Apparatus and method for inspecting the condition of an ultrasonic welding machine.

Abstract

An ultrasonic welding machine condition inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a 3D scanner that scans the horn in the welding rod of the ultrasonic welding machine and the knurl pattern located at the end of the horn, and calculates data relating to the height of each knurl included in the knurl pattern; and a control unit that determines the state of the ultrasonic welding machine based on the height data of the multiple knurls included in the knurl pattern output from the 3D scanner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0186577, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 20, 2023, and all of the contents disclosed in the document of the Korean patent application are incorporated herein.

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for inspecting the state of an ultrasonic welder, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for inspecting the state of an ultrasonic welder using a 3D scanner.

Background Art

[0003] A secondary battery is a battery that can be reused by charging even after discharge, and can be used as an energy source for small devices such as mobile phones, tablet PCs, and vacuum cleaners, and can also be used as a medium and large energy source such as personal mobility, automobiles, and ESS (Energy Storage System) for smart grids.

[0004] As types of secondary battery unit cells, cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch-type batteries are known. In the case of cylindrical batteries, recently, as they are applied to electric vehicles and the like, the battery specifications are increasing, and a cell-to-pack structure tends to be applied. A cylindrical battery can be manufactured by interposing a separator, which is an insulator, between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, winding this to form a jelly-roll-shaped electrode assembly, and inserting this into the inside of a battery housing (battery can).

[0005] At this time, welding for electrical connection between the battery can and the current collector plate is required. As welding methods, laser welding, spot welding, ultrasonic welding, or the like can be used. An ultrasonic welding rod is used for ultrasonic welding used in the manufacturing process of secondary batteries, but if the degree of wear of the welding rod becomes severe, it will affect the welding quality. Therefore, it is necessary to check the degree of wear of the ultrasonic welding rod and replace the welding rod according to the degree of wear.

[0006] Normally, checking the degree of wear on welding rods requires removing the horn from the rod and measuring it with an offline measuring device. This makes it difficult to check the degree of wear on welding rods in real time, and often necessitates interrupting the operation of related manufacturing equipment for relatively long periods. This problem can increase the probability of producing defective cells due to the use of defective welding rods and may also reduce the operational efficiency of the manufacturing equipment. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The objective of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, is to provide a condition inspection device for an ultrasonic welding machine using a 3D scanner.

[0008] Another objective of the present invention, in order to solve the problems described above, is to provide a method for inspecting the condition of an ultrasonic welding machine using a 3D scanner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] An ultrasonic welding machine condition inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above objective may include a 3D scanner that scans the horn in the welding rod of the ultrasonic welding machine and the knurl pattern located at the end of the horn, and calculates data relating to the height of each knurl included in the knurl pattern; and a control unit that determines the state of the ultrasonic welding machine based on the height data of the multiple knurls included in the knurl pattern output from the 3D scanner.

[0010] The 3D scanner can measure the distance to the horn as a reference point and calculate the height of each knurled section using the distance to the horn as the reference point.

[0011] The 3D scanner described above can also acquire scanned data for each laser line, perform calibration, align the calibrated data relative to the horn, and extract multiple knurling inspection areas included in the knurling pattern.

[0012] On the other hand, the condition inspection device for the ultrasonic welding machine may further include a first moving means for moving the welding rod or the condition inspection device. Here, the 3D scanner can acquire multiple image profiles of the knurled pattern by scanning the welding rod, which is moved relative to the first moving means.

[0013] The above 3D scanner may include a scanner body that includes a light-emitting unit that emits a laser beam and a light-receiving unit that receives light that is reflected by the horn and knurled pattern in the ultrasonic welding machine and then incident on the scanner.

[0014] The 3D scanner may further include a reflector positioned at a certain distance and angle from the scanner body, which reflects the laser beam emitted from the light-emitting unit in the direction of the horn and the knurled pattern.

[0015] The control unit can determine the wear condition of the welding rod based on the height of the knurling, and if the number of knurlings whose height is below a preset threshold is equal to or greater than a preset number, it can determine that the welding rod is in poor condition.

[0016] The ultrasonic welding machine condition inspection device may further include a second moving means for moving the welding rod or the condition inspection device so that the welding rod is positioned in the space between the 3D scanner body and the reflector, according to the control of the control unit.

[0017] The ultrasonic welding machine described above can be used in the assembly process of the manufacturing process of cylindrical batteries.

[0018] A method for inspecting the condition of an ultrasonic welding machine according to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned other objective is a method for inspecting the condition of an ultrasonic welding machine using a 3D scanner, and includes the steps of: scanning the horn in the welding rod of the ultrasonic welding machine and the knurl pattern located at the end of the horn; calculating data relating to the height of each knurl included in the knurl pattern; and determining the condition of the ultrasonic welding machine based on the height data of a plurality of knurls included in the knurl pattern.

[0019] The step of calculating data regarding the height of each knurling included in the above knurling pattern may include the step of measuring the distance to the horn as a reference point and calculating the height of each knurling using the distance to the horn as a reference point.

[0020] The step of scanning the horn in the ultrasonic welding machine and the knurl pattern located at the end of the horn may include the step of acquiring multiple image profiles of the knurl pattern by scanning the welding rod as it moves relatively by a first moving means that moves the welding rod or the condition inspection device.

[0021] The step of scanning the horn in the ultrasonic welding machine and the knurl pattern located at the end of the horn may include the steps of acquiring scanned data for each laser line irradiated by the 3D scanner and performing calibration; aligning the calibrated data with respect to the horn; and extracting a plurality of knurl inspection areas included in the knurl pattern.

[0022] The step of determining the state of the ultrasonic welder may include the step of determining the wear state of the welding rod based on the height of the knurl, and determining that the state of the welding rod is defective when the number of knurls whose height of the knurl is less than a preset threshold value is greater than or equal to a preset number.

[0023] The 3D scanner may include a scanner body including a light projecting unit that irradiates a laser beam and a light receiving unit that receives light reflected and incident on the horn and the knurl pattern in the ultrasonic welder.

[0024] The 3D scanner may further include a reflector that is disposed at a certain angle with a certain interval from the scanner body and reflects the laser beam irradiated from the light projecting unit in the direction of the horn and the knurl pattern.

[0025] The method for inspecting the state of the ultrasonic welder may further include the step of transferring the welding rod or the state inspection device using a second moving means so that the welding rod is located in the space between the 3D scanner body and the reflector.

[0026] The ultrasonic welder can be used in the assembly process of the cylindrical battery manufacturing process.

Advantages of the Invention

[0027] According to the embodiment of the present invention as described above, in order to check the wear degree of the welding rod, the state of the horn of the welding rod can be confirmed without removing the horn of the welding rod, and the operation efficiency of the manufacturing equipment can be improved.

[0028] Also, since the height of the knurl pattern is measured using a 3D scanner, the wear level of the knurl can be confirmed in real time. Thereby, the timing of horn replacement can be predicted through monitoring of the wear degree of the knurl, and welding defects due to wear of the knurl can be prevented.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] [Figure 1] This shows a side view of a welding machine condition inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a three-dimensional view of a welding machine condition inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3a] This shows a detailed drawing of the knurling pattern of a welding rod, which is the object of inspection for the inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3b] This diagram shows the height of the knurling on the welding rod. [Figure 3c] This diagram shows the distance between the lower end reference plane of the welding rod horn and the 3D scanner. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a welding rod condition inspection method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a detailed operation flowchart of the process for calculating the knurling height using a welding rod condition inspection method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6a] This figure shows the process of calculating the knurling height according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the results of each detailed process. [Figure 6b] This is a graph showing the calculated result data. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] The present invention can be modified in various ways and has many embodiments; therefore, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this should be understood not as limiting the present invention to specific embodiments, but rather as including all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. Similar reference numerals are used for similar components in the description of each drawing.

[0031] Terms such as First, Second, A, B, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the First component may be named the Second component, and similarly, the Second component may be named the First component. The terms "and / or" include combinations of multiple items described in relation or one of multiple items described in relation.

[0032] When it is stated that one component is "linked" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that this may mean that it is directly linked or connected to that other component, but that there may also be another component in between. Conversely, when it is stated that one component is "directly linked" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there is no other component in between.

[0033] The terms used in this application are used solely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless they are clearly different in context. In this application, terms such as “includes” or “having” are intended to specify the presence of features, figures, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof as described in the specification, and should not be understood to preemptively exclude the presence or possibility of adding one or more other features, figures, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0034] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as those generally understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms as defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having the meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and not as ideal or overly formal unless explicitly defined herein.

[0035] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] Figure 1 shows a side view of a welding machine condition inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] The welding machine condition inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be a welding machine (welding rod) condition inspection device for inspecting an ultrasonic welding machine used in the battery manufacturing process, particularly the assembly process. For example, an ultrasonic welding machine can be used to weld the joint between the positive electrode current collector plate of a battery and the rivet terminal of a battery can.

[0038] The welding machine condition inspection device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention can inspect the welding rod 100 of an ultrasonic welding machine located between the scanner body 210 and the reflector 220 of the inspection device.

[0039] Generally, ultrasonic welding is a method of welding an object by applying ultrasonic waves to the object through a conductive part, heating it with the resulting vibration energy, and then applying appropriate pressure.

[0040] According to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the ultrasonic welding rod 100 can be configured to include a transducer, a booster, a horn 130, etc., and can be connected to a controller (not shown) to perform welding according to the controller's control. Here, the controller converts the frequency of the input commercial power supply to a high frequency above the ultrasonic range. The transducer (converter) converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, and the booster amplifies the amplitude.

[0041] The horn 130 in the welding rod 100 resonates with the vibration of the transducer and transmits vibration and load to the joint. Here, knurling 131 is formed on the end surface of the horn 130. Welding is performed by applying ultrasonic waves to the welding part through the horn 130 and applying pressure to the welding part using the knurling. During the battery assembly process, the ultrasonic welding rod 100 can descend to the location of the part of the battery being assembled that requires welding, and perform welding on the welding part.

[0042] The ultrasonic welding machine condition inspection device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a 3D (3-dimensional) scanner body 210 and a reflector 220 connected to one side of the scanner body.

[0043] In Figure 1, the lower end of the reflector is connected to the lower end of the main body via a support plate, and the reflective surface of the reflector can be configured to be inclined at a certain angle with the scanner body. The ultrasonic welding rod 100 can be placed in the space formed between the scanner body 210 and the reflector 220 for inspection.

[0044] In this case, the ultrasonic welding rod 100 may be one of a plurality of ultrasonic welding rods that are attached to a rotating moving body and are capable of rotational movement. Here, in order to increase the efficiency of the welding process, a plurality of ultrasonic welding rods may be arranged and operated. Therefore, among the plurality of ultrasonic welding rods, there may be welding rods that are in a dormant state and not performing welding. Thus, one of the ultrasonic welding rods remaining from the ultrasonic welding rods that are actually performing welding can be the subject of inspection according to the present invention.

[0045] Furthermore, the ultrasonic welding machine condition inspection device 200 can be moved to the location of the ultrasonic welding rod 100 using another means of transport, and the inspection can be performed. Alternatively, the position of the ultrasonic welding machine condition inspection device 200 can be fixed, and the ultrasonic welding rod 100 can be transported to the location of the inspection device 200 for inspection. In this case as well, additional transport means are required to assist in the transport of the ultrasonic welding rod 100.

[0046] Figure 2 is a three-dimensional view of a welding machine condition inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Referring to Figure 2, the ultrasonic welding machine condition inspection device 200 can be configured to include a 3D scanner body 210, a control unit (not shown), and a reflector 220 connected to one side of the 3D scanner body at a certain angle.

[0048] The 3D scanner body 210 may be configured to include a first scanner 210-1 and a second scanner 210-2. The first scanner 210-1 and the second scanner 210-2 can perform the same operation, and by comprehensively evaluating the scan results of each scanner, a more accurate 3D scan result can be obtained. The scanner according to the embodiment of the present invention is a 3D scanner, and may in particular be a laser scanner.

[0049] Non-contact scanners, commonly used in various fields, can be classified into active and passive 3D scanners depending on whether they directly illuminate the subject with light. Active scanners are primarily used, and sometimes the term "3D scanner" is limited to only active scanners.

[0050] 3D scanners primarily acquire surface information of objects. However, while cameras only acquire two-dimensional information (x,y) and hue information from the object's surface, 3D scanners also acquire depth information (Depth,z). The goal of a 3D scanner is to form a point cloud from which geometric information (mainly X,Y,Z) is sampled from the object's surface. This is achieved by aligning multiple scanned images of a specific area into a single coordinate system, merging them into a single dataset, and deriving the resulting value.

[0051] Furthermore, the 3D scanner according to the embodiment of the present invention may be a laser scanner in particular. Laser scanners can be classified into various types depending on the basic scanning method and measurement method. In the embodiment of the present invention, for example, a 3D laser scanner using optical triangulation can be used.

[0052] In the optical trigonometry method, a laser beam is shone onto the object to be measured, and the height / depth of the object is measured using the imaging position of the light reflected from the object and incident on a photodetector.

[0053] Referring to Figure 2, the first scanner 210-1 and the second scanner 210-2 each include a light-emitting unit 211 and a light-receiving unit 212, respectively, with the distance and angle between the light-emitting unit 211 and the light-receiving unit 212 being fixed. The light-emitting unit 211 emits a laser beam, and the light-receiving unit 212 receives the reflected and incident light. The inspection device 200 can determine the depth difference based on the relative positions of the CCD (Charge Coupled Device) elements of the light-receiving unit where the light beam is received. According to embodiments of the present invention, a line-type laser can be used to increase the scanning speed.

[0054] Furthermore, according to embodiments of the present invention, scanning of the knurling located at the end of the welding rod can be performed while the welding machine condition inspection device is moving or while the welding rod is moving. Therefore, the welding machine condition inspection device according to the present invention may separately include means for moving the inspection device or the welding rod.

[0055] Meanwhile, the light projected through the light-emitting unit 211 is reflected by a reflector 220, which is positioned at a certain distance and tilted at a certain angle from the first scanner 210-1 and the second scanner 210-2, and a laser line is projected onto the object to be measured. The light reflected from the object to be measured is incident on the light-receiving unit 212. Here, the reflector 220 may be, for example, a mirror, which reflects the light irradiated from the light-emitting unit 211, and the light reflected by the reflector is input to the light-receiving unit 212.

[0056] Furthermore, since the relative position between the welding rod (the object to be measured) and the laser line is moved by the first moving means, multiple image profiles of the knurling on the welding rod can be collected.

[0057] On the other hand, the welding machine condition inspection device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a control unit (not shown) inside or may be linked with a separate control unit. The control unit can determine the state of the ultrasonic welding machine based on the height data of multiple knurling patterns included in the knurling pattern output from the 3D scanner.

[0058] More specifically, the control unit determines the wear condition of the welding rod based on the height of the knurling, and if the number of knurlings with a height below a preset threshold is equal to or greater than a preset number, it can determine that the welding rod is in poor condition. The control unit can also calculate the average, minimum, and maximum height values ​​of multiple knurlings, and if each of the average, minimum, and maximum height values ​​is below a certain threshold, it can determine that the welding rod is in poor condition.

[0059] Here, the control unit may include a processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor on which the method according to the embodiment of the present invention is performed.

[0060] Furthermore, the welding machine condition inspection device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a first moving means (not shown) for moving the welding rod or the condition inspection device. Thereafter, the 3D scanner can acquire multiple image profiles for the knurled pattern by scanning the welding rod which is moved relative to the first moving means.

[0061] The welding machine condition inspection device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a second moving means (not shown) for moving the welding rod or the condition inspection device so that the welding rod is positioned in the space between the 3D scanner body and the reflector, in accordance with the control of the control unit.

[0062] Figure 3a shows a detailed drawing of the knurling pattern of a welding rod that is the object of inspection in an inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3b shows the height of the knurling on the welding rod, and Figure 3c shows the distance between the lower end reference plane of the horn of the welding rod and the 3D scanner.

[0063] The knurled pattern 131 is fixedly attached to the end of the horn 130 and is a means of applying ultrasonic vibrations to the welded part by directly contacting it during ultrasonic welding, thereby pressurizing the welded part. Referring to Figures 3a and 3b, the knurled pattern 131 consists of multiple knurled regions, each of which may be pyramidal. The apex of each pyramidal knurled region may have a partially cut shape, and the height of each knurled region can be measured differently depending on the degree of wear.

[0064] Referring to Figure 3b, the height of the knurling (H_ Knurl This can mean the height of the apex (T) relative to the base of the pyramidal knurling. Therefore, in order to calculate the height of the knurling, it is necessary to measure the height to the base of the reference knurling, that is, the height to the lower end reference plane of the horn.

[0065] Referring to Figure 3c, the height of the horn (H_ Horn This can be measured as the distance from the 3D scanner, which is an inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, to the end of the welding rod horn. Therefore, the height of the knurling can be calculated by measuring the distance from the scanner to the end of the welding rod horn and the distance from the scanner to the top of each knurling, and performing calculations between these distances.

[0066] On the other hand, separate from the fact that the horn height is used to calculate the knurling height, if the horn height gradually decreases or gradually increases, it may indicate that there is a malfunction in the welding rod or at least one device associated with the welding rod. Therefore, if an abnormality occurs in the detected horn height of the welding rod, the inspection device according to the present invention can report the matter to the administrator.

[0067] Figure 4 is an operation flowchart of the welding rod condition inspection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] The welding rod condition inspection method shown in Figure 4 is a method for inspecting the condition of an ultrasonic welding machine using a 3D scanner, and can be performed by a welding machine condition inspection device as described above, particularly a 3D scanner and a control unit.

[0069] The 3D scanner scans the horn and the knurl pattern located at the end of the horn in the welding rod of the ultrasonic welding machine (S300). More specifically, the 3D scanner acquires scanned data for each laser line and performs calibration, aligns the calibrated data with respect to the horn, and can extract multiple knurl inspection areas contained in the knurl pattern.

[0070] Furthermore, the 3D scanner can acquire multiple image profiles of the knurling pattern by scanning the welding rod as it moves relative to the welding rod or condition inspection device, which is moved by a first moving means.

[0071] Next, the 3D scanner calculates data regarding the height of each knurling pattern included in the acquired knurling pattern (S400). Here, the distance to the horn is measured as a reference point, and the height of each knurling can be calculated using the measured distance to the horn as the reference point.

[0072] The control unit can determine the state of the ultrasonic welding machine based on the height data of multiple knurling patterns provided by the 3D scanner (S500). More specifically, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit can determine the wear state of the welding rod based on the knurling height, and if the number of knurlings whose height is below a preset threshold is equal to or greater than a preset number, it can determine that the welding rod is in poor condition. On the other hand, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the control unit can also calculate the average, minimum, and maximum height values ​​of multiple knurlings, and if each of the average, minimum, and maximum height values ​​is below a certain threshold, it can determine that the welding rod is in poor condition.

[0073] Figure 5 is a detailed operation flowchart of the process for calculating the knurling height in the welding rod condition inspection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] The welding rod condition inspection method according to the present invention can be performed using a welding machine condition inspection device as described above, particularly a 3D scanner.

[0075] Referring to Figure 5, the 3D scanner acquires data line by line as the welding rod passes through the scanner workspace via a means of transport (e.g., a conveyor or rotary) (S510). 3D calibration is performed on the acquired data (S520).

[0076] Calibration refers to the process of converting measured coordinates to actual coordinates or to coordinates in a coordinate system suitable for the respective purpose. Calibration parameters can be determined according to the internal state and installation configuration of the scanner head. On the other hand, calibration can be performed using a calibration jig as a preliminary step before the initial operation of the 3D scanner. Furthermore, if changes occur from the reference position and state during the operation of the ultrasonic welding machine, the 3D scanner can be recalibrated.

[0077] Once the welding rod is confirmed with the calibration data (S530), the data is aligned with the horn of the welding rod as the reference. That is, the plane is corrected with respect to the horn (S540). Each knurled area can be extracted from the aligned data (S550). If the knurling height is measured in each extracted knurled area (S560), the corresponding data is output (S570). Here, the output data is provided to the control unit of the inspection device, which verifies and analyzes the knurling height data and provides it to the equipment operator or manager. If the knurling height data is below a preset threshold, the control unit may determine that the degree of knurling wear is serious and output a warning, notification signal, or message.

[0078] On the other hand, if a problem occurs during the measurement process and the height of the knurling cannot be measured properly, the system will notify that a measurement error has occurred (S571).

[0079] Figure 6a shows the process of calculating the knurling height according to an embodiment of the present invention and the results of each detailed process, while Figure 6b is a graph showing the calculated result data.

[0080] Referring to Figure 6a, once a 3D image profile of the horn, which is the measurement point on the welding rod, is acquired by the 3D scanner, calibration is performed on the acquired 3D data. After that, once the plane is corrected based on the horn, it can be confirmed that each knurled area within the knurled pattern becomes clearly visible. Subsequently, each knurled area is extracted, and the height value of the knurling for each knurled area is calculated as result data.

[0081] In the results data graph in Figure 6b, A, B, C, D, and E are the lines of each knurled area, and are used with numbers to indicate each knurled area. The resulting height values ​​for each knurled area (knurled height values ​​at A3, B2, B3, B4, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, D2, D3, D4, and E3) can be seen through the bar graph at the bottom of the graph in Figure 6b and the height values ​​displayed on the right.

[0082] According to the embodiments of the present invention described above, the condition of the welding rod horn can be checked without having to remove the welding rod horn in order to check the degree of wear of the welding rod, thereby improving the operational efficiency of the manufacturing equipment.

[0083] Furthermore, by using a 3D scanner to measure the height of the knurling pattern, the wear level of the knurling can be checked in real time. This allows for the prediction of when the horn needs to be replaced by monitoring the degree of knurling wear, thereby preventing welding defects caused by knurling wear.

[0084] The operation of the method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be embodied as a computer-readable program or code on a computer-readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium includes all types of recording devices that store data that can be read by a computer system. Furthermore, computer-readable recording media can be distributed across networked computer systems, allowing computer-readable programs or code to be stored and executed in a distributed manner.

[0085] Some aspects of the present invention have been described in the context of apparatus, but they can also be described by corresponding methods, where a block or apparatus corresponds to a method step or a feature of a method step. Similarly, aspects described in the context of a method can be described by corresponding blocks or items or features of corresponding apparatus. Some or all of the method steps can be carried out by (or using) hardware devices such as, for example, a microprocessor, a programmable computer, or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, one or more of the most important method steps can be carried out by such devices.

[0086] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to those skilled in the art, a person skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be modified and altered in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0087] 100 ultrasonic welding rods 130 horns 131 Knurled Pattern 200 Ultrasonic welding machine condition inspection device 210 Scanner Unit 210-2 Second Scanner 211 Lighting Unit 212 Light receiving part 220 Reflector

Claims

1. A three-dimensional (3D) scanner that scans the horns in the welding rod of an ultrasonic welding machine and the knurled pattern located at the end of the horns, and calculates data relating to the height of each knurled part included in the knurled pattern; and An ultrasonic welding machine condition inspection device, including a control unit that determines the state of the ultrasonic welding machine based on the height data of a plurality of knurlings included in the knurling pattern output from the 3D scanner.

2. The aforementioned 3D scanner is The ultrasonic welding machine condition inspection device according to claim 1, comprising measuring the distance to the horn as a reference point and calculating the height of each knurled section using the distance to the horn as a reference point.

3. The aforementioned 3D scanner is A condition inspection device for an ultrasonic welding machine according to claim 1 or 2, comprising acquiring scanned data for each laser line, performing calibration, aligning the calibrated data with respect to the horn, and extracting a plurality of knurling inspection areas included in the knurling pattern.

4. The system further includes a first moving means for moving the welding rod or the condition inspection device, The ultrasonic welding machine condition inspection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the 3D scanner acquires a plurality of image profiles for the knurled pattern by scanning the welding rod which is moved relatively by a first moving means.

5. The aforementioned 3D scanner includes the scanner body, The aforementioned scanner body is A light-emitting unit that emits a laser beam, A light receiving unit that receives light reflected from the horn and knurled pattern and incident on it, A condition inspection device for an ultrasonic welding machine according to claim 1 or 2, including the above.

6. The aforementioned 3D scanner is The ultrasonic welding machine condition inspection device according to claim 5, further comprising a reflector positioned at a certain distance and angle from the scanner body, which reflects the laser beam irradiated from the light-emitting unit in the direction of the horn and the knurled pattern.

7. The control unit, Based on the height of the knurling, the wear state of the welding rod is determined. The ultrasonic welding machine condition inspection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein if the number of knurlings whose height is less than a preset threshold is equal to or greater than a preset number, it is determined that the welding rod is in poor condition.

8. The ultrasonic welding machine condition inspection device according to claim 6, further comprising a second moving means for moving the welding rod or the condition inspection device so that the welding rod is positioned in the space between the scanner body and the reflector, in accordance with the control of the control unit.

9. The aforementioned ultrasonic welding machine, A condition inspection device for an ultrasonic welding machine according to claim 1 or 2, used in the assembly process of the manufacturing process of a cylindrical battery.

10. A method for inspecting the condition of an ultrasonic welding machine using a 3D scanner, A step of scanning the horns in the welding rod of the ultrasonic welding machine and the knurled pattern located at the end of the horns; A step of calculating data relating to the height of each knurl included in the knurling pattern; and A method for inspecting the condition of an ultrasonic welding machine, comprising the step of determining the condition of the ultrasonic welding machine based on height data of a plurality of knurlings included in the knurling pattern.

11. The step of calculating data relating to the height of each knurl included in the knurling pattern is: A method for inspecting the condition of an ultrasonic welding machine according to claim 10, comprising the steps of measuring the distance to the horn as a reference point and calculating the height of each knurled section using the distance to the horn as a reference point.

12. The step of scanning the horn and the knurled pattern located at the end of the horn is: A method for inspecting the condition of an ultrasonic welding machine according to claim 10 or 11, comprising the step of obtaining a plurality of image profiles for the knurled pattern by scanning the welding rod as it is moved relative to the welding rod or condition inspection device by a first moving means for moving the welding rod or condition inspection device.

13. The step of scanning the horn and the knurled pattern located at the end of the horn is: A step of acquiring scanned data for each laser line irradiated by the 3D scanner and performing calibration; Steps of aligning the calibrated data with respect to the horn; and A method for inspecting the condition of an ultrasonic welding machine according to claim 10 or 11, comprising the step of extracting a plurality of knurled inspection areas included in the knurled pattern.

14. The step of determining the state of the ultrasonic welding machine is: A method for inspecting the condition of an ultrasonic welding machine according to claim 10 or 11, comprising the step of determining the wear state of the welding rod based on the height of the knurling, and determining that the condition of the welding rod is poor if the number of knurlings whose height is less than a preset threshold is equal to or greater than a preset number.

15. The aforementioned 3D scanner includes the scanner body, The aforementioned scanner body is A light-emitting unit that emits a laser beam, A light receiving unit that receives light reflected from the horn and knurled pattern in the ultrasonic welding machine, A method for inspecting the condition of an ultrasonic welding machine according to claim 10 or 11, including the method described above.

16. The aforementioned 3D scanner is The method for inspecting the condition of an ultrasonic welding machine according to claim 15, further comprising a reflector positioned at a certain distance and angle from the scanner body, which reflects the laser beam irradiated from the light-emitting unit in the direction of the horn and the knurled pattern.

17. The method for inspecting the condition of an ultrasonic welding machine according to claim 16, further comprising the step of using a second means of transporting the welding rod or the condition inspection device so that the welding rod is positioned in the space between the scanner body and the reflector.

18. The aforementioned ultrasonic welding machine, A method for inspecting the condition of an ultrasonic welding machine according to claim 10 or 11, used in the assembly process of the manufacturing process of a cylindrical battery.

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