Battery production system and management method related thereto

Abstract

The battery production system disclosed in this document includes a tray including batteries, a plurality of collectors configured to wirelessly communicate with the tray, and a server configured to track the position of the tray and whether or not it has been impacted based on information received from the plurality of collectors, wherein the tray includes a measurement unit configured to detect an impact and a communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with the plurality of collectors, wherein the measurement unit is configured to reduce a measurement period to a specified first rate when an impact is detected, and the communication unit is configured to reduce a period of the wireless communication to a specified second rate when the impact is detected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2021 - 0120044, filed on September 8, 2021, and all the contents disclosed in the literature of the Korean patent application are included as part of this specification.

[0002] The embodiments disclosed in this document relate to a battery production system and management thereof.

Background Art

[0003] Recently, research and development on secondary batteries have been actively carried out. Here, a secondary battery is a battery that can be charged and discharged, and includes all conventional Ni / Cd batteries, Ni / MH batteries, etc. and recent lithium - ion batteries. Among secondary batteries, lithium - ion batteries have the advantage of being much higher in energy density than conventional Ni / Cd batteries, Ni / MH batteries, etc. Also, lithium - ion batteries are small, lightweight, and can be manufactured, and are used as power sources for mobile devices. In addition, the application range of lithium - ion batteries as power sources for electric vehicles has been expanded, and they have attracted attention as next - generation energy storage media.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a battery production system, a battery moves on a conveyor belt while placed on a tray, and the battery may be damaged due to various reasons during the logistics movement process. For example, when the logistics stagnates in a specific section of the conveyor belt, cracks may occur due to the collision between logistics, and the cracks lead to a decrease in the quality of battery products. Therefore, in a battery production system, pre - or post - management regarding the quality degradation of products occurring during logistics movement is necessary.

[0005] The technical problems of the embodiments disclosed in this document are not limited to the technical problems mentioned 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 Problems

[0006] The battery production system disclosed in this document includes a tray containing batteries, a plurality of collectors configured to perform wireless communication with the tray, and a server configured to track the position and presence or absence of impact of the tray based on information received from the plurality of collectors. The tray includes a measurement unit configured to sense impact and a communication unit configured to perform wireless communication with the plurality of collectors. When impact is sensed, the measurement unit may reduce the measurement period to a specified first ratio, and the communication unit may be configured to reduce the period of the wireless communication to a specified second ratio when the impact is sensed.

[0007] The operation method of the battery production system disclosed in this document may include an operation of measuring at least one of acceleration or angular velocity at a measurement period specified by the tray, an operation of performing wireless communication with a plurality of collectors by the tray, an operation of reducing the measurement period to a specified first ratio and reducing the period of the wireless communication to a specified second ratio when impact is sensed by the tray, an operation of transmitting the result of the wireless communication with the tray by the plurality of collectors to the server, and an operation of determining the position and presence or absence of impact of the tray based on information received from the plurality of collectors by the server.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] The battery production system according to an embodiment disclosed in this document can pre-check the quality degradation factors of battery products generated during logistics movement by tracking the position and presence or absence of impact of the tray in real time.

[0009] The battery production system according to an embodiment disclosed in this document can monitor the logistics movement of batteries in real time, manage stagnant sections, and minimize losses.

[0010] The battery production system according to an embodiment disclosed in this document can more precisely track relevant data regarding batteries suspected of being defective during the monitoring process.

[0011] The battery production system according to an embodiment disclosed in this document can reduce the costs for detecting and managing low-performance batteries.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

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Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, various embodiments disclosed in this document will be described in detail. In this document, the same reference numerals are used for the same components in the drawings, and duplicate descriptions for the same components are omitted.

[0014] For the various embodiments of the invention disclosed in this document, the specific structural or functional descriptions are merely exemplified for the purpose of explaining the embodiments. The various embodiments disclosed in this document can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described in this document.

[0015] Expressions such as "first", "second", "primary", or "secondary" used in various embodiments can modify various components regardless of order and / or importance and do not limit the components. For example, without departing from the scope of the rights of the embodiments disclosed in this document, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be named the first component.

[0016] The terms used in this document are merely used to explain specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of other embodiments. Singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning.

[0017] All terms used here, including technical and scientific terms, may have the same meaning as commonly understood by those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field of the embodiments disclosed in this document. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries may be interpreted as having the same or similar meaning as their meaning in the context of the related art, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless clearly defined in this document. In some cases, even terms defined in this document should not be interpreted so as to exclude the embodiments disclosed in this document.

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a battery production system according to various embodiments.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, the battery production system 1 may include at least one tray 110-1, 110-2, a plurality of collectors 120-1, 120-2, 120-3, and a server 130.

[0020] Trays 110-1 and 110-2 can move along the conveyor belt while containing the battery. If the tray 110-1 containing the battery collides with the stopper 150 of the conveyor belt or a collision occurs between trays 110-1 and 110-2 due to logistics stagnation, there is a possibility that cracks will occur in the battery (or the pouch containing the battery), resulting in a decline in battery quality and performance. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the positions of trays 110-1 and 110-2 and the occurrence of impacts in real time.

[0021] The plurality of collectors 120-1, 120-2, and 120-3 are each arranged at a distance from the conveyor belt and can wirelessly transmit and receive signals with trays 110-1 and 110-2. Each of the plurality of collectors 120-1, 120-2, and 120-3 can measure the distance to trays 110-1 and 110-2 through wireless communication with trays 110-1 and 110-2 and can receive information regarding impacts (e.g., impact amount information) from trays 110-1 and 110-2. In this case, the wireless communication method between the plurality of collectors 120-1, 120-2, and 120-3 and trays 110-1 and 110-2 is various. As an example, in order to improve the accuracy of positioning, UWB (ultra wide band) signals may be used.

[0022] Server 130 may be configured to monitor in real time the positions of trays 110-1 and 110-2 and the presence or absence of impact based on information received from a plurality of collectors 120-1, 120-2, and 120-3, and to accumulate and utilize the monitored data. For example, server 130 can calculate the position of tray 110-1 by applying various positioning methods to the distance between each of the plurality of collectors 120-1, 120-2, and 120-3 and tray 110-1. The positioning method may include, for example, triangulation. Also, server 130 may determine the presence or absence of impact on tray 110-1 according to the impact amount information of tray 110-1 received from the plurality of collectors 120-1, 120-2, and 120-3. By accumulating data related to impact occurrence (e.g., impact occurrence position, time, frequency, etc.), server 130 enables the user to recognize the cause of impact occurrence and improve it. When impact occurrence is determined, server 130 outputs a notification immediately, enabling the user to quickly detect defective batteries occurring during the logistics movement process. Or, when impact occurrence on tray 110 is detected, server 130 can notify the user of the suspected defective battery using a specified method (e.g., lighting or notification) when tray 110 reaches the final point of the conveyor belt.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a battery production system according to various embodiments.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, the tray 110 may include a measurement unit 112 and a communication unit 114. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the tray 110 may further include a power supply unit (e.g., a battery) for supplying power for the implementation of the measurement unit 112 and the communication unit 114. The measurement unit 112 may be set to acquire data for calculating the amount of impact generated during the movement of the tray 110. The "measurement unit" may also be referred to as a "measurement device", a "measurement module", a "measurement circuit", or a "sensor". For example, the measurement unit 112 may include at least one of an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor (angular velocity sensor). The acceleration sensor can sense the acceleration of the x, y, and z axes, and the gyro sensor can sense the angular velocity. The communication unit 114 may be set to perform wireless communication with a plurality of collectors 120-1, 120-2, 120-3. The "communication unit" may also be referred to as a "communication device", a "communication module", a "communication circuit", or a "modem". For example, the communication unit 114 may support, but is not limited to, the UWB communication protocol.

[0025] Due to the finiteness of the power supplied to the measurement unit 112 and the communication unit 114, each of the measurement unit 112 and the communication unit 114 may operate in a specified period. For example, the measurement unit 112 can measure acceleration or angular velocity in a specified measurement period, and the communication unit 114 can transmit signals to the collectors 120-1, 120-2, 120-3 in a specified communication period. When an impact is sensed by the tray 110 according to the embodiment, in order to improve the precision of the impact amount calculation and accurately provide the position of the tray 110, the tray 110 can adjust the measurement period of the measurement unit 112, the communication period of the communication unit 114, and the signal strength. Specific embodiments regarding the adjustment of the measurement period, the communication period, and the signal strength are described in FIGS. 3-5.

[0026] Each of the plurality of collectors 120-1, 120-2, 120-3 may include measurement units 122-1, 122-2, 122-3 and communication units 124-1, 124-2, 124-3. Each of the plurality of collectors 120-1, 120-2, 120-3 may further include a power supply unit (e.g., a battery) for supplying power for the implementation of the measurement units 122-1, 122-2, 122-3 and the communication units 124-1, 124-2, 124-3. The communication units 124-1, 124-2, 124-3 may be set to perform wireless communication (e.g., UWB) with the communication unit 114 of the tray 110. The measurement units 122-1, 122-2, 122-3 can calculate the distance from the tray 110 based on the results of the wireless communication. For example, the communication unit 124-1 of the collector 120-1 can receive a signal from the communication unit 114 of the tray 110 after transmitting a signal to the communication unit 114 of the tray 110. The measurement unit 122-1 of the collector 120-1 can calculate the distance between the collector 120-1 and the tray 110 using the round-trip time of the signal. The communication unit 124-1 of the collector 120-1 can receive data related to the impact amount (e.g., acceleration, angular velocity) from the tray 110 via a signal for distance measurement or via a signal separate from the signal. The communication units 124-1, 124-2, 124-3 of each of the plurality of collectors 120-1, 120-2, 120-3 can transmit at least one of the information about the tray 110, such as distance information and impact amount information, to the server 130.

[0027] The server 130 can track the position of the tray 110 and the presence or absence of the occurrence of the impact amount in real time based on the information received from the plurality of collectors 120-1, 120-2, 120-3. According to an embodiment, the server 130 can transmit a signal for time synchronization to the plurality of collectors 120-1, 120-2, 120-3 at specified intervals in order to improve the accuracy of position calculation by triangulation.

[0028] Figures 3 to 5 show the measurement period and the communication period according to various embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 3 shows the measurement period and the communication period before an impact is sensed by the tray 110, and FIG. 4 shows the measurement period and the communication period after an impact is sensed by the tray 110. In each drawing, the horizontal axis represents time.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 3, the measurement unit 112 can perform measurements for impact sensing at a specified measurement period (Tmp) and a specified measurement time (Tm). The communication unit 114 may perform wireless communication with the collector at a specified communication period (Tcp) and a specified communication time (Tc). For example, when data regarding an impact is generated by the measurement unit 112, the communication unit 114 can transmit the data received from the measurement unit 112 to at least one collector (e.g., 120-1). The communication unit 114 can transmit a signal at a specified signal strength (S). The signal for distance measurement and the signal for transmission of impact data may be the same or separate signals.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 4, the tray 110 can respond to the sensed impact and change the measurement period of the measurement unit 112 and the communication period of the communication unit 114. For example, when data (e.g., acceleration or angular velocity) measured at a previous measurement time exceeds a threshold value, the measurement unit 112 can increase the measurement accuracy by performing measurements at a measurement period (Tmp') that is decreased to a specified first ratio of the measurement period (Tmp). Also, the communication unit 114 can transmit data to the collector 120-1 more frequently by performing wireless communication at a communication period (Tcp') that is decreased to a specified second ratio of the communication period (Tcp) based on the data (i.e., acceleration or angular velocity that exceeded the threshold value) received from the measurement unit 112. The second ratio may be the same as or different from the first ratio. Since the number of data received from the tray 110 increases, the collector 120-1 can measure the distance between the tray 110 and the collector 120-1 more precisely. Although not shown in FIG. 4, when it is determined that the impact amount data received from the tray 110 exceeds a threshold value, the collector 120-1 can also transmit the impact amount data of the tray 110 to the server 130 more frequently by decreasing the communication period of the communication unit 124-1.

[0032] According to an embodiment, the communication unit 114 may increase the signal strength by a specified third ratio. The third ratio may be the same as or different from the first ratio or the second ratio. By receiving a signal with increased strength without receiving separate impact amount data, the collector 120-1 can sense that an impact has occurred on the tray 110. Also, when the signal strength increases, not only the collector 120-1 but also the server 130 located at a distance farther than the collector 120-1 can receive the signal of the communication unit 114, so the server 130 can quickly sense the occurrence of an impact.

[0033] FIG. 5 shows an example in which the measurement period, the communication period, and the signal strength are controlled. For example, the first graph 501 shows the values before an impact is sensed on the tray 110, and the second graph 502 shows the values after an impact is sensed on the tray 110. When an impact is sensed on the tray 110, the measurement unit 112 may reduce the measurement period to 1 / 2, and the communication unit 114 may reduce the communication period to 1 / 2. Also, the communication unit 114 may double the signal strength.

[0034] FIG. 6 shows an operation flowchart of a tray for controlling the measurement period and the communication period according to various embodiments.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 6, in operation 610, the measurement unit 112 of the tray 110 can sense the presence or absence of an impact at a specified measurement period. For example, the measurement unit 112 can measure acceleration or angular velocity.

[0036] In operation 620, the communication unit 114 of the tray 110 may perform wireless communication with a plurality of collectors 120-1, 120-2, 120-3 at a specified communication period.

[0037] In operation 630, the measurement unit 112 can sense an impact on the tray 110. For example, the measurement unit 112 may determine that an impact has occurred when the measured acceleration or angular velocity exceeds a threshold value. If the measured data does not exceed the threshold value, the measurement unit 112 and the communication unit 114 may each repeat operations 610-620.

[0038] When an impact is sensed, in operation 640, the measurement unit 112 may reduce the measurement period to a specified first ratio. Also, in operation 650, the communication unit 114 may reduce the communication period to a specified second ratio.

[0039] Depending on the embodiment, the communication unit 114 may further perform operation 660. Specifically, the communication unit 114 may increase the signal strength to a specified third ratio.

[0040] FIG. 7 shows an operation flowchart of a collector that transmits information regarding a tray according to various embodiments.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 7, in operation 710, the collector (e.g., 120-1) may perform wireless communication with the tray 110.

[0042] In operation 720, the collector 120-1 may measure the distance to the tray 110 based on the result of the wireless communication. For example, the collector 120-1 may measure the distance using the round-trip time of the transmitted signal and the received signal.

[0043] In operation 730, the collector 120-1 may determine whether an impact has occurred on the tray 110. For example, the collector 120-1 may determine that an impact has occurred on the tray 110 when the data received from the tray 110 (e.g., acceleration or angular velocity) exceeds a threshold value, or when the signal strength received from the tray 110 exceeds a threshold value.

[0044] In operation 740, the collector 120-1 can transmit information regarding the distance to the tray 110 and whether an impact has occurred on the tray 110 to the server 130.

[0045] As described above, it is assumed that all the components constituting the embodiments disclosed in this document are combined or combined and operate together, but the embodiments disclosed in this document are not necessarily limited to such embodiments. That is, within the scope of the object of the embodiments disclosed in this document, all of its components may be selectively combined and operate in one or more.

[0046] In addition, terms such as "including", "comprising", or "having" described above mean that the component can be inherent unless otherwise stated, so it should not be construed as excluding other components, but rather as further including other components. All terms, including technical and scientific terms, may be construed to have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the embodiments disclosed in this document belong, unless otherwise defined. Commonly used terms, such as those defined in a dictionary, should be construed to be consistent with the meaning in the context of the related art, and should not be construed as having an ideal or overly formal meaning unless clearly defined in this document.

[0047] The above description is only an illustrative explanation of the technical idea disclosed in this document. Those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the embodiments disclosed in this document belong can make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the embodiments disclosed in this document. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in this document are not for limiting the technical idea disclosed in this document, but for explanation, and the scope of the technical idea disclosed in this document is not limited by such embodiments. The protection scope of the technical idea disclosed in this document shall be construed according to the following claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope shall be construed as being included in the scope of rights of this document.

Claims

1. A tray containing a battery, a plurality of collectors configured to perform wireless communication with the tray, and a server configured to track the position of the tray and the presence or absence of an impact based on information received from the plurality of collectors, wherein the tray includes a measurement unit configured to sense an impact on the tray and a communication unit configured to perform wireless communication with the plurality of collectors, wherein the measurement unit reduces the measurement period to a specified first ratio when an impact on the tray is sensed, wherein the communication unit is configured to reduce the period of the wireless communication to a specified second ratio when the impact on the tray is sensed, and the plurality of collectors are configured to calculate the distance to the tray based on the result of the wireless communication with the communication unit of the tray, a battery production system.

2. The plurality of collectors are configured to transmit a signal to the communication unit of the tray, then receive a signal from the communication unit of the tray, and calculate the distance to the tray using the round-trip time of the signal, the battery production system according to claim 1.

3. The plurality of collectors are configured to transmit the distance to the tray to the server, and the server is configured to calculate the position of the tray based on the distance between the plurality of collectors and the tray, the battery production system according to claim 1.

4. The measurement unit includes at least one of an acceleration sensor or a gyro sensor, and the communication unit is configured to transmit the impact amount information measured by the measurement unit to the plurality of collectors, the battery production system according to claim 1.

5. The plurality of collectors are configured to transmit the distance to the tray measured via the wireless communication and the impact amount information to the server, the battery production system according to claim 4.

6. The plurality of collectors are configured to determine the distance to the tray based on the transmission and reception times of UWB (ultra wide band) signals, the battery production system according to claim 4 or 5.

7. The server is configured to determine the position of the tray and the presence or absence of an impact based on information received from the plurality of collectors, the battery production system according to claim 5.

8. The server The battery production system according to claim 7, which is set to calculate the position of the tray using the distance between the plurality of collectors and the triangulation method.

9. The communication unit The battery production system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 7, and 8, which is set to increase the signal strength for the wireless communication to a specified third ratio when the impact is sensed.

10. The plurality of collectors The battery production system according to claim 9, which is set to determine that an impact on the tray has occurred when a signal of increased intensity is received from the tray.

11. The server The battery production system according to claim 9, which is set to determine that an impact on the tray has occurred when a signal of increased intensity is received from the tray.

12. A tray containing a battery, A plurality of collectors set to perform wireless communication with the tray, A server set to track the position of the tray and the presence or absence of an impact based on information received from the plurality of collectors, and The tray Includes a measurement unit set to sense an impact on the tray and a communication unit set to perform wireless communication with the plurality of collectors. When the impact on the tray is sensed, the measurement unit reduces the measurement period to a specified first ratio. When the impact on the tray is sensed, the communication unit reduces the period of the wireless communication to a specified second ratio and is set to adjust the signal strength for the wireless communication. A battery production system.

13. An operation of sensing the presence or absence of an impact on the tray at a specified measurement period with the tray, An operation of performing wireless communication with a plurality of collectors with the tray, With the tray, when an impact on the tray is sensed, reducing the measurement period to a specified first ratio and reducing the period of the wireless communication to a specified second ratio, An operation of calculating the distance to the tray based on the result of the wireless communication with the tray by the plurality of collectors, An operation of transmitting the distance to the tray and the impact amount information of the tray to a server by the plurality of collectors, An operation of determining the position of the tray and the presence or absence of an impact occurrence based on information received from the plurality of collectors by the server, and An operation method of a battery production system.

14. Among the plurality of collectors, the operation of calculating the distance to the tray based on the result of wireless communication with the tray The method of operating a battery production system according to claim 13, including the operation of determining the distance to the tray based on the transmission and reception times of UWB signals.

15. The operation of determining the position of the tray by the server The method of operating a battery production system according to claim 13, including the operation of determining the position of the tray using the distance between the plurality of collectors and the tray and triangulation.

16. When the impact is detected, the method of operating a battery production system according to any one of claims 13 to 15, further including the operation of increasing the signal strength for the wireless communication by a specified third ratio in the tray.

17. When a signal with increased intensity is received from the tray by the plurality of collectors or the server, the method of operating a battery production system according to claim 16, further including the operation of determining that an impact has occurred on the tray.

18. In the tray, the operation of detecting the presence or absence of an impact at a specified measurement period In the tray, the operation of performing wireless communication with a plurality of collectors In the tray, when an impact is detected, the operation of reducing the measurement period by a specified first ratio and reducing the wireless communication period by a specified second ratio In the tray, when an impact is detected, the operation of increasing the signal strength for the wireless communication by a specified third ratio In the plurality of collectors, the operation of transmitting the result of wireless communication with the tray to the server In the server, the operation of determining the position of the tray and the presence or absence of an impact based on the information received from the plurality of collectors, including a method of operating a battery production system.

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