Battery manufacturing apparatus and battery manufacturing method

Abstract

The technical idea of the present invention provides a battery manufacturing apparatus including a sealing device configured to join a portion of a first separator to a portion of a second separator to form a separator assembly having a sealed area, a first inspection device configured to detect a first distance between the sealed area of the separator assembly and a first electrode attached to the separator assembly, a cutting device configured to cut the separator assembly to separate a first unit separator assembly having the first electrode attached thereto from the separator assembly, and a second inspection device configured to detect a second distance between the first electrode and an edge of the first unit separator assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to battery manufacturing equipment and battery manufacturing methods.

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0044655, filed on April 2, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. They are widely used as power sources for various wireless devices, such as mobile phones, laptops, and cordless vacuum cleaners. In recent years, with the increase in energy density and the emergence of economies of scale, the manufacturing cost of secondary battery cells has significantly decreased. Furthermore, as the driving range of BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles) has reached levels comparable to that of gasoline vehicles, the primary application of secondary batteries is gradually shifting from mobile devices to mobility services.

[0004] Secondary batteries are manufactured through electrode processes, assembly processes, and activation processes. Among these, the electrode process is the most critical process in determining the yield and performance of the battery cell. The electrode process can include coating, rolling, and slitting processes. In the coating process, active and insulating materials are coated onto the surface of the current collector. In the rolling process, the electrodes are pressed by pressure rollers. The rolling process can determine the density, performance, and surface quality of the electrodes. In the slitting process, the electrodes are cut into multiple electrodes according to the design of the battery cell. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Technical issues

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by this disclosure is to provide a battery manufacturing equipment and a battery manufacturing method.

[0007] Technical solution

[0008] To address the aforementioned problems, the present disclosure provides a battery manufacturing apparatus comprising: a sealing device configured to bond a portion of a first separator to a portion of a second separator to form a separator bonding body having a sealed region; a first inspection device configured to detect a first distance between the sealed region of the separator bonding body and a first electrode attached to the separator bonding body; a cutting device configured to cut the separator bonding body to separate a first unit separator bonding body with the first electrode attached from the separator bonding body; and a second inspection device configured to detect a second distance between the first electrode and the edge of the first unit separator bonding body.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the second inspection device is further configured to detect the sealing width of the unit sealing region of the first unit diaphragm joint body based on the first distance and the second distance, and the unit sealing region of the first unit diaphragm joint body is a part of the sealing region of the diaphragm joint body.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the second inspection device is configured to compare the sealing width of the unit sealing region of the first unit diaphragm bonding body with a reference range.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the second inspection device is configured to determine that the sealing width of the unit sealing region of the first unit diaphragm joint body is normal when the sealing width is within the reference range, and to determine that the sealing width of the unit sealing region of the first unit diaphragm joint body is defective when the sealing width is outside the reference range.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery manufacturing apparatus further includes: a tab sensor disposed between the sealing device and the first inspection device and configured to sense the tabs of the first electrode extracted from the sealing device to generate a tab sensing signal; and a controller configured to generate a virtual ID for the first electrode based on the tab sensing signal from the tab sensor, wherein the first inspection device is configured to match data of the first distance with data of the virtual ID.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery manufacturing apparatus further includes a reader configured to read the electrode ID of the first electrode extracted from the cutting device and to transmit the electrode ID of the first electrode to the controller.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the second inspection device is configured to match the data of the second distance with the data of the first distance, the data of the virtual ID, and the data of the electrode ID.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the second inspection device is further configured to detect the sealing width of the unit sealing region of the first unit diaphragm bonding body based on the first distance and the second distance, wherein the second inspection device is further configured to detect the sealing width of the unit sealing region of the first unit diaphragm bonding body based on the first distance and the second distance, the unit sealing region of the first unit diaphragm bonding body being a part of the sealing region of the diaphragm bonding body, and wherein the second inspection device is configured to match the data of the sealing width of the unit sealing region of the first unit diaphragm bonding body with the data of the virtual ID and the data of the electrode ID.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the first inspection device is further configured to detect a third distance between the sealing region of the diaphragm bonding body and the second electrode attached to the diaphragm bonding body, the sealing region of the diaphragm bonding body being between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the cutting device is further configured to cut the diaphragm bonding body to separate the second unit diaphragm bonding body to which the second electrode is attached, and wherein the second inspection device is further configured to detect a fourth distance between the second electrode and the edge of the second unit diaphragm bonding body.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the second inspection device is further configured to detect the sealing width of the unit sealing region of the first unit diaphragm joint body based on the first distance and the second distance, and to detect the sealing width of the unit sealing region of the second unit diaphragm joint body based on the third distance and the fourth distance, wherein the unit sealing region of the first unit diaphragm joint body is a part of the sealing region of the diaphragm joint body, and wherein the unit sealing region of the second unit diaphragm joint body is another part of the sealing region of the diaphragm joint body.

[0018] To address the aforementioned problems, the present disclosure provides a battery manufacturing method comprising: forming a separator bonding body having a sealing region by bonding a portion of a first separator to a portion of a second separator; detecting a first distance between the sealing region of the separator bonding body and an electrode attached to the first separator; cutting the separator bonding body to separate a first unit separator bonding body to which the electrode is attached; and detecting a second distance between the electrode and an edge of the first unit separator bonding body.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery manufacturing method further includes: detecting the sealing width of the cell sealing region of the first cell separator bonding body based on the first distance and the second distance, wherein the cell sealing region of the first cell separator bonding body is a part of the sealing region of the separator bonding body.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery manufacturing method further includes generating a virtual ID for the electrode prior to the step of detecting the first distance.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery manufacturing method further includes: reading the electrode ID of the electrode.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the battery manufacturing method further includes: matching the sealing width of the cell sealing region of the first cell separator bonding body with the data of the virtual ID of the electrode and the data of the electrode ID of the electrode.

[0023] Beneficial effects

[0024] According to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, based on first distance data of a first distance between the sealing area of ​​the diaphragm bonding body and the corresponding electrode obtained before the cutting process and second distance data of a second distance between the edge of the unit diaphragm bonding body and the corresponding electrode obtained after the cutting process, the sealing width of the unit sealing area of ​​the unit diaphragm bonding body provided to the unit cell can be detected without additional measuring equipment.

[0025] The technical effects achievable in the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art can clearly derive and understand other effects not mentioned from the following description. In other words, those skilled in the art can also derive unintended effects from the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic plan view of a battery manufacturing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the inspection images acquired by the first inspection device.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the inspection images acquired by the second inspection device.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The preferred embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as conforming to the technical spirit and concepts of this disclosure, based on the principle that the inventors can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe their invention.

[0032] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are merely one of the most preferred embodiments of this disclosure and do not represent all the technical ideas of this disclosure. Therefore, various equivalent examples and variations may exist that can replace them at the time of filing this application.

[0033] Furthermore, in describing this disclosure, detailed descriptions of relevant known configurations or functions will be omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions may obscure the main points of this disclosure.

[0034] Embodiments of this disclosure are provided to describe the disclosure more fully to those skilled in the art; therefore, for clarity of explanation, the shapes and dimensions of the components in the drawings may be shown enlarged, omitted, or schematically. Consequently, the dimensions or ratios of each component do not perfectly reflect the actual dimensions or ratios.

[0035] (First Implementation)

[0036] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery manufacturing apparatus 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 This is a schematic plan view of a battery manufacturing apparatus 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The battery manufacturing equipment 10 may include a laminating device 210, a sealing device 220, a tab sensor 231, a first inspection device 240, a cutting device 250, a reader 260, a second inspection device 270, and a controller 280.

[0038] Battery manufacturing equipment 10 can be configured to process electrode semi-finished products, which are intermediate products used to manufacture battery cells. The electrode semi-finished products may include one or more electrodes 140 and one or more separators. Within battery manufacturing equipment 10, the electrode semi-finished products can be continuously conveyed along a predetermined conveying path by means of a conveying device. The conveying device can be a linear motion system. For example, the conveying device may include a roll-to-roll conveyor and / or a conveyor belt. A laminating device 210, a sealing device 220, a tab sensor 231, a first inspection device 240, a cutting device 250, a reader 260, and a second inspection device 270 can be arranged sequentially along the direction of movement (MD) of the electrode semi-finished products by means of the conveying device.

[0039] The laminating apparatus 210 can provide a laminate 100, which includes a lower diaphragm 111, an upper diaphragm 113 on the lower diaphragm 111, and a plurality of electrodes 140 disposed on each of the lower diaphragm 111 and the upper diaphragm 113. The lower diaphragm 111 may be referred to as a first diaphragm, and the upper diaphragm 113 may be referred to as a second diaphragm. The plurality of electrodes 140 may include lower electrodes 141 and upper electrodes 145, the lower electrodes 141 being arranged on the lower diaphragm 111 along a first direction (e.g., the X direction) and spaced apart from each other in the first direction (e.g., the X direction), and the upper electrodes 145 being arranged on the upper diaphragm 113 along a first direction (e.g., the X direction) and spaced apart from each other in the first direction (e.g., the X direction).

[0040] The lower electrode 141 and the upper electrode 145 may have different polarities. The lower electrode 141 may have electrode tabs 142 protruding from the lower diaphragm 111 and the upper diaphragm 113 in a second direction (e.g., the Y direction). The upper electrode 145 may have electrode tabs 146 protruding from the lower diaphragm 111 and the upper diaphragm 113 in a second direction (e.g., the Y direction). In an exemplary embodiment, the lower electrode 141 may be a negative electrode, and the upper electrode 145 may be a positive electrode. In other exemplary embodiments, the lower electrode 141 may be a positive electrode, and the upper electrode 145 may be a negative electrode.

[0041] The laminating apparatus 210 can perform a lamination process that attaches a plurality of electrodes 140 to a lower diaphragm 111 and / or an upper diaphragm 113 by applying heat and / or pressure. The laminating apparatus 210 may include a heating unit and a pressure roller. The heating unit has a heat source for applying heat, and the pressure roller applies pressure to press the plurality of electrodes 140 onto the lower diaphragm 111 and / or the upper diaphragm 113.

[0042] The sealing device 220 can receive the laminate 100 extracted from the laminating device 210 and perform a diaphragm sealing process to bond a portion of the upper diaphragm 113 and a portion of the lower diaphragm 111. The sealing device 220 can apply heat and / or pressure to the portion of the upper diaphragm 113 and the portion of the lower diaphragm 111 to form a sealing region 115, where the portions of the upper diaphragm 113 and the lower diaphragm 111 are bonded together. Through the diaphragm sealing process, a diaphragm bonding body 110 comprising the upper diaphragm 113 and the lower diaphragm 111 bonded together in the sealing region 115 can be formed. The sealing device 220 may include a sealing end configured to apply heat and / or pressure to the portion of the lower diaphragm 111 and the portion of the upper diaphragm 113. The sealing end may be configured to move by means of an actuator.

[0043] More specifically, the portion of the lower diaphragm 111 between two adjacent lower electrodes 141 in a first direction (e.g., the X direction) and the portion of the upper diaphragm 113 between two adjacent upper electrodes 145 in a first direction (e.g., the X direction) can be joined together to form a sealing region 115. The sealing region 115 may be located between two adjacent lower electrodes 141 in the first direction (e.g., the X direction) and may extend continuously or discontinuously in a second direction (e.g., the Y direction). When the diaphragm sealing process is completed, the two adjacent lower electrodes 141 in the first direction (e.g., the X direction) may be spaced apart by the sealing region 115.

[0044] The tab sensor 231 can be disposed between the sealing device 220 and the first inspection device 240, and can detect the electrode tabs of the electrode 140 extracted from the sealing device 220. The tab sensor 231 can generate a tab sensing signal (TSS) by detecting the electrode tabs of the electrode 140 extracted from the sealing device 220, and can transmit the generated tab sensing signal (TSS) to the controller 280. For example, the tab sensor 231 may include a camera and / or an image sensor.

[0045] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the inspection image 310 acquired by the first inspection device 240.

[0046] refer to Figures 1 to 3The first inspection device 240 can receive a laminate 101 including a diaphragm bonding body 110 and a plurality of electrodes 140, and can detect a first distance between the sealing area 115 of the diaphragm bonding body 110 and the edge of the corresponding electrode 140. The first distance may refer to the distance between the sealing area 115 of the diaphragm bonding body 110 and the edge of the corresponding electrode 140 along a first direction (e.g., the X direction). The first inspection device 240 can generate first distance data (SAG) regarding the first distance, and can transmit the generated first distance data (SAG) to the controller 280.

[0047] The first inspection device 240 may include a vision device 241 and a processor 243. The vision device 241 may capture or photograph images of the laminate 101 and generate an inspection image 310 of the laminate 101. The processor 243 may process the inspection image 310 to detect a first distance and generate first distance data (SAG).

[0048] The vision device 241 may include a camera and / or an image sensor. The processor 243 may be implemented by hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the processor 243 may include a computing device such as a workstation computer, desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, etc. The processor 243 may include any of a simple controller, a complex processor (such as a microprocessor, CPU, GPU, etc.), and a processor configured by software, dedicated hardware, and firmware. The processor 243 may be implemented by, for example, a general-purpose computer or dedicated hardware (such as a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)).

[0049] In the inspection image 310, at least a portion of each of the sealing region 115 of the diaphragm bonding body 110 and the two lower electrodes 141 disposed on both sides of the sealing region 115 of the diaphragm bonding body 110 may be visible. Since the side of the lower electrode 141 adjacent to the sealing region 115 is not covered by the upper electrode 145, the side of the lower electrode 141 may be visible in the inspection image 310. The processor 243 may process the inspection image 310 to detect a first distance between the edge of each of the two lower electrodes 141 and the sealing region 115 of the diaphragm bonding body 110.

[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, the first inspection device 240 can detect a first distance (A1, A2) between the lower electrode 141 on one side of the sealing region 115 and the sealing region 115 at multiple detection points (e.g., the first detection point and the second detection point), and can detect a first distance (A3, A4) between the lower electrode 141 on the other side of the sealing region 115 and the sealing region 115 at multiple detection points (e.g., the third detection point and the fourth detection point).

[0051] Refer again Figure 1 and Figure 2 The cutting device 250 can receive the laminate 101 that has passed through the first inspection device 240 and can cut the diaphragm bonding body 110 from the introduced laminate 101. The cutting device 250 may include a cutting blade configured to move by means of an actuator. The cutting device 250 can cut the diaphragm bonding body 110 along a cutting line that traverses the sealing region 115 of the diaphragm bonding body 110 in a second direction (e.g., the Y direction) to separate the diaphragm bonding body 110 into a plurality of unit diaphragm bonding bodies 120. The plurality of unit diaphragm bonding bodies 120 may be spaced apart from each other in a first direction (e.g., the X direction) across the cutting region 161. Each unit diaphragm bonding body 120 may include a unit lower diaphragm 121 separated from the lower diaphragm 111 and a unit upper diaphragm 123 separated from the upper diaphragm 113. The unit diaphragm bonding body 120, the lower electrode 141 attached to the unit diaphragm bonding body 120, and the upper electrode 145 attached to the unit diaphragm bonding body 120 can constitute a unit cell 102. The unit cell 102 can be a single cell.

[0052] Since the cutting device 250 cuts the diaphragm bonding body 110 along a cutting line that traverses the sealing region 115 in a second direction (e.g., the Y direction), the unit diaphragm bonding body 120 can have a unit sealing region 125 corresponding to a portion of the sealing region 115 of the diaphragm bonding body 110. In the unit diaphragm bonding body 120, the unit sealing region 125 can extend from the edge of the unit diaphragm bonding body 120 formed by the cutting process along a first direction (e.g., the X direction).

[0053] Reader 260 can read the electrode ID of the electrode 140 included in the cell 102 and can generate data (RID) about the read electrode ID of the electrode 140. Reader 260 can transmit the data (RID) generated about the electrode ID to controller 280. Reader 260 may include: a vision device such as a camera and / or image sensor for acquiring images of the electrode tabs; and a processor for processing the images of the electrode tabs generated by the vision device. The electrode ID may correspond to a physical ID formed on the electrode tab of electrode 140 by laser printing and ink printing methods. The electrode ID may include Arabic numerals, letters, one-dimensional codes, and / or two-dimensional codes. The electrode ID may include information about the process history of electrode 140.

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, the lower electrode 141 may have an electrode ID 143 disposed on its electrode tab 142, and the reader 260 may be configured to read the electrode ID 143 of the lower electrode 141. In some exemplary embodiments, the upper electrode 145 may have an electrode ID disposed on its electrode tab 146, and the reader 260 may be configured to read the electrode ID of the upper electrode 145.

[0055] According to an exemplary embodiment, the reader 260 can read the electrode ID of the electrode 140, thereby improving the traceability of electrode semi-finished products within the battery manufacturing equipment 10.

[0056] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the inspection image 320 acquired by the second inspection device 270.

[0057] refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 The second inspection device 270 can receive a cell 102 including a cell diaphragm bonding body 120 and a plurality of electrodes 140, and can detect a second distance between the edge of the cell diaphragm bonding body 120 and the edge of the corresponding electrode 140 in the introduced cell 102. The second distance can refer to the distance between the edge of the cell diaphragm bonding body 120 and the edge of the corresponding electrode 140 along a first direction (e.g., the X direction). The second inspection device 270 can generate second distance data (AS) regarding the second distance, and can transmit the generated second distance data (AS) to the controller 280.

[0058] The second inspection device 270 may include a vision device 271 and a processor 273. The vision device 271 may capture or photograph images of the cell 102 and generate an inspection image 320 of the cell 102. The inspection image 320 may include at least a portion of each of two cell 102 spaced apart in a first direction (e.g., the X direction) by a cutting region 161. The processor 273 may process the inspection image 320 to detect a second distance and generate second distance data (AS).

[0059] The vision device 271 may include a camera and / or an image sensor. The processor 273 may be implemented by hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the processor 273 may include a computing device such as a workstation computer, desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, etc. The processor 273 may include any of a simple controller, a complex processor (such as a microprocessor, CPU, GPU, etc.), and a processor configured by software, dedicated hardware, and firmware. The processor 273 may be implemented by, for example, a general-purpose computer or dedicated hardware (such as a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)).

[0060] In the inspection image 320, two unit membrane bonding bodies 120 spaced apart by the cut region 161 can be displayed, and at least a portion of each of the two lower electrodes 141 attached to the two unit membrane bonding bodies 120 can be displayed. The processor 273 can detect a second distance between the edge of the unit membrane bonding body 120 and the edge of the lower electrode 141 in each of the two unit cells 102 spaced apart by the cut region 161 based on the inspection image 320.

[0061] In an exemplary embodiment, the second inspection device 270 can detect the second distance (B1, B2) between the lower electrode 141 and the unit diaphragm bonding body 120 at multiple detection points (e.g., the first detection point and the second detection point) of the unit cell 102 on one side of the cutting area 161, and can detect the second distance (B3, B4) between the lower electrode 141 and the unit diaphragm bonding body 120 at multiple detection points (e.g., the third detection point and the fourth detection point) of the unit cell 102 on the other side of the cutting area 161.

[0062] The second inspection device 270 can receive first distance data (SAG) from the controller 280 and can detect the sealing width of the unit sealing region 125 of the unit diaphragm bonding body 120 based on the first distance data (SAG) and the second distance data (AS). The sealing width of the unit sealing region 125 of the unit diaphragm bonding body 120 can refer to the length of the unit sealing region 125 measured along a first direction (e.g., the X direction) from the edge of the unit diaphragm bonding body 120 adjacent to the cut area 161. The second inspection device 270 can generate sealing width data (SW) of the sealing width of the unit sealing region 125 and can transmit the generated sealing width data (SW) to the controller 280.

[0063] The second inspection device 270 can compare the detected sealing width of the unit sealing region 125 of the unit diaphragm bonding body 120 with a predetermined reference range to determine whether the sealing width of the unit sealing region 125 of the unit diaphragm bonding body 120 is defective. If the detected sealing width of the unit sealing region 125 of the unit diaphragm bonding body 120 is within the reference range, the second inspection device 270 determines that the sealing width of the unit sealing region 125 of the unit diaphragm bonding body 120 is normal. If the detected sealing width of the unit sealing region 125 of the unit diaphragm bonding body 120 is outside the reference range, the second inspection device 270 determines that the sealing width of the unit sealing region 125 of the unit diaphragm bonding body 120 is defective. In an exemplary embodiment, the reference range can be determined as being between 30% and 70% of the width of the sealing region 115 of the diaphragm bonding body 110 along a first direction (e.g., the X direction).

[0064] In an exemplary embodiment, the second inspection device 270 can detect the sealing width of the unit sealing region 125 at multiple detection points in each unit cell 102, and can determine whether there is a defect in the detected sealing width of the unit sealing region 125 at each of the multiple detection points.

[0065] In an exemplary embodiment, for the cell 102 on one side of the cutting area 161, the first distance between the lower electrode 141 and the sealing area 115 of the diaphragm bonding body 110, obtained at the first detection point, can be calculated. Figure 3 The difference between (A1) and the second distance (B1) between the edge of the lower electrode 141 and the edge of the first unit diaphragm bonding body 120 obtained at the first detection point is used to detect the sealing width (C1) of the unit sealing area 125 at the first detection point. The first distance (B1) between the lower electrode 141 and the sealing area 115 of the diaphragm bonding body 110 obtained at the second detection point can be calculated. Figure 3 The difference between (A2) and the second distance (B2) between the edge of the lower electrode 141 and the edge of the first unit diaphragm bonding body 120 obtained at the second detection point is used to detect the sealing width (C2) of the unit sealing region 125 at the second detection point. The sealing width (C1) of the unit sealing region 125 at the first detection point and the sealing width (C2) of the unit sealing region 125 at the second detection point can each be compared with a predetermined reference range to determine whether the unit sealing region 125 in the unit cell 102 is properly sealed.

[0066] In an exemplary embodiment, for the cell 102 on the other side of the cutting area 161, the first distance between the lower electrode 141 and the sealing area 115 of the diaphragm bonding body 110, obtained at the third detection point, can be calculated. Figure 3 The difference between (A3) and the second distance (B3) between the edge of the lower electrode 141 and the edge of the first unit diaphragm bonding body 120, obtained at the third detection point, is used to detect the sealing width (C3) of the unit sealing area 125 at the third detection point. The first distance (B3) between the lower electrode 141 and the sealing area 115 of the diaphragm bonding body 110, obtained at the fourth detection point, can be calculated. Figure 3 The difference between (A4) and the second distance (B4) between the edge of the lower electrode 141 and the edge of the first unit diaphragm bonding body 120 obtained at the fourth detection point is used to detect the sealing width (C4) of the unit sealing region 125 at the fourth detection point. The sealing width (C3) of the unit sealing region 125 at the third detection point and the sealing width (C4) of the unit sealing region 125 at the fourth detection point can each be compared with a predetermined reference range to determine whether the unit sealing region 125 in the unit cell 102 is properly sealed.

[0067] Refer again Figure 1 and Figure 2 It can be connected to the controller 280 to realize signal transmission to the components of the battery manufacturing equipment 10 (e.g., laminating device 210, sealing device 220, tab sensor 231, first inspection device 240, cutting device 250, reader 260, second inspection device 270, etc.), and can control the operation of the components of the battery manufacturing equipment 10.

[0068] The controller 280 can generate a virtual ID for the electrode 140 detected by the electrode sensor 231 based on the electrode sensing signal (TSS) of the electrode sensor 231. More specifically, when the electrode sensor 231 detects the electrode 140 extracted from the sealing device 220 to generate the electrode sensing signal (TSS), the trigger plate 233 can generate a digital request signal (NRS) based on the electrode sensing signal (TSS) transmitted from the electrode sensor 231, and the controller 280 can generate a virtual ID associated with the corresponding electrode 140 based on the digital request signal (NRS) of the trigger plate 233.

[0069] The first inspection device 240 can receive virtual ID data (VID) associated with a specific electrode 140 transmitted from the controller 280, and can generate association data (RD1) by matching the first distance data (SAG) associated with the specific electrode 140 with the virtual ID data (VID). The first inspection device 240 can transmit the generated association data (RD1) to the controller 280.

[0070] The second inspection device 270 can receive data from the controller 280, including virtual ID (VID) associated with a specific electrode 140, electrode ID (RID) data of the specific electrode 140, and first distance data (SAG) associated with the specific electrode 140. The second inspection device 270 can generate association data (RD2) by matching the second distance data (AS) associated with the specific electrode 140 and the seal width data (SW) associated with the specific electrode 140 with the data regarding the virtual ID (VID), electrode ID (RID), and first distance data (SAG) associated with the specific electrode 140. The second inspection device 270 can then transmit the generated association data (RD2) to the controller 280.

[0071] In an exemplary embodiment, controller 280 may be a programmable logic controller (PLC). A PLC is a specialized form of microprocessor-based controller that uses programmable memory to store instructions and implement functions such as logic, sequencing, timing, counting, and arithmetic to control machines and processes. PLCs are easy to operate and program.

[0072] Controller 280 may include a power supply, a CPU, an input interface, an output interface, a communication interface, and a storage device. For operation of controller 280, the power supply may be configured to supply power to other components of controller 280, such as the CPU, input interface, output interface, communication interface, and storage device. The storage device may include a read-only memory (ROM) configured to store system programs (such as an operating system) and a random access memory (RAM) configured to store data (such as user programs and status information of input and output devices; values ​​of timers, counters, and other internal devices). The CPU may be configured to implement logic and control communication between modules that convert input signals into output operation signals. The CPU may operate based on system programs and user programs stored in the storage device. The CPU may be configured to write check data and measurement data to or read check data and measurement data from the data area of ​​the storage device based on the system program and user program. Conditions or data of industrial equipment and production processes may be transmitted to the CPU via input modules. The results processed by the CPU may be transmitted to the actuator via output modules. However, this is not the only possibility, and controller 280 may include a simple controller; a complex processor such as a microprocessor, CPU, GPU, etc.; or any processor configured by software, dedicated hardware, and firmware. Controller 280 may be implemented by, for example, a general-purpose computer or dedicated hardware such as DSP, FPGA, and ASIC.

[0073] Controller 280 can transmit first distance data (SAG), virtual ID data (VID), association data (RD1), electrode ID data (RID), second distance data (AS), seal width data (SW), and association data (RD2) to server 290. Server 290 can be configured to store and process the various data transmitted from controller 280.

[0074] Server 290 can be implemented by hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, server 290 may include computing devices such as workstation computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, etc. Server 290 may include any of a simple controller, a complex processor (such as a microprocessor, CPU, GPU, etc.), and a processor configured by software, dedicated hardware, and firmware. Server 290 may be implemented by, for example, a general-purpose computer or dedicated hardware (such as a DSP, FPGA, and ASIC). Server 290 may include a physical server or a cloud server.

[0075] Meanwhile, the sealing width of the unit sealing region 125 of the unit diaphragm bonding body 120 of the unit cell 102 can have micro-dimensions ranging from hundreds of micrometers to thousands of micrometers. The method for directly measuring the sealing width of the micro-dimensioned unit sealing region 125 depends on the performance of the measuring equipment, such as resolution, and in some cases, the measured sealing width of the unit sealing region 125 may have large errors. If a high-performance measuring device is added for measuring the sealing width of the unit sealing region 125, there is a problem of increased manufacturing costs for the electrode semi-finished product.

[0076] According to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, without additional measuring equipment, the sealing width of the unit sealing region 125 of the unit diaphragm bonding body 120 disposed in the unit cell 102 can be detected based on the first distance data (SAG) of the first distance between the sealing region 115 of the diaphragm bonding body 110 and the corresponding electrode 140 obtained before the cutting process and the second distance data (AS) of the second distance between the edge of the unit diaphragm bonding body 120 and the corresponding electrode 140 obtained after the cutting process.

[0077] If the cell sealing region 125 of the cell separator bonding body 120 disposed in the cell 102 does not have sufficient sealing width, the seal of the cell separator bonding body 120 may be compromised, which may lead to defects in the manufactured battery cell including the cell 102. According to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, by detecting the sealing width of the cell sealing region 125 of the cell separator bonding body 120 disposed in the cell 102, it is possible to determine in advance whether the cell 102 is defective.

[0078] (Second Implementation)

[0079] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, reference will be made to... Figures 1 to 5 A battery manufacturing method according to an exemplary embodiment is described.

[0080] refer to Figure 5 A laminate 100, comprising a lower diaphragm 111, an upper diaphragm 113, and a plurality of electrodes 140, is inserted into a laminating apparatus 210, and the laminating apparatus 210 performs a lamination process (S110) in which the plurality of electrodes 140 are attached to the lower diaphragm 111 and / or the upper diaphragm 113 by applying heat and / or pressure to the laminate 100.

[0081] When the lamination process is completed, the laminated part 100 that has undergone the lamination process is inserted into the sealing device 220, and the sealing device 220 performs a diaphragm sealing process, which combines a portion of the lower diaphragm 111 with a portion of the upper diaphragm 113 to form a diaphragm bonding body 110 with a sealing area 115 (S120).

[0082] When the diaphragm sealing process is completed, the tab sensor 231 detects the electrode tabs of the electrode 140 extracted from the sealing device 220 to generate a tab sensing signal (TSS), and the controller 280 generates a virtual ID (S130) associated with the electrode 140 having the electrode tabs detected by the tab sensor 231 based on the tab sensing signal (TSS) of the tab sensor 231. More specifically, the tab sensing signal (TSS) generated by the tab sensor 231 is transmitted to the trigger plate 233, which generates a digital request signal (NRS) based on the tab sensing signal (TSS), and the controller 280 generates a virtual ID based on the digital request signal (NRS) transmitted from the trigger plate 233.

[0083] Next, the laminate 101 having the diaphragm bonding body 110 and a plurality of electrodes 140 is inserted into the first inspection device 240, and the first inspection device 240 detects a first distance (S140) between the sealing area 115 of the diaphragm bonding body 110 and between each lower electrode 141 on both sides of the sealing area 115 of the diaphragm bonding body 110. The first inspection device 240 can generate association data (RD1) by matching the first distance data (SAG) of the detected first distance with the virtual ID data (VID) transmitted from the controller 280.

[0084] Next, the laminate 101 having the diaphragm bonding body 110 and multiple electrodes 140 is inserted into the cutting device 250, and the cutting device 250 performs a cutting process (S150) to cut the diaphragm bonding body 110 of the laminate 101. Through the cutting process, the laminate 101 can be separated into multiple unit cells 102, and the diaphragm bonding body 110 can be separated into multiple unit diaphragm bonding bodies 120 spaced apart from each other by the cutting area 161.

[0085] When the cutting process is completed, the cell 102 is inserted into the reader 260, and the reader 260 performs an electrode ID reading process (S160). This electrode ID reading process reads the electrode ID 143 located on the electrode tab 142 of the lower electrode 141 included in the cell 102. The reader 260 reads the electrode ID 143 to generate electrode ID data (RID) and transmits the generated electrode ID data (RID) to the controller 280.

[0086] When the electrode ID reading process is completed, the cell 102 is inserted into the second inspection device 270. The second inspection device 270 detects the second distance between the edge of the cell diaphragm bonding body 120 and the edge of the lower electrode 141 for each of the two adjacent cell 102, and detects the sealing width of the cell sealing area 125 of the cell diaphragm bonding body 120 for each of the two adjacent cell 102 (S170). The second inspection device 270 can generate association data (RD2) by matching the second distance data (AS) and sealing width data (SW) with the virtual ID data (VID) and electrode ID data (RID).

[0087] Next, the second inspection device 270 compares the sealing width of the unit sealing area 125 of the unit diaphragm bonding body 120 with a predetermined reference range to determine whether there is a defect in the sealing width of the unit sealing area 125 of the unit diaphragm bonding body 120 (S180).

[0088] As described above, this disclosure has been described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. However, it should be understood that the configurations described in the drawings or the embodiments described in this specification are merely one embodiment of this disclosure and do not represent all the technical ideas of this disclosure. Therefore, at the time of filing this application, there may be various equivalent examples and variations that replace these technical ideas.

Claims

1. A battery manufacturing apparatus, the battery manufacturing apparatus comprising: A sealing device configured to join a portion of a first diaphragm to a portion of a second diaphragm to form a diaphragm engagement body having a sealing region; A first inspection device is configured to detect a first distance between the sealing area of ​​the diaphragm bonding body and a first electrode attached to the diaphragm bonding body. A cutting device configured to cut the diaphragm bonding body to separate the first unit diaphragm bonding body to which the first electrode is attached from the diaphragm bonding body; as well as A second inspection device is configured to detect a second distance between the first electrode and the edge of the first unit diaphragm bonding body.

2. The battery manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The second inspection device is further configured to detect the sealing width of the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit diaphragm joint body based on the first distance and the second distance, and Wherein, the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit diaphragm bonding body is a part of the sealing area of ​​the diaphragm bonding body.

3. The battery manufacturing equipment according to claim 2, wherein, The second inspection device is configured to compare the sealing width of the unit sealing region of the first unit diaphragm joint body with a reference range.

4. The battery manufacturing equipment according to claim 3, wherein, The second inspection device is configured to determine that the sealing width of the unit sealing region of the first unit diaphragm bonding body is normal when the sealing width of the unit sealing region of the first unit diaphragm bonding body is within the reference range, and When the sealing width of the unit sealing region of the first unit diaphragm bonding body is outside the reference range, it is determined that the sealing width of the unit sealing region of the first unit diaphragm bonding body is defective.

5. The battery manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, further comprising: A tab sensor is disposed between the sealing device and the first inspection device and configured to sense the tabs of the first electrode extracted from the sealing device to generate a tab sensing signal. as well as The controller is configured to generate a virtual ID for the first electrode based on the electrode sensing signal from the electrode sensor. The first inspection device is configured to match the data of the first distance with the data of the virtual ID.

6. The battery manufacturing apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a reader configured to read the electrode ID of the first electrode extracted from the cutting device and to transmit the electrode ID of the first electrode to the controller.

7. The battery manufacturing equipment according to claim 6, wherein, The second inspection device is configured to match the data of the second distance with the data of the first distance, the data of the virtual ID, and the data of the electrode ID.

8. The battery manufacturing equipment according to claim 6, wherein, The second inspection device is further configured to detect the sealing width of the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit diaphragm joint body based on the first distance and the second distance. Wherein, the unit sealing region of the first unit diaphragm bonding body is a part of the sealing region of the diaphragm bonding body, and The second inspection device is configured to match the data of the sealing width of the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit diaphragm bonding body with the data of the virtual ID and the data of the electrode ID.

9. The battery manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The first inspection device is further configured to detect a third distance between the sealing region of the diaphragm bonding body and a second electrode attached to the diaphragm bonding body, wherein the sealing region of the diaphragm bonding body is located between the first electrode and the second electrode. The cutting device is further configured to cut the diaphragm bonding body to separate the second unit diaphragm bonding body with the second electrode attached from the diaphragm bonding body. The second inspection device is further configured to detect a fourth distance between the edge of the second electrode and the edge of the second unit diaphragm bonding body.

10. The battery manufacturing equipment according to claim 9, wherein, The second inspection device is further configured to detect the sealing width of the unit sealing region of the first unit diaphragm joint body based on the first distance and the second distance, and to detect the sealing width of the unit sealing region of the second unit diaphragm joint body based on the third distance and the fourth distance. Wherein, the unit sealing region of the first unit diaphragm bonding body is a part of the sealing region of the diaphragm bonding body, and The unit sealing area of ​​the second unit diaphragm bonding body is another part of the sealing area of ​​the diaphragm bonding body.

11. A battery manufacturing method, the battery manufacturing method comprising the following steps: A diaphragm bonding body with a sealing region is formed by joining a portion of a first diaphragm to a portion of a second diaphragm; Detect a first distance between the sealing area of ​​the diaphragm bonding body and the electrode attached to the first diaphragm; Cut the diaphragm bonding body to separate the first unit diaphragm bonding body with the electrode attached from the diaphragm bonding body; as well as The second distance between the electrode and the edge of the first unit diaphragm bonding body is detected.

12. The battery manufacturing method according to claim 11, further comprising the following steps: The sealing width of the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit diaphragm joint body is detected based on the first distance and the second distance. Wherein, the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit diaphragm bonding body is a part of the sealing area of ​​the diaphragm bonding body.

13. The battery manufacturing method according to claim 12, further comprising the following steps: Before the step of detecting the first distance, a virtual ID is generated for the electrode.

14. The battery manufacturing method according to claim 13, further comprising the following steps: Read the electrode ID of the electrode.

15. The battery manufacturing method according to claim 14, further comprising the following steps: The sealing width of the unit sealing region of the first unit diaphragm bonding body is matched with the data of the virtual ID of the electrode and the data of the electrode ID of the electrode.

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