Cylindrical battery cell inspection device and cylindrical battery cells produced using the same, battery packs containing said cylindrical battery cells and automobiles

Abstract

Disclosed are a cylindrical battery cell inspection device, cylindrical battery cells produced using the same, a battery pack containing the cylindrical battery cells, and an automobile. A cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a main body member on which the cylindrical battery cells move, a plurality of mirror members coupled to the main body member and further reflecting light reflected from the inspection position of the cylindrical battery cells, and a photographing member that photographs the cylindrical battery cells with light reflected from the mirror members.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0193480 filed on December 27, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0025732 filed on February 22, 2024, and all the content disclosed in the specifications and drawings of the said applications is incorporated into this application.

[0002] The present invention relates to a cylindrical battery cell inspection device, a cylindrical battery cell produced using the same, a battery pack including the cylindrical battery cell, and an automobile. More specifically, the present invention relates to a cylindrical battery cell inspection device capable of accurately inspecting a cylindrical battery cell, a cylindrical battery cell produced using the same, a battery pack including the cylindrical battery cell, and an automobile.

Background Art

[0003] Secondary batteries, which are easily applicable according to product groups and have electrical characteristics such as high energy density, are not only applied to portable devices but are also widely applied to electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), etc., which are driven by an electric drive source.

[0004] Such secondary batteries not only have the primary advantage of significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels but are also environmentally friendly in that no by-products are generated during energy use and are attracting attention as a new energy source for improving 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 about 2.5V to 4.5V.

[0006] Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, multiple battery cells can be connected in series to form a battery module or battery pack. Alternatively, multiple battery cells can be connected in parallel to form a battery module or battery pack depending on the required charge and discharge capacity. Thus, the number of battery cells and the electrical connection configuration included in a battery module or battery pack can be set in various ways depending on at least one of the required output voltage and charge and discharge capacity.

[0007] In addition, cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch-type battery cells are known types of secondary battery cells. In the case of cylindrical battery cells, an insulating separator membrane is interposed between the positive and negative electrodes, and this is wound up to form an electrode assembly in the form of a jelly roll, which is then placed in a battery case together with the electrolyte to constitute the battery. A current collector plate may be used to electrically connect the positive and negative electrodes of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0008] In the case of cylindrical battery cells, which make up conventional battery modules or battery packs, there are risks to product quality during the welding process, such as the occurrence of backbeads due to excessive welding.

[0009] Back beads, which occur on the back surface of a product when welding is excessive, pass through the workpiece and are used as an indicator of over-welding. In the case of cylindrical battery cells, such back beads due to excessive welding can occur in the beading area.

[0010] However, in conventional welding processes for cylindrical battery cells, there is no method to inspect all cells when such back beads occur. Excessive welding due to back beads is judged only by visual inspection of a portion of the samples, which results in low inspection accuracy.

[0011] Therefore, there is a need for a method that can improve the accuracy of welding quality inspection during the welding process of cylindrical battery cells. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0012] The present invention aims to provide a cylindrical battery cell inspection device capable of improving inspection accuracy, cylindrical battery cells produced using the same, a battery pack containing the cylindrical battery cells, and an automobile.

[0013] Furthermore, another objective of the present invention is to provide a cylindrical battery cell inspection apparatus that can improve process efficiency by reducing process time, cylindrical battery cells produced using the apparatus, a battery pack including the cylindrical battery cells, and an automobile.

[0014] Another objective is to provide a cylindrical battery cell inspection device that can reduce process costs and improve price competitiveness, as well as cylindrical battery cells produced using the same, a battery pack containing said cylindrical battery cells, and an automobile.

[0015] Furthermore, another objective is to provide a cylindrical battery cell inspection device that can improve the compatibility of the devices, cylindrical battery cells produced using the same, a battery pack containing said cylindrical battery cells, and an automobile.

[0016] However, the technical problems that this invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, 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]

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, a cylindrical battery cell inspection apparatus may be provided, comprising: a main body member on which a cylindrical battery cell moves; a plurality of mirror members coupled to the main body member and further reflecting light reflected from the inspection position of the cylindrical battery cell; and an imaging member that photographs the cylindrical battery cell with light reflected from the mirror members.

[0018] In one embodiment, the main body member may include a bottom portion to which the cylindrical battery cell moves inward, a connecting portion connected to the bottom portion, and a head portion connected to the upper part of the connecting portion to which the imaging member is connected.

[0019] In one embodiment, a bottom surface inclined portion is formed on the side surface of the bottom so as it slopes inward as it goes downward, and a bottom mirror member from among the multiple mirror members can be connected to the bottom surface inclined portion.

[0020] In one embodiment, the inclined bottom portion may be inclined such that the imaging member has an angle that allows it to photograph the beading portion of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0021] In one embodiment, the head portion may include a head mirror member that further reflects the light reflected from the bottom mirror member and sends it to the imaging member.

[0022] In one embodiment, the head portion may include a head inclined portion formed at a position corresponding to the bottom inclined portion, and a head inclined coupling portion coupled to the head inclined portion and arranged to face the imaging member.

[0023] In one embodiment, the head mirror member includes a first mirror member coupled to the head inclined portion and a second mirror member coupled to the head inclined coupling portion, wherein light reflected from the inspection position of the cylindrical battery cell is reflected by the bottom mirror member and proceeds to the first mirror member, reflected by the first mirror member and proceeds to the second mirror member, and reflected by the second mirror member and reaches the imaging member.

[0024] In one embodiment, it may include a lighting unit coupled to the connecting portion.

[0025] The guide portion may be a guide wall formed in a structure protruding inside the bottom portion.

[0026] In one embodiment, the guide wall may be formed as a curved surface.

[0027] In one embodiment, it may include a disk member on which the cylindrical battery cell is mounted and rotates so that the cylindrical battery cell moves toward the main body member.

[0028] In one embodiment, after the cylindrical battery cell temporarily stops inside the main body member, it may be provided to rotate with reference to the center of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0029] In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, a cylindrical battery cell produced using the above-described cylindrical battery cell inspection device is provided, a battery pack including at least one of the above-described cylindrical battery cells is provided, and an automobile including at least one of the above-described cylindrical battery cells may be provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention can improve the accuracy of inspection.

[0031] Also, the process efficiency can be increased by reducing the process time.

[0032] Also, the process cost can be saved and the price competitiveness can be improved.

[0033] Also, the compatibility of the device can be enhanced.

[0034] However, the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, 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.

[0035] The following drawings accompanying this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further illustrate the technical idea of ​​the invention. Therefore, the invention should not be construed as being limited solely to what is shown in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0036] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of Figure 1 from a different direction. [Figure 3] This is a plan view of a cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a side view of a cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view along line B-B' in Figure 4, showing how the inspection position of the cylindrical battery cell is reflected by the mirror member and captured by the imaging member. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view along line A-A' in Figure 1. [Figure 7] This is an enlarged view of section C in Figure 6. [Figure 8] This figure shows the inspection position of a cylindrical battery cell as reflected by a mirror member and captured by a photographic member in a cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This figure schematically shows the configuration of a battery pack including cylindrical battery cells produced using a cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to each embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating an automobile that includes a battery pack. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0037] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used in this specification and in the claims should not be interpreted in a manner limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but rather in a manner consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself may appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entirety of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and that there may be a variety of equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therein at the time of this application.

[0038] The size of each component or specific part of a component in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or shown schematically for the sake of clarity and ease of explanation. Therefore, the size of each component may not fully reflect its actual size. Specific descriptions of known functions or configurations related to the present invention will be omitted if they are deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the invention.

[0039] As used herein, the terms “joining” or “connecting” include not only cases where one member is directly joined or directly connected to another member, but also cases where one member is indirectly joined or indirectly connected to another member via a connecting member.

[0040] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of Figure 1 from another direction; Figure 3 is a plan view of a cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a side view of a cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' in Figure 4, showing how the inspection position of the cylindrical battery cell is reflected by a mirror member and photographed by a photographic member; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in Figure 1; and Figure 7 is an enlarged view of part C in Figure 6.

[0041] The cylindrical battery cell inspection device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for inspecting cylindrical battery cells 20 during the manufacturing process of the cylindrical battery cells 20.

[0042] Here, the cylindrical battery cell 20 may include an electrode assembly, a battery case, and a cap plate.

[0043] The electrode assembly has a structure in which a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator membrane interposed between the positive and negative electrode plates are wound in one direction. A central hole is formed in the center of the electrode assembly, and it can be formed in a jelly roll shape.

[0044] For example, an electrode assembly can be manufactured by winding up a laminate formed by sequentially stacking a negative electrode plate, a separator membrane, a positive electrode plate, and another separator membrane at least once. Here, the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate can be formed in sheet form.

[0045] That is, the electrode assembly to be applied to this embodiment may be a winding-type electrode assembly. In this case, the outer surface of the electrode assembly may be further provided with a separation film for insulation from the battery can. That is, the electrode assembly may have any known winding structure in the relevant art without limitation.

[0046] The positive electrode plate is coated with positive electrode active material on one or both sides, and a first uncoated area may be formed at the edge of the positive electrode plate where the positive electrode active material is not coated. The first uncoated area can be exposed to the outside of the separator film by forming multiple winding turns with respect to the center of the electrode assembly and can be used as an electrode tab. However, the first uncoated area does not necessarily have to be formed on the positive electrode plate.

[0047] The negative electrode plate is coated with a negative electrode active material on one or both sides, and a second uncoated area may be formed at the edge of the negative electrode plate where the negative electrode active material is not coated. The second uncoated area can be exposed to the outside of the separator membrane by forming multiple winding turns with respect to the center of the electrode assembly and can be used as an electrode tab. However, the second uncoated area does not necessarily have to be formed on the negative electrode plate.

[0048] Here, if the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate each include uncoated areas, the first uncoated area and the second uncoated area may be configured to face in opposite directions.

[0049] Furthermore, the positive electrode active material coated on the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode active material coated on the negative electrode plate can be any known active material in the art to which this invention belongs, without any limitations.

[0050] The separation membrane may be made from porous polymer films, such as ethylene homopolymers, propylene homopolymers, ethylene / butene copolymers, ethylene / hexene copolymers, or ethylene / methacrylate copolymers, either alone or in a laminated configuration.

[0051] As another example, the separation membrane may be made of a conventional porous nonwoven fabric, such as a nonwoven fabric made of high-melting-point glass fiber or polyethylene terephthalate fiber.

[0052] The separation membrane may include a coating layer of inorganic particles on at least one surface. Furthermore, the central pore may consist of this coating layer of inorganic particles. The particles constituting the coating layer may have a structure in which they are bound to a binder such that an interstitial volume exists between adjacent particles.

[0053] Furthermore, the central hole of the electrode assembly can be used for welding the cell terminal (positive electrode terminal) to the positive electrode current collector plate. That is, the electrode assembly can be configured to weld the cell terminal and the positive electrode current collector plate by irradiating them with a laser from the central hole.

[0054] The battery casing houses the electrode assembly. The battery casing may have through-holes. Here, the battery casing is formed in a cylindrical shape, with the electrode assembly housed inside, and can be electrically connected to the negative electrode plate of the electrode assembly. This allows the battery casing to have the same polarity as the negative electrode plate, i.e., a negative electrode.

[0055] The diameter of the battery casing is formed to be larger than the diameter of the electrode assembly. A predetermined gap is formed between the battery casing and the positive electrode current collector plate, and an insulator may be interposed in this gap.

[0056] If the size of the electrode assembly is increased while the size of the battery can is determined according to the standard, the overall capacity of the battery cells will increase, but the distance between the battery can and the electrode assembly will decrease.

[0057] In other words, increasing the size of the electrode assembly to increase the overall capacity of the battery cell reduces the distance between the battery can and the electrode assembly. Therefore, to increase the capacity of the battery cell, an insulator should be interposed in the reduced distance between the battery can and the electrode assembly, and for this reason, it is desirable that the thickness of the insulator be as thin as possible.

[0058] A battery casing is a roughly cylindrical housing that can be made of a conductive material, such as metal. The material of the battery casing can be a conductive metal, such as aluminum, steel, or stainless steel, but is not limited to these.

[0059] The positive electrode current collector plate is electrically connected to the positive electrode plate, for example, by being connected to the positive electrode plate at the top of the electrode assembly. For example, the positive electrode current collector plate may be made of a conductive metallic material and be electrically connected to the first uncoated portion of the positive electrode plate.

[0060] The cell terminal is made of a conductive metal material and is electrically connected to the positive electrode current collector plate. The cell terminal is then electrically connected to the positive electrode plate of the electrode assembly via the positive electrode current collector plate, thereby having positive polarity.

[0061] In other words, the cell terminal can function as a positive terminal. And, as mentioned above, the battery can be electrically connected to the negative electrode plate of the electrode assembly, thereby having negative polarity.

[0062] The negative electrode current collector plate is electrically connected to the negative electrode plate, for example, at the bottom of the electrode assembly. For example, the negative electrode current collector plate may be made of a conductive metallic material such as aluminum, steel, copper, or nickel, and may be electrically connected to the second uncoated portion of the negative electrode plate.

[0063] The negative electrode current collector plate can be electrically connected to the battery can. For this purpose, at least a portion of the edge of the negative electrode current collector plate can be interposed and fixed between the inner surface of the battery can and the sealing gasket.

[0064] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the edge of the negative electrode current collector plate can be fixed to the beading portion 21 (see Figure 7) formed at the lower end of the battery can by welding while being supported by the lower end surface of the beading portion 21.

[0065] Furthermore, at least a portion of the remaining part of the negative electrode current collector plate, excluding the joint portion of the beading portion 21, can be joined to the curved surface of the second uncoated portion by welding, for example, laser welding.

[0066] Furthermore, at least a portion of the edge of the negative electrode current collector plate can be electrically coupled to the upper and lower surfaces of the beading portion 21 that are adjacent to the crimping portion.

[0067] The battery can may have a beading section 21 and a crimping section formed at its lower part. The beading section 21 is formed by press-fitting the outer surface of the battery can inward in the region adjacent to the opening of the battery can.

[0068] The beading portion 21 supports the electrode assembly, which is approximately the width of the battery can, to prevent it from coming out of the opening formed at the bottom of the battery can, and can also function as a support portion on which the cap plate is mounted. The beading portion 21 also supports the outer surface of the sealing gasket.

[0069] The cap plate is configured to seal the opening formed at the lower end of the battery case. To ensure rigidity, the cap plate may be made of a metal material, for example.

[0070] Furthermore, the cap plate can be separated from the electrode assembly and provided as non-polar. That is, even if the cap plate is made of a conductive metallic material, it can be non-polar.

[0071] The fact that the cap plate has no polarity means that it is electrically insulated from the battery casing and cell terminals. Thus, the cap plate does not need to have polarity, and therefore its material does not necessarily need to be a conductive metal.

[0072] The cap plate may be mounted and supported on a beading portion 21 formed in the battery can. The cap plate is also fixed by a crimping portion, which will be described later. A sealing gasket may be interposed between the cap plate and the crimping portion of the battery can to ensure the airtightness of the battery can. That is, the sealing gasket may be provided so as to be interposed between the edge of the cap plate and the open portion of the battery can.

[0073] Referring to Figures 1 and 6, the cylindrical battery cell inspection device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a main body member 100, a mirror member 200, and an imaging member 300.

[0074] The main body component 100 is configured to allow the cylindrical battery cell 20 to move. That is, the cylindrical battery cell 20 is inspected while moving inward within the main body component 100.

[0075] Referring to Figures 1 and 5, the cylindrical battery cell 20 moves along the guide portion 111 to the inside of the bottom portion 110 of the main body member 100, and as the cylindrical battery cell 20 moves inside the bottom portion 110, the inspection position is photographed and inspected by the imaging member 300.

[0076] Here, the inspection position of the cylindrical battery cell 20 may be the beading portion 21 described above, and the cylindrical battery cell inspection device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be configured to inspect the welding quality of the beading portion 21.

[0077] As mentioned above, the beading portion 21 is formed by the outer surface of the battery can being pressed inward, making it difficult to inspect the welded portion of the beading portion 21 located on the inside when the cylindrical battery cell 20 is moving in the usual manner. Therefore, conventionally, workers have taken samples of several cylindrical battery cells 20 and inspected them directly by visual inspection. In such cases, the work time is delayed, it is difficult to ensure a consistent inspection quality, and costs are increased.

[0078] However, the cylindrical battery cell inspection device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can continuously inspect the welding quality of the beading portion 21 of the moving cylindrical battery cell 20 through the reflection of light.

[0079] Referring to Figures 1 and 6, the main body member 100 may include a bottom portion 110, a connecting portion 120, and a head portion 130.

[0080] The bottom portion 110 is provided so that the cylindrical battery cell 20 moves inward. Here, the cylindrical battery cell 20 can be guided by the guide portion 111. That is, the cylindrical battery cell 20 moves inward along the guide portion 111.

[0081] The guide portion 111 guides the cylindrical battery cell 20 so that it does not deviate from its movement path. The guide portion 111 may be a guide wall with a structure that protrudes inward from the bottom portion 110. Referring to Figure 5, the guide wall may be formed with a curved surface to correspond to the circular shape of the cylindrical battery cell 20.

[0082] Referring to Figure 6, a bottom surface inclined portion 112 may be formed on the side surface of the bottom portion 110 so as it slopes inward as it goes downward. A bottom surface mirror member 210 that reflects light may be attached to the bottom surface inclined portion 112, which will be described later.

[0083] The connecting section 120 is connected to the bottom section 110. The connecting section 120 is located above the bottom section 110 with reference to Figure 1, and is connected to the bottom section 110 at the top of the bottom section 110. Referring to Figure 6, the lighting section 121 can be connected to the connecting section 120.

[0084] The lighting unit 121 is provided to illuminate the cylindrical battery cell 20. The lighting unit 121 can be configured in various ways and may include, for example, a fluorescent lamp, an incandescent lamp, or an LED. However, the configuration of the lighting unit 121 is not limited to these.

[0085] The lighting unit 121 can be connected to a part of the connecting portion 120, or it can be connected to the entire inner circumference of the connecting portion 120.

[0086] The head unit 130 is connected to the upper part of the connecting unit 120, and the imaging member 300 is connected to it. When the cylindrical battery cell 20 moves along the guide unit 111, the light provided by the illumination unit 121 is reflected after reaching the inspection position of the cylindrical battery cell 20.

[0087] Referring to Figure 6, the light reflected from the inspection position of the cylindrical battery cell 20 is reflected upward by the bottom mirror member 210 connected to the bottom inclined portion 112, and then reflected by the head mirror member 220 (described later) before reaching the imaging member 300. Through this process, the imaging member 300 can accurately photograph the inspection position of the cylindrical battery cell 20.

[0088] Referring to Figure 6, the head portion 130 may be coupled with a head mirror member 220 that further reflects the light reflected from the bottom mirror member 210 and sends it to the imaging member 300. That is, the light reflected by the bottom mirror member 210 can be further reflected by the head mirror member 220 and reach the imaging member 300.

[0089] Referring to Figure 2, the head portion 130 may include a head inclined portion 131 and a head inclined coupling portion 132. The head inclined portion 131 is formed at a position corresponding to the bottom inclined portion 112. This allows light reflected from the bottom mirror member 210 coupled to the bottom inclined portion 112 to travel to the first mirror member 221 coupled to the head inclined portion 131.

[0090] Referring to Figure 3, the head tilt coupling portion 132 is coupled to the head tilt portion 131 and positioned to face the imaging member 300. As a result, light that travels to and is reflected by the first mirror member 221 can be reflected by the second mirror member 222, which is coupled to the head tilt coupling portion 132, and travel to the imaging member 300.

[0091] Multiple mirror members 200 are provided. The multiple mirror members 200 are connected to the main body member 100, and the light reflected from the inspection position of the cylindrical battery cell 20 is further reflected and directed to the imaging member 300.

[0092] The mirror member 200 may include a bottom mirror member 210 and a head mirror member 220.

[0093] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, of the multiple mirror members 200, namely the bottom mirror member 210 and the head mirror member 220, the bottom mirror member 210 can be connected to the bottom inclined portion 112 formed on the side surface of the bottom 110.

[0094] In this case, the bottom inclined portion 112 may be formed inclined such that the imaging member 300 has an angle that allows it to photograph the beading portion 21 of the cylindrical battery cell 20, and since the bottom mirror member 210 is coupled to the bottom inclined portion 112, the imaging member 300 can photograph the beading portion 21 of the cylindrical battery cell 20. This makes it possible to inspect the welding quality of the beading portion 21 of the cylindrical battery cell 20.

[0095] The head mirror member 220 may include a first mirror member 221 and a second mirror member 222. The first mirror member 221 is coupled to the head inclined portion 131, and the second mirror member 222 is coupled to the head inclined coupling portion 132.

[0096] Referring to Figure 6, light reflected from the inspection position (e.g., the beading portion 21) of the cylindrical battery cell 20 is reflected by the bottom mirror member 210 and proceeds to the first mirror member 221, reflected by the first mirror member 221 and proceeds to the second mirror member 222, and reflected by the second mirror member 222 and reaches the imaging member 300. As a result, as shown in Figure 5, it becomes possible to photograph the beading portion 21 of the cylindrical battery cell 20 and inspect the welding quality of the beading portion 21.

[0097] The imaging element 300 photographs the cylindrical battery cell 20 using light reflected from the mirror element 200. The imaging element 300 can take various forms and may include, but is not limited to, various types of cameras.

[0098] Referring to Figure 5, the imaging element 300 can image the beading portion 21 at various positions on the cylindrical battery cell 20. By appropriately adjusting the number and inclination angle of the bottom mirror members 210, it is also possible to image the beading portion 21 located in the movement path where the bottom mirror members 210 are not positioned.

[0099] In this manner, the cylindrical battery cell 20 can move continuously without stopping, allowing for inspection of the welding quality of the beading section 21.

[0100] On the other hand, referring to Figures 1 to 4, a disk member 400 may be provided for the continuous movement of the cylindrical battery cell 20. At least one cylindrical battery cell 20 is mounted on the disk member 400. When the disk member 400 rotates with the cylindrical battery cell 20 mounted on it, the cylindrical battery cell 20 moves inward towards the main body member 100.

[0101] The disc member 400 may have one or more mounting grooves 410 in which cylindrical battery cells 20 are mounted. If there are multiple mounting grooves 410, multiple cylindrical battery cells 20 can be inspected continuously. In other words, this makes it possible to automate the quality inspection of the welding of the beading portion 21 of the cylindrical battery cell 20.

[0102] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the disk member 400 is provided in a rotary structure, the compatibility of the disk member 400 with the device of a conventional cylindrical battery cell 20 can be greatly increased.

[0103] Figure 8 shows the inspection position of a cylindrical battery cell as reflected by a mirror member and captured by a photographic member in a cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] The second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that the cylindrical battery cell 20 rotates inside the main body member 100 for quality inspection of the welding of the beading portion 21. However, for parts of the second embodiment that are common with those described in the first embodiment, the description of the first embodiment described above will be used as a substitute. Also, for parts of the second embodiment that are applicable to the first embodiment, they may be applied to the first embodiment.

[0105] Referring to Figure 8, the cylindrical battery cell 20 pauses inside the main body member 100. Then, it rotates clockwise (see arrow in Figure 8) or counterclockwise by a predetermined angle with respect to the center of the cylindrical battery cell 20, and then stops. The beading portion 21 of the cylindrical battery cell 20 is then photographed by the imaging member 300.

[0106] Here, a cell carrier (not shown) in which the cylindrical battery cell 20 is housed may be provided for the self-rotation of the cylindrical battery cell 20.

[0107] According to this, it is possible to photograph the entire beading portion 21 of the cylindrical battery cell 20.

[0108] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a battery pack including cylindrical battery cells produced using a cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0109] Referring to Figure 9, a battery pack 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more cylindrical battery cells 20. Here, the cylindrical battery cells 20 are produced using a cylindrical battery cell inspection device 10 according to each embodiment of the present invention as described above.

[0110] Furthermore, the battery pack 30 may further include a pack housing 31 for housing the cylindrical battery cells 20, and various devices for controlling the charging and discharging of the cylindrical battery cells 20, such as a BMS, current sensor, fuse, etc.

[0111] Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the automobile including the battery pack shown in Figure 9.

[0112] Referring to Figure 10, an automobile 40 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more cylindrical battery cells 20 or battery packs 30. The cylindrical battery cells 20 are produced using the cylindrical battery cell inspection apparatus 10 according to each embodiment of the present invention as described above. The battery packs 30 may include one or more of the cylindrical battery cells 20 as described above.

[0113] Here, the automobile 40 includes, for example, various types of automobiles that use electricity, such as electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles.

[0114] In this specification, terms indicating direction such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are used. However, such terms indicate relative positions and are used only for the convenience of explanation. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that these positions can change depending on the position of the object in question, the observer's position, etc.

[0115] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and of course, various modifications and variations are possible within the equivalent scope of the technical concept of the present invention and the claims below by persons with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be considered from an explanatory rather than restrictive viewpoint. That is, the true technical concept of the present invention is shown in the claims, and all differences within the equivalent scope thereto should be interpreted as being included in the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0116] The present invention relates to a cylindrical battery cell inspection apparatus, cylindrical battery cells produced using the same, a battery pack containing the cylindrical battery cells, and an automobile, and is particularly applicable to the secondary battery industry. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0117] 10. Cylindrical battery cell inspection device 20 cylindrical battery cells 21 Beading section 30 Battery Packs 31 Pack Housing 40 Automobiles 100 Main body components 110 Bottom 111 Guide Section 112 Bottom inclined part 120 Connection section 121 Lighting Section 130 Head section 131 Head tilt section 132 Head tilt joint 200 Mirror components 210 Bottom mirror component 220 Head mirror component 221 First mirror member 222 Second mirror member 300 Shooting components 400 Disc component 410 mounting grooves

Claims

1. A main body component in which a cylindrical battery cell moves, Multiple mirror members are coupled to the main body member and further reflect light reflected from the inspection position of the cylindrical battery cell, A cylindrical battery cell inspection apparatus comprising: an imaging member for imaging the cylindrical battery cell using light reflected from the mirror member.

2. The main body member is The bottom portion in which the cylindrical battery cell moves inward, A connecting part connected to the bottom, The cylindrical battery cell inspection apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a head portion which is connected to the upper part of the connecting portion and to which the imaging member is connected.

3. The cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to claim 2, characterized in that a bottom surface inclined portion is formed on the side surface of the bottom portion such that it slopes inward as it goes downward, and a bottom surface mirror member is connected to the bottom surface inclined portion among the plurality of mirror members.

4. The cylindrical battery cell inspection apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the inclined bottom portion is inclined such that the imaging member has an angle that allows it to photograph the beading portion of the cylindrical battery cell.

5. The cylindrical battery cell inspection apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the head portion includes a head mirror member that further reflects the light reflected from the bottom mirror member and sends it to the imaging member.

6. The head portion is, A head inclined portion formed at a position corresponding to the bottom inclined portion, The cylindrical battery cell inspection apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a head tilt coupling portion that is coupled to the head tilt portion and positioned toward the imaging member.

7. The head mirror member is A first mirror member coupled to the head inclined portion, It includes a second mirror member that is coupled to the head inclined coupling portion, The cylindrical battery cell inspection apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the light reflected from the inspection position of the cylindrical battery cell is reflected by the bottom mirror member and proceeds to the first mirror member, reflected by the first mirror member and proceeds to the second mirror member, and reflected by the second mirror member and reaches the imaging member.

8. The cylindrical battery cell inspection apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that it includes an illumination unit connected to the connecting portion.

9. The cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to claim 2, characterized in that it includes a guide portion which is a guide wall formed to protrude inward from the bottom portion.

10. The cylindrical battery cell inspection apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the guide wall is formed as a curved surface.

11. The cylindrical battery cell inspection apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a disk member on which the cylindrical battery cell is mounted and rotates, such that the cylindrical battery cell moves toward the main body member.

12. The cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cylindrical battery cell is provided to rotate with respect to the center of the cylindrical battery cell after it has temporarily stopped inside the main body member.

13. A cylindrical battery cell produced using the cylindrical battery cell inspection apparatus described in any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A battery pack comprising at least one cylindrical battery cell as described in claim 13.

15. An automobile comprising at least one cylindrical battery cell as described in claim 13.

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