Monitoring device and operation method therefor

Abstract

A monitoring device according to one embodiment disclosed herein comprises: a communication circuit; a processor; and memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, can cause the monitoring device to acquire an image of a jellyroll including a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode through the communication circuit, detect starting points of the positive electrode and the negative electrode from the image, and calculate the input amounts of the positive electrode and the negative electrode included in the jellyroll on the basis of the starting points.

Description

Monitoring device and method of operation thereof

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] The embodiments disclosed in this document claim the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0040805, filed on March 28, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] The embodiments disclosed in this document relate to a monitoring device and a method of operating the same.

[0005] Recently, active research and development is being conducted on secondary batteries. Here, the term "secondary battery" refers to a rechargeable battery, encompassing both conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries, as well as recent lithium-ion batteries. Among secondary batteries, lithium-ion batteries have the advantage of a much higher energy density than conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries. Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries can be manufactured in a compact and lightweight form, making them suitable for use as power sources for mobile devices. Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries are attracting attention as a next-generation energy storage medium, as their use is expanding to include power sources for electric vehicles.

[0006] Secondary batteries can generally be used as battery packs comprising battery modules in which multiple battery cells are connected in series and / or parallel. Furthermore, secondary batteries can be used as battery racks comprising multiple battery modules and a rack frame that accommodates these battery modules.

[0007] Here, the battery cell can be manufactured by housing the electrode assembly in a battery case and injecting an electrolyte into the battery case. The battery cell is classified into cylindrical, square, and pouch types depending on the type of battery case, and the cylindrical battery cell can include an electrode assembly, a battery case in the form of a cylindrical metal can housing the electrode assembly and the electrolyte, and a cap assembly assembled on the top of the cylindrical can.

[0008] In the manufacture of such cylindrical battery cells, the input amount of the positive electrode, the separator, the negative electrode, and the jelly roll on which the separator is wound can be important factors in determining whether or not a defective battery cell is defective.

[0009] Camera modules can be used to detect defects in jelly rolls. However, due to membrane interference and poor visibility of the anode and cathode, accurately measuring the amount of anode and cathode input can be resource-intensive. Therefore, a method to minimize user input and reduce the resource consumption required to determine the amount of jelly roll input may be required.

[0010] 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 will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the descriptions below.

[0011] According to one embodiment disclosed in the present document, a monitoring device includes a communication circuit; a processor; and a memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the monitoring device to obtain an image of a jelly roll including an anode, a separator, and a cathode through the communication circuit, detect starting points of the anode and the cathode in the image, and calculate the input amounts of the anode and the cathode included in the jelly roll based on the starting points.

[0012] A method of operating a monitoring device according to an embodiment disclosed in this document may include an operation of acquiring an image of a jelly roll including an anode, a separator, and a cathode, an operation of detecting starting points of the anode and the cathode in the image, and an operation of calculating an input amount of the anode and the cathode included in the jelly roll based on the starting points.

[0013] According to various embodiments disclosed in this document, a monitoring device and an operating method thereof can determine the amount of jelly roll input through a jelly roll image.

[0014] The effects of the monitoring device and its operating method according to the disclosure of this document are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art according to the disclosure of this document.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a jelly roll image according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates an image processed from a jelly roll image according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of a monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] In connection with the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for identical or similar components.

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that the present invention encompasses various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives of the embodiments.

[0021] The embodiments and terminology used in this document are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to a specific embodiment, but should be understood to encompass various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiment. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the item, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0022] In this document, the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" can each include any one of the items listed together in that phrase, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first", "second", "first", "second", "A", "B", "(a)", or "(b)" may be used merely to distinguish the corresponding component from other corresponding components, and do not limit the corresponding components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order) unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0023] In this document, when a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as being “connected,” “coupled,” or “connected,” with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicatively,” or “coupled” or “connected,” it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired or wirelessly), or indirectly (e.g., via a third component).

[0024] The methods according to various embodiments disclosed in this document may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a commodity between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory, CD-ROM), or may be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) through an application store or directly between two user devices. In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or temporarily generated in a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or an intermediary server.

[0025] According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include one or more entities, and some of the entities may be separated and placed in other components. According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, one or more components or operations of the aforementioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., a module or a program) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components identically or similarly to those performed by the corresponding component among the plurality of components prior to the integration. According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, the operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, the monitoring device (101) may include a communication circuit (120), a memory (140), and a processor (150). According to an embodiment, the monitoring device (101) illustrated in FIG. 1 may further include at least one component (e.g., a display, an input device, or an output device) other than the components illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0027] In one embodiment, the communication circuit (120) can establish a wired communication channel and / or a wireless communication channel between the monitoring device (101) and the image acquisition device (103) and / or the user terminal (105), and can transmit and receive data with the image acquisition device (103) and / or the user terminal (105) through the established communication channel. In one embodiment, the communication circuit (120) can obtain an image of the battery unit (115) from the image acquisition device (103). In one embodiment, the battery unit (115) can be a jelly roll in which a positive electrode, a separator, a negative electrode, and a separator are wound.

[0028] In one embodiment, the memory (140) may include volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory.

[0029] In one embodiment, the memory (140) may store data used by at least one component (e.g., processor (150)) of the monitoring device (101). For example, the data may include a program (130) (or instructions related thereto), input data, or output data. In one embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the processor (150), may cause the monitoring device (101) to perform operations defined by the instructions.

[0030] In one embodiment, the memory (140) may include a program (130) (e.g., an artificial intelligence model learning unit (131), an artificial intelligence model (135), an image acquisition unit (141), a parameter extraction unit (143), and an input amount calculation unit (145)).

[0031] In one embodiment, the processor (150) may include a central processing unit, an application processor, a graphics processing unit, a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor.

[0032] In one embodiment, the processor (150) may execute a program (130) (e.g., an artificial intelligence model learning unit (131), an artificial intelligence model (135), an image acquisition unit (141), a parameter extraction unit (143), and an input calculation unit (145)) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of a monitoring device (101) connected to the processor (150) and perform various data processing or calculations.

[0033] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a method for the monitoring device (101) to determine the input amounts of the cathode and anode through the artificial intelligence model learning unit (131), the artificial intelligence model (135), the image acquisition unit (141), the parameter extraction unit (143), and the input amount calculation unit (145) will be specifically described.

[0034] AI model training

[0035] In one embodiment, the artificial intelligence model learning unit (131) may train the artificial intelligence model (135) based on an image (210) of a previously acquired jelly roll. The image (210) may be an image for classifying at least the starting points (211, 215) of the positive and negative electrodes included in the jelly roll. In addition, the image (210) may be an image for classifying at least the regions (221, 225) of the positive and negative electrodes included in the jelly roll.

[0036] In one embodiment, the artificial intelligence model (135) may be a model capable of extracting feature points. In one embodiment, the artificial intelligence model (135) may be trained to extract designated feature points based on an image (210) of a previously acquired jelly roll. In one embodiment, the artificial intelligence model (135) may be trained to extract starting points (211, 215) of the positive and negative electrodes based on the image (210). In one embodiment, the artificial intelligence model (135) may be trained to extract regions (221, 225) of the positive and negative electrodes based on the image (210). In another embodiment, the artificial intelligence model (135) may be trained to extract a positive electrode, a separator, a negative electrode, and a separator included in a jelly roll based on the image (210).

[0037] In one embodiment, the artificial intelligence model (135) may include an input layer, a hidden layer, and an output layer. Here, the input layer may receive images of previously acquired jelly rolls. The hidden layer may have a structure in which multiple layers are sequentially connected. The output layer may be a layer for outputting information (e.g., location, area) regarding feature points included in the images.

[0038] In one embodiment, the artificial intelligence model learning unit (141) may adjust the parameters of the hidden layer so that the information about the acquired feature points and the pre-classification result of the image (210) are identical or less than a reference difference value by inputting the image (210) into the artificial intelligence model (135). Here, the pre-classification result may indicate information about the feature points tagged in advance by the administrator for the image (210) of the previously acquired jelly roll. For example, the pre-classification result may include information about the starting points (211, 215) of the positive and negative poles, and / or the regions (221, 225) of the positive and negative poles.

[0039] Determination of the input amount of the cathode and anode

[0040] In one embodiment, the image acquisition unit (141) can acquire an image of the battery unit (115) from the image acquisition device (103). In one embodiment, the image acquisition unit (141) can acquire an image of the battery unit (115) from the image acquisition device (103) via the communication circuit (120). Here, the battery unit (115) may be a jelly roll in which a positive electrode, a separator, a negative electrode, and a separator are wound. Hereinafter, the image of the battery unit (115) may be referred to as a jelly roll image.

[0041] In one embodiment, the parameter extraction unit (143) can obtain parameters related to a jellyroll from a jellyroll image (310). Here, the parameters related to a jellyroll can be related to starting points of electrodes, areas of electrodes, and / or thicknesses of electrodes.

[0042] In one embodiment, the parameter extraction unit (143) may input the jellyroll image (310) into the artificial intelligence model (135) to obtain parameters related to the jellyroll from the jellyroll image (310). Hereinafter, it will be exemplified that the parameter extraction unit (143) obtains parameters for the starting points (311, 315) of the electrodes by inputting the jellyroll image (310) into the artificial intelligence model (135).

[0043] In one embodiment, the parameter extraction unit (143) may apply a specified image processing algorithm to the jellyroll image (310) to additionally obtain jellyroll-related parameters from the jellyroll image (310). For example, the specified image processing algorithm may include a noise filtering algorithm and a distance map extraction algorithm.

[0044] In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, the parameter extraction unit (143) may apply a noise filtering algorithm to the jellyroll image (310) to generate the jellyroll image (330). When the jellyroll image (310) and the jellyroll image (330) are compared, it can be seen that noises included in the areas between the outlines of the jellyroll image (310) are removed from the jellyroll image (330). The outlines identified in the jellyroll image (310) and the jellyroll image (330) may represent a separator. Therefore, the areas between the outlines of the jellyroll image (310) and the jellyroll image (330) may represent a cathode or an anode.

[0045] In one embodiment, the parameter extraction unit (143) can extract two regions separated by membranes from the jellyroll image (310) (or, jellyroll image (330)). In one embodiment, the parameter extraction unit (143) can extract parameters from each of the two regions.

[0046] In one embodiment, the parameter extraction unit (143) can extract thickness information of each of the two regions. For example, the parameter extraction unit (143) can extract the minimum thickness, maximum thickness, and average thickness of each of the two regions. In one embodiment, the parameter extraction unit (143) can classify the two regions into a cathode region or an anode region based on the thickness information. For example, the parameter extraction unit (143) can classify the region with a relatively large maximum thickness or average thickness among the two regions as a cathode region. For example, the parameter extraction unit (143) can classify the region with a relatively small maximum thickness or average thickness among the two regions as a cathode region.

[0047] In one embodiment, the parameter extraction unit (143) may determine the starting point of the region determined as positive as the positive starting point, and may determine the starting point of the region determined as negative as the negative starting point. In one embodiment, the parameter extraction unit (143) may determine the starting point (315, 335, 355) of the region determined as negative as the negative starting point. In one embodiment, the parameter extraction unit (143) may determine the starting point (311, 331, 351) of the region determined as positive as the positive starting point.

[0048] In one embodiment, the parameter extraction unit (143) can extract the winding path of each of the two regions. In one embodiment, the parameter extraction unit (143) can extract a line segment extending from the center points of the thickness of the cathode region in the jellyroll image (310) (or, jellyroll image (330)) as the winding path of the cathode. In one embodiment, the parameter extraction unit (143) can extract a line segment extending from the center points of the thickness of the anode region in the jellyroll image (310) (or, jellyroll image (330)) as the winding path of the anode. In one embodiment, the parameter extraction unit (143) can generate a distance map (350) that includes only the winding path of the cathode and the winding path of the anode.

[0049] In one embodiment, the input amount calculation unit (145) can calculate the positive electrode input amount and / or the negative electrode input amount of the battery unit (115) based on the parameters of the jelly roll image extracted from the parameter extraction unit (143).

[0050] In one embodiment, the input calculation unit (145) may calculate the first winding length of the anode extending from the starting point of the anode region. In one embodiment, the first winding length may be the length of the first turn of the anode extending from the starting point of the anode region. Here, the first turn may mean one rotation in the winding direction from the starting points (311, 331, 351) of the anode.

[0051] In one embodiment, the input calculation unit (145) may calculate the second winding length of the cathode extending from the starting point of the cathode region. In one embodiment, the second winding length may be the length of the first turn of the cathode extending from the starting point of the cathode region. Here, the first turn may mean one rotation in the winding direction from the starting points (315, 335, 355) of the cathode.

[0052] In one embodiment, the input calculation unit (145) can calculate the first winding length of the positive electrode and the second winding length of the negative electrode based on the distance map (350).

[0053] In one embodiment, the input amount calculation unit (145) may calculate the input amounts of the positive and negative electrodes included in the battery unit (115) based on the first winding length and the second winding length. Here, the input amount calculation unit (145) may calculate the input amounts of the positive and negative electrodes based on information that the input amounts of the positive and negative electrodes are proportional to the winding length. In one embodiment, a proportional constant between the input amount and the winding length may be determined in advance.

[0054] Additionally, the input calculation unit (145) can determine whether the positive and negative poles are reversed by comparing the starting point of the positive region and the starting point of the negative region. For example, if the starting point of the positive region is before the starting point of the negative region, the input calculation unit (145) can determine that the positive and negative poles are reversed.

[0055] In one embodiment, the input amount calculation unit (145) can provide a notification to the user terminal (105) when the input amounts of the negative and positive electrodes wound on the battery unit (115) are not appropriate. In one embodiment, the input amount calculation unit (145) can provide a notification to the user terminal (105) when the negative and positive electrodes wound on the battery unit (115) are reversed.

[0056] In Fig. 1, the monitoring device (101) and the image acquisition device (103) are illustrated as separate devices, but this is merely an example. According to an embodiment, the monitoring device (101) and the image acquisition device (103) may be implemented as one and the same device.

[0057] In the above description with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the parameters obtained by inputting them into the artificial intelligence model (135) are limited to the starting points (311, 315) of the electrodes, but this is only an example. According to an embodiment, the artificial intelligence model (135) may be pre-trained to obtain additional information on not only the starting points of the electrodes but also the areas of the electrodes, the thicknesses of the electrodes, and the winding paths of the electrodes based on the jellyroll image. In this case, the parameter extraction unit (143) may not perform the image processing algorithm required to obtain additional information. In addition, the input amount calculation unit (145) may calculate the input amounts of the positive and negative electrodes included in the battery unit (115) based on the information on the starting points of the electrodes and the winding paths obtained through the artificial intelligence model (135). Finally, the input calculation unit (145) can determine whether the positive and negative poles of the battery unit (115) are reversed based on information about the starting points of the electrodes obtained through the artificial intelligence model (135).

[0058] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of a monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 may be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 4, in operation 410, the monitoring device (101) can acquire an image of a core of a jelly roll including a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode. In one embodiment, the monitoring device (101) can acquire an image of a battery unit (115) from an image acquisition device (103) via a communication circuit (120). Here, the battery unit (115) can be a positive electrode, a separator, a negative electrode, and a jelly roll in which the separator is wound.

[0060] In operation 420, the monitoring device (101) can detect the starting points of the positive and negative poles in the image. In one embodiment, the monitoring device (101) can detect the starting points of the positive and negative poles (311, 315) by inputting the jelly roll image (310) into the artificial intelligence model (135).

[0061] In operation 430, the monitoring device (101) can calculate the input amounts of positive and negative electrodes included in the jelly roll based on the starting points.

[0062] In one embodiment, the monitoring device (101) may calculate a first winding length of the anode extending from the starting point of the anode region. In one embodiment, the first winding length may be the length of the first turn of the anode extending from the starting point of the anode region. Here, the first turn may mean one rotation in the winding direction from the starting points (311, 331, 351) of the anode.

[0063] In one embodiment, the monitoring device (101) can calculate a second winding length of the cathode extending from the starting point of the cathode region. In one embodiment, the second winding length may be the length of the first turn of the cathode extending from the starting point of the cathode region. Here, the first turn may mean one rotation in the winding direction from the starting points (315, 335, 355) of the cathode.

[0064] In one embodiment, the monitoring device (101) can calculate the first winding length of the positive electrode and the second winding length of the negative electrode based on the distance map (350). In one embodiment, the monitoring device (101) can calculate the input amounts of the positive electrode and the negative electrode included in the battery unit (115) based on the first winding length and the second winding length.

[0065] Additionally, the monitoring device (101) can determine whether the positive and negative polarities are reversed by comparing the starting point of the positive region and the starting point of the negative region. For example, if the starting point of the positive region is ahead of the starting point of the negative region, the monitoring device (101) can determine that the positive and negative polarities are reversed.

[0066] In one embodiment, the monitoring device (101) can provide a notification to the user terminal (105) when the input amounts of the negative and positive electrodes wound on the battery unit (115) are not appropriate. In one embodiment, the monitoring device (101) can provide a notification to the user terminal (105) when the negative and positive electrodes wound on the battery unit (115) are reversed.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the monitoring device (101) may further obtain information about the starting points of the electrodes as well as the areas of the electrodes, the thicknesses of the electrodes, and the winding paths of the electrodes by using the artificial intelligence model (135). In this case, the monitoring device (101) may calculate the input amounts of the positive and negative electrodes included in the battery unit (115) based on the information about the starting points of the electrodes and the winding paths obtained through the artificial intelligence model (135). Finally, the monitoring device (101) may determine whether the positive and negative electrodes of the battery unit (115) are reversed based on the information about the starting points of the electrodes obtained through the artificial intelligence model (135).

Claims

1. In the monitoring device, communication circuit; processor; and A memory for storing instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by the processor, the monitoring device, Through the above communication circuit, an image of a jelly roll including an anode, a separator, and a cathode is obtained, Detecting the starting points of the positive and negative poles in the above image, Calculate the input amounts of the positive and negative electrodes included in the jelly roll based on the above starting points. Monitoring device.

2. In claim 1, When the above instructions are executed by the processor, the monitoring device, Compute the first winding length of the positive pole extending from the starting point of the positive pole, Compute the second winding length of the cathode extending from the starting point of the cathode, Calculate the input amounts of the positive electrode and the negative electrode based on the first winding length and the second winding length. Monitoring device.

3. In claim 1, When the above instructions are executed by the processor, the monitoring device, Identify the areas between the contours extending from each of the starting points included in the image, Extract the thickness information of the above areas, Based on the above thickness information, the areas are determined as the anode or the cathode, The starting point of the area determined by the above positive pole is determined as the starting point of the above positive pole, The starting point of the area determined by the above cathode is determined as the starting point of the above cathode. Monitoring device.

4. In claim 3, When the above instructions are executed by the processor, the monitoring device, Among the above regions, the region with a relatively large average thickness is determined as the cathode, Among the above regions, the region with a relatively small average thickness is determined as the anode. Monitoring device.

5. In claim 1, When the above instructions are executed by the processor, the monitoring device, By comparing the starting point of the positive electrode and the starting point of the negative electrode, it is determined whether the positive electrode and the negative electrode are reversed. Monitoring device.

6. In claim 1, When the above instructions are executed by the processor, the monitoring device, By inputting the image into an artificial intelligence model pre-trained to detect the starting points of the positive and negative electrodes based on the reference images for the reference jelly rolls, the starting points are detected. Monitoring device.

7. In the method of operating the monitoring device, An operation of acquiring an image of a jelly roll comprising an anode, a separator, and a cathode; An operation of detecting the starting points of the positive and negative poles in the above image, and An operation of calculating the input amounts of the positive and negative electrodes included in the jelly roll based on the above starting points. How it works.

8. In claim 7, the operation of calculating the input amount is: An operation of calculating a first winding length of the positive pole extending from the starting point of the positive pole; An operation of calculating a second winding length of the cathode extending from the starting point of the cathode, and An operation of calculating the input amounts of the positive electrode and the negative electrode based on the first winding length and the second winding length. How it works.

9. In claim 7, the operation of detecting the starting points of the positive and negative electrodes comprises: An action of identifying areas between contours extending from each of the starting points included in the image; An operation to extract thickness information of the above areas, An operation of determining the areas as the anode or the cathode based on the thickness information; An operation of determining the starting point of the area determined by the above positive pole as the starting point of the above positive pole, and An operation including determining the starting point of the area determined by the cathode as the starting point of the cathode. How it works.

10. In claim 9, the operation of determining the areas as the positive or negative pole comprises: An operation of determining an area with a relatively large average thickness among the above areas as the cathode, and An operation including determining an area having a relatively small average thickness among the above areas as the anode. How it works.

11. In claim 7, Further comprising an operation of comparing the starting point of the positive electrode and the starting point of the negative electrode to determine whether the positive electrode and the negative electrode are reversed. How it works.

12. In claim 7, the operation of detecting the starting points comprises: An operation of detecting the starting points by inputting the image into an artificial intelligence model pre-trained to detect the starting points of the positive and negative electrodes based on reference images for reference jelly rolls. How it works.

Images