Battery manufacturing system and battery manufacturing method

Abstract

According to exemplary embodiments, a system for manufacturing a battery is provided. The battery manufacturing system is configured to unwind an electrode sheet from a first electrode roll and wind the electrode sheet around a second electrode roll, and comprises: a server configured to store coordinate data of the first electrode roll and reference point data indicating a reference point of the first electrode roll; a programmable logic controller (PLC) configured to load the coordinate data and the reference point data of the first electrode roll from the server; and a reference point sensor configured to sense a reference point of an electrode sheet unwound from the first electrode roll and generate a reference point sensing signal. The PLC may be configured to obtain coordinate data of the second electrode roll by correcting inverted coordinate values of stored coordinate values included in coordinate data of the first electrode roll on the basis of inverted coordinate values of stored reference point coordinate values included in the reference point data and the coordinate value of the sensed reference point.

Description

Battery manufacturing system and battery manufacturing method

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for manufacturing a battery and a method for manufacturing a battery.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0117944, filed September 5, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. Batteries are widely used as the energy source for various wireless devices, such as handsets, laptops, and cordless vacuum cleaners. Recently, improvements in energy density and economies of scale have dramatically reduced the manufacturing cost per unit of battery capacity, and the range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has increased to match that of fuel-powered vehicles. Consequently, the primary use of batteries is shifting from mobile devices to mobility.

[0004] Batteries are manufactured through electrode processes, assembly processes, and activation processes. Among these, the electrode process is the most critical process in determining the yield and performance of the battery cell. The electrode process may include a coating process, a roll-pressing process, and a slitting process. In the coating process, active and insulating materials may be applied to the surface of the current collector. In the roll-pressing process, the electrode may be pressed by pressure rolls. The roll-pressing process may determine the density, performance, and surface quality of the electrode. In the slitting process, the electrode may be cut into multiple electrodes depending on the battery cell design.

[0005] The technical idea of ​​the present invention aims to solve a problem by providing a battery manufacturing system and a battery manufacturing method with improved reliability and traceability.

[0006] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention for solving the above-described problem, a system for manufacturing a battery is provided. The system comprises a battery manufacturing system for unwinding an electrode sheet from a first electrode roll and winding the electrode sheet onto a second electrode roll, the system comprising: a server configured to store coordinate data of the first electrode roll and reference point data indicating a reference point of the first electrode roll; a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) configured to load the coordinate data and reference point data of the first electrode roll from the server; and a reference point sensor configured to detect a reference point of an electrode sheet unwound from the first electrode roll and generate a reference point detection signal; wherein the PLC may be configured to acquire coordinate data of the second electrode roll by correcting inverted coordinate values ​​of stored coordinate values ​​included in the coordinate data of the first electrode roll based on inverted coordinate values ​​of stored reference point coordinate values ​​included in the reference point data and coordinate values ​​of the detected reference point.

[0007] By inverting the above coordinate values, the start coordinate value of the coordinate data of the first electrode roll can be corrected to the end coordinate value of the coordinate data of the second electrode roll, and the end coordinate value of the coordinate data of the first electrode roll can be corrected to the start coordinate value of the coordinate data of the second electrode roll.

[0008] The inversion of the above-mentioned stored reference point coordinate values ​​and the inversion of the stored coordinate values ​​included in the above-mentioned coordinate data can be performed by the server or the PLC.

[0009] The PLC can calculate an offset between the coordinate value of the stored reference point and the coordinate value of the detected reference point, and the server can correct the inverted coordinate value of the stored coordinate value of the inverted first electrode roll based on the offset.

[0010] The above reference point sensor can correct the detected reference point coordinate value based on an offset length, which is the length of the electrode sheet interposed between the rewinder on which the second electrode roll is wound and the electrode sheet portion at the time when the reference point is detected.

[0011] The server can store a first roll map including the coordinate data and reference point data of the first electrode roll.

[0012] The server can generate a second roll map of the second electrode roll based on the reference point detection data and the acquired coordinate data of the second electrode roll, or correct the coordinate data of the generated second roll map.

[0013] According to an exemplary embodiment, a battery manufacturing method is provided, which unwinds an electrode sheet from an electrode roll and winds the electrode sheet onto a second electrode roll. The method may include the steps of: loading coordinate data including stored coordinate values ​​of a first electrode roll and reference point data including stored reference point coordinate values ​​of the first electrode roll; detecting a reference point of an electrode sheet unrolled from the first electrode roll and collecting reference point detection data including the detected reference point coordinate values; and acquiring coordinate data of the second electrode roll by correcting inverted coordinate values ​​of the stored coordinate values ​​of the first electrode roll based on the inverted coordinate values ​​of the stored reference point coordinate values ​​and the coordinate values ​​of the detected reference point.

[0014] The method may further include a step of discarding a defective portion of the electrode sheet extracted from the first electrode roll based on the corrected coordinate values.

[0015] By inverting the above coordinate values, the start coordinate value of the coordinate data of the first electrode roll can be corrected to the end coordinate value of the coordinate data of the second electrode roll, and the end coordinate value of the coordinate data of the first electrode roll can be corrected to the start coordinate value of the coordinate data of the second electrode roll.

[0016] In the above method, an offset between the stored reference point coordinate value and the detected reference point coordinate value can be calculated, and an inverted coordinate value of the stored coordinate value of the first electrode roll can be corrected based on the offset.

[0017] The above-detected reference point coordinate values ​​can be corrected based on an offset length, which is the length of the electrode sheet interposed between the unwinder from which the first electrode roll is released and the electrode sheet portion at the time when the reference point is detected.

[0018] The coordinate data and the reference point data of the first electrode roll can be loaded based on a first roll map of the first electrode roll including the coordinate data and the reference point data.

[0019] A second roll map of the second electrode roll can be generated based on the above reference point detection data and the acquired coordinate data of the second electrode roll, or the coordinate data of the generated second roll map can be corrected.

[0020] As an example, a second electrode roll may be provided in which an electrode sheet having a plurality of first reference points along a longitudinal direction is wound and formed from a first electrode roll, and the electrode sheet is then wound and formed again.

[0021] The electrode sheet of the second electrode roll has a plurality of second reference points corresponding to the plurality of first reference points, and each of the second reference points can be configured to be positioned at a longitudinal position of the electrode sheet that is inverted from each of the first reference points or at a position offset from the longitudinal position of the inverted electrode sheet.

[0022] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a system configured to generate a roll map that enables feedback, feed forward, and tracking for an electrode process and to perform a battery manufacturing process based on the roll map, and a method of manufacturing a battery using the same can be provided.

[0023] The effects that can be obtained from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly derived and understood by those skilled in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure pertain from the following description. In other words, unintended effects resulting from practicing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be derived by those skilled in the art from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 1 illustrates a battery manufacturing system according to exemplary embodiments.

[0025] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing a battery manufacturing method according to exemplary embodiments.

[0026] Figure 3 illustrates a battery manufacturing system according to exemplary embodiments.

[0027] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, it should be noted that the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings. Based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms to best explain his or her invention, they should be interpreted in a way that aligns with the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0028] Accordingly, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of filing this application.

[0029] In addition, when describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description is omitted.

[0030] Since the embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, the shapes and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for clearer explanation. Accordingly, the sizes and proportions of each component do not fully reflect the actual sizes or proportions.

[0031]

[0032] (Example 1)

[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates a battery manufacturing system (100) according to exemplary embodiments.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 1, a system (100) for manufacturing a battery may include an unwinder (111), a rewinder (113), a splicing table (115), a scrap port (117), a processing mechanism (119), a first rotary encoder (121), a second rotary encoder (125), an NG sensor (131), a reference point sensor (133), a roll map PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) (141), a process PLC (143), an EIF (Equipment Interface) (145), a server (150), and a display device (160).

[0035] A system (100) for manufacturing a battery may be configured to generate a roll map including data regarding an electrode sheet (ES). The roll map may represent the electrode sheet (ES) based on coordinate values ​​indicating locations on the electrode sheet (ES). A process for manufacturing a battery may be performed on the electrode sheet (ES), as described below. The roll map may represent a history of the process performed on the electrode sheet (ES) and include data associated with the coordinates. Accordingly, the roll map enables feedback, feedforward, and tracking of the battery manufacturing process, as described below.

[0036] The first electrode roll (ER1) on which the previous process (first process) has been performed can be loaded onto the unwinder (111). The unwinder (111) can unwind the electrode sheet (ES) from the first electrode roll (ER1). The rewinder (113) can wind the electrode sheet (ES) to form a second electrode roll (ER2). The electrode sheet (ES) can be wound onto the second electrode roll (ER2) and cut and separated after reaching a predetermined winding length. Accordingly, while the current process (second process) is being performed, the electrode sheet (ES) can be moved between the unwinder (111) and the rewinder (113).

[0037] The roll map can be generated on a lot basis. A lot is a production unit of a roll-to-roll process, and the second electrode roll (ER2) separated after achieving the output target is an example of a lot. Similarly, the first electrode roll (ER1) newly loaded onto the unwinder (111) is also an example of a lot. Accordingly, the server (150) can store the first roll map of the previous process. The first roll map can correspond to the first electrode roll (ER1). In addition, the server (150) can generate and store the second roll map of the current process. The second roll map can correspond to the second electrode roll (ER2).

[0038] A process (e.g., an electrode process) for manufacturing a battery may be performed on an electrode sheet (ES). The electrode process is performed on an electrode sheet (ES) that is unwound from a first electrode roll (ER1) and rolled onto a second electrode roll (ER2), and thus the electrode process may be referred to as a roll-to-roll process.

[0039] Time series data organized over time in a roll map (i.e., according to the progress of the process) can be associated with coordinate data based on the movement amount of the electrode sheet (ES) (i.e., either the amount consumed or the amount injected).

[0040] For example, the first roll map may include coordinate data (CD1) of the first electrode roll (ER1) and reference point data (DPD) indicating reference points (first reference points). The coordinate data (CD1) may include coordinate values ​​indicating the position of the first electrode roll (ER1).

[0041] As a non-limiting example, the second roll map may be generated by updating the first roll map. Alternatively, the second roll map may be generated based on data acquired in the current process, without loading the first roll map.

[0042] The outer part of the first electrode roll (ER1) is wound inwardly in the second electrode roll (ER2), and the inner part of the first electrode roll (ER1) is wound outwardly in the second electrode roll (ER2). Accordingly, the end coordinate value of the coordinate data of the first electrode roll (ER1) (maximum coordinate value in the first process), i.e., the coordinate value of the start part of the electrode sheet (ES) unwound from the first electrode roll (ER1), becomes the start coordinate value of the coordinate data of the second electrode roll (ER2) (minimum coordinate value in the second process), i.e., the coordinate value of the innermost part of the second electrode roll (ER2). Conversely, the starting coordinate value (minimum coordinate value in the first process) of the coordinate data of the first electrode roll (ER1), i.e., the coordinate value of the end of the electrode sheet (ES) unwound from the first electrode roll (ER1), becomes the end coordinate value (maximum coordinate value in the second process) of the coordinate data of the second electrode roll (ER2), i.e., the coordinate value of the outermost part of the second electrode roll (ER2).

[0043] Therefore, when generating a second roll map, the inversion of these coordinate values ​​must be taken into account. Alternatively, even if a second roll map is independently generated by acquiring data from the current process, the coordinate data of the second roll map must be corrected as described below in order to compare the state of the same physical electrode with that of the previous process.

[0044] In this way, the generation of the second roll map of the second electrode roll (ER2) may include reversing the coordinate data of the first roll map of the first electrode roll (ER1). By reversing the coordinate data, the start coordinate of the first roll map may be corrected to the end coordinate of the second roll map, and the end coordinate of the first roll map may be corrected to the start coordinate of the second roll map.

[0045] For example, if the start coordinate of the first roll map of the first electrode roll (ER1) is S1 and the end coordinate is E1, any coordinate X of the first roll map of the first electrode roll (ER1) can be corrected to the coordinate X' of the second roll map of the second electrode roll (ER2) according to the following equation 1.

[0046] [Formula 1]

[0047] X'= E1-(X-S1)

[0048] For example, if the start coordinate of the first roll map is 0 and the end coordinate is 1600, the coordinate 100 can be corrected to 1600-(100-0)=1500. Here, the coordinate values ​​are expressed in arbitrary units.

[0049] The coordinate data of the second roll map of the second electrode roll (ER2) is corrected according to the above equation 1, but the association between the coordinate data and other data (e.g., measurement data and inspection data) of the first roll map does not change. That is, the values ​​of the data associated with the coordinate X of the first roll map of the first electrode roll (ER1) can be matched with the coordinate X' of the second roll map of the second electrode roll (ER2).

[0050] For example, the first roll map may include coordinate data (CD1) of the first electrode roll (ER1) and reference point data (DPD) indicating reference points.

[0051] The coordinate data (CD1) may include stored coordinate values ​​indicating the respective positions of portions of the electrode sheet (ES) of the first electrode roll (ER1). Table 1 below shows examples of coordinate data (CD1) of multiple locations of the first electrode roll (ER1) on which an electrode sheet (ES) with a total length of 2000 m is wound.

[0052] Saved coordinate value (m)Inverted coordinate value (m)1880120187013012907101270730

[0053] The numbers in the first column represent stored coordinate values ​​for multiple locations of the electrode sheet (ES) when wound onto the first electrode roll (ER1) in the first process. A location with a larger coordinate value indicates that the electrode sheet (ES) is located further outward from the first electrode roll (ER1), and a location with a smaller coordinate value indicates that the electrode sheet (ES) is located further inward from the first electrode roll (ER1). The locations of the multiple locations may be locations of defective locations or defective sections detected during the first process.

[0054] The numbers in the second column represent the inverted coordinate values ​​of positions corresponding to multiple locations of the first electrode roll (ER1) when wound onto the second electrode roll (ER2) in the second process. The position with a larger inverted coordinate value indicates that the first electrode roll (ER1) is located on the inner side, and the position with a smaller inverted coordinate value indicates that the first electrode roll (ER1) is located on the outer side.

[0055] The above inverted coordinate values ​​can be calculated by the above equation 1.

[0056] The reference point data (DPD) may include sequence values ​​indicating the sequence of reference points on the electrode sheet (ES) and coordinate values ​​matching the sequence values. Table 1 below shows an example of the reference point data (DPD) acquired in the first process and the inverted coordinate values ​​of the reference point data when the total length of the electrode sheet wound on the first electrode roll (ER1) is 2000 m.

[0057] Saved reference point coordinate value (m)Inverted reference point coordinate value (m)191900100181800200171700300161600400151500500141400600131300700121200800111100900101000100990011008800120077001300660014005500150044001600330017002200180011001900

[0058] Reference points (first reference points) may be formed at equal intervals on the electrode sheet (ES). In Table 1, the reference points are spaced at 100 m apart. However, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention in any way. The spacing between the reference points may be determined based on the requirement for precision in tracking process events on the electrode sheet (ES).

[0059] In the first process, a lower priority reference point may be formed later than a higher priority reference point. When the lower priority reference point is wound onto the first electrode roll (ER1) in the first process, the input amount is large based on the electrode sheet input amount, so it may have a relatively large coordinate value. On the other hand, the upper priority reference point may have a relatively small coordinate value because the input amount is small based on the electrode sheet input amount. Since the lower priority reference point is wound onto the outside of the first electrode roll (ER1), when the first electrode roll (ER1) is unwound in the second process, it may be reversed and have a relatively small coordinate value based on the input amount.

[0060] The inversion of the above-described stored reference point coordinate values ​​and the inversion of the stored coordinate values ​​included in the above-described coordinate data can be performed by a server or PLC.

[0061] Battery manufacturing involves a series of distinct processes, with leading processes influencing subsequent processes. However, if the time-series data from leading processes do not directly match real-world workpieces, intermediate products, and finished products, it can be difficult to reflect this data in subsequent processes. Hereinafter, the correction of subsequent processes based on data generated from the results of leading processes is referred to as feedforward.

[0062] Here, the workpiece refers to an article provided as a result of each process, such as an electrode sheet (ES) that has undergone a coating process, a roll pressing process, and a slitting process. The semi-finished product may refer to one of separators, electrodes, and assemblies thereof cut through a notching process. The semi-finished product may also be a structure comprising a housing and an electrode assembly embedded in the housing (in some cases, the structure further includes an electrolyte). The product refers to an article that has been processed to be operable as a battery through an activation process. The above definitions of the workpiece, semi-finished product, and product are only one aspect thereof and do not exclude conventional definitions thereof.

[0063] The electrode process involves a series of roll-to-roll processes. For feedforward, time-series data needs to be associated with the positions of real-world workpieces, parts, semi-finished products, and finished products. Here, the feedforward may involve controlling the process for the electrode sheet (ES) based on a roll map of the first electrode roll (ES1) generated in a previous process. The roll map may associate the time-series data with coordinate data, which includes coordinate values ​​representing the positions of real-world workpieces, parts, semi-finished products, and finished products. Based on the coordinate data, the roll map can provide a matching between the time-series data and real-world workpieces, parts, semi-finished products, and finished products. Accordingly, the generation of the roll map and the feedforward based on the roll map can quantify and objectify aspects of the process previously dependent on the operator's discretion, thereby improving production efficiency and quality.

[0064] Additionally, the roll map of a preceding lot may be used to improve the process for a subsequent lot, an action that may be referred to as process feedback. Process feedback using a roll map may include identifying process conditions and process parameters that caused problems and defects based on data contained in the roll map. For example, a second roll map of a second electrode roll (ER2) that has been wound with electrode sheets (ES) processed in the current process may be generated, and the processing of a subsequent lot may be controlled based on the second roll map.

[0065] Furthermore, the roll map, as described below, is cumulatively generated for work-pieces, parts, semi-finished products, and finished products of unit processes, thereby enabling tracking of the process history of shipped products (e.g., battery cells, battery modules, or battery packs). For example, a battery cell may include a cell ID formed on an electrode assembly or a case. The cell ID may include lot numbers and coordinate information of electrodes and separators included in the battery cell. In other words, the cell ID may be associated with a roll map of the electrodes and separators included in the battery cell. Accordingly, when an event such as a quality issue occurs in a battery cell that has already been shipped, historical data on the manufacturing of the corresponding battery cell can be retrieved based on the cell ID.

[0066] The first rotary encoder (121) may be configured to detect the amount of electrode sheet (ES) unwound from the first electrode roll (ER1) by the unwinder (111). Accordingly, the first rotary encoder (121) may be configured to generate a dose signal (UWAS) indicating the length of the electrode sheet (ES) unwound by the unwinder (111). The first rotary encoder (121) may be configured to transmit the dose signal (UWAS) to a roll map PLC (141). The roll map PLC (141) may be configured to collect dose data based on the dose signal (UWAS) of the electrode sheet (ES).

[0067] The second rotary encoder (125) may be configured to detect the amount of the electrode sheet (ES) wound from the second electrode roll (ER2) by the rewinder (113). Accordingly, the second rotary encoder (125) may be configured to generate a consumption amount signal (WAS) indicating the length of the electrode sheet (ES) wound by the rewinder (113). The second rotary encoder (125) may be configured to transmit the consumption amount signal (WAS) to the roll map PLC (141). The roll map PLC (141) may be configured to collect consumption amount data based on the consumption amount signal (WAS) of the electrode sheet (ES).

[0068] The roll map PLC (141) can be configured to collect coordinate data of the electrode sheet (ES) based on either the input amount signal (UWAS) or the exhaustion amount signal (WAS) of the electrode sheet (ES).

[0069] For example, the roll map PLC (141) can determine the movement distance of the electrode sheet (ES) from the unwinder (111) based on the input amount signal (UWAS) of the electrode sheet (ES). Accordingly, the roll map PLC (141) can be configured to determine the coordinates within the electrode sheet (ES) of a portion of the electrode sheet (ES) unwound by the unwinder (111) at each point in time when a process by the processing mechanism (119) is performed.

[0070] As another example, the roll map PLC (141) can determine the movement distance of the electrode sheet (ES) to the rewinder (113) based on the exhaustion amount signal (WAS) of the electrode sheet (ES). Accordingly, the roll map PLC (141) can be configured to determine the coordinates within the electrode sheet (ES) of a portion of the electrode sheet (ES) that is wound by the rewinder (113) at each point in time when a process by the processing mechanism (119) is performed.

[0071] Hereinafter, the technical idea of ​​the present invention will be described with reference to an embodiment in which the roll map PLC (141) collects coordinate data based on the input amount signal (UWAS) of the electrode sheet (ES). When the coordinate data is collected based on the input amount signal (UWAS), the amount of the electrode sheet (ES) to be unwound can be detected, and thus the loss of the electrode sheet (ES) caused by factors such as a sample test of the first electrode roll (ER1), movement of the first electrode roll (ER1) from the previous process stage to the current process stage, loading of the first electrode roll (ER1) onto the unwinder (111), connection of the electrode sheet (ES) of the loaded first electrode roll (ER1) with the electrode sheet (ES) on the rewinder (113) side, and residual amount caused by failure to unwind can be precisely determined.

[0072] According to exemplary embodiments, the roll map PLC (141) may be configured to further collect additional coordinate data based on the exhaust amount signal (WAS). In this case, the coordinate data collected based on the input amount signal (UWAS) may be used for the correction of the coordinate data (CD) and the reference point data (DPD) transmitted from the roll map of the previous process (i.e., the first roll map of the first electrode roll (ER1)), and the additional coordinate data collected based on the exhaust amount signal (WAS) may be used for the generation of the roll map of the current process (i.e., the second roll map of the completed second electrode roll (ER2)).

[0073] The coordinate data may include coordinate values ​​that match each part of the electrode sheet (ES). That is, each arbitrary point on the electrode sheet (ES) may be matched with a coordinate. The coordinate value may be a one-dimensional quantity in the longitudinal direction of the electrode sheet (ES), but is not limited thereto. The coordinate value may also be a two-dimensional quantity in the longitudinal direction of the electrode sheet (ES) and the width direction of the electrode sheet (ES).

[0074] The NG sensor (131) may be configured to detect either an NG mark or an NG tag on the electrode sheet (ES). The NG mark may be formed, for example, by an inkjet printer or the like, and may include information on the location and type of defect. The NG tag may be attached to the electrode sheet (ES) by a worker or an NG tag attacher, and may indicate the location of a defect in the electrode sheet (ES). As a non-limiting example, the NG sensor (131) may include either a vision machine or a color sensor.

[0075] The NG sensor (131) may be configured to detect an NG detection signal (NSS) from either an NG mark or an NG tag on the electrode sheet. The NG sensor (131) may be configured to transmit the NG detection signal (NSS) to a roll map PLC (141).

[0076] The roll map PLC (141) may be configured to collect NG detection data (NSD) based on an NG detection signal (NSS) and coordinate data. The roll map PLC (141) may be configured to collect NG detection data (NSD) by associating the NG detection signal (NSS) with coordinate data. The NG detection data (NSD) may include, for example, a defect value indicating the presence or absence of a defect and the type of defect, and a coordinate value matched to the defect value.

[0077] To collect NG detection data (NSD), the coordinate data can be calibrated based on the offset length (OL1). The calibration of the coordinate data compensates for the difference between the portion of the electrode sheet (ES) sensed by the first rotary encoder (121), i.e., the portion of the electrode sheet (ES) unwound by the unwinder (111), and the portion of the electrode sheet (ES) sensed by the NG sensor (131).

[0078] According to exemplary embodiments, the roll map PLC (141) can correct coordinate data collected at the same time as the NG detection signal (NSS) based on an offset length (OL1) to collect NG detection data (NSD) and associate the corrected coordinate data with the NG detection signal (NSS).

[0079] The offset length (OL1) is the length of the electrode sheet (ES) between the NG sensor (131) and the unwinder (111) along the movement path of the electrode sheet (ES). The offset length (OL1) may be equal to the straight-line distance between the NG sensor (131) and the unwinder (111), or may be greater than the straight-line distance between the NG sensor (131) and the unwinder (111).

[0080] The reference point sensor (133) may be configured to sense reference points on the electrode sheet (ES) to collect reference point data of the electrode sheet (ES). The reference point sensor (133) may include, for example, an OCR barcode reader. Each of the reference points on the electrode sheet (ES) may include any identification mark (e.g., a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode) that includes information about the movement direction of the electrode sheet (ES) and the order in which the reference points are formed in the process of forming the reference points. The reference point sensor (133) may be configured to sense the reference points on the electrode sheet (ES) to generate a reference point detection signal (DSS). The reference point sensor (133) may be configured to transmit the reference point detection signal (DSS) to the roll map PLC (141).

[0081] The roll map PLC (141) may be configured to collect reference point detection data (DSD) based on coordinate data and a reference point detection signal (DSS). The roll map PLC (141) may be configured to collect reference point detection data (DSD) by associating the reference point detection signal (DSS) with the coordinate data. The reference point detection data (DSD) may include, for example, a sequence number of a reference point and a coordinate value matched to the reference point.

[0082] To collect the reference point detection data (DSD), the coordinate data can be corrected based on the offset length (OL2). The correction of the coordinate data compensates for the difference between the portion of the electrode sheet (ES) sensed by the first rotary encoder (121), i.e., the portion of the electrode sheet (ES) wound by the unwinder (111), and the portion of the electrode sheet (ES) sensed by the reference point sensor (133).

[0083] According to exemplary embodiments, the rollmap PLC (141) may be configured to collect reference point detection data (DSD), correct coordinate data collected at the same time as the reference point detection signal (DSS) based on an offset length (OL2), and associate the corrected coordinate data with the reference point detection signal (DSS).

[0084] The offset length (OL2) is the length of the electrode sheet (ES) between the reference point sensor (133) and the unwinder (111) along the movement path of the electrode sheet (ES). The offset length (OL2) may be equal to the straight-line distance between the reference point sensor (133) and the unwinder (111), or may be greater than the straight-line distance between the reference point sensor (133) and the unwinder (111).

[0085] The offset length (OL2) may include a first portion (OL2_1) and a second portion (OL2_2). The first portion (OL2_1) may be a portion that has not been processed by the processing mechanism (119), and the second portion (OL2_2) may be a portion that has been processed by the processing mechanism (119). Accordingly, the length characteristic of the first portion (OL2_1) may be different from the length characteristic of the second portion (OL2_2). For example, when the processing mechanism (119) includes pressure rolls for a roll press process, the first portion (OL2_1) may not be elongated, and the second portion (OL2_2) may be elongated. According to exemplary embodiments, in the correction of the offset length (OL2), the first portion (OL2_1) may be corrected differently from the second portion (OL2_2). For example, correction of the second part (OL2_2) can compensate for changes in length characteristics caused by the processing mechanism (119) through inverse calculation of elongation, etc.

[0086] According to exemplary embodiments, the rollmap PLC (141) may be configured to transmit NG detection data (NSD) and reference point detection data (DSD) to the process PLC (143). Alternatively, the rollmap PLC (141) may be configured to receive reference point data (CD1) from the process PLC (143).

[0087] The roll map PLC (141) and / or the process PLC (143) may be configured to compare the reference point data (DPD) (e.g., the first reference point data) with the detected reference point data (DSD) (e.g., the second reference point data). At this time, the stored coordinate values ​​of the reference point data (DPD) may be inverted in the server (150), and the roll map PLC (141) or the process PLC (143) may receive the reference point data (DPD) regarding the inverted coordinate values ​​from the server (150). Alternatively, the roll map PLC (141) or the process PLC (143) may receive the non-inverted reference point data (DPD) from the server, and invert the stored reference point coordinate values ​​of the reference point data (DPD) in the corresponding PLC.

[0088] In any case, the roll map PLC (141) and / or the process PLC (143) may be configured to compare the inverted coordinate values ​​of the stored reference point coordinate values ​​included in the reference point data (DPD) with the detected reference point data (DSD).

[0089] The roll map PLC (141) and / or the process PLC (143) may be configured to correct the coordinate data of the defective part based on the NG detection data (NSD). Correcting the coordinate data of the defective part based on the NG detection data (NSD) may include correcting the coordinate values ​​of the coordinate data of the defective part based on the NG detection data (NSD) coordinate values ​​when the coordinate values ​​of the coordinate data of the defective part and the coordinate values ​​of the NG detection data (NSD) do not match.

[0090] Table 3 shows examples of detected reference point data (DSD).

[0091] Saved reference point coordinate value (m)Inverted reference point coordinate value (m)Detected reference point coordinate value (m)Offset 19190010095518180020019551717003002901016160040039010151500500490101414006005901013130070068515121200800785151111009008851510100 0100098515990011001085158800120011802077001300128020660014001380205500150014802044001600158020330017001680202200180017802011001900188020

[0092] The second column of Table 3 is the (first) reference point data (DPD) acquired in the previous process (first process) of the first electrode roll (ER1). The third column of Table 3 is data obtained by inverting the reference point data (DPD). The second and third columns are identical to the data shown in Table 2.

[0093] The fourth column of Table 3 represents the reference point data (DSD) (second reference point data) detected in the current process (second process). The display format of the detected reference point data (DSD) is not limited to the table above. The detected reference point data (DSD) can have any format that includes a match between the reference point's sequence number and coordinate value.

[0094] The roll map PLC (141) and / or the process PLC (143) may be configured to calculate an offset, which is the difference between the inverted coordinate values ​​of the stored reference point coordinate values ​​of the reference point data (DPD) and the detected reference point coordinate values ​​of the reference point detection data (DSD). The fifth column of Table 2 indicates the offset calculated by the roll map PLC (141) and / or the process PLC (143). The roll map PLC (141) and / or the process PLC (143) may be configured to correct the inverted coordinate values ​​of the stored coordinate values ​​included in the coordinate data (CD1) of the first electrode roll (ER1) based on the offset.

[0095] Table 4 shows coordinate data corrected by the rollmap PLC (141) and / or the process PLC (143). The correction of the coordinate data (CD1) can be performed by triggering the sensing of a reference point. Although in Table 4, 19 reference points are displayed at once, the correction of the coordinate data (CD1) can be performed each time a reference point is sensed.

[0096] Saved coordinate value (m)Inverted coordinate value (m)Corrected coordinate value (m)1880120115187013012512907106951270730715

[0097] More specifically, by comparing the detected reference point coordinate value with the inverted coordinate value of the stored reference point coordinate value, if the detected reference point coordinate value and the stored reference point coordinate value are different, the roll map PLC (141) or the process PLC (143) can perform an operation to calculate an offset. For example, if the 19th reference point that arrives first is sensed, the sensed 95m does not match the inverted reference point coordinate value of 100m, so an offset of 5m can be calculated by the roll map PLC (141) or the process PLC (143). Then, the coordinate value '120' adjacent to the 19th reference point can be corrected to '115' based on the offset value '5'. Then, the coordinate value '130' adjacent to the 19th reference point can also be corrected to '125' based on the offset value '5'. Additionally, the coordinate values ​​'710' and '730' adjacent to the reference point 13 can be corrected to '695' and '715', respectively, based on the offset value '15'. Unlike in Table 4, different offsets may be applied depending on the coordinate position of the electrode sheet (ES).

[0098] The coordinate values ​​corrected in this way can be acquired as coordinate data (CD2) of the second electrode roll (or the second roll map for the second electrode roll).

[0099] There may be a discrepancy between the stored coordinate values ​​of the coordinate data (DD) of the first roll map of the first electrode roll (ER1) and the coordinate values ​​of the actual electrode sheet (ES) unwound from the first electrode roll (ER1). This discrepancy may be caused by a loss due to a sample test of the first electrode roll (ER1), a loss occurring while moving the first electrode roll (ER1), a loss occurring while loading the first electrode roll (ER1) into the unwinder (111), a connection between the electrode sheet (ES) of the loaded first electrode roll (ER1) and the electrode sheet (ES) on the rewinder (113) side, etc.

[0100] According to exemplary embodiments, in the second process, coordinate data can be corrected based on reference point detection data (DSD) and reference point data (DPD) that sense actual reference points of an actual electrode sheet (ES). Based on the corrected, accurate coordinate data, for example, defective portions of the electrode sheet (ES) can be removed. Accordingly, when discarding defective portions in the second process or a subsequent process, it is possible to prevent some of the defective portions from being discarded or excessive discarding of portions of normal electrode sheets (ES). Accordingly, the productivity and yield of the electrode sheet (ES) can be improved.

[0101] The process PLC (143) may be configured to control the operation of the unwinder (111), the rewinder (113), the scrap port (117), and the processing mechanism (119). The process PLC (143) may be configured to generate signals for operation and stop of the unwinder (111), the rewinder (113), the scrap port (117), and the processing mechanism (119). The signals for operation and stop of the unwinder (111), the rewinder (113), the scrap port (117), and the processing mechanism (119) may be generated based on a body including details of a product ID and a manufacturing recipe.

[0102] The process PLC (143) can receive NG detection data (NSD) from the roll map PLC (141). The process PLC (143) can be configured to generate signals for operation and stop of the unwinder (111), the rewinder (113), the scrap port (117), and the processing mechanism (119) based on the NG detection data (NSD) and the coordinate data of the defective part based on the corrected coordinate values. Here, the coordinate data of the defective part can be generated based on the reference point data (DPD), the detected reference point data (DSD), and the inverted coordinate value data by the roll map PLC (141) or the process PLC (143) as described above.

[0103] When a defect on the electrode sheet (ES) identified by either the coordinate data of the defective part obtained based on the corrected coordinate data or the NG detection data (NSD) approaches the splicing table (115), the process PLC (143) can slow down the moving speed of the electrode sheet (ES) or stop the winding and unwinding of the unwinder (111) and the rewinder (113).

[0104] After cutting the starting position of the defect (or, considering the process margin, a position adjacent to the starting position of the defect) on the splicing table (115), the scrap port (117) can be configured to wind up the defective portion (DES) of the electrode sheet (ES), as indicated by the bold dashed line. After the defective portion (DES) of the electrode sheet (ES) is sufficiently wound by the scrap port (117), the electrode sheet (ES) connected to the scrap port (117) and the electrode sheet (ES) connected to the unwinder (111) can be separated. Subsequently, the current process can be continued by connecting the portion of the electrode sheet (ES) connected to the unwinder (111) and the portion of the electrode sheet (ES) connected to the rewinder (113). The portion of the electrode sheet (ES) connected to the unwinder (111) and the portion connected to the rewinder (113) can be connected on the splicing table (115).

[0105] The processing device (119) may be located downstream of the flow of the electrode sheet (ES) from the splicing table (115). That is, the processing device (119) may be configured to process the electrode sheet (ES) from which the defective portion (DES) has been discarded by processing on the splicing table (115).

[0106] For example, the processing device (119) may include a coater, and electrode slurry may be coated on the electrode sheet (ES). As another example, the processing device (119) may include pressurized rolls, and a roll pressing process may be performed on the electrode sheet (ES) coated with electrode slurry. As another example, the processing device may include a slitting knife, and the electrode sheet (ES) may be separated into a plurality of electrode sheets.

[0107] A system (100) for manufacturing a battery may further include a measuring device and a tester. The measuring device may be configured to measure the electrode sheet (ES) to collect measurement data of the electrode sheet (ES). The measuring device may measure the electrode sheet (ES) by scanning. The measurement data may include a plurality of measurement values ​​expressed in numerical values. For example, the measurement data may include dimensional data of the electrode sheet (ES) such as thickness and width, loading amount data of the coating material on the electrode sheet (ES), dimensional data such as the width of the insulating material provided on the coating material and the overlapping width between the coating material and the insulating material, mismatch data between the holding portion lanes on the upper surface of the electrode sheet (ES) and the holding portion lanes on the lower surface of the electrode sheet (ES), etc. Here, the loading amount represents the amount of the coating material loaded per unit area of ​​the electrode sheet (ES) and may be the areal density of the coating material.

[0108] The measurement data is processed in a set manner so that the quality of the measured portion of the electrode sheet (ES) can be determined. If the measured amount of the coating material on the electrode sheet (ES) (e.g., the loading amount on the electrode sheet (ES) or the thickness of the electrode sheet (ES)) is within a set range including an upper limit and a lower limit, the corresponding portion of the electrode sheet (ES) can be determined as a good product. If the measured amount of the coating material on the electrode sheet (ES) (e.g., the loading amount on the electrode sheet (ES) or the thickness of the electrode sheet (ES)) is less than the lower limit or greater than the upper limit, the corresponding portion of the electrode sheet (ES) can be determined as a defective product.

[0109] The instrument may include, for example, a Time Delay and Integration (TDI) camera, a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, and a Time of Flight (TOF) sensor. The instrument may also include an emitter and a receiver configured to perform measurements using non-destructive signals, such as ultrasound, microwaves, terahertz waves, and infrared. The instrument may include analog and / or digital sensors, such as biosensors, chemical sensors, composition sensors, current and / or power meters, air quality sensors, gas sensors, Hall effect sensors, brightness level sensors, and light sensors. The instrument may also include pressure sensors, temperature sensors, ultrasonic sensors, proximity sensors, door status sensors, motion tracking sensors, humidity sensors, visible and infrared sensors, and cameras.

[0110] The instrument may be configured to generate coordinate-related measurement data by associating additional coordinate data based on the WAS signal to the measurement data. To generate coordinate-related measurement data, the additional coordinate data may be calibrated based on an offset length of the instrument.

[0111] The measuring device may be configured to collect evaluation data based on measurement data. The evaluation data may be collected based on comparison of measurement values ​​of a plurality of sections within the electrode sheet (ES) with a set range.

[0112] For example, a measurement value (or an average of measurement values) within a first range may be determined as normal, a measurement value (or an average of measurement values) within a second range that is greater than the first range may be determined as excessive, a measurement value (or an average of measurement values) within a third range that is greater than the second range may be determined as very excessive, a measurement value (or an average of measurement values) within a fourth range that is smaller than the first range may be determined as insufficient, and a measurement value (or an average of measurement values) within a fifth range that is smaller than the fourth range may be determined as very insufficient.

[0113] Here, if the lower limit of the second range is greater than or equal to the upper limit of the first range, the second range is greater than the first range. Similarly, if the upper limit of the fourth range is less than or equal to the lower limit of the first range, the fourth range is less than the first range.

[0114] The evaluation values ​​of the above evaluation data may be associated with coordinate values. For example, each of the evaluation values ​​may be matched with the start coordinate value and the end coordinate value of the portion of the electrode sheet (ES) from which the evaluation value was calculated.

[0115] The inspector may be configured to inspect the electrode sheet (ES) to collect inspection data of the electrode sheet (ES). The inspector may be configured to detect defects, such as surface defects, of the electrode sheet (ES) based on changes in color and changes in reflectivity on the surface of the electrode sheet (ES). The inspector may be configured to collect inspection data of a portion corresponding to (e.g., overlapping) the sensing unit.

[0116] Inspection data collected by the inspection device may include judgments on the quality of a portion of the electrode sheet (ES) and process events. For example, the inspection data may include data on the appearance of the electrode sheet (ES) collected by an image-based inspection device such as a vision machine, data on open circuits and seams of the electrode sheet (ES), data on a portion of the electrode sheet (ES) on which sampling inspection has been performed, data on a portion of the electrode sheet (ES) scheduled for scrapping, data on a scrapped portion of the electrode sheet (ES), data on the quality of coating materials and insulating materials on the electrode sheet (ES), data on reference points indicating the position of the electrode sheet (ES), and defect data such as pinhole defects, crater defects, line defects, crack defects, side ring defects, island defects, fold defects, wrinkle defects, dent defects, and imprint defects. The reference points may be formed at predetermined intervals on the electrode sheet (ES), and the positions of other elements on the electrode sheet (ES) may be located based on the reference points. The inspector can be any one of a color sensor, a seam sensor, a fiducial sensor, and a vision machine.

[0117] The tester can be configured to generate coordinate-related test data by associating additional coordinate data based on the waste amount signal (WAS) to the test data. To generate coordinate-related test data, the additional coordinate data can be calibrated based on an offset length of the tester.

[0118] The measurement data and inspection data described above may be time-series data. The measurement data and inspection data may be temporally ordered. Temporal ordering is a key characteristic of time-series data, organizing events in the order in which they occur and arrive for processing. That is, the measurement data and inspection data may be stored based on the time at which the measurement and inspection were performed, and the measurement data and inspection data may be temporally associated. Accordingly, each measurement value of the measurement data may be matched to a time, and each inspection value of the inspection data may be matched to a time.

[0119] For example, data of a measurement quantity (e.g., a loading amount on an electrode sheet (ES) or a thickness of an electrode sheet (ES)) may have a series of values ​​of a measurement quantity (e.g., a loading amount on an electrode sheet (ES) or a thickness of an electrode sheet (ES)) and time values ​​associated with the series of values ​​of the measurement quantity. The measurement values ​​and the time values ​​may be matched one-to-one, but are not limited thereto. As another example, data of a defect may have a value indicating a defect and a time value associated with the value indicating the defect. Here, indicating a defect means including information on at least one of the presence or absence of a defect and the type of the defect.

[0120] A roll map can include coordinate-related measurement data and coordinate-related inspection data, which are generated by associating time-series data, such as measurement data and inspection data, with coordinate data. Accordingly, a roll map can provide traceability throughout the entire process, whether during subsequent processes or after a product is shipped.

[0121] The Rollmap PLC (141) may be in operative communication with the first and second rotary encoders (121, 125), the NG sensor (131), the reference point sensor (133) and additional measuring instruments and testers via a wired or wireless data network. The data network may include one-way or two-way communication. The data network may be implemented by a public network and / or a specialized network using a physical channel, WiFi, Bluetooth and / or other frequency bands. The first and second rotary encoders (121, 125), the NG sensor (131), the reference point sensor (133) and additional measuring instruments and testers may be configured to collect data from equipment, workpieces, semi-finished products and products within the battery manufacturing system (100), or to generate signals for collecting data.

[0122] Coordinate-related measurement data and coordinate-related inspection data transmitted from the roll map PLC (141) to the process PLC (143) can be transmitted to the server (150) via the process PLC (143) and the EIF (145). The process PLC (143) and the EIF (145) can relay the communication of data included between the server (150) and the roll map PLC (141). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the roll map PLC (141) can also directly transmit coordinate data, coordinate-related measurement data, and coordinate-related inspection data to the server (150).

[0123] In order to control the process, a communication line may be installed between the process PLC (143) and the server (150) via the EIF (145) to connect the process PLC (143) and the server (150). Accordingly, data transmission through the process PLC (143) can reduce the resources required for installing the communication line and can improve the efficiency of data processing and management compared to the case where the first and second rotary encoders (121, 125) and the measuring instrument (135) directly communicate with the server (150) and the case where the roll map PLC (141) directly communicates with the server (150).

[0124] EIF (145) may be a device for communication between a process PLC (143) of a manufacturing facility and a server (150), which is an upper server.

[0125] The server (150) may be configured to generate and store a roll map. The roll map may be generated on a lot-by-lot basis. The roll map may include data regarding lot specifications. The lot specifications may include, for example, a lot number, the length of the rolled electrode sheet (ES), the width of the electrode sheet (ES), and the materials and compositions used in processing the electrode sheet (ES).

[0126] The server (150) may be configured to store a first roll map of a first electrode roll (ER1), transmit coordinate data (CD1) and reference point data (DPD) of the first roll map to a process PLC (143), and generate and store a second roll map of a second electrode roll (ER2) based on coordinate-related measurement data and coordinate-related inspection data. In addition, the coordinate data (CD2) of the second roll map may be corrected based on an offset, which is a difference between reference point detection data (DSD) transmitted from the roll map PLC (141) or the process PLC (143) and an inverted coordinate value of the reference point data (DPD). In addition, the second roll map of the second electrode roll may be generated based on the reference point detection data (DSD) and the acquired coordinate data (CD2) of the second electrode roll, or the coordinate data (CD2) of the second roll map may be corrected.

[0127] According to exemplary embodiments, the server (150) may be a data processing system that supports various activities necessary for managing battery manufacturing, such as work schedule management, work instructions, quality control, and work performance aggregation. The server (150) may be, for example, a Manufacturing Execution System (MES). The server (150) may be configured to input, process, output, and communicate data necessary for electrode manufacturing, such as coating processes, press processes, and manufacturing processes.

[0128] According to other exemplary embodiments, the server (150) may be configured to store and process raw measurement data. The server (150) may continuously monitor the processing of the electrode sheet (ES) based on the measurement data, thereby managing the quality of the processing of the electrode sheet (ES). According to exemplary embodiments, the server (150) may be a Statistical Process Controller (SPC). By collecting and analyzing manufacturing data in near real-time, the server (150) may promptly identify problem conditions and provide alerts to operators before potential problems occur.

[0129] According to other exemplary embodiments, the server (150) may be, for example, a data warehouse and may store NG detection data (NSD), coordinate data, coordinate-related measurement data, and coordinate-related inspection data for a long period of time based on the quality assurance period of the product, etc.

[0130] According to other exemplary embodiments, the server (150) may be provided separately from the MES, SPC and data warehouse for creating a roll map.

[0131] The rollmap PLC (141), the process PLC (143), the EIF (145), and the server (150) can be implemented by hardware, firmware, software, and combinations thereof. For example, the rollmap PLC (141), the process PLC (143), the EIF (145), and the server (150) can include computing devices such as workstation computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, and tablet computers. The rollmap PLC (141), the process PLC (143), the EIF (145), and the server (150) can also include any one of a simple controller, a complex processor such as a microprocessor, a CPU, a GPU, a processor configured by software, dedicated hardware, and firmware. The rollmap PLC (141), the process PLC (143), the EIF (145), and the server (150) can also be implemented by, for example, a general-purpose computer or application-specific hardware such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0132] The server (150) may include a physical server or a cloud server. The server (150) may provide data and analysis results to the operator through various frameworks. The framework may include a protocol supporting data transmission so that the display device (160) can visualize data through a user interface and provide updated visualizations when new data is calculated by the server (150). The protocol supporting the data transmission may use HTML, JavaScript, and / or JSON. The server (150) may transmit a visualization command (VC) to the display device (160), and the display device (160) may visualize the roll map and display the visualized roll map.

[0133] The server (150) may include various Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for storing data in databases and other data management tools. The APIs may also be used to retrieve data from databases in various data management systems. The data management systems may be configured to provide access to the databases, pull data from the databases, retrieve data, and generate metrics. Metrics are tools for visualizing data. Metrics include time-series measurements and can be used for monitoring applications and generating status alerts.

[0134] The battery manufacturing system (100) can implement a plug-in architecture with an API for data acquisition to provide plug-and-play connectivity for the NG sensor (131), the reference point sensor (133), and additional measuring instruments and testers. This allows for the easy transfer of resources from a specific process step and site to other processes and sites, or the easy introduction of new resources to each process step and site.

[0135] The data network between elements of the battery manufacturing system (100) may include various types of communication channels, including unidirectional, bidirectional wired, and wireless communications. For example, the data network may include an industrial protocol network such as OPC, Modbus, ProfiNet, etc. The communication channel may be a dedicated conduit communication such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), IEEE 802 (Ethernet), IEEE 1394 (FireWire), or other high-speed data communication standards.

[0136] In some embodiments, the battery manufacturing system (100) may further include a manual input system that allows a worker to input manufacturing data. The battery manufacturing system (100) may also allow a worker to input data using an input tool and computer-based input of manufacturing data, such as scraping an Excel file.

[0137] According to some embodiments, the operations of the Rollmap PLC (141), the Process PLC (143), the EIF (145), and the Server (150) may be implemented as instructions stored on a machine-readable medium that can be read and executed by one or more processors. Here, the machine-readable medium may include any mechanism for storing and / or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computing device). For example, the machine-readable medium may include a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic disk storage medium, an optical storage medium, a flash memory, an electrical, optical, acoustical, or other form of radio signal (e.g., a carrier wave, an infrared signal, a digital signal, etc.), and any other signal.

[0138] The roll map PLC (141) can be implemented by software configured to collect, for example, coordinate data, NG detection data (NSD) and reference point detection data (DSD), and transmit the NG detection data (NSD) and reference point detection data (DSD).

[0139] The process PLC (143) may be implemented by software configured to receive a product ID, a product recipe, defective data (DD), a reference point data (DPD), NG detection data (NSD), and a reference point detection data (DSD), transmit the NG detection data (NSD) and the reference point detection data (DSD), and generate a control signal for controlling the unwinder (111), the rewinder (113), the scrap port (117), and the processing mechanism (119) based on the product ID, the product recipe, the defective data (DD), the reference point data (DPD), the NG detection data (NSD), and the reference point detection data (DSD). More specifically, the process PLC (143) may be implemented by software configured to calculate an offset of reference points based on reference point data (DPD) and reference point detection data (DSD), correct coordinate data (CD1) based on the offset, and generate a control signal for controlling the unwinder (111), the rewinder (113), the scrap port (117), and the processing mechanism (119) based on the corrected coordinate data.

[0140] EIF (145) may be implemented by software for relaying the transmission of data and information between the process PLC (143) and the server (150). More specifically, EIF (145) may be implemented by software configured to perform flow control, error control, synchronization, order control, addressing, multiplexing, routing, and format conversion of communication between the process PLC (143) and the server (150).

[0141] The server (150) may be implemented by software configured to transmit, for example, a product ID and a product recipe, coordinate data (CD1) and reference point data (DPD) to the process PLC (143), and to generate a roll map based on coordinate-related measurement data and coordinate-related inspection data.

[0142] However, this is for convenience of explanation, and the operations of the roll map PLC (141), process PLC (143), EIF (145) and server (150) may also be caused by other devices executing computing devices, distributed computing devices, processors, firmware, software, routines and instructions, etc.

[0143] The architecture of the system (100) configured to generate a roll map can be implemented by simply adding a roll map PLC (141) to the process PLC (143), EIF (145), and server (150), which are essential elements in a modern process management system. The system according to exemplary embodiments can utilize the resources of an existing manufacturing site and reduce additional capital expenditures. In addition, by applying the same architecture as existing manufacturing facilities to newly constructed manufacturing facilities, the reliability of battery manufacturing, the discovery / improvement of problematic processes, and the introduction of new processes can be improved.

[0144] (Example 2)

[0145] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a battery according to exemplary embodiments.

[0146] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the coordinate data (CD1) of the first electrode roll (ER1) and the reference point data (DPD) of the first electrode roll (ER1) can be loaded at P110. The process PLC (143) or the roll map PLC (131) can receive the coordinate data (CD1) of the first electrode roll (ER1) and the reference point data (DPD) of the first electrode roll (ER1) from the server (150).

[0147] Next, at P120, reference points of the electrode sheet (ES) can be detected to collect reference point detection data (DSD). The reference point detection data (DSD) can be collected by the reference point sensor (133) and the roll map PLC (141) as described above.

[0148] Next, in P130, the coordinate data (CD1) can be corrected based on the reference point detection data (DSD) and the reference point data (DPD). The correction of the coordinate data (CD1) can be performed by triggering the sensing of the reference point. The correction of the coordinate data (CD1) can include calculating an offset, which is a difference between the detected reference point coordinate value of the reference point detection data (DSD) and the inverted reference point coordinate value of the reference point data (DPD), and correcting the inverted coordinate values ​​of the stored coordinate values ​​of the coordinate data (CD1) based on the offset.

[0149] Next, at P140, the defective portion (DES) of the electrode sheet (ES) can be discarded based on the corrected coordinate data. To discard the defective portion (DES) of the electrode sheet (ES), the process PLC (143) can be configured to generate a signal for controlling the operation of the unwinder (111), the rewinder (113), the scrap port (117), and the processing mechanism (119).

[0150]

[0151] (Example 3)

[0152] FIG. 3 illustrates a system (101) for manufacturing a battery according to exemplary embodiments.

[0153] Referring to FIG. 3, a system (101) for manufacturing a battery may include an unwinder (111), a rewinder (113), a splicing table (115), a scrap port (117), a processing mechanism (119), a first rotary encoder (121), a second rotary encoder (125), an NG sensor (131), a reference point sensor (133), an integrated PLC (140), an Equipment Interface (EIF) (145), a server (150), and a display device (160).

[0154] The unwinder (111), the rewinder (113), the splicing table (115), the scrap port (117), the processing mechanism (119), the first rotary encoder (121), the second rotary encoder (125), the NG sensor (131), the reference point sensor (133), the EIF (Equipment Interface) (145), the server (150), and the display device (160) are substantially the same as those described with reference to FIG. 1, so a duplicate description thereof is omitted.

[0155] The integrated PLC (140) may be configured to perform the functions of the roll map PLC (141) and the process PLC (143) of FIG. 1. Accordingly, the integrated PLC (140) may be configured to generate coordinate data based on one of the input amount signal (UWAS) and the exhaustion amount signal (WAS), collect NG detection data (NSD, see FIG. 1) and reference point detection data (DSD, see FIG. 1), and receive coordinate data (CD1) and reference point data (DPD) from the server (150) via the EIF (145). The integrated PLC (140) may be configured to correct inverted coordinate values ​​of the coordinate data (CD1) based on inverted data of the reference point detection data (DSD) and the reference point data (DPD). The integrated PLC (140) can be configured to generate signals for controlling the unwinder (111), the rewinder (113), the scrap port (117), and the processing mechanism (119) based on the corrected coordinate data.

[0156]

[0157] The present invention has been described in more detail through drawings and examples. However, the configurations described in the drawings or examples described in this specification are merely embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modified examples may exist as of the time of this application.

[0158]

[0159] (Explanation of symbols)

[0160] 100: System for manufacturing batteries

[0161] 111: Unwinder, 113: Rewinder, 115; Splicing Table

[0162] 117: Scrap port, 119: Processing device,

[0163] 121, 125: Rotary encoder

[0164] 131: NG Mark Vision Machine, 133: NG Tag Sensor

[0165] 140, 141, 143 PLC (Programmable Logic Controller)

[0166] 145: EIF (Equipment Interface)

[0167] 150: Server

[0168] 160: Display device

Claims

1. In a battery manufacturing system for unwinding an electrode sheet from a first electrode roll and winding the electrode sheet onto a second electrode roll, A server configured to store coordinate data of a first electrode roll and reference point data indicating a reference point of the first electrode roll; A PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) configured to load coordinate data and reference point data of the first electrode roll from the above server; and A reference point sensor configured to detect a reference point of an electrode sheet drawn from the first electrode roll and generate a reference point detection signal; A battery manufacturing system in which the PLC is configured to acquire coordinate data of the second electrode roll by correcting the inverted coordinate values ​​of the stored coordinate values ​​included in the coordinate data of the first electrode roll based on the inverted coordinate values ​​of the stored reference point coordinate values ​​included in the reference point data and the coordinate values ​​of the detected reference point.

2. In paragraph 1, By inverting the above coordinate values, The start coordinate value of the coordinate data of the first electrode roll is corrected to the end coordinate value of the coordinate data of the second electrode roll, A battery manufacturing system in which the end coordinate value of the coordinate data of the first electrode roll is corrected to the start coordinate value of the coordinate data of the second electrode roll.

3. In paragraph 1, A battery manufacturing system in which the inversion of the above-mentioned stored reference point coordinate values ​​and the inversion of the above-mentioned stored coordinate values ​​included in the above-mentioned coordinate data are performed by the above-mentioned server or the above-mentioned PLC.

4. In paragraph 1, A battery manufacturing system in which the PLC calculates an inverted coordinate value of the stored reference point coordinate value and an offset of the detected reference point coordinate value, and corrects the inverted coordinate value of the stored coordinate value of the inverted first electrode roll based on the offset.

5. In paragraph 1, A battery manufacturing system in which the reference point sensor corrects the detected reference point coordinate value based on an offset length, which is the length of the electrode sheet interposed between the rewinder on which the second electrode roll is wound and the electrode sheet portion at the time when the reference point is detected.

6. In paragraph 1, A battery manufacturing system in which the server stores a first roll map including the coordinate data and reference point data of the first electrode roll.

7. In paragraph 1, A battery manufacturing system in which the server generates a second roll map of the second electrode roll based on the reference point detection data and the acquired coordinate data of the second electrode roll, or corrects the coordinate data of the generated second roll map.

8. In a battery manufacturing method for unwinding an electrode sheet from a first electrode roll and winding the electrode sheet onto a second electrode roll, A step of loading coordinate data including stored coordinate values ​​of a first electrode roll and reference point data including stored reference point coordinate values ​​of the first electrode roll; A step of detecting a reference point of an electrode sheet drawn from the first electrode roll and collecting reference point detection data including the detected reference point coordinate values; A battery manufacturing method comprising a step of acquiring coordinate data of the second electrode roll by correcting the inverted coordinate values ​​of the stored coordinate values ​​of the first electrode roll based on the inverted coordinate values ​​of the stored reference point coordinate values ​​and the coordinate values ​​of the detected reference point.

9. In paragraph 8, A battery manufacturing method further comprising a step of discarding a defective portion of an electrode sheet extracted from the first electrode roll based on the corrected coordinate values.

10. In paragraph 8, By inverting the above coordinate values, The start coordinate value of the coordinate data of the first electrode roll is corrected to the end coordinate value of the coordinate data of the second electrode roll, A battery manufacturing method in which the end coordinate value of the coordinate data of the first electrode roll is corrected to the start coordinate value of the coordinate data of the second electrode roll.

11. In paragraph 10, Calculate the offset of the inverted coordinate value of the above-mentioned stored reference point coordinate value and the detected reference point coordinate value, A battery manufacturing method for correcting the inverted coordinate values ​​of the stored coordinate values ​​of the first electrode roll based on the above offset.

12. In paragraph 8, A battery manufacturing method in which the above-detected reference point coordinate value is corrected based on an offset length, which is the length of the electrode sheet interposed between the unwinder from which the first electrode roll is released and the electrode sheet portion at the time when the reference point is detected.

13. In paragraph 8, A battery manufacturing method in which the coordinate data and the reference point data of the first electrode roll are loaded based on a first roll map of the first electrode roll including the coordinate data and the reference point data.

14. In paragraph 13, A battery manufacturing method for generating a second roll map of the second electrode roll based on the above reference point detection data and the acquired coordinate data of the second electrode roll, or correcting the coordinate data of the generated second roll map.

15. A second electrode roll formed by winding an electrode sheet having a plurality of first reference points along the longitudinal direction, and then winding the electrode sheet from the first electrode roll, The electrode sheet of the second electrode roll has a plurality of second reference points corresponding to the plurality of first reference points, A second electrode roll configured such that each of the second reference points is positioned at a longitudinal position of the inverted electrode sheet of each of the first reference points or at a position offset from the longitudinal position of the inverted electrode sheet.

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