Welding step height measuring device and its operating method

Abstract

A welding step measurement device according to one embodiment disclosed herein includes a communication circuit, a processor, and a memory for storing instruction words, wherein, when executed by the processor, the welding step measurement device can, via the communication circuit, acquire a 3D (three-dimensional) image of a specified area including electrodes stacked on the busbars of a battery from an image acquisition device, identify step measurement points based on the 3D image, and determine whether the battery is defective based on the depth value of each step measurement point.

Description

Technical Field

[0002]

[0001] The present invention claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0047835 filed on April 11, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0004225 filed on January 10, 2024, and all the contents disclosed in the Korean patent applications are incorporated herein by reference. The embodiments disclosed in this document relate to a welding step measurement device and an operating method thereof.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the demand for portable electronic products such as notebook computers, video cameras, and mobile phones has increased rapidly. In addition, as the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, satellites, etc. has become full-scale, research on high-performance batteries capable of repeated charging and discharging has been actively conducted.

[0003] Currently commercialized batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, lithium batteries, etc. Among them, lithium batteries have attracted attention because they have almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based batteries, can be freely charged and discharged, have a very low self-discharge rate, and have a high energy density.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When manufacturing a battery, welding may be required for an electrode (or a lead). For example, after contacting the electrode (or the lead) of the battery onto the upper surface of a busbar, it can be welded and joined. Here, the busbar means a bar-shaped conductor made of a material such as copper, silver, or tin-plated copper in a bar shape.

[0005] In such a welding process, welding can be performed while applying pressure to the electrodes in the direction of the busbar in order to bring the battery electrodes into contact with the upper surface of the busbar. However, if the pressure on the electrodes is not properly applied during welding, the elastic recovery force of the metal electrode material may prevent the electrode and busbar from making good contact, and the electrode may repel the busbar. As a result, the welded portion of the battery may protrude away from the busbar, creating a step.

[0006] Furthermore, when connecting multiple electrodes in parallel (for example, 3 to 4 electrodes), it is possible to stack and weld multiple electrodes on a busbar. However, if the number of electrodes stacked is less than the required number, the welded portion of the battery may sink towards the busbar, creating a step.

[0007] If welding defects occur between the electrodes and busbars as described above, the battery's performance may deteriorate, and the likelihood of battery failure due to connection problems during use may increase. Therefore, it is necessary to check for defects in batteries caused by variations in welding by inspecting the step level of the welds.

[0008] However, determining the appropriate step measurement position is not easy because the product layouts differ during actual mass production of batteries. Therefore, a method is needed to determine the correct position at the battery's welded joint and measure the step height.

[0009] The technical problems of the embodiments disclosed in this document are not limited to those described above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A welding step measurement device according to one embodiment disclosed herein includes a communication circuit, a processor, and a memory for storing instruction words, wherein, when executed by the processor, the welding step measurement device can, via the communication circuit, acquire a 3D (three-dimensional) image of a specified area including electrodes stacked on the busbars of a battery from an image acquisition device, identify step measurement points based on the 3D image, and determine whether the battery is defective based on the depth value of each step measurement point.

[0011] In one embodiment, the instruction word can cause the welding step measuring device to identify a specified welding position in the 3D image and to identify a step measurement point based on the identified welding position when executed by the processor.

[0012] In one embodiment, the step measurement point can be located between the designated welding positions. In one embodiment, the step measurement point can be identified based on the outermost welding position among the designated welding positions.

[0013] In one embodiment, the electrodes stacked on the busbar include a positive electrode of a first battery cell and a negative electrode of a second battery cell, and the step measurement point identified based on the outermost welding position may be a position for determining the alignment of the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0014] An operating method for a welding step measurement device according to one embodiment disclosed herein may include: acquiring a 3D (three-dimensional) image of a designated area including electrodes stacked on the busbars of a battery from an image acquisition device; identifying step measurement points based on the 3D image; and determining whether the battery is defective based on the depth value of each of the step measurement points.

[0015] In one embodiment, the operation of identifying the step measurement point may include the operation of identifying a welding position specified in the 3D image, and the operation of identifying the step measurement point based on the identified welding position.

[0016] In one embodiment, the step measurement point can be located between the designated welding positions. In one embodiment, the step measurement point can be identified based on the outermost welding position among the designated welding positions.

[0017] In one embodiment, the electrodes stacked on the busbar include a positive electrode of a first battery cell and a negative electrode of a second battery cell, and the step measurement point identified based on the outermost welding position may be a position for determining the alignment of the positive electrode and the negative electrode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The welding step measurement apparatus and its operating method according to various embodiments disclosed herein can be universally applied to different products by identifying step measurement points based on the 3D image.

[0019] The welding step height measuring device and its operation method according to various embodiments disclosed herein are capable of measuring the height of the entire area excluding the welded portion by identifying step height measurement points based on the 3D image.

[0020] The effects of the welding step measurement device and its operating method disclosed in this document are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned here will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the disclosure in this document. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram of a welding step height measuring device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2]A diagram illustrating an intensity image according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] A diagram illustrating a depth map according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] A diagram illustrating an operation method of a welding step measurement device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In relation to the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for the same or similar components.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0023] The embodiments of this document and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, and it should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiments. In relation to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components. The singular form of the noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the said items, unless clearly indicated otherwise in the relevant context.

[0024] In this document, each phrase such as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase, or any possible combination thereof. Terms such as “first,” “second,” “first,” “second,” “A,” “B,” “(a),” or “(b)” may be used simply to distinguish one component from other components and, unless otherwise stated, do not limit the component in any other way (e.g., importance or order).

[0025] Wherever a component (e.g., the first) is referred to as being "coupled," "joined," or "connected" to another component (e.g., the second), with or without such terms, it means that the first component may be directly (e.g., wired or wirelessly) or indirectly (e.g., via the third component) connected to the other component.

[0026] Methods according to various embodiments disclosed herein may be provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a commodity between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of an instrument-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory, CD-ROM) or online (e.g., download or upload) via an application store or directly between two user devices. In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be at least temporarily stored or temporarily generated in an instrument-readable storage medium such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store server, or an intermediary server.

[0027] According to the embodiments disclosed herein, each of the aforementioned components (e.g., a module or a program) may include one or more individuals, and some of the individuals may be separated and arranged in other components. According to the embodiments disclosed herein, one or more of the aforementioned components or operations may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, multiple components (e.g., a module or a program) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the multiple components in the same or similar manner as those performed by the components of the multiple components before the integration. According to the embodiments disclosed herein, operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be performed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be performed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a welding step height measuring device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document. Referring to Figure 1, the welding step measurement device 101 according to one embodiment disclosed in this document can be connected to an image acquisition device 103 and a user terminal 105 by wire and / or wirelessly.

[0029] In one embodiment, the connection between the welding step measurement device 101 and the image acquisition device 103 may be a communication connection via a wired and / or wireless network. In one embodiment, the wired network may be based on LAN (local area network) communication or power line communication. In one embodiment, the wireless network may be based on a local area network (e.g., Bluetooth®, WiFi (wireless fidelity), or IrDA (infrared data association)) or a wide area network (cellular network, 4G network, 5G network).

[0030] In other embodiments, the connection between the welding step measurement device 101 and the image acquisition device 103 may be via a communication method between the devices (e.g., a bus, GPIO (general purpose input and output), SPI (serial peripheral interface), or MIPI (mobile industry processor interface)).

[0031] In one embodiment, the connection between the welding step measuring device 101 and the user terminal 105 may be a communication connection via a wired and / or wireless network.

[0032] In one embodiment, the image acquisition device 103 can acquire an image of the battery unit 115. According to the embodiment, the battery unit 115 may include a rechargeable battery. According to the embodiment, the rechargeable battery may include a pouch-type rechargeable battery, a prismatic rechargeable battery, and / or a cylindrical rechargeable battery.

[0033] The image acquisition device 103 can capture images of the battery unit 115 and acquire an image of the battery unit 115. According to one embodiment, the image acquisition device 103 can be implemented with a camera. According to one embodiment, the image acquisition device 103 may include a camera (e.g., a laser line profile sensor) capable of acquiring depth values ​​of the battery unit 115 based on a laser. According to one embodiment, the image acquisition device 103 can acquire a 3D (three dimensions) profile of the battery unit 115 while moving from one position to the other. Here, the 3D profile may include an intensity image and a depth map of the battery unit 115. Here, the intensity image may show the brightness of the surface of the battery unit 115, and the depth map may show the depth values ​​of the surface of the battery unit 115. According to one embodiment, the 3D profile (or 3D image) may be implemented with a single image that includes depth information in addition to the intensity image.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the image acquisition device 103 can be placed in at least one battery process equipment (e.g., welding equipment) related to the battery assembly process. In this case, the image acquisition device 103 can photograph the battery unit 115 as the process is in progress or as the process is completed and shipped by the placed process equipment, and acquire an image of the battery unit 115.

[0035] In one embodiment, the user terminal 105 may be a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone, laptop computer, smartphone, smartpad) or a PC (personal computer). In one embodiment, the user terminal 105 may be a terminal used by the administrator of the welding step measurement device 101.

[0036] In one embodiment, the welding step measuring device 101 may include a communication circuit 120, a memory 140, and a processor 150. According to the embodiment, the welding step measuring device 101 shown in Figure 1 may further include at least one component other than the components shown in Figure 1 (for example, a display, an input device, or an output device).

[0037] In one embodiment, the communication circuit 120 establishes a wired communication channel and / or a wireless communication channel between the welding step measuring device 101 and the image acquisition device 103 and / or the user terminal 105, and can send and receive data with the image acquisition device 103 and / or the user terminal 105 via the established communication channel. In one embodiment, the communication circuit 120 can acquire a 3D profile of the battery unit 115 from the image acquisition device 103. In one embodiment, the communication circuit 120 can notify the user terminal 105 of the presence or absence of welding step abnormalities in the battery unit 115.

[0038] In one embodiment, the memory 140 may include volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory. In one embodiment, the memory 140 can store data used by at least one component of the welding step measuring device 101 (e.g., the processor 150). For example, the data may include a program 130 (or associated instructions), input data, or output data. In one embodiment, the instructions may cause the welding step measuring device 101 to perform the operation defined by the instructions when executed by the processor 150.

[0039] In one embodiment, the program 130 may include one or more software components (for example, an image acquisition unit 141, a location identification unit 143, and a diagnostic unit 145).

[0040] In one embodiment, the processor 150 may include a central processing unit, an application processor, a graphics processing unit, an NPU (neural processing unit), an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor.

[0041] In one embodiment, the processor 150 can execute software (e.g., an image acquisition unit 141, a position identification unit 143, and a diagnostic unit 145), control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the welding step measurement device 101 connected to the processor 150, and perform various data processing or calculations.

[0042] The following describes how the welding step measurement device 101 measures the welding step of the lead (or electrode) of the battery unit 115 via the image acquisition unit 141, position identification unit 143, and diagnostic unit 145, with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

[0043] In one embodiment, the image acquisition unit 141 can acquire a 3D image of the battery unit 115 from the image acquisition device 103 via the communication circuit 120. In one embodiment, the image acquisition unit 141 can acquire a 3D image of a specific region (e.g., a lead region) of the battery unit 115. In one embodiment, the image acquisition unit 141 can acquire a 3D image of a region including electrodes stacked on the busbars of the battery unit 115.

[0044] Referring to Figure 2, the intensity image 200 included in the 3D image illustrates a state in which the leads of the battery unit 115 are welded to the busbar.

[0045] In one embodiment, the position identification unit 143 can identify step measurement points based on a 3D image. In another embodiment, the position identification unit 143 can identify a specified area in a 3D image and identify step measurement points within the specified area.

[0046] In one embodiment, the position identification unit 143 can detect a specified object in the 3D image and identify step measurement points based on the position of the detected object. Here, the specified object may be a welding position. As another example, the specified object may be the outer casing of the leads of the battery unit 115.

[0047] In one embodiment, the position identification unit 143 can identify step measurement points among multiple objects detected based on a 3D image. In one embodiment, the position identification unit 143 can identify step measurement points based on the position of the outermost object among a plurality of objects detected based on the 3D image. In one embodiment, the position identification unit 143 can identify a point located at a specified distance from the outermost object among a plurality of objects detected based on the 3D image as a step measurement point.

[0048] For example, the position identification unit 143 can identify a specified region 210 from the intensity image 200 and identify multiple welding positions 211, 213, 215, and 217 included in the specified region 210.

[0049] In one embodiment, the position identification unit 143 can identify step measurement points based on welding positions 211 and 217, which correspond to the outermost welding positions. For example, the position identification unit 143 can identify a position at a specified distance from welding position 211 (e.g., the distance from welding position 211 to the lead of the battery unit 115) as a step measurement point. In another example, the position identification unit 143 can identify a position at a specified distance from welding position 217 (e.g., the distance from welding position 217 to the lead of the battery unit 115) as a step measurement point.

[0050] In one embodiment, the position identification unit 143 can identify step measurement points based on adjacent welding positions (211, 213, or 215, 217). For example, the position identification unit 143 can identify a point between welding positions 211 and 213 as a step measurement point. In another example, the position identification unit 143 can identify a point between welding positions 215 and 217 as a step measurement point.

[0051] In one embodiment, the diagnostic unit 145 can diagnose whether or not the battery unit 115 is defective based on the step measurement point identified by the position identification unit 143.

[0052] In one embodiment, the diagnostic unit 145 can identify the depth value corresponding to a step measurement point based on the step measurement point identified by the position identification unit 143. In another embodiment, the diagnostic unit 145 can identify the depth value corresponding to a step measurement point based on a 3D image.

[0053] For example, by referring to the depth map 300, the diagnostic unit 145 can identify the depth value at position 311 at a specified distance relative to welding position 211, and the depth value at position 317 at a specified distance relative to welding position 217. For example, the diagnostic unit 145 can identify the depth value at point 313 between welding positions 211 and 213. For example, the diagnostic unit 145 can identify the depth value at point 315 between welding positions 215 and 217.

[0054] In one embodiment, the diagnostic unit 145 can diagnose whether or not the battery unit 115 is faulty based on a comparison between multiple depth values. For example, the diagnostic unit 145 can diagnose whether the battery unit 115 is defective based on the depth values ​​of positions 311 and 317. For instance, if the difference between the depth value of position 311 and the depth value of position 317 exceeds a threshold difference, the diagnostic unit 145 can diagnose that a welding step exists in the battery unit 115.

[0055] As another example, the diagnostic unit 145 can diagnose whether the battery unit 115 is defective based on the depth values ​​of positions 313 and 315. For example, if the difference between the depth value of position 313 and the depth value of position 315 exceeds a threshold difference, the diagnostic unit 145 can diagnose that a welding step exists in the battery unit 115.

[0056] In one embodiment, the diagnostic unit 145 can determine that a battery unit 115 with a weld step is defective. In one embodiment, the diagnostic unit 145 can notify the user terminal 105 of information regarding the battery unit 115 with a weld step. According to this embodiment, the welding step measurement device 101 and the image acquisition device 103 can be implemented in a single device.

[0057] The welding step measurement device 101 described above can prevent erroneous detection of height information that may occur due to welding by actively identifying step measurement points. Furthermore, the welding step measurement device 101 described above can prevent erroneous detection of height information that may occur due to interference of the lead with the ROI (region of interest) for busbar tilt correction by actively identifying step measurement points.

[0058] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation method of a welding step measurement device 101 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The operation of Figure 4 will be explained with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Referring to Figure 4, in operation 410, the welding step measuring device 101 can acquire a 3D (three-dimensional) image from the image acquisition device of a designated area including electrodes stacked on the busbars of the battery unit 115. In one embodiment, the welding step measuring device 101 can acquire an image from the image acquisition device 103, where the image acquisition device 103 may include a camera (e.g., a laser line profile sensor) capable of acquiring depth values ​​of the battery unit 115 based on a laser. According to one embodiment, the image acquisition device 103 can acquire a 3D (three-dimensional) profile of the battery unit 115 while moving from one position to the other. Here, the 3D profile may include an intensity image and a depth map of the battery unit 115, where the intensity image shows the brightness of the surface of the battery unit 115, and the depth map shows the depth values ​​of the surface of the battery unit 115. According to one embodiment, a 3D profile (or 3D image) can be realized in a single image in which depth information is incorporated into an intensity image.

[0059] In operation 420, the welding step measurement device 101 can identify the step measurement point based on the 3D image. In one embodiment, the welding step measurement device 101 can identify a specified area in a 3D image and identify step measurement points within the specified area.

[0060] In one embodiment, the welding step measuring device 101 can detect a specified object in a 3D image and identify step measurement points based on the position of the detected object. Here, the specified object may be a welding position. As another example, the specified object may be the outer casing of the leads of the battery unit 115.

[0061] In one embodiment, the welding step measurement device 101 can identify step measurement points among multiple objects detected based on a 3D image. In one embodiment, the welding step measurement device 101 can identify step measurement points based on the position of the outermost object among a plurality of objects detected based on a 3D image. In one embodiment, the welding step measurement device 101 can identify a point located at a specified distance from the outermost object among a plurality of objects detected based on a 3D image as a step measurement point.

[0062] For example, the welding step measurement device 101 can identify a specified region 210 from the intensity image 200 and identify multiple welding positions 211, 213, 215, and 217 included in the specified region 210.

[0063] In one embodiment, the welding step measuring device 101 can identify step measurement points based on welding positions 211 and 217, which correspond to the outermost welding positions. For example, the welding step measuring device 101 can identify a step measurement point at a specified distance from welding position 211 (e.g., the distance from welding position 211 to the lead of the battery unit 115). In another example, the welding step measuring device 101 can identify a step measurement point at a specified distance from welding position 217 (e.g., the distance from welding position 217 to the lead of the battery unit 115).

[0064] In one embodiment, the welding step measuring device 101 can identify step measurement points based on adjacent welding positions (211, 213, or 215, 217). For example, the welding step measuring device 101 can identify the point between welding positions 211 and 213 as a step measurement point. In another example, the welding step measuring device 101 can identify the point between welding positions 215 and 217 as a step measurement point.

[0065] In operation 430, the welding step measurement device 101 can determine whether the battery unit 115 is defective based on the depth value of each of the step measurement points. In one embodiment, the welding step measurement device 101 can identify a depth value corresponding to a step measurement point based on the step measurement point identified by the position identification unit 143. In another embodiment, the welding step measurement device 101 can identify a depth value corresponding to a step measurement point based on a 3D image.

[0066] For example, by referring to the depth map 300, the welding step measuring device 101 can identify the depth value at position 311 at a specified distance relative to welding position 211, and the depth value at position 317 at a specified distance relative to welding position 217. For example, the welding step measuring device 101 can identify the depth value at point 313 between welding positions 211 and 213. For example, the welding step measuring device 101 can identify the depth value at point 315 between welding positions 215 and 217.

[0067] In one embodiment, the welding step measuring device 101 can diagnose whether or not the battery unit 115 is defective based on a comparison between multiple depth values. For example, the welding step measuring device 101 can diagnose whether the battery unit 115 is defective based on the depth values ​​at positions 311 and 317. For instance, if the difference between the depth value at position 311 and the depth value at position 317 exceeds a threshold difference, the welding step measuring device 101 can diagnose that a welding step exists in the battery unit 115.

[0068] As another example, the welding step measuring device 101 can diagnose whether the battery unit 115 is defective based on the depth values ​​at positions 313 and 315. For example, if the difference between the depth value at position 313 and the depth value at position 315 exceeds a threshold difference, the welding step measuring device 101 can diagnose that a welding step exists in the battery unit 115. In one embodiment, the welding step measuring device 101 can determine that a battery unit 115 with a welding step is defective. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 101 Welding step height measuring device 103 Image acquisition device 105 User terminals 115 Battery Unit 120 Communication Circuit 130 programs 140 memory 141 Image Acquisition Unit 143 Position identification unit 145 Diagnostic Department 150 processors 200 Intensity Images 210 areas Welding positions 211, 213, 215, 217 300 Depth Map

Claims

1. A welding step height measuring device, Communication circuit and Processor and Memory for storing instruction words, Includes, When the aforementioned instruction is executed by the processor, the welding step height measuring device will A 3D image of a specified region, including electrodes stacked on the battery busbar, is acquired from the image acquisition device via the aforementioned communication circuit. Based on the aforementioned 3D image, the step measurement point is identified. A welding step measurement device that determines whether the battery is defective based on the depth value of each of the aforementioned step measurement points.

2. When the aforementioned instruction is executed by the processor, the welding step height measuring device will Identify the specified welding position in the 3D image, The welding step measuring device according to claim 1, wherein a step measuring point is identified based on the identified welding position.

3. The welding step measurement device according to claim 2, wherein the step measurement point is located between the specified welding positions.

4. The welding step measurement device according to claim 2, wherein the step measurement point is identified based on the outermost welding position among the designated welding positions.

5. The electrodes stacked on the busbar include the positive electrode of the first battery cell and the negative electrode of the second battery cell. The welding step measuring device according to claim 4, wherein the step measurement point identified based on the outermost welding position is a position for determining the alignment of the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

6. A method for operating a welding step height measuring device, The operation involves acquiring a 3D image of a specified region, including electrodes stacked on the battery busbar, from an image acquisition device, and The operation of identifying step measurement points based on the aforementioned 3D image, An operation to determine whether the battery is defective based on the depth value of each of the aforementioned step measurement points, The method of operation, including the method of operation.

7. The operation of identifying the step measurement point is as follows: The operation of identifying the welding position specified in the 3D image, The operation method according to claim 6, further comprising the operation of identifying a step measurement point based on the identified welding position.

8. The operating method according to claim 7, wherein the step measurement point is located between the specified welding positions.

9. The operation method according to claim 7, wherein the step measurement point is identified based on the outermost welding position among the designated welding positions.

10. The electrodes stacked on the busbar include the positive electrode of the first battery cell and the negative electrode of the second battery cell. The operating method according to claim 9, wherein the step measurement point identified based on the outermost welding position is a position for determining the alignment of the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

Images