Electrode assembly inspection device, battery cell including electrode assembly produced using the same, battery pack including the battery cell, and automobile

Abstract

The electrode assembly inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for inspecting an electrode assembly of a battery cell, and includes a winding roll around which a negative electrode, a first separator, a positive electrode, and a second separator are wound, a first inspection unit disposed away from the negative electrode and facing at least one of a first end and a second end of the negative electrode, a second inspection unit disposed away from the positive electrode and facing at least one of the first end and a second end of the positive electrode, and a control unit that determines whether or not the electrode assembly is defective based on inspection results from at least one of the first inspection unit and the second inspection unit.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrode assembly inspection device, a battery cell including an electrode assembly manufactured using the same, a battery pack including the battery cell, and a vehicle, and more particularly to an electrode assembly inspection device capable of inspecting whether an electrode assembly is meandering during manufacture and whether a non-coated portion tab is bent, a battery cell including an electrode assembly manufactured using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0179669 filed on December 20, 2022 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0186038 filed on December 19, 2023, and the contents disclosed in the specifications and drawings of those applications are incorporated herein in their entirety. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries, which are easily applicable to various products and have electrical properties such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that are driven by electrical sources.

[0004] Such secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source that not only has the primary advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels, but also is environmentally friendly because they do not produce any by-products associated with energy use, and can improve energy efficiency.

[0005] Currently, the types of secondary batteries that are widely used include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, etc. The operating voltage of such a unit secondary battery cell is approximately 2.5V to 4.5V.

[0006] Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, a battery module or a battery pack may be configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series. Alternatively, a battery module or a battery pack may be configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in parallel depending on a required charge / discharge capacity. Therefore, the number and electrical connection form of battery cells included in a battery module or a battery pack may be variously set depending on at least one of the required output voltage and charge / discharge capacity.

[0007] Meanwhile, cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch-type battery cells are known as types of secondary battery cells. In the case of a cylindrical battery cell, a separator, which is an insulator, is interposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and the separator is wound up to form a jelly-roll-shaped electrode assembly, which is then placed in a battery can together with an electrolyte to form a battery. Furthermore, a current collector plate may be used to electrically connect the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate to each other in the cylindrical battery cell.

[0008] In a process for manufacturing an electrode assembly of a cylindrical battery cell, the negative electrode, the positive electrode, and the separator should be disposed in predetermined positions. However, during the manufacturing process, the negative electrode, the positive electrode, and the separator may not be accurately aligned, which is known as meandering.

[0009] During the manufacturing process of the electrode assembly, due to tolerances in the width direction of the coating portions of the negative and positive electrodes and misalignment of the upper and lower separators, meandering may occur, and in severe cases, reversal may occur.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional apparatus for inspecting whether or not a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a separator are meandering during the manufacture of an electrode assembly of a cylindrical battery cell.

[0011] 1, in the past, inspection for such meandering was performed by using a single camera 1 to view only one side of the electrode assembly, but because it was not possible to inspect both sides due to equipment and winding processes, there was a risk of meandering occurring due to tolerances that could occur on the side opposite the inspection side. That is, there was a problem in that it was not possible to sufficiently and accurately inspect whether or not the anode 2, cathode 3, and separator 4 were meandering.

[0012] Furthermore, when non-coated tabs are formed on the negative and positive electrodes, the non-coated tabs may break during the manufacturing process of the electrode assembly. However, in the conventional technology, there is a problem in that it is not possible to inspect whether the non-coated tabs are bent or not.

[0013] Therefore, there is a need to develop a new device and method for inspecting meandering winding of an electrode assembly that can solve the above-mentioned problems. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0014] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide an electrode assembly inspection device configured to be able to inspect for meandering due to tolerance in the width direction of a coating portion of an electrode, a battery cell including an electrode assembly produced using the same, a battery pack including the battery cell, and a vehicle.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrode assembly inspection device configured to inspect an area that cannot be inspected during the winding process of an electrode assembly for meandering due to tolerance in the width direction of a coating portion of an electrode by calculating inspection data before and during winding, a battery cell including an electrode assembly manufactured using the same, and a battery pack and automobile including the battery cell.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrode assembly inspection device capable of accurately inspecting for defects between a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a separator, a battery cell including an electrode assembly manufactured using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrode assembly inspection device capable of accurately inspecting whether or not a non-coated tab is bent when the non-coated tab is formed on a negative electrode or a positive electrode, a battery cell including an electrode assembly manufactured using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell.

[0018] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0019] According to one aspect of the present invention, there may be provided an apparatus for inspecting an electrode assembly of a battery cell, the electrode assembly inspection apparatus including: a winding roll around which a negative electrode, a first separator, a positive electrode, and a second separator are wound; a first inspection unit disposed away from the negative electrode and facing at least one of a first end and a second end of the negative electrode; a second inspection unit disposed away from the positive electrode and facing at least one of the first end and a second end of the positive electrode; and a control unit that determines whether or not the electrode assembly is defective based on inspection results from at least one of the first inspection unit and the second inspection unit.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the first inspection unit may be arranged to the side of the negative electrode, and the second inspection unit may be arranged above the positive electrode.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the first inspection unit and the second inspection unit may be disposed so as to be orthogonal to each other with respect to the winding roll.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the first inspection unit can be disposed so as to face the portion where the negative electrode is wound onto the winding roll.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the second inspection unit can be disposed so as to face the portion of the positive electrode that is wound onto the winding roll.

[0024] According to one embodiment, a negative electrode non-coated portion tab is formed at the first end of the negative electrode, and the first inspection unit may include a first photographing member disposed toward the first end of the negative electrode to photograph the negative electrode non-coated portion tab.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the control unit can determine whether or not the negative electrode non-coated portion tab is bent based on the image captured by the first imaging member.

[0026] According to an embodiment, the first inspection unit may include a second imaging member disposed toward the second end of the negative electrode to capture an image of the gap between the negative electrode and the first separator.

[0027] According to an embodiment, the second inspection unit may include a third imaging member disposed toward the first end of the positive electrode to capture an image of the gap between the positive electrode and the second separator.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the third imaging member can capture an image of the gap between the first separation membrane and the second separation membrane.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the positive electrode may be located inside the first separator and the second separator, and the first end of the positive electrode may be coated with a positive electrode active material.

[0030] According to one embodiment, a positive electrode non-coated portion tab is formed at the second end of the positive electrode, and the second inspection unit may include a fourth imaging member arranged toward the second end of the positive electrode to photograph the positive electrode non-coated portion tab.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the control unit can determine whether the positive electrode non-coated portion tab is bent or not based on the image captured by the fourth imaging member.

[0032] According to one embodiment, both surfaces of the negative electrode are coated with a negative electrode active material, and both surfaces of the positive electrode are coated with a positive electrode active material, and the control unit may calculate meandering in an opposite direction based on a result of inspecting meandering in one direction of the negative electrode or the positive electrode.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the control unit may store positive electrode measurement data of the width direction length of the positive electrode active material coated on both sides of the positive electrode measured before winding, derive a virtual coating line on the rear surface of the positive electrode by calculating the positive electrode measurement data, derive a virtual coating line on the front surface of the positive electrode by calculating a serpentine gap of the tab portion of the positive electrode, and derive a serpentine gap from the virtual coating line on the rear surface of the positive electrode, the virtual coating line on the front surface of the positive electrode, and an edge line of the front surface of the negative electrode.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the control unit may store negative electrode measurement data of the width direction length of the negative electrode active material coated on both sides of the negative electrode measured before winding, derive a virtual coating line on the front surface of the negative electrode by calculating the negative electrode measurement data, derive a virtual coating line on the rear surface of the negative electrode by calculating a serpentine gap of the tab portion of the negative electrode, and derive a serpentine gap from the virtual coating line on the front surface of the negative electrode, the virtual coating line on the rear surface of the negative electrode, and an edge line of the rear surface of the positive electrode.

[0035] According to another aspect of the present invention, a battery cell including an electrode assembly manufactured using the above-described electrode assembly inspection apparatus may be provided. Also, a battery pack including at least one of the above-described battery cells may be provided, and a vehicle including at least one of the above-described battery cells may be provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0036] According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to inspect for meandering due to tolerances in the width direction of the coating portion of the electrode.

[0037] In addition, the area that cannot be inspected during the winding process of the electrode assembly can be inspected for meandering due to tolerance in the width direction of the coating portion of the electrode by calculating the inspection data before winding and the inspection data during winding.

[0038] In addition, it is possible to accurately inspect whether there are any defects between the negative electrode, the positive electrode, and the separator.

[0039] Furthermore, when a non-coated portion tab is formed on the negative electrode or positive electrode, it is possible to accurately inspect whether or not the non-coated portion tab is bent.

[0040] However, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other technical effects of the present invention not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention.

[0041] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further understand the technical concept of the present invention, so the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the matters described in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0042] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional device for inspecting whether or not a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a separator are meandering during the manufacture of an electrode assembly of a cylindrical battery cell. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic perspective view of an electrode assembly testing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a view taken along the direction A in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a view taken along the direction B in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] 4 is a view showing an image captured by a first inspection unit in an electrode assembly inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of part a in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a case where a break occurs in the non-coated portion tab of the negative electrode in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of part b in FIG. 5. [Figure 9] 10 is a view showing an image captured by a second inspection unit in an electrode assembly inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of part C in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a case in which a gap occurs between the first separation membrane and the second separation membrane in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of part d in FIG. 9. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the contents of calculating whether or not meandering in the opposite direction is present based on the results of inspecting whether or not meandering in one direction of the negative or positive electrode is present using an electrode assembly inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the contents of calculating whether or not meandering in the opposite direction is present based on the results of inspecting whether or not meandering in one direction of the negative or positive electrode is present using an electrode assembly inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a battery pack including a battery cell including an electrode assembly manufactured using an electrode assembly inspection apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 15. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical ideas of the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best explain the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiment described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical ideas of the present invention, and therefore, various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0044] In the drawings, the size of each component or specific parts of the component may be exaggerated, omitted, or illustrated schematically for convenience and clarity of description. Therefore, the size of each component may not completely reflect the actual size. If a detailed description of well-known functions or configurations related to the present invention is deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, such description will be omitted.

[0045] As used herein, the terms "coupled" or "connected" include not only cases where one member is directly coupled or connected to another member, but also cases where one member is indirectly coupled or connected to another member via a joint member.

[0046] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an electrode assembly inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a view taken along the direction A in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a view taken along the direction B in FIG.

[0047] An electrode assembly inspection device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is a device that inspects an electrode assembly 21 when the electrode assembly 21 of a battery cell 20 is wound up. Specifically, referring to Figures 2 to 4, the electrode assembly inspection device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is a device that can inspect not only whether or not there is meandering between the negative electrode 22, the positive electrode 26, and the separator 25 during the manufacturing process of the electrode assembly 21 included in the battery cell 20 (e.g., the cylindrical battery cell of Figure 13), but also whether or not there is bending of the negative electrode non-coated portion tab 24 or the positive electrode non-coated portion tab 28 when a non-coated portion tab is formed on the negative electrode 22 or the positive electrode 26.

[0048] The electrode assembly 21 has a structure in which a positive electrode 26, a negative electrode 22, and separators 25 and 29 interposed between the positive electrode 26 and the negative electrode 22 are wound in one direction. A central hole is formed in the center of the electrode assembly 21, so that the electrode assembly 21 can be formed into a jelly roll shape.

[0049] 2 to 4, the electrode assembly 21 may be manufactured by sequentially stacking the negative electrode 22, the first separator 25, the positive electrode 26, and the second separator 29 at least once and winding up the stack. Here, the positive electrode 26 and the negative electrode 22 may be formed in a sheet shape.

[0050] That is, the electrode assembly 21 applied to this embodiment may be a winding-type electrode assembly. In this case, a separator (not shown) may be further provided on the outer periphery of the electrode assembly 21 for insulation from the battery can. That is, the electrode assembly 21 may have any winding structure known in the related art without limitation.

[0051] The positive electrode 26 may have a positive electrode active material 27 coated on one or both sides, and a positive electrode non-coated portion tab 28 may be formed at an end of the positive electrode 26 where the positive electrode active material 27 is not coated. The positive electrode non-coated portion tab 28 may be exposed to the outside of the separator while forming a plurality of winding turns based on the center of the electrode assembly 21, and may be used as an electrode tab. However, the positive electrode 26 may not necessarily have a positive electrode non-coated portion tab 28 formed thereon.

[0052] The negative electrode 22 may have one or both surfaces coated with the negative electrode active material 23, and may have a negative electrode non-coated portion tab 24 formed at an end of the negative electrode 22 where the negative electrode active material 23 is not coated. The negative electrode non-coated portion tab 24 may be used as an electrode tab by forming a plurality of right turns based on the center of the electrode assembly 21 and being exposed to the outside of the separator. However, the negative electrode 22 may not necessarily have a negative electrode non-coated portion tab 24 formed thereon.

[0053] Here, when the positive electrode 26 and the negative electrode 22 each include an uncoated portion, the positive electrode uncoated portion tab 28 and the negative electrode uncoated portion tab 24 may be configured to face in opposite directions.

[0054] The positive electrode active material 27 coated on the positive electrode 26 and the negative electrode active material 23 coated on the negative electrode 22 may be any active material known in the art without any limitations.

[0055] The separator may be a porous polymer film, for example, a porous polymer film made of a polyolefin polymer such as an ethylene homopolymer, a propylene homopolymer, an ethylene / butene copolymer, an ethylene / hexene copolymer, or an ethylene / methacrylate copolymer, either alone or in combination.

[0056] As another example, the separator may be made of a common porous nonwoven fabric, such as a nonwoven fabric made of high-melting-point glass fiber or polyethylene terephthalate fiber.

[0057] At least one surface of the separator may include a coating layer of inorganic particles. Alternatively, the separator itself may be made of a coating layer of inorganic particles. The particles constituting the coating layer may have a structure in which they are bound with a binder so that there is an interstitial volume between adjacent particles.

[0058] Referring to Figures 2 to 4, an electrode assembly inspection device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a winding roll 100, a first inspection unit 200, a second inspection unit 300, and a control unit 400.

[0059] The negative electrode 22, the first separator 25, the positive electrode 26, and the second separator 29 are wound around the winding roll 100. Referring to Fig. 2, the negative electrode 22 is disposed in front of Fig. 2 (direction Y1 in Fig. 2), the first separator 25 is disposed between the negative electrode 22 and the positive electrode 26, and the second separator 29 is disposed behind the positive electrode 26 (direction Y2 in Fig. 2). However, the arrangement of the negative electrode 22, the first separator 25, the positive electrode 26, and the second separator 29 is not limited to this.

[0060] In Fig. 2, a negative electrode non-coating portion tab 24 is formed on the left side of the negative electrode 22 (X2 direction in Fig. 2), and a positive electrode non-coating portion tab 28 is formed on the right side of the positive electrode 26 (X1 direction in Fig. 2). However, the positions of the negative electrode non-coating portion tab 24 and the positive electrode non-coating portion tab 28 are not limited to this.

[0061] The first inspection unit 200 is disposed away from the negative electrode 22 and facing at least one of the first end 22a and the second end 22b of the negative electrode 22. The first inspection unit 200 may be disposed in various ways, for example, but is not limited to, being disposed to the side of the negative electrode 22 (in the X1 direction in FIG. 2).

[0062] The first inspection unit 200 may be disposed so as to face the portion where the negative electrode 22 is wound onto the winding roll 100. That is, referring to FIG. 3 , the first inspection unit 200 may be disposed so as to face the portion where the negative electrode 22 is wound onto the winding roll 100 together with the first separator 25, the positive electrode 26, and the second separator 29.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 2, the first inspection unit 200 and the second inspection unit 300 may be arranged so as to be perpendicular to each other with respect to the winding roll 100, but this is not limited thereto and they do not necessarily have to be perpendicular to each other.

[0064] The first inspection unit 200 may include a first imaging member 210 and a second imaging member 220. Here, the first imaging member 210 and the second imaging member 220 may be various members, for example, various cameras.

[0065] The first imaging member 210 is disposed toward the first end 22a of the negative electrode 22 to capture an image of the negative electrode non-coated portion tab 24, and the second imaging member 220 is disposed toward the second end 22b of the negative electrode 22 to capture an image of the gap between the negative electrode 22 and the first separator 25. This will be described in detail later.

[0066] The second inspection unit 300 is disposed away from the positive electrode 26 and facing at least one of the first end 26a and the second end 26b of the positive electrode 26. The second inspection unit 300 may be disposed in various ways. For example, the second inspection unit 300 may be disposed above the positive electrode 26 (in the Z2 direction in FIG. 2), but is not limited thereto.

[0067] The second inspection unit 300 may be disposed so as to face the portion where the positive electrode 26 is wound onto the winding roll 100. That is, referring to FIG. 3 , the second inspection unit 300 may be disposed so as to face the portion where the positive electrode 26 is wound onto the winding roll 100 together with the negative electrode 22, the first separator 25, and the second separator 29.

[0068] As mentioned above, referring to FIG. 2, the second inspection unit 300 and the first inspection unit 200 may be arranged perpendicular to each other based on the winding roll 100, but this is not limited to this and they do not necessarily have to be perpendicular.

[0069] The second inspection unit 300 may include a third imaging member 310 and a fourth imaging member 320. Here, the third imaging member 310 and the fourth imaging member 320 may be various, for example, various cameras.

[0070] The third imaging member 310 may be arranged facing the first end 26a of the positive electrode 26 to capture an image of the gap between the positive electrode 26 and the second separator 29, and the fourth imaging member 320 may be arranged facing the second end 26b of the positive electrode 26 to capture an image of the positive electrode non-coated portion tab 28. This will be described in detail later.

[0071] The control unit 400 determines whether or not there is a defect in the electrode assembly 21 based on the inspection results from at least one of the first inspection unit 200 and the second inspection unit 300. Here, defects in the electrode assembly 21 may include a case where the negative electrode 22 and the first separator 25 are not accurately aligned at a predetermined position and therefore meandering occurs, a case where the positive electrode 26 and the second separator 29 are not accurately aligned at a predetermined position and therefore meandering occurs, a case where the first separator 25 and the second separator 29 are not accurately aligned at a predetermined position and therefore meandering occurs, a case where the negative electrode non-coated portion tab 24 is bent, or a case where the positive electrode non-coated portion tab 28 is bent.

[0072] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an image captured by a first inspection unit in an electrode assembly inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of portion a in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a case in which a bend has occurred in the non-coated portion tab of the negative electrode in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of portion b in FIG. 5.

[0073] As described above, referring to FIG. 2, the first inspection unit 200 may include a first imaging member 210 and a second imaging member 220.

[0074] Here, the first photographing member 210 is placed facing the first end 22a of the negative electrode 22, and photographs the negative electrode non-coated portion tab 24.

[0075] 5 and 6, a negative electrode non-coated portion tab 24 may be formed at the first end 22a of the negative electrode 22. As described above, the negative electrode non-coated portion tab 24 is a portion on which the negative electrode active material 23 is not coated, and may be used as an electrode tab itself.

[0076] The first photographing member 210 (see FIG. 2) photographs the negative electrode non-coating portion tab 24, and the control unit 400 can determine whether the negative electrode non-coating portion tab 24 is bent or not from the photographing result taken by the first photographing member 210.

[0077] That is, if the negative electrode non-coating portion tab 24 photographed by the first photographing member 210 is as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 400 determines that the negative electrode non-coating portion tab 24 is normal, but if the negative electrode non-coating portion tab 24 photographed by the first photographing member 210 is bent as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 400 determines that the negative electrode non-coating portion tab 24 is defective.

[0078] This allows the first photographing member 210 to inspect whether or not there is a defect in the negative electrode non-coated portion tab 24.

[0079] The second imaging member 220 (see FIG. 2) is disposed facing the second end 22b of the negative electrode 22, and can be configured to capture an image of the gap between the negative electrode 22 and the first separation membrane 25.

[0080] 5 and 8, the region of the negative electrode 22 where the negative electrode active material 23 is applied is located inside the first separator 25. The control unit 400 compares the width of the negative electrode 22 with the width of the first separator 25 from a video or image captured of the space between the negative electrode active material 23 of the negative electrode 22 and the first separator 25 as shown in FIG. 8 to determine whether meandering has occurred between the negative electrode 22 and the first separator 25, and thereby determines whether a defect exists.

[0081] That is, by comparing the overall width of the negative electrode 22 with the overall width of the first separation membrane 25, it is possible to determine whether the alignment is misaligned from the gap G1 (see FIG. 8) between the second end 22b of the negative electrode 22 and the second end 25b of the first separation membrane 25.

[0082] Here, in one embodiment, reference data for the overall width of the anode 22 and the overall width of the first separator 25 is input in advance to the control unit 400, and the presence or absence of a defect can be determined by comparing the reference data with a video or image taken while the anode 22 and the first separator 25 are being wound up.

[0083] Alternatively, the widths of the anode 22 and the first separator 25 before winding may be photographed in real time, data related to the widths may be stored in the control unit 400, and the presence or absence of a defect may be determined by comparing the photographed image with the image photographed when the anode 22 and the first separator 25 are being wound.

[0084] This makes it possible to inspect whether or not there is a defect due to meandering of the negative electrode 22 and the first separator 25.

[0085] FIG. 9 is a view showing an image captured by a second inspection unit in an electrode assembly inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of part C in FIG. 9, FIG. 11 is a view showing the case where a gap has occurred between the first separator and the second separator in FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of part d in FIG. 9.

[0086] As described above, referring to FIG. 2, the second inspection unit 300 may include a third imaging member 310 and a fourth imaging member 320.

[0087] Here, the third imaging member 310 (see FIG. 2) is placed facing the first end 26a of the positive electrode 26, and captures an image of the gap between the positive electrode 26 and the second separation membrane 29.

[0088] 2, the positive electrode 26 is located inside the first separator 25 and the second separator 29, and is coated with a positive electrode active material 27. That is, referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the area of ​​the positive electrode 26 where the positive electrode active material 27 is applied is located inside the second separator 29. The control unit 400 compares the width of the positive electrode 26 with the width of the second separator 29 from a video or image captured of the area between the positive electrode active material 27 of the positive electrode 26 and the second separator 29 as shown in FIG. 10 to determine whether meandering has occurred between the positive electrode 26 and the second separator 29, and thereby determines whether a defect exists.

[0089] That is, by comparing the overall width of the positive electrode 26 with the overall width of the second separation membrane 29, it is possible to determine whether the alignment has shifted from the gap G2 (see FIG. 10) between the first end 26a of the positive electrode 26 and the first end 29a of the second separation membrane 29.

[0090] Here, in one embodiment, reference data for the overall width of the positive electrode 26 and the overall width of the second separator 29 is input in advance to the control unit 400, and the presence or absence of a defect can be determined by comparing the reference data with a video or image taken while the positive electrode 26 and the second separator 29 are being wound up.

[0091] Alternatively, the widths of the positive electrode 26 and the second separator 29 before winding may be photographed in real time, data related to the widths may be stored in the control unit 400, and the presence or absence of defects may be determined by comparing the photographed video or image with the video or image photographed when the positive electrode 26 and the second separator 29 are being wound.

[0092] This makes it possible to inspect whether or not there is a defect due to meandering of the positive electrode 26 and the second separation membrane 29.

[0093] 11, the third imaging member 310 can capture an image of the gap G3 between the first separation membrane 25 and the second separation membrane 29. The first separation membrane 25 and the second separation membrane 29 may be formed to have the same width. In this case, for example, the first end 25a of the first separation membrane 25 and the first end 29a of the second separation membrane 29 should be overlapped so that they coincide with each other. However, if meandering occurs, the first end 25a of the first separation membrane 25 and the first end 29a of the second separation membrane 29 do not coincide with each other, as shown in FIG. 11, and a gap G3 occurs.

[0094] In this way, if the image or video captured by the third imaging member 310 shows that the first end 25a of the first separation membrane 25 does not match the first end 29a of the second separation membrane 29, the control unit 400 may determine that there is a defect.

[0095] 9 and 12, a positive electrode non-coated portion tab 28 may be formed at the second end 26b of the positive electrode 26. As described above, the positive electrode non-coated portion tab 28 is a portion where the positive electrode active material 27 is not coated, and may be used as an electrode tab itself.

[0096] The fourth photographing member 320 (see FIG. 2) is positioned facing the second end 26b of the positive electrode 26 to photograph the positive electrode non-coating portion tab 28, and the control unit 400 can determine whether or not the positive electrode non-coating portion tab 28 is bent from the results photographed by the fourth photographing member 320.

[0097] That is, if the positive electrode non-coating portion tab 28 photographed by the fourth photographing member 320 is 12, the control unit 400 determines that the positive electrode non-coating portion tab 28 is normal. However, if the positive electrode non-coating portion tab 28 photographed by the fourth photographing member 320 is broken, the control unit 400 determines that the positive electrode non-coating portion tab 28 is defective. Here, the break in the positive electrode non-coating portion tab 28 may be similar to the break in the negative electrode non-coating portion tab 24 of FIG. 7.

[0098] This allows the fourth imaging member 320 to inspect whether or not there is a defect in the positive electrode non-coated portion tab 28.

[0099] 13 and 14 are diagrams illustrating a case where the presence or absence of meandering in the opposite direction of the negative or positive electrode is calculated from the result of inspecting the presence or absence of meandering in one direction of the negative or positive electrode using an electrode assembly inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] The control unit 400 (see FIG. 2) can calculate the presence or absence of meandering in the opposite direction based on the result of inspecting the presence or absence of meandering in one direction of the negative or positive electrode. Here, both sides of the negative electrode are coated with a negative electrode active material, and both sides of the positive electrode are coated with a positive electrode active material.

[0101] For example, a positive electrode surface inspection device (not shown) may measure positive electrode measurement data. The positive electrode measurement data is data measuring the width of the positive electrode active material coated on both sides of the positive electrode before winding. The control unit 400 then stores the positive electrode measurement data.

[0102] 13, a hypothetical coating line L1 on the rear surface of the positive electrode can be derived by calculating the positive electrode measurement data described above, and a hypothetical coating line L2 on the front surface of the positive electrode can be derived by calculating the meandering gap of the tab portion of the positive electrode.

[0103] Here, the meandering gap of the positive electrode tab portion may be calculated as the smaller of the absolute value of the sum of the width direction length of the positive electrode active material coated on one of the two surfaces and the gap of the positive electrode, plus the width of the first separator plus the alignment deviation between the separators, excluding the gap of the negative electrode, or the absolute value of the sum of the width direction length of the positive electrode active material coated on the other of the two surfaces and the gap of the positive electrode, plus the width of the first separator plus the alignment deviation between the separators, excluding the gap of the negative electrode, although this is merely an example.

[0104] 13, the control unit (see FIG. 2) can derive a meandering gap from a virtual coating line L1 on the rear surface of the positive electrode, a virtual coating line L2 on the front surface of the positive electrode, and a slit line L3 on the front surface of the negative electrode. L4 in FIG. 13 is the line of the first separator 25.

[0105] Meanwhile, for example, a negative electrode surface inspection device (not shown) may measure negative electrode measurement data. The negative electrode measurement data is data measuring the width of the negative electrode active material coated on both sides of the negative electrode before winding. The control unit 400 then stores the negative electrode measurement data.

[0106] 14, a virtual coating line L5 on the front surface of the negative electrode can be derived by calculating the negative electrode measurement data described above, and a virtual coating line L6 on the rear surface of the negative electrode can be derived by calculating the meandering gap of the tab portion of the negative electrode.

[0107] Here, the meandering gap of the negative electrode tab portion may be calculated as the smaller of the absolute value of the sum of the width direction length of the negative electrode active material coated on one of the two surfaces and the gap of the negative electrode, plus the width of the first separator plus the alignment deviation between the separators, excluding the gap of the positive electrode, or the absolute value of the sum of the width direction length of the negative electrode active material coated on the other of the two surfaces and the gap of the negative electrode, plus the width of the first separator plus the alignment deviation between the separators, excluding the gap of the positive electrode, although this is merely an example.

[0108] 14, the control unit 400 (see FIG. 2) can derive a serpentine gap from a virtual coating line L5 on the front surface of the negative electrode, a virtual coating line L6 on the rear surface of the negative electrode, and a cut line L7 on the rear surface of the positive electrode. L8 in FIG. 14 is the line of the second separator 29.

[0109] Thus, the area that cannot be inspected during the winding process of the electrode assembly can be inspected for meandering due to tolerance in the width direction of the coating portion of the electrode by calculating the inspection data before winding and the inspection data during winding.

[0110] FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a battery pack including a battery cell including an electrode assembly manufactured using the electrode assembly inspection apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0111] 15, a battery pack 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery cells 20. Here, the battery cell 20 is a cylindrical battery cell, and the battery cell 20 includes an electrode assembly 21 produced using the electrode assembly inspection apparatus 10 according to each embodiment of the present invention as described above.

[0112] The battery pack 30 may further include a pack housing 31 for accommodating the battery cells 20, and various devices for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery cells 20, such as a BMS, a current sensor, and a fuse.

[0113] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG.

[0114] 16, an automobile 40 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery cells 20 or battery packs 30. The battery cells 20 include electrode assemblies 21 produced using the electrode assembly inspection apparatus 10 according to the embodiments of the present invention as described above. And, the battery pack 30 may include one or more battery cells 20 as described above.

[0115] Here, the automobile 40 includes various automobiles that are configured to use electricity, such as electric automobiles or hybrid automobiles.

[0116] Although terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear are used in this specification, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms indicate relative positions and are used only for convenience of explanation, and may vary depending on the position of the object in question, the position of the observer, etc.

[0117] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereby, and it is obvious that various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art within the spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the following claims. Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be considered from an illustrative rather than a restrictive perspective. In other words, the true spirit of the present invention is set forth in the claims, and all differences within the equivalent scope should be construed as being included in the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0118] The present invention relates to an electrode assembly inspection device, a battery cell including an electrode assembly produced using the same, a battery pack including the battery cell, and an automobile, and is particularly applicable to the secondary battery-related industry. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 1 camera 2 negative electrode 3 Positive electrode 4 Separation membrane 10 Electrode assembly inspection device 20 battery cells 21 Electrode assembly 22 Negative electrode 22a First end 22b Second end 23 Negative electrode active material 24 Negative electrode non-coated tab 25 1st separation membrane 25a 1st end 25b 2nd end 26 Positive electrode 26a First end 26b Second end 27 Cathode active material 28 Positive electrode non-coated tab 29 Second separation membrane 29a First end 30 Battery Pack 31 Pack Housing 40 Automobiles 100 winding rolls 200 First Inspection Unit 210 First photographic element 220 Second photographic element 300 Second Inspection Unit 310 Third photographic element 320 Fourth Shooting Element 400 control section

Claims

1. An apparatus for inspecting an electrode assembly of a battery cell, comprising: a winding roll on which the negative electrode, the first separator, the positive electrode, and the second separator are wound; a first inspection unit disposed away from the negative electrode and facing at least one of a first end and a second end of the negative electrode; a second inspection unit disposed away from the positive electrode and facing at least one of a first end and a second end of the positive electrode; a control unit that determines whether or not the electrode assembly is defective based on an inspection result from at least one of the first inspection unit and the second inspection unit.

2. The electrode assembly inspection device according to claim 1 , wherein the first inspection unit is disposed to a side of the negative electrode, and the second inspection unit is disposed above the positive electrode.

3. The electrode assembly inspection device according to claim 2, wherein the first inspection unit and the second inspection unit are disposed so as to be perpendicular to each other with respect to the winding roll.

4. The electrode assembly inspection device according to claim 1 , wherein the first inspection unit is disposed facing a portion of the negative electrode wound onto the take-up roll.

5. The electrode assembly inspection device according to claim 1 , wherein the second inspection unit is disposed facing a portion of the positive electrode wound onto the take-up roll.

6. a negative electrode non-coated portion tab is formed at the first end of the negative electrode; 6. The electrode assembly inspection device of claim 1, wherein the first inspection unit includes a first photographing member disposed toward the first end of the negative electrode and photographing the negative electrode non-coated portion tab.

7. The electrode assembly inspection device according to claim 6, wherein the control unit determines whether or not the negative electrode non-coated portion tab is bent based on the image captured by the first image capturing member.

8. 6. The electrode assembly inspection device of claim 1, wherein the first inspection unit includes a second imaging member disposed toward the second end of the negative electrode to capture an image of the gap between the negative electrode and the first separator.

9. 6. The electrode assembly inspection device of claim 1, wherein the second inspection unit includes a third imaging member disposed toward the first end of the positive electrode to capture an image of the gap between the positive electrode and the second separator.

10. The electrode assembly inspection device of claim 9, wherein the third imaging member images the gap between the first and second separators.

11. 10. The electrode assembly inspection device of claim 9, wherein the positive electrode is located inside the first separator and the second separator, and the first end of the positive electrode is coated with a positive electrode active material.

12. a positive electrode non-coated portion tab is formed at the second end of the positive electrode; 6. The electrode assembly inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the second inspection unit includes a fourth photographing member disposed toward the second end of the positive electrode to photograph the positive electrode non-coated portion tab.

13. The electrode assembly inspection device according to claim 12, wherein the control unit determines whether or not the positive electrode non-coated portion tab is bent based on the image captured by the fourth image capturing member.

14. a negative electrode having both surfaces coated with a negative electrode active material, and a positive electrode having both surfaces coated with a positive electrode active material; The electrode assembly inspection device of claim 1 , wherein the control unit calculates meandering in an opposite direction based on a result of inspecting meandering in one direction of the negative electrode or the positive electrode.

15. The control unit 15. The electrode assembly inspection device of claim 14, wherein the device stores positive electrode measurement data of a width direction length of the positive electrode active material coated on both sides of the positive electrode measured before winding, derives a virtual coating line on a rear surface of the positive electrode by calculating the positive electrode measurement data, derives a virtual coating line on a front surface of the positive electrode by calculating a meandering gap of a tab portion of the positive electrode, and derives the meandering gap from the virtual coating line on the rear surface of the positive electrode, the virtual coating line on the front surface of the positive electrode, and an edge line of the front surface of the negative electrode.

16. The control unit 15. The electrode assembly inspection device of claim 14, wherein: negative electrode measurement data of a width direction length of the negative electrode active material coated on both sides of the negative electrode measured before winding is stored; a virtual coating line on a front surface of the negative electrode is derived by calculating the negative electrode measurement data; a virtual coating line on a rear surface of the negative electrode is derived by calculating a meandering gap of a tab portion of the negative electrode; and the meandering gap is derived from the virtual coating line on the front surface of the negative electrode, the virtual coating line on the rear surface of the negative electrode, and an end line of the rear surface of the positive electrode.

17. A battery cell comprising an electrode assembly produced using the electrode assembly inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

18. A battery pack comprising at least one battery cell according to claim 17.

19. 20. A motor vehicle comprising at least one battery cell according to claim 17.

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