Rolemap generation system and method for generating a rolemap

The roll map generation system addresses the challenge of tracking electrode process quality and defects by determining cutting positions and calibrating coordinates, enhancing productivity and quality in secondary battery manufacturing through feedback and feedforward mechanisms.

JP2025535671APending Publication Date: 2025-10-28LG ENERGY SOLUTION LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2025517811
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-07-18
Filing Date
2024-07-17
Publication Date
2025-10-28

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing systems lack a comprehensive method to generate a roll map that includes information about the quality and defects of the electrode manufacturing process in secondary battery production, making it difficult to track and improve the productivity and quality of electrode processes.

Method used

A system and method for generating a roll map by determining the cutting position of an electrode sheet between an unwinder and a rewinder, identifying a calibration section, and calibrating coordinates based on the completed length and offset length to associate data with subsequent lots, allowing for feedback, feedforward, and tracking of electrode processes.

Benefits of technology

Enables feedback, feedforward, and tracking of electrode processes, improving the productivity and quality of secondary battery manufacturing by quantifying and objectifying process aspects that previously relied on operator discretion.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for generating a roll map is provided, the method including the steps of: determining a cutting position of an electrode sheet moving between an unwinder and a rewinder to provide a first lot; and identifying a calibration section of the electrode sheet, the calibration section being a section between a portion of the electrode sheet sensed by a sensing unit at the time the electrode sheet is cut and the cutting position of the electrode sheet.
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system configured to generate a roll map representing a lot, which is a unit of wound electrode sheets, and a method for generating a roll map. This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 10-2023-0092808, filed on July 18, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. Secondary batteries are widely used as energy sources for various wireless devices such as handsets, laptops, and wireless vacuum cleaners. In recent years, improvements in energy density and economies of scale have dramatically reduced the manufacturing cost per unit capacity of secondary batteries, and as the driving range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has increased to the same level as fuel-powered vehicles, the main use of secondary batteries is shifting from mobile devices to mobility.

[0003] Secondary batteries are manufactured through an electrode process, an assembly process, and an activation process. Among these processes, the electrode process is the most crucial process for determining the yield and performance of the battery cell. The electrode process can include a coating process, a roll press process, and a slitting process. In the coating process, active materials and insulating materials can be applied to the surface of a current collector. In the roll press process, the electrode can be pressed by a pressure roll. The roll press process can determine the density, performance, and surface quality of the electrode. In the slitting process, the electrode can be cut into multiple electrodes according to the design of the battery cell. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem that the technical idea of ​​the present invention aims to solve is to provide a system configured to generate a roll map containing information about the quality and defects of an electrode manufacturing process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems, there is provided a method for generating a roll map, the method including the steps of: determining a cutting position of an electrode sheet moving between an unwinder and a rewinder to provide a first lot; and identifying a calibration section of the electrode sheet, the calibration section being a section between a portion of the electrode sheet sensed by a sensing unit at the time the electrode sheet is cut and the cutting position of the electrode sheet.

[0006] The lot ID of the data collected from the calibration interval indicates the first lot.

[0007] The method further includes imputing data collected from the calibration interval to a roll map of a second lot subsequent to the first lot.

[0008] The step of attributing the data to the roll map of the second lot subsequent to the first lot includes setting the lot ID of the data so that the lot ID of the data indicates the second lot.

[0009] The method further includes calibrating coordinates of data collected from the calibration interval.

[0010] The lower limit of the coordinates of the data collected from the calibration section is the completed length of the first lot.

[0011] The coordinates of the data are calibrated based on the completed length.

[0012] The coordinates of the data are calibrated based on subtraction of the completed length.

[0013] The upper limit of the coordinates of the data is the sum of the completed length and the offset length, and the offset length is the length of the electrode sheet interposed between the sensing unit and the rewinder.

[0014] According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for generating a roll map is provided, the method including the steps of: cutting a cutting position on an electrode sheet moving between an unwinder and a rewinder to provide a first lot; and identifying a calibration section of the electrode sheet, the calibration section being a section of the electrode sheet between the cutting position and a portion of the electrode sheet that is processed by a processing tool at the time the electrode sheet is cut.

[0015] The method further includes imputing equipment data collected from the processing tools to a roll map of a second lot subsequent to the first lot.

[0016] The method further includes calibrating coordinates of data collected from the calibration interval.

[0017] The lower limit of the coordinates of the data collected from the calibration section is the completed length of the first lot.

[0018] The coordinates of the data are calibrated based on the completed length.

[0019] The upper limit of the coordinate of the data is the sum of the completed length and the offset length, and the offset length is the length of the electrode sheet interposed between the processing tool and the rewinder. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a system can be provided for generating a roll map that allows feedback, feedforward, and tracking for electrode processes.

[0021] The effects that can be obtained from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly derived and understood from the following description by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure belong. In other words, unintended effects accompanying the implementation of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be derived from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure by a person having ordinary skill in the art. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a role map generation system according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a role map generation method according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating a method for generating a role map according to an exemplary embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before that, the terms and words used in the specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that are consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, based on the principle that an inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms to best describe his own invention.

[0024] Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of this application.

[0025] Furthermore, in the description of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related publicly known structures or functions may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0026] Since the embodiments of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, the shapes and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or shown in a schematic manner for clearer explanation. Therefore, the sizes and proportions of each component do not completely reflect the actual sizes and proportions.

[0027] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 illustrates a role map generation system 100 according to an example embodiment.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, the roll map generation system 100 may include an unwinder 111, a rewinder 113, a processing tool 115, a completion knife 117, a first rotary encoder 121, a second rotary encoder 123, a measuring instrument 131, an inspector 133, a first controller 141, a second controller 143, a communication server 150, and a server 160.

[0029] The roll map generation system 100 can be configured to generate a roll map including data related to the electrode sheet ES. The roll map can represent the electrode sheet ES based on coordinates indicating positions on the electrode sheet ES. Processes for manufacturing a secondary battery can be performed on the electrode sheet ES. The roll map represents a history of processes performed on the electrode sheet ES and can include data related to the coordinates. This allows the roll map to enable feedback, feedforwarding, and tracking of the secondary battery manufacturing process, as described below.

[0030] The first electrode roll ER1 on which the previous process has been performed may be loaded onto the unwinder 111. The unwinder 111 may be configured to unwind the electrode sheet ES from the first electrode roll ER1. The rewinder 113 may be configured to wind the electrode sheet ES to form the second electrode roll ER2. This allows the electrode sheet ES to move between the unwinder 111 and the rewinder 113. Since the electrode process is performed on the electrode sheet ES that is unwound from the first electrode roll ER1 and wound onto the second electrode roll ER2, the electrode process may be a roll-to-roll process.

[0031] The roll map may be generated on a lot-by-lot basis. The electrode sheet ES may be wound around the second electrode roll ER2 and, after reaching a predetermined winding length, may be cut and separated by the finishing knife 117. A lot is a production unit in a roll-to-roll process, and the separated second electrode roll ER2 is an example of a lot. Accordingly, the server 160 may be configured to store a roll map of a previous process. The roll map of the previous process may correspond to the first electrode roll ER1. The server 160 may also generate and store a roll map of a current process. The roll map of the current process may correspond to the second electrode roll ER2.

[0032] The time series data constructed according to the passage of time in the roll map (i.e., according to the progress of the process) can be associated with coordinate data CD collected based on the movement amount of the electrode sheet ES (i.e., either the winding amount or the unwinding amount).

[0033] The manufacturing of secondary batteries involves a series of different processes, and leading processes affect subsequent processes. However, if the time-series data of a leading process cannot be directly matched with the workpieces, semi-finished products, and finished products in the real world, it is difficult to reflect the time-series data of the leading process in the subsequent process. Hereinafter, the correction of a subsequent process based on data generated according to the results of a leading process is called feedforward.

[0034] Here, the term "worked product" refers to an article provided as a result of each process, such as the electrode sheet ES, which has undergone the coating process, roll pressing process, and slitting process shown in FIG. 1. The semi-finished product may refer to one of a separator, an electrode, or an assembly thereof, which has been cut by the notching process. The semi-finished product may also be a structure including a housing and an electrode assembly housed in the housing (in some cases, the structure may further include an electrolyte). The product refers to an article that has been processed to be operable as a secondary battery by the activation process. The above definitions of the work product, semi-finished product, and product relate to one aspect of the same and do not exclude the usual definitions thereof.

[0035] For feedforwarding, the time series data of the roll map must be associated with the positions of images of workpieces, parts, semi-finished products, and finished products in the real world. The roll map can associate the time series data with coordinate data, including coordinates indicating the positions of images of workpieces, parts, semi-finished products, and finished products in the real world. The roll map can match the time series data with the real-world workpieces, parts, semi-finished products, and finished products based on the coordinate data. This allows the generation of a roll map and feedforwarding based on the roll map to improve the productivity and quality of the secondary battery manufacturing process by quantifying and objectifying process aspects that previously relied on operator discretion. Furthermore, the roll map of a previous lot can also be used to improve the process of a subsequent lot; this operation can be called process feedback. Process feedback using the roll map can include identifying process conditions and process parameters that cause problems and defects based on the data contained in the roll map.

[0036] Furthermore, as described below, roll maps are cumulatively generated for workpieces, components, semi-finished products, and finished products of a unit process, thereby allowing tracking of the process history of shipped products (e.g., battery cells, battery modules, or battery packs). As an example, a battery cell may include a cell ID formed on an electrode assembly or a case. The cell ID may include lot number and coordinate information of the electrodes and separator included in the battery cell. In other words, the cell ID may be associated with the roll map of the electrodes and separator included in the battery cell. Thus, when an event such as a quality issue occurs in a battery cell that has already been shipped, historical data on the manufacture of the battery cell may be retrieved based on the cell ID to find the cause of the problem in the manufacturing process.

[0037] The electrode sheet ES may be processed by the processing tool 115. As one example, the processing tool 115 may include a coater, and electrode slurry may be coated onto the electrode sheet ES. As another example, the processing tool 115 may include an induction heater and a pressure roll, and a roll pressing process may be performed on the electrode sheet ES coated with the electrode slurry. As another example, the processing tool 115 may include a splicing die and a scrap port, and portions of the electrode sheet ES may be scrapped. As another example, the processing tool may include a slitting knife, and the electrode sheet ES may be separated into multiple electrode sheets.

[0038] The coating process is a process of applying a coating material such as an electrode slurry onto the electrode sheet ES. The electrode slurry may include an electrode active material, a conductive material, a binder, and a solvent. The electrode slurry can be prepared by dissolving the electrode active material, the conductive material, the binder, and the like in a solvent.

[0039] The roll pressing process involves passing the electrode sheet ES coated with electrode slurry between pressure rolls facing each other. The pressure rolls flatten the electrode surface and increase the bonding strength between the active material and the current collector.

[0040] To increase the production volume (e.g., GWh) per line of a secondary battery production facility, a wide electrode sheet ES is subjected to a coating process and a roll pressing process, after which the wide electrode sheet ES can be cut according to the battery cell specifications in a subsequent slitting process.

[0041] The first rotary encoder 121 may be configured to sense the amount of electrode sheet ES unwound from the first electrode roll ER1 by the unwinder 111. Thus, the first rotary encoder 121 may be configured to generate a unwinding amount signal UWAS indicating the unwound amount of electrode sheet ES. The first rotary encoder 121 may be configured to transmit the unwinding amount signal UWAS to the first controller 141. The first controller 141 may be configured to collect unwinding amount data based on the unwinding amount signal UWAS of the electrode sheet ES.

[0042] The second rotary encoder 123 may be configured to sense the amount of electrode sheet ES wound onto the second electrode roll ER2 by the rewinder 113. Thus, the second rotary encoder 123 may be configured to generate a winding amount signal WAS indicating the wound amount of the electrode sheet ES. The second rotary encoder 123 may be configured to transmit the winding amount signal WAS to the first controller 141. The first controller 141 may be configured to collect winding amount data based on the winding amount signal WAS of the electrode sheet ES.

[0043] Portions of the electrode sheet ES may be scrapped in some cases, which may cause the amount of electrode sheet ES taken up by the unwinder 111 to differ from the amount of electrode sheet ES taken up by the rewinder 113. Also, when the electrode sheet ES is stretched by pressure in the roll pressing process, the amount of electrode sheet ES taken up by the unwinder 111 may differ from the amount of electrode sheet ES taken up by the rewinder 113.

[0044] The first controller 141 may be configured to collect coordinate data CD of the electrode sheet ES based on one of the winding amount signal WAS and the unwinding amount signal UWAS of the electrode sheet ES. For example, the first controller 141 may determine the movement distance of the electrode sheet ES in the current process step based on the winding amount signal of the electrode sheet ES. This may determine coordinates indicating the relative positions within the electrode sheet ES of the portions of the electrode sheet ES that are wound by the rewinder 113 at each point during roll-to-roll processing of the electrode sheet ES. Furthermore, the relative positions within the electrode sheet ES of the portions of the electrode sheet ES being processed or sensed may be determined by calibrating the coordinates using the offset lengths OD1, OD2, and OD3. Below, the technical concept of the present invention will be described focusing on an embodiment in which the first controller 141 collects coordinate data CD based on the winding amount signal WAS of the electrode sheet ES.

[0045] The coordinate data CD may include coordinates that are matched to each portion of the electrode sheet ES. That is, each arbitrary point on the electrode sheet ES may be matched with a coordinate. The coordinates may be one-dimensional quantities in the machine direction (or longitudinal direction) of the electrode sheet ES, but are not limited thereto. The coordinates may also be two-dimensional quantities in the machine direction and the transverse direction (or width direction) of the electrode sheet ES.

[0046] The sensing unit 131S of the measuring device 131 may be configured to measure the electrode sheet ES to collect measurement data of the electrode sheet ES. The sensing unit 131S may measure the electrode sheet ES by a scanning method. The sensing unit 131S may be configured to scan the electrode sheet ES in the lateral direction. While the measuring device 131 performs the lateral scanning, the electrode sheet ES may be moved in the travel direction by the unwinder 111 and the rewinder 113.

[0047] The measurement data may include a plurality of measurement values ​​expressed in numerical values. For example, the measurement data may include dimensional data of the electrode sheet ES, such as thickness and width, data on the amount of coating material loaded on the electrode sheet ES, dimensional data such as the width of the insulating material provided on the coating material and the overlap width between the coating material and the insulating material, and data on mismatch between the land lane on the upper surface of the electrode sheet ES and the land lane on the lower surface of the electrode sheet ES. Here, the loading amount represents the amount of coating material loaded per unit area of ​​the electrode sheet ES and may be the areal density of the coating material.

[0048] The measuring instrument 131 may include a sensing unit 131S and a processor 131P. The sensing unit 131S may be configured to sense a physical quantity of the electrode sheet ES to generate a measurement signal MS. For example, the sensing unit 131S may include a time delay and integration (TDI) camera, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, a time of flight (TOF) sensor, etc. The sensing unit 131S may also include an emitter and a receiver configured to perform measurements using non-destructive signals such as ultrasound, microwaves, terahertz waves, and infrared rays. The sensing unit 131S may also include analog and / or digital sensors such as biosensors, chemical sensors, composition sensors, current and / or power meters, air quality sensors, gas sensors, Hall effect sensors, brightness level sensors, and light sensors. The measuring instrument 131 may also include pressure sensors, temperature sensors, ultrasonic sensors, proximity sensors, door status sensors, motion tracking sensors, humidity sensors, visible light sensors, infrared sensors, cameras, etc.

[0049] Hereinafter, the technical concept of the present invention will be described by way of example and not limitation, focusing on an embodiment in which the measuring device 131 is one of a loading amount measuring device (e.g., a Thermofisher Scientific web gauge) and a thickness measuring device configured to measure the loading amount of a coating layer on the sheet material SM, and the measurement data includes one of a loading amount value and a thickness value. Based on what has been described herein, a person skilled in the art can easily arrive at an embodiment in which the measuring device includes one of the sensors described above and is configured to sense one of the measurement quantities described above.

[0050] The processor 131P may be configured to collect measurement data based on the measurement signal MS sensed by the sensing unit 131S. The processor 131P may be connected to the sensing unit 131S via a wired or wireless connection. The processor 131P may be configured to calibrate the measurement data by adding an offset measurement amount to each of a plurality of measurement values ​​of the measurement data. Due to the progress of the process and aging of the equipment, the measurement values ​​of the measurement data may differ from the actual values. By calibrating the measurement values ​​of the measurement data based on the offset measurement amount, the processor 131P can improve the reliability of the roll map generation system 100 and the method for generating a roll map. The offset measurement amount may be determined based on known information about the equipment system by a method such as a sample test.

[0051] The inspector 133 may be configured to inspect the electrode sheet ES to collect inspection data. As an example, the inspector 133 may be a vision machine. The vision machine is an image-based inspection device that can capture an image of the electrode sheet ES and identify defects on the electrode sheet ES based on the image of the electrode sheet ES. As another example, the inspector 133 may be an optical character reader (OCR) or an optical barcode reader (OBR). The inspector 133 may be configured to collect data that is not characterized by a numerical value (e.g., defect data or an image of the electrode sheet ES), but is not limited thereto.

[0052] The inspection data may include judgments and process events related to the quality of portions of the electrode sheet ES. For example, the inspection data may include data on the appearance of the electrode sheet ES collected by an image-based inspection device such as a vision machine, data on breaks and seams in the electrode sheet ES, data on portions of the electrode sheet ES that have been sampled, data on portions of the electrode sheet ES scheduled for scrapping, data on scrapped portions of the electrode sheet ES, data on the quality of the coating material and insulating material on the electrode sheet ES, data on reference points indicating the position of the electrode sheet ES, and defect data indicating the type and presence or absence of defects such as pinholes, craters, lines, cracks, side rings, islands, folds, wrinkles, punctures, and dents. The reference points may be formed at predetermined intervals on the electrode sheet ES, and the positions of other elements on the electrode sheet ES may be located based on the reference points. The inspector may be any one of a color sensor, a seam sensor, a reference point sensor, and a vision machine.

[0053] The inspector 133 may include a sensing unit 133S and a processor 133P. The sensing unit 133S may include any one of the sensors exemplified in connection with the sensing unit 133S. The sensing unit 133S may be configured to inspect the electrode sheet ES to generate an inspection signal IS. The processor 133P may be configured to collect inspection data based on the inspection signal IS sensed by the sensing unit 133S. The processor 133P may be connected to the sensing unit 133S via a wire or wirelessly.

[0054] The measurement data and inspection data may be time-series data. The measurement data and inspection data may be temporally ordered. Temporal ordering is a key characteristic of time-series data, which is arranging events in the order in which they occur and arrive for processing. That is, the measurement data and inspection data may be sorted based on the time at which the measurements and inspections were made, and the measurement data and inspection data may be associated with a time. This allows each measurement value of the measurement data to be matched to a time, and each evaluation value of the inspection data to be matched to a time.

[0055] As an example, the measurement data may include a series of measurement values ​​and time values ​​associated with the series of measurement values. The measurement values ​​and time values ​​may be matched one-to-one, but are not limited to this. As another example, the inspection data, such as failure data, may include a decision value (e.g., a value indicating a failure) and a time value associated with the value indicating a failure. Here, indicating a failure means including information regarding at least one of the presence or absence of a failure and the type of failure.

[0056] The first controller 141 may be in operative communication with the first rotary encoder 121, the second rotary encoder 123, the measuring instrument 131, and the inspector 133 via a wired or wireless data network. The data network may be unidirectional or bidirectional. The data network may be embodied by a public network and / or a dedicated network using physical channels, WiFi, Bluetooth, and / or other frequency bands. The first rotary encoder 121, the second rotary encoder 123, the measuring instrument 131, the additional measuring instrument, and the additional inspector may be configured to collect data or generate signals to collect data from equipment, workpieces, workpieces, and products in the roll map generation system 100.

[0057] The first controller 141 may be configured to transmit the coordinate data CD to the processor 131P. The processor 131P may be configured to associate the metrology data with the coordinate data CD to generate coordinate-related metrology data CMD. Generally, the metrology data may be processed based on trigger points.

[0058] As a non-limiting example, the trigger point for processing the measurement data may be the completion of a scan. For example, the sensing unit 131S may scan the electrode sheet ES in the width direction of the electrode sheet ES, and the measurement data may be stored, processed, modulated, and transmitted for each scan. In other examples, the trigger point may be the completion of multiple scans or the completion of a portion of a scan. Examples of processing the measurement data may include storing the measurement data, manipulating the measurement data (e.g., generating coordinate-related measurement data CMD), and transmitting the measurement data.

[0059] According to an exemplary embodiment, the measuring instrument 131 may be configured to calibrate the coordinate data CD based on the position of the sensing unit 131S of the measuring instrument 131. More specifically, the measuring instrument 131 may be configured to associate coordinates of the coordinate data CD with measurement values ​​of the measurement data by calibrating the coordinate data CD based on the offset length OD2.

[0060] The measuring instrument 131 can collect measurement data of the portion corresponding to (e.g., overlapping with) the sensing unit 131S, and the coordinate data CD is collected by the second rotary encoder 123 spaced apart from the sensing unit 131S as described above, so the portion of the electrode sheet ES corresponding to the winding amount signal WAS generated at the same time and the portion of the electrode sheet ES corresponding to the measurement signal MS may be different.

[0061] The processor 131P may be configured to collect coordinate-related measurement data CMD based on the measurement data and the coordinate data CD. The coordinate-related measurement data CMD may include a representative value and representative coordinates (e.g., start and end coordinates). The representative value may include at least one of the mean, standard deviation, median, maximum, and minimum values ​​of the measurement data of the portion of the electrode sheet ES inspected by a single scanning of the sensing unit 131S. The representative coordinates (e.g., start and end coordinates) may indicate the start and end points of the portion of the electrode sheet ES inspected by a single scanning of the sensing unit 131S.

[0062] According to an exemplary embodiment, the processor 131P may be configured to calibrate the coordinate data CD collected at the same time as the coordinate-related measurement data CMD is collected based on the offset length OD2, and associate representative coordinates (e.g., start and end coordinates) of the calibrated coordinate data CD with representative values ​​of the measurement data, so that the measurement values ​​of the measurement data can be matched with the time, and the representative values ​​of the coordinate-related measurement data CMD can be matched with the representative coordinates (e.g., start and end coordinates).

[0063] A plurality of guide rolls for defining the movement path of the electrode sheet ES may be interposed between the sensing unit 131S and the rewinder 113. Thus, the offset length OD2 may be defined as the length of the electrode sheet ES between the sensing unit 131S and the rewinder 113 according to the movement path of the electrode sheet ES. The offset length OD2 may be the same as the linear distance between the sensing unit 131S and the rewinder 113, or may be longer than the linear distance between the sensing unit 131S and the rewinder 113.

[0064] The processor 131P can be configured to generate evaluation data based on the coordinate-related measurement data CMD. The evaluation data can include a process evaluation value for each of the multiple sections of the electrode sheet ES. The process evaluation value for each of the multiple sections of the electrode sheet ES can be determined based on a comparison between a set range and a measurement value (or a representative value of the measurement value).

[0065] For example, a representative value within a first range can be determined to be normal, a representative value within a second range that is even larger than the first range can be determined to be excessive, a representative value within a third range that is even larger than the second range can be determined to be very excessive, a representative value within a fourth range that is even smaller than the first range can be determined to be insufficient, and a representative value within a fifth range that is even smaller than the fourth range can be determined to be very insufficient.

[0066] Here, if the lower limit of the second range is equal to or greater than the upper limit of the first range, the second range is greater than the first range. Similarly, if the upper limit of the fourth range is equal to or less than the lower limit of the first range, the fourth range is smaller than the first range.

[0067] The processor 131P may be configured to transmit the coordinate-related measurement data CMD to the first controller 141. The coordinate-related measurement data CMD transmitted to the second controller 143 may be transmitted to the server 160 via the communication server 150. The second controller 143 and the communication server 150 may relay communication of data including the coordinate-related measurement data CMD between the server 160 and the first controller 141. However, this is not limitative. The first controller 141 may also transmit the coordinate-related measurement data CMD directly to the server 160.

[0068] The first controller 141 may be configured to transmit the coordinate data CD to the processor 133P. The processor 133P may be configured to associate the inspection data with the coordinate data CD to generate coordinate-related inspection data CID.

[0069] According to an exemplary embodiment, the inspector 133 may be configured to calibrate the coordinate data CD based on the position of the inspector 133. More specifically, the inspector 133 may be configured to associate the coordinates of the coordinate data CD with the evaluation value of the inspection data by calibrating the coordinate data CD based on an offset length OD3. The offset length OD3 may be the same as the linear distance between the sensing unit 133S and the rewinder 113, or may be longer than the linear distance between the sensing unit 133S and the rewinder 113.

[0070] The processor 133P can be configured to collect coordinate-related inspection data CID based on the inspection data and the coordinate data CD. The coordinate-related inspection data CID can include evaluation values ​​(e.g., values ​​indicating the presence or absence of defects, the order of the defects, the presence or absence and order of reference points, etc.) and representative coordinates (e.g., start coordinates and end coordinates).

[0071] According to an exemplary embodiment, the processor 133P may be configured to calibrate the coordinate data CD collected at the same time as the coordinate-related inspection data CID based on the offset length OD3, and associate the coordinates of the calibrated coordinate data CD with the evaluation values ​​of the inspection data. This allows the evaluation values ​​of the inspection data to be matched with time, and the evaluation values ​​of the coordinate-related inspection data CID to be matched with coordinates. Consecutive evaluation values ​​of the coordinate-related inspection data CID (e.g., values ​​indicating consecutive defects) may also be matched with representative coordinates (e.g., start and end coordinates) of the section of the electrode sheet ES where the evaluation values ​​are consecutive.

[0072] The first controller 141 may be configured to receive an equipment signal ESS from the processing instrument 115. The first controller 141 may be configured to collect equipment data ED based on the equipment signal ESS. The equipment signal ESS may include operational information of the processing instrument 115.

[0073] As one example, the equipment signal ESS may include information on the gap of the coating die, the pressure, speed, and supply rate of the slurry pump, and the level of the slurry supply tank. As another example, the equipment signal ESS may include information on the temperature of the induction heater, the pressure of the pressure roll, and the position of the pressure roll. As another example, the equipment signal ESS may include information on the speed of the slitting knife. As another example, the equipment signal ESS may also include information on the movement speed, tension, and friction of the electrode sheet ES by the unwinder 111 and the rewinder 113.

[0074] The first controller 141 may be configured to transmit the equipment data ED, the coordinate-related measurement data CMD, the coordinate-related inspection data CID, and the take-up amount signal WAS to the second controller 143.

[0075] The second controller 143 can be configured to control the operation of the unwinder 111, the rewinder 113, the processing tool 115, and the completion knife 117. The second controller 143 can be configured to generate signals for operating and interrupting the unwinder 111, the rewinder 113, the processing tool 115, and the completion knife 117. The signals for operating and interrupting the unwinder 111, the rewinder 113, the processing tool 115, and the completion knife 117 can be generated based on a recipe for the electrode sheet ES.

[0076] For process control, a communication line connecting the second controller 143 and the server 160 via the communication server 150 may be installed between the second controller 143 and the server 160. As a result, data transmission via the second controller 143 can save resources required for installing a communication line and improve the efficiency of data processing and management compared to a case in which the first rotary encoder 121, the second rotary encoder 123, and the measuring device 131 directly transmit the unwinding amount signal UWAS, the winding amount signal WAS, and the measurement signal MS to the server 160, or a case in which the first controller 141 directly transmits the coordinate-related measurement data CMD and the evaluation data to the server 160.

[0077] The communication server 150 may include a program for communication between the second controller 143 of the manufacturing facility and the server 160. The communication server 150 may also be implemented in hardware, as described below. The language and protocol of the server 160 may be different from the language and protocol of the second controller 143. For example, the language of the server 160 may be SQL, and the language of the second controller 143 may be ladder diagram.

[0078] The communication server 150 may be configured to convert the product ID and recipe of the electrode sheet ES transmitted from the server 160 into a language of the second controller 143. In addition, the communication server 150 may be configured to convert the equipment data ED, the coordinate-related measurement data CMD, and the coordinate-related inspection data CID into a language of the server 160, and record the coordinate-related measurement data CMD in a database of the server 160.

[0079] The server 160 can be configured to generate a roll map based on the equipment data ED, the coordinate-related measurement data CMD, and the coordinate-related inspection data CID. The roll map can be generated on a lot-by-lot basis. The roll map can include data related to lot specifications. The lot specifications can include, for example, the lot number, the length of the rolled electrode sheet ES, the width of the electrode sheet ES, and the materials and compositions used in processing the electrode sheet ES.

[0080] According to an exemplary embodiment, server 160 may be a data processing system that supports various activities required to manage the production of secondary batteries, such as work schedule management, work instructions, quality control, and work performance aggregation. Server 160 may be, for example, MES (Manufacturing Execution System) software. Server 160 may be configured to perform input, processing, output, and communication of data required for electrode production, such as coating processes, pressing processes, and manufacturing processes.

[0081] As another example, the server 160 may be configured to store and process raw measurement data of the electrode sheets ES. The server 160 may be configured to manage the quality of the processing of the electrode sheets ES by continuously monitoring the processing of the electrode sheets ES based on the measurement data. The server 160 may be a statistical process controller (SPC). The server 160 may collect and analyze manufacturing data in near real time to identify problem conditions in a timely manner and provide an alarm to an operator before a potential problem occurs.

[0082] As another example, server 160 may be a solution that manages all information and processes at every stage of a product or service lifecycle across a global supply chain. Server 160 may be, for example, a Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solution. Server 160 may store data such as items, parts, products, instructions, requirements, engineering change orders, quality, and workflows. Server 160 may be configured to generate and store electrode specification data (ESD).

[0083] The processor 131P, the processor 133P, the first controller 141, the second controller 143, the communication server 150, and the server 160 may be embodied in hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the processor 131P, the processor 133P, the first controller 141, the second controller 143, the communication server 150, and the server 160 may include computing devices such as a workstation computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, or a tablet computer. The processor 131P, the processor 133P, the first controller 141, the second controller 143, the communication server 150, and the server 160 may include any one of a simple controller, a complex processor such as a microprocessor, a CPU, or a GPU, a processor configured by software, dedicated hardware, and firmware. The processor 131P, the processor 133P, the first controller 141, the second controller 143, the communication server 150 and the server 160 may be embodied by, for example, a general-purpose computer or application-specific hardware such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0084] The server 160 may include a physical server or a cloud server. The server 160 may provide data and analysis results to operators through various frameworks. The framework may include a protocol that supports data transmission so that a display device can visualize data through a user interface and provide updated visualizations when new data is calculated by the server 160. The protocol that supports the data transmission may use HTML, JavaScript, and / or JSON.

[0085] Server 160 can include various APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for storing data in databases and other data management tools. The APIs can also be used to retrieve data in the databases of various data management systems. Data management systems can provide access to databases, pull data from databases, retrieve data, and generate metrics, where metrics are tools for visualizing data. Metrics include measurements generated over time and can be used to monitor applications and generate status alerts.

[0086] The role map generation system 100 may implement a plug-in architecture with an API for data acquisition to provide plug-and-play connectivity of the measuring instrument 131, the inspector 133, additional measuring instruments, and additional inspectors, thereby allowing resources at a particular process step and site to be easily transferred to other processes and other sites, or new resources to be easily introduced to each process step and site.

[0087] The data network between elements of the role map generation system 100 can include various types of communication channels, including unidirectional, bidirectional wired, and wireless communication. By way of example, the data network can include industrial protocol networks such as OPC, Modbus, ProfiNet, etc. The communication channel can be a dedicated conduit communication such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), IEEE 802 (Ethernet), IEEE 1394 (FireWire), or other high-speed data communication standards.

[0088] In some embodiments, the roll map generation system 100 can further include a manual input system that allows an operator to input manufacturing data. The roll map generation system 100 can allow operator data entry using an input tool and computer-based input of manufacturing data, such as scraping an Excel file.

[0089] According to some embodiments, the operations of processor 131P, processor 133P, first controller 141, second controller 143, communication server 150, and server 160 may be embodied as instructions stored on a machine-readable medium that can be read and executed by one or more processors. Here, a machine-readable medium may include any mechanism for storing and / or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computing device). For example, a machine-readable medium may include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory, electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of radio signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.), and any other signals.

[0090] The processor 131P, the processor 133P, the first controller 141, the second controller 143, the communication server 150, and the server 160 may be configured with firmware, software, routines, and instructions to perform the operations described above or any of the steps described below. For example, the processor 131P, the processor 133P, the first controller 141, the second controller 143, the communication server 150, and the server 160 may be instantiated in memory.

[0091] The first controller 141 and the second controller 143 may be, for example, a programmable logic controller (PLC). A PLC is a specialized form of microprocessor-based controller that uses programmable memory to store instructions and implements functions such as logic, sequencing, timing, counting, and arithmetic to control machines and processes. PLCs are easy to operate and program.

[0092] The first controller 141 and the second controller 143 may include a power supply, a central processing unit (CPU), an input interface, an output interface, a communication interface, a first memory device, and a second memory device. The power supply may be configured to supply operating power to the CPU, the input module, the output module, the communication interface, the first memory device, and the second memory device. The first memory device may be configured to store the PLC's system program. The first memory device may be, for example, a read-only memory (ROM) configured to permanently store data for the operating system of the second controller 143. The second memory device may be configured to store user programs and data. The user programs may be programs set by a user to cause the CPU to perform specific functions. The data may include the coordinate-related measurement data CMD and coordinate data CD described above. The second memory device may further store status information of the input and output devices, timers, counters, and other internal device values. The second memory device may be, for example, a random access memory (RAM).

[0093] The CPU may be configured to control communication between modules that embody logic and convert input signals into output operating signals. The CPU may operate based on a system program stored in a first memory device. The CPU may be configured to manipulate data based on a user program stored in a second memory device.

[0094] When the PLC operates, the CPU can scan the current input conditions and data and store them in a memory device. The CPU can then be configured to load and execute a user program step by step, and then transmit the results to one of an output module, a communication module, and a memory device.

[0095] The input and output modules provide isolation and signal conditioning so that sensors and actuators can be directly coupled to the input and output modules without other circuitry. The input and output modules can be configured to communicate data between the CPU and external devices.

[0096] Conditions and data from industrial equipment and production processes can be transmitted to the CPU via input modules. Results processed by the CPU can be transmitted to actuators via output modules. Input modules can include digital and analog devices such as mechanical switches for position sensing, proximity switches, photoelectric switches, encoders, temperature and pressure switches, potentiometers, linear variable differential transformers, strain gauges, thermistors, thermal transistors, and AC or DC thermocouples. The input modules can provide an interface between the input devices and a CPU that operates on a low DC voltage. Some input devices can generate analog signals with a high voltage range. The input modules can be configured to convert the signals generated by the input devices to a voltage range acceptable to the CPU.

[0097] The output module can be configured to generate a signal to control the operation of the actuator, and can include a relay, a transistor, and a triac, and can include a relay, a contactor, a solenoid valve, a motor, and the like.

[0098] However, this is for convenience of explanation, and the operations of the above-described processor 131P, processor 133P, first controller 141, second controller 143, communication server 150, and server 160 may also be caused by a computing device, a distributed computing device, a processor, firmware, software, routines, other devices executing instructions, etc.

[0099] The architecture configured to generate a roll map can be realized by adding only the first controller 141 to the second controller 143, communication server 150, and server 160, which are essential elements of modern process control systems. In other words, the roll map generation system according to the exemplary embodiment can utilize resources already installed at the manufacturing site, thereby saving additional capital expenditures. Furthermore, by applying the same architecture as existing manufacturing facilities to newly constructed manufacturing facilities, it is possible to improve the reliability of secondary battery manufacturing, identify / improve problematic processes, and introduce new processes efficiently. Based on what is described herein, a person skilled in the art can easily arrive at a roll map generation system including an integrated PLC that performs the functions of the first controller 141 and the second controller 143.

[0100] (Second embodiment) FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a role map generation method according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0101] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a role map generation method according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0102] 1 to 3, in P110, the electrode sheet ES can be cut. The electrode roll is completed by cutting the electrode sheet ES, and a first lot L1 can be provided. The electrode sheet ES can be cut based on the winding amount signal WAS. According to an exemplary embodiment, the second controller 143 can be configured to generate a signal for controlling the operation of the completion knife 117 based on the winding amount signal WAS. After the second electrode roll ER2 achieves a winding amount target, the second electrode roll ER2 is separated by cutting the electrode sheet ES, and thus a completed first lot L1 can be provided. The completed first lot L1 can be unloaded from the rewinder 113, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 3.

[0103] Next, in P120, a calibration interval of the electrode sheet ES can be identified. The identification of the calibration interval can be performed by the server 160. The calibration interval of the electrode sheet ES can be different for each data. Here, the data can include the equipment data ED, the coordinate-related measurement data CMD, and the coordinate-related inspection data CID. More specifically, the calibration interval CR1 of the equipment data ED, the calibration interval CR2 of the coordinate-related measurement data CMD, and the calibration interval CR3 of the coordinate-related inspection data CID can be different from each other.

[0104] The calibration section may be between the data collection position of the electrode sheet ES and the cutting position of the electrode sheet ES. For example, the calibration section CR1 of the equipment data ED may be collected from the electrode sheet ES between the portion of the electrode sheet ES processed by the processing tool 115 at the time of separation of the first lot L1 by the completion knife 117 and the cutting position of the electrode sheet ES by the completion knife 117. For another example, the calibration section CR2 of the coordinate-related measurement data CMD may be collected from the electrode sheet ES between the portion of the electrode sheet ES sensed by the sensing unit 131S at the time of separation of the first lot L1 by the completion knife 117 and the cutting position of the electrode sheet ES by the completion knife 117. For another example, the calibration section CR3 of the coordinate-related inspection data CID may be collected from the electrode sheet ES between the portion of the electrode sheet ES sensed by the sensing unit 133S at the time of separation of the first lot L1 by the completion knife 117 and the cutting position of the electrode sheet ES by the completion knife 117.

[0105] Next, in P130, the data collected from the calibration section can be attributed to the roll map of the subsequent lot. The equipment data ED collected from the calibration section CR1, the coordinate-related measurement data CMD collected from the calibration section CR2, and the coordinate-related inspection data CID collected from the calibration section CR3 are collected before the completion of the first lot L1. As a result, the lot IDs of the equipment data ED collected from the calibration section CR1, the coordinate-related measurement data CMD collected from the calibration section CR2, and the coordinate-related inspection data CID collected from the calibration section CR3 can indicate the first lot L1 as shown in Table 1 below.

[0106] In Table 1, the first column indicates the lot ID of the data before calibration, the second column indicates the coordinates of the data before calibration, the third column indicates the lot ID of the data after calibration, and the fourth column indicates the coordinates of the data after calibration.

[0107] [Table 1]

[0108] The lot following the first lot L1 may be referred to as the second lot. Attributing the data collected from the calibration section to the roll map of the subsequent lot may include setting a lot ID so that the lot ID of the data collected from the calibration section indicates the second lot. The lot IDs of the equipment data ED collected from the calibration section CR1, the coordinate-related measurement data CMD collected from the calibration section CR2, and the coordinate-related inspection data CID collected from the calibration section CR3 may be calibrated to indicate the second lot. Thus, when calling up the roll map of the second lot based on the lot ID, the data collected from the calibration section may be retrieved. Subsequently, in P140, the coordinates of the data collected from the calibration section may be calibrated. The lower limit of the coordinates of the data collected from the calibration section may be the completed length. Here, the completed length is the target winding length of the second electrode roll ER2 and may be determined according to the product recipe. The upper limit of the coordinates of the data collected from the calibration section may be the sum of the completed length and the corresponding offset length among the offset lengths OD1, OD2, and OD3. The coordinates of the data collected from the calibration section may be calibrated based on the completed length of the first lot L1. The coordinates of the data collected from the calibration section may be calibrated based on subtraction of the completed length of the first lot L1. In Table 1, an exemplary completed length is 1400 (arbitrary unit, hereinafter, au) and an exemplary offset length is 69 (au). Thus, the lower limit of the coordinates of the data collected from the calibration section is 1400 (au) and the upper limit of the coordinates is 1469 (au). Thus, in Table 1, the coordinates of the data collected from the calibration section in the range of 1400 (au) to 1469 (au) may be calibrated to be in the range of 0 (au) to 69 (au).

[0109] The present invention has been described in more detail above through the drawings and embodiments, etc. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments in this specification are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention, and therefore, there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of filing this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 100 Role Map Generation System 111 Unwinder 113 Rewinder 115 Processing equipment 117 Completion Knife 121 1st rotary encoder 123 Second rotary encoder 131 Measuring Instruments 131P processor 131S Sensing unit 133 Inspection equipment 133P processor 133S Sensing unit 141 First Controller 143 Second Controller 150 communication servers 160 servers CD coordinate data CID coordinate related inspection data CMD coordinate-related measurement data ED equipment data ER1 First electrode roll ER2 Second electrode roll

Claims

1. cutting a cutting position of the electrode sheet moving between the unwinder and the rewinder to provide a first lot; and identifying a calibration section of the electroded sheet, The method for generating a roll map, wherein the calibration section is a section between a portion of the electrode sheet sensed by a sensing unit at the time the electrode sheet is cut and the cutting position of the electrode sheet.

2. 2. The method of generating a roll map of claim 1, wherein a lot ID of data collected from the calibration interval indicates the first lot.

3. 2. The method of generating a roll map of claim 1, further comprising the step of attributing data collected from the calibration interval to a roll map of a second lot subsequent to the first lot.

4. 4. The method for generating a roll map of claim 3, wherein the step of attributing the data to the roll map of the second lot that follows the first lot includes setting the lot ID of the data so that the lot ID of the data indicates the second lot.

5. The method of generating a roll map of claim 1 further comprising the step of calibrating coordinates of data collected from the calibration interval.

6. The method for generating a roll map according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a lower limit of the coordinates of the data collected from the calibration section is the completed length of the first lot.

7. The method of generating a roll map of claim 6 , wherein the coordinates of the data are calibrated based on the completed length.

8. The method of generating a roll map of claim 6 , wherein the coordinates of the data are calibrated based on subtraction of the completed length.

9. The upper limit of the coordinate of the data is the sum of the completed length and the offset length; and The method for generating a roll map according to claim 6 , wherein the offset length is a length of the electrode sheet interposed between the sensing unit and the rewinder.

10. cutting a cutting position of the electrode sheet moving between the unwinder and the rewinder to provide a first lot; and identifying a calibration section of the electroded sheet, 10. A method of generating a roll map, wherein the calibration interval is the interval between the portion of the electroded sheet processed by a processing tool at the time the electroded sheet is cut and the cutting position of the electroded sheet.

11. 11. The method of generating a roll map of claim 10, further comprising the step of imputing equipment data collected from the processing tools to a roll map of a second lot subsequent to the first lot.

12. The method of generating a roll map of claim 10 further comprising the step of calibrating coordinates of data collected from the calibration interval.

13. The method for generating a roll map according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein a lower limit of the coordinates of the data collected from the calibration section is the completed length of the first lot.

14. The method of generating a roll map of claim 13 , wherein the coordinates of the data are calibrated based on the completed length.

15. The upper limit of the coordinate of the data is the sum of the completed length and the offset length; and 14. The method of generating a roll map of claim 13, wherein the offset length is a length of the electrode sheet interposed between the processing tool and the rewinder.

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