Battery simulation device and operating method therefor

Abstract

A simulation device according to an embodiment disclosed in the present document may include: an interface for acquiring at least one piece of welding condition information for welding a lead and a tap of a battery, at least one piece of lead condition information corresponding to the lead, and at least one piece of tap condition information corresponding to the tap; and at least one processor, wherein the processor diagnoses a welding state of the lead and the tap with reference to the welding condition information, the lead condition information, and the tap condition information.

Description

Battery simulation device and its operating method

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This invention claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0159124, filed November 16, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0162044, filed November 14, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] Embodiments disclosed in this document relate to a battery pack and a diagnostic method thereof.

[0005] The embodiments disclosed in this document relate to a battery simulation device and an operating method thereof.

[0006] Recently, research and development on secondary batteries has been actively conducted. Here, secondary batteries are rechargeable and include both conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries, as well as recent lithium-ion batteries. Among secondary batteries, lithium-ion batteries have the advantage of having a much higher energy density than conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries. Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries can be manufactured in a compact and lightweight form, making them suitable for use as power sources for mobile devices. Recently, their use has expanded to include power sources for electric vehicles, attracting attention as a next-generation energy storage medium.

[0007] Additionally, secondary batteries can be utilized as battery packs, which typically include battery modules in which multiple battery cells are connected in series and / or parallel. Furthermore, secondary batteries can be utilized as battery racks, which include multiple battery modules and a rack frame that accommodates these battery modules.

[0008] Battery cells, battery modules, battery packs, or battery racks like these can be utilized in a variety of devices. For example, batteries can be used in mobile devices such as cell phones, laptops, smartphones, and tablets, as well as in electric vehicles (EVs, HEVs, PHEVs) and large-capacity energy storage systems (ESS).

[0009] Batteries power mobile devices, electric vehicles, and other devices via lead-tab connections. These leads and tabs can be joined via laser welding. The degree to which these leads and tabs are welded can impact the efficiency of the battery production process.

[0010] Traditionally, tensile strength testing was used to diagnose the weld condition of battery leads and tabs. However, the limitations of destructive testing made it difficult to rapidly diagnose a large number of simulation samples. Furthermore, because tensile strength testing only assesses mechanical strength, it was difficult to determine the electrical impact on the battery depending on the weld condition.

[0011] Accordingly, it is necessary to accurately and quickly diagnose the welding status between leads and tabs before mass production of batteries and then derive optimal welding conditions.

[0012] The embodiments disclosed in this document are intended to provide a simulation device and an operating method thereof capable of diagnosing the welding state between leads and tabs of a battery based on a non-destructive method.

[0013] The embodiments disclosed in this document are intended to provide a simulation device and an operating method thereof that can accurately diagnose various welding states of a lead and a tab according to welding conditions.

[0014] The technical problems of the embodiments disclosed in this document are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the descriptions below.

[0015] A simulation device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document includes an interface for obtaining at least one piece of welding condition information for welding a lead and a tab of a battery, at least one piece of lead condition information corresponding to the lead, and at least one piece of tap condition information corresponding to the tab; and one or more processors, wherein the processor can diagnose a welding state of the lead and the tab by referring to the welding condition information, the lead condition information, and the tap condition information.

[0016] In a simulation device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document, the one or more processors can calculate a current and a potential flowing through a first point of the lead and a second point of the tab for at least one lead-tap combination corresponding to each of the at least one welding condition information, and diagnose the welding state of the lead-tap combination based on the current and the potential.

[0017] In a simulation device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document, the one or more processors can calculate the potential and the current based on the finite element method (FEM).

[0018] In a simulation device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document, the one or more processors can calculate resistance based on the potential and the current, and diagnose the welding state based on the resistance.

[0019] In a simulation device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document, the one or more processors can diagnose a welding state of a specific lead-tab combination having a resistance greater than or equal to a critical resistance among the resistances of the lead-tab combination as a defective welding state.

[0020] In a simulation device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document, the at least one welding condition information may include at least a portion of an area of ​​an area where the lead and the tab overlap, the number of welding points, a diameter of the welding points, an arrangement of the welding points, and a height of the welding points.

[0021] In a simulation device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document, the at least one lead condition information may include at least a portion of the thickness of the lead, the area of ​​the lead, and the material of the lead, and the at least one tap condition information may include at least a portion of the thickness of the tap, the area of ​​the tap, and the material of the tap.

[0022] In a simulation device according to one embodiment disclosed in this document, the one or more processors can determine optimal welding condition information among the welding condition information corresponding to the lead condition information and the tap condition information based on a result of diagnosing the welding state.

[0023] A simulation method according to an embodiment disclosed in the present document may include an operation of obtaining at least one welding condition information for welding a lead and a tab of a battery, at least one lead condition information corresponding to the lead, and at least one tab condition information corresponding to the tab; and an operation of diagnosing a welding state of the lead and the tab by referring to the welding condition information, the lead condition information, and the tab condition information.

[0024] In a simulation method according to an embodiment disclosed in this document, the operation of diagnosing the welding state may include an operation of calculating a current and a potential flowing through a first point of the lead and a second point of the tap for at least one lead-tap combination corresponding to each of the at least one piece of welding condition information, and diagnosing the welding state of the lead-tap combination based on the current and the potential.

[0025] In a simulation method according to an embodiment disclosed in this document, the operation of diagnosing the welding state may include an operation of calculating the potential and the current based on the finite element method (FEM).

[0026] In a simulation method according to an embodiment disclosed in this document, the operation of diagnosing the welding state may include an operation of calculating resistance based on the potential and the current, and diagnosing the welding state based on the resistance.

[0027] In a simulation method according to an embodiment disclosed in this document, the operation of diagnosing the welding state may include an operation of diagnosing the welding state of a specific lead-tab combination having a resistance greater than or equal to a critical resistance among the resistances of the lead-tab combination as a defective welding state.

[0028] In a simulation method according to an embodiment disclosed in this document, an operation of determining optimal welding condition information among the welding condition information corresponding to the lead condition information and the tap condition information may be further included based on a result of diagnosing the welding state.

[0029] According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, the welding condition between the leads and tabs of a battery can be diagnosed based on a non-destructive method.

[0030] According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, various welding states of leads and tabs can be accurately diagnosed according to welding conditions.

[0031] In addition, various effects may be provided, either directly or indirectly, through this document.

[0032] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a simulation device according to one embodiment.

[0033] FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic drawings showing a state in which a lead and a tab are welded according to one embodiment.

[0034] Figures 3a to 3h are diagrams for explaining potential and current produced according to one embodiment.

[0035] Figure 4 is a graph showing the resistance produced according to one embodiment.

[0036] Figure 5 is a flowchart of the operation of a simulation device according to one embodiment.

[0037] FIG. 6 shows a computing system that executes a method of operating a simulation device according to one embodiment.

[0038] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that the present invention encompasses various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives of the embodiments.

[0039] The various embodiments and terminology used in this document are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, but should be understood to encompass various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiments. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0040] In this document, the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" can each include any one of the items listed together in that phrase, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first", "second", "first", "second", "A", "B", "(a)", or "(b)" may be used merely to distinguish the corresponding element from other corresponding elements, and do not limit the corresponding elements in any other respect (e.g., importance or order) unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0041] In this document, whenever a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as being “connected,” “coupled,” or “connected,” with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicatively,” or “coupled” or “connected,” it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or via a third component.

[0042] According to various embodiments, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include one or more entities, and some of the entities may be separated and placed in other components. According to various embodiments, one or more components or operations of the aforementioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., a module or a program) may be integrated into a single component. In such a case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components identically or similarly to those performed by the corresponding component among the plurality of components prior to the integration. According to various embodiments, the operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

[0043] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a simulation device according to one embodiment.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the simulation device (100) may include an interface (110) and one or more processors (120).

[0045] In one embodiment, the interface (110) may obtain at least one piece of welding condition information for welding the leads and tabs of the battery. For reference, the leads and tabs may be joined through laser welding.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the interface (110) can obtain welding condition information, lead condition information, and tap condition information.

[0047] At this time, the welding condition information may include at least some of the area of ​​the area where the lead and tab overlap, the number of welding points, the diameter of the welding points, the arrangement of the welding points, and the height of the welding points.

[0048] Additionally, the lead condition information may include at least some of the thickness of the lead, the area of ​​the lead, and the material of the lead, and the tap condition information may include at least some of the thickness of the tap, the area of ​​the tap, and the material of the tap.

[0049] Welding condition information, lead condition information, and tap condition information will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2a and 2b.

[0050] FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic drawings showing a state in which a lead and a tab are welded according to one embodiment.

[0051] First, referring to Fig. 2a, which is a perspective view of the lead and tab, it can be seen that the lead and tab are joined through four welding points (24) in an overlapping area (25) where the upper part of the tab and the lower part of the lead overlap.

[0052] For reference, for convenience of explanation, FIG. 2a illustrates four welding points (24) arranged in a single row, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the number of welding points (24) may be 1 in the 1_1 welding condition information, the number of welding points (24) may be 2 in the 1_2 welding condition information, the number of welding points (24) may be 4 in the 1_3 welding condition information, the number of welding points (24) may be 8 in the 1_4 welding condition information, the number of welding points (24) may be 16 in the 1_5 welding condition information, the number of welding points (24) may be 32 in the 1_6 welding condition information, and the number of welding points (24) may be 54 in the 1_7 welding condition information.

[0053] Also, referring to FIG. 2b, which is a side view of the lead and the tab, the diameter and height of the welding point (24) that joins the lead and the tab can be confirmed. The diameter of the welding point (24) may vary depending on the size of the laser welding beam, and the height of the welding point (24) may vary depending on the thickness of the lead and the number (length) of the tabs. For example, the 2_1 welding condition information may be that the diameter of the welding point (24) is 0.5 mm, the 2_2 welding condition information may be that the diameter of the welding point (24) is 0.7 mm, the 2_3 welding condition information may be that the diameter of the welding point (24) is 0.9 mm, and the 2_4 welding condition information may be that the diameter of the welding point (24) is 1.1 mm. As another example, the 3_1 welding condition information may be that the height of the welding point (24) is 0.1 mm, the 3_2 welding condition information may be that the height of the welding point (24) is 0.2 mm, and the 3_3 welding condition information may be that the height of the welding point (24) is 0.3 mm. As another example, the 4_1 welding condition information may be that the arrangement of the welding point (24) is a single-row arrangement, and the 4_2 welding condition information may be that the arrangement of the welding point (24) is a double-row arrangement.

[0054] At this time, in the case of the 1_1 welding condition information to the 1_7 welding condition information, the diameter of the welding point (24), the arrangement of the welding point (24), and the height of the welding point (24) may be the same, but are not limited thereto. In addition, in the case of the 2_1 welding condition information to the 2_4 welding condition information, the number of welding points (24), the arrangement of the welding points (24), and the height of the welding points (24) may be the same, but are not limited thereto. In addition, in the case of the 3_1 welding condition information to the 3_3 welding condition information, the number of welding points (24), the arrangement of the welding points (24), and the diameter of the welding points (24) may be the same, but are not limited thereto. In addition, in the case of the 4_1 welding condition information to the 4_2 welding condition information, the number of welding points (24), the diameter of the welding points (24), and the height of the welding points (24) may be the same, but are not limited thereto.

[0055] Additionally, the lead condition information may include at least some of the thickness of the lead, the width (21) of the lead, the depth (22) of the lead, and the material of the lead. For example, the lead condition information may include conditions in which the thickness of the lead is 0.4 mm, the width (21) of the lead is 42 mm, the depth (22) of the lead is 49 mm, and the material of the lead is aluminum (or copper).

[0056] Additionally, the tap condition information may include at least some of the thickness of the tap, the width of the tap, the depth (23) of the tap, and the material of the tap. For example, the tap condition information may include conditions in which the thickness of the tap is 0.4 mm, the width of the tap is 42 mm, which is the same as the width (21) of the lead, the depth (23) of the tap is 46 mm, and the material of the tap is aluminum (or copper), which is the same as the material of the lead.

[0057] Please note that the specific numerical values ​​for the lead condition information and tab condition information above are merely examples to aid understanding and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the thickness, width, depth, and material of each lead and tab may be determined based on the battery cell design.

[0058] In addition, one or more processors (120) can diagnose the welding status of the lead and tab by referring to the welding condition information, the lead condition information, and the tab condition information.

[0059] The processor described above may be implemented as a single processor or as separate processors. Here, the processor may execute software to control at least one other component (e.g., hardware or software component) of the simulation device (100) and perform various data processing or calculations.

[0060] According to one embodiment, one or more processors (120) can diagnose a welding state by referring to a plurality of welding condition information for a plurality of lead-tap combinations having the same lead condition information and tap condition information.

[0061] For example, for each of the first to seventh lead-tap combinations that satisfy the same lead condition information and the same tap condition information, in a state where the aforementioned 1_1 welding condition information (e.g., the number of welding points is 1) to 1_7 welding condition information (e.g., the number of welding points is 7) are applied, one or more processors (120) can diagnose the welding status of the first to seventh lead-tap combinations.

[0062] According to one embodiment, one or more processors (120) can calculate current and potential flowing through a first point of the lead and a second point of the tab for at least one lead-tap combination corresponding to at least one piece of welding condition information, and diagnose a welding state of the lead-tap combination based on the potential and current.

[0063] Figures 3a to 3h are drawings for explaining the current and potential flowing in the lead-tap combination.

[0064] First, referring to Fig. 3a, a top view of a lead-tab combination joined via laser welding is shown. At this time, the (+) polarity terminal of a current source (not shown) can be electrically connected to a first point (28) of the lead, and the (-) polarity terminal of the current source can be electrically connected to a second point (29) of the tab.

[0065] For example, a current source can be electrically connected to a first point (28) and a second point (29) of a lead-tab combination in which the thickness of the lead and the tab is 0.4 mm, the width of the lead and the tab is 42 mm, the depth of the lead is 49 mm, the depth of the tab is 46 mm, and the material of the lead and the tab is aluminum, so that current can flow through the lead-tab combination. At this time, the interval (27) between the first point (28) and the second point (29) can be 7 cm. For reference, the interval (27) between the first point (28) and the second point (29) is only an example to help understanding and is not limited thereto. For example, depending on the size of the lead and the tab, etc., the interval between the first point (28) and the second point (29) can be equal to or different from 7 cm.

[0066] According to one embodiment, one or more processors (120) can calculate the potential and current of the lead-tap combination based on the Finite Element Method (FEM).

[0067] According to one embodiment, one or more processors (120) can calculate resistance based on potential and current, and diagnose a welding state based on the resistance.

[0068] FIGS. 3b to 3d schematically illustrate potentials and currents calculated based on the finite element method when current is conducted through the first point (28) and the second point (29) in a center contact manner with different numbers of welding points (24) for three lead-tap combinations having the same lead condition information (e.g., condition information that the lead thickness is 0.4 mm, the lead width is 42 mm, the lead depth is 49 mm, and the lead material is aluminum) and the same tap condition information (e.g., condition information that the tab thickness is 0.4 mm, the tab width is 42 mm, the tab depth is 46 mm, and the tab material is aluminum). For reference, the curves connected from the first point (28) to the second point (29) represent the flow of current, and the brightness and / or color represent the resistance due to the potential difference, so it can be confirmed that the potential of the first point (28) is relatively higher than the potential of the second point (29).

[0069] First, referring to FIG. 3b, since the number of welding points (24) is 1, the current travel distance from the first point (28) to the second point (29) is longer than in the cases of FIGS. 3c and 3d described later, and since the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the welding points (24) is smaller than in the cases of FIGS. 3c and 3d, it can be seen that the resistance of the welding point (24) is the greatest.

[0070] In addition, referring to FIG. 3c, since the number of welding points (24) is four, the current travel distance from the first point (28) to the second point (29) is shorter than in the case of FIG. 3b, and since the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the welding points (24) is larger than in the case of FIG. 3c, it can be seen that the resistance of the welding points (24) is smaller than in the case of FIG. 3b.

[0071] In addition, referring to FIG. 3d, since the number of welding points (24) is 32, the current travel distance from the first point (28) to the second point (29) is the shortest, and since the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the welding points (24) is the largest, it can be seen that the resistance of the welding points (24) is the smallest.

[0072] Figures 3e to 3f schematically illustrate potentials and currents calculated based on the finite element method when current is conducted through the first point (28) and the second point (28) in an edge contact manner with different numbers of welding points (24) for two lead-tap combinations having the same lead condition information and the same tap condition information.

[0073] For reference, in the case of FIGS. 3e, 3f and FIGS. 3g and 3h described later, overlapping contents with FIGS. 3b to 3d (e.g., lead condition information and tap condition information) will be omitted, and the differences will be mainly explained.

[0074] First, referring to FIG. 3e, since the number of welding points (24) is 1, the current travel distance from the first point (28) to the second point (29) is longer than in the case of FIG. 3f, which will be described later, and since the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the welding points (24) is smaller than in the case of FIG. 3f, it can be seen that the resistance of the welding points (24) is greater than in the case of FIG. 3f.

[0075] In addition, referring to FIG. 3f, since the number of welding points (24) is 32, the current travel distance from the first point (28) to the second point (29) is shorter than in the case of FIG. 3e, and since the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the welding points (24) is larger than in the case of FIG. 3e, it can be seen that the resistance of the welding points (24) is smaller than in the case of FIG. 3e.

[0076] FIGS. 3g to 3h schematically illustrate potentials and currents calculated based on the finite element method when current is conducted through a first point (28) and a second point (28) in an edge contact manner with different numbers of welding points (24) for two lead-tap combinations having the same lead condition information and the same tap condition information. For reference, it can be confirmed that the arrangement of the welding points (24) in FIGS. 3e and 3f is a single-row arrangement, whereas the arrangement of the welding points (24) in FIGS. 3g and 3h is a double-row arrangement.

[0077] First, referring to FIG. 3g, since four welding points (24) are arranged in a double row (i.e., the number of welding points (24) is eight), the current travel distance from the first point (28) to the second point (29) is longer than in the case of FIG. 3h, which will be described later, and since the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the welding points (24) is smaller than in the case of FIG. 3h, it can be seen that the resistance of the welding points (24) is greater than in the case of FIG. 3h.

[0078] In addition, referring to FIG. 3h, since 27 welding points (24) are arranged in a double row (i.e., the number of welding points (24) is 54), the current travel distance from the first point (28) to the second point (29) is shorter than in the case of FIG. 3g, and since the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the welding points (24) is larger than in the case of FIG. 3g, it can be seen that the resistance of the welding points (24) is smaller than in the case of FIG. 3g.

[0079] For reference, in the past, the resistance value was calculated by substituting the value of the current supplied from the current source and the potential difference between the first point and the second point of the lead-tap combination into Ohm's law. However, in the case of the conventional method, even when the welding condition information between the first lead-tap combination and the second lead-tap combination is very different (e.g., the number of welding points of the first lead-tap combination is 1 and the number of welding points of the second lead-tap combination is 32), there was a problem that it was difficult to accurately diagnose the welding status because the difference between the resistance value corresponding to the first lead-tap combination and the resistance value corresponding to the second lead-tap combination was not large.

[0080] On the other hand, according to one embodiment disclosed in this document, the resistance value calculated based on the finite element method sensitively reflects welding condition information, enabling accurate diagnosis of the welding status of the lead-tap combination. This will be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 4.

[0081] FIG. 4 is a graph showing the resistance calculated for each diameter of a welding point according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0082] Referring to Fig. 4, it can be confirmed that the resistance value changes significantly depending on the number of welding points (N) even when the diameter of the welding point is the same. For example, for 7 lead-tap combinations, it can be confirmed that the resistance value increases significantly as the number of welding points (N) decreases even when the lead condition information, the tap condition information, and the diameter of the welding point are the same. In particular, among the 7 lead-tap combinations with a welding point diameter of less than 0.1 mm, it can be confirmed that the resistance value order of the lead-tap combinations having the number of welding points (N) of 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 is 1 to 2 orders of magnitude higher than the resistance value order of the lead-tap combinations having the number of welding points (N) of 32 and 54.

[0083] Accordingly, another simulation device (100) according to one embodiment disclosed in this document can diagnose the welding status of a lead-tab combination based on the above characteristics.

[0084] According to one embodiment, one or more processors (120) can diagnose a welding condition of a specific lead-tab combination having a resistance greater than or equal to a critical resistance among the resistances of the lead-tab combination as a defective welding condition.

[0085] For example, one or more processors (120) may diagnose the welding status of a specific lead-tap combination having a resistance value higher than a threshold resistance value among a plurality of lead-tap combinations as a defective welding status. At this time, the threshold resistance value may have a fixed value, but is not limited thereto. For example, the threshold resistance value may be a value set based on at least some of the lead condition information, the tap condition information, and the welding condition information.

[0086] As another example, one or more processors (120) may diagnose the weld condition of a particular lead-tap combination that is included in a lower percentage (e.g., lower 30% of a population) of the resistance of each of a plurality of lead-tap combinations as a poor weld condition.

[0087] According to one embodiment, one or more processors (120) may determine optimal welding condition information among welding condition information corresponding to lead condition information and tap condition information based on a result of diagnosing a welding state. For example, one or more processors (120) may determine a first lead-tap combination to an n-th lead-tap combination that are in a normal welding state based on a result of diagnosing a welding state, and may determine specific welding condition information applied to a specific lead-tap clause having a smallest resistance value among the first lead-tap combination to the n-th lead-tap combination that satisfies specific lead condition information and specific tap condition information as optimal welding condition information.

[0088] In this way, before mass-producing batteries, multiple welding condition information is applied to multiple lead-tab combinations that satisfy specific lead condition information and specific tab condition information to be applied to the battery, resistance values ​​are calculated based on the legacy element method, and optimal welding condition information is determined based on this, thereby enabling simulation to be performed quickly and efficiently.

[0089] Fig. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of a simulation device (100) according to one embodiment. Fig. 5 may be an explanation of the operation of the simulation device (100) of Fig. 1, and may be explained using the configuration of Fig. 1.

[0090] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 is only one embodiment, and the order of steps according to various embodiments of the present invention may be different from that illustrated in FIG. 5, and some of the steps illustrated in FIG. 5 may be omitted, the order between steps may be changed, or steps may be merged.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 5, in operation 405, the simulation device (100) can obtain at least one welding condition information for welding the lead and tab of the battery, at least one lead condition information corresponding to the lead, and at least one tab condition information corresponding to the tab.

[0092] In operation 410, the simulation device (100) can diagnose the welding status of the lead and the tab by referring to the welding condition information, the lead condition information, and the tab condition information. According to one embodiment, the simulation device (100) can calculate the current and the potential flowing through the first point of the lead and the second point of the tab for at least one lead-tap combination corresponding to each of at least one piece of welding condition information, and can diagnose the welding status of the lead-tap combination based on the current and the potential. According to one embodiment, the simulation device (100) can calculate the potential and the current based on the finite element method (FEM). According to one embodiment, the simulation device (100) can calculate the resistance based on the potential and the current, and can diagnose the welding status based on the resistance. According to one embodiment, the simulation device (100) can diagnose the welding status of a specific lead-tap combination having a resistance greater than or equal to a critical resistance among the resistances of the lead-tap combination as a poor welding status. According to one embodiment, the simulation device (100) can determine optimal welding condition information among welding condition information corresponding to lead condition information and tap condition information based on the result of diagnosing the welding state.

[0093] FIG. 6 shows a computing system that executes an operation method of a simulation device (100) according to one embodiment disclosed in this document.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 6, a computing system (2000) according to an embodiment disclosed in the present document may include an MCU (2100), a memory (2200), a communication I / F (2300), and an input / output I / F (2400).

[0095] The MCU (2100) may be a processor that executes various programs (e.g., a welding status diagnosis program) stored in the memory (2200) and performs the functions of the simulation device (100) described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 described above, or a processor that executes the operating method of the simulation device (100) described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0096] The memory (2200) can store various programs for diagnosing welding conditions. In addition, the memory (2200) can store various data such as welding condition diagnosis results and resistance values ​​for each lead-tap combination.

[0097] A plurality of such memories (2200) may be provided as needed. The memories (2200) may be volatile memories or non-volatile memories. As volatile memories (2200), RAM, DRAM, SRAM, etc. may be used. As non-volatile memories (22100), ROM, PROM, EAROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memories, etc. may be used. The examples of the memories (2200) listed above are merely examples and are not limited to these examples.

[0098] The input / output I / F (2400) can provide an interface that enables data transmission and reception between an input device (not shown) such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel, and an output device (not shown) such as a display and the MCU (2100).

[0099] The communication I / F (2300) is a component capable of transmitting and receiving various data with the server, and may be any device capable of supporting wired or wireless communication. For example, programs for determining welding status abnormalities or various data can be transmitted and received from a separately provided external server via the communication I / F (2300).

[0100] In this way, the operation method of the simulation device (100) according to one embodiment disclosed in this document can be recorded in the memory (2200) and executed by the MCU (2100).

[0101] The terms "include," "comprise," or "have" used herein, unless otherwise specifically stated, imply that the corresponding component may be included, and therefore should be interpreted to include other components rather than to exclude other components. All terms, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments disclosed in this document pertain, unless otherwise defined. Commonly used terms, such as terms defined in dictionaries, should be interpreted to be consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless explicitly defined in this document.

Claims

1. An interface for obtaining at least one welding condition information for welding a lead and a tab of a battery, at least one lead condition information corresponding to the lead, and at least one tab condition information corresponding to the tab; and comprising one or more processors; The above processor is a simulation device that diagnoses the welding status of the lead and the tab by referring to the welding condition information, the lead condition information, and the tab condition information.

2. In claim 1, One or more of the above processors, A simulation device that calculates a current and a potential flowing through a first point of the lead and a second point of the tab for at least one lead-tap combination corresponding to each of the at least one welding condition information, and diagnoses the welding state of the lead-tap combination based on the current and the potential.

3. In claim 2, One or more of the above processors, A simulation device that calculates the potential and current based on the finite element method (FEM).

4. In claim 3, One or more of the above processors, A simulation device that calculates resistance based on the above potential and the above current, and diagnoses the welding state based on the resistance.

5. In claim 4, One or more of the above processors, A simulation device that diagnoses the welding condition of a specific lead-tab combination having a critical resistance or higher among the resistances of the lead-tab combination as a defective welding condition.

6. In claim 1, A simulation device, wherein the at least one welding condition information includes at least a portion of an area of ​​a region where the lead and the tab overlap, a number of welding points, a diameter of the welding points, an arrangement of the welding points, and a height of the welding points.

7. In claim 1, The at least one lead condition information includes at least a portion of the thickness of the lead, the area of ​​the lead, and the material of the lead, A simulation device, wherein the at least one tab condition information includes at least some of the thickness of the tab, the area of ​​the tab, and the material of the tab.

8. In claim 1, One or more of the above processors, A simulation device that determines optimal welding condition information among the welding condition information corresponding to the lead condition information and the tap condition information based on the results of diagnosing the welding condition.

9. An operation of obtaining at least one welding condition information for welding a lead and a tab of a battery, at least one lead condition information corresponding to the lead, and at least one tab condition information corresponding to the tab; and A simulation method including an operation of diagnosing a welding state of the lead and the tab by referring to the welding condition information, the lead condition information, and the tab condition information.

10. In claim 9, The operation to diagnose the above welding condition is as follows: A simulation method comprising: calculating a current and a potential flowing through a first point of the lead and a second point of the tab for at least one lead-tap combination corresponding to each of the at least one welding condition information; and diagnosing the welding state of the lead-tap combination based on the current and the potential.

11. In claim 10, The operation to diagnose the above welding condition is as follows: A simulation method including an operation of calculating the potential and the current based on the finite element method (FEM).

12. In claim 11, The operation to diagnose the above welding condition is as follows: A simulation method including an operation of calculating resistance based on the potential and the current, and diagnosing the welding state based on the resistance.

13. In claim 12, The operation to diagnose the above welding condition is as follows: A simulation method including an operation of diagnosing a welding condition of a specific lead-tab combination having a critical resistance or higher among the resistances of the lead-tab combination as a defective welding condition.

14. In claim 9, A simulation method further comprising an operation of determining optimal welding condition information among the welding condition information corresponding to the lead condition information and the tab condition information based on the result of diagnosing the welding state.

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