Cylindrical battery cell inspection device and cylindrical battery cell produced using same, and battery pack and vehicle comprising cylindrical battery cell

Abstract

Disclosed are a cylindrical battery cell inspection device and a cylindrical battery cell produced using same, and a battery pack and a vehicle, comprising the cylindrical battery cell. The cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a body member in which a cylindrical battery cell moves; a plurality of mirror members coupled to the body member and reflecting again the light reflected from the inspection position of the cylindrical battery cell; and a photographing member photographing the cylindrical battery cell by the light reflected from the mirror members.

Description

Cylindrical battery cell inspection device and cylindrical battery cell produced using the same, and battery pack and vehicle including the cylindrical battery cell

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0193480, filed December 27, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0025732, filed February 22, 2024, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to a cylindrical battery cell inspection device and a cylindrical battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the cylindrical battery cell, and more particularly, to a cylindrical battery cell inspection device capable of accurately inspecting a cylindrical battery cell and a cylindrical battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the cylindrical battery cell.

[0003] Secondary batteries, which have high applicability according to product group and electrical characteristics such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) driven by electrical power sources.

[0004] These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for environmental friendliness and energy efficiency because they not only have the primary advantage of drastically reducing the use of fossil fuels, but also have the advantage of producing no byproducts from energy use.

[0005] Commonly used secondary battery types include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The operating voltage of these unit secondary battery cells ranges from approximately 2.5 V to 4.5 V.

[0006] Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, multiple battery cells are connected in series to form a battery module or battery pack. Furthermore, depending on the required charge / discharge capacity, a number of battery cells are connected in parallel to form a battery module or battery pack. Accordingly, the number and electrical connection configuration of battery cells included in a battery module or battery pack can be varied depending on at least one of the required output voltage and charge / discharge capacity.

[0007] Cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch-shaped secondary battery cells are known types. Cylindrical battery cells are formed by interposing a separator, which serves as an insulator, between the positive and negative plates. This separator is then rolled to form a jelly-roll-shaped electrode assembly. This assembly, along with an electrolyte, is then inserted into a battery can to form the battery. Furthermore, cylindrical battery cells may use a current collector to electrically connect the positive and negative plates.

[0008] In the case of cylindrical battery cells among the battery cells that make up conventional battery modules or battery packs, there is a product quality risk of backbeads occurring due to overwelding during the welding process.

[0009] Back beads occur on the back of a product when excessive welding occurs, penetrating the welded material and serving as a basis for assessing overwelding. In the case of cylindrical battery cells, back beads can occur at the beading area due to overwelding.

[0010] However, in the welding process of conventional cylindrical battery cells, there is no method for comprehensive inspection when back beads occur, and overwelding due to back beads is determined only through visual inspection through partial sampling, which has the problem of low inspection accuracy.

[0011] Therefore, a method is required to improve the inspection accuracy of welding quality during the welding process of cylindrical battery cells.

[0012] Accordingly, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a cylindrical battery cell inspection device capable of improving inspection accuracy, a cylindrical battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the cylindrical battery cell.

[0013] In addition, the present invention provides a cylindrical battery cell inspection device capable of reducing process time and increasing process efficiency, a cylindrical battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the cylindrical battery cell.

[0014] In addition, the present invention provides a cylindrical battery cell inspection device capable of reducing process costs and improving cost competitiveness, a cylindrical battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and vehicle including the cylindrical battery cell.

[0015] In addition, the present invention provides a cylindrical battery cell inspection device capable of improving device compatibility, a cylindrical battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the cylindrical battery cell.

[0016] However, the technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems described above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, a cylindrical battery cell inspection device may be provided, including a main body member through which a cylindrical battery cell moves; a plurality of mirror members coupled to the main body member and re-reflecting light reflected from an inspection position of the cylindrical battery cell; and a photographing member that photographs the cylindrical battery cell using light reflected from the mirror members.

[0018] In one embodiment, the main body member may include a bottom portion through which the cylindrical battery cell moves inward; a connecting portion connected to the bottom portion; and a head portion coupled to an upper side of the connecting portion and to which the photographing member is coupled.

[0019] In one embodiment, a bottom slope is formed on the side of the bottom portion so as to be inclined inward as it goes downward, and a bottom mirror member among the plurality of mirror members can be combined with the bottom slope.

[0020] In one embodiment, the bottom slope may be formed at an angle such that the photographing member can photograph the beading portion of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0021] In one embodiment, the head portion may include a head mirror member coupled to re-reflect light reflected from the bottom mirror member and send it to the photographing member.

[0022] In one embodiment, the head portion may include a head slope portion formed at a position corresponding to the floor slope portion; and a head slope coupling portion coupled to the head slope portion and positioned to face the photographing member.

[0023] In one embodiment, the head mirror member includes a first mirror member coupled to the head tilt portion; and a second mirror member coupled to the head tilt coupling portion, wherein light reflected from the inspection position of the cylindrical battery cell is reflected from the bottom mirror member and directed toward the first mirror member, is reflected from the first mirror member and directed toward the second mirror member, and is reflected from the second mirror member and introduced into the photographing member.

[0024] In one embodiment, the connecting portion may include a lighting unit coupled to the connecting portion.

[0025] The above guide portion may be a guide wall formed with a structure protruding toward the inside of the bottom portion.

[0026] In one embodiment, the guide wall may be formed into a curved surface.

[0027] In one embodiment, the cylindrical battery cell may include a disk member on which the cylindrical battery cell is mounted and rotates so that the cylindrical battery cell moves toward the main body member.

[0028] In one embodiment, the cylindrical battery cell may be arranged to rotate on its own about the center of the cylindrical battery cell after being temporarily stopped inside the main body member.

[0029] Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, a cylindrical battery cell produced using the cylindrical battery cell inspection device described above can be provided, and further, a battery pack including at least one cylindrical battery cell described above can be provided, and further, an automobile including at least one cylindrical battery cell described above can be provided.

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention have the effect of improving inspection accuracy.

[0031] Additionally, it has the effect of increasing process efficiency by reducing process time.

[0032] Additionally, it has the effect of reducing process costs and improving cost competitiveness.

[0033] Additionally, it has the effect of improving device compatibility.

[0034] However, the effects that can be obtained through the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other technical effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0035] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and together with the detailed description of the invention described below, serve to further understand the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to matters described in such drawings.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 2 is a perspective view of Figure 1 viewed from another direction.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a side view of a cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of Fig. 4, showing the inspection location of a cylindrical battery cell reflected by a mirror member and photographed by a photographing member.

[0041] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of Figure 1.

[0042] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of part C of Figure 6.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an inspection position of a cylindrical battery cell reflected by a mirror member and photographed by a photographing member in a cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a battery pack including a cylindrical battery cell produced using a cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 9.

[0046] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted with meanings and concepts that conform to the technical idea of ​​the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term to best explain his or her own invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and various equivalents and modifications may exist as of the time of this application.

[0047] In the drawings, the sizes of each component or specific parts of that component are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for convenience and clarity of explanation. Therefore, the size of each component does not entirely reflect its actual size. If a detailed description of a related known function or configuration is deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, such description will be omitted.

[0048] The term 'joint' or 'connection' as used herein includes not only cases where one member is directly joined or directly connected to another member, but also cases where one member is indirectly joined or indirectly connected to another member through a connecting member.

[0049] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIG. 1 as viewed from another direction, FIG. 3 is a plan view of a cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a side view of a cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of FIG. 4, showing an inspection position of a cylindrical battery cell reflected by a mirror member and photographed by a photographing member, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of part C of FIG. 6.

[0050] A cylindrical battery cell inspection device (10) according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a device for inspecting a cylindrical battery cell (20) in a manufacturing process of the cylindrical battery cell (20).

[0051] Here, the cylindrical battery cell (20) may include an electrode assembly, a battery can, and a cap plate.

[0052] The electrode assembly has a structure in which a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrode plates are wound in one direction. In addition, a central hole is formed in the center of the electrode assembly, and the electrode assembly can be formed in a jelly roll type.

[0053] For example, an electrode assembly can be manufactured by winding a laminate formed by sequentially stacking a negative electrode plate, a separator, a positive electrode plate, and a separator at least once. Here, the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate can be formed in a sheet shape.

[0054] That is, the electrode assembly applied to the present embodiment may be a coil-type electrode assembly. In this case, an additional separator may be provided on the outer surface of the electrode assembly for insulation from the battery can. That is, the electrode assembly may have a coil structure well known in the relevant technical field without limitation.

[0055] The positive electrode plate may have a positive electrode active material applied to one or both sides thereof, and a first non-coated portion on which the positive electrode active material is not applied may be formed at an end of the positive electrode plate. The first non-coated portion may be exposed to the outside of the separator while forming a plurality of turns around the center of the electrode assembly, and may be used as an electrode tab in its own right. However, the first non-coated portion may not be formed on the positive electrode plate.

[0056] The negative electrode plate may have a negative active material applied to one or both sides thereof, and a second non-coated region may be formed at an end of the negative electrode plate where the negative active material is not applied. The second non-coated region may be exposed to the outside of the separator while forming a plurality of winding turns based on the center of the electrode assembly, and may be used as an electrode tab in its own right. However, the second non-coated region may not be formed on the negative electrode plate.

[0057] Here, when the positive and negative plates each include a non-conductive portion, the first non-conductive portion and the second non-conductive portion may be configured to face in opposite directions.

[0058] In addition, the positive electrode active material coated on the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode active material coated on the negative electrode plate can be used without limitation as long as they are active materials known in the art.

[0059] The separation membrane may be a porous polymer film, for example, a porous polymer film made of a polyolefin polymer such as an ethylene homopolymer, a propylene homopolymer, an ethylene / butene copolymer, an ethylene / hexene copolymer, an ethylene / methacrylate copolymer, etc., which may be used alone or in a laminated manner.

[0060] As another example, the separator may be a conventional porous nonwoven fabric, such as a nonwoven fabric made of high-melting-point glass fiber, polyethylene terephthalate fiber, etc.

[0061] At least one surface of the membrane may include a coating layer of inorganic particles. Furthermore, the membrane itself may be formed of a coating layer of inorganic particles. The particles constituting the coating layer may have a structure in which they are bound to a binder such that an interstitial volume exists between adjacent particles.

[0062] Additionally, the center hole of the electrode assembly is also used for welding the cell terminal (positive terminal) and the positive current collector plate. That is, the electrode assembly can be configured to weld the cell terminal and the positive current collector plate by irradiating a laser through the center hole.

[0063] An electrode assembly is housed in a battery can. A through hole may be formed in the battery can. The battery can is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the electrode assembly is housed within the battery can, and may be electrically connected to the negative electrode plate of the electrode assembly. Accordingly, the battery can have the same polarity as the negative electrode plate, i.e., a negative electrode.

[0064] The diameter of the battery can is formed to be larger than the diameter of the electrode assembly. A gap of a preset size is formed between the battery can and the positive electrode collector plate, and an insulator may be interposed between the gap.

[0065] If the size of the electrode assembly is increased while the size of the battery can is determined according to the standard, the total capacity of the battery cell increases, but the gap between the battery can and the electrode assembly decreases.

[0066] That is, when the size of the electrode assembly is increased to increase the overall capacity of the battery cell, the gap between the battery can and the electrode assembly decreases, so in order to increase the capacity of the battery cell, an insulator must be able to be interposed between the reduced gap between the battery can and the electrode assembly, and for this purpose, it is desirable that the thickness of the insulator be as thin as possible.

[0067] A battery can is a roughly cylindrical container made of a conductive material, such as metal. The battery can may be made of, but is not limited to, a conductive metal, such as aluminum, steel, or stainless steel.

[0068] The positive electrode collector is electrically connected to the positive electrode plate, for example, at the top of the electrode assembly. For example, the positive electrode collector is made of a conductive metal material and can be electrically connected to the first non-conductive portion of the positive electrode plate.

[0069] The cell terminal is made of a conductive metal material and is electrically connected to the positive electrode collector plate. In addition, the cell terminal is electrically connected to the positive electrode plate of the electrode assembly through the positive electrode collector plate, thereby having a positive polarity.

[0070] That is, the cell terminal can function as a positive terminal. In addition, the battery can is electrically connected to the negative plate of the electrode assembly as described above, thereby having a negative polarity.

[0071] The negative current collector is electrically connected to the negative electrode plate, for example, at the bottom of the electrode assembly. For example, the negative current collector may be made of a conductive metal material such as aluminum, steel, copper, or nickel, and may be electrically connected to the second non-conductive portion of the negative electrode plate.

[0072] The negative electrode current collector may be electrically connected to the battery can. For this purpose, at least a portion of the edge portion of the negative electrode current collector may be secured between the inner surface of the battery can and a sealing gasket.

[0073] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the edge of the negative electrode current collector may be supported on the lower surface of the beading portion (21, see FIG. 7) formed at the bottom of the battery can and fixed to the beading portion (21) by welding.

[0074] And, at least a portion of the remaining portion, excluding the joining portion of the beading portion (21) of the negative electrode collector, can be joined to the folded surface of the second non-conductive portion by welding, for example, laser welding.

[0075] Additionally, the negative electrode current collector may be electrically coupled at least part of its edge to a surface adjacent to the crimping portion among the upper and lower surfaces of the beading portion (21).

[0076] The battery can may have a beading portion (21) and a crimping portion formed at the bottom. The beading portion (21) is formed by pressing the outer circumference of the battery can inward in an area adjacent to the opening of the battery can.

[0077] The beading portion (21) supports the electrode assembly so that the electrode assembly, which has a size roughly corresponding to the width of the battery can, does not fall out through the opening formed at the bottom of the battery can, and can also function as a support portion on which the cap plate is mounted. In addition, the beading portion (21) supports the outer peripheral surface of the sealing gasket.

[0078] The cap plate is configured to seal the opening formed at the bottom of the battery can. The cap plate may be made of, for example, a metal material to ensure rigidity.

[0079] Additionally, the cap plate may be provided as non-polar, separate from the electrode assembly. That is, the cap plate may not have polarity even if it is provided as a conductive metal material.

[0080] The non-polarized cap plate means that it is electrically insulated from the battery can and cell terminals. Thus, the cap plate may be non-polarized, and its material does not necessarily have to be a conductive metal.

[0081] The cap plate may be supported by being seated on the beading portion (21) formed on the battery can. In addition, the cap plate is fixed by a crimping portion described later. A sealing gasket may be interposed between the cap plate and the crimping portion of the battery can to ensure airtightness of the battery can. That is, the sealing gasket may be arranged to be interposed between the edge of the cap plate and the opening of the battery can.

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, a cylindrical battery cell inspection device (10) according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a main body member (100), a mirror member (200), and a photographing member (300).

[0083] The main body member (100) is configured to allow the cylindrical battery cell (20) to move. That is, the inspection position is inspected as the cylindrical battery cell (20) moves inside the main body member (100).

[0084] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, a cylindrical battery cell (20) moves toward the inside of the bottom part (110) of the main body member (100) along the guide part (111), and while the cylindrical battery cell (20) moves toward the inside of the bottom part (110), the inspection location is photographed and inspected by the photographing member (300).

[0085] Here, the inspection location of the cylindrical battery cell (20) may be the beading portion (21) described above, and the cylindrical battery cell inspection device (10) according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be configured to inspect the welding quality of the beading portion (21).

[0086] As described above, since the beading portion (21) is formed by pressing the outer circumference of the battery can inward, it is difficult to confirm the welded portion of the beading portion (21) located on the inside while the cylindrical battery cell (20) is moving in a conventional manner. Therefore, in the past, workers collected several samples of the cylindrical battery cell (20) and directly inspected them with the naked eye. In this case, there were problems such as delayed work time, inability to ensure consistent inspection quality, and increased costs.

[0087] However, the cylindrical battery cell inspection device (10) according to the first embodiment of the present invention can continuously inspect the welding quality of the beading portion (21) of a moving cylindrical battery cell (20) through reflection of light.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, the main body member (100) may include a bottom portion (110), a connecting portion (120), and a head portion (130).

[0089] The bottom part (110) is provided so that the cylindrical battery cell (20) moves toward the inside of the bottom part (110). Here, the cylindrical battery cell (20) can be guided by the guide part (111). That is, the cylindrical battery cell (20) moves toward the inside of the bottom part (110) along the guide part (111).

[0090] The guide portion (111) guides the cylindrical battery cell (20) so that it does not deviate from its movement path. The guide portion (111) may be a guide wall formed in a structure that protrudes toward the inside of the bottom portion (110). Here, referring to FIG. 5, the guide wall may be formed in a curved shape to correspond to the circular shape of the cylindrical battery cell (20).

[0091] Referring to Fig. 6, a bottom slope (112) may be formed on the side of the bottom portion (110) so as to be inclined inward as it goes downward. A bottom mirror member (210) capable of reflecting light may be combined with the bottom slope (112), which will be described later.

[0092] The connecting part (120) is connected to the bottom part (110). The connecting part (120) is located on the upper side of the bottom part (110) with reference to FIG. 1 and is connected to the bottom part (110) from the upper side of the bottom part (110). Referring to FIG. 6, a lighting part (121) can be coupled to the connecting part (120).

[0093] The lighting unit (121) is provided to provide lighting toward the cylindrical battery cell (20). The lighting unit (121) may be configured in various ways, and may include, for example, a fluorescent lamp, an incandescent lamp, or an LED lamp. However, the configuration of the lighting unit (121) is not limited thereto.

[0094] The lighting unit (121) may be coupled to a portion of the connecting unit (120). Alternatively, it may be coupled to the entire inner perimeter of the connecting unit (120).

[0095] The head part (130) is coupled to the upper side of the connecting part (120), and the photographing member (300) is coupled thereto. When the cylindrical battery cell (20) moves along the guide part (111), the light provided from the lighting part (121) is introduced to the inspection position of the cylindrical battery cell (20) and then reflected.

[0096] Referring to Fig. 6, light reflected from the inspection position of the cylindrical battery cell (20) is reflected by the bottom mirror member (210) coupled to the bottom slope (112) and moves upward, and is reflected by the head mirror member (220) described below and introduced into the photographing member (300). Through this process, the photographing member (300) can accurately photograph the inspection position of the cylindrical battery cell (20).

[0097] Referring to FIG. 6, a head mirror member (220) that reflects light reflected from a floor mirror member (210) and sends it to a photographing member (300) may be coupled to the head unit (130). That is, light reflected on the floor mirror member (210) may be reflected again on the head mirror member (220) and introduced into the photographing member (300).

[0098] Referring to Fig. 2, the head portion (130) may include a head inclined portion (131) and a head inclined coupling portion (132). The head inclined portion (131) is formed at a position corresponding to the bottom inclined portion (112). Accordingly, light reflected from the bottom mirror member (210) coupled to the bottom inclined portion (112) may proceed to the first mirror member (221) coupled to the head inclined portion (131).

[0099] Referring to Fig. 3, the head tilt coupling unit (132) is coupled to the head tilt coupling unit (131) and is positioned to face the photographing member (300). Accordingly, light reflected by the first mirror member (221) can be reflected by the second mirror member (222) coupled to the head tilt coupling unit (132) and can then proceed to the photographing member (300).

[0100] A plurality of mirror members (200) are provided. The plurality of mirror members (200) are coupled to the main body member (100) and reflect the light reflected from the inspection position of the cylindrical battery cell (20) again to advance to the photographing member (300).

[0101] The mirror member (200) may include a bottom mirror member (210) and a head mirror member (220).

[0102] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, among the plurality of mirror members (200), that is, the floor mirror member (210) and the head mirror member (220), the floor mirror member (210) can be coupled to the floor slope (112) formed on the side of the floor portion (110).

[0103] At this time, the bottom slope (112) can be formed to have an angle at which the photographing member (300) can photograph the beading portion (21) of the cylindrical battery cell (20), and since the bottom mirror member (210) is coupled to the bottom slope (112), the beading portion (21) of the cylindrical battery cell (20) can be photographed through the photographing member (300). In addition, the welding quality of the beading portion (21) of the cylindrical battery cell (20) can be inspected thereby.

[0104] The head mirror member (220) may include a first mirror member (221) and a second mirror member (222). The first mirror member (221) is coupled to the head tilt member (131). And, the second mirror member (222) is coupled to the head tilt coupling member (132).

[0105] Referring to FIG. 6, light reflected from an inspection location (e.g., a beading portion (21)) of a cylindrical battery cell (20) is reflected from a bottom mirror member (210) and directed toward a first mirror member (221), reflected from the first mirror member (221) and directed toward a second mirror member (222), and reflected from the second mirror member (222) and introduced into a photographing member (300). As a result, as in FIG. 5, photographing of the beading portion (21) of the cylindrical battery cell (20) is possible, and also, the welding quality of the beading portion (21) can be inspected.

[0106] The photographing member (300) photographs the cylindrical battery cell (20) using light reflected from the mirror member (200). The photographing member (300) may be provided in various ways, and may include, for example, various cameras, but is not limited thereto.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 5, the photographing member (300) can photograph beading portions (21) at various locations of a cylindrical battery cell (20). Here, by appropriately adjusting the number and inclination angle of the bottom mirror members (210), it is possible to photograph even the beading portions (21) located on a movement path where the bottom mirror members (210) are not positioned.

[0108] In this way, there is an effect that the welding quality of the beading portion (21) can be inspected while the cylindrical battery cell (20) moves continuously without stopping.

[0109] Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a disk member (400) may be provided for continuous movement of a cylindrical battery cell (20). At least one cylindrical battery cell (20) is mounted on the disk member (400). Then, when the disk member (400) rotates while the cylindrical battery cell (20) is mounted on the disk member (400), the cylindrical battery cell (20) moves inwardly of the main body member (100).

[0110] The disk member (400) may be formed with one or more mounting grooves (410) in which a cylindrical battery cell (20) can be mounted. If there are multiple mounting grooves (410), multiple cylindrical battery cells (20) can be inspected continuously. That is, this has the effect of automating the welding quality inspection of the beading portion (21) of the cylindrical battery cell (20).

[0111] In addition, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the disk member (400) is provided in a rotary structure, there is an effect of significantly increasing the device compatibility with the existing equipment disk member (400) of the cylindrical battery cell (20).

[0112] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an inspection position of a cylindrical battery cell reflected by a mirror member and photographed by a photographing member in a cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0113] The second embodiment of the present invention differs in structure from the first embodiment in that the cylindrical battery cell (20) rotates on its own inside the main body member (100) to inspect the welding quality of the bead portion (21). However, the common content of the second embodiment and the portion described in the first embodiment are replaced with the description of the first embodiment described above. In addition, the portions described in the second embodiment that are applicable to the first embodiment can also be applied to the first embodiment.

[0114] Referring to Fig. 8, a cylindrical battery cell (20) is temporarily stopped inside the main body member (100). Then, it rotates clockwise (see arrow in Fig. 8) or counterclockwise by a preset angle based on the center of the cylindrical battery cell (20) and then stops. Then, the beading portion (21) of the cylindrical battery cell (20) is photographed through the photographing member (300).

[0115] Here, a cell carrier (not shown) that accommodates a cylindrical battery cell (20) may be provided for self-rotation of the cylindrical battery cell (20).

[0116] According to this, there is an effect that allows the entire beading portion (21) of the cylindrical battery cell (20) to be photographed.

[0117] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a battery pack including a cylindrical battery cell produced using a cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0118] Referring to FIG. 9, a battery pack (30) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more cylindrical battery cells (20). Here, the cylindrical battery cells (20) are produced using a cylindrical battery cell inspection device (10) according to each embodiment of the present invention as described above.

[0119] In addition, the battery pack (30) may further include a pack housing (31) for storing cylindrical battery cells (20), and various devices for controlling charging and discharging of the cylindrical battery cells (20), such as a BMS, a current sensor, a fuse, etc.

[0120] FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 9.

[0121] Referring to FIG. 10, a vehicle (40) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more cylindrical battery cells (20) or battery packs (30). The cylindrical battery cells (20) are produced using the cylindrical battery cell inspection device (10) according to each embodiment of the present invention as described above. In addition, the battery pack (30) may include one or more cylindrical battery cells (20) as described above.

[0122] Here, the above-mentioned vehicle (40) includes various vehicles that are designed to use electricity, such as electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles.

[0123] In this specification, when terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, and right are used, these terms are only for convenience of explanation, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms may vary depending on the location of the target object or the location of the observer.

[0124] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications and variations within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims to be described below. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed above should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. In other words, the true scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is set forth in the claims, and all differences within the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as being included in the present invention.

[0125] The present invention relates to a cylindrical battery cell inspection device and a cylindrical battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and an automobile including the cylindrical battery cell, and is particularly applicable to industries related to secondary batteries.

Claims

1. A main body member in which a cylindrical battery cell moves; A plurality of mirror members, which are coupled to the above main body member and re-reflect light reflected from the inspection position of the cylindrical battery cell; and A cylindrical battery cell inspection device including a photographing member that photographs the cylindrical battery cell by light reflected from the mirror member.

2. In paragraph 1, The above main body parts are, A bottom portion in which the cylindrical battery cell moves inward; a connecting portion connected to the above floor; and A cylindrical battery cell inspection device characterized by including a head part coupled to the upper side of the connecting part and to which the photographing member is coupled.

3. In paragraph 2, A cylindrical battery cell inspection device characterized in that a bottom slope is formed on a side of the bottom portion so as to slope inward as it goes downward, and a bottom mirror member among the plurality of mirror members is coupled to the bottom slope.

4. In paragraph 3, A cylindrical battery cell inspection device, characterized in that the bottom slope is formed at an angle such that the photographing member can photograph the beading portion of the cylindrical battery cell.

5. In paragraph 3, A cylindrical battery cell inspection device characterized in that the head portion includes a head mirror member coupled to re-reflect light reflected from the bottom mirror member and send it to the photographing member.

6. In paragraph 5, The above head part, A head slope formed at a position corresponding to the above floor slope; and A cylindrical battery cell inspection device characterized by including a head tilt coupling part coupled to the head tilt part and positioned to face the photographing member.

7. In paragraph 6, The above head mirror part, A first mirror member coupled to the above head incline; and It includes a second mirror member coupled to the above head tilt coupling portion, A cylindrical battery cell inspection device, characterized in that light reflected from the inspection position of the cylindrical battery cell is reflected from the bottom mirror member and directed toward the first mirror member, reflected from the first mirror member and directed toward the second mirror member, and reflected from the second mirror member and introduced into the photographing member.

8. In paragraph 2, A cylindrical battery cell inspection device characterized by including a lighting unit coupled to the above connecting unit.

9. In paragraph 2, A cylindrical battery cell inspection device characterized in that the above guide portion is a guide wall formed with a structure protruding toward the inside of the bottom portion.

10. In paragraph 9, A cylindrical battery cell inspection device characterized in that the above guide wall is formed into a curved surface.

11. In paragraph 1, A cylindrical battery cell inspection device characterized by including a disk member on which the cylindrical battery cell is mounted and rotates so that the cylindrical battery cell moves toward the main body member.

12. In paragraph 1, A cylindrical battery cell inspection device characterized in that the cylindrical battery cell is arranged to rotate on its own about the center of the cylindrical battery cell after being temporarily stopped inside the main body member.

13. A cylindrical battery cell produced using a cylindrical battery cell inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A battery pack comprising at least one cylindrical battery cell according to paragraph 13.

15. A vehicle comprising at least one cylindrical battery cell according to paragraph 13.

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