Measuring apparatus for secondary battery

Abstract

A measuring apparatus for a secondary battery, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a sensing unit which measures an object; and a housing in which the object is accommodated and which includes an opening so that the object can be sensed by the sensing unit, wherein the sensing unit is disposed outside the housing so as to reduce or prevent foreign matter that is transferred from the inside of the housing to the sensing unit.

Description

Measuring device for secondary batteries

[0001] Cross-citation with related application(s)

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0079007, filed June 20, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The present invention relates to a measuring device for a secondary battery, and more specifically, to a device capable of accurately measuring an object such as a secondary battery without being affected by foreign substances such as dust.

[0004] In modern society, the widespread use of portable devices like cell phones, laptops, camcorders, and digital cameras, as well as energy storage systems (ESS), has led to active development of related technologies. Furthermore, rechargeable secondary batteries are increasingly being used as power sources for electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (P-HEVs) to address air pollution issues caused by conventional gasoline-powered vehicles, further fueling the growing need for secondary battery development.

[0005] Currently commercialized secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium secondary batteries. Among these, lithium secondary batteries are receiving the most attention due to their advantages of free charging and discharging, low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0006] Depending on the shape of the outer packaging material, these secondary batteries can be classified into can-type secondary batteries in which the electrode assembly is built into a metal can and pouch-type secondary batteries in which the electrode assembly is built into a pouch made of an aluminum laminate sheet.

[0007] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of a pouch-type secondary battery. Fig. 2 illustrates a case where the electrode tabs of the pouch-type secondary battery of Fig. 1 are welded. Fig. 3 illustrates a case where the pouch outer material of the pouch-type secondary battery of Fig. 1 is sealed.

[0008] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pouch-type secondary battery may include an electrode assembly (30) and a pouch outer case (40) that accommodates the electrode assembly (30).

[0009] The electrode assembly (30) has a basic structure of a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate on which a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material are respectively applied, and a separator interposed therebetween. The electrode assembly (30) includes a holding portion on which a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material are respectively applied, and a non-conductive portion on which the separator is exposed because the active material is not applied. The electrode assembly (30) is accommodated in an internal space (I) formed in a pouch outer case (40) together with an electrolyte. The pouch outer case (40) may be formed of an upper pouch (41) and a lower pouch (42), and a sealing portion (S) is provided on the outer circumferences of the upper pouch (41) and the lower pouch (42), such that the sealing portions (S) are adhered to each other, so that the electrode assembly (30) and the internal space (I) containing the electrolyte can be sealed.

[0010] One or more positive electrode tabs (21) and negative electrode tabs (22) may extend from the positive and negative electrode plates, respectively. These electrode tabs (20) (positive electrode tabs (21) and negative electrode tabs (22)) may be joined to electrode leads (10) (positive electrode leads (11) and negative electrode leads (12)), respectively. In addition, a portion of the positive electrode leads (11) and negative electrode leads (12) may be exposed to the outside of the pouch outer case (40), thereby providing electrode terminals that may be electrically connected to external components of the secondary battery, such as other secondary batteries or bus bars.

[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a case where a bundle of a plurality of electrode tabs (20) are joined (welded) by a horn (201) and an anvil (202) of a process device (100, e.g., a welding device). Similarly, as in the part indicated by A in FIG. 1, the electrode tabs (20) and the electrode leads (10) can also be joined by a horn (201) and anvil (202). In addition, FIG. 3 illustrates a case where the sealing portion (S) of the pouch outer material (40) is joined (sealed) by a horn (201) and anvil (202) of a process device (100, e.g., a sealing device). Similarly, as in the part indicated by B in FIG. 1, the uncoated portion of the electrode assembly (30) can also be joined by a horn (201) and anvil (202).

[0012] In the process of manufacturing such secondary batteries, the object and / or the measuring device such as the sensor that measures the object (e.g., the lens of the laser emitting unit and / or light receiving unit of the measuring device) may be exposed to foreign substances such as dust. If the measuring device is exposed to foreign substances such as dust, the measuring performance may deteriorate or the measuring device may malfunction.

[0013] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a device capable of accurately measuring an object even in an environment where foreign substances such as dust are generated.

[0014] However, the problems to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the problems described above and can be expanded in various ways within the scope of the technical ideas included in the present invention.

[0015] A measuring device for a secondary battery according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a sensing unit for measuring an object, and a housing that accommodates the object therein and includes an opening so that the object can be sensed by the sensing unit, wherein the sensing unit is disposed outside the housing so as to reduce or prevent foreign substances inside the housing from being transmitted to the sensing unit.

[0016] It further includes a sensing path part of a passage structure connecting the sensing unit and the opening of the housing, and the sensing unit can measure the object inside the housing through the sensing path part.

[0017] The above sensing unit is a laser sensor or an optical sensor, and the inner wall of the sensing path section can be blacked out.

[0018] An optical component is additionally included inside the sensing path section, wherein the optical component includes at least one of a mirror, a lens, an aperture, and a splitter, and the sensing path from the sensing unit can be bent or curved in some sections to reach the target object by the optical component.

[0019] It further includes a suction unit that suctions air containing foreign substances inside the housing, and the suction unit can be integrated into the housing or connected to a suction hole provided in the housing by a pipe or tube.

[0020] The above suction unit can suction air containing the foreign matter at predetermined time intervals or continuously.

[0021] The housing further includes a PM sensor (Particulate Matter Sensor) that measures the concentration of foreign substances inside the housing, and when the concentration of the foreign substances measured by the PM sensor is higher than a predetermined first concentration, the suction unit is operated, and when the concentration is lower than a predetermined second concentration, the suction unit is stopped, and the first concentration may be higher than the second concentration.

[0022] The object may be at least one of a battery cell, a component of the battery cell, and a process device for manufacturing the battery cell, and the sensing unit may be a sensor that measures at least one of a distance and an angle of the object.

[0023] The above process device may be at least one of a welding device, a joining device, and a sealing device.

[0024] The above housing may be made of a transparent material.

[0025] The above opening may be covered with a transparent material, and the housing may be sealed.

[0026] According to the present invention, if foreign substances such as dust come into contact with the light-emitting / receiving portion of the measuring device, a measurement error may occur. However, since the measuring device can be protected from an environment in which foreign substances such as dust are generated, measurement errors or malfunctions of the measuring device can be prevented, and the quality of the secondary battery produced can be improved accordingly.

[0027] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0028] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a typical pouch-type secondary battery.

[0029] Figure 2 illustrates a case of sealing the pouch outer material of the pouch-type secondary battery of Figure 1.

[0030] Fig. 3 illustrates a case of welding the electrode tab of the pouch-type secondary battery of Fig. 1.

[0031] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a measuring device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 5 illustrates a modified example of the measuring device of Figure 4.

[0033] Figure 6 schematically illustrates a state diagram of a day in which the measuring device of Figure 3 is used in the manufacturing process of a secondary battery.

[0034] Figure 7 schematically illustrates another use state diagram in which the measuring device of Figure 3 is used in the manufacturing process of a secondary battery.

[0035] Figure 8 schematically illustrates another use state diagram in which the measuring device of Figure 3 is used in the manufacturing process of a secondary battery.

[0036] Figures 9 to 12 illustrate exemplary methods of measuring an object in the sensing unit of Figure 4.

[0037] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the invention. The present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0038] In order to clearly explain the present invention, parts that are not related to the description are omitted, and the same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components throughout the specification.

[0039] Furthermore, the sizes and thicknesses of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily indicated for convenience of explanation, and thus the present invention is not necessarily limited to the illustrated components. In the drawings, the thicknesses are enlarged to clearly represent various layers and regions. Furthermore, in the drawings, the thicknesses of some layers and regions are exaggerated for convenience of explanation.

[0040] Furthermore, when we say that a layer, membrane, region, plate, or other part is "on" or "over" another part, this includes not only cases where it is "directly on" the other part, but also cases where there are other parts in between. Conversely, when we say that a part is "directly on" another part, it means that there are no other parts in between. Furthermore, saying that a part is "on" or "over" a reference part means that it is located above or below the reference part, and does not necessarily mean that it is located "above" or "over" the direction opposite to gravity.

[0041] Additionally, throughout the specification, whenever a part is said to "include" a component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but rather that it may include other components, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0042] Additionally, throughout the specification, when we say "in plan", we mean when the target portion is viewed from above, and when we say "in cross section", we mean when the target portion is viewed from the side in a cross-section cut vertically.

[0043] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a measuring device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 illustrates a modified example of the measuring device of FIG. 4.

[0045] A measuring device (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a sensing unit (100), a housing (110) that accommodates a target object (200) therein, a sensing path section (120) that connects the sensing unit (100) and the housing (110), and a suction unit (140) that suctions foreign substances such as dust inside the housing (110). Additionally, the measuring device (1) may further include an optical component (130) that is provided on the sensing path section (120).

[0046] First, there is no limitation on the type of sensing unit (100) applicable to the present invention. For example, the sensing unit (100) may be a sensor capable of measuring the alignment of an object (200) by measuring the distance and / or angle of the object to be measured, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Various types of sensors, such as laser sensors, optical sensors, or ultrasonic sensors, may be applied to such sensors.

[0047] In this specification, the object (200) is a general term for something to be sensed (measured) by the sensing unit (100). The object (200) may be, for example, a secondary battery itself, a component of the secondary battery, or, in some cases, a manufacturing process device for manufacturing a secondary battery or a component of the process device, etc., and is a concept that includes anything that can be sensed by the sensing unit (100) in the manufacturing process or actual use of the secondary battery. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, as an example of the object (200), a horn (201) and an anvil (202) corresponding to a process device for manufacturing a secondary battery are included.

[0048] The housing (110) may be formed in a box shape so as to accommodate an object (200) therein. A mounting portion (not shown) may be provided on the inner surface of the housing (110). In addition, the housing (110) includes an opening (111), and a sensing path portion (120) connecting the sensing unit (100) and the housing (110) may be connected to the opening (111). In addition, the housing (110) includes a suction hole (112), and a suction unit (140) may be connected through the suction hole (112).

[0049] First, the housing (110) can be made of a transparent material so that the object (200) can be observed from the outside, and can be made of, for example, a transparent acrylic material. In some cases, the opening (111) can also be covered with a plate made of a transparent material to seal the inside of the housing (110). In addition, the housing (110) is sufficient as long as it houses the object (200) inside and has an appropriate distance between the inner wall of the housing (110) and the object (200) to allow air to circulate or for work to be performed, and there are no special restrictions on the shape and structure of the housing (110).

[0050] The sensing path unit (120) is arranged between the sensing unit (100) and the opening (111) of the housing (110). The sensing unit (100) can measure the object (200) inside the housing (110) through the sensing path unit (120). The sensing path unit (120) is sufficient as long as it has a passage structure and shape that connects the sensing unit (100) and the opening (111) of the housing (110) and does not interfere with the sensing of the sensing unit (100), and there is no particular limitation thereon. In addition, for example, the sensing unit (100) may be a laser sensor or an optical sensor, and when the sensing unit (100) is a laser sensor as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, it emits a laser (L) to measure the object (200). At this time, the laser (L) can pass through the sensing path unit (120). Alternatively, if the sensing unit (100) is a light sensor, the portion indicated as laser (L) can be understood as a light path. If the sensing unit (100) is a laser sensor or a light sensor, the inner wall surface of the sensing path section (120) may be blacked out to prevent the laser (L) from being emitted outside the sensing path section (120).

[0051] Depending on the arrangement of the sensing path unit (120), the laser (L) emitted from the sensing unit (100) may be directed to the target (200) as illustrated in FIG. 5, but there may be cases where the laser (L) cannot be directed to the target (200) but must be reflected or refracted as illustrated in FIG. 4. That is, as in the case of FIG. 4, the sensing path (e.g., the path of the laser (L)) from the sensing unit (100) - the opening (111) of the housing (110) - the target (200) is not formed as a single straight line, but may be bent or curved in some sections. Normally, foreign substances such as dust also have a property of traveling in a straight line, so when the sensing path unit (120) is arranged as illustrated in FIG. 4, relatively less or no foreign substances such as dust may reach the sensing unit (100).

[0052] In the latter case, as illustrated in FIG. 4, an optical component (130) may be included on the sensing path section (120). In the embodiment of FIG. 4, an optical mirror is arranged as an example of the optical component (130), and a case is illustrated where a laser (L) emitted from a light-emitting section (101) of a sensing unit (100) is reflected at a right angle from the optical component (130) and reaches a target object (200). Of course, the laser (L) reflected again from the target object (200) is also reflected at a right angle from the optical component (130) and reaches the light-receiving section (101) of the sensing unit (100).

[0053] The optical component (130) is not limited to the one shown, and may be provided in multiple pieces, and may also include at least one of a mirror, a lens, an aperture, and a splitter, and may be modified and changed in various ways to suit the environment in which the present invention is implemented.

[0054] In addition, the housing (110) may additionally include a suction hole (112). A suction unit (140) for suctioning foreign substances such as dust inside the housing (110) may be placed in the suction hole (112) or may be connected via a tube or the like.

[0055] There is no limitation on the location and number of suction holes (112), and any location that can suction foreign substances such as dust inside the housing (110) is sufficient. The suction holes (112) may be located, for example, where the object (200) is placed, where a large amount of dust or foreign substances are generated, or near the opening (111) to which the sensing path unit (120) is connected.

[0056] The suction unit (140) may be integrated into the housing (110), or may be disposed outside the housing (110) and connected to the suction hole (112) of the housing (110) by a pipe or tube, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0057] The suction hole (112) may be additionally equipped with a filter (113), etc. The filter (113) may be, for example, a dust filter.

[0058] The suction unit (140) can suck (suction) air containing foreign substances such as dust inside the housing (110). For example, it may suck air containing foreign substances such as dust inside the housing (110) using a vacuum pump or the like. The suction unit (140) may operate at predetermined time intervals or continuously. Alternatively, for example, a PM sensor (Particulate Matter Sensor) (not shown) for measuring dust, etc. may be provided inside the housing (110), and the suction unit (140) may operate when the concentration of foreign substances such as dust sensed by the PM sensor exceeds a predetermined first concentration, and may stop when it reaches a predetermined second concentration. Here, the first concentration is higher than the second concentration, and may be set in various ways depending on the environment in which the present invention is implemented. Similarly, the operation method of the suction unit (140) is not limited to the above-described method, and may be variously modified and changed depending on various environments in which the present invention is implemented.

[0059] In addition, the housing (110) may be additionally equipped with a temperature controller or a cooling fan (not shown), and various modifications and changes are possible.

[0060] Figures 6 to 8 schematically illustrate a state of use in which the measuring device (1) of Figure 3 is used in the manufacturing process of a secondary battery.

[0061] FIG. 6 illustrates, as an example, a case of bonding (sealing) the outer casing (40, see FIG. 1) of a pouch-type battery cell. The upper pouch (41) and the lower pouch (42) can be sealed with a high temperature by a horn (201) and an anvil (202). In order to check whether the battery cell itself or the upper pouch (41) and the lower pouch (42) as the measurement target (200) are properly aligned, the position (distance) and / or the tilted angle (tilting angle) of the target (200) are measured by a sensing unit (100, sensor). Alternatively, in order to check whether the horn (201) and the anvil (202) for sealing the pouch (40) are properly aligned, the position (distance) and / or the tilted angle (tilting angle) of the target (200) are measured by a sensing unit (100, sensor). At this time, the object (200) is stored inside the housing (110) and foreign substances such as dust inside the housing (110) are suctioned, while the object (200) is measured by the sensing unit (100) outside the housing (110). Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the light emitting / receiving unit (101) of the sensing unit (100) from being exposed to foreign substances such as dust, resulting in errors in the sensed values.

[0062] Fig. 7 schematically illustrates another use state diagram in which the measuring device (1) of Fig. 3 is used in the manufacturing process of a secondary battery. Fig. 7 illustrates, as another example, a case in which a plurality of electrode tabs (20, see Fig. 1) are joined (welded) into a tab bundle. The process device may be, for example, a laser welder or an ultrasonic welder. In order to check whether the electrode tabs (20) and / or the electrode leads (10) as the measurement target (200) are properly aligned, the position (distance) and / or the tilting angle (tilting angle) of the target (200) are measured by a sensing unit (100, sensor). Similarly, at this time, the target (200) is housed inside a housing (110), and foreign substances such as dust inside the housing (110) are suctioned, while the target (200) is measured by a sensing unit (100) outside the housing (110). Accordingly, it is possible to prevent errors in the sensed values ​​from occurring due to the light emitting / receiving portion (101) of the sensing unit (100) being exposed to foreign substances such as dust.

[0063] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates another use case in which the measuring device (1) of FIG. 3 is used in the manufacturing process of a secondary battery. FIG. 8 illustrates, as another example, a case in which the non-coated portions of an electrode assembly (30, see FIG. 1) are bonded at high temperatures. The process device may be, for example, a sealing device. When sealing is performed to bond the non-coated portions of the electrode assembly (30), the position (distance) and / or tilting angle (tilting angle) of the object (200) are measured by a sensing unit (100, sensor) to check whether the electrode assembly (30) as a measurement object (200) is properly aligned or whether the sealing device is properly aligned over the non-coated portion. Similarly, at this time, the object (200) is housed inside a housing (110) and foreign substances such as dust inside the housing (110) are suctioned, while the object (200) is measured by a sensing unit (100) outside the housing (110). Accordingly, it is possible to prevent errors in the sensed values ​​from occurring due to the light emitting / receiving portion (101) of the sensing unit (100) being exposed to foreign substances such as dust.

[0064] As described above, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, examples in which the measuring device (1) of FIG. 4 is used in the manufacturing process of a secondary battery have been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be applied to any case in which the sensing unit (100) is not affected by foreign substances such as dust in the manufacturing process of a secondary battery or the actual use of the secondary battery. In addition, although the sensing unit (100) has been described as an example of a laser-type sensor as described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be applied to various types of sensors such as an ultrasonic type.

[0065] FIGS. 9 to 12 exemplarily illustrate ways of measuring an object (200) in the sensing unit (100) of FIG. 4. S in FIGS. 9 to 11 denotes a sensing area. FIG. 9 exemplarily illustrates a case in which a gap (G) of an object (200) is measured when the object (200) is parallel. FIG. 10 exemplarily illustrates a case in which a gap (G) of an object (200) is measured when the object (200) is not parallel. FIG. 11 exemplarily illustrates a case in which a tilting angle of an object (200) is measured when the object (200) is parallel. FIG. 12 exemplarily illustrates a case in which FIG. 11 is illustrated in more detail, and exemplarily illustrates a case in which the object is rotated around the z-axis in a fixed position and a case in which the object is rotated around the y-axis, respectively.

[0066]

[0067] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the following claims also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0068] [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 100: Sensing unit

[0070] 101: Emitter / Receiver

[0071] 110: Housing

[0072] 111: Opening

[0073] 112: Suction hole

[0074] 113: Filter

[0075] 120: Sensing path section

[0076] 130: Optical components

[0077] 140: Suction unit

[0078] 200: Object

[0079] 201: Soul

[0080] 202: Anvil

Claims

1. In a measuring device for secondary batteries, a sensing unit for measuring an object; and A housing including an opening for storing the object inside and allowing the object to be sensed by the sensing unit, A measuring device for a secondary battery, wherein the sensing unit is disposed outside the housing to reduce or prevent foreign substances inside the housing from being transmitted to the sensing unit.

2. In paragraph 1, It further includes a sensing path part of a passage structure connecting between the sensing unit and the opening of the housing, A measuring device for a secondary battery, wherein the sensing unit can measure the object inside the housing through the sensing path.

3. In paragraph 2, The above sensing unit is a laser sensor or an optical sensor, A measuring device for a secondary battery, wherein the inner wall of the sensing path section is blackened.

4. In paragraph 2, In addition, an optical component is included inside the sensing path section, The optical component comprises at least one of a mirror, a lens, an aperture, and a splitter, A measuring device for a secondary battery, wherein the sensing path from the sensing unit is bent or curved in some sections by the optical component to reach the target object.

5. In paragraph 1, It additionally includes a suction unit that suctions air containing foreign substances inside the housing, A secondary battery measuring device, wherein the suction unit is integrated into the housing or connected to a suction hole provided in the housing by a pipe or tube.

6. In paragraph 5, A secondary battery measuring device, wherein the suction unit sucks air containing the foreign substance at predetermined time intervals or continuously.

7. In paragraph 6, Further comprising a PM sensor (Particulate Matter Sensor) that measures the concentration of foreign substances inside the housing, If the concentration of the foreign substance measured by the PM sensor is higher than a predetermined first concentration, the suction unit is operated, and if it is lower than a predetermined second concentration, the suction unit is stopped. A measuring device for a secondary battery, wherein the first concentration is higher than the second concentration.

8. In paragraph 1, The object is at least one of a battery cell, a component of the battery cell, and a process device for manufacturing the battery cell. A measuring device for a secondary battery, wherein the sensing unit is a sensor that measures at least one of the distance and angle of the object.

9. In paragraph 8, A measuring device for a secondary battery, wherein the process device is at least one of a welding device, a bonding device, and a sealing device.

10. In paragraph 1, A measuring device for a secondary battery, wherein the housing is made of a transparent material.

11. In paragraph 1, The above opening is covered with a transparent member, A measuring device for a secondary battery, wherein the housing is sealed.

Images