Activation system for battery cell

Abstract

The present invention relates to an activation system for a battery cell. The activation system for a battery cell according to the present invention comprises a displacement measuring unit for measuring the degree of bending of a battery cell, wherein the displacement measuring unit comprises: a parallel plate in the shape of a square ring with a through hole formed in the center; a sensor for measuring the distance to the surface of the battery cell; a parallel plate driving unit for causing the parallel plate to move vertically or horizontally; a sensor driving unit for causing the sensor to move vertically or horizontally; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the parallel plate driving unit and the sensor driving unit. The activation system of the present invention includes a displacement measuring unit, which enables reliable bending evaluation for all battery cells being manufactured, and has the effect of enabling analysis of manufacturing process conditions according to the bending level by storing the measured values ​​in a database.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an activation system for a battery cell, and more specifically, to an activation system for a battery cell capable of measuring the degree of bending of the battery cell through a sensor. Background Technology

[0003] Rechargeable batteries are attracting significant attention as an energy source across various product categories, including mobile devices and electric vehicles. As a promising energy resource capable of replacing conventional fossil fuel-based products, these batteries are gaining prominence as an eco-friendly energy source because they do not generate byproducts during use. Recently, driven by technological advancements and increasing demand for mobile devices, the demand for rechargeable batteries as an energy source has been rapidly rising.

[0004] These secondary batteries undergo an activation process following the battery cell packaging process. Here, the "battery cell activation process" refers to the formation process—that is, the process of performing predetermined charge-discharge cycles and aging after manufacturing lithium secondary batteries, such as the recently widely used lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries. The activation process imparts the characteristics of a secondary battery by repeating charge-discharge and aging processes several times so that the original assembled battery cell can store electrical energy.

[0005] Meanwhile, secondary batteries can bend or warp during the charging and discharging processes of the activation process. Conventionally, the degree of bending was assessed through sample inspection once the manufacturing of the battery cells was finally completed; however, since a full inspection was not possible, there was a possibility that defective battery cells with a degree of bending exceeding standard limits could be shipped.

[0006] Furthermore, in conventional sample inspections, an operator visually selected a point deemed to have the most severe bending and measured the depth of the concave area caused by the bending at that selected point. However, since such visual inspection relies on the operator's subjectivity, there were reliability issues.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to develop technology for a battery cell activation system that can accurately measure the degree of bending and enable a complete inspection. Prior art literature

[0009] Republic of Korea Published Patent No. 10-2020-0090101 The problem to be solved

[0010] The present invention aims to provide an activation system for a battery cell equipped with a displacement measuring unit capable of accurately measuring the degree of bending of the battery cell.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems by providing a battery cell activation system that includes a displacement measuring unit to measure the degree of bending for all battery cells, establishes a standard value for bending defects based on the data of the measurements, and analyzes process factors that may affect the degree of bending. means of solving the problem

[0013] The battery cell activation system of the present invention is a battery cell activation system for charging, discharging, and aging a plurality of battery cells,

[0014] It includes a displacement measuring unit for measuring the bending degree of a battery cell, and

[0015] The above displacement measuring unit is,

[0016] A parallel plate in the shape of a square ring with a through hole formed in the center;

[0017] A sensor that measures the distance to the surface of a battery cell;

[0018] A parallel plate driving unit that causes the above parallel plate to move vertically or horizontally;

[0019] A sensor driving unit that causes the sensor to move vertically or horizontally; and

[0020] It includes a control unit that controls the operation of the parallel plate drive unit and the sensor drive unit.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the displacement measuring unit further includes a data processing unit that receives distance data measured from the sensor, stores it, and processes it.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, the data processing unit classifies and processes data by battery cell group having a common factor.

[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, the data processing unit includes a determination unit that determines a bending degree defect when the maximum value of the distance measured by the sensor exceeds a reference value.

[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sensor measures the distance to a battery cell portion located in the internal region of the through hole.

[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention, the parallel plate is configured such that its major axis direction is oriented in the same direction as the full width direction of the battery cell.

[0026] In one embodiment of the present invention, the through hole formed in the parallel plate has a predetermined width and is formed along the long axis direction of the parallel plate.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit selects a distance measurement starting point of the sensor based on the height at which the parallel plate contacts the battery cell and the position information of the through hole, and controls the operation of the sensor driving unit to move the sensor to the selected distance measurement starting point.

[0028] An activation system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a charge / discharge chamber for activating a plurality of battery cells by charging and discharging them; and an aging unit for aging the charged / discharged battery cells.

[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, the displacement measuring unit is located downstream of the chamber and the aging unit.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, the measuring unit is located between the chamber and the aging unit.

[0031] An activation system according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes a transfer unit for transferring a battery cell from either the charge / discharge chamber or the aging unit to the displacement measuring unit.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present invention, the charge / discharge chamber comprises: a tray for accommodating a plurality of battery cells; a charge / discharge unit electrically connected to a plurality of battery cells stored in the tray to charge / discharge the battery cells; and a cooling unit for cooling a plurality of battery cells stored in the tray.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cooling unit includes one or more air supply units, wherein the air supply units are evenly divided and arranged on the upper part of the tray.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the air supply unit is a blower fan, the tray is structured to accommodate a plurality of battery cells arranged vertically, and the cooling unit blows downward airflow through a blower fan located at the top of the tray. Effects of the invention

[0036] The activation system of the present invention improves the reliability of the inspection by accurately determining the maximum value of the distance to the battery cell, which serves as a measure for bending evaluation, as the sensor of the displacement measuring unit moves along a predetermined driving path and measures the distance to the battery cell at multiple points.

[0037] In addition, the activation system of the present invention has the effect of storing distance information measured by a sensor in a database and analyzing the correlation between the bending level of a battery cell and process conditions based on this. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0039] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a displacement measuring unit constituting a battery cell activation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the concept of measuring the degree of bending by a combination of a sensor of a displacement measuring unit and a parallel plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a top view showing an embodiment of measuring the degree of bending by combining a sensor of the displacement measuring unit of the present invention and a parallel plate. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the vertical movement of a parallel plate. FIG. 5 is a top view showing an embodiment of measuring the degree of bending by combining a sensor of the displacement measuring unit of the present invention and a parallel plate. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a displacement measuring unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0040] The present invention will be described in detail below. Prior to this, terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings. Instead, based on the principle that the inventor may appropriately define the concepts of terms to best describe their invention, they must be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0042] In this application, terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to specify the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof. Furthermore, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is described as being "on" another part, this includes not only cases where it is "immediately above" the other part, but also cases where there is another part in between. Conversely, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is described as being "under" another part, this includes not only cases where it is "immediately below" the other part, but also cases where there is another part in between. Additionally, in this application, being placed "on" may include cases where it is placed on the lower part as well as on the upper part.

[0044] The present invention relates to a battery cell activation system that measures the degree of bending for all battery cells manufactured on a battery cell manufacturing line, databases the measured degree of bending, identifies the level of bending according to process conditions, and selects defective batteries with severe bending.

[0045] Conventional activation systems determine the degree of bending by sampling completed battery cells. Since the measurement of bending is performed by operators relying on visual inspection, there is a problem of low accuracy due to dependence on the operator's subjective judgment, and the possibility of shipping defective battery cells resulting from the sampling investigation could not be ruled out.

[0046] Accordingly, the present invention provides an activation system that measures the degree of bending for all battery cells in a battery cell manufacturing line and selects battery cells with severe bending based on the measured data.

[0048] Hereinafter, the activation system of a battery cell according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[0049] An activation system for a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention is an activation system for a battery cell that charges, discharges, and ages a plurality of battery cells,

[0050] It includes a displacement measuring unit for measuring the bending degree of a battery cell, and the displacement measuring unit,

[0051] A parallel plate in the shape of a square ring with a through hole formed in the center;

[0052] A sensor that measures the distance to the surface of a battery cell;

[0053] A parallel plate driving unit that causes the above parallel plate to move vertically or horizontally;

[0054] A sensor driving unit that causes the sensor to move vertically or horizontally; and

[0055] It includes a control unit that controls the operation of the parallel plate drive unit and the sensor drive unit.

[0056] The activation system of the present invention includes a displacement measuring unit for measuring the degree of bending for all battery cells, thereby preventing battery cells with a bending level exceeding a standard from being shipped.

[0057] The displacement measuring unit of the present invention measures the distance to the battery cell using a parallel plate and a sensor, and evaluates the degree of bending through the maximum value of the measured distance. When the convex part of the bent battery cell is placed on a flat surface with the convex part facing downward, the central convex part touches the surface, and both ends are slightly lifted off the surface. Referring to FIG. 2, the bent battery cell (10) takes on a gentle hemispherical shape, and the depth (h) of the hemisphere gradually increases from one end of the parallel plate toward the center.

[0058] The parallel plate (110) is for measuring the depth of the portion that has been pushed inward by the bending of the battery cell. With the parallel plate (110) in contact with the battery cell (10), the sensor (120) measures the distance to the battery cell (10) and the distance to the parallel plate (110), thereby allowing the depth of the portion that has been pushed inward by the bending of the battery cell to be measured.

[0059] Additionally, as the sensor moves from one end point of the parallel plate (110) toward the other end of the parallel plate along a predetermined travel path, the distance to the battery cell and the parallel plate is measured at a plurality of measurement points, and the measurement position having the largest value among the measured values ​​becomes the point where the maximum displacement due to bending occurs.

[0060] The parallel plate has a through hole formed in the center that has the same shape as the parallel plate, and the sensor measures the distance to the battery cell through the through hole. That is, the sensor is configured to measure the distance to the battery cell portion located within the internal area of ​​the through hole.

[0061] The above parallel plate is configured so that its major axis direction is oriented in the same direction as the overall width direction of the battery cell. Additionally, the through hole formed in the above parallel plate may have a predetermined width and may be formed along the major axis direction of the parallel plate.

[0062] The parallel plate and the sensor are each configured to move horizontally and vertically, respectively. To this end, the displacement measuring unit of the present invention includes a parallel plate driving unit that drives the parallel plate and a sensor driving unit that drives the sensor.

[0063] The operation of the parallel plate and the sensor by the parallel plate driving unit and the sensor driving unit is briefly explained. The parallel plate is positioned above the battery cell, and when it is necessary to measure the bending degree of the battery cell, the parallel plate driving unit lowers the parallel plate in the direction of the battery cell. At this time, the distance traveled by the parallel plate is such that the parallel plate can come into contact with the battery cell, and if it exceeds this distance, the parallel plate may forcibly press against the battery cell, which is undesirable.

[0064] Subsequently, the sensor drive unit lowers the sensor to a height where the parallel plate is located or a slightly higher height. At this time, the sensor drive unit lowers the sensor so that it is positioned within the internal region of the through hole formed in the parallel plate. Once the sensor is lowered into the internal region of the through hole of the parallel plate, the sensor drive unit moves the sensor horizontally along the long axis of the parallel plate or the through hole. While moving horizontally by the sensor drive unit, the sensor measures the distance to the battery cell through the through hole. The sensor also measures the distance to the parallel plate.

[0065] When distance measurement by the sensor is finished, the sensor drive unit moves the sensor back to its original position, and the parallel plate drive unit also moves the parallel plate back to its original position.

[0066] In addition, the displacement measuring unit of the present invention includes a control unit that controls the operation of the parallel plate driving unit and the sensor driving unit. In one specific example, the control unit may select a distance measurement starting point of the sensor based on the height at which the parallel plate contacts the battery cell and the position information of the through hole, and control the operation of the sensor driving unit to move the sensor to the selected distance measurement starting point.

[0067] The displacement measuring unit of the present invention includes a data processing unit that stores and processes the distance measured by the sensor. The data processing unit receives distance data measured by the sensor, stores it, and creates a database.

[0068] Specifically, the data processing unit classifies and processes data by battery cell groups having common factors. Here, common factors may be process factors such as battery cell activation conditions (charge / discharge conditions, temperature, humidity) and battery cell material characteristics. Since the bending degree of a battery cell varies depending on these process factors, it is difficult to evaluate it using a single standard. Therefore, by grouping battery cells with similar process factors and storing and managing data for each group of battery cells, it is possible to establish bending defect criteria optimized for the corresponding battery cell group and to analyze process conditions.

[0069] Therefore, the activation system of the present invention has the effect of storing distance information measured by a sensor in a database and analyzing the correlation between the bending level of a battery cell and process conditions based thereon.

[0070] The data processing unit may include a determination unit that determines the bending degree as defective when the maximum value of the distance measured by the sensor exceeds a reference value.

[0071] In one specific example, the activation system of the present invention includes a charge / discharge chamber for activating a plurality of battery cells by charging and discharging them; and an aging section for aging the charged / discharged battery cells.

[0072] The above-described charge / discharge chamber is a device for charging and discharging battery cells according to predetermined charge / discharge conditions and includes: a tray for accommodating a plurality of battery cells; a charge / discharge unit electrically connected to a plurality of battery cells stored in the tray to charge and discharge the battery cells; and a cooling unit for cooling a plurality of battery cells stored in the tray.

[0073] The above aging unit is for aging or stabilizing a battery cell immediately after the injection of electrolyte or a charged or discharged battery cell, or for monitoring the OCV (open circuit voltage) of a battery cell, and may include a device that maintains a certain condition and has a storage space capable of accommodating the battery cell.

[0074] The displacement measuring unit of the present invention is located downstream of the chamber and the aging unit and can measure the degree of bending for a battery cell in which the manufacturing process is completed.

[0075] Alternatively, the displacement measuring unit may be located between the chamber and the aging unit, in which case the degree of bending of the battery cell during the activation process may be measured to remove defective battery cells early.

[0076] In one specific example, the activation system of the present invention further includes a transfer unit for transferring a battery cell from either the charge / discharge chamber or the aging unit to the displacement measuring unit. The type of the transfer unit is not limited as long as it is a means capable of transferring the battery cell, and specifically, it may be a conveyor belt.

[0078] The cooling unit constituting the above-mentioned charge / discharge chamber is for discharging heat generated during charge / discharge, and the cooling unit may include one or more air supply units, wherein the air supply units may be structured to be evenly divided and arranged on the upper part of the tray.

[0079] At this time, the air supply unit is a blower fan, and the cooling unit may blow downward airflow through a blower fan located on the upper part of the tray.

[0081] The present invention will be described in more detail below through drawings and the like. However, it should be understood that the configurations described in the drawings in this specification are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention, and that various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist.

[0083] [First Embodiment]

[0084] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a displacement measuring unit constituting a battery cell activation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the displacement measuring unit (100) of the present invention comprises: a square ring-shaped parallel plate (110) having a through hole (111) formed in the center; a sensor (120) for measuring the distance to the surface of a battery cell (10); a parallel plate driving unit (130) for causing the parallel plate (110) to move vertically or horizontally; a sensor driving unit (140) for causing the sensor (120) to move vertically or horizontally; and a control unit (150) for controlling the operation of the parallel plate driving unit and the sensor driving unit.

[0085] In order to measure the degree of bending of a battery cell (10), the displacement measuring unit (100) of the present invention places a parallel plate (110) with a flat bottom surface in contact with the battery cell (10) and measures the distance (depth) from the parallel plate (110) to the upper surface of the battery cell. If the battery cell is completely flat without bending, the upper surface of the battery cell will be almost in contact with the bottom surface of the parallel plate, and the distance from the parallel plate to the battery cell will be close to 0. However, if the battery cell has bending, the battery cell will move away from the parallel plate by the degree of bending.

[0086] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the concept of measuring the degree of bending by a combination of the sensor and a parallel plate of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an upper view of FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, while the parallel plate (110) is in contact with the battery cell (10), the sensor (120) moves along a predetermined driving path and measures the distance (h) from the parallel plate (110) to the battery cell. When the battery cell is bent or curved as in FIG. 2, the distance measured by the sensor shows a tendency to increase along the sensor's driving path and then decrease.

[0087] The maximum value of the distance to the battery cell measured in this way can serve as a measure to evaluate the degree of bending of the battery cell. In other words, the greater the degree of bending of the battery cell, the greater the maximum value of the distance to the battery cell measured by the sensor.

[0088] With the naked eye, it is impossible to accurately determine the point where the distance from the parallel plate to the battery cell is greatest. However, the displacement measuring unit of the present invention measures the distance to the battery cell at multiple points while the sensor moves along a predetermined driving path, and through the comparison and contrast of the measured values, it becomes possible to accurately determine the maximum value of the distance from the parallel plate to the battery cell.

[0089] Meanwhile, the parallel plate (110) may have a square ring shape with a through hole (111) formed in the center. The through hole (111) formed in the center of the parallel plate (110) is intended to allow the sensor (120) to measure the distance to the battery cell (10) through the empty space of the through hole (111). That is, the sensor (120) measures the distance to the battery cell for the battery cell portion located in the internal area of ​​the through hole (111).

[0090] Referring to FIG. 3, the parallel plate (110) is positioned so that its major axis direction (x-axis direction in FIG. 3) is oriented in the same direction as the full width direction of the battery cell (10). The through hole (111) formed in the parallel plate (110) has a predetermined width and is formed along the major axis direction (x-axis direction) of the parallel plate. Since the sensor (120) measures the distance to the battery cell through the internal region of the through hole (111), the width of the through hole is sufficient if it is large enough for the sensor to measure the distance. In addition, since the sensor measures the distance at multiple points along the length direction of the through hole, the length of the through hole is sufficient if it is long enough to cover the full width direction of the battery cell.

[0091] As long as the sensor (120) is capable of measuring the distance to the battery cell, there are no special restrictions on its type. Specifically, it may be a distance sensor using an ultrasonic method, or a light sensor that irradiates light, receives reflected light, and calculates the distance based on the time difference of the received light.

[0092] As described above, the sensor (120) measures the distance to the battery cell (10), and measures the distance from the sensor to the battery cell (L1) and the distance from the sensor to the parallel plate (L2), respectively, and can calculate the distance from the parallel plate to the battery cell (L1-L2=h) from the difference between these measured values.

[0093] The parallel plate driving unit (130) is a member that causes the parallel plate (110) to move vertically or horizontally. FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the vertical movement of the parallel plate (110). Referring to FIG. 4, in order to measure the degree of bending of the battery cell, the parallel plate (110) first moves vertically downward (in the direction of the arrow) toward the battery cell so that it comes into contact with the battery cell (10). Once the distance measurement by the sensor is completed, the parallel plate moves vertically upward and returns to its original position.

[0094] Meanwhile, the parallel plate may also move in a horizontal direction as needed. Referring to FIG. 5, in a displacement measuring unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, the parallel plate (110) may be configured to move horizontally along the length direction (y-axis direction) of the battery cell (1) by a parallel plate driving unit, and the sensor (120) may be configured to measure the distance to the battery cell along the movement line of the arrow in conjunction with this. At this time, the sensor (120) may be moved by a sensor driving unit.

[0095] The sensor driving unit (140) is a component that causes the sensor to move vertically or horizontally. As described above, as the parallel plate moves vertically downward toward the battery cell, the sensor also moves vertically downward toward the battery cell simultaneously with the parallel plate or after the movement of the parallel plate. At this time, since the sensor needs to measure the distance from the parallel plate to the battery cell, it is configured to move to a position higher than the parallel plate or to the same height as the parallel plate.

[0096] The above control unit (150) controls the operation of the parallel plate drive unit and the sensor drive unit.

[0097] In one specific example, the control unit selects a point where the sensor begins distance measurement based on the height at which the parallel plate contacts the battery cell and the location information of the through hole. Since the sensor measures the distance to the battery cell through the interior of the through hole, the position of the sensor is linked to the position of the through hole. In addition, since the sensor must measure the distance from the parallel plate to the battery cell, it is problematic if the height of the sensor is lower than that of the parallel plate; it must be higher than the height of the parallel plate or at least at the same height as the parallel plate. Accordingly, the control unit selects a point where the sensor begins distance measurement based on the location of the through hole and the height of the parallel plate.

[0098] The control unit selects a distance measurement starting point for the sensor and issues an operation command to the sensor drive unit, causing the sensor to move to the selected starting point. Subsequently, the sensor begins distance measurement at the starting point and measures the distance to the battery cell sequentially or continuously while moving along a predetermined driving path.

[0099] When distance measurement by the sensor is completed, the control unit sends an operation command to the parallel plate drive unit and the sensor drive unit, respectively, and the parallel plate drive unit and the sensor drive unit drive the parallel plate and the sensor, respectively, to return to their original positions.

[0100] Accordingly, the bending degree of the battery cell is measured by the displacement measuring unit.

[0101] In one specific example, the activation system of the present invention includes a charge / discharge chamber for activating a plurality of battery cells by charging and discharging them; and an aging section for aging the charged / discharged battery cells.

[0102] The above-described charge / discharge chamber is for charging or discharging battery cells and may include a tray accommodating a plurality of battery cells; a charge / discharge unit electrically connected to a plurality of battery cells stored in the tray to charge or discharge the battery cells; and a cooling unit for cooling a plurality of battery cells stored in the tray.

[0103] The above tray is a member in the shape of a roughly rectangular box with an open top, in which a plurality of battery cells are arranged and mounted in a matrix shape. At this time, the height of the tray is formed to correspond approximately to the height of the battery cells. In addition, the tray has a structure in which both sides are perforated so that the first and second electrode leads of the stored battery cells can protrude. In a specific example, since both sides of the tray are perforated, the first and second electrode leads of the battery cells stored in the tray can be connected to the outside. For example, the first and second electrode leads of the battery cells stored in the tray are electrically connected to a charging / discharging unit to be described later.

[0104] The charging and discharging unit is located on both sides of the tray and is electrically connected to the first and second electrode leads of a plurality of battery cells stored in the tray. In a specific example, the charging and discharging unit is coupled to supply power to the plurality of battery cells stored in the tray, thereby allowing the battery cells to be charged and discharged for a set charging and discharging time, voltage, number of cycles, etc. Furthermore, it includes a control unit capable of monitoring the charging and discharging status during the charging and discharging process of the battery cells and performing and controlling various operations, such as moving the battery cells back to their original position after the operation is completed. A detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0105] The charge / discharge chamber of the present invention includes a cooling unit that cools the heat when the temperature of the battery cell rises due to charging and discharging.

[0106] The above cooling unit may include one or more air supply units, wherein the air supply units may be structured to be evenly divided and arranged on the upper part of the tray.

[0107] In one specific example, the air supply unit may be a blower fan located at the top of the tray and blow downward airflow to the battery cell through the blower fan.

[0108] The above aging unit is intended for aging battery cells and may include a space capable of accommodating a plurality of battery cells and a device capable of maintaining a constant temperature or humidity. The aging unit provides a space for leaving battery cells for a certain period of time immediately after electrolyte injection so that the electrolyte can impregnate the electrodes, or for leaving battery cells that have been initially charged for a certain period of time to stabilize them.

[0109] In one specific example, the displacement measuring unit may be located downstream of the chamber and the aging unit.

[0111] [Second Embodiment]

[0112] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a displacement measuring unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the displacement measuring unit (100) of the present invention comprises: a square ring-shaped parallel plate (110) having a through hole (111) formed in the center; a sensor (120) for measuring the distance to the surface of a battery cell (10); a parallel plate driving unit (130) for causing the parallel plate (110) to move vertically or horizontally; a sensor driving unit (140) for causing the sensor (120) to move along a predetermined driving path; a control unit (150) for controlling the operation of the parallel plate driving unit and the sensor driving unit; and a data processing unit (160) for receiving distance data measured from the sensor, storing and processing the data.

[0113] The data processing unit can store a large amount of data after measuring the distance of all battery cells using the displacement measuring unit, select a standard value for bending defects from the stored data, and perform correlation analysis with process conditions.

[0114] Specifically, the data processing unit can process data by classifying it according to groups of battery cells having common factors. Here, common factors may refer to the same lot unit, or manufacturing processes such as the same charge / discharge conditions and aging conditions. Since battery cells with the same lot unit or process conditions must have the same degree of bending managed, by classifying and processing data according to groups of battery cells having common factors, a standard value for the appropriate degree of bending can be derived according to the same battery cell group.

[0115] The above data processing unit may include a determination unit that determines the bending degree as defective when the maximum value of the distance measured by the sensor exceeds a reference value.

[0116] In one specific example, the data processing unit can select a reference value serving as a criterion for defects using a statistical method based on the distance measurement data of all units. Typically, for groups of battery cells sharing common factors, the maximum distance data to the battery cell, which serves as a measure for bendability evaluation, may exhibit the form of a normal distribution curve; in a normal distribution curve, a large deviation indicates a high probability of being a defect. Therefore, if the deviation exceeds a predetermined range, it can be identified as a bendability defect.

[0117] The displacement measuring unit of the present invention can derive a reference value for bending defects based on data fully measured by the data processing unit, thus having high reliability, and since the displacement measuring unit includes a judgment unit, it has the effect of automatically selecting defective batteries with severe bending.

[0119] The foregoing description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical concept of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to make various modifications and variations within the scope of the essential characteristics of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings disclosed in this invention are intended to explain, not limit, the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the present invention is not limited by these drawings. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0121] 1: Battery cell 100: Displacement measuring unit 110: Parallel plates 120: Sensor 130: Parallel plate drive unit 140: Sensor drive unit 150: Control unit 160: Data Processing Unit

Claims

Claim 1 A battery cell activation system for charging, discharging, and aging a plurality of battery cells, comprising a displacement measuring unit for measuring the degree of bending of the battery cells, wherein the displacement measuring unit comprises: a parallel plate in the shape of a square ring with a through hole formed in the center; a sensor for measuring the distance to the surface of the battery cell through the through hole; a parallel plate driving unit for causing the parallel plate to move vertically or horizontally; a sensor driving unit for causing the sensor to move vertically or horizontally; and a control unit for controlling the operation of the parallel plate driving unit and the sensor driving unit, wherein the sensor is a light sensor that irradiates light, receives reflected light, and calculates the distance based on the time difference of the received light. Claim 2 In claim 1, the displacement measuring unit further comprises a data processing unit that receives distance data measured from the sensor and stores and processes it. Claim 3 In claim 2, the data processing unit is a battery cell activation system that classifies and processes data by battery cell group having a common factor. Claim 4 In claim 2, the data processing unit includes a determination unit that determines a bending defect when the maximum value of the distance measured by the sensor exceeds a reference value. Claim 5 In claim 1, the sensor is an activation system for a battery cell that measures the distance to a battery cell portion located in the internal region of the through hole. Claim 6 In claim 1, the parallel plate is configured such that its major axis direction is oriented in the same direction as the full width direction of the battery cell. Claim 7 In claim 1, the through hole formed in the parallel plate has a predetermined width and is formed along the long axis direction of the parallel plate. Claim 8 In claim 1, the control unit selects a distance measurement starting point of the sensor based on the height at which the parallel plate contacts the battery cell and the position information of the through hole, and controls the operation of the sensor driving unit to move the sensor to the selected distance measurement starting point, thereby activating the battery cell. Claim 9 A battery cell activation system according to claim 1, further comprising: a charge / discharge chamber for activating a plurality of battery cells by charging and discharging; and an aging unit for aging the charged / discharged battery cells. Claim 10 In claim 9, the displacement measuring unit is an activation system for a battery cell located downstream of the chamber and the aging unit. Claim 11 In claim 9, the displacement measuring unit is an activation system for a battery cell located between the chamber and the aging unit. Claim 12 An activation system for a battery cell according to claim 9, further comprising a transfer unit for transferring the battery cell from either the charge / discharge chamber or the aging unit to the displacement measuring unit. Claim 13 In claim 9, the charge / discharge chamber comprises: a tray for accommodating a plurality of battery cells; a charge / discharge unit electrically connected to a plurality of battery cells stored in the tray to charge / discharge the battery cells; and a cooling unit for cooling a plurality of battery cells stored in the tray, thereby forming an activation system for battery cells. Claim 14 In claim 13, the cooling unit comprises one or more air supply units, wherein the air supply units are evenly divided and arranged on the upper part of the tray, thereby forming an activation system for a battery cell. Claim 15 In claim 13, the cooling unit is a battery cell activation system that blows downward airflow through a blower fan located on the upper part of the tray.

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