Pole piece bounce on-line measuring device

Abstract

The application relates to an online measurement device for the rebound of an electrode sheet, comprising a first thickness gauge, a heating component and a second thickness gauge arranged in sequence along the direction of the electrode sheet, and a data processor connected with the thickness gauges. The first thickness gauge is arranged between a rolling component and the heating component, and is used for obtaining the first thickness data of the electrode sheet after rolling; the second thickness gauge is arranged downstream of the heating component, and is used for obtaining the second thickness data of the electrode sheet after heating treatment; and the data processor is used for automatically calculating the rebound rate of the electrode sheet. Optionally, the device comprises a displacement mounting platform capable of enabling the thickness gauge to perform transverse scanning, a laser marking component used for marking the surface of the electrode sheet, an image acquisition device used for acquiring the image of the surface of the electrode sheet, a temperature measuring component used for monitoring the temperature of the electrode sheet and the like. The online, continuous and automatic measurement of the rebound rate of the electrode sheet is realized, the traditional manual sampling mode is replaced, the detection efficiency is improved, and comprehensive data support is provided for the quality evaluation of the electrode sheet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of battery manufacturing equipment technology, and in particular to an online electrode rebound measurement device. Background Technology

[0002] During the production and processing of lithium-ion batteries, after the electrode sheets are coated and dried, they need to undergo a rolling process to achieve the appropriate compaction density. After rolling, due to the release of internal stress, the thickness of the electrode sheets will rebound, and they usually need to be left to stand for a period of time to allow the thickness to stabilize. If electrode sheets with insufficiently released internal stress are directly assembled into the battery cells, it is very easy for problems such as lithium plating or wrinkling to occur inside the battery, affecting the battery's safety and cycle life.

[0003] Currently, monitoring of the rebound thickness of electrode sheets after rolling in industrial production remains inadequate. The mainstream method relies heavily on manual sampling and testing, where operators periodically take electrode samples from the production line for offline measurement. This method has several inherent drawbacks: First, it is inefficient, requiring interruptions to the continuous production process and resulting in material waste; second, the test results only reflect the characteristics of the sampling point and cannot fully and accurately characterize the consistency of the rebound level of the entire roll of electrode sheets, creating blind spots in quality control.

[0004] For quality inspection during electrode manufacturing, existing technologies offer several online solutions. For example, machine vision technology has been applied to the online detection of surface defects on electrodes, automatically identifying defects such as scratches, exposed foil, and bubbles. It uses a CCD camera to acquire images and analyzes them through software, achieving automation and high efficiency, replacing traditional manual visual inspection. Regarding rebound testing, some specialized testing devices have emerged, such as those using pressing and rebound components to test the compression rebound performance of electrodes. However, these devices are mostly offline testing equipment, used for laboratory testing of specific samples, and cannot be integrated into continuously operating production lines to achieve real-time, online monitoring of the electrode rebound process. A complete solution has not yet been effectively integrated to directly, quickly, and comprehensively evaluate the overall rebound level of electrodes after rolling on a production line. Therefore, industrial production needs a device and method that can measure electrode rebound online and in real-time, accurately reflecting the consistency of rebound across the entire roll of electrodes. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application provides an online electrode rebound measurement device to solve the problem of the inability to measure electrode rebound online and continuously in the prior art, automatically calculate the rebound rate, and realize real-time online evaluation of the electrode rebound level. The purpose of this application is achieved through the following technical solution: the online electrode rebound measurement device of this application is installed in an electrode processing device, including a first thickness gauge, a heating component, a second thickness gauge, and a data processor; The first thickness gauge is installed between the rolling component and the heating component of the electrode processing device. The first thickness gauge is used to obtain the first thickness data of the electrode after passing through the rolling component. The second thickness gauge is located downstream of the heating element and is used to obtain the second thickness data of the electrode sheet after passing through the heating element; The first thickness gauge and the second thickness gauge are connected to a data processor, which calculates the rebound rate of the electrode sheet after passing through the heating component based on the first thickness data and the second thickness data.

[0006] In one embodiment, a displacement mounting platform is also included, on which the first thickness gauge and the second thickness gauge are disposed, with their movement direction perpendicular to the electrode movement direction.

[0007] In one embodiment, the displacement mounting platform includes a rotatable base.

[0008] In one embodiment, a laser marking component is also included for making marks in blank areas of the electrode.

[0009] In one embodiment, two laser marking components are included, respectively disposed between the rolling component and the heating component and downstream of the heating component.

[0010] In one embodiment, a bonding component is also included, which is disposed between the rolling component and the first thickness gauge for bonding a blank marking layer in a blank area.

[0011] In one embodiment, an image acquisition device is also included.

[0012] In one embodiment, a temperature measuring component is also included, which is disposed downstream of the heating component.

[0013] In one embodiment, a plurality of transition rollers are also included, which are positioned downstream of the heating element.

[0014] In one embodiment, a gas supply device is also included, which provides purge gas to the electrode surface.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, this application has the following beneficial effects: The technical solution of this application acquires thickness data by using a first thickness gauge and a second thickness gauge located downstream of the heating component. The data processor automatically calculates the rebound rate of the electrode sheet, which can replace the inefficient and destructive manual sampling and testing method. This enables online, continuous, and real-time evaluation of the rebound level of the electrode sheet, avoiding measurement errors caused by the randomness of manual operation and the uncertainty of measurement pressure. At the same time, it solves the problem that offline test data can only reflect the characteristics of the sampling point and cannot accurately characterize the consistency of the rebound level of the entire roll of electrode sheet.

[0016] By setting up a displacement mounting platform, the first and second thickness gauges are mounted on the platform, with their movement direction perpendicular to the electrode's movement direction. This structure allows the thickness gauges to perform reciprocating scanning measurements along the electrode's width. This technical feature enables the device to acquire thickness data at multiple locations along the electrode's lateral direction, thereby obtaining more representative overall electrode rebound data. This solves the problem in existing technologies where manual sampling inspection cannot fully reflect the overall rebound consistency of the electrode, facilitating more accurate monitoring of electrode quality.

[0017] By incorporating a laser marking component, markings can be created in blank areas of the electrode sheet. This allows the device to automatically mark inspection points or defective areas, replacing traditional manual sample marking methods. This improves inspection efficiency, reduces electrode waste, and facilitates tracking and identification in subsequent processes, enhancing the traceability of the production process. This application integrates online thickness measurement, automatic data processing, transverse scanning measurement, and automated marking technologies to achieve efficient, accurate, and comprehensive online evaluation of electrode rebound, improving the stability and consistency of electrode quality and effectively reducing production costs and material waste. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of an online electrode rebound measurement device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0019] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 100, Roller pressing component; 200, First thickness gauge; 300, Heating component; 400, Second thickness gauge; 500, Laser marking component; 600, Applying component; 700, Transition roller. Detailed Implementation

[0020] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts relevant to this application are shown in the accompanying drawings, not the entire structure. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0021] The terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, used in this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the steps or units listed, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to such process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0022] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0023] Existing electrode rebound detection methods primarily rely on manual sampling and offline measurement, which suffers from low detection efficiency, significant electrode waste, and the inability of the detection data to comprehensively reflect the consistency of the rebound level across the entire roll of electrodes. To address these technical problems, this application provides an online electrode rebound measurement device, aiming to achieve online, continuous, and automated evaluation of electrode rebound. The online electrode rebound measurement device described in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Please refer to... Figure 1 In a preferred embodiment of this application, an online electrode rebound measurement device is disposed in an electrode processing device, including a first thickness gauge 200, a heating component 300, a second thickness gauge 400, and a data processor. The first thickness gauge 200 is disposed between the rolling component 100 and the heating component 300 of the electrode processing device, and is used to acquire first thickness data of the electrode after passing through the rolling component 100. The second thickness gauge 400 is disposed downstream of the heating component 300 and is used to acquire second thickness data of the electrode after passing through the heating component 300. The first thickness gauge 200 and the second thickness gauge 400 are connected to the data processor, and the processor calculates the rebound rate of the electrode after passing through the heating component 300 based on the first thickness data and the second thickness data.

[0024] The core of the electrode rebound online measurement device of this application lies in acquiring electrode thickness data online using a first thickness gauge 200 and a second thickness gauge 400 arranged before and after the heating process, and automatically calculating the rebound rate by a data processor. This device integrates online thickness measurement, active heating to induce rebound, and real-time data processing, replacing the inefficient and destructive manual sampling and testing methods.

[0025] The first thickness gauge 200, the heating element 300, and the second thickness gauge 400 are sequentially configured. Preferably, the first thickness gauge 200 and the second thickness gauge 400 are laser thickness gauges, based on the laser triangulation distance measurement principle. Laser measuring heads are positioned on the upper and lower sides of the electrode, and a data processor calculates the difference between the distance between the two measuring heads and their respective distance values ​​to obtain the electrode thickness in a non-contact manner. This type of thickness gauge can cover a measurement range of 0.01mm to 500mm with an accuracy of ±1.5μm, meeting the high-precision online measurement requirements for electrode thickness. The heating element 300 is positioned between the two thickness gauges, and its operating temperature range is set to 60℃ to 120℃. Specific implementations of the heating element 300 may include, but are not limited to, hot air circulating ovens or electromagnetic heating rollers. For example, an electromagnetic heating roller that uses an electromagnetic coil to rapidly heat the metal outer cylinder can be used for contact heating of the electrode.

[0026] The data processor is connected to the first thickness gauge 200 and the second thickness gauge 400, receiving and recording the electrode thickness data M1 measured immediately after rolling by the first thickness gauge 200, and the thickness data M2 measured by the second thickness gauge 400 after the electrode passes through the heating component 300. Subsequently, the data processor calculates the rebound rate of the electrode according to a pre-stored algorithm, such as the formula (M2 - M1) / M1. This process achieves automatic and continuous calculation of the rebound rate, replacing traditional manual sampling and offline measurement, improving detection efficiency and avoiding errors caused by the randomness of manual operation and the uncertainty of measurement pressure. Furthermore, the data processor can also compare the calculated rebound rate with a preset process range to achieve online quality judgment and feedback.

[0027] In the online electrode rebound measurement device involved in this application, the displacement mounting platform serves as a component supporting the first thickness gauge 200 and the second thickness gauge 400, enabling the two thickness gauges to move along a direction perpendicular to the electrode movement direction. The laser thickness sensor assembly is mounted on a movable drive assembly, allowing it to scan along the electrode width direction, thereby plotting the thickness data distribution along the measurement length direction. In the embodiments of this application, the displacement mounting platform can be specifically implemented using a precision lead screw guide mechanism or a linear motor module, driven by a servo motor or stepper motor, thereby ensuring the positioning accuracy and motion stability of the thickness gauges during the scanning process.

[0028] With the aforementioned displacement mounting platform, the first thickness gauge 200 and the second thickness gauge 400 can perform lateral scanning measurements across the entire width of the electrode sheet, acquiring thickness data at multiple lateral positions. This solves the problem in existing technologies where manual sampling inspection can only reflect the characteristics of individual points and cannot accurately characterize the uniformity of the rebound level of the entire roll of electrode sheet. The large number of thickness data points obtained provide data support for evaluating the overall thickness uniformity and rebound consistency of the electrode sheet.

[0029] A rotatable base is integrated into the displacement mounting platform, extending the platform's degrees of freedom. This allows the moving component carrying the thickness gauge to not only perform linear scanning along the electrode width direction (typically defined as the X-axis), but also adjust the angle between its scanning path and the electrode's running direction (typically defined as the Y-axis) by rotating the base. The rotation mechanism drives a vertically arranged rotating spindle through meshing drive and driven gears, enabling the displacement gauge to rotate 360° along the base. When it is necessary to examine the thickness distribution of the electrode in a specific angular direction, or when the electrode has textures, wrinkles, or other features not perpendicular to the running direction on the production line, the angle of the rotating base can be adjusted to ensure the thickness gauge's scanning path forms the optimal detection angle with the feature to be measured. This enhances the adaptability to complex electrode surface morphologies and the detection coverage, improves the representativeness of the measurement data, and expands the applicability of the device.

[0030] In the online electrode rebound measurement device of this application, the laser marking component 500 is integrated for making marks in the blank areas of the electrode. Specifically, the laser marking component 500 preferably includes a laser, a guide roller assembly, and a dust removal assembly. The laser includes an emission source and a field lens assembly, and the emitted laser light acts on the surface of the continuously conveying electrode after passing through the field lens assembly. In a specific embodiment, the guide roller assembly is responsible for guiding and positioning the electrode below the field lens assembly to ensure the accuracy of the marking position. It is worth noting that the dust removal assembly is located around the field lens assembly, and it forms a negative pressure zone near the laser action area through structures such as a bellows and a negative pressure extraction device. This structure can effectively remove smoke and fine particles that may be generated during laser processing, as well as environmental dust around the field lens assembly. By setting up the laser marking component 500, identification marks can be made in the blank area of ​​the electrode sheet, serving as physical reference points for the rebound rate measurement data on the electrode sheet. This allows subsequent processes, such as winding or slitting, to reliably identify the mark using an automatic identification device (such as a CCD detection device), thereby accurately locating the previously detected specific section and enabling the tracking and processing of electrode sheet areas with substandard rebound thickness.

[0031] Furthermore, in the online electrode rebound measurement system constructed in this application, a laser marking component 500 is respectively set between the rolling component 100 and the heating component 300, and downstream of the heating component 300. Through the coordinated setting of these two laser marking components 500, the technical effect is that complementary permanent marks can be formed at two key stages before and after the electrode stress release process. The first laser marking component 500, set between the rolling component 100 and the heating component 300, can create positioning reference marks in the blank area of ​​the electrode. This mark is associated with the thickness data M1 measured by the first thickness gauge 200 at this time, establishing a spatial reference for subsequent measurements. The second laser marking component 500, set downstream of the heating component 300, is specifically used to mark abnormalities in electrode areas where the rebound rate exceeds a preset threshold, based on the rebound rate result calculated by the data processor. The marking performed after heating directly identifies the sections where the thickness does not meet the standard after stress release simulation. The combination of these two components constructs a complete electrode quality tracking system, replacing the traditional method of manually affixing labels or inkjet coding. This enables subsequent processes, such as winding or slitting, to reliably identify the mark through an automatic identification device, thereby accurately locating the previously detected specific section and enabling the tracking and handling of electrode areas with substandard rebound thickness.

[0032] In the online electrode rebound measurement system constructed in this application, an application component 600 is provided between the roller pressing component 100 and the first thickness gauge 200 for applying a blank marking layer to the blank area of ​​the electrode. The application component 600 can be specifically implemented as a mechanism including an unwinding roller, a winding roller, and a pressing roller. The unwinding roller carries the rolled blank marking layer material, which can be a material such as a polymer film with a smooth surface. The pressing roller is responsible for applying the marking layer smoothly to the blank area of ​​the electrode with a certain pressure. The technical advantage of the application component 600 is that a clean and physically consistent measurement reference surface can be established in the blank current collector area of ​​the electrode before it enters the first thickness gauge 200. The marking can be made on the blank marking layer, avoiding etching of the current collector.

[0033] In the online electrode rebound measurement system constructed in this application, an image acquisition device is further integrated, specifically a linear array camera or an area array camera. For example, a high-resolution linear array camera widely used in the field of lithium battery electrode inspection can be selected, which has a resolution of 4K, 8K, or 16K, and is equipped with a Camera Link or 10 Gigabit Ethernet interface to achieve high-speed image data transmission. Through multi-camera deployment, it can meet the inspection needs of wide electrode sheets. By integrating the above-mentioned image acquisition device, the surface state of the electrode sheet can be recorded simultaneously when passing through the first thickness gauge 200 and the second thickness gauge 400. These image data can be associated and stored with the thickness data M1, M2 at the corresponding positions and the calculated rebound rate results. This enhances the traceability of the measurement process and provides intuitive image evidence for subsequent data review and process analysis. Secondly, when the thickness data is abnormal, the images at the corresponding positions can be retrieved and analyzed to help determine whether the abnormality is caused by visible defects on the electrode sheet surface (such as scratches, wrinkles, or uneven coating), thereby helping to distinguish whether the measurement interference is caused by the rebound characteristics of the electrode sheet itself or by surface defects.

[0034] In the online electrode rebound measurement system constructed in this application, a temperature measuring component is installed downstream of the heating component 300. Specifically, the temperature measuring component preferably employs a non-contact infrared temperature sensor to detect the surface temperature of the electrode when it leaves the heating area. This sensor is connected to the system's control unit to transmit the collected temperature data to the control unit in real time. By installing the temperature measuring component at the aforementioned location, online real-time monitoring and feedback of the electrode temperature after heating can be achieved. First, this temperature data can serve as a direct criterion for determining whether the heating process meets the standards. If the monitored temperature deviates from the preset range of 60-120℃, the control unit can promptly adjust the power of the heating component 300, achieving closed-loop control of the heating process and ensuring the stability and consistency of the electrode stress release effect. Second, by monitoring the lateral temperature distribution of the electrode, the uniformity of heating can be assessed.

[0035] In the online electrode rebound measurement system constructed in this application, multiple transition rollers 700 are arranged downstream of the heating component 300. In specific implementation, the multiple transition rollers 700 can be arranged in a specific geometric pattern (e.g., an S-shaped or wavy path) on the transmission path between the heating component 300 and the second thickness gauge 400, which can effectively guide and control the tension of the heated electrode. First, this arrangement ensures that the electrode moves along a preset precise path to the second thickness gauge 400 after leaving the heating area, preventing the electrode from deviating, shaking, or sagging due to stress release or temperature changes. This provides the second thickness gauge 400 with a stable measurement distance and angle, reducing measurement errors introduced by electrode position fluctuations. The transition rollers 700 can also eliminate wrinkles or local stress concentrations that may occur during transmission, allowing the electrode to pass through the second thickness gauge 400 in a flat posture. This ensures that the acquired second thickness data M2 can truly reflect the thickness of the electrode after rebound, rather than a false signal interfered with by transmission deformation, ultimately improving the accuracy and reliability of the rebound rate calculation.

[0036] The online electrode rebound measurement system constructed in this application further integrates the aforementioned gas supply device, which can provide purging gas to the electrode surface. By setting the above-mentioned gas supply device, the technical effect is that the surface of the electrode can be synchronously purged and cleaned with gas when it passes through the first thickness gauge 200 and the second thickness gauge 400. This can reduce or eliminate the interference of such dust particles on the laser thickness gauge, providing a cleaner and more stable surface condition for thickness measurement. This helps to improve the measurement accuracy and signal-to-noise ratio of the first thickness data M1 and the second thickness data M2. In addition, the gas can also be used to assist in the control of the electrode surface temperature.

[0037] As described above, this application provides an online electrode rebound measurement device, including a first thickness gauge, a heating component, a second thickness gauge, and a data processor, which is installed in an electrode processing device. The first thickness gauge is installed between the rolling component and the heating component to obtain the first thickness data of the rolled electrode, and the second thickness gauge is installed downstream of the heating component to obtain the second thickness data of the heated electrode. The device automatically calculates the electrode rebound rate, realizing online and continuous evaluation of the rebound rate, and replacing the manual sampling and testing method.

[0038] To further enhance the comprehensiveness and accuracy of measurements, the device may also include a displacement mounting platform, which is driven by a lead screw guide mechanism or a linear motor module to enable the first and second thickness gauges to perform transverse scanning measurements along the direction perpendicular to the electrode movement direction, thereby acquiring multiple thickness data points in the electrode width direction and solving the problem that manual sampling cannot characterize the consistency of the entire roll of electrode rebound. The rotatable base of the displacement mounting platform can adjust the scanning path angle through a gear transmission pair or a hollow rotating platform, enhancing its adaptability to complex surface morphologies of the electrode and improving detection coverage.

[0039] The laser marking component includes a laser, a guide roller assembly, and a dust removal assembly. It is used to create permanent marks in the blank areas of the electrode sheet. A first laser marking component, positioned between the rolling component and the heating component, creates a positioning reference mark associated with a first thickness data M1. A second laser marking component, located downstream of the heating component, marks abnormal areas based on the rebound rate result. Together, they construct an electrode sheet quality tracking system, improving traceability. The coating component, positioned between the rolling component and the first thickness gauge, coats a polymer film marking layer in the blank areas of the electrode sheet using an unwinding roller, a pressing roller, and a rewinding roller, providing a clean and consistent measurement reference surface.

[0040] In summary, the device of this application integrates technical features such as online thickness measurement, automatic data processing, lateral scanning measurement, mark tracking, surface cleaning, and temperature monitoring to achieve efficient, accurate, and comprehensive online evaluation of electrode rebound, thus ensuring improved electrode quality stability and battery production yield.

[0041] The above is only one specific implementation of this application, and any other improvements made based on the concept of this application shall be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An online electrode rebound measuring device, installed in an electrode processing apparatus, characterized in that, It includes a first thickness gauge, a heating element, a second thickness gauge, and a data processor; The first thickness gauge is installed between the rolling component and the heating component of the electrode processing device. The first thickness gauge is used to obtain the first thickness data of the electrode after passing through the rolling component. The second thickness gauge is located downstream of the heating element and is used to obtain the second thickness data of the electrode sheet after passing through the heating element; The first thickness gauge and the second thickness gauge are connected to a data processor, which calculates the rebound rate of the electrode sheet after passing through the heating component based on the first thickness data and the second thickness data.

2. The online electrode rebound measurement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a displacement mounting platform, on which the first thickness gauge and the second thickness gauge are mounted, with their movement direction perpendicular to the electrode movement direction.

3. The online electrode rebound measurement device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The displacement mounting platform includes a rotatable base.

4. The online electrode rebound measurement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a laser marking component for creating marks in blank areas of the electrode sheet.

5. The online electrode rebound measuring device according to claim 4, characterized in that, It includes two laser marking components, which are respectively disposed between the rolling component and the heating component and downstream of the heating component.

6. The online electrode rebound measuring device according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a coating component, which is disposed between the rolling component and the first thickness gauge, for coating blank marking layers in blank areas.

7. The online electrode rebound measuring device according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes an image acquisition device.

8. The online electrode rebound measurement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a temperature measuring component, which is located downstream of the heating component.

9. The online electrode rebound measurement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes multiple transition rollers, which are positioned downstream of the heating element.

10. The online electrode rebound measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a gas supply device that provides purge gas to the surface of the electrode.

Images