Method and apparatus for measuring remaining amount of liquid in liquid storage container

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for measuring the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid storage container, comprising: discharging the liquid in the liquid storage container to the outside through a suction pipe inserted into the liquid storage container; observing, by a vision device directed at a light-transmitting portion of the suction pipe, the size or number of bubbles contained in the liquid passing through the light-transmitting portion; and estimating the remaining amount of the liquid based on the observed size and number of the bubbles. In addition, the method further includes a remaining amount estimation step using a carrier wave of ultrasonic waves, and the remaining amount estimation step using the carrier wave of ultrasonic waves includes: oscillating ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic generator to the inside of the liquid storage container; after oscillation, receiving the returned ultrasonic waves and analyzing the waveform of the ultrasonic waves; and estimating the remaining amount of the liquid by comparing the waveform of the ultrasonic waves with reference data provided in advance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0095708, filed on August 1, 2022, and all of the contents disclosed in the literature of the Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for measuring the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid storage container, and more particularly, to a method and an apparatus for measuring the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid storage container that can more accurately and quickly estimate and grasp the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid storage container that is difficult to visually confirm its interior.

Background Art

[0003] Secondary batteries, which are also widely used in various digital devices and transportation means such as vehicles, are characterized by being capable of repeated charging and discharging. Also, research and development for improving efficiency and stability have been continuously carried out.

[0004] A secondary battery is manufactured in a structure in which an electrode assembly in which a positive electrode / separator / negative electrode is repeatedly laminated is housed in a case such as a can or a pouch, and an electrolytic solution is injected into the case.

[0005] Such an electrolytic solution is injected into a liquid storage container such as a drum can and is stored and moved. And, as shown in FIG. 1 showing the state of the cross section where the electrolytic solution is discharged from the liquid storage container, the liquid storage container 1 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a bottom surface 1a, a peripheral wall 1b, and an upper surface 1c, and the suction pipe 3 enters through a hole formed in the upper surface 1c in a vertically standing state. When a negative pressure is applied to the suction pipe 3, the electrolytic solution l is discharged to the outside of the liquid storage container 1.

[0006] However, in order to maintain the physical and chemical stability of the electrolytic solution l, the liquid storage container 1 in which the electrolytic solution is stored is made of a stainless steel material. As a result, there has been a problem that it is difficult to visually confirm from the outside the remaining amount of the electrolytic solution inside the liquid storage container, that is, the height of the water surface s.

[0007] On the other hand, conventionally, while increasing the internal pressure of the liquid storage container 1 and discharging the electrolytic solution so that the remaining amount of the electrolytic solution is minimized, or when the discharge of the electrolytic solution is almost completed, an inert gas g (which does not chemically react with the electrolytic solution) is injected into the liquid storage container 1 through the gas injection pipe 2.

[0008] However, the injection of the gas g preferably starts when the water surface s of the electrolytic solution l drops below a certain reference level, and when the water surface s of the electrolytic solution drops below the suction pipe 3, the injection of the gas g is preferably interrupted. However, if the start point of the injection of the gas g is too early, or if the interruption point of the injection of the gas g is too late, there has been a problem that bubbles P (see FIG. 2) may flow into the suction pipe 3 together.

[0009] And such bubbles may cause defects (such as measurement of the amount of electrolytic solution injection) when the electrolytic solution is injected into the secondary battery case. That is, when a small amount of the electrolytic solution remains, the gas g is injected so that the electrolytic solution is smoothly discharged into the liquid storage container. However, when the gas g flows into the suction pipe 3, a motor or pump that forms a negative pressure in the suction pipe 3 and the suction pipe are connected to a suction pipe that causes idling of the motor or pump that injects the electrolytic solution into the secondary battery case, which may cause malfunction. When the electrolytic solution and the inflowing gas g flow into the secondary battery case together, it may cause a swelling phenomenon or the like in the secondary battery in the future.

[0010] Therefore, in order to prevent the inflow of the bubbles P and prevent the waste of the electrolytic solution, there is a technical need to measure the remaining amount in the liquid storage container 1 in which the electrolytic solution is stored. Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0011] In order to meet the above technical needs, the main object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for measuring the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid storage container, which can quickly and accurately estimate or measure the remaining amount of the electrolytic solution in the liquid storage container. For reference, the "measurement" described here is used not only in the sense of measuring the remaining amount of the electrolytic solution (liquid), but also in the sense of predicting and estimating how much of the remaining amount of the electrolytic solution remains in the liquid storage container or whether the remaining amount has dropped below a predetermined reference value.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] The present invention for achieving the above object includes a method and an apparatus for measuring the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid storage container. Further, in the present invention, a configuration is provided in which bubbles contained in the discharged liquid (electrolytic solution) are monitored to estimate (predict or measure) the remaining amount, and a further configuration that can be performed together with or separately from the above configuration, that is, ultrasonic waves are oscillated inside the liquid storage container, and a configuration is provided in which the remaining amount is estimated (predicted or measured) based on the waveform of the ultrasonic carrier wave.

[0013] Among these, the measurement method and apparatus for estimating the remaining amount by monitoring the bubbles contained in the discharged electrolytic solution provide a light-transmitting portion in the suction pipe, observe the characteristics of the bubbles through the light-transmitting portion, and estimate the remaining amount of the electrolytic solution based on this. In the present invention, a measurement method and apparatus having such technical features are provided as an embodiment.

[0014] That is, the method for measuring the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage container provided in this embodiment includes a step of discharging the liquid in the liquid storage container to the outside through a suction pipe inserted into the liquid storage container, a step of a vision device facing the light-transmitting portion of the suction pipe observing the size or the number of bubbles contained in the liquid passing through the light-transmitting portion, and a step of estimating the remaining amount of the liquid based on the observed size and number of the bubbles.

[0015] Further, after a liquid within a predetermined range is discharged, it includes the step of injecting a gas into the interior of the liquid storage container.

[0016] The liquid is an electrolyte for a secondary battery, and the gas injected into the interior of the liquid storage container is nitrogen.

[0017] When it is estimated that the estimated remaining amount of the liquid is lower than a predetermined remaining amount, the step of interrupting the injection of the gas into the interior of the liquid storage container is performed.

[0018] In the step of observing the size or number of the bubbles, light is irradiated from the illumination toward the light-transmitting portion.

[0019] The control unit that estimates the remaining amount of the liquid based on the information received from the vision device is configured to estimate the remaining amount of the liquid in a machine learning method in which the correlation between the observed size and number of bubbles and the actual remaining amount of the liquid is compared and analyzed for learning, and the estimation is performed based on the learned data.

[0020] Alternatively, the control unit that estimates the remaining amount of the liquid based on the information received from the vision device can be configured to estimate the remaining amount of the liquid by comparing the observed size and number of bubbles with reference data provided in advance.

[0021] In addition, in this embodiment, it can further include a step of estimating the remaining amount using a carrier wave of ultrasonic waves. The step of estimating the remaining amount using the carrier wave of ultrasonic waves includes the step of oscillating ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic generator into the inside of the liquid storage container, the step of receiving the returned ultrasonic waves after oscillation and analyzing the waveform of the ultrasonic waves, and the step of estimating the remaining amount of the liquid by comparing the waveform of the ultrasonic waves with reference data provided in advance.

[0022] The ultrasonic generator can be in close contact with the center on the outer surface of the bottom of the liquid storage container or in close contact with the peripheral wall of the liquid storage container.

[0023] The remaining amount estimation step using the ultrasonic carrier wave can be performed before the step of discharging the liquid in the liquid storage container to the outside through the suction pipe, or can be performed after the step of estimating the remaining amount of the liquid based on the size and number of the observed bubbles.

[0024] In addition, in the present invention, a measuring device capable of grasping the state of bubbles and measuring the remaining amount as described above is provided.

[0025] The measuring device for the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid storage container provided by the present invention includes a liquid storage container in which the liquid is stored, a suction pipe connected to the liquid storage container, through which the liquid is inhaled and discharged, and having a light-transmitting portion made of a transparent or translucent material, a vision device directed toward the light-transmitting portion, and a control unit that receives information on the size and number of bubbles from the vision device and estimates the remaining amount of the liquid.

[0026] The control unit outputs information and estimation results regarding the size and number of bubbles received from the vision device to a display device.

[0027] It can include illumination that emits light toward the light-transmitting portion.

[0028] The light-transmitting portion is located in a predetermined section defined in advance by the suction pipe and is located in a section that is linearly connected outside the liquid storage container.

[0029] In addition, in the present invention, a measuring method and a measuring device for estimating the remaining amount based on the waveform of the ultrasonic carrier wave by oscillating ultrasonic waves are provided.

[0030] The measuring method for the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid storage container using ultrasonic waves includes the steps of closely attaching an ultrasonic generator that generates ultrasonic waves to the outer surface of the liquid storage container, oscillating ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic generator to the inside of the liquid storage container, receiving the returned ultrasonic waves after oscillation and analyzing the waveform of the ultrasonic waves, and comparing the waveform of the ultrasonic waves with pre-provided reference data to estimate the remaining amount of the liquid.

[0031] Further, the present invention provides a measuring device for the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid storage container to which the above-described method for measuring the remaining amount can be applied. The measuring device for the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage container includes a liquid storage container in which liquid is stored, an ultrasonic generator attached to an outer surface of the liquid storage container and oscillating ultrasonic waves toward the inside of the liquid storage container, an ultrasonic receiver for receiving the ultrasonic waves returned after being generated by the ultrasonic generator, and a control unit for estimating the remaining amount of liquid by comparing the waveform information of the ultrasonic waves received from the ultrasonic receiver with reference data provided in advance.

[0032] The ultrasonic receiver can be integrated with the ultrasonic generator, and the ultrasonic generator can be configured to oscillate ultrasonic waves, receive the returned ultrasonic waves, and transmit the waveform information of the received ultrasonic waves to the control unit.

[0033] The ultrasonic generator can be attached at the center on the outer surface of the bottom of the liquid storage container or attached to the peripheral wall of the liquid storage container.

Advantages of the Invention

[0034] The present invention having the above-described configuration can grasp the remaining amount of liquid (electrolyte) in the liquid storage container in real time, and can more accurately determine the injection time point, interruption time point, and injection amount of the gas injected into the liquid storage container. Therefore, it is possible to solve the problems of malfunction of the motor and pump, which are conventional problems, and the problem that bubbles flow into the secondary battery case together.

[0035] In the present invention, since the remaining amount is estimated by observing the size and number of bubbles passing through the suction pipe, it not only does not affect the flow rate of the electrolyte, but also does not cause physical and / or chemical changes or impacts in the electrolyte. Further, since there is no need to put another measuring equipment or the like into the liquid storage container, it is possible to block the inflow of foreign substances from the beginning.

[0036] When observing bubbles in the light-transmitting part, since additional light is irradiated from the illumination, the size and number of bubbles can be observed with more accurate image data.

[0037] In the present invention, the control unit can more quickly estimate the remaining amount of the liquid by comparing the size and number of the observed bubbles with reference data provided in advance.

[0038] Alternatively, the control unit can estimate the remaining amount of the liquid by a machine learning method in which the correlation between the size and number of the observed bubbles and the actual remaining amount of the liquid is compared and analyzed for learning, and the estimation is performed based on the learned data. Even when the physical properties of the electrolytic solution change or the size of the liquid storage container is changed, the remaining amount of the liquid can be estimated considering variables.

[0039] In the present invention, the remaining amount of the electrolytic solution can be estimated using the carrier wave of ultrasonic waves. Therefore, by performing the method for observing bubbles and estimating the remaining amount, the remaining amount of the electrolytic solution can be measured more accurately.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0040]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

[0041] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can easily implement it. However, the present invention can be realized in various different forms and is not limited or restricted by the following embodiments.

[0042] To clearly explain the present invention, parts not related to the explanation are omitted, and the same or similar reference numerals are given to the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0043] Also, the terms and words used in this specification and the claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings. The inventors should interpret them in accordance with the meaning and concept that conform to the technical idea of the present invention in accordance with the principle that they can appropriately define the concept of the terms in order to explain their invention in the best way.

[0044] The present invention relates to a method and a measuring device for measuring the remaining amount of the electrolytic solution l in the liquid storage container 10.

[0045] In the present invention, as a first embodiment, a configuration is provided in which the remaining amount is estimated by monitoring the bubbles P contained in the discharged liquid electrolytic solution. As a second embodiment, a further configuration that is performed together with or separately from the first embodiment is provided, that is, a configuration in which ultrasonic waves are oscillated inside the liquid storage container and the remaining amount is estimated based on the waveform of the ultrasonic carrier wave. Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] (First Embodiment) The present invention provides, as a first embodiment, a measurement method and a measurement device for monitoring bubbles P contained in the discharged electrolytic solution l and estimating the remaining amount.

[0047] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which a vision device 40 and a lighting 41 are arranged so that the size and number of bubbles P can be observed through a light-transmitting portion 31 of an inhalation tube 30, and the vision device 40 is connected to a control unit 50.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 2, the measurement device for the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid storage container provided in this embodiment includes a liquid storage container 10 in which the liquid is stored, an inhalation tube 30, a vision device 40, and a control unit 50.

[0049] The liquid storage container 10 has a drum can shape having a bottom surface 10a, a peripheral wall 10b erected vertically along the periphery of the bottom surface 10a, and an upper surface 10c covering the open upper side of the peripheral wall 10b. And at least two holes are opened in the upper surface 10c, and a gas injection tube 20 for injecting gas g into the inside of the liquid storage container and an inhalation tube 30 for inhaling the electrolytic solution in the liquid storage container 10 and discharging it to the outside are respectively connected to each hole.

[0050] The gas injection tube 20 does not protrude into the liquid storage container 10, or if it protrudes, it protrudes only by a slight length, while the inhalation tube 30 is positioned so that its end is close to the bottom surface 10a so that the electrolytic solution stored in the liquid storage container 10 can be inhaled to the maximum extent.

[0051] The bottom surface 10a can be formed as a spherical surface, and the end of the inhalation tube 30 can be positioned as far down as possible at a certain distance from the center of the spherical surface.

[0052] As described above, one side of the suction pipe 30 is disposed on the inner bottom surface 10a of the liquid storage container 10, and the other side is connected to another storage facility or an injection device for injecting the electrolytic solution. After sucking the electrolytic solution l stored in the liquid storage container 10, it is moved to the storage facility or the injection device.

[0053] On the other hand, the suction pipe 30 is formed with a light-transmitting portion 31 made of a transparent or translucent material (preferably, made of a transparent material) in a portion that is exposed to the outside away from the liquid storage container 10.

[0054] The light-transmitting portion 31 is located in a predetermined section predetermined by the suction pipe 30, and can be formed not only at one location but also at two or more locations spaced apart from each other. Further, the formed position is not particularly limited, but is formed in a section that is linearly connected outside the liquid storage container 10 so that more accurate optical information can be obtained when the vision device 40 optically senses the bubble P.

[0055] The vision device 40 can use a camera, an optical sensor, etc. that can acquire the number and / or size of the bubbles P that move together with the electrolytic solution as an optical image or video while the electrolytic solution moves.

[0056] The vision device 40 transmits the acquired video information to the control unit 50. Further, an illumination 41 that emits light toward the light-transmitting portion 31 can be added according to the illumination state around the light-transmitting portion 31.

[0057] The image information regarding the size and number of the bubbles P transmitted from the vision device 40 is transmitted to the control unit 50, and the control unit 50 analyzes this to estimate the remaining amount of the electrolytic solution inside the liquid storage container 10 or the height of the liquid surface s of the electrolytic solution. That is, when the liquid surface s of the electrolytic solution l drops below the end of the suction pipe 30, air and gas g are sucked into the suction pipe 30 together with the electrolytic solution. Here, the air and gas g pass through the light-transmitting portion 31 in the form of bubbles P while the electrolytic solution is flowing. Therefore, the liquid surface s of the electrolytic solution can be estimated based on the size and number of the bubbles P, and thereby the remaining amount can also be estimated.

[0058] Therefore, the measuring device provided in this embodiment has a configuration in which a light-transmitting portion 31 is provided by making a part of the suction pipe 30 transparent, and the state of the bubbles P is grasped through the light-transmitting portion 31 to estimate the remaining amount. For reference, when the size of the bubbles P is small, the illumination 41 can be further irradiated or the resolution of the captured image can be increased to improve the sensing performance.

[0059] The control unit 50 can be configured to output information regarding the size and number of the bubbles received from the vision device 40 and the estimation result to a display device (not shown) so that the operator and the administrator can grasp the remaining amount and its measurement state.

[0060] Note that the control unit 50 can be configured to estimate the remaining amount of the liquid (electrolytic solution) by comparing the observed size and number of the bubbles with reference data provided in advance. Alternatively, the control unit can be configured to estimate the remaining amount of the liquid in a machine learning method in which the correlation between the observed size and number of the bubbles and the actual remaining amount of the liquid is compared and analyzed for learning, and the estimation is performed based on the learned data.

[0061] In this embodiment, a measuring method using a measuring device having the above configuration is provided.

[0062] The method for measuring the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid storage container 10 provided in this embodiment starts from the step of discharging the electrolytic solution stored in the liquid storage container to the outside through the suction pipe 30.

[0063] As described above, a light-transmitting portion 31 is provided in the suction pipe 30, and a step of observing (sensing) the size or the number of bubbles P contained in the electrolytic solution passing through the light-transmitting portion 31 by the vision device 40 is performed.

[0064] Also, a step of estimating the remaining amount of the liquid is performed by the control unit 50 that has received the image data from the vision device 40 based on the observed size and number of the bubbles.

[0065] Note that, according to the remaining amount, that is, after a predetermined amount of liquid within a range determined in advance according to the number of bubbles is discharged, a step of injecting gas g into the inside of the liquid storage container can be added. Here, as described above, the liquid is an electrolytic solution for a secondary battery, and as the gas injected into the inside of the liquid storage container, nitrogen that does not undergo a chemical reaction with the electrolytic solution is provided.

[0066] Also, when it is estimated that the estimated remaining amount of the liquid is lower than a predetermined remaining amount, a step of interrupting the injection of gas into the inside of the liquid storage container is performed.

[0067] (Second Embodiment) Note that the present invention provides, as a second embodiment, a measurement method and a measurement device that oscillate ultrasonic waves and estimate the remaining amount based on the waveform of the ultrasonic carrier wave. The method using the ultrasonic carrier wave according to the second embodiment can be performed simultaneously with, before or after, or separately instead of the measurement method according to the first embodiment.

[0068] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which an ultrasonic generator 60 is attached to the outer bottom surface of the liquid storage container, and the ultrasonic generator is connected to a control unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which an ultrasonic generator 60 is attached to the outer peripheral wall 10b of the liquid storage container, and the ultrasonic generator is connected to a control unit.

[0069] Further, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which a vision device 40 and a lighting 41 are arranged so that the size and number of bubbles can be observed through the light-transmitting portion 31 of the suction pipe 30, and an ultrasonic generator 60 is attached to the outer bottom surface 10a of the liquid storage container 10. The vision device and the ultrasonic generator are each connected to the same one control unit 50.

[0070] Referring to the drawings, the apparatus for measuring the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage container 10 provided in this embodiment is attached to the outer surface (bottom surface or peripheral wall) of the liquid storage container in which the liquid is stored, and oscillates ultrasonic waves toward the inside of the liquid storage container. An ultrasonic generator 60, an ultrasonic receiver (not shown) that receives the ultrasonic waves returned after being generated by the ultrasonic generator 60, and a control unit 50 that estimates the remaining amount of liquid by comparing the waveform information of the ultrasonic waves received from the ultrasonic receiver with reference data provided in advance. Here, the control unit 50 may be the control unit 50 provided in the first embodiment, or may be provided separately.

[0071] That is, the ultrasonic waves oscillated toward the inside of the liquid storage container 10 have waveforms that change such that the amplitudes, phases, frequencies, periods, etc. of "the carrier wave u1 reflected from the water surface s of the electrolytic solution l" and "the carrier wave u2 that passes through the water surface s of the electrolytic solution l and is reflected from the inner wall surface (upper surface, peripheral wall, etc.) of the liquid storage container 10" are different. That is, the ultrasonic waves react differently when passing through a liquid medium and when passing through a gas (air) medium, causing the waveform to change. Thereby, according to the mounting position of the ultrasonic generator 60, the height of the water surface s of the electrolytic solution can be grasped by the waveform difference between the carrier waves u1 and u2 or the change in the characteristics of the carrier wave u3.

[0072] On the one hand, the ultrasonic receiver can be integrated with the ultrasonic generator 60, and the ultrasonic generator 60 is configured to oscillate ultrasonic waves, receive the returned ultrasonic waves, and transmit the waveform information of the received ultrasonic waves to the control unit 50.

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the ultrasonic generator 60 can be attached to the outside of the bottom surface 10a of the liquid storage container 10 at the center, or as shown in FIG. 4, can be attached to the peripheral wall 10b of the liquid storage container.

[0074] In addition, in this embodiment, a measurement method using a measurement device having the above configuration is provided.

[0075] A method for measuring the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid storage container using ultrasonic waves includes the steps of bringing an ultrasonic generator 60 that generates ultrasonic waves into close contact with the outer surface of the liquid storage container, oscillating ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic generator 60 into the liquid storage container 10, receiving the returned ultrasonic waves after oscillation, analyzing the waveform of the ultrasonic waves, and comparing the waveform of the ultrasonic waves with pre-provided reference data to estimate the remaining amount of the liquid.

[0076] Here, the ultrasonic receiver is integrated with the ultrasonic generator and two or more are attached to the liquid storage container, and the waveform of the ultrasonic waves can be analyzed separately at other locations to further improve the estimation accuracy. For example, the ultrasonic generator integrated with the ultrasonic receiver can be in close contact with the center outside the bottom surface 10a of the liquid storage container and can also be in closer contact with the peripheral wall 10b of the liquid storage container.

[0077] The step of estimating the remaining amount using the carrier wave of the ultrasonic wave can be performed before the step of discharging the liquid in the liquid storage container to the outside through the suction pipe 30, or can be performed after the step of estimating the remaining amount of the liquid based on the size and number of observed bubbles.

[0078] That is, the remaining amount measuring device using ultrasonic waves provided in the second embodiment can be installed together with the remaining amount measuring device provided in the first embodiment as shown in FIG. 5. Further, the method for measuring the remaining amount using ultrasonic waves provided in the second embodiment can be implemented simultaneously with the method for measuring the remaining amount provided in the first embodiment or can be performed in order with a time difference.

[0079] In this case, the control unit 50 can be configured to be connected to both the vision device 40 and the ultrasonic generator 60 and the ultrasonic receiver, receive all the information on the ultrasonic waveform and the information on the bubbles, and then estimate the final remaining amount by combining the two pieces of information.

[0080] Also, in some cases, only one of the method for measuring the remaining amount provided in the first embodiment and the method for measuring the remaining amount provided in the second embodiment can be implemented.

[0081] The present invention having the above-described configuration can grasp the remaining amount of the liquid (electrolyte) in the liquid storage container in real time, and can more accurately determine the timing and the amount of the gas injected into and interrupted from the liquid storage container. The problems of malfunction of the motor and the pump and the inflow of bubbles into the secondary battery case, which are conventional problems, can be solved.

[0082] In the present invention, since the remaining amount is estimated by observing the size and number of bubbles passing through the suction pipe, not only does it not affect the flow rate of the electrolyte, but also no physical and / or chemical changes or impacts are generated in the electrolyte. Further, since there is no need to introduce another measuring device into the liquid storage container, the inflow of foreign matters can be blocked from the beginning.

[0083] When observing the bubbles through the light-transmitting part, since additional light is irradiated from the illumination, the size and number of the bubbles can be observed with more accurate image data.

[0084] In the present invention, the control unit can estimate the remaining amount of the liquid more quickly by comparing the observed size and number of bubbles with the reference data provided in advance.

[0085] Alternatively, the control unit can estimate the remaining amount of the liquid by a machine learning method in which the correlation between the observed size and number of bubbles and the actual remaining amount of the liquid is compared and analyzed for learning, and the estimation is performed based on the learned data. Even when the physical properties of the electrolytic solution change or the size of the liquid storage container is changed, the remaining amount of the liquid can be estimated considering the variables.

[0086] In the present invention, the remaining amount of the electrolytic solution can be estimated using the carrier wave of ultrasonic waves. Therefore, it can be performed together with the method of observing bubbles and estimating the remaining amount, and the remaining amount of the electrolytic solution can be measured more accurately.

[0087] As described above, although the present invention has been described by limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereby, and various implementations are possible within the equivalent scope of the technical idea of the present invention and the claims described below by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0088] 10 Liquid storage container 20 Gas injection pipe 30 Suction pipe 31 Translucent part 40 Vision device 41 Lighting 50 Control unit 60 Ultrasonic generator

Claims

1. A method for measuring the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid storage container, comprising: discharging the liquid in the liquid storage container to the outside through a suction pipe inserted into the liquid storage container; observing, by a vision device directed at a light-transmitting portion of the suction pipe, the size or number of bubbles contained in the liquid passing through the light-transmitting portion; estimating the remaining amount of liquid based on the observed size and number of bubbles. A method for measuring the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid storage container, comprising the above steps.

2. The method for measuring the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid storage container according to Claim 1, further comprising injecting gas into the interior of the liquid storage container after discharging a predetermined amount of liquid.

3. The liquid is an electrolyte for a secondary battery, and the gas injected into the interior of the liquid storage container is nitrogen. The method for measuring the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid storage container according to Claim 2.

4. The method for measuring the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid storage container according to Claim 2, further comprising interrupting the injection of gas into the interior of the liquid storage container when the estimated remaining amount of liquid is estimated to be lower than a predetermined remaining amount.

5. In the step of observing the size or number of bubbles, light is irradiated from a light source toward the light-transmitting portion. The method for measuring the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid storage container according to Claim 1.

6. A control unit that estimates the remaining amount of liquid based on information received from a vision device compares and analyzes the correlation between the observed size and number of bubbles and the actual remaining amount of liquid for learning, and estimates the remaining amount of liquid in a machine learning manner based on the learned data. The method for measuring the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid storage container according to Claim 1.

7. A control unit that estimates the remaining amount of liquid based on information received from a vision device compares the observed size and number of bubbles with pre-provided reference data to estimate the remaining amount of liquid. The method for measuring the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid storage container according to Claim 1.

8. further comprising a remaining amount estimation step using an ultrasonic carrier wave, The remaining amount estimation step using the ultrasonic carrier wave includes: a step of oscillating ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic generator to the inside of the liquid storage container; a step of receiving the returned ultrasonic waves after oscillation and analyzing the waveform of the ultrasonic waves; and a step of estimating the remaining amount of the liquid by comparing the waveform of the ultrasonic waves with reference data provided in advance. The method for measuring the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage container according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The ultrasonic generator is in close contact with the center of the outer surface of the bottom of the liquid storage container or in close contact with the peripheral wall of the liquid storage container. The method for measuring the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage container according to claim 8.

10. The remaining amount estimation step using the ultrasonic carrier wave is performed before the step of discharging the liquid in the liquid storage container to the outside through the suction pipe. The method for measuring the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage container according to claim 8.

11. The remaining amount estimation step using the ultrasonic carrier wave is performed after the step of estimating the remaining amount of the liquid based on the size and number of observed bubbles. The method for measuring the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage container according to claim 8.

12. A measuring device for the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid storage container, comprising: A liquid storage container in which liquid is stored; A suction pipe connected to the liquid storage container, through which the liquid is inhaled and discharged, and having a light-transmitting part made of a transparent or translucent material; A vision device directed towards the light-transmitting part; A control unit that receives information regarding the size and number of bubbles from the vision device and estimates the remaining amount of the liquid. A measuring device for the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid storage container.

13. The control unit outputs information and estimation results regarding the size and number of bubbles received from the vision device to a display device. The measuring device for the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage container according to claim 12.

14. Including lighting that emits light towards the light-transmitting part. The measuring device for the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage container according to claim 13.

15. The light-transmitting part is located in a predetermined section predetermined in the suction pipe and in a section that is linearly connected outside the liquid storage container. The measuring device for the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage container according to claim 13.

16. A method for measuring the remaining amount of liquid in a liquid storage container, comprising: A step of closely attaching an ultrasonic generator that generates ultrasonic waves to the outer surface of the liquid storage container; A step of oscillating ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic generator to the inside of the liquid storage container; After oscillation, receiving the returned ultrasonic wave and analyzing the waveform of the ultrasonic wave; estimating the remaining amount of the liquid by comparing the waveform of the ultrasonic wave with pre-provided reference data, the method for measuring the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid storage container including the above steps.

17. A device for measuring the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid storage container, comprising: a liquid storage container storing the liquid; an ultrasonic generator attached to the outer surface of the liquid storage container for oscillating ultrasonic waves toward the inside of the liquid storage container; an ultrasonic receiver for receiving the returned ultrasonic wave after being generated by the ultrasonic generator; a control unit for estimating the remaining amount of the liquid by comparing the waveform information of the ultrasonic wave received from the ultrasonic receiver with pre-provided reference data.

18. The ultrasonic receiver is integrated with the ultrasonic generator, and the ultrasonic generator oscillates ultrasonic waves, receives the returned ultrasonic waves, and transmits the waveform information of the received ultrasonic waves to the control unit. The device for measuring the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid storage container according to Claim 17.

19. The ultrasonic generator is attached to the center of the outer surface of the bottom of the liquid storage container. The device for measuring the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid storage container according to Claim 18.

20. The ultrasonic generator is attached to the peripheral wall of the liquid storage container. The device for measuring the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid storage container according to Claim 18.

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