Battery manufacturing apparatus and battery manufacturing method

Abstract

The technical idea of the present invention provides a battery manufacturing apparatus comprising: a sealing device configured to bond a part of a first separator to a part of a second separator to form a separator assembly having a sealed area; a first inspection device configured to detect a first distance between the sealed area of the separator assembly and a first electrode attached to the separator assembly; a cutting device configured to cut the separator assembly so as to separate, from the separator assembly, a first unit separator assembly to which the first electrode is attached; and a second inspection device configured to detect a second distance between the first electrode and an edge of the first unit separator assembly.

Description

Battery manufacturing device and battery manufacturing method

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

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority from Republic of Korea Patent Application No. 10-2024-0044655, filed April 2, 2024, and all contents of the document in that Republic of Korea Patent Application are incorporated herein by reference.

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

[0004] Secondary 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 problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery manufacturing device and a battery manufacturing method.

[0006] In order to solve the above-described problem, the technical idea of ​​the present invention provides a battery manufacturing device including a sealing device configured to bond a part of a first separator to a part of a second separator to form a separator assembly having a sealing area; a first inspection device configured to detect a first distance between the sealing area of ​​the separator assembly and a first electrode attached to the separator assembly; a cutting device configured to cut the separator assembly to separate a first unit separator assembly to which the first electrode is attached from the separator assembly; and a second inspection device configured to detect a second distance between the first electrode and an edge of the first unit separator assembly.

[0007] In exemplary embodiments, the second inspection device is further configured to detect a sealing width of a unit sealing area of ​​the first unit membrane bonding body based on the first distance and the second distance, wherein the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit membrane bonding body is a part of the sealing area of ​​the membrane bonding body.

[0008] In exemplary embodiments, the second inspection device is characterized in that it is configured to compare the sealing width of the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit membrane joint with a reference range.

[0009] In exemplary embodiments, the second inspection device is characterized in that it is configured to determine that the sealing width of the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit membrane bonding body is normal when the sealing width of the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit membrane bonding body is within the reference range, and to determine that the sealing width of the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit membrane bonding body is defective when the sealing width of the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit membrane bonding body is out of the reference range.

[0010] In exemplary embodiments, the device further comprises a tap sensor provided between the sealing device and the first inspection device, the tap sensor detecting an electrode tap of the first electrode taken out from the sealing device to generate a tap detection signal; and a controller configured to generate a virtual ID for the first electrode based on the tap detection signal of the tap sensor; wherein the first inspection device is characterized in that it is configured to match data for the first distance with data for the virtual ID.

[0011] In exemplary embodiments, the present invention further comprises a reader configured to read out an electrode ID of the first electrode exported from the cutting device and transmit data about the electrode ID of the first electrode to the controller.

[0012] In exemplary embodiments, the second inspection device is characterized in that it is configured to match data for the second distance to data for the first distance, data for the virtual ID, and data for the electrode ID.

[0013] In exemplary embodiments, the second inspection device is further configured to detect a sealing width of a unit sealing area of ​​the first unit membrane assembly based on the first distance and the second distance, wherein the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit membrane assembly is a part of the sealing area of ​​the membrane assembly, and the second inspection device is characterized in that it is configured to match data on the sealing width of the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit membrane assembly with data on the virtual ID and data on the electrode ID.

[0014] In exemplary embodiments, the first inspection device is further configured to detect a third distance between the sealing area of ​​the membrane assembly and a second electrode attached to the membrane assembly, wherein the sealing area of ​​the membrane assembly is between the first electrode and the second electrode, the cutting device is further configured to cut the membrane assembly to separate a second unit membrane assembly to which the second electrode is attached from the membrane assembly, and the second inspection device is further configured to detect a fourth distance between the second electrode and an edge of the second unit membrane assembly.

[0015] In exemplary embodiments, the second inspection device is further configured to detect a sealing width of a unit sealing area of ​​the first unit membrane bonding body based on the first distance and the second distance, and to detect a sealing width of a unit sealing area of ​​the second unit membrane bonding body based on the third distance and the fourth distance, wherein the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit membrane bonding body is a part of the sealing area of ​​the membrane bonding body, and the unit sealing area of ​​the second unit membrane bonding body is another part of the sealing area of ​​the membrane bonding body.

[0016] In order to solve the above-described problem, the technical idea of ​​the present invention provides a battery manufacturing method including the steps of: forming a separator assembly having a sealing region by bonding a part of a first separator to a part of a second separator; detecting a first distance between the sealing region of the separator assembly and an electrode attached to the first separator; cutting the separator assembly to separate a first unit separator assembly to which the electrode is attached from the separator assembly; and detecting a second distance between the electrode and an edge of the first unit separator assembly.

[0017] In exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises detecting a sealing width of a unit sealing area of ​​the first unit membrane joint based on the first distance and the second distance, wherein the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit membrane joint is a part of the sealing area of ​​the membrane joint.

[0018] In exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises, before the step of detecting the first distance, a step of generating a virtual ID for the electrode.

[0019] In exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises a step of reading out an electrode ID of the electrode.

[0020] In exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises the step of matching the sealing width of the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit membrane joint to data for the virtual ID for the electrode and data for the electrode ID of the electrode.

[0021] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, without additional measuring equipment, a sealing width of a unit sealing area of ​​a unit membrane assembly provided in a unit cell can be detected based on first distance data for a first distance between a sealing area of ​​a membrane assembly obtained before a cutting process and a corresponding electrode, and second distance data for a second distance between an edge of a unit membrane assembly and a corresponding electrode obtained after the cutting process.

[0022] 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.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a battery manufacturing device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically illustrating a battery manufacturing device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an inspection image acquired from the first inspection device.

[0026] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an inspection image acquired from a second inspection device.

[0027] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a battery manufacturing method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032]

[0033] (Example 1)

[0034] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a battery manufacturing device (10) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view schematically illustrating a battery manufacturing device (10) according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the battery manufacturing device (10) may include a lamination device (210), a sealing device (220), a tab sensor (231), a first inspection device (240), a cutting device (250), a reader (260), a second inspection device (270), and a controller (280).

[0036] A battery manufacturing device (10) may be configured to process an electrode semi-finished product, which is an intermediate product for manufacturing a battery cell. The electrode semi-finished product may include one or more electrodes (140) and one or more separators. Within the battery manufacturing device (10), the electrode semi-finished product may be continuously transported along a predetermined movement path by a transport device. The transport device may be a linear motion system. For example, the transport device may include a roll-to-roll transport device and / or a conveyor transport device. A lamination device (210), a sealing device (220), a tap sensor (231), a first inspection device (240), a cutting device (250), a reader (260), and a second inspection device (270) may be sequentially arranged along a movement direction (MD) of the electrode semi-finished product by the transport device.

[0037] The lamination device (210) may be provided with a laminate (100) including a lower separator (111), an upper separator (113) on the lower separator (111), and a plurality of electrodes (140) arranged on each of the lower separator (111) and the upper separator (113). The lower separator (111) may be referred to as a first separator, and the upper separator (113) may be referred to as a second separator. The plurality of electrodes (140) may include lower electrodes (141) arranged in a first direction (e.g., an X-direction) on the lower separator (111) and spaced apart from each other in the first direction (e.g., an X-direction), and upper electrodes (145) arranged in a first direction (e.g., an X-direction) on the upper separator (113) and spaced apart from each other in the first direction (e.g., an X-direction).

[0038] The lower electrode (141) and the upper electrode (145) may have different polarities. The lower electrode (141) may have an electrode tab (142) protruding in a second direction (e.g., Y direction) from the lower separator (111) and the upper separator (113). The upper electrode (145) may have an electrode tab (146) protruding in a second direction (e.g., Y direction) from the lower separator (111) and the upper separator (113). In exemplary embodiments, the lower electrode (141) may be a cathode, and the upper electrode (145) may be an anode. In other exemplary embodiments, the lower electrode (141) may be an anode, and the upper electrode (145) may be a cathode.

[0039] A lamination device (210) can perform a lamination process of attaching a plurality of electrodes (140) to a lower separator (111) and / or an upper separator (113) by applying heat and / or pressure. The lamination device (210) can include a heating unit having a heat source for applying heat, and a pressure roll for applying pressure so that the plurality of electrodes (140) are pressed against the lower separator (111) and / or the upper separator (113).

[0040] The sealing device (220) can receive the laminate (100) exported from the lamination device (210) and perform a membrane sealing process for bonding a portion of the upper membrane (113) and a portion of the lower membrane (111). The sealing device (220) can apply heat and / or pressure to a portion of the upper membrane (113) and a portion of the lower membrane (111), thereby forming a sealing area (115) in which a portion of the upper membrane (113) and a portion of the lower membrane (111) are bonded. Through the membrane sealing process, a membrane bond (110) including the upper membrane (113) and the lower membrane (111) bonded to each other in the sealing area (115) can be formed. The sealing device (220) can include a sealing tip configured to apply heat and / or pressure to a portion of the lower membrane (111) and a portion of the upper membrane (113). The above sealing tip may be configured to be moved by an actuator.

[0041] More specifically, a portion of the lower separator (111) between two lower electrodes (141) adjacent in a first direction (e.g., X-direction) and a portion of the upper separator (113) between two upper electrodes (145) adjacent in the first direction (e.g., X-direction) may be bonded to each other to form a sealing region (115). The sealing region (115) is between two lower electrodes (141) adjacent in the first direction (e.g., X-direction) and may extend continuously or discontinuously in a second direction (e.g., Y-direction). When the separator sealing process is completed, two lower electrodes (141) adjacent in the first direction (e.g., X-direction) may be spaced apart from each other with the sealing region (115) therebetween.

[0042] A tap sensor (231) is disposed between the sealing device (220) and the first inspection device (240), and can detect an electrode tap of an electrode (140) taken out from the sealing device (220). The tap sensor (231) can detect an electrode tap of an electrode (140) taken out from the sealing device (220) to generate a tap detection signal (TSS), and can transmit the generated tap detection signal (TSS) to a controller (280). For example, the tap sensor (231) can include a camera and / or an image sensor.

[0043] Figure 3 is a drawing schematically showing an inspection image (310) acquired from the first inspection device (240).

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a first inspection device (240) may receive a laminate (101) including a membrane assembly (110) and a plurality of electrodes (140), and detect a first distance between a sealing area (115) of the membrane assembly (110) and an edge of a corresponding electrode (140). The first distance may refer to a distance in a first direction (e.g., X direction) between the sealing area (115) of the membrane assembly (110) and an edge of a corresponding electrode (140). The first inspection device (240) may generate first distance data (SAG) for the first distance, and transmit the generated first distance data (SAG) to a controller (280).

[0045] The first inspection device (240) may include a vision device (241) and a processor (243). The vision device (241) may photograph or capture an image of the laminate (101) and generate an inspection image (310) of the laminate (101). The processor (243) may process the inspection image (310) to detect the first distance and generate first distance data (SAG).

[0046] The vision device (241) may include a camera and / or an image sensor. The processor (243) may be implemented by hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the processor (243) may include a computing device such as a workstation computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, or a tablet computer. The processor (243) may 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 processor (243) may be implemented by, for example, a general-purpose computer or application-specific hardware such as a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0047] In the inspection image (310), at least a portion of the sealing area (115) of the membrane assembly (110) and each of the two lower electrodes (141) positioned on both sides of the sealing area (115) of the membrane assembly (110) may appear. Since the side of the lower electrode (141) adjacent to the sealing area (115) is not covered by the upper electrode (145), the side of the lower electrode (141) may appear in the inspection image (310). The processor (243) may process the inspection image (310) to detect a first distance between the edge of each of the two lower electrodes (141) and the sealing area (115) of the membrane assembly (110).

[0048] In exemplary embodiments, the first inspection device (240) can detect first distances (A1, A2) between the lower electrode (141) on one side of the sealing area (115) and the sealing area (115) at a plurality of detection points (e.g., a first detection point and a second detection point), and can detect first distances (A3, A4) between the lower electrode (141) on the other side of the sealing area (115) and the sealing area (115) at a plurality of detection points (e.g., a third detection point and a fourth detection point).

[0049] Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cutting device (250) can receive the laminate (101) that has passed through the first inspection device (240) and cut the membrane bonding member (110) from the imported laminate (101). The cutting device (250) can include a cutting knife configured to be moved by an actuator. The cutting device (250) can cut the membrane bonding member (110) along a cutting line that crosses the sealing area (115) of the membrane bonding member (110) in a second direction (e.g., Y direction), thereby separating the membrane bonding member (110) into a plurality of unit membrane bonding members (120). The plurality of unit membrane bonding members (120) can be spaced apart from each other in the first direction (e.g., X direction) with the cutting area (161) therebetween. Each unit membrane assembly (120) may include a unit lower membrane (121) separated from a lower membrane (111) and a unit upper membrane (123) separated from an upper membrane (113). The unit membrane assembly (120), the lower electrode (141) attached to the unit membrane assembly (120), and the upper electrode (145) attached to the unit membrane assembly (120) may constitute a unit cell (102). The unit cell (102) may be a mono cell.

[0050] Since the cutting device (250) cuts the membrane joint (110) along a cutting line that crosses the sealing area (115) in the second direction (e.g., Y direction), the unit membrane joint (120) may have a unit sealing area (125) corresponding to a portion of the sealing area (115) of the membrane joint (110). In the unit membrane joint (120), the unit sealing area (125) may extend in the first direction (e.g., X direction) from an edge of the unit membrane joint (120) generated through the cutting process.

[0051] The reader (260) can read out the electrode ID of the electrode (140) included in the unit cell (102) and generate data (RID) for the electrode ID of the read out electrode (140). The reader (260) can transmit the data (RID) for the generated electrode ID to the controller (280). The reader (260) can include a vision device, such as a camera and / or an image sensor, for acquiring an image of an electrode tab, and a processor for processing the image of the electrode tab generated by the vision device. The electrode ID can correspond to a physical ID formed on the electrode tab of the electrode (140) by a laser printing and ink printing method. The electrode ID can include Arabic numerals, letters, a one-dimensional code, and / or a two-dimensional code. The electrode ID can include information on the process history of the electrode (140).

[0052] In exemplary embodiments, the lower electrode (141) may have an electrode ID (143) provided on its electrode tab (142), and the reader (260) may be configured to read out the electrode ID (143) of the lower electrode (141). In some exemplary embodiments, the upper electrode (145) may have an electrode ID provided on its electrode tab (146), and the reader (260) may be configured to read out the electrode ID of the upper electrode (145).

[0053] According to exemplary embodiments, the reader (260) can read the electrode ID of the electrode (140), thereby improving traceability of the electrode semi-finished product within the battery manufacturing device (10).

[0054] Figure 4 is a drawing schematically showing an inspection image (320) acquired from a second inspection device (270).

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the second inspection device (270) may receive a unit cell (102) including a unit membrane assembly (120) and a plurality of electrodes (140), and detect a second distance between an edge of the unit membrane assembly (120) and an edge of a corresponding electrode (140) in the imported unit cell (102). The second distance may refer to a distance in a first direction (e.g., X direction) between an edge of the unit membrane assembly (120) and an edge of the corresponding electrode (140). The second inspection device (270) may generate second distance data (AS) for the second distance, and transmit the generated second distance data (AS) to a controller (280).

[0056] The second inspection device (270) may include a vision device (271) and a processor (273). The vision device (271) may photograph or capture an image of the unit cell (102) and generate an inspection image (320) for the unit cell (102). The inspection image (320) may include at least a portion of each of two unit cells (102) spaced apart in a first direction (e.g., X direction) with a cutting area (161) therebetween. The processor (273) may process the inspection image (320) to detect the second distance and generate second distance data (AS).

[0057] The vision device (271) may include a camera and / or an image sensor. The processor (273) may be implemented by hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the processor (273) may include a computing device such as a workstation computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, or a tablet computer. The processor (273) may include any 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 processor (273) may be implemented by, for example, a general-purpose computer or application-specific hardware such as a DSP, an FPGA, and an ASIC.

[0058] The inspection image (320) may show at least a portion of each of two unit membrane assemblies (120) spaced apart with a cut region (161) therebetween and two lower electrodes (141) attached to the two unit membrane assemblies (120). The processor (273) may detect a second distance between an edge of the unit membrane assemblies (120) and an edge of the lower electrode (141) in each of the two unit cells (102) spaced apart with a cut region (161) therebetween based on the inspection image (320).

[0059] In exemplary embodiments, the second inspection device (270) can detect second distances (B1, B2) between the lower electrode (141) and the unit membrane assembly (120) at a plurality of detection points (e.g., a first detection point and a second detection point) of the unit cell (102) on one side of the cut region (161), and can detect second distances (B3, B4) between the lower electrode (141) and the unit membrane assembly (120) at a plurality of detection points (e.g., a third detection point and a fourth detection point) of the unit cell (102) on the other side of the cut region (161).

[0060] The second inspection device (270) can receive the first distance data (SAG) from the controller (280), and can detect the sealing width of the unit sealing area (125) of the unit membrane assembly (120) based on the first distance data (SAG) and the second distance data (AS). The sealing width of the unit sealing area (125) of the unit membrane assembly (120) can mean the length of the unit sealing area (125) in the first direction (e.g., X direction) measured based on the edge of the unit membrane assembly (120) adjacent to the cut area (161). The second inspection device (270) can generate sealing width data (SW) for the sealing width of the unit sealing area (125), and can transmit the generated sealing width data (SW) to the controller (280).

[0061] The second inspection device (270) can compare the detected sealing width of the unit sealing area (125) of the unit membrane assembly (120) with a predetermined reference range to determine whether the sealing width of the unit sealing area (125) of the unit membrane assembly (120) is defective. If the detected sealing width of the unit sealing area (125) of the unit membrane assembly (120) is within the reference range, the second inspection device (270) determines that the sealing width of the unit sealing area (125) of the unit membrane assembly (120) is normal. If the detected sealing width of the unit sealing area (125) of the unit membrane assembly (120) is out of the reference range, the second inspection device (270) determines that the sealing width of the unit sealing area (125) of the unit membrane assembly (120) is defective. In exemplary embodiments, the reference range may be determined to be between 30% and 70% of the width of the sealing area (115) of the membrane joint (110) in the first direction (e.g., X direction).

[0062] In exemplary embodiments, the second inspection device (270) can detect the sealing width of the unit sealing area (125) at a plurality of detection points of each unit cell (102), and can determine whether the detected sealing width of the unit sealing area (125) is defective at each of the plurality of detection points.

[0063] In exemplary embodiments, for a unit cell (102) on one side of a cutting area (161), the difference between the first distance (A1 in FIG. 3) between the lower electrode (141) acquired at the first detection point and the sealing area (115) of the membrane assembly (110) and the second distance (B1) between the edge of the lower electrode (141) acquired at the first detection point and the edge of the first unit membrane assembly (120) can be obtained to detect the sealing width (C1) of the unit sealing area (125) at the first detection point. And, by obtaining the difference between the first distance (A2 in FIG. 3) between the lower electrode (141) acquired at the second detection point and the sealing area (115) of the membrane assembly (110) and the second distance (B2) acquired at the second detection point between the edge of the lower electrode (141) and the edge of the first unit membrane assembly (120), the sealing width (C2) of the unit sealing area (125) can be detected at the second detection point. By comparing the sealing width (C1) of the unit sealing area (125) at the first detection point and the sealing width (C2) of the unit sealing area (125) at the second detection point with a predetermined reference range, it is possible to determine whether the sealing of the unit sealing area (125) in the unit cell (102) is properly performed.

[0064] In exemplary embodiments, for a unit cell (102) on the other side of the cut region (161), the difference between the first distance (A3 in FIG. 3) between the lower electrode (141) and the sealing region (115) of the membrane assembly (110) acquired at the third detection point and the second distance (B3) between the edge of the lower electrode (141) acquired at the third detection point and the edge of the first unit membrane assembly (120) can be obtained to detect the sealing width (C3) of the unit sealing region (125) at the third detection point. By obtaining the difference between the first distance (A4 in FIG. 3) between the lower electrode (141) and the sealing area (115) of the membrane assembly (110) acquired at the fourth detection point and the second distance (B4) between the edge of the lower electrode (141) and the edge of the first unit membrane assembly (120) acquired at the fourth detection point, the sealing width (C4) of the unit sealing area (125) can be detected at the fourth detection point. By comparing the sealing width (C3) of the unit sealing area (125) at the third detection point and the sealing width (C4) of the unit sealing area (125) at the fourth detection point with a predetermined reference range, it can be determined whether the sealing of the unit sealing area (125) in the unit cell (102) is properly performed.

[0065] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the controller (280) can be connected to transmit signals to components of the battery manufacturing device (10) (e.g., lamination device (210), sealing device (220), tap sensor (231), first inspection device (240), cutting device (250), reader (260), second inspection device (270), etc.) and can control the operation of the components of the battery manufacturing device (10).

[0066] The controller (280) can generate a virtual ID for the electrode (140) detected by the tap sensor (231) based on the tap detection signal (TSS) of the tap sensor (231). More specifically, when the tap sensor (231) detects the electrode (140) taken out from the sealing device (220) and generates the tap detection signal (TSS), the trigger board (233) generates a tap request signal (NRS) based on the tap detection signal (TSS) transmitted from the tap sensor (231), and the controller (280) can generate a virtual ID related to the corresponding electrode (140) based on the tap request signal (NRS) of the trigger board (233).

[0067] The first inspection device (240) can receive data (VID) for a virtual ID associated with a specific electrode (140) transmitted from the controller (280), and can generate associated data (RD1) by matching the first distance data (SAG) associated with the specific electrode (140) with the data (VID) for the virtual ID. The first inspection device (240) can transmit the generated associated data (RD1) to the controller (280).

[0068] The second inspection device (270) can receive data (VID) for a virtual ID associated with a specific electrode (140), data (RID) for an electrode ID of the specific electrode (140), and first distance data (SAG) associated with the specific electrode (140) transmitted from the controller (280). The second inspection device (270) can match the second distance data (AS) associated with the specific electrode (140) and the sealing width data (SW) associated with the specific electrode (140) with the data (VID) for a virtual ID associated with the specific electrode (140), data (RID) for an electrode ID of the specific electrode (140), and first distance data (SAG) associated with the specific electrode (140) to generate associated data (RD2). The second inspection device (270) can transmit the generated associated data (RD2) to the controller (280).

[0069] In exemplary embodiments, the controller (280) may be a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). A PLC is a specialized type of microprocessor-based controller that uses programmable memory to store instructions and implement functions such as logic, sequencing, timing, counting, and arithmetic to control machines and processes. PLCs are easy to operate and program.

[0070] The controller (280) may include a power supply, a central processing unit (CPU), an input interface, an output interface, a communication interface, and memory devices. For the operation of the controller (280), the controller (280) may be configured to supply power to other elements of the controller (280), such as the CPU, the input interface, the output interface, the communication interface, and the memory devices. The memory devices may include a read-only memory (ROM) configured to store a system program, such as an operating system, and a random access memory (RAM) configured to store data, such as user programs and status information of input and output devices, timers, counters, and other internal device values. The CPU may be configured to control communication between modules that implement logic and convert input signals into output operation signals. The CPU may operate based on the system program and the user program stored in the memory devices. The CPU may be configured to write or read inspection data and measurement data to the data area of ​​the memory devices based on the system program and the user program. Conditions or data of industrial devices and production processes may be transmitted to the CPU through the input module. The results processed by the CPU may be transmitted to the actuator via an output module. However, the controller (280) is not limited thereto, and may include any of a simple controller, a microprocessor, a CPU, a complex processor such as a GPU, a processor configured by software, dedicated hardware, and firmware. The controller (280) may be implemented by, for example, a general-purpose computer or application-specific hardware such as a DSP, FPGA, and ASIC.

[0071] The controller (280) can transmit first distance data (SAG), data for virtual ID (VID), associated data (RD1), data for electrode ID (RID), second distance data (AS), sealing width data (SW), and associated data (RD2) to the server (290). The server (290) can be configured to store and process various data transmitted from the controller (280).

[0072] The server (290) may be implemented using hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the server (290) may include a computing device such as a workstation computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, or a tablet computer. The server (290) may also include any 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 server (290) may be implemented using, for example, a general-purpose computer or application-specific hardware such as a DSP, FPGA, or ASIC. The server (290) may include a physical server or a cloud server.

[0073] Meanwhile, the sealing width of the unit sealing area (125) of the unit membrane assembly (120) of the unit cell (102) may have a microscopic size of several hundred micrometers to several thousand micrometers. The method of directly measuring the sealing width of the unit sealing area (125) having a microscopic size depends on the performance of the measuring equipment, such as the resolution, and in some cases, there is a concern that the measured sealing width of the unit sealing area (125) may have a large error. If a high-performance measuring equipment for measuring the sealing width of the unit sealing area (125) is added, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost of the electrode semi-finished product increases.

[0074] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, without additional measuring equipment, the sealing width of the unit sealing area (125) of the unit membrane assembly (120) provided to the unit cell (102) can be detected based on the first distance data (SAG) for the first distance between the sealing area (115) of the membrane assembly (110) and the corresponding electrode (140) acquired before the cutting process and the second distance data (AS) for the second distance between the edge of the unit membrane assembly (120) and the corresponding electrode (140) acquired after the cutting process.

[0075] If the unit sealing area (125) of the unit separator assembly (120) provided to the unit cell (102) does not have a sufficient sealing width, there is a concern that the sealing of the unit separator assembly (120) may be broken, causing a defect in the battery cell manufactured including the unit cell (102). According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, by detecting the sealing width of the unit sealing area (125) of the unit separator assembly (120) provided to the unit cell (102), it is possible to determine in advance whether the unit cell (102) is defective.

[0076]

[0077] (Example 2)

[0078] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a battery manufacturing method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Hereinafter, a battery manufacturing method according to exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 5, a laminate (100) including a lower separator (111), an upper separator (113), and a plurality of electrodes (140) is introduced into a lamination device (210), and the lamination device (210) performs a lamination process of applying heat and / or pressure to the laminate (100) to attach the plurality of electrodes (140) to the lower separator (111) and / or the upper separator (113) (S110).

[0080] When the lamination process is completed, the laminate (100) that has undergone the lamination process is fed into a sealing device (220), and the sealing device (220) performs a membrane sealing process that forms a membrane bonding body (110) having a sealing area (115) by bonding a part of the lower membrane (111) to a part of the upper membrane (113) (S120).

[0081] When the membrane sealing process is completed, the tap sensor (231) detects the electrode tap of the electrode (140) taken out from the sealing device (220) to generate a tap detection signal (TSS), and the controller (280) generates a virtual ID related to the electrode (140) having the electrode tap detected by the tap sensor (231) based on the tap detection signal (TSS) of the tap sensor (231) (S130). More specifically, the tap detection signal (TSS) generated by the tap sensor (231) is transmitted to the trigger board (233), and the trigger board (233) generates a trigger number request signal (NRS) based on the tap detection signal (TSS), and the controller (280) generates a virtual ID based on the trigger number request signal (NRS) transmitted from the trigger board (233).

[0082] Next, the laminate (101) having the membrane assembly (110) and the plurality of electrodes (140) is introduced into the first inspection device (240), and the first inspection device (240) detects a first distance between each of the lower electrodes (141) on both sides of the sealing area (115) of the membrane assembly (110) and the sealing area (115) of the membrane assembly (110) (S140). The first inspection device (240) can match the first distance data (SAG) for the detected first distance with the data (VID) for the virtual ID transmitted from the controller (280) to generate associated data (RD1).

[0083] Next, the laminate (101) having the membrane assembly (110) and the plurality of electrodes (140) is fed into a cutting device (250), and the cutting device (250) performs a cutting process of cutting the membrane assembly (110) of the laminate (101) (S150). Through the cutting process, the laminate (101) can be separated into a plurality of unit cells (102), and the membrane assembly (110) can be separated into a plurality of unit membrane assembly (120) spaced apart from each other with a cutting area (161) therebetween.

[0084] When the cutting process is completed, the unit cell (102) is fed into the reader (260), and the reader (260) performs an electrode ID reading process to read out the electrode ID (143) provided on the electrode tab (142) of the lower electrode (141) included in the unit cell (102) (S160). The reader (260) reads out the electrode ID (143) to generate data (RID) for the electrode ID, and transmits the data (RID) for the generated electrode ID to the controller (280).

[0085] When the electrode ID reading process is completed, the unit cell (102) is fed into the second inspection device (270), and the second inspection device (270) detects the second distance between the edge of the unit membrane assembly (120) and the edge of the lower electrode (141) for each of the two adjacent unit cells (102), and detects the sealing width of the unit sealing area (125) of the unit membrane assembly (120) for each of the two adjacent unit cells (102) (S170). The second inspection device (270) can match the second distance data (AS) and the sealing width data (SW) to the data for the virtual ID (VID) and the data for the electrode ID (RID), thereby generating the associated data (RD2).

[0086] Next, the second inspection device (270) compares the sealing width of the unit sealing area (125) of the unit membrane joint (120) with a predetermined reference range to determine whether the sealing width of the unit sealing area (125) of the unit membrane joint (120) is defective (S180).

[0087] 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.

Claims

1. A sealing device configured to form a membrane joint having a sealing area by bonding a portion of a first membrane to a portion of a second membrane; A first inspection device configured to detect a first distance between the sealing area of ​​the separator assembly and a first electrode attached to the separator assembly; A cutting device configured to cut the separator assembly and separate the first unit separator assembly to which the first electrode is attached from the separator assembly; and A second inspection device configured to detect a second distance between the first electrode and an edge of the first unit separator assembly; A battery manufacturing device comprising:

2. In paragraph 1, The second inspection device is further configured to detect the sealing width of the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit membrane joint based on the first distance and the second distance, A battery manufacturing device, characterized in that the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit separator assembly is a part of the sealing area of ​​the separator assembly.

3. In paragraph 2, A battery manufacturing device characterized in that the second inspection device is configured to compare the sealing width of the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit separator joint with a reference range.

4. In paragraph 3, The above second inspection device, If the sealing width of the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit membrane joint is within the reference range, the sealing width of the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit membrane joint is determined to be normal, A battery manufacturing device characterized in that it is configured to determine that the sealing width of the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit separator assembly is defective when the sealing width of the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit separator assembly is outside the reference range.

5. In paragraph 1, A tap sensor provided between the sealing device and the first inspection device, detecting an electrode tap of the first electrode taken out from the sealing device and generating a tap detection signal; and A controller configured to generate a virtual ID for the first electrode based on the tap detection signal of the tap sensor; Including more, A battery manufacturing device, characterized in that the first inspection device is configured to match data for the first distance with data for the virtual ID.

6. In paragraph 5, A battery manufacturing device further comprising a reader configured to read out the electrode ID of the first electrode exported from the cutting device and transmit data on the electrode ID of the first electrode to the controller.

7. In paragraph 6, A battery manufacturing device, characterized in that the second inspection device is configured to match data for the second distance with data for the first distance, data for the virtual ID, and data for the electrode ID.

8. In paragraph 6, The second inspection device is further configured to detect the sealing width of the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit membrane joint based on the first distance and the second distance, The unit sealing area of ​​the first unit membrane joint is a part of the sealing area of ​​the membrane joint, A battery manufacturing device characterized in that the second inspection device is configured to match data on the sealing width of the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit separator joint with data on the virtual ID and data on the electrode ID.

9. In paragraph 1, The first inspection device is further configured to detect a third distance between the sealing area of ​​the separator assembly and the second electrode attached to the separator assembly, wherein the sealing area of ​​the separator assembly is between the first electrode and the second electrode, The cutting device is further configured to cut the separator assembly to separate the second unit separator assembly to which the second electrode is attached from the separator assembly, A battery manufacturing device, characterized in that the second inspection device is further configured to detect a fourth distance between the second electrode and an edge of the second unit separator assembly.

10. In paragraph 9, The second inspection device is further configured to detect the sealing width of the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit membrane joint based on the first distance and the second distance, and to detect the sealing width of the unit sealing area of ​​the second unit membrane joint based on the third distance and the fourth distance. The unit sealing area of ​​the first unit membrane joint is a part of the sealing area of ​​the membrane joint, A battery manufacturing device, characterized in that the unit sealing area of ​​the second unit separator assembly is another part of the sealing area of ​​the separator assembly.

11. A step of bonding a part of the first separator to a part of the second separator to form a membrane joint having a sealing area; A step of detecting a first distance between the sealing area of ​​the separator joint and an electrode attached to the first separator; A step of cutting the separator assembly and separating the first unit separator assembly to which the electrode is attached from the separator assembly; and A step of detecting a second distance between the electrode and an edge of the first unit separator assembly; A method for manufacturing a battery comprising:

12. In paragraph 11, Further comprising a step of detecting a sealing width of a unit sealing area of ​​the first unit membrane joint based on the first distance and the second distance, A battery manufacturing method, characterized in that the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit separator assembly is a part of the sealing area of ​​the separator assembly.

13. In paragraph 12, A battery manufacturing method, characterized in that it further comprises a step of generating a virtual ID for the electrode before the step of detecting the first distance.

14. In paragraph 13, A battery manufacturing method, characterized in that it further includes a step of reading out the electrode ID of the electrode.

15. In paragraph 14, A battery manufacturing method further comprising a step of matching the sealing width of the unit sealing area of ​​the first unit separator assembly to data for a virtual ID for the electrode and data for the electrode ID of the electrode.

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