc.) to laser weld electrode leads to electrode tabs. When the control instruction is an image capture control instruction, processor 220 can execute an image capture process by using laser irradiator 230, mask fixture 240 and / or other components to capture an image of mask fixture 240.

[0056] In the following text, reference will be made to Figure 3 The configuration of the laser welding apparatus 200 and the laser irradiator 230 included in the laser welding apparatus 200 is described. Furthermore, the operation of at least one component included in the laser irradiator 230, as described below, can be controlled by the processor 220.

[0057] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing a laser irradiator according to an embodiment.

[0058] refer to Figure 3 The laser irradiator 230 may include a scanner 231, a lens 232, a laser welding module 233, an image capture module 234, and / or an illumination module 235.

[0059] According to an embodiment, scanner 231 can use at least one endoscope (not shown) and lens 232 to irradiate an object with a laser beam transmitted from laser welding module 233, or to transmit light reflected by the image capture target object to image capture module 234. For example, at least one endoscope (not shown) can be a galvanometer. In this case, scanner 231 can adjust the area to be irradiated with the welding laser beam or the image capture area in the X-axis direction and / or Y-axis direction by adjusting the angle of at least one endoscope (not shown).

[0060] According to an embodiment, the laser welding module 233 can perform laser welding on electrode tabs and electrode leads during the laser welding process using a scanner 231.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the laser welding module 233 may include a laser fiber 233-1 configured to output a welding laser beam and a collimator 233-2. The collimator 233-2 is configured to bring the welding laser beam output from the laser fiber 233-1 into a parallel state and propagate the welding laser beam toward the scanner 231. The scanner 231 can use the welding laser beam propagated from the laser welding module 233 to irradiate the welding object (e.g., the junction between an electrode tab and an electrode lead).

[0062] According to an embodiment, the image capture module 234 can capture the mask fixture (e.g., using the scanner 231) during the image capture process. Figure 2 The image of the mask fixture 240 in the image. For example, the image capture module 234 can acquire the target object (e.g., from the image via the scanner 231). Figure 2 The mask fixture 240 in the middle reflects light to capture the image of the target object.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the illumination module 235 can emit light towards the image capture target object during the image capture process. According to an embodiment, the illumination module 235 can adjust the brightness of the emitted light to obtain an image with a preset brightness. For example, the image capture control command could be an instruction to acquire an image with a preset brightness. In this case, the processor 220 can adjust the brightness of the light output by the illumination module 235 so that an image with a preset brightness is acquired through the image capture process of the image capture module 234.

[0064] In the following text, reference will be made to Figure 4 Describe the laser welding process performed by the laser welding apparatus 200.

[0065] Figure 4 This is a view illustrating an example of a laser welding process performed by a laser welding apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0066] refer to Figure 4 The laser welding apparatus 200 can identify laser welding processes in which electrode leads 420 are laser welded to electrode tabs 410 disposed in an electrode assembly using a laser irradiator 230 and a mask fixture 240.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the laser welding process may include a unit conveying device loading step, an electrode lead loading step, a first mask fixture moving step, a pressing step, a laser irradiation step, and a second mask fixture moving step. According to an embodiment, the laser welding apparatus 200 can perform the laser welding process by sequentially executing the various steps included in the laser welding process.

[0068] During the unit conveyor loading process, the laser welding apparatus 200 can load a unit conveyor (not shown) for conveying the electrode assembly, such that the electrode tabs 410 disposed in the electrode assembly are positioned at the lower end of the upper mask fixture 240-1 and the upper end of the lower mask fixture 240-2.

[0069] During the electrode lead loading process, the laser welding apparatus 200 can load the electrode lead 420, positioning it at the lower end of the upper mask fixture 240-1 and the upper end of the lower mask fixture 240-2. In this case, the laser welding apparatus 200 can adjust the position of the electrode lead 420 so that the engagement portion of the electrode tab 410 engages with the engagement portion of the electrode lead 420. Furthermore, the laser welding apparatus 200 can adjust the positions of the electrode tab 410 and the electrode lead 420 so that the engagement portion is positioned within the through-hole of the upper mask fixture 240-1.

[0070] During the first mask fixture movement process, the laser welding apparatus 200 can move the mask fixture 240 such that the mask fixture 240 abuts the electrode tabs 410 and / or electrode leads 420. For example, the laser welding apparatus 200 can lower the upper mask fixture 240-1 and raise the lower mask fixture 240-2 such that the mask fixture 240 abuts the electrode tabs 410 and / or electrode leads 420.

[0071] During the pressing process, the laser welding device 200 allows the mask fixture 240 to press the electrode tabs 410 and / or the electrode leads 420, thereby fixing the electrode tabs 410 and / or the electrode leads 420 between the upper mask fixture 240-1 and the lower mask fixture 240-2.

[0072] During the laser irradiation process, the laser welding apparatus 200 can laser weld the electrode lead 420 to the electrode tab 410 by allowing the laser irradiator 230 to emit the welding laser beam 430 into the through hole of the upper mask fixture 240-1.

[0073] During the second mask fixture movement process, the laser welding apparatus 200 can move the mask fixture 240 so that the mask fixture 240 is positioned at a position set before the laser welding process. For example, the laser welding apparatus 200 can raise the upper mask fixture 240-1 to the position set before the laser welding process and lower the lower mask fixture 240-2 to the position set before the laser welding process.

[0074] The image capture process performed by the laser welding apparatus 200 will be described below.

[0075] According to an embodiment, the image capture process may include a unit transport device loading step, a first mask fixture movement step, a pressing step, an image capture step, and a second mask fixture movement step. In this case, the image capture process may include the same steps as those in the laser welding process, except for the electrode lead loading step and the laser irradiation step. Therefore, when the time required for the image capture process is equal to or shorter than the time required for the electrode lead loading step and the laser irradiation step, the tact time of the image capture process may be equal to or shorter than the tact time of the laser welding process.

[0076] According to an embodiment, the laser welding apparatus 200 can perform the image capture process by sequentially executing steps included in the image capture process. Hereinafter, only the steps other than the first mask fixture movement step, the pressing step, and the second mask fixture movement step, which are identical to the steps of the laser welding process, will be described.

[0077] During the unit conveyor loading process, the laser welding device 200 can load unit conveyors that do not have electrode contacts.

[0078] During the image capture process, the laser welding apparatus 200 can adjust the image capture area of ​​the scanner 231 in the X-axis and / or Y-axis directions. When the image capture area of ​​the scanner 231 is focused, the laser welding apparatus 200 can capture an image of the target object by controlling the image capture module 234. Afterward, the laser welding apparatus 200 can adjust the image capture area of ​​the scanner 231 back to the initial area.

[0079] In the following text, reference will be made to Figure 5 The operation of the laser welding apparatus 200 capturing an image of the mask fixture 240, which is the target object of the image capture, is described below using the image capture module 234. The operation of the image capture module 234, which will be described below, can be controlled by the processor 220 included in the laser welding apparatus 200.

[0080] Figure 5 This is a view showing an image used to illustrate an image capture process performed by a laser welding apparatus according to an embodiment.

[0081] refer to Figure 5 It can identify an image 500 of a cross-section of a mask fixture 240 including through holes.

[0082] According to an embodiment, the image capture module 234 can acquire multiple sub-images by capturing images of multiple image capture regions 510-1, 510-2, etc. That is, the multiple sub-images are not images of the entire area of ​​image 500, but rather images of partial areas of image 500 with the same size.

[0083] According to an embodiment, the image capture module 234 can acquire an analysis image by combining at least some of the sub-images from a plurality of sub-images. In this case, the analysis image may be an image of the region 520 including the opening of the mask fixture 240. That is, the image capture module 234 can acquire an analysis image by combining the sub-images corresponding to the region 520 including the opening from a plurality of sub-images.

[0084] According to an embodiment, the image acquisition module 234 can acquire and analyze images at preset intervals. In this case, the preset interval may be a period included in the image capture control command acquired by the communication circuit 210 from the welding control device 100.

[0085] Figure 6 This is an operation flowchart of the laser welding apparatus according to an embodiment. Please refer to it. Figure 2 To describe the components in Figure 6 .

[0086] Figure 6 The illustrated embodiment is merely one example. The order of steps according to various embodiments of the present invention may differ. Figure 6 The order shown can be excluded. Figure 6 Some of the steps shown can be changed in order or combined.

[0087] refer to Figure 6 In operation 605, the laser welding apparatus 200 may receive control commands from the welding control device 100. According to an embodiment, the control commands may include welding control commands for the laser welding apparatus 200 to perform the laser welding process, and / or image capture control commands for the laser welding apparatus 200 to capture images of the mask fixture 220.

[0088] In operation 610, the laser welding apparatus 200 can recognize the control commands received in operation 605.

[0089] If the control command received in operation 610 is identified as a welding control command, in operation 615, the laser welding apparatus 200 can perform a laser welding process of laser welding electrode leads to electrode tabs by using a laser irradiator 230, a mask fixture 240 and / or other components (e.g., a unit conveyor, etc.).

[0090] If the control command received in operation 610 is identified as an image capture control command, in operation 620, the laser welding apparatus 200 can perform an image capture process by using the laser irradiator 230, the mask fixture 240 and / or other components to capture an image of the mask fixture 240.

[0091] According to an embodiment, the laser welding apparatus 200 can acquire multiple sub-images by capturing images of multiple image capture areas. That is, the multiple sub-images are not images of the entire area of ​​the image, but images of partial areas of the image with the same size.

[0092] According to an embodiment, the laser welding apparatus 200 can acquire an analysis image by combining at least some of a plurality of sub-images. In this case, the analysis image may be an image of the region including the opening of the mask fixture 240. That is, the laser welding apparatus 200 can acquire an analysis image by combining sub-images from a plurality of sub-images that correspond to the region including the opening.

[0093] According to an embodiment, the laser welding apparatus 200 can acquire and analyze images at preset intervals. In this case, the preset interval may be the interval included in the image capture control command acquired in operation 605.

[0094] According to an embodiment, the laser welding apparatus 200 can send an image acquired through an image capture process to the welding control apparatus 100.

[0095] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the words “comprising,” “including,” or “having,” and variations thereof such as “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “including,” “having,” or “possessing,” should be understood to imply inclusion of the stated elements but not to exclude any other elements. Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical or scientific terms may have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments disclosed in this document pertain. Terms such as those defined in common dictionaries may be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the prior art and should not be construed as having an ideal or overly formal meaning unless explicitly defined in this document.

Claims

1. A laser welding apparatus, comprising: A laser irradiator configured to laser weld electrode leads to electrode tabs of an electrode assembly. A mask jig configured to hold the electrode tabs and the electrode leads; A communication circuit configured to communicate with a welding control device; as well as processor, The processor is configured as follows: Control instructions are received from the welding control device using the communication circuit. When the control command is a welding control command, a laser welding process is performed by using the laser irradiator and the mask fixture to laser weld the electrode leads to the electrode contacts; and When the control command is an image capture control command, an image capture process is performed by using the laser irradiator and the mask fixture to capture an image of the mask fixture.

2. The laser welding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the laser irradiator comprises: Scanner; A laser welding module configured to perform laser welding during the laser welding process using the scanner; as well as An image capture module is configured to capture an image of the mask fixture using the scanner during the image capture process.

3. The laser welding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processor uses the image capture module to acquire multiple sub-images by capturing images of multiple image capture areas, and acquires an analysis image by combining at least some of the multiple sub-images.

4. The laser welding apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The analyzed image is an image of the area including the opening of the mask fixture.

5. The laser welding apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image capture control command is a command to acquire the analysis image in each preset cycle.

6. The laser welding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image capture control command is a command to acquire an image with a preset brightness.

7. The laser welding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor transmits an image acquired through the image capture process to the welding control device by using the communication circuit.

8. A method of operating a laser welding apparatus, the method comprising: Receive control instructions from the welding control device; When the control command is a welding control command, a laser welding process is executed to laser weld the electrode leads to the electrode tabs of the electrode assembly; and When the control command is an image capture control command, an image capture process is performed to capture an image of a mask jig configured to fix the electrode tabs and the electrode leads.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the laser welding apparatus comprises: A laser irradiator configured to laser weld the electrode leads to the electrode tabs; as well as The mask fixture, and The laser irradiator includes: Scanner; A laser welding module, configured to perform laser welding during the laser welding process using the scanner; and An image capture module is configured to capture an image of the mask fixture using the scanner during the image capture process.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The process of performing the image capture includes: Multiple sub-images are obtained by capturing images of multiple image capture regions; and An analysis image is obtained by combining at least some of the multiple sub-images.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the analyzed image is an image of the region including the opening of the mask fixture.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the image capture control instruction is an instruction to acquire the analysis image in each preset period.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the image capture control instruction is an instruction to acquire an image with a preset brightness.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising: The image acquired through the image capture process is sent to the welding control device.

Images