Visual inspection system and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for inspecting the appearance of a secondary battery, which can precisely inspect all the appearances of the secondary battery, minimize overdetection failures, and increase stability by minimizing shaking during a process of transporting the secondary battery. The present invention also relates to a system and method for inspecting the appearance of a secondary battery, which can improve the accuracy of the inspection of the appearance of the secondary battery and minimize appearance failures. The appearance inspection system for inspecting the appearance of a secondary battery according to the present invention includes a transfer device for transferring the secondary battery along an inspection position, a top-bottom inspection device disposed at a first inspection position and inspecting an upper and lower portion of the secondary battery, a side inspection device disposed at a second inspection position and inspecting the side and whether or not there is expansion of the secondary battery, and a rotation device disposed at the second inspection position and rotating the secondary battery, and the side inspection device inspects the side and whether or not there is expansion of the secondary battery while the secondary battery is lying on the transfer device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0183208, filed December 20, 2021, and all contents disclosed in the documents of this Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an appearance inspection system and method, and more particularly to an appearance inspection system and method for inspecting whether or not there is a defect in the appearance of a manufactured secondary battery. [Background technology]

[0003] In recent years, with the depletion of fossil fuels causing rising energy costs and increasing concerns about environmental pollution, the demand for environmentally friendly alternative energy sources has become an essential factor for future life. As a result, research into various electricity production technologies such as solar, wind, and tidal power has continued, and there has also been great interest in power storage devices such as batteries to more efficiently use the electrical energy produced in this way.

[0004] Furthermore, with the increasing technological development and demand for battery-based electronic mobile devices and electric vehicles, the demand for batteries as an energy source is rapidly increasing, and as a result, much research is being conducted on batteries that can meet various demands.

[0005] Generally, batteries that store electrical energy can be divided into primary batteries and secondary batteries. Primary batteries are disposable, consumable batteries, while secondary batteries are rechargeable batteries manufactured using materials that can undergo repeated oxidation and reduction processes between electric current and materials. That is, when a reduction reaction occurs in a material due to electric current, the power source is charged, and when an oxidation reaction occurs in the material, the power source is discharged. Electricity is generated by repeating this charging and discharging process.

[0006] In particular, there is a high demand for lithium secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries and lithium ion polymer batteries, which have advantages such as high energy density, discharge voltage, and output stability in terms of materials.

[0007] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries are rechargeable and are classified into coin-type batteries, cylindrical batteries, prismatic batteries, and pouch-type batteries depending on the shape of the case.

[0008] Secondary batteries manufactured through a manufacturing process are inspected for defects, and defective products are then sorted out. Most basically, the secondary batteries are inspected for any external defects, such as scratches, wrinkles, and swelling.

[0009] When inspecting the exterior of a cylindrical secondary battery, the battery is rotated upright during inspection, which can lead to improper inspection of the battery's grip. Furthermore, as the size and capacity of cylindrical secondary batteries increase, the battery becomes less stable during transportation, resulting in reduced inspection accuracy.

[0010] To solve these problems, there is a need for a method for inspecting the appearance of secondary batteries that can precisely inspect the entire appearance of the secondary battery, can stably transport secondary batteries with larger sizes and capacities, and improves inspection accuracy. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for inspecting the appearance of a secondary battery, which precisely inspects the entire appearance of the secondary battery by changing an inspection device that inspects the appearance of the secondary battery, and which increases the stability in the secondary battery transport process by changing a transport device that transports the secondary battery being inspected, thereby improving the accuracy of the appearance inspection of the secondary battery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The appearance inspection system for inspecting the appearance of a secondary battery according to the present invention includes a transfer device that transfers the secondary battery along an inspection position, a top and bottom inspection device that is disposed at a first inspection position and inspects the top and bottom of the secondary battery, a side inspection device that is disposed at a second inspection position and inspects the side of the secondary battery and whether or not it has expanded, and a rotation device that is disposed at the second inspection position and rotates the secondary battery, and the side inspection device can inspect the side of the secondary battery and whether or not it has expanded while the secondary battery is lying on the transfer device.

[0013] The transport device is a conveyor including a linear motion guide, and the secondary batteries can be transported by the linear motion of the linear motion guide. The upper and lower inspection devices may include an upper inspector for inspecting the upper part of the secondary battery and a lower inspector for inspecting the lower part of the secondary battery, and a camera may be installed inside the upper and lower inspection devices.

[0014] The rotation device may include a first rotator that is disposed at the entrance of the second inspection position and rotates the secondary battery so that the vertical direction of the secondary battery is parallel to the movement direction of the transport device before inspection at the second inspection position is performed.

[0015] The side surface inspection device may be a 3D (three-dimensional) camera including a light source device that irradiates light along the side surface of the secondary battery, and a mirror that reflects the light irradiated by the light source device.

[0016] The side surface inspection device may include a first side surface inspector that inspects a portion of the side surface of the secondary battery, and a second side surface inspector that inspects a portion of the side surface of the secondary battery that is not inspected by the first side surface inspector.

[0017] The rotation device may include a second rotator disposed between the first side surface inspector and the second side surface inspector, which rotates the secondary battery 180 degrees so that the top and bottom surfaces of the secondary battery are inverted relative to each other.

[0018] The visual inspection system may further include a loading device that loads a preset number of secondary batteries to be visually inspected onto the transport device. The visual inspection system may further include a discrimination device that discriminates the secondary battery based on the inspection results measured by the top and bottom inspection device and the side inspection device.

[0019] The visual inspection system may further include a first conveyor connected to the discrimination device for transporting secondary batteries that have been discriminated, and a second conveyor connected to the first conveyor for transporting secondary batteries that have an abnormality. The first conveyor may be a pocket conveyor that includes pockets into which the secondary batteries that have been identified are individually placed.

[0020] The appearance inspection method for inspecting the appearance of a cylindrical secondary battery includes a loading step in which a secondary battery to be inspected is loaded onto a transfer device by a loading device; a transport step in which the secondary battery is transported by the transport device; a top-bottom inspection step in which the top and bottom of the secondary battery are inspected by a top-bottom inspection device; a first rotation step in which the secondary battery is rotated by a first rotator so that the top-bottom direction of the secondary battery is parallel to the moving direction of the transport device; a first side inspection step in which a portion of the side of the secondary battery is inspected by a first side inspector; a second rotation step in which the secondary battery is rotated 180 degrees by a second rotator so that the top and bottom surfaces of the secondary battery are inverted relative to each other; and a second side inspection step in which a portion of the side of the secondary battery not inspected in the first side inspection step is inspected by a second side inspector.

[0021] In the transporting step, the secondary battery can be transported by a transport device including a linear motion guide through linear motion of the linear motion guide. In the first side surface inspection step and the second side surface inspection step, the first side surface inspector and the second side surface inspector may be a 3D camera including a light source device that irradiates light along the side surface of the secondary battery, and a mirror that reflects the light irradiated by the light source device. The visual inspection method may further include a determining step in which the secondary battery after the visual inspection is determined by a determining device according to the measured inspection result. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] The appearance inspection system for inspecting the appearance of a secondary battery according to the present invention includes a transfer device that transfers the secondary battery along an inspection position, a top and bottom inspection device that is disposed at a first inspection position and inspects the top and bottom of the secondary battery, a side inspection device that is disposed at a second inspection position and inspects the side of the secondary battery and whether or not it has expanded, and a rotation device that is disposed at the second inspection position and rotates the secondary battery, and the side inspection device inspects the side of the secondary battery and whether or not it has expanded while the secondary battery is lying on the transfer device.

[0023] As a result, the entire appearance of the secondary battery can be precisely inspected, over-detection defects can be minimized, and vibration during the secondary battery transfer process can be minimized to increase stability.In addition, the accuracy of the appearance inspection of the secondary battery can be improved, and appearance defects can be minimized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view schematically showing a visual inspection system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2a] FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing a transfer device of the visual inspection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2b] 1 is a side view schematically showing a transfer device of the visual inspection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]1 is a plan view schematically showing an upper and lower inspection device of a visual inspection system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a front view schematically showing a first side surface inspector of a side surface inspection device of a visual inspection system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a first conveyor of the visual inspection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a visual inspection method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily understand and practice the preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0026] In order to clearly explain the present invention, detailed descriptions of parts that are not relevant to the explanation or related known technologies that may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention will be omitted, and in this specification, when assigning reference symbols to components in each drawing, the same or similar reference symbols will be assigned to the same or similar components throughout the specification.

[0027] Furthermore, the terms and words used in this specification and claims are not to be interpreted in a limited way to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but rather to be interpreted in a way that is consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, based on the principle that inventors can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best explain their inventions.

[0028] First embodiment The present invention provides a visual inspection system as a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a plan view that schematically shows a visual inspection system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, an appearance inspection system 1 for inspecting the appearance of a secondary battery 10 may include a transfer device 100 , a top / bottom inspection device 200 , a side inspection device 300 , and a rotation device 400 .

[0030] 2a and 2b are a plan view and a side view schematically showing a transfer device 100 of the visual inspection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. For visual inspection of the secondary battery 10, the secondary battery 10 can be moved to each inspection position where the inspection is performed. As an example of a configuration for transporting the secondary battery 10 along the inspection positions, the visual inspection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can include a transport device 100.

[0031] 2a and 2b, the transfer device 100 may have the form of a conveyor. When the transfer device 100 has the form of a conveyor, the secondary battery 10 may be transferred along the progression of the conveyor on the upper surface of the transfer device 100.

[0032] When viewed from above, the transport device 100 may have an elliptical shape along which the secondary batteries 10 are transported in the transport device 100. The secondary batteries 10 can be inspected while moving along the elliptical path.

[0033] 2a, a first inspection position 20 may be provided at the lower left side of the upper surface of the transfer device 100, and a second inspection position 30 may be provided at the lower right side. However, these inspection positions are merely examples, and are not necessarily limited thereto, and may be provided at other positions.

[0034] The top and bottom of the secondary battery 10 can be inspected at the first inspection position 20, and the side of the secondary battery 10 and whether or not it has expanded can be inspected at the second inspection position 30. Each inspection will be described in detail later.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 2a, the secondary battery 10 to be inspected may be transferred from the upper left side along the transfer device 100 on the top surface of the transfer device 100. At this time, the secondary battery 10 may be transferred in a state where the length direction and the moving direction of the secondary battery 10 are perpendicular to each other. For example, if the secondary battery 10 is cylindrical, referring to FIG. 2a, the secondary battery 10 may be transferred in a state where the axial direction of the secondary battery 10 is aligned with the up-down direction in FIG. 2a. For reference, the secondary battery 10 is not limited to the examples of the present invention and may have various types and shapes.

[0036] As an example of a configuration for efficiently transporting the secondary battery 10, the transport device 100 of the visual inspection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be a conveyor including a linear motion guide 110.

[0037] When the transfer device 100 is a conveyor including a linear motion guide 110, the secondary batteries 10 can be transferred to the respective inspection positions by the linear motion of the linear motion guide 110 during the visual inspection process.

[0038] The linear motion guide 110 may generally be composed of a rail 111 and a block 112 that moves along the rail 111. Therefore, the transport device 100 may include the linear motion guide 110 in a form in which the block 112 moves along the rail 111 formed on the upper surface, and the secondary battery 10 to be inspected may be placed on the upper surface of the block 112 and transported.

[0039] When the transfer device 100 is a conveyor including the linear motion guide 110, it is possible to minimize shaking and increase stability during transfer of the secondary battery 10. In addition, the transfer speed can be adjusted according to the inspection process.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a plan view schematically showing the upper and lower inspection device 200 of the visual inspection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. When the secondary battery 10 transferred by the transfer device 100 reaches the first inspection position 20, the upper and lower parts of the secondary battery 10 can be inspected. As an example of a configuration for inspecting the upper and lower parts of the secondary battery 10, the appearance inspection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can include an upper and lower inspection device 200.

[0041] 3, the upper and lower inspection device 200 is disposed at the first inspection position 20 and can inspect the upper and lower parts of the secondary battery 10. Specifically, the upper and lower parts of the secondary battery 10 can be inspected using the upper and lower inspection device 200 to determine whether or not there are wrinkles, dents, scratches, foreign matter, contamination, discoloration, short circuit marks, etc.

[0042] For efficient visual inspection of the upper and lower parts of the secondary battery 10, the upper and lower inspection device 200 may include an upper inspector 210 that inspects the upper part of the secondary battery 10 and a lower inspector 220 that inspects the lower part of the secondary battery 10.

[0043] The upper and lower testers 210 and 220 of the upper and lower tester 200 may be disposed on either side of the transfer device 100 at the first test position 20. Therefore, with reference to FIG. 2a, the upper tester 210 may be disposed at the upper part and the lower tester 220 may be disposed at the lower part at the first test position 20. Since the upper and lower parts of the secondary battery 10 can be tested simultaneously, the positions of the upper tester 210 and the lower tester 220 may be interchanged.

[0044] Each of the upper and lower inspectors 210 and 220 of the upper and lower inspection device 200 may be provided with a camera 201 therein. The external appearance of the upper and lower parts of the secondary battery 10 may be photographed through the internally provided camera 201, and the presence or absence of an abnormality may be inspected.

[0045] The top and bottom inspection device 200 of the appearance inspection system 1 is provided with a camera 201 therein and includes an upper inspector 210 and a lower inspector 220, and can simultaneously inspect the appearance of the top and bottom of the secondary battery 10 lying on the top surface of the transfer device 100. This saves time and space and increases the efficiency of the inspection process.

[0046] After completing the upper and lower inspections by the upper and lower inspection device 200, the secondary battery 10 can be transferred by the transfer device 100 to reach the second inspection position 30. The secondary battery 10 that has reached the second inspection position 30 can be inspected for the appearance of its side and whether or not it has expanded. As an example of a configuration for inspecting the side of the secondary battery 10 and whether or not it has expanded, the appearance inspection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can include a side inspection device 300.

[0047] The side surface inspection device 300 is disposed at the second inspection position 30 and can inspect the side surface and swelling of the secondary battery 10. Specifically, the side surface inspection device 300 can be used to inspect the side surface of the secondary battery 10 for wrinkles, dents, scratches, rust, foreign matter, contamination, discoloration, etc., and whether other identification phrases match the product. In addition, the presence of defects can be inspected based on the presence of swelling of the secondary battery 10.

[0048] Conventionally, when the secondary battery 10 is cylindrical, the appearance inspection of the side surface is performed while the secondary battery 10 is in an upright position. Therefore, the secondary battery 10 is fixed and rotated for inspection, and the side surface of the secondary battery 10 is inspected. However, there is a problem in that the part of the secondary battery 10 that is gripped to fix it is not easy to perform an appearance inspection.

[0049] As an example of a configuration for solving such a problem, the side surface inspection device 300 of the appearance inspection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be a 3D camera including a light source device 301 and a mirror 302.

[0050] In the side surface inspection device 300 which is a 3D camera, a light source device 301 can irradiate light along the side surface of the secondary battery 10, and a mirror 302 can reflect the light irradiated by the light source device 301.

[0051] As an example of the operation of the side surface inspection device 300, which is a 3D camera, a light source device 301 can irradiate a specific pattern of light onto the side surface of the secondary battery 10, and calculate the amount of change in the pattern to recognize the appearance of the secondary battery 10. In addition, a mirror 302 can reflect the light to widen the angle and range of inspection. Therefore, data on the side surface of the secondary battery 10 can be obtained in 3D form based on the amount of change in the pattern due to the light of the 3D camera. This is merely one operation method of a 3D camera, and is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0052] The side inspection device 300 may further include devices such as lighting that provide additional light necessary for the operation of the 3D camera. When the side inspection device 300 is a 3D camera including a light source device 301 and a mirror 302, even if the secondary battery 10 has a curved side, such as a cylindrical shape, it is possible to inspect all parts of the side, thereby improving detection power and minimizing overdetection failures.

[0053] FIG. 4 is a front view schematically showing the first side surface inspector 310 of the side surface inspecting device 300 of the visual inspection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As an example of a configuration for increasing the efficiency of side inspection of a secondary battery 10, the side inspection device 300 of the appearance inspection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include a first side inspector 310 and a second side inspector 320.

[0054] The first side surface inspector 310 inspects a portion of the side surface of the secondary battery 10, and the second side surface inspector 320 can inspect a portion of the side surface of the secondary battery 10 that is not inspected by the first side surface inspector 310. Preferably, each of the first side surface inspector 310 and the second side surface inspector 320 may be a 3D camera including the light source device 301 and the mirror 302 described above.

[0055] When the side surface inspection device 300 includes a first side surface inspector 310 and a second side surface inspector 320, the secondary battery 10 that has completed the inspection of the upper and lower parts by the transfer device 100 can be subjected to a side surface inspection and an inspection for expansion by the first side surface inspector 310 and the second side surface inspector 320 at the second inspection position 30.

[0056] Based on the order in which the secondary battery 10 passes through the second inspection position 30 by the transfer device 100, the secondary battery 10 may be inspected by the first side inspector 310 in the first half and by the second side inspector 320 in the second half. Therefore, based on FIG. 2a, the first side inspector 310 may be disposed on the left side of the second inspection position 30, and the second side inspector 320 may be disposed on the right side of the second inspection position 30. This is merely an example, and the positions of the first side inspector 310 and the second side inspector 320 may be reversed.

[0057] The secondary battery 10 that has undergone the upper and lower inspections is transferred by the transfer device 100 in a state where it is laid on the upper surface of the transfer device 100, and the position of the secondary battery 10 can be changed by the rotation device 400 at the second inspection position 30. The rotation device 400 will be described in detail later.

[0058] The secondary battery 10 whose position has been changed may have a portion of its side inspected by the first side inspector 310. As an example of the portion of the side, if the secondary battery 10 is cylindrical, inspection may be performed on a portion corresponding to 180 degrees of the side having a radius of 360 degrees. The range of the portion of the side is not limited thereto and may be changed.

[0059] After the secondary battery 10 has been inspected by the first side inspector 310, it can be repositioned by the rotation device 400 to inspect the other side. The rotation device 400 will be described in detail later.

[0060] For the secondary battery 10 whose position has been changed, the second side surface inspector 320 may inspect a portion of the side surface that has not been inspected by the first side surface inspector 310. As in the above example, once the portion corresponding to 180 degrees of the side surface of the secondary battery 10 has been inspected, the remaining portion corresponding to 180 degrees may be inspected. The range of the side surface of the secondary battery 10 inspected by the second side surface inspector 320 is not limited thereto and may be changed.

[0061] When the side surface inspection device 300 includes the first side surface inspector 310 and the second side surface inspector 320, the number of parts of the side surface of the secondary battery 10 that are not properly inspected can be reduced, thereby improving the efficiency of the inspection.

[0062] The visual inspection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can include a rotation device 400 as an example of a configuration for arranging the secondary battery 10 in an appropriate state so that it can be inspected.

[0063] The rotation device 400 can be disposed at the second test position 30 and can rotate the secondary battery 10 so that the secondary battery 10 is in a state appropriate for each test.

[0064] The rotation device 400 may include a first rotator 410 and a second rotator 420. The first rotator 410 rotates the secondary battery 10, whose upper and lower parts have been inspected by the upper and lower inspection device 200, into a shape that allows the side surface to be inspected by the first side surface inspector 310, and the second rotator 420 rotates the secondary battery 10, whose part of the side surface has been inspected by the first side surface inspector 310, into a shape that allows the other part of the side surface to be inspected by the second side surface inspector 320.

[0065] The first rotator 410 may be disposed at an entrance to the second inspection position 30. Specifically, the first rotator 410 may be disposed at a position along the path of the secondary battery 10 moved by the transfer device 100, where the secondary battery 10 passes just before reaching the position at the second inspection position 30 where the first side inspector 310 is disposed.

[0066] As described above, the first rotator 410 can rotate the secondary battery 10, which has been inspected in the vertical inspection device 200 with its length direction and travel direction perpendicular to each other, so that the length direction of the secondary battery 10 is parallel to the travel direction of the transfer device 100. For example, if the secondary battery 10 is cylindrical, with reference to FIG. 2a, the secondary battery 10 can be rotated in a lying state with its axial direction aligned with the left-right direction in FIG. 2a.

[0067] The second rotator 420 may be disposed between the first side surface inspector 310 and the second side surface inspector 320 at the second inspection position 30. For example, the secondary battery 10 may be transferred by the transfer device 100 to the first side surface inspector 310, the second rotator 420, and the second side surface inspector 320 in this order.

[0068] As described above, the second rotator 420 can rotate the secondary battery 10 180 degrees so that the top and bottom surfaces are reversed after the secondary battery 10 is inspected in the first side surface inspector 310 while lying with its length direction and travel direction parallel to each other. For example, if the secondary battery 10 is cylindrical, the secondary battery 10 can be rotated 180 degrees so that the side of the secondary battery 10 facing upward in the first side surface inspector 310 faces the transfer device 100.

[0069] When the rotation device 400 includes a first rotator 410 and a second rotator 420, the secondary battery 10 can be placed in a state suitable for inspection when it is placed at each inspection position by the transfer device 100, thereby increasing the efficiency of the process.

[0070] As an example of a configuration for loading the secondary battery 10 to be inspected onto the transport device 100, the visual inspection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a loading device 500.

[0071] The loading device 500 can load a preset number of secondary batteries 10 to be inspected for appearance onto the transfer device 100. For example, if the transfer device 100 is a conveyor including a linear motion guide 110, eight secondary batteries 10 can be loaded on the upper surface of a block 112 that moves along a rail 111. In this case, eight secondary batteries 10 form one set and can pass through each inspection position. If the loading device 500 can load a preset number of secondary batteries 10 onto the transport device 100, part of the process can be automated, and efficiency can be increased.

[0072] The secondary batteries 10 to be inspected may be stored in trays 40 before being loaded onto the transport device 100. In this case, the visual inspection system 1 may be formed with a tray inlet 510 through which the trays 40 containing the secondary batteries 10 to be loaded onto the transport device 100 via the loading device 500 can enter, and a tray outlet 520 through which the empty trays 40 can exit after all the stored secondary batteries 10 have been loaded onto the transport device 100 via the loading device 500.

[0073] The visual inspection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a discrimination device 600 as an example of a configuration for discriminating secondary batteries 10 whose inspection results are abnormal during the process.

[0074] The discrimination device 600 can discriminate secondary batteries 10 that have a problem with their appearance based on the inspection results of the secondary batteries 10 received from each inspection device. The discrimination device 600 can distinguish secondary batteries 10 into defective and non-defective products.

[0075] FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the first conveyor 700 of the visual inspection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The visual inspection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may further include a first conveyor 700 as an example of a configuration for transporting the secondary battery 10 that has been subjected to the identification process.

[0076] The first conveyor 700 is connected to the discrimination device 600 and can transport secondary batteries 10 that have been determined to be defective or non-defective. In this case, to prevent problems that may occur during the transportation process, the first conveyor 700 may be a pocket conveyor including pockets 701 into which the secondary batteries 10 that have been discriminated can be individually placed.

[0077] When the secondary batteries 10 are transported individually in the pockets 701, collisions with other secondary batteries 10 are prevented, the possibility of additional problems occurring with secondary batteries 10 that have been tested as normal is reduced, and defective secondary batteries 10 are prevented from being mixed with normal secondary batteries 10.

[0078] The visual inspection system 1 may further include a second conveyor 800 capable of transporting secondary batteries 10 that have been determined to be defective due to abnormalities based on the inspection results, among the secondary batteries 10 transported by the first conveyor 700.

[0079] The second conveyor 800 can separate defective secondary batteries 10 according to the discrimination result of the discrimination device 600. Since defective secondary batteries 10 must be separated from the secondary batteries 10 transported along the first conveyor 700 during the transportation process, the second conveyor may be a conveyor using magnetism, for example.

[0080] Furthermore, the visual inspection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include other components required for the process. For example, it may further include a non-defective product storage box 50 for storing secondary batteries 10 that have been transported along the first conveyor 700 and have tested without abnormality, and a defective product storage box 60 for storing secondary batteries 10 that have been transported along the second conveyor 800 and have tested with abnormality.

[0081] The visual inspection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention can minimize shaking of the secondary batteries 10 during movement, prevent collisions between them, and increase stability. In addition, the entire side of the secondary batteries 10 can be inspected, and the 3D inspection improves detection power and reduces overdetection, thereby increasing inspection efficiency.

[0082] Second embodiment The present invention provides, as a second embodiment, a visual inspection method for inspecting the visual appearance of a cylindrical secondary battery.

[0083] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a visual inspection method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, detailed description of the same configuration as that of the visual inspection system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be omitted.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 6, the appearance inspection method according to the second embodiment of the present invention may start with a loading step (S10) in which the secondary battery 10 to be inspected for appearance is loaded onto the transport device 100 by the loading device 500.

[0085] As described in the first embodiment, in the loading step, a predetermined number of secondary batteries 10 may be loaded onto the transfer device 100. At this time, the cylindrical secondary batteries 10 may be loaded in a state where the axial direction and the moving direction of the secondary batteries 10 are perpendicular to each other for up-down inspection.

[0086] When a specific number of secondary batteries 10 are loaded on the transfer device 100, a transfer step (S20) in which the secondary batteries 10 are transferred by the transfer device 100 may be performed.

[0087] In the transport step (S20) by the transport device 100, the secondary batteries 10 can be moved to respective inspection positions for undergoing visual inspection. That is, the visual inspection method for the secondary batteries 10 can be performed sequentially along with the movement of the transport device 100.

[0088] The transfer device 100 used in the transfer step (S20) of the visual inspection method according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a linear motion guide 110, and in the transfer step (S20), the secondary battery 10 can be transferred by the linear motion of the linear motion guide 110. Therefore, shaking of the secondary battery 10 in the transfer step (S20) can be minimized.

[0089] After the secondary battery 10 is transferred in the transfer step (S20), a top-bottom inspection step (S30) can be performed in which the top and bottom are inspected by the top-bottom inspection device 200. In the top-bottom inspection step (S30), as described in the first embodiment, the top and bottom of the secondary battery 10 can be inspected for wrinkles, dents, scratches, foreign matter, contamination, discoloration, short circuit marks, etc.

[0090] After the vertical inspection step S30, a first rotation step S40 may be performed in which the first rotator 410 rotates the cylindrical secondary battery 10 so that the axial direction of the cylindrical secondary battery 10 and the moving direction of the transfer device 100 are parallel to each other.

[0091] Specifically, the secondary battery 10 can be rotated 90 degrees in the first rotation step (S40), which is for changing the state of the secondary battery 10 to a state for undergoing the first side inspection.

[0092] After the secondary battery 10 is rotated by 90 degrees, a first side surface inspection step (S50) may be performed in which a part of the side surface of the secondary battery 10 is inspected by a first side surface inspector 310. Since the side surface of the cylindrical secondary battery 10 is curved, the first side surface inspector 310 may be a device such as a 3D camera for efficient inspection.

[0093] After the first side surface inspection step S50, a second rotation step S60 can be performed in which the secondary battery 10 is rotated 180 degrees by the second rotator 420 so that the top and bottom surfaces of the secondary battery 10 are reversed.

[0094] In the second rotation step (S60), the secondary battery 10 lying on the top surface of the transfer device 100 can be rotated 180 degrees to prepare for inspection of a portion of the side that was not inspected in the first side inspection step (S50).

[0095] After the second rotation step (S60), a second side inspection step (S70) can be performed in which a portion of the side of the secondary battery 10 that was not inspected in the first side inspection step (S50) is inspected by a second side inspector 320.

[0096] In the first side inspection step (S50) and the second side inspection step (S70), the side of the secondary battery 10 may be inspected for wrinkles, dents, scratches, rust, foreign matter, contamination, discoloration, etc., and for other identification phrases that match the product. The secondary battery 10 may also be inspected for defects by examining whether it is swollen.

[0097] When the side surface inspection of the secondary battery 10 is completed in the second side surface inspection step (S70), the secondary battery 10 may be in a state where the top, bottom, and side surfaces have all been inspected.

[0098] By the appearance inspection method of the present invention, the cylindrical secondary battery 10 can be efficiently inspected even on its curved side surfaces, and the entire appearance can be efficiently inspected within the process.

[0099] The visual inspection method according to the second embodiment of the present invention may further include a discrimination step (S80) of discriminating the secondary batteries 10 that have undergone the visual inspection into defective or non-defective products based on the respective inspection results.

[0100] The discrimination step (S80) allows the defective secondary batteries 10 to be separated during the inspection process, thereby improving the efficiency of the process.

[0101] Although the present invention has been described above using limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various implementations are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention and the claims described below by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1: Visual inspection system 10: Secondary battery 20: First inspection position 30: Second inspection position 40: Tray 50: Good product storage box 60:Defective product storage box 100: Transfer device 110: Linear motion guide 111: Rail 112: Block 200: Upper and lower inspection device 201: Camera 210: Upper inspection device 220: Lower inspection device 300: Side inspection device 301: Light source device 302: Mirror 310: First side inspection device 320: Second side inspection device 400: Rotating device 410: First Rotator 420: Second Rotator 500: Loading device 510: Tray inlet 520: Tray outlet 600: Discrimination device 700: First conveyor 701: Pocket 800: Second conveyor

Claims

1. A visual inspection system in which secondary batteries are transported one by one in a line in a transport direction and the visual appearance of the secondary batteries is inspected one by one, a transfer device that transfers the secondary battery along an inspection position; a top and bottom inspection device disposed at a first inspection position and configured to inspect the top and bottom of the secondary battery; a side surface inspection device disposed at a second inspection position and configured to inspect the side surface of the secondary battery and whether or not there is any expansion; a rotation device disposed at the second inspection position and configured to rotate the secondary battery; the side surface inspection device inspects the side surface and whether or not there is any expansion of the secondary battery while the secondary battery is lying on the transfer device; The side surface inspection device a light source device that irradiates light along a side surface of the secondary battery; and a mirror that reflects the light emitted by the light source device.

2. the transport device is a conveyor including a linear motion guide; The visual inspection system according to claim 1 , wherein the secondary battery is transported by linear motion of the linear motion guide.

3. The upper and lower inspection devices are an upper portion inspector for inspecting an upper portion of the secondary battery; a lower part inspector for inspecting a lower part of the secondary battery; The visual inspection system according to claim 1 , wherein a camera is provided inside the upper and lower inspection devices.

4. The rotation device is 2. The visual inspection system of claim 1, further comprising a first rotator disposed at an entrance to the second inspection position and rotating the secondary battery so that the vertical direction of the secondary battery is parallel to the moving direction of the transport device before inspection at the second inspection position.

5. The side surface inspection device a first side surface inspector for inspecting a part of a side surface of the secondary battery; 2. The visual inspection system according to claim 1, further comprising: a second side surface inspector that inspects a part of a side surface of the secondary battery that is not inspected by the first side surface inspector.

6. The rotation device is 6. The visual inspection system of claim 5, further comprising a second rotator disposed between the first side surface inspector and the second side surface inspector, for rotating the secondary battery 180 degrees so that the top and bottom surfaces of the secondary battery are inverted relative to each other.

7. 2. The visual inspection system according to claim 1, further comprising a loading device for loading a preset number of the secondary batteries to be visually inspected onto the transport device.

8. The visual inspection system according to claim 1 , further comprising a discrimination device that discriminates the secondary battery based on the inspection results measured by the top and bottom inspection device and the side inspection device.

9. a first conveyor connected to the discrimination device for transporting the secondary battery after discrimination has been completed; The visual inspection system according to claim 8 , further comprising: a second conveyor connected to the first conveyor for transporting the secondary battery having a defect.

10. The first conveyor is 10. The visual inspection system according to claim 9, wherein the pocket conveyor includes pockets into which the secondary batteries that have been identified are individually placed.

11. A visual inspection method for inspecting the visual appearance of a cylindrical secondary battery using the visual inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising: a loading step in which the secondary battery to be inspected is loaded onto a transport device by a loading device; a transporting step in which the secondary battery is transported by the transport device; a top-bottom inspection step in which the top and bottom of the secondary battery are inspected by a top-bottom inspection device; a first rotation step in which the secondary battery is rotated by a first rotator so that a vertical direction of the secondary battery is parallel to a moving direction of the transfer device; a first side surface inspection step in which a part of a side surface of the secondary battery is inspected by a first side surface inspector; a second rotating step of rotating the secondary battery 180 degrees by a second rotator so that the top and bottom surfaces of the secondary battery are inverted relative to each other; a second side surface inspection step in which a part of a side surface of the secondary battery that has not been inspected in the first side surface inspection step is inspected by a second side surface inspector; A visual inspection method including:

12. 12. The visual inspection method according to claim 11, wherein in the transporting step, the secondary battery is transported by the transport device including a linear motion guide through linear motion of the linear motion guide.

13. 12. The appearance inspection method according to claim 11, wherein each of the first side surface inspector and the second side surface inspector is a 3D camera including a light source device that irradiates light along a side surface of the secondary battery and a mirror that reflects the light irradiated by the light source device.

14. 12. The visual inspection method according to claim 11, further comprising a discrimination step in which the secondary battery after the visual inspection is discriminated by a discriminator according to the measured inspection result.

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