Cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method

Abstract

This invention relates to a cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing apparatus and method, and specifically to a cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing apparatus and method capable of effectively performing line balancing in a cyclic manufacturing line. According to one embodiment of the invention, a cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing apparatus and method can be provided, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of sensors disposed along a buffer line to progressively calculate the loading degree of a carrier within the buffer line disposed between a preceding and a following device; and a controller that adjusts the processing speeds of the preceding and following devices based on the progressive loading degree calculated by a combination of the outputs of the plurality of sensors, so as to control the processing speeds of the preceding and following devices to conform to an overall target processing speed by balancing the processing speeds of the preceding and following devices.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing apparatus and a cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing method, which are capable of effectively performing line balancing in a cyclic manufacturing line. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, with the increasing availability of portable small electrical and electronic devices, the development of new types of secondary batteries, such as nickel-metal hydride batteries or lithium-ion batteries, is actively underway. Recently, lithium-ion batteries have been widely used in automobiles and power tools.

[0003] Lithium-ion batteries refer to batteries that use carbon, such as graphite, as the negative electrode active material, lithium oxide as the positive electrode material, and a non-aqueous solvent as the electrolyte.

[0004] Such secondary batteries are manufactured as battery packs by housing an electrode assembly in which the positive electrode, separator, and negative electrode are sequentially measured within an external material such as a bag or cylindrical container. Subsequently, a process is performed to inject electrolyte into the battery pack using an electrolyte injection device. Depending on the shape of the external material, secondary batteries can be classified as bag-type, cylindrical, and rectangular.

[0005] Because the volume and weight of the external materials in a pouch cell are relatively small, it has the advantage of high energy density per volume. Furthermore, when a battery module is formed from pouch cells, the module has small void spaces, resulting in high energy density per volume.

[0006] Compared to other types of secondary batteries, cylindrical secondary batteries have the advantage of being faster to manufacture, and the cylindrical canisters (outer material) and lids can be made from nickel-plated steel sheets, thus giving them the advantages of high durability and strength inherent in secondary batteries themselves.

[0007] The manufacturing process of a cylindrical secondary battery may include the following steps. First, an electrode assembly may be inserted into the interior of a cylindrical container. At this point, the negative terminal of the electrode assembly can be electrically connected to the container.

[0008] After the insertion process, a filling process can be performed, in which the electrolyte is filled into the cylindrical container. Subsequently, a casing process can be performed, in which the positive electrode of the electrode assembly is connected to the lid, and then the lid is attached to the cylindrical container.

[0009] In some cases, the outer periphery of cylindrical secondary batteries becomes contaminated with electrolyte after the canister-capping process. This electrolyte can damage the weld between the canister and the cap or cause insulation failure. Therefore, a cleaning process is typically performed after the canister-capping process is complete.

[0010] The cleaning process may include a washing process of cleaning the cylindrical secondary battery with a cleaning liquid, a blower process of removing the cleaning liquid remaining in the cylindrical secondary battery after the washing process by air drift, and a drying process of evaporating the cleaning liquid after the blower process.

[0011] In addition, the manufacturing process of a cylindrical secondary battery may include an insertion process, a process of welding the negative electrode of the electrode assembly to the negative electrode of the cylindrical box, and a crimping process to form the upper outer periphery of the cylindrical box for use as a casing.

[0012] Figure 1 The illustration shows an example of equipment for manufacturing cylindrical secondary batteries.

[0013] Multiple processing units 10, 20, and 30 are connected via a circulating manufacturing line 40. This is in the state where a cylindrical can or cylindrical secondary battery is mounted on a carrier (see...). Figure 2 and Figure 3 The carrier is circulated while being passed along the circular manufacturing line. In other words, each processing unit can be a part of the circular manufacturing line.

[0014] The manufacturing equipment includes a first device 10, a second device 20, and a third device 30, wherein the first device may be a washing device, the second device may be a blower device, and the third device may be a drying device. Alternatively, the first device may be an insertion device, a filling device, and a casing device. Alternatively, it may include an insertion device, a negative electrode welding device, and a crimping device. That is, multiple continuous processes can be performed continuously through a single cycle manufacturing line 40.

[0015] Cylindrical cans or cylindrical secondary batteries are mounted on carriers and then fed into the initial device, i.e., the first device 10. The relevant process can be performed as the carriers with cylindrical cans or cylindrical secondary batteries mounted on them sequentially pass through the device. The cylindrical cans or cylindrical secondary batteries are separated from the carriers discharged from the last device, i.e., the third device 30. The empty carriers can then move further along the recycling line 40 to accommodate cylindrical cans or cylindrical secondary batteries, and can then be returned to the initial device.

[0016] Here, the circulating manufacturing line 40 may sometimes be referred to as a closed path including each device 10, 20, 30, a buffer line 41 between the first device 10 and the second device 20, a buffer line 42 between the second device 20 and the third device 30, and a return line 43 between the third device 30 and the first device 10.

[0017] Buffer lines 41 and 42 can be referred to as carrier transfer paths for conveying and waiting for the next process after the previous process is completed, and return line 43 can be referred to as carrier transfer path for resupplying empty carriers to the first device 10 after all processes are completed.

[0018] Therefore, in order for each processing unit to perform processing at its optimal efficiency, the processing speed of another continuous processing unit must also be optimally controlled. That is, manufacturing line balancing or cycle line balancing must be achieved. This balancing requires optimally maintaining the number of components currently circulating through the manufacturing line. Thus, the target manufacturing speed, i.e., the number of components manufactured per minute, can be met as a single unit in equipment 1.

[0019] However, during the manufacturing process, some units may operate at relatively high speeds, while others may operate at relatively low speeds. For example, if a preceding unit operates quickly, unnecessary waiting time is required before processing can proceed to the next unit. Conversely, if a preceding unit operates slowly, the next unit has no choice but to wait without processing. Therefore, in a cyclical manufacturing line, line balance is disrupted, and the target manufacturing speed cannot be met.

[0020] Because of this problem, it is necessary to find a way to optimally maintain, manage and control the line balance in a cyclic manufacturing line. Summary of the Invention

[0021] Technical issues

[0022] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problems of conventional cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing equipment and control methods.

[0023] Through one example of the present invention, it is intended to provide a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus and a secondary battery manufacturing method capable of optimally managing and controlling line balance in a cyclic manufacturing line.

[0024] By way of an example of the present invention, it is intended to provide a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus and a control method for the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus, which allows workers to easily input a target speed as the production rate per minute and can automatically control the frequency through a controller and an inverter.

[0025] By way of an example of the present invention, it is intended to provide a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus and a control method for the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus, which can be easily modified from conventional manufacturing equipment and can control line balance by gradually identifying the loading degree using added sensors.

[0026] By way of an example of the present invention, it is intended to provide a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus and a control method for the secondary battery manufacturing apparatus, which can progressively identify the loading degree by combining the sensing values ​​of sensors, and thus can easily track and control the target speed by progressively executing the speed control of the device.

[0027] Technical solution

[0028] To achieve the above objectives, according to an example of the present invention, a cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing apparatus and a cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing method can be provided, wherein a carrier on which a cylindrical box is mounted is passed in a manufacturing line to manufacture a cylindrical secondary battery, wherein the cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing apparatus and the cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing method are characterized by comprising: a plurality of sensors arranged along a buffer line between a preceding device and a following device to progressively calculate the loading degree of the carrier in the buffer line; and a controller that adjusts the processing speed of the preceding device and the following device based on the progressive loading degree calculated by a combination of the outputs of the plurality of sensors, thereby balancing the processing speed of the preceding device and the following device and controlling it to track the overall target processing speed.

[0029] A buffer line is part of a manufacturing line and can be described as a carrier movement path set between a preceding device and a following device, so that a carrier that has completed the preceding process is fed into the following device and waits.

[0030] The manufacturing line can be formed continuously by a preceding device, a buffer line, and a subsequent device. Alternatively, the manufacturing line can be a cyclic manufacturing line, which may include a return line from the subsequent device to the preceding device. Only empty carriers separated from the cylindrical box or cylindrical secondary battery move in the return line, and these empty carriers can be coupled to the cylindrical box or cylindrical secondary battery and reintroduced into the preceding device.

[0031] According to this example, a manufacturing apparatus may include two processing units, namely a front unit and a back unit, for performing detailed processing.

[0032] Preferably, the sensor is positioned at multiple preset points along the buffer line. The sensor may be a contact sensor that senses contact with the carrier to output a signal.

[0033] Preferably, the controller calculates the loading level step by step by combining the outputs of multiple sensors.

[0034] The controller can calculate the inverter frequency in real time based on the calculated gradual load level and apply that frequency to the inverter. The inverter frequency can be input to each device, allowing the processing speed to be controlled in each device.

[0035] It may include an interface for workers to input a target processing speed, and the target manufacturing speed may be the number of products manufactured per minute (PPM).

[0036] The processing speed of the preceding and following devices is determined by the applied inverter frequency.

[0037] The controller can automatically calculate the number of products produced per minute and the corresponding inverter frequency.

[0038] Preferably, the controller calculates the inverter frequency in real time based on the target processing speed, the feedback processing speed of the preceding and following devices, and the calculated progressive load, and applies the frequency to the inverter.

[0039] During the initial manufacturing equipment operation, the preceding and following units can operate at processing speeds based on the inverter frequency calculated from the input ppm. Subsequently, an imbalance in processing speeds may occur between the preceding and following units.

[0040] Therefore, the controller can adjust the processing speed using feedback of the current processing speed and the calculated gradual load level. This processing speed adjustment can be performed by recalculating the inverter frequency and then applying the recalculated frequency to the inverter. This process can be executed in real time.

[0041] Preferably, when the loading level in the buffer line is at a higher stage, the controller controls the processing speed of the subsequent device to increase and the processing speed of the preceding device to decrease.

[0042] Preferably, when the loading level in the buffer line is at a low stage, the controller controls the processing speed of the subsequent device to decrease and the processing speed of the preceding device to increase.

[0043] The loading levels can be categorized into insufficient, adequate, and excessive stages. For example, an insufficient stage could be 30% loading, an adequate stage could be 50% loading, and an excessive stage could be 70% loading. Sensors can be positioned along the length of the buffer line at locations corresponding to 30%, 50%, and 70% of the length from the front end of the buffer line.

[0044] The sensors may include an excess detection sensor located at a position biased toward the front end of the buffer line, an appropriate detection sensor located at the middle position of the buffer line, and an insufficient detection sensor located at a position biased toward the rear end of the buffer line.

[0045] As an example, the insufficient stage can be 30% loading, the appropriate stage can be 50% loading, and the excessive stage can be 70% loading. Sensors can be set along the length of the buffer line at positions corresponding to 30% of the length, 50% of the length, and 70% of the length from the front end of the buffer line, respectively.

[0046] When the carrier is sensed only by the insufficient detection sensor, it can be determined to be in the insufficient stage; when the carrier is sensed only by the insufficient detection sensor and the appropriate detection sensor, it can be determined to be in the appropriate stage; and when the carrier is sensed by the insufficient detection sensor, the appropriate detection sensor and the excess detection sensor, it can be determined to be in the excess stage.

[0047] Preferably, the sensor determines that it has detected the carrier when it continuously generates detection signals for the carrier for a preset time. This is because it detects contact between the carrier, which is in a loaded state or a stationary state, and the sensor. When the carrier, which is in a simple moving state, contacts the sensor, it can be detected as contact in only a relatively short time. Therefore, when the contact signal is continuously generated for about 2 to 3 seconds, it can be determined as a signal for determining the loading capacity.

[0048] To achieve the above objectives, according to an example of the present invention, in a cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing apparatus, a carrier on which a cylindrical box is mounted is passed and circulated in a circular manufacturing line to manufacture a cylindrical secondary battery. The apparatus may include: a preceding device, an intermediate device, and a following device, which are continuously arranged as part of the circular manufacturing line and perform relevant processes as the carrier moves; a first buffer line, which is set as part of the circular manufacturing line and is disposed between the preceding and intermediate devices, such that a carrier that has completed the preceding process is conveyed to the next process and waits; and a second buffer line, which is set as part of the circular manufacturing line and is disposed between the intermediate and following devices, such that a carrier that has completed the preceding process is conveyed to the next process and waits; and a second buffer line, which is set as part of the circular manufacturing line and is disposed between the intermediate and following devices, such that a carrier that has completed the preceding process is conveyed to the next process and waits.

[0049] Preferably, the manufacturing equipment includes a plurality of sensors configured to progressively calculate the loading degree of the carrier in the first buffer line and the second buffer line, and is disposed in each of the first buffer line and the second buffer line.

[0050] The manufacturing equipment may include a controller that adjusts the processing speed of the preceding, intermediate, and subsequent devices based on the progressive loading levels calculated from the output of sensors, and thus controls the process to track the target processing speed through the cyclic manufacturing line.

[0051] In this example, three sub-devices are set up to perform the relevant processes, and each sub-device can be connected sequentially to form part of a cyclic manufacturing line.

[0052] Preferably, the sensor is positioned at multiple preset points along each buffer line in the buffer line.

[0053] The sensor can be a contact sensor that senses contact with a carrier and outputs a signal.

[0054] The controller can calculate the loading level step by step by combining the outputs of multiple sensors.

[0055] The loading level can be divided into three stages: insufficient, adequate, and excessive.

[0056] The sensors may include an excess detection sensor located at a position biased toward the front end of the buffer line, an appropriate detection sensor located at the middle position of the buffer line, and an insufficient detection sensor located at a position biased toward the rear end of the buffer line.

[0057] Preferably, the controller is configured to track the target manufacturing speed by using eight speed control modes based on the progressive loading levels in the first and second buffer lines, through a combination of increasing and decreasing processing speeds of the preceding, intermediate, and subsequent devices.

[0058] To achieve the above objectives, according to an example of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a cylindrical secondary battery can be provided, in which a carrier on which a cylindrical box is mounted is passed along a manufacturing line to manufacture a cylindrical secondary battery. The method includes: applying a frequency calculated by a controller based on a target processing speed (ppm) input to an interface by a worker to an inverter; causing a preceding device and a following device to perform relevant processing at relevant processing speeds based on the frequency applied by the inverter; calculating the loading degree of the carrier mounted on the buffer line using output signals from a plurality of sensors mounted on a buffer line disposed between the preceding and following devices; and adjusting the processing speeds of the preceding and following devices based on the calculated loading degree.

[0059] Preferably, the sensor is a contact sensor that senses contact with the carrier to output a signal, and the controller calculates the loading level step by step by combining the outputs of the sensors.

[0060] When the load-bearing component detection signal is continuously generated by the sensor for a preset time, the load-bearing component detection signal can be determined as an effective signal for calculating the loading degree of the load-bearing component step by step based on the sensor.

[0061] At least one of multiple sensors can be provided to calculate the current processing speed of the relevant device. The current processing speed can be easily calculated by the number of contact signals per minute from the carrier components discharged after processing is completed. The duration of the contact signals can vary depending on the loading level of the carrier components.

[0062] Preferably, the controller recalculates the inverter frequency in real time based on the target processing speed, the feedback processing speeds of the preceding and following devices, and the calculated progressive load level, so as to apply the recalculated frequency to the inverter. In other words, the processing speed can be changed based on the recalculated inverter frequency.

[0063] Based on this example, line balancing can be easily performed by adding sensors and a simple control algorithm.

[0064] Beneficial effects

[0065] According to one example of the present invention, a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus and a secondary battery manufacturing method can be provided, which are capable of optimally managing and controlling the line balance in a cyclic manufacturing line.

[0066] According to one example of the present invention, a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus and a control method thereof can be provided, which allow workers to easily input a target speed as the production rate per minute and can automatically control the frequency through a controller and an inverter.

[0067] According to one example of the present invention, a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus and a control method thereof can be provided, which can be easily modified from conventional manufacturing equipment and can control line balance by gradually identifying the loading degree using added sensors.

[0068] According to one example of the present invention, a secondary battery manufacturing apparatus and a control method thereof can be provided, which can progressively identify the loading level by combining the sensing values ​​of sensors, and thus can easily track and control the target speed by progressively executing the speed control of the device. Attached Figure Description

[0069] Figure 1 The diagram illustrates the layout and appearance of a conventional cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing equipment.

[0070] Figure 2 The illustration shows the disassembled appearance of the carrier and the cylindrical secondary battery (before assembly).

[0071] Figure 3 The illustration shows the layout of a cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to an example of the present invention.

[0072] Figure 4 The illustration shows the contact appearance of a contact sensor and a carrier in a cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to an example of the present invention.

[0073] Figure 6 The illustration shows the control structure of a cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to an example of the present invention, and

[0074] Figure 6 The illustration shows a combination of processing speed control modes in a cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to an example of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0075] In the following, a cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0076] First, refer to Figure 2 A carrier is described in detail as an example applicable to the present invention.

[0077] like Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the battery 100 includes a cylindrical box 110 and a cover 120, and the central portion of the cover 120 can form a positive electrode, and the central portion of the lower surface of the box can form a negative electrode. Figure 2 The illustration shows the central cross-section of the support member 130.

[0078] The cylindrical box 110 or battery 100 can be delivered to and discharged from the processing facility while being partially housed in the carrier 130. When all processes are completed, the battery 100 is separated from the carrier 130.

[0079] The support member 130 can be formed into a single support member by assembling multiple parts. For example, the main body 131, the lower body 132, and the connecting pin 133 can be assembled with each other to form a single support member. The support member 130 can be formed into a hollow cylindrical shape.

[0080] An insertion groove 131a for inserting a cylindrical box or battery can be formed on the upper portion of the carrier 130, and a fluid inlet 132a can be formed on the lower portion. The insertion groove 131a can be formed at a certain depth from the upper portion of the carrier 130. The diameter of the insertion groove 131a can be formed to be slightly larger than the diameter of the battery 100. The lower portion of the battery 10 can be inserted into the insertion groove 131a at a certain depth, and the insertion depth can be about 1 / 5 to 1 / 3 of the length of the battery 100. The box 110 or battery 10 is passed along the circulating manufacturing line in its mounted state on the carrier 130, i.e., in an upright state.

[0081] The fluid inlet 132a can be formed to be continuous from the lower portion of the carrier 130 to the insertion groove 131a, and the diameter of the fluid inlet 132a can be formed to be smaller than the diameter of the insertion groove 131a and the diameter of the battery. Cleaning liquid or air can be supplied from the outside to the box 110 and discharged from the box 110 to the outside through the fluid inlet.

[0082] The carrier 130 can be formed entirely of an insulating material. It can also be formed of a rubber material to protect the box or battery during transport. Specifically, the main body 131 and the lower body 132 can be formed of an insulating material, and can be formed of the same material. The connecting pin 133 can be a spring pin, and through holes 131b and 132b can be formed in the main body 131 and the lower body 132, respectively, for inserting and securing the connecting pin 133.

[0083] In the following text, reference will be made to Figure 3 A cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to an example of the present invention is described in detail.

[0084] As illustrated, the cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing apparatus according to an example of the present invention can be used with... Figure 1 The conventional manufacturing equipment illustrated herein is the same as or similar to that shown. However, according to this example, cyclic line balancing can be performed efficiently by adding some construction and control logic.

[0085] According to this example, the first device 210, the second device 220, and the third device 230 are connected in series so that the corresponding processes can be performed in series. Each device can form part of a cyclic manufacturing line 240.

[0086] Here, each device can be a device that performs the same process or a series of processes. For example, the first device 210 is a cleaning device that can perform a washing process, a blowing process, and a drying process for a cylindrical secondary battery. The secondary battery cleaned by the first device 210 can be cleaned repeatedly by the second device 220 and the third device 230. As an example, three cleaning processes can be performed consecutively.

[0087] Of course, each device can be a device that performs a different process. As an example, the first device 210 is a washing device that can perform a washing process, the second device 220 is a blower device that can perform a blowing process, and the third device 230 is a drying device that can also perform a drying process.

[0088] A buffer line 241 is provided between the first device 210 and the second device 220. A cylindrical box or secondary battery that has completed the process in the first device 210 can be discharged to the buffer line 241 and can then be fed into the second device 220 via the buffer line 241. In other words, the buffer line 241 can be referred to as a line that waits for the next process after the previous process is completed.

[0089] Preferably, the processing speed balance between the first device 210 and the second device 220 is optimally maintained and managed. As an example, when the waiting time in the buffer line 241 is short, it means that the processing speed of the first device 210 is relatively slow or the processing speed of the second device 220 is relatively fast. Conversely, when the waiting time in the buffer line 241 is long, it means that the processing speed of the first device 210 is relatively fast or the processing speed of the second device 220 is relatively slow.

[0090] Here, the first device 210 can be referred to as the preceding device, and the second device 220 can be referred to as the following device.

[0091] As an example, the former device 210 may include a plurality of processing wheels 212, a plurality of input wheels 211, and a discharge wheel 213. When the input wheels 211 rotate, the carrier 130, which is transmitted to the first input wheel 211 via the input buffer line 215, moves to the processing wheels 212. In this case, the processing wheels 212 also rotate.

[0092] The input wheel 211 is positioned between the processing wheels 212 to feed the carrier material discharged from the previous processing wheel 212 to the next processing wheel 212. As an example, Figure 3 The diagram illustrates three input wheels 212 and three processing wheels 212. Each processing wheel 212 can perform relevant processing as it rotates.

[0093] The carrier 130 discharged from the last processing wheel moves via the discharge wheel 213 to the discharge buffer line 216, and then moves along the buffer line 241 to the next device.

[0094] Simultaneously, during the process carried out by the preceding device 210, defective secondary batteries can be sensed, and these defective secondary batteries can be discharged from the recycling production line 240 through the discharge line 217 or the defect discharge outlet. Through the operation of the defect wheel 214 connected to the discharge wheel 213, the defective secondary batteries can be discharged together with the carrier through the defect discharge outlet.

[0095] The detailed structure of the preceding device 210 may be the same as or similar to the detailed structure of the intermediate device 220 and the following device 230.

[0096] According to this example, each device 210, 220, 230 may have an auxiliary sensor assembly 218, 228, 238 capable of sensing the main carrier 140 to be discharged, at its defect discharge outlet or defect discharge line 217, 227, 228.

[0097] In manufacturing equipment 200, multiple detailed processes are executed sequentially to ultimately produce a finished or semi-finished product. Therefore, when some detailed processes are relatively fast or relatively slow, the manufacturing speed of manufacturing equipment 200 may not be optimally maintained and managed. Thus, a method is needed to optimally maintain the waiting time in buffer line 241.

[0098] For this purpose, multiple sensors 244, 245, and 246 can be installed in the buffer line 241. These multiple sensors can be installed along the buffer line 241.

[0099] These multiple sensors can be configured to progressively calculate the loading level of the carrier in the buffer line. A high loading level means a long waiting time, and a low loading level means a short waiting time. Therefore, by progressively identifying the loading level, the processing speed of the preceding and following devices can be appropriately controlled. This allows the current manufacturing speed of the manufacturing equipment 200 to be controlled to track the target manufacturing speed. The current manufacturing speed and the target manufacturing speed can be referred to as the current processing speed and the target processing speed, respectively. The unit can be ppm.

[0100] Preferably, the sensors are positioned at multiple predetermined points along the buffer line 241. As an example, the carriers are loaded from the exit end of the buffer line 241, and are loaded while the carriers are in contact or close contact with each other. This can be referred to as the loading line or stagnation line of the carriers. That is, the degree of loading can be determined by determining the length of the stagnation line of the carriers.

[0101] As an example, based on the total length of the buffer line, the sensor can be installed at points 30%, 50%, and 70% of the length from the entrance end of the buffer line 241. These points can be referred to as upper loading point, middle loading point, and lower loading point, or as underloading point, appropriate loading point, and overloading point.

[0102] It can be seen that by increasing the number of points where sensors are installed in the buffer line, the appropriate level can be sensed in more detail.

[0103] A manufacturing equipment 200 may consist of two devices connected in series, and in this case, a buffer line may be provided between the two devices. The manufacturing speed of the manufacturing equipment 200 can then be managed and controlled by multiple sensors installed in the buffer line.

[0104] like Figure 3 As shown, a manufacturing apparatus 200 may be provided with three devices connected in series with each other. In this case, a buffer line can be provided between each device, and therefore a total of two buffer lines can be provided. That is, a buffer line 242 can be provided between the second device 220 and the third device 230.

[0105] Similarly, the buffer line 242 can also be equipped with multiple sensors 246, 247, and 249.

[0106] All of the multiple sensors 244 to 249 are the same sensors and can be installed with the same structure.

[0107] like Figure 4 As shown, through holes 241a and 242a can be formed in the sidewalls or housings that form the buffer lines 241 and 242, and the sensor can be mounted as a component by passing through the through holes.

[0108] Sensor assemblies 244 to 249 may include a mounting bracket 244a and a sensor 244b. Preferably, sensor 244b is a contact sensor. That is, sensor 244b is preferably a sensor that generates a corresponding signal when it comes into contact with the carrier 130 moving along the buffer lines 241, 242. If contact is sensed while the carrier 130 is simply moving, a corresponding signal can be generated in only a very short time. However, if contact is sensed while the carrier 130 is stationary, a corresponding signal can be generated while the contact is maintained.

[0109] Since sensors 244 to 249 do not sense simple contact, but rather a standstill, a standstill can be identified when the contact duration is approximately 2 to 3 seconds or longer. In other words, a contact signal generated and maintained for a preset time can be identified as a valid signal.

[0110] Simultaneously, the stagnation of the carrier occurs at the exit ends of buffer lines 241 and 242. Therefore, when the sensing results from sensors 246 and 249 at the 30% stagnation position are determined to be valid, it can be known that there is at least a stagnation, i.e., a loading level of 30% or higher. Furthermore, when the sensing results from sensors 246 and 249 at the 30% stagnation position and sensors 245 and 248 at the 50% stagnation position are determined to be valid, it can be known that there is at least a stagnation, i.e., a loading level of 50% or higher. Additionally, when the sensing results from sensors at all 30% stagnation positions, sensors at the 50% stagnation position, and sensors 244 and 247 at the 70% stagnation position are determined to be valid, it can be known that there is at least a stagnation, i.e., a loading level of 70% or higher.

[0111] Therefore, the loading level can be determined incrementally by combining the effective sensing values ​​of multiple sensors positioned on the buffer line. Here, when the effective sensing value is defined as "on" and the ineffective sensing value is defined as "off," and when the sensors are installed at 30%, 50%, and 70% positions, the combinations of effective sensing values ​​can occur in a very wide range of ways. However, all combinations other than (on, on, on) i.e., 70% loading, (on, on, off) i.e., 50% loading, and (on, off, off) i.e., 30% loading can be determined as ineffective combinations.

[0112] In the following text, reference will be made to Figure 5 The control structure of manufacturing equipment 200 is described in detail.

[0113] The set time that the carrier has been in contact with the sensor can be sensed by sensor assemblies 244 to 249 or contact sensors 244b to 249b. The sensors can be mounted on buffer lines 241 and 242.

[0114] The control unit or controller 260 can be implemented in the form of a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), and the controller 260 receives signals through contact sensors 244b to 249b. It determines whether the received signal is a valid signal. That is, it determines whether the received signal has been generated for a preset time. As an example, a signal indicating continuous contact for 3 seconds or longer can be determined as a valid signal.

[0115] The controller 260 combines valid signals from relevant contact sensors. Through these combinations, the degree of loading can be calculated progressively. In other words, it can determine which stage of the loading state is being maintained within a specific buffer line.

[0116] The controller 260 can control the processing speed of each device 210, 220, 230 via the inverter 280. The processing speed of the device can be controlled by the frequency (Hz) applied by the inverter 280. That is, it can be assumed that the higher the frequency, the faster the processing speed, and the lower the frequency, the slower the processing speed.

[0117] Meanwhile, the processing speed of the manufacturing equipment 200 can be largely input by the worker. For this purpose, an interface 270 can be provided, and this interface can be implemented in the form of an HMI (Human Machine Interface).

[0118] The processing speed (target speed) input by the user via interface 270 can be transmitted to inverter 280 via control section 260, and the processing speed can be determined based on the frequency applied by inverter 280. However, due to the imbalance of processing speeds in each detailed unit, deviations occur in the loading stages of the buffer line, which may disrupt the overall line balance. Ultimately, there is a problem of difficulty in tracking the target speed.

[0119] Furthermore, the target speed is defined as the number of products manufactured per minute (PPM) in manufacturing equipment 200, where conventionally, the target PPM must be converted to the frequency of the manufacturing equipment and input. That is, the worker manually calculates the frequency corresponding to the target PPM and then inputs it into interface 270. Therefore, control unit 260 simply performs the function of transmitting this information between interface 270 and inverter 280. Additionally, to change the target speed, the worker has no choice but to re-input the new target speed into the interface.

[0120] However, according to this example, the worker can input the target speed, i.e., the target PPM, into the interface. The control unit 260 can control the processing speed for each device based on the target speed input by the worker, the feedback processing speeds of the previous and next devices, and the calculated progressive loading degree.

[0121] As an example, control unit 260 can determine the target speed input by the worker and the processing speed of the manufacturing equipment. The processing speed of the manufacturing equipment can be identified by determining the number of products discharged from the manufacturing equipment after processing is completed. The current processing speed of the manufacturing equipment is fed back to control unit 260, allowing control unit 260 to identify the deviation between the target speed and the current speed.

[0122] Basically, in order to increase manufacturing speed by increasing the target speed, the processing speed of each manufacturing unit must be increased. At this point, one processing unit can operate according to the target processing speed, but another processing unit may not operate according to the target processing speed. This phenomenon can be caused by a disruption in line balance.

[0123] Therefore, according to this example, the loading level in each buffer line is determined step by step to control the processing speed of each device, thereby managing and controlling the production of products at the optimal processing speed, i.e., the speed at which the manufacturing equipment is targeted.

[0124] In other words, the controller 260 can control the processing speed by calculating the inverter frequency in real time based on the target manufacturing speed, the current processing speed feedback, and the calculated gradual loading level. The controller 260 can control the processing speed in real time by calculating the frequency applied to the inverter. Therefore, even if the worker simply inputs a target speed in PPM through the interface, the controller 260 can calculate and apply the inverter frequency applied to the inverter in real time.

[0125] The controller 260 can control the processing speed of the subsequent device to increase as the loading level in a buffer line increases, and control the processing speed of the preceding device to decrease as the loading level in a buffer line increases. The controller 260 can also control the processing speed of the subsequent device to decrease as the loading level in a buffer line decreases, and control the processing speed of the preceding device to increase as the loading level in a buffer line decreases. Through this control tendency, the overall line balance can be appropriately managed and controlled.

[0126] As described above, buffer lines are arranged between detailed processing units to appropriately control the processing speed of each detailed processing unit, and especially in the case of three or more detailed processing units, the processing speed can be controlled more effectively to meet the target speed of the manufacturing equipment. In this case, the buffer line between the preceding unit and the intermediate unit can be called the first buffer line, and the buffer line between the intermediate unit and the following unit can be called the second buffer line.

[0127] Figure 6 A combination of control modes in a manufacturing apparatus 200 comprising three sub-devices 210, 220, and 230 is shown.

[0128] The combination of speed increases and decreases for the first and second devices can be generated through a loading stage in the buffer line between the first device 210 and the second device 220, and the combination of speed increases and decreases for the second and third devices can be generated through a loading stage in the buffer line between the second device 220 and the third device 230. This combination can be represented as eight different speed control modes for the combination of speed increases and decreases. Therefore, such speed control modes are intended to track the overall processing speed of the manufacturing equipment at a target speed by optimally maintaining the load in each buffer line.

[0129] Of course, in some cases, the processing speed of each detailed unit needs to be maintained at the current processing speed. Including such combinations allows for a further increase in the combination of speed control modes. Industrial Applicability

[0130] It is described in the invention description.

Claims

1. A cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing apparatus, wherein a carrier on which a cylindrical box is mounted is transferred along a manufacturing line to manufacture cylindrical secondary batteries, wherein... The cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing equipment is characterized by comprising: The preceding device, as the carrier moves, performs the preceding process of manufacturing the cylindrical secondary battery; The next device, following the previous process, performs the next process of manufacturing the cylindrical secondary battery as the carrier moves; A buffer line, which is part of the manufacturing line, is provided between the preceding device and the following device, such that the carrier that has completed the preceding process is conveyed to the following device and awaits processing; and Multiple sensors, arranged along the buffer line, are used to progressively calculate the loading degree of the carrier within the buffer line; and A controller adjusts the processing speed of the preceding and following devices based on a progressive loading degree calculated from a combination of the outputs of the plurality of sensors, thereby controlling the processing speed to track the target processing speed through the cyclic manufacturing line.

2. The cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensors are positioned at multiple preset points along the buffer line.

3. The cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sensor is a contact sensor that senses contact with a carrier and outputs a signal.

4. The cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The controller calculates the inverter frequency in real time based on the calculated gradual load level, applies the frequency to the inverter, and uses the calculated frequency to control the processing speed of the preceding and following devices.

5. The cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, include: An interface for workers to input the target processing speed, wherein the target processing speed is the number of products manufactured per minute (PPM).

6. The cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that, The controller calculates the inverter frequency in real time based on the target processing speed, the feedback processing speed of the preceding and following devices, and the calculated gradual loading degree, so as to apply the frequency to the inverter.

7. The cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the loading level in the buffer line reaches a high stage, the controller controls the processing speed of the subsequent device to increase and the processing speed of the preceding device to decrease.

8. The cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the loading level in the buffer line is at a low stage, the controller controls the processing speed of the subsequent device to decrease and the processing speed of the preceding device to increase.

9. The cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, The loading levels are divided into three stages: insufficient, adequate, and excessive.

10. The cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the sensor continuously generates detection signals for the carrier for a preset time, the detection signals are determined as valid signals for calculating the loading degree of the carrier step by step based on the sensor.

11. A cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing apparatus, wherein a carrier on which a cylindrical box is mounted is transferred and circulated in a circulating manufacturing line to manufacture cylindrical secondary batteries, wherein, The cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing equipment is characterized by comprising: The preceding device, the intermediate device, and the following device are arranged continuously as part of the cyclic manufacturing line and perform related processes as the carrier moves. A first buffer line, configured as part of the circulating manufacturing line and situated between the preceding and intermediate devices, allows the carrier, having completed the previous process, to be conveyed to the next process and await further processing; and A second buffer line, configured as part of the circulating manufacturing line and positioned between the intermediate and subsequent devices, allows the carrier that has completed the previous process to be conveyed to the next process and await further processing; and Multiple sensors, configured to progressively calculate the loading degree of the carrier in the first buffer line and the second buffer line, and disposed in each of the first buffer line and the second buffer line; and A controller adjusts the processing speed of the preceding device, the intermediate device, and the following device based on the progressive loading degree calculated from the output of the sensor, and thus controls them to track the target processing speed through the cyclic manufacturing line.

12. The cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing equipment according to claim 11, characterized in that, The sensors are positioned at multiple preset points along each of the buffer lines.

13. The cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing equipment according to claim 12, characterized in that, The sensor is a contact sensor that senses contact with a carrier and outputs a signal.

14. The cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing equipment according to claim 13, characterized in that, The controller calculates the loading degree step by step by combining the outputs of the multiple sensors, and when the detection signal of the carrier is continuously generated by the sensors for a preset time, the detection signal is determined as a valid signal for calculating the loading degree of the carrier step by step based on the sensors.

15. The cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing equipment according to claim 11, characterized in that, When the loading level in the buffer line reaches a high stage, the controller controls the processing speed of the subsequent device to increase and the processing speed of the preceding device to decrease.

16. The cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing equipment according to claim 11, characterized in that, When the loading level in the buffer line is at a low stage, the controller controls the processing speed of the subsequent device to decrease and the processing speed of the preceding device to increase.

17. A method for manufacturing a cylindrical secondary battery, comprising, in a cylindrical secondary battery manufacturing apparatus, conveying along a manufacturing line a carrier on which a cylindrical box is mounted, to manufacture a cylindrical secondary battery, the method comprising: The step of applying the frequency calculated by the controller based on the target processing speed (ppm) input by the worker to the interface to the inverter; The steps of causing the preceding device and the following device to perform relevant processing at a relevant processing speed based on the frequency applied by the inverter; The step of using the output signals of multiple sensors installed on a buffer line between the preceding device and the following device to calculate the loading degree of the carrier loaded on the buffer line; as well as The step of adjusting the processing speed of the preceding and following devices based on the calculated loading level.

18. The method for manufacturing a cylindrical secondary battery according to claim 17, characterized in that, The sensor is a contact sensor that senses contact with the carrier and outputs a signal, and the controller calculates the loading degree step by step by combining the outputs of the sensor.

19. The method for manufacturing a cylindrical secondary battery according to claim 18, characterized in that, When the sensor continuously generates detection signals for the carrier for a preset time, the detection signals are determined as valid signals for calculating the loading degree of the carrier step by step based on the sensor.

20. The method for manufacturing a cylindrical secondary battery according to claim 17, characterized in that, The controller recalculates the inverter frequency in real time based on the target processing speed, the feedback processing speed of the preceding and following devices, and the calculated gradual loading degree, so as to apply the recalculated frequency to the inverter.

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