Battery cell manufacturing equipment, battery cell manufacturing system and battery cell manufacturing method

Abstract

According to an example embodiment, a battery cell manufacturing apparatus is provided. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus may include an image matching device including: a first image acquisition unit for acquiring a first image of a first electrode assembly having a tab stack of a first electrode and having a first electrode lead welded to the tab stack on one end thereof; a second image acquisition unit for acquiring a second image of a second electrode assembly determined to be available after re-inspection of the first electrode assembly determined to be defective via the inspection based on the first image; an image matching unit that compares the second image with the plurality of first images to extract a first image that matches the second image; and an ID assigning means for assigning an ID of the first electrode assembly corresponding to the first image matching the second image as an ID of the second electrode assembly. In addition, the invention also provides a battery cell system comprising the battery cell manufacturing device. The invention also provides a battery cell manufacturing method using image matching.

Description

Battery cell manufacturing equipment, battery cell manufacturing system and battery cell manufacturing method Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to battery cell manufacturing equipment, battery cell manufacturing system, and battery cell manufacturing method.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0142643, filed on October 24, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] Battery cells are manufactured through electrode processes, assembly processes, and activation processes. Multiple manufactured battery cells are incorporated into battery modules and battery packs, which are larger units used in electric vehicles and the like.

[0004] Electrodes, each having an electrode tab at one end, can be manufactured by punching multiple first electrodes (e.g., negative electrodes) and multiple second electrodes (e.g., positive electrodes) manufactured through electrode processes. Unit cells, such as half-cells, single-cells, and dual-cells, can be manufactured using electrodes. In a half-cell, electrodes are stacked with a separator; in a single-cell, a separator is sandwiched between two electrodes of different polarities and they are stacked; in a dual-cell, a separator is sandwiched between two electrodes of the same polarity and one electrode of different polarity and they are stacked. By stacking these unit cells, electrode assemblies known as stacked cells can be manufactured.

[0005] Alternatively, an electrode assembly known as a folded cell can be manufactured by placing a first electrode and a second electrode in a long diaphragm and sequentially folding the diaphragm.

[0006] In other words, the electrode assembly is a structure in which a diaphragm is sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode and they are stacked. An electrode tab stack is provided at one end or at either end of the electrode assembly; this electrode tab stack is formed by stacking the electrode tabs. For example, in a so-called unidirectional electrode assembly that includes both a negative electrode tab and a positive electrode tab at one end, a negative electrode tab stack is provided at that end; while in a bidirectional electrode assembly that includes a negative electrode tab and a positive electrode tab at each of its opposite ends, a negative electrode tab stack is provided at one end and a positive electrode tab stack is provided at the other end.

[0007] Identifiers (IDs) can be assigned to the outer surface of the electrode tab stack. These IDs can include information about the manufacturing history, such as batch numbers, process equipment, and production line information. IDs improve the traceability of roll patterns generated during the electrode manufacturing process and intermediate products such as single-cell or dual-cell batteries. Furthermore, they enhance the traceability of the relationship between the assembly process of intermediate products and subsequent post-assembly processes. Therefore, the reliability of battery manufacturing can be improved.

[0008] However, when electrode leads are soldered to the electrode tab stack of the electrode assembly, the ID may be lost. In this case, it is impossible to trace intermediate and final products using the ID, thus compromising quality traceability.

[0009] [Existing Technical Documents]

[0010] [Patent Literature]

[0011] (Patent Document 0001) Korean Patent Application Publication 10-2023-0056291) Summary of the Invention

[0012] Technical issues

[0013] This invention relates to ensuring the traceability of electrode assemblies in which identifiers (IDs) are lost.

[0014] Technical solution

[0015] To address the aforementioned problems, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a battery cell manufacturing apparatus. The battery cell manufacturing apparatus includes: a first image acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of first images of a first electrode assembly, the first electrode assembly including an electrode tab stack of a first electrode and a first electrode lead welded to the electrode tab stack at one end; a second image acquisition unit configured to acquire a second image of a second electrode assembly that has been determined to be usable by re-inspection from among the first electrode assemblies that were determined to be defective based on inspection of the plurality of first images; an image matching device including an image matching unit configured to compare the second image with the plurality of first images and extract a first image that matches the second image; and an identifier (ID) allocation device configured to assign an ID of the first electrode assembly corresponding to the first image that matches the second image as the ID of the second electrode assembly.

[0016] The ID allocation device may be a controller for soldering electrode leads to a series of continuous process lines included in an electrode assembly, or a main controller included in the controller.

[0017] The ID allocation device may assign a virtual ID to the second electrode assembly before the first image matches the second image, and may assign the ID of the first electrode assembly corresponding to the first image that matches the second image as the ID of the second electrode assembly instead of the virtual ID.

[0018] The first image acquisition unit can acquire the first image in association with the ID of the first electrode assembly, and the second image acquisition unit can acquire the second image in association with the virtual ID of the second electrode assembly.

[0019] The image matching unit can compare and match the first image and the second image, both of which include at least one of the following: 1) the shape of the welding area between the electrode tab stack of the first electrode and the first electrode lead; 2) the shape of the folds in the diaphragm; and 3) the overlapping shape of the plurality of electrode tabs included in the electrode tab stack.

[0020] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a battery cell manufacturing system. The system includes: a first electrode cutter configured to cut a portion of an electrode tab stack having a first electrode (ID) disposed thereon, the first electrode being located at one end of an electrode assembly; a first welding apparatus configured to weld a first electrode lead to the cut remaining portion of the electrode tab stack to manufacture a first electrode assembly; a first electrode inspection camera configured to capture a first image of the first electrode assembly; and a battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to claim 12.

[0021] The system may further include: a second electrode cutter configured to cut at least one electrode tab stack of the second electrode included in a first electrode assembly that is determined by the controller to be a qualified product, and / or an electrode tab stack of the second electrode included in a second electrode assembly that has been assigned an ID of the first electrode assembly; a second welding device configured to weld a second electrode lead to the remaining portion of the at least one electrode tab stack cut by the second electrode cutter; and a second electrode inspection camera configured to capture images of the first electrode assembly to which the second electrode lead is welded and the second electrode assembly to which the second electrode lead is welded.

[0022] The system may further include: a loader configured to load electrode assemblies onto the first electrode cutter, the electrode assemblies each including an ID on an electrode tab stack of a first electrode at one end; and an unloader configured to unload the first electrode assembly determined to be defective by the first electrode inspection camera and the electrode assembly inspected by the second electrode inspection camera.

[0023] The system may also include a transfer device configured to move an electrode assembly between devices of the system mounted between the loader and the unloader, and the transfer device may transfer a first electrode assembly deemed defective to the unloader by bypassing the second electrode cutter and the second welding device.

[0024] The system may also include a re-entry device configured to re-enter a second electrode assembly that has been re-inspected and is deemed usable and discharged by the unloader into a series of continuous process lines from the first electrode assembly that was determined to be defective.

[0025] An example embodiment provides a battery manufacturing method. The method includes: manufacturing a first electrode assembly by cutting a portion of an electrode tab stack of a first electrode located at one end of an electrode assembly and soldering a first electrode lead to the cut remaining portion of the electrode tab stack, wherein a first electrode and a second electrode are stacked on the electrode assembly, and wherein a separator is inserted between the first electrode and the second electrode; inspecting the first electrode assembly based on an acquired first image of the first electrode assembly; comparing a plurality of first images of the first electrode assembly with acquired second images of a second electrode assembly that was determined to be usable upon re-inspection from among the first electrode assemblies that were determined to be defective during the inspection of the first electrode assembly; and assigning an ID of the first electrode assembly corresponding to a first image that matches the second image as the ID of the second electrode assembly.

[0026] The method may further include assigning a virtual ID to the second electrode assembly, and the virtual ID may be associated with the second image.

[0027] The ID of the first electrode component corresponding to the first image that matches the second image can be assigned as the ID of the second electrode component instead of the virtual ID.

[0028] According to an example implementation, the first image and the second image, which are compared and matched with each other, each include at least one of the following shapes: 1) the shape of the welding area between the electrode tab stack of the first electrode and the first electrode lead; 2) the shape of the folds in the diaphragm; and 3) the overlapping shape of the plurality of electrode tabs included in the electrode tab stack.

[0029] The first image and the second image are matched by assigning weights to the at least one shape, and the weights are used as a comparison criterion between the first image and the second image.

[0030] Battery cell manufacturing methods can be performed in a series of continuous process lines.

[0031] The first electrode assembly that is deemed a qualified product during the inspection of the first electrode assembly can be transferred to the process of soldering the electrode tabs of each of the second electrodes to the second electrode leads.

[0032] A first electrode assembly that is determined to be defective during inspection can be discharged from the continuous process line without performing the process of soldering the electrode tab stack of each of the second electrodes to the second electrode leads.

[0033] The method may further include re-inspecting the first electrode assembly that was determined to be defective and rejected, and identifying the first electrode assembly as a second electrode assembly to be re-input into the continuous process line when the first electrode assembly is determined to be usable.

[0034] The second electrode assembly can be re-entered into the inspection of the first electrode assembly to obtain the second image, or it can be re-entered after the inspection of the first electrode assembly when obtaining the second image.

[0035] The second electrode assembly, which has been re-entered and assigned the ID of the first electrode assembly, can be transferred to the process of soldering the electrode tab stack and the second electrode lead of each of the second electrodes.

[0036] Beneficial effects

[0037] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the traceability of electrode assemblies can be ensured even when the identifier (ID) is lost in a series of consecutive process lines. Therefore, the reliability of battery manufacturing can be improved.

[0038] The effects achievable from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other effects not described herein will be clearly derived and understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. In other words, unintended effects achieved when implementing the exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be derived by those skilled in the art from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0039] Figures 1 and 2 are side cross-sectional views and top views of the battery cell.

[0040] Figure 3 is a diagram showing stacked and folded battery cells.

[0041] Figure 4 illustrates the transfer process of the electrode assembly.

[0042] Figure 5 illustrates a series of continuous process lines according to an example implementation.

[0043] Figure 6 illustrates a battery cell manufacturing apparatus and a battery cell manufacturing system according to an example embodiment.

[0044] Figure 7 shows a first image of the upper and lower surfaces of the first electrode assembly.

[0045] Figure 8 shows multiple first and second images.

[0046] Figure 9 illustrates the process of comparing and matching the first image with the second image.

[0047] Figure 10 illustrates a series of continuous process lines according to an example implementation.

[0048] Figure 11 illustrates a battery cell manufacturing apparatus and a battery cell manufacturing system according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0049] Figure 12 illustrates a battery cell manufacturing method according to an example embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0050] In the following, embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before describing embodiments of the invention, the terms or expressions used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their commonly understood meaning or the meaning defined in a common dictionary, but should be understood according to the meaning and concept corresponding to the invention, based on the principle that the inventors of this application can appropriately define terms or expressions to best interpret the invention.

[0051] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are merely examples of the present invention and do not represent all the technical concepts of the present invention. It should be understood that, as of the date of filing of this application, various equivalent substitutions and modifications can be made to these configurations.

[0052] For well-known configurations or functions related to this invention, detailed descriptions will not be provided where such descriptions would obscure the subject matter of the invention due to unnecessary detail.

[0053] Because the embodiments of the present invention are provided to explain the invention more fully to those skilled in the art, the shapes, dimensions, etc. of the components shown in the accompanying drawings may be enlarged, omitted, or shown schematically for clarity. Therefore, it should not be construed that the dimensions or proportions of the components completely reflect their actual dimensions or proportions.

[0054] Figures 1 and 2 are side cross-sectional views and top views of the battery cell.

[0055] Figure 3 is a diagram showing stacked batteries and folded cells.

[0056] Figure 4 illustrates the transfer process of the electrode assembly.

[0057] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the battery cell 10 includes a cell housing 11 and an electrode assembly EA within the cell housing 11. The electrode assembly EA is formed by stacking multiple first electrodes and multiple second electrodes with different polarities, with a separator sandwiched between them. Electrode tab stacks TS2, pulled from the ends of the multiple first electrodes, are disposed at the ends of the electrode assembly EA. The electrode tab stacks TS2 are connected to electrode leads 13. For example, when the first electrode is a negative electrode, the first electrode tab (negative electrode tab) stack can be welded to the negative electrode lead 13. When the second electrode is a positive electrode, the second electrode tab (positive electrode tab) stack TS2' can be welded to the positive electrode lead 13'. The ends of the first and second electrode tab stacks are uneven, therefore they are cut and welded to the electrode leads. Figures 3 and 4 show the first electrode tab stack TS and the second electrode tab stack TS' before they are cut. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, after cutting the ends of the first electrode tab stack and the second electrode tab stack, the first electrode lead 13 and the second electrode lead 13' can be soldered to the remaining portions TS2 and TS2' of the first electrode tab stack, respectively. The cut portions of the first electrode tab stack and the second electrode tab stack can be referred to as the first tab portions TS1 and TS1', and their remaining portions can be referred to as the second tab portions TS2 and TS2'. Figure 2 shows the first electrode lead 13 connected to the second tab portion TS2 of the first electrode tab stack TS, and the second electrode lead 13' connected to the second tab portion TS2' of the second electrode tab stack TS'.

[0058] A film F can be provided to cover the soldering areas of the electrode leads and the second tab portions TS2 and TS2', for insulation and protection of the soldering areas. Film F may include an insulating strip F1 for covering the soldering areas of the electrode leads and the second tab portions, and a lead film F2 for covering the lead portions above the soldering areas.

[0059] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, when the edges of the cell housing 11 housing the electrode assembly EA are sealed, the lead film F2 can be naturally fixed in place. The lead film F2 prevents the cell housing 11 from contacting the electrode leads 13 and 13' to improve insulation.

[0060] Figures 2 to 4 illustrate a bidirectional electrode assembly, wherein a first electrode tab stack and a second electrode tab stack are pulled out from opposite ends of the electrode assembly. However, the invention is also applicable to a unidirectional electrode assembly, wherein the first electrode tab stack and the second electrode tab stack are pulled out from the same end of the electrode assembly.

[0061] Figure 3 illustrates folded cells (FC) and stacked cells (SC). As mentioned above, folded cells (FC) and stacked cells (SC) are types of electrode assemblies and differ from each other in the method of stacking electrodes and separators. Identifiers (IDs) can be set on the electrode tabs (T) on the folded cells (FC).

[0062] The stacked cells SC may include a fixing strip X for securing individual cells MC. An ID may be set on the electrode tab T of the uppermost individual cell MC on the stacked cells SC. As described above, the ID of the electrode assembly EA may be set on the outer surface of the electrode tab stack. The ID can be not only an electrode ID indicating unique information about the uppermost electrode on the electrode assembly, but also a representative ID indicating the electrode assembly including the uppermost electrode, i.e., an electrode assembly ID. As described above, the ID may include information about the manufacturing history, such as batch number, process equipment, and process line information. The ID may include a symbol indicating a serial number. The symbol may include, but is not limited to, Arabic numerals. The symbol may include any character providing information about the serial number. The ID may be a barcode or a QR code, but is not limited to.

[0063] In the die-cutting process, an ID can be provided on the negative electrode tab. The ID can be formed by methods such as laser printing or ink printing. Therefore, each negative electrode tab may include an ID. Unlike the negative electrode tab, the positive electrode tab may not include an ID to prevent defects. However, the invention is not limited to this, and an ID may also be assigned to the positive electrode tab when a suitable safety device, such as a fume extractor, is installed.

[0064] In this specification, electrodes, electrode tabs, and electrode tab stacks all including ID will be referred to as first electrodes, first electrode tabs, and first electrode tab stacks, respectively. Conversely, electrodes, electrode tabs, and electrode tab stacks all excluding ID will be referred to as second electrodes, second electrode tabs, and second electrode tab stacks, respectively. In the following embodiments, negative electrodes, negative electrode tabs, and negative electrode tab stacks will be referred to as first electrodes, first electrode tabs, and first electrode tab stacks, respectively, and positive electrodes, positive electrode tabs, and positive electrode tab stacks will be referred to as second electrodes, second electrode tabs, and second electrode tab stacks. However, when ID is also given to a positive electrode tab, positive electrodes, positive electrode tabs, and positive electrode tab stacks can be referred to as first electrodes, first electrode tabs, and first electrode tab stacks, respectively.

[0065] As shown in Figure 4, electrode assemblies EA with IDs can be moved by transfer devices CA for subsequent processes, such as electrode wire bonding. ID readers can be placed on the moving electrode assemblies EA and identify the ID of each electrode assembly. The ID reader can be a barcode reader (BCR) or a vision camera (VC).

[0066] However, the portion of the electrode tab stack TS that includes the ID (the first tab portion) can be cut before being soldered to the electrode leads. The ends of the electrode tab stack are uneven, hence the need for cutting before soldering. Therefore, the ID may be lost in a series of consecutive process lines used to connect the electrode tab stack and the electrode leads, making it impossible to identify the electrode assembly EA corresponding to the ID. This reduces the traceability of the electrode assembly EA and the manufacturing reliability of the battery cell.

[0067] Simultaneously, it is possible to track electrode assemblies that are typically input into the continuous process line without even the problem of physical loss of ID due to cutting, because the ID is stored, for example, in the controller of the continuous process line. However, it is difficult to track the original ID of electrode assemblies that have been judged to be defective and separated from the continuous process line. In particular, when an electrode assembly judged to be defective but deemed usable through a second inspection is to be re-entered into the process line, it is difficult to identify the original ID of the electrode assembly before defect judgment. Since multiple electrode assemblies have already passed through the continuous process line before defect judgment, it is difficult to identify the re-entered electrode assembly among multiple electrode assemblies. For example, even when a virtual ID is assigned to a re-entered electrode assembly, the re-entered electrode assembly cannot match the manufacturing history information included in the original physical ID when the original physical ID is unknown.

[0068] This invention ensures traceability of the battery cell manufacturing process by reassigning the original ID to the re-entered electrode assembly via image matching.

[0069] Figure 5 illustrates a series of continuous process lines according to an example implementation.

[0070] Figure 6 illustrates a battery cell manufacturing apparatus and a battery cell manufacturing system according to an example embodiment.

[0071] Figure 5 illustrates a series of continuous process lines for soldering electrode leads to an electrode assembly EA, which includes a first electrode tab stack TS and a second electrode tab stack TS' at opposite ends.

[0072] The continuous process (P10) includes the loading process (P11) of introducing the electrode assembly EA into the first electrode tab (negative electrode tab) cutting process, the negative electrode tab cutting process (P12), the process of welding the negative electrode tab and the negative electrode lead (P130), the process of inspecting the welded part of the negative electrode tab and the negative electrode lead (P14), the second electrode tab (positive electrode tab) cutting process (P15), the process of welding the positive electrode tab and the positive electrode lead (P16), the process of inspecting the welded part of the positive electrode tab and the positive electrode lead (P17), and the unloading process of unloading the inspected electrode assembly (P18).

[0073] The molding process (P20) of the cell casing can be performed in parallel with the continuous process (P10).

[0074] The electrode assembly, which has been inspected and to which the electrode leads have been soldered, can be unloaded and assembled with the molded cell housing 11. Therefore, the battery cell assembly process P30 is performed after the unloading process.

[0075] Each device required to perform multiple processes included in a continuous process (P10) can be set at a specific location for performing the corresponding process.

[0076] For example, a loader 410 can be provided to load an electrode assembly EA with ID into a first electrode cutter.

[0077] For example, a first electrode cutter (negative electrode cutter 430) can be provided to cut the negative electrode tabs (stacks), a negative electrode welding machine (first welding device) 440 can be provided to weld the negative electrode tabs and negative electrode leads, and a first electrode inspection camera can be provided to inspect the welded part of the negative electrode.

[0078] Additionally, a second electrode cutter (positive electrode cutter 460) can be provided to cut the positive electrode tab (stack), a positive electrode welding machine (second welding device) 470 can be provided to weld the positive electrode tab and the positive electrode lead, and a second electrode inspection camera can be provided to inspect the welded part of the positive electrode.

[0079] A vision camera, including a vision sensor and a processor capable of processing images and thus analyzing and processing the acquired images internally, can be used as a first electrode inspection camera and a second electrode inspection camera. For example, a machine vision camera or a smart camera can be used as a vision camera. Vision cameras are used to inspect defects in products across various industries, so a detailed description of them is omitted here. Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a negative electrode vision (camera) 450 as a first electrode inspection camera and a positive electrode vision (camera) 480 as a second electrode inspection camera.

[0080] The first and second welding apparatuses can be, for example, ultrasonic welding machines or laser welding machines. The first and second welding apparatuses can weld the cut surfaces of the electrode tab stacks and electrode leads by applying ultrasonic waves while pressing the surface or by emitting a laser.

[0081] An unloader 490 is provided to discharge electrode assemblies in which negative and positive leads have been soldered together and inspected for use in subsequent processes, such as battery cell assembly. The unloader can also discharge electrode assemblies deemed defective. The unloader can be configured to sort and discharge high-quality and defective electrode assemblies.

[0082] Loaders and unloaders are commonly used equipment in industrial production lines. In some cases, loaders and unloaders are also referred to as carriers. For example, loaders and unloaders can be used where upper and lower conveyors are combined and configured to move vertically.

[0083] In addition, a transfer device 420 is provided to move the electrode assembly between devices installed between the loader 410 and the unloader 490. Well-known transfer devices, such as conveyors, suction transfer devices, and robotic transfer devices, can be used as transfer device 420.

[0084] Simultaneously, the continuous process may include a secondary inspection process (P19), in which electrode assemblies judged to be defective are subject to a secondary inspection (re-inspection) to be classified into usable electrode assemblies and unusable electrode assemblies. For example, electrode assemblies judged to be defective by the first electrode inspection camera include those unusable due to severe defects such as electrode tab breakage or welding defects. Unusable electrode assemblies are discharged and discarded.

[0085] However, some electrode components that are deemed defective may be usable.

[0086] For example, if an electrode assembly is determined to be defective, but a second inspection shows that the determination was incorrect or that the defect was a false defect, the electrode assembly can still be usable without performing a separate process to repair the defect.

[0087] Furthermore, electrode assemblies with minor defects (such as removable foreign objects) on the weld or with an insulating film F in an undesirable location on the weld, and thus usable through additional processes (such as removing foreign objects or adjusting the position of the insulating film F), can be used electrode assemblies.

[0088] Therefore, in this specification, an electrode assembly that is determined to be defective but "usable" should be understood to include electrode assemblies that can be re-entered into the process line after defect determination without performing a separate defect repair process, and electrode assemblies that can be re-entered into the process line through a defect repair process.

[0089] The secondary inspection process (P19) can be performed visually by the operator. Alternatively, the secondary inspection process (P19) can be performed by a separate inspection device. The inspection device can be a device with higher specifications than at least the first electrode inspection camera and the second electrode inspection camera. Alternatively, the inspection device can be a device that performs the inspection in a manner different from the inspection methods of the first electrode inspection camera and the second electrode inspection camera. Through visual inspection or the secondary inspection by the inspection device, electrode assemblies judged to be defective but "usable" can be identified.

[0090] A re-entry device 421 may be provided to re-enter electrode assemblies determined to be usable into the process line. The re-entry device 421 may be part of or a separate device from the transfer device 420. The re-entry device 421 may transfer electrode assemblies determined to be usable to a specific location / operation in a continuous process line.

[0091] The shape of the electrode assembly may depend on each process included in the continuous process (P10). In this specification, for ease of description, the reference numerals for the electrode assembly change according to the progress of the process.

[0092] For example, an initial first electrode assembly with ID is provided on the electrode tab stack of the first electrode at one end, simply denoted as "EA".

[0093] The electrode assembly in which the first electrode tab (negative electrode tab) stack is cut and the first electrode lead is soldered is called the first electrode assembly and is indicated by "EA1".

[0094] The first electrode assembly that is deemed defective during the first inspection but deemed usable during the second inspection and thus re-entered into the process line is referred to as the second electrode assembly and is indicated by 'EA2'. The first electrode assembly EA1 and the second electrode assembly EA2 are obtained by soldering the first electrode lead 13 to the remaining second electrode portion TS2 after cutting the first electrode tab portion TS1 of the first electrode tab stack TS, and therefore have the same or substantially the same shape. Therefore, as described below, images of the first electrode assembly (multiple first images) and images of the second electrode assembly (second images) can be compared to detect the first electrode assembly EA1 corresponding to the first image matching the second image.

[0095] The electrode assembly obtained by cutting the second electrode tab stack TS' of the first electrode assembly EA1, which has been determined to be a qualified product, will be referred to as the third electrode assembly and indicated by 'EA3'. The electrode assembly obtained by soldering the second electrode lead 13' to the third electrode assembly EA3 will be referred to as the fourth electrode assembly and indicated by 'EA4'.

[0096] As described below, when the second electrode tab stack cutting process (P15) and the second electrode lead bonding process (P16) are performed by image matching of the second electrode assembly EA2 assigned with the ID of the first electrode assembly EA1, the second electrode assembly EA2 can become the third electrode assembly EA3 and the fourth electrode assembly EA4.

[0097] In Figure 5, the flow of general electrode assemblies that are not judged as defective and move from the loader 410 to the unloader 490 is indicated by arrow M1. The flow of electrode assemblies judged as defective by the first electrode inspection camera 450 is indicated by dashed line M2. The flow of electrode assemblies that are unusable and therefore discarded is indicated by arrow M3. The flow of electrode assemblies that are judged to be usable through a second inspection and are therefore re-entered (second electrode assemblies) is indicated by dashed arrow M4.

[0098] Referring to FIG6, the battery cell manufacturing apparatus of the present invention may include an image matching device 200 and an ID allocation device, wherein the image matching device 200 includes: a first image acquisition unit 221 configured to acquire a plurality of first images of a first electrode assembly EA1, each first electrode assembly EA1 including a tab stack TS of a first electrode and a first electrode lead 13 welded to the tab stack TS at one end; a second image acquisition unit 222 configured to acquire a second image of a second electrode assembly EA2 that is determined to be usable after re-inspection from a first electrode assembly that was determined to be defective through inspection based on a plurality of first images; and an image matching unit 223 configured to compare the second image with a plurality of first images and extract a first image that matches the second image, and the ID allocation device is configured to assign the ID of the first electrode assembly EA1 corresponding to the first image that matches the second image as the ID of the second electrode assembly EA2.

[0099] As shown in Figure 4, the ID of electrode assembly EA can be identified by an ID reader preceding electrode assembly EA in the transfer process before the continuous process (P10). Alternatively, the ID can be identified by the ID reader in the loading process or some processes included in the continuous process (P10). Information about the identified ID can be stored in the controller 100 of the continuous process line or in a separate ID management server capable of data communication with the controller 100. When the electrode assembly is processed through multiple processes in the continuous process, the controller 100 can control the processing of the electrode assembly based on the ID. In this case, even if the ID is lost when the first tab portion is cut, the controller 100 can still perform multiple processes on the electrode assembly based on the stored ID.

[0100] However, when a second electrode assembly EA2, deemed defective but deemed usable after a second inspection, is re-entered into the continuous process line, it is difficult to identify the original ID of the first electrode assembly EA1 corresponding to the second electrode assembly EA2 before defect identification. Because multiple first electrode assemblies EA1 have already passed through the continuous process line before defect identification, it is difficult to determine which of the multiple first electrode assemblies EA1 is identical to the re-entered second electrode assembly EA2. For example, even when a virtual ID is assigned to the re-entered second electrode assembly EA2, when the original physical ID is unknown, the re-entered second electrode assembly EA2 cannot match the manufacturing history information included in the original physical ID marked on the corresponding first electrode assembly EA1.

[0101] The image matching device 200 is configured to detect the original first electrode assembly corresponding to the second electrode assembly EA2 by comparing a plurality of first images of the first electrode assembly EA1, for which a defect determination has not yet been performed, with a second image of the second electrode assembly EA2, which has been re-entered after the defect determination.

[0102] The ID allocation device can reassign the ID of the first electrode assembly EA1, which corresponds to the first image that matches the second image, to the second electrode assembly EA2, which includes the second image, through the image matching device 200, to ensure the traceability of the battery cell manufacturing process.

[0103] Referring to Figure 6, the image matching device 200 may include a memory 210 and a processor 220 for communication with other devices.

[0104] Memory 210 is a medium in which instructions executable by processor 220 are stored. Memory 210 may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include RAM, ROM, solid-state storage media, optical storage media, and magnetic storage media. Memory 210 may include volatile memory such as RAM and / or non-volatile memory such as ROM and storage media. Examples of storage media include solid-state storage media (e.g., solid-state drives and / or removable flash memory), optical storage media (e.g., optical discs), and magnetic storage media (e.g., hard disk drives). The aforementioned instructions (e.g., software or computer-readable code) may be stored in the volatile and / or non-volatile components of memory 210.

[0105] Image matching can be implemented by a processor 220 of the image matching apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 6. The processor 220 can be configured to process instructions of a computer program by performing basic arithmetic, logic, and input / output operations. Instructions can be provided to the processor 220 by a memory 210. For example, the processor 220 can be configured to execute received instructions according to program code stored in a recording device such as the memory 210.

[0106] The processor 220 may include a first image matching unit 221, a second image matching unit 222, and an image matching unit 223. According to embodiments, the components of the processor 220 may be selectively separated or combined to represent the functions of the processor.

[0107] The first image acquisition unit 221 can acquire a first image of the first electrode assembly EA1. The first electrode assembly EA1 is an electrode assembly in which the first electrode tab stack is cut and the first electrode lead 13 is soldered. Therefore, the first electrode assembly EA1 includes the second tab portion TS2 remaining after the first electrode tab stack is cut and the first electrode lead 13.

[0108] The first image can be acquired by a first electrode inspection camera (negative electrode vision 450) used to inspect the state of the solder joint of the negative electrode. As shown in FIG5, after the negative electrode lead is soldered, all first electrode assemblies EA1 can be inspected by the negative electrode vision 450, and their images (multiple first images) can be sent to and stored in the controller 100 or server. The first image acquisition unit 221 can directly acquire multiple first images from the negative electrode vision 450, or acquire multiple first images stored in the controller 100 or server.

[0109] Figure 7 shows a first image of the upper and lower surfaces of the first electrode assembly.

[0110] The first electrode assembly EA1 in Figure 7 is a stacked cell SC with a fixed band X, but image matching can be performed on the folded cell. The second tab portion TS2 of the first electrode and the first electrode lead 13 soldered to the second tab portion TS2 are disposed at the upper end of the first electrode assembly EA1. Additionally, an insulating film F is attached to the periphery of the soldered portion.

[0111] A second image of the second electrode assembly EA2, which was initially deemed defective but was deemed usable after re-inspection and thus re-entered into the process line, can be acquired from the negative electrode vision 450. For example, the second electrode assembly EA2 can be re-entered into the negative electrode welding section inspection process (P14) as shown in FIG. 5. The re-entered second image of the second electrode assembly EA2 can be captured by the negative electrode vision 450. The captured second image can be sent directly from the negative electrode vision 450 to the second image acquisition unit 12. Alternatively, the second image stored in the controller 100 or server can be sent to the second image acquisition unit 212.

[0112] The second image matching unit 223 compares the second image with the acquired multiple first images and extracts the matching image.

[0113] Image matching is a technique used to compare two different images to detect matching objects with the same shape. For example, meaningful features in an image can be converted into appropriate numbers, and these numbers can be compared to each other to determine the similarity between the images. The numbers representing the features are called feature vectors or feature descriptors. Alternatively, the similarity between two images can be determined by comparing histograms that show the distribution of color values ​​in the images. For comparisons using histograms, a histogram comparison function can be used. Various image matching techniques other than those described above are applicable to matching between a first image and a second image according to the present invention. Techniques or matching algorithms related to image matching are known, and therefore their detailed descriptions are omitted here.

[0114] Figure 8 shows the second image and multiple first images, and Figure 9 shows the process of comparing and matching the multiple first images with the second image.

[0115] Figure 8(a) shows a first image of a plurality of first electrode components EA1. An ID is assigned to each first electrode component EA1. For example, the ID is stored in the controller 100 or an ID management server capable of establishing data communication with the controller 100. The first image acquisition unit 221 can acquire the first image associated with the ID of each first electrode component EA1. For this purpose, the first image acquisition unit 221 or a processor including the first image acquisition unit 221 can perform data communication with the controller 100 (in particular the main controller 120 of the controller 100 (see Figure 6)).

[0116] Figure 8(b) shows a second image of the second electrode assembly EA2. A virtual ID can be assigned to the second electrode assembly EA2. The virtual ID can be assigned by, for example, a controller 100 that controls a continuous process. In order to manage the second electrode assembly EA2 that was determined to be defective through the first inspection but was determined to be usable through re-inspection, the controller 100 can assign a virtual ID to the second electrode assembly EA2 that is transferred in the process after the second inspection process and before image matching. The virtual ID can also be stored in the controller 100 or an ID management server that can establish data communication with the controller 100. The second image acquisition unit 222 can acquire the second image associated with the virtual ID of the second electrode assembly EA2. For this purpose, the second image acquisition unit 222 or a processor including the second image acquisition unit 222 can perform data communication with the controller 100 (in particular the main controller 120 of the controller 100 (see Figure 6)).

[0117] Figure 9(a) shows a first image of the first electrode assembly EA1, and Figure 9(b) shows a second image of the second electrode assembly EA2.

[0118] The image matching unit 223 can compare and match the first image and the second image, each image including at least one of the following: 1) the shape WT of the welding area between the electrode tab stack of the first electrode and the electrode lead; 2) the shape SW of the folds of the diaphragm; and 3) the overlapping shape of the plurality of electrode tabs included in the electrode tab stack.

[0119] Image matching is a technique used to compare distinguishable portions of images to be compared. For welding electrode assemblies and electrode leads, the shape of the region of the electrode tab stack of the first electrode and the electrode lead to be welded can be an important feature. Figure 9 shows the welding trajectory on the second tab portion TS2 of the first electrode tab stack welded to the electrode lead. Therefore, the shape WT of the welded region including the welding trajectory can be used as a reference for comparing images. For example, when the welding trajectories on the images are similar, the images are likely to be matched as identical or similar images.

[0120] Alternatively, image matching can be performed by comparing the shape (SW) of the folds in the diaphragm near the weld. Typically, the diaphragm is wrapped around the outermost periphery of the electrode assembly, and a portion of the diaphragm on the electrode assembly has folds. Therefore, identical or similar images can be detected by comparing the shape of the folds in the diaphragm in two images.

[0121] In the electrode tab stack of the first electrode, multiple electrode tabs overlap vertically, and the overlap shape of the electrode tabs can depend on the electrode assembly. Therefore, identical or similar images can be detected by comparing the overlap shape of the electrode tabs in the electrode tab stack.

[0122] Image matching can be performed based on one or more criteria selected from the image matching criteria described above. Alternatively, image matching can be performed by assigning weights to the more obvious and important criteria among the aforementioned criteria. For example, image matching can be performed by assigning a weight of 1 to the shape of the welding area between the electrode tab stack and the electrode lead of the first electrode, assigning a weight of 0.9 to the shape of the folds in the diaphragm, and assigning a weight of 0.8 to the overlapping shape of the electrode tabs in the electrode tab stack.

[0123] Furthermore, the matching between the first image and the second image can be applied not only to the first surface (upper surface) of the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, but also to their second surface (lower surface). Alternatively, matching can be performed by comparing all images of both the first surface and the second surface.

[0124] The above image matching reveals that the first image in the plurality of first images of FIG8(a) (i.e., the first image of FIG9(a)) matches the second image of FIG8(b) (i.e., the second image of FIG9(b)).

[0125] Specifically, the ID allocation device may be a controller 100 that controls a continuous process for soldering electrode leads to electrodes of an electrode assembly, or a main controller 120 included in the controller 100. Therefore, the controller 100 or the main controller 120 may assign the ID of the first electrode assembly EA1, corresponding to a first image that matches the second image, as the ID of the second electrode assembly EA2, instead of giving the second electrode assembly EA2 a virtual ID.

[0126] The second electrode assembly, to which the assigned ID is assigned, is reinserted into the continuous process line for subsequent welding processes. The controller 100 can identify and manage the second electrode assembly EA2 based on the assigned ID. Therefore, traceability of the battery cell manufacturing process can be ensured and manufacturing reliability improved.

[0127] Referring to Figure 6, the controller 100 can be an integrated control device for controlling a continuous process consisting of multiple processes. The controller 100 may include a determination unit 110 for determining the relative portions of electrode assemblies inspected by a first electrode inspection camera and a second electrode inspection camera. Based on the determination by the determination unit 110, the movement paths of electrode assemblies determined to be qualified products and electrode assemblies determined to be defective may be different from each other in the continuous process line.

[0128] Controller 100 may include a main controller for controlling various types of devices installed in a continuous process line. The main controller 120 may be, for example, a PLC controller.

[0129] The controller 100 may include an input / output interface 130 for communicating with the input / output device 300.

[0130] As shown in Figure 6, the image matching device 200 may be included in the controller 100. However, the image matching device 200 may be installed separately from the controller 100.

[0131] As shown in Figure 6, the battery cell manufacturing system 1000 may include: a first electrode cutter (negative electrode cutter 430) configured to cut a portion of an electrode tab stack providing ID from a first electrode at one end of an electrode assembly; a first welding device (negative electrode welder 440) configured to weld the first electrode lead 13 to the remainder of the electrode tab stack to manufacture the first electrode assembly EA1; a first electrode inspection camera (negative electrode vision 450) configured to capture a first image of the first electrode assembly EA1; and the battery cell manufacturing equipment as described above.

[0132] The battery cell manufacturing equipment includes an image matching device 200 and an ID allocation device, such as a main controller. Therefore, using the above system, a first electrode assembly EA1 can be manufactured, and image matching can be performed on the first electrode assembly EA1 and the second electrode assembly EA2.

[0133] The system may further include: a second electrode cutter (positive electrode cutter 460) configured to cut the electrode tab stack of the second electrode of the first electrode assembly EA1, which is determined by the controller 100 to be a qualified product, and / or the electrode tab stack of the second electrode of the second electrode of the first electrode assembly EA1 to which the ID of the first electrode assembly EA1 is assigned; a second welding device (positive electrode welder 470) configured to weld the second electrode lead 13' (positive electrode lead) to the remainder of the electrode tab stack cut by the second electrode cutter; and a second electrode inspection camera (positive electrode vision 480) configured to capture images of the second electrode lead 13' being welded to the first electrode assembly EA1 and the second electrode lead 13' being welded to the second electrode assembly EA2. Therefore, the third electrode assembly EA3 can be obtained by cutting the positive electrode of the first electrode assembly EA1, which has been judged to be a qualified product and inspected by the negative electrode vision 450, and the fourth electrode assembly EA4 can be obtained by welding the positive electrode lead to the third electrode assembly EA3, which has been inspected by the positive electrode vision and discharged to perform the battery cell assembly process (see Figure 5).

[0134] The battery cell manufacturing system 1000 may further include a loader 410 and an unloader 490. The loader 410 is configured to load electrode assemblies onto a first electrode cutter, each electrode assembly including an ID on an electrode tab stack of a first electrode at one end. The unloader 490 is configured to unload a first electrode assembly EA1 deemed defective by a first electrode inspection camera and an electrode assembly inspected by a second electrode inspection camera. Therefore, the system can introduce electrode assemblies that have not yet been cut into a continuous process line via the loader 410. Furthermore, inspected electrode assemblies can be discharged for use in the battery cell assembly process (P30). Alternatively, the first electrode assembly deemed defective can be discharged outside the continuous process line.

[0135] The system also includes a transfer device 420 configured to transfer electrode assemblies between devices of the system mounted between the loader 410 and the unloader 490. General electrode assemblies not determined to be defective can be transferred from the loader 410 to the unloader 490 via the transfer device 420, as indicated by arrow M1.

[0136] Electrode assemblies deemed defective by the first electrode inspection camera 450 can be transferred by the transfer device 420 toward the unloader 490, as shown by the dashed line M2. The transfer device 420 can transfer the first electrode assembly EA1, deemed defective, to the unloader, bypassing the second electrode cutter and the second welding device 470. The flow of the electrode assembly indicated by the dashed line M2 represents a bypass transfer, in which the first electrode assembly EA1, deemed defective, is transferred to the unloader without undergoing the positive electrode tab cutting process and the positive electrode tab-positive lead welding process.

[0137] The unloader 490 can be configured to sort and discharge high-quality electrode assemblies and defective electrode assemblies.

[0138] Electrode assemblies deemed defective and destined for disposal are discharged in the direction of arrow M3.

[0139] The second electrode assembly EA2, which is deemed available and will be re-entered, moves in the direction of arrow M4 and is re-entered into the continuous process line.

[0140] The battery cell manufacturing system 1000 may also include a re-entry device 421 to re-enter the second electrode assembly EA2 into the process line. The re-entry device 421 may be part of the transfer device 420 or a separate device.

[0141] The battery cell manufacturing system 1000 may include an input / output device 300.

[0142] For example, a keyboard, mouse, joystick, or touchscreen can be used as an input device. For example, a monitor, head-up display, AR display, VR display, or printer can be used as an output device.

[0143] The aforementioned components of the battery cell manufacturing system 1000 can be connected to each other via one or more buses.

[0144] The main controller of controller 100 can control various types of devices installed in a continuous process line.

[0145] For example, the main controller may instruct the loader 410 to be operated to introduce the electrode assembly into a continuous process line. Alternatively, upon completion of the loading operation and depending on the progress of the process, the main controller may instruct the loader 410 to be stopped.

[0146] Additionally, the main controller can instruct the unloader to discharge the completed electrode assembly into subsequent assembly processes. Upon completion of the loading operation and according to the progress of the process, the controller 100 can instruct the loader to stop.

[0147] Similarly, the main controller controls the operation of the transfer device 420. The main controller can instruct the operation or stop of the negative electrode cutter, negative electrode welder, positive electrode cutter, and positive electrode welder.

[0148] The main controller can control the operation of negative and positive vision, and store images acquired from vision or send images to the server.

[0149] Furthermore, the main controller can control the operation of the image matching device 200. The image matching device 200 can acquire and match a first image and a second image in response to instructions from the main controller. Additionally, the image matching device 200 can send information (ID and virtual ID) about the matched image to the main controller, and the main controller can assign the ID of the first electrode component EA1 matched with the second electrode component EA2 to the second electrode component EA2 based on this information.

[0150] Embodiments of the present invention

[0151] Figure 10 illustrates a series of continuous process lines according to an example implementation.

[0152] The second image can be obtained by the first electrode inspection camera (negative electrode vision 450) of the inspection process of the negative electrode welded part as shown in Figure 5.

[0153] Alternatively, the second image can be acquired by a separate first electrode inspection camera 451. For example, the second electrode assembly EA2 can be captured by a separate first electrode inspection camera 451 installed before the second electrode assembly EA2 is re-entered into the continuous process. In this case, a second image of the second electrode assembly EA2 has already been acquired, so it does not need to be sent to the negative electrode vision 450 in the continuous process shown in FIG. 5. That is, in this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the second electrode assembly EA2 can be re-entered at a position after the negative electrode welding inspection process. Therefore, the continuous process can be performed without interfering with the inspection of another first electrode assembly EA1 by the negative electrode vision 450 provided in the continuous process line, thereby preventing delays in the process.

[0154] Figure 11 illustrates a battery cell manufacturing apparatus and a battery cell manufacturing system according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0155] Figure 11 shows the image matching device 200 installed separately from the controller 100. The image matching device can be in the form of a server separate from the controller 100. The server 200', which is the image matching device, may include a memory 210 and a processor 220. The processor 220 may include a first image matching unit 221, a second image matching unit 222, and an image matching unit 223 as described above.

[0156] In addition, server 200' may include a communication module 230 capable of communicating with controller 100 or other computing devices.

[0157] Figure 12 illustrates a battery cell manufacturing method according to an example embodiment.

[0158] Battery cell manufacturing methods can be performed in a series of continuous process lines.

[0159] Referring to Figures 5, 6, 10, 11, and 12, in operation P110, an electrode assembly with an ID can be input into a continuous process line. For example, an electrode assembly with an ID on the electrode tab stack of the first electrode, identified by controller 100, can be input into the continuous process by loader 410.

[0160] In operation P120, the portion on which ID is provided (first tab portion) can be cut from the electrode tab stack of the first electrode at the end of the electrode assembly, and the first electrode lead 13 (e.g., negative lead) can be soldered to the remaining portion after cutting that portion (second tab portion).

[0161] The electrode assembly can be transferred by the transfer device 420 to the negative electrode cutter to cut the first tab portion. Furthermore, the cut electrode assembly can be transferred by the transfer device 420 to the negative electrode soldering machine to solder the negative electrode lead to the second tab portion. The controller 100 can control the cutting process and the negative electrode lead soldering process as described above. The first electrode assembly EA1 is manufactured by soldering the negative electrode lead to the second tab portion.

[0162] In operation P130, a first image of the first electrode assembly EA1 is acquired via visual inspection of the negative electrode, and the first electrode assembly EA1 is inspected based on the acquired first image. Welding defects or other defects of the negative electrode can be identified based on the first image. The controller 100 can inspect the negative electrode based on the first image acquired from the visual inspection of the negative electrode, and the judgment unit of the controller 100 can determine whether the negative electrode has a defect.

[0163] The first electrode assembly EA1, which passes inspection and is deemed a qualified product, is transferred to the second electrode tab (positive electrode tab) cutting process. In this cutting process, the positive electrode tab stack of the first electrode assembly EA1 is cut using a positive electrode cutter. The cut electrode assembly (third electrode assembly) is transferred via transfer device 420 for a positive electrode tab lead bonding process, in which the positive electrode lead is bonded to the second tab portion of the positive electrode tab stack using a positive electrode bonding machine. The controller 100 can control the cutting process and the positive electrode tab lead bonding process as described above.

[0164] The electrode assembly (fourth electrode assembly) to which both the negative and positive leads are soldered is transferred to the positive electrode visual inspection and inspected. The fourth electrode assembly, deemed a qualified product by the positive electrode visual inspection, is discharged through an unloader. The discharged fourth electrode assembly is then transferred for the battery cell assembly process. In the assembly process, the fourth electrode assembly is housed within the cell housing molded in the housing molding process. The transfer flow of the electrode assembly is indicated by arrow M1 in Figures 5 and 10.

[0165] The first electrode assembly EA1, which is deemed defective during the negative electrode welding inspection operation, can be discharged from the continuous process line without cutting the second electrode tab stack and welding the second electrode lead 13'. The dashed line M2 in Figures 5 and 10 illustrates the bypass transfer of the first electrode assembly EA1, which is deemed defective.

[0166] In the secondary inspection process, the first electrode assembly EA1, which is determined to be defective, is inspected again. If it is determined to be unusable in the secondary inspection process, the first electrode assembly EA1 is discharged externally. The flow of electrode assemblies is indicated by arrow M3 in Figures 5 and 10. The first electrode assembly EA1, which is determined to be usable in the secondary inspection process, is considered the second electrode assembly EA2. The controller 100 can assign a virtual ID to the second electrode assembly EA2. The second electrode assembly EA2 to which the virtual ID is assigned can be re-entered into the continuous process line by the re-entry device.

[0167] The second electrode assembly EA2 can be re-entered into the negative electrode welding section inspection process, and its second image can be captured by negative electrode vision (see Figure 5).

[0168] Alternatively, the first electrode inspection device 451 can be installed separately from the negative electrode vision in the path of re-entering the second electrode assembly EA2 after the secondary inspection process, so as to obtain a second image of the second electrode assembly EA2 through the first electrode inspection device 451 (see Figure 10).

[0169] The virtual ID assigned to the re-entered second electrode component EA2 can be stored in the controller 100 or the server in association with the second image.

[0170] Referring back to Figure 12, in operation P140, a second image of the second electrode assembly EA2 can be compared with a first image of a plurality of first electrode assemblies acquired prior to the second image.

[0171] The image matching device 200 included in the controller 100, or an image matching device (e.g., server 200') installed separately from the controller 100, includes a processor comprising a first image acquisition unit 221, a second image acquisition unit 222, and an image matching unit 223. The image matching unit 223 can compare multiple first images received from the first image acquisition unit 221 with second images received from the second image acquisition unit 222 according to a specific matching algorithm, to select the first image most similar to the second image as the image that matches the second image.

[0172] According to the example implementation, a first image and a second image, both including at least one of the shapes described below, can be compared and matched.

[0173] 1) The shape of the welding area between the electrode tab stack of the first electrode and the electrode tab stack of the electrode lead; 2) The shape of the folds in the diaphragm; and 3) The overlapping shape of the plurality of electrode tabs included in the electrode tab stack.

[0174] Alternatively, the first image and the second image can be matched by assigning weights to at least one of the shapes described above as a comparison criterion between the first image and the second image.

[0175] In operation P150, controller 100 or a main controller included in controller 100 may assign the ID of the first electrode assembly EA1 corresponding to the first image that matches the second image to the ID of the second electrode assembly EA2.

[0176] In this case, the controller 100, or the main controller included in the controller 100, can assign the ID of the first electrode component EA1 corresponding to the first image that matches the second image, instead of the virtual ID, as the ID of the second electrode component EA2. The controller 100 or the main controller that assigns the IDs acts as an ID assignment device.

[0177] In operation P160, the second electrode assembly EA2, assigned an ID, is moved to a subsequent welding process, such as welding the second electrode lead 13' to the tab stack of the second electrode included in the second electrode assembly EA2. That is, in the second electrode assembly EA2, the first tab portion of the tab stack of the second electrode is cut by a positive electrode cutter, and the remaining second tab portions of the remaining tab stacks are welded to the positive electrode lead by a positive electrode welder. The electrode assembly (fourth electrode assembly) to which the positive electrode lead is welded passes a positive electrode visual inspection. When the inspection is passed and the product is deemed acceptable, the electrode assembly is discharged by an unloader.

[0178] The present invention has been described in more detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. However, the configurations shown in the drawings or embodiments described in this specification are merely embodiments of the present invention and do not reflect all the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications to the alternative configurations will be made as of the date of filing of this application.

[0179] (See attached image labels)

[0180] 1000, 2000: Battery Manufacturing System

[0181] 100: Controller

[0182] 110: Judgment Department

[0183] 120: Main Controller

[0184] 130: Input / Output Interface

[0185] 200: Image matching device

[0186] 200': Server

[0187] 210: Memory

[0188] 220: Processor

[0189] 221: First Image Acquisition Unit

[0190] 222: Second Image Acquisition Unit

[0191] 223: Image Matching Unit

[0192] 10: Battery cells

[0193] EA: Electrode Assembly

[0194] EA1: First Electrode Assembly

[0195] EA2: Second Electrode Assembly

[0196] EA3: Third Electrode Assembly

[0197] EA4: Fourth Electrode Assembly

Claims

1. A battery cell manufacturing apparatus, the battery cell manufacturing apparatus comprising: A first image acquisition unit is configured to acquire a plurality of first images of a first electrode assembly, the first electrode assembly including an electrode tab stack of a first electrode and a first electrode lead soldered to the electrode tab stack at one end. A second image acquisition unit, configured to acquire a second image of a second electrode assembly that is determined to be usable after re-inspection from among the first electrode assemblies that were determined to be defective based on inspection of the plurality of first images; an image matching device, comprising an image matching unit configured to compare the second image with the plurality of first images and extract a first image that matches the second image; and an identifier ID allocation device configured to allocate the ID of the first electrode assembly corresponding to the first image that matches the second image as the ID of the second electrode assembly.

2. The battery cell manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The ID allocation device includes a controller for soldering electrode leads to a series of continuous process lines included in an electrode assembly, or a main controller included in the controller.

3. The battery cell manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The ID allocation device assigns a virtual ID to the second electrode assembly before the first image matches the second image, and assigns the ID of the first electrode assembly corresponding to the first image that matches the second image as the ID of the second electrode assembly instead of the virtual ID.

4. The battery cell manufacturing equipment according to claim 3, wherein, The first image acquisition unit acquires the first image in association with the ID of the first electrode assembly, and the second image acquisition unit acquires the second image in association with the virtual ID of the second electrode assembly.

5. The battery cell manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The image matching unit compares and matches the first image and the second image, each of which includes at least one of the following: 1) the shape of the welding area between the electrode tab stack of the first electrode and the first electrode lead; 2) the shape of the folds in the diaphragm; and 3) the overlapping shape of the plurality of electrode tabs included in the electrode tab stack.

6. A battery cell manufacturing system, the battery cell manufacturing system comprising: A first electrode cutter is configured to cut a portion of an electrode tab stack on which a first electrode ID is disposed, the first electrode being located at one end of an electrode assembly. A first welding apparatus configured to weld a first electrode lead to the cut-off remainder of the electrode tab stack to manufacture a first electrode assembly; and a first electrode inspection camera configured to capture a first image of the first electrode assembly. And the battery cell manufacturing equipment according to claim 2.

7. The battery cell manufacturing system according to claim 6, further comprising: A second electrode cutter is configured to cut at least one electrode tab stack of the second electrode included in a first electrode assembly that is determined by the controller to be a qualified product and / or an electrode tab stack of the second electrode included in a second electrode assembly that is assigned an ID of the first electrode assembly. A second welding device is configured to weld a second electrode lead to the remaining portion of the at least one electrode tab stack cut by a second electrode cutter. And a second electrode inspection camera configured to capture images of the first electrode assembly to which the second electrode lead is soldered and the second electrode assembly to which the second electrode lead is soldered.

8. The battery cell manufacturing system according to claim 6, further comprising: A loader configured to load electrode assemblies onto a first electrode cutter, the electrode assemblies each including an ID on an electrode tab stack of a first electrode at one end; and an unloader configured to unload the first electrode assembly determined to be defective by the first electrode inspection camera and the electrode assembly inspected by the second electrode inspection camera.

9. The battery cell manufacturing system of claim 8, further comprising a transfer device configured to move electrode assemblies between devices of a system mounted between the loader and the unloader, wherein, The transfer device transfers the first electrode assembly, which is determined to be defective, to the unloader by bypassing the second electrode cutter and the second welding device.

10. The battery cell manufacturing system of claim 8, further comprising a re-input device configured to re-input a second electrode assembly that has been re-inspected and is deemed usable and discharged by the unloader from among the first electrode assemblies that were determined to be defective, into a series of continuous process lines.

11. A method for manufacturing a battery cell, the method comprising: A first electrode assembly is manufactured by cutting a portion of the electrode tab stack of a first electrode located at one end of the electrode assembly and soldering a first electrode lead to the cut-off portion of the electrode tab stack, wherein a first electrode and a second electrode are stacked on the electrode assembly, and a diaphragm is inserted between the first electrode and the second electrode; the first electrode assembly is inspected based on a first image of the first electrode assembly; a plurality of first images of the first electrode assembly are compared with a second image of a second electrode assembly that was determined to be usable by re-inspection from among the first electrode assemblies that were determined to be defective during the inspection of the first electrode assembly; and the ID of the first electrode assembly corresponding to the first image that matches the second image is assigned as the ID of the second electrode assembly.

12. The battery cell manufacturing method according to claim 11, further comprising assigning a virtual ID to the second electrode assembly, wherein, The virtual ID is associated with the second image.

13. The battery cell manufacturing method according to claim 12, wherein, The ID of the first electrode component corresponding to the first image that matches the second image is assigned as the ID of the second electrode component instead of the virtual ID.

14. The battery cell manufacturing method according to claim 11, wherein, The first image and the second image, which are compared and matched with each other, each include at least one of the following shapes: 1) the shape of the welding area between the electrode tab stack of the first electrode and the first electrode lead; 2) The shape of the pleats of the diaphragm; and 3) The overlapping shape of the plurality of electrode tabs included in the electrode tab stack.

15. The battery cell manufacturing method according to claim 14, wherein, The first image and the second image are matched by assigning weights to the at least one shape, and the weights are used as a comparison criterion between the first image and the second image.

16. The battery cell manufacturing method according to claim 11, wherein, The battery cell manufacturing method is performed in a series of continuous process lines, and the first electrode assembly that is determined to be a qualified product in the inspection of the first electrode assembly is transferred to the process of welding the electrode tabs of each of the second electrodes to the second electrode leads.

17. The battery cell manufacturing method according to claim 16, wherein, The first electrode assembly that is determined to be defective during inspection is discharged from the continuous process line without performing the process of soldering the electrode tab stack of each of the second electrodes to the second electrode lead.

18. The battery cell manufacturing method of claim 17, further comprising re-inspecting the first electrode assembly that has been determined to be defective and rejected, and when the first electrode assembly is determined to be usable, identifying the first electrode assembly as a second electrode assembly to be re-input into the continuous process line.

19. The battery cell manufacturing method according to claim 8, wherein, The second electrode assembly is re-entered into the inspection of the first electrode assembly to obtain the second image, or is re-entered after the inspection of the first electrode assembly when obtaining the second image.

20. The battery cell manufacturing method according to claim 19, wherein, The second electrode assembly, which has been re-entered and assigned the ID of the first electrode assembly, is transferred to the process of soldering the electrode tab stack and the second electrode lead of each of the second electrodes.

Images