Method for inspecting alignment and damage of electrode assembly

Abstract

The present invention provides a vision inspection method and an inspection apparatus therefor, the method being capable of detecting misalignment between an electrode and a separator and / or misalignment between a first electrode and a second electrode by respectively capturing images of a state in which the first electrode is stacked and a state in which the second electrode is stacked during a zigzag stacking process.

Description

Method for alignment and damage inspection of electrode assemblies

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from Republic of Korea Patent Application No. 10-2024-0047558, dated April 8, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for inspecting alignment and damage of electrodes and separators during a manufacturing process of an electrode assembly, and to an inspection device therefor.

[0003] Secondary batteries, which boast high electrical properties such as high energy density and easy applicability across a wide range of product groups, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric or hybrid vehicles powered by electrical power sources, as well as in power storage devices. These batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for environmental friendliness and energy efficiency, not only because they can dramatically reduce fossil fuel use, but also because they produce no byproducts from energy use.

[0004] While small mobile devices typically use one or two or three battery cells per device, medium- to large-sized devices, such as automobiles, require high output and large capacity. Therefore, medium- to large-sized battery modules or packs consisting of multiple battery cells electrically connected are used.

[0005] Meanwhile, known types of unit secondary battery cells include cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch-shaped battery cells. Since it is desirable for mid- to large-sized battery modules to be manufactured with as small a size and weight as possible, prismatic and pouch-shaped batteries, which can be stacked with high integration and have a small weight per capacity, are primarily used as battery cells for mid- to large-sized battery modules.

[0006] Among these, pouch-type battery cells have various structures depending on the manufacturing method of the electrode assembly they contain. Recently, in particular, the zigzag stacking method, in which positive and negative electrodes are alternately laminated between each layer of a zigzag-folded separator, is often used to rapidly manufacture high-capacity electrode assemblies.

[0007] Meanwhile, in this zigzag stacking process, because the stacking process proceeds at a rapid rate, misalignment between the electrodes and the separator, as well as between the anode and cathode, can easily occur. These defects can cause inconsistent dimensional specifications of the electrode assembly and significantly impact its capacity, voltage, stability, etc. Therefore, a method for detecting such misalignment during the zigzag stacking process is required.

[0008] In particular, when the anode is laminated, the cathode is covered by the separator, and when the cathode is laminated, the anode is covered by the separator, so the greatest difficulty is in detecting the alignment between the anode and cathode, which must be laminated in different layers.

[0009] Furthermore, a method for detecting damage to the separator is also necessary. This is because damage, such as a puncture, in the separator can cause a short circuit between the anode and cathode, leading to safety issues such as fire. The problem is that after electrodes are stacked, they largely obscure the separator directly beneath them. Therefore, to detect both electrode alignment and separator damage, images must be taken both before and after electrode stacking. However, the zigzag stacking process occurs very quickly, making this extremely difficult.

[0010] The present invention was created under the background of the above-described prior art, and its purpose is to provide an inspection method and inspection device capable of inspecting alignment between electrodes and alignment of electrodes with respect to a separator.

[0011] The present invention also seeks to provide an inspection method and inspection device capable of inspecting whether an electrode is damaged.

[0012] The present invention also aims to provide an inspection method capable of comprehensively inspecting damage to a separation membrane and an inspection device therefor.

[0013] Another technical object of the present invention is to provide an inspection method and an inspection device capable of inspecting damage and / or alignment of an electrode and / or a separator with a minimum of filming.

[0014] The present invention also seeks to provide an inspection method and an inspection device capable of inspecting the relative arrangement and alignment of electrodes and / or separators without being affected by vibration or rotation of a camera or manufacturing equipment.

[0015] The technical objectives of the present invention are not limited to the purposes mentioned above. Other objectives and advantages of the present invention not mentioned above can be understood through the following description and will be more clearly understood through the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the objectives and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the claims.

[0016] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides an inspection method for vision-inspecting manufacturing defects in an electrode assembly in a manufacturing process of manufacturing an electrode assembly by stacking a plurality of electrodes and separators on a stack table, wherein the inspection method comprises photographing a reference point placed at a fixed position on the stack table together with the electrodes and the separator.

[0017] The separator has first and second surfaces that face each other. In the first and second steps of the manufacturing process described below, a first region on which a first electrode is laminated on the first surface of the separator and a second region that is folded to face the first region and interpose the first electrode between the first region are defined. Similarly, in the third and fourth steps of the manufacturing method described below, a first region on which a second electrode is laminated on the second surface of the separator and a second region that is folded to face the first region and interpose the second electrode between the first region are defined.

[0018] The above manufacturing process includes: a first step in which a first electrode is laminated on a first region of a first surface of the separator, and a first gripper grips a boundary between a first region of the first surface and a second region of the first surface of the separator; a second step in which the separator is folded so that the first region of the first surface and the second region of the first surface face each other; a third step in which a second electrode is laminated on a first region of a second surface of the separator, and a second gripper grips a boundary between a first region of the second surface and a second region of the second surface of the separator; and a fourth step in which the separator is folded so that the first region of the second surface and the second region of the second surface face each other. In the above manufacturing process, the first to fourth steps may be repeatedly performed several times.

[0019] The above inspection method includes a first photographing step of obtaining a first image by photographing a first photographing area including at least a portion of a first area of ​​a first surface of the separator and at least one of the reference points between the first step and the second step.

[0020] According to the present invention, by photographing the first electrode and the separator together with the reference point fixed to the stack table, the positions of the first electrode and the separator can be quantified simply by analyzing the first image.

[0021] The above first shooting area may be set in multiple numbers. In this case, at least one reference point must be provided in each of the multiple first shooting areas.

[0022] It is preferable that the above-described reference point have a rotationally asymmetrical shape or arrangement. This is because, if the reference point is provided rotationally symmetrically, it is difficult to determine whether the first electrode or the separator has rotated around the reference point based solely on the first image. For example, the reference point may be provided in multiple numbers arranged in at least one of the horizontal and vertical directions. However, alternatively, the reference point may be provided in a single number having a rotationally asymmetrical shape.

[0023] The above inspection method may further include a step of analyzing the first image to inspect the first electrode for damage. The damage may include punctures, scratches, tears, folds, etc.

[0024] The above inspection method may further include a step of analyzing the first image to detect a relative position of the first electrode with respect to the stack table.

[0025] Specifically, in the above inspection method, a predetermined region of interest C can be set based on the position of the reference point shown in the first image. At this time, the relative position of the first electrode with respect to the stack table can be detected based on the position of the edge of the first electrode shown in the region of interest C.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the region of interest C is set to be a plurality of regions arranged to include at least a portion of the edge of the first electrode. For example, two or more regions of interest C may be provided at each of the horizontal and vertical ends of the first electrode, thereby enabling the central position and rotation of the first electrode with respect to the stack table to be determined.

[0027] The above inspection method may further include a step of analyzing the first image to detect a relative position of the separator with respect to the stack table.

[0028] Specifically, in the above inspection method, a predetermined region of interest S1 can be set based on the position of the reference point shown in the first image. At this time, the relative position of the separation membrane with respect to the stack table can be detected based on the position of the edge of the separation membrane shown in the region of interest S1.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the region of interest S1 is set to be a plurality of regions arranged to include at least a portion of the edge of the separator. For example, two or more regions of interest S1 may be provided at each of the horizontal and vertical ends of the separator, thereby enabling the central position and rotation of the separator with respect to the stack table to be determined.

[0030] The above inspection method may further include a step of inspecting the alignment of the first electrode with respect to the separator based on the relative position of the first electrode with respect to the reference point and the relative position of the separator with respect to the reference point. That is, the alignment of the first electrode with respect to the separator can be determined by comparing the position of the first electrode with respect to the stack table analyzed from the first image and the position of the separator with each other.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the alignment of the first electrode with respect to the separator can be checked by comparing the relative position of the edge of the first electrode shown in the region of interest C with the relative position of the edge of the separator shown in the region of interest S1.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the relative positions of the first electrode and the separator with respect to the stack table, as well as the relative positions of the first electrode and the separator with respect to each other, can be determined from a single image.

[0033] The above region of interest S1 may include a region including a first transverse end of the separator and another region including a second transverse end of the first gripper. In this case, when checking the alignment of the first electrode with respect to the separator, the relative position of the second transverse end of the first gripper with respect to the reference point may be considered to correspond to the relative position of the second transverse end of the separator with respect to the reference point.

[0034] In the first image, the separator appears in an unfolded state before being folded. Accordingly, the second transverse end of the separator is not defined. However, since the separator is folded while wrapping around the first gripper, the second transverse end of the separator formed as the separator is folded in the second step corresponds to the second transverse end of the first gripper. Therefore, by detecting the relative position of the second transverse end of the first gripper with respect to the reference point as described above, the position of the second transverse end of the separator formed as the separator is folded can be detected in advance.

[0035] The above inspection method may further include, between the third step and the fourth step, a second photographing step of photographing a second photographing area including at least a portion of the first area of ​​the second surface of the separator and at least one of the reference points to obtain a second image.

[0036] The inspection method may further include a step of analyzing the second image to detect a relative position of the second electrode with respect to the stack table; a step of analyzing the second image to detect a relative position of the separator with respect to the stack table; a step of inspecting alignment of the second electrode with respect to the separator based on the relative position of the second electrode with respect to the reference point and the relative position of the separator with respect to the reference point; and a step of inspecting alignment of the first electrode and the second electrode with respect to each other by comparing the alignment of the first electrode with respect to the separator and the alignment of the second electrode with respect to the separator.

[0037] Specifically, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a predetermined region of interest A and a region of interest S2 can be set based on the position of the reference point shown in the second image. At this time, a relative position of the second electrode with respect to the stack table can be detected based on a position of a border of the second electrode shown in the region of interest A, and a relative position of the separator with respect to the stack table can be detected based on a position of a border of the separator shown in the region of interest S2.

[0038] As in analyzing the first image, the alignment of the second electrode with respect to the separator can be checked by comparing the relative position of the edge of the second electrode shown in the region of interest A with the relative position of the edge of the separator shown in the region of interest S2. Thus, the alignment between the first electrode and the second electrode can be checked based on the alignment of the first electrode with respect to the separator and the alignment of the second electrode with respect to the separator.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the present invention, since the alignment of the first electrode with respect to the separator and the alignment of the second electrode with respect to the separator are relatively determined in the first image and the second image, respectively, the relative alignment between the first electrode and the second electrode can be determined regardless of the relative position or rotation with respect to the stack table.

[0040] The region of interest S2 may include a region including a second transverse end of the separator and another region including a first transverse end of the second gripper. In this case, when checking the alignment of the second electrode with respect to the separator, the relative position of the first transverse end of the second gripper with respect to the reference point may be considered to correspond to the relative position of the first transverse end of the separator with respect to the reference point.

[0041] In the second image, the separator appears in an unfolded state before being folded. Accordingly, the first transverse end of the separator is not defined. However, since the separator is folded while wrapping around the second gripper, the first transverse end of the separator formed by folding the separator in the first step corresponds to the first transverse end of the second gripper. Therefore, by detecting the relative position of the first transverse end of the second gripper with respect to the reference point as described above, the position of the first transverse end of the separator formed by folding the separator can be detected in advance.

[0042] The present invention also provides an inspection device for vision-inspecting manufacturing defects in an electrode assembly in a manufacturing process of manufacturing an electrode assembly by stacking a plurality of electrodes and separators, wherein the inspection device is configured to photograph a reference point placed at a fixed position on a stack table together with the electrodes and separators.

[0043] The separator has first and second surfaces that face each other. In the first and second steps of the manufacturing process described below, a first region on which a first electrode is laminated on the first surface of the separator and a second region that is folded to face the first region and interpose the first electrode between the first region are defined. Similarly, in the third and fourth steps of the manufacturing method described below, a first region on which a second electrode is laminated on the second surface of the separator and a second region that is folded to face the first region and interpose the second electrode between the first region are defined.

[0044] The above manufacturing process includes: a first step in which a first electrode is laminated on a first region of a first surface of the separator, and a first gripper grips a boundary between a first region of the first surface and a second region of the first surface of the separator; a second step in which the separator is folded so that the first region of the first surface and the second region of the first surface face each other; a third step in which a second electrode is laminated on a first region of a second surface of the separator, and a second gripper grips a boundary between a first region of the second surface and a second region of the second surface of the separator; and a fourth step in which the separator is folded so that the first region of the second surface and the second region of the second surface face each other. In the above manufacturing process, the first to fourth steps may be repeatedly performed several times.

[0045] The inspection device includes: a stack table on which the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator are stacked; a reference point whose position is fixed and provided on the stack table; a first camera that captures a first image by capturing a predetermined first capturing area including the reference point; and a processing unit that analyzes the first image to detect whether the electrode assembly is misaligned.

[0046] At this time, the first shooting area includes: at least a portion of each of the vertical end portions and the horizontal end portions of the first electrode; and at least a portion of each of the vertical end portions and the first horizontal end portion of the separator.

[0047] According to the present invention, the positions of the first electrode and the separator with respect to the stack table can be detected and digitized based on the positions of their ends from the first image, and the alignment of the first electrode with respect to the separator can also be determined in comparison therewith.

[0048] The first photographing area may include at least a portion of the second transverse end of the first gripper. The position of the second transverse end of the first gripper may be considered as the position of the second transverse end of the separator formed by folding the separator.

[0049] The first camera may be provided in plurality. For example, the first camera may be provided as a pair arranged vertically, and among the pair of first cameras, one may photograph an area including at least a portion of one vertical end of the first electrode and the separator, and the other may photograph an area including at least a portion of the other vertical end of the first electrode and the separator. Accordingly, the relative positions of each of the four end portions of the first electrode and the separator with respect to the reference point can be accurately determined, and the central position and rotation of the first electrode and the separator with respect to the stack table can be accurately determined.

[0050] The inspection device may further include a second camera that captures a second image by capturing a predetermined second capturing area including the reference point. At this time, the second capturing area may include: at least a portion of each of the vertically opposite ends and the horizontally opposite ends of the second electrode; and at least a portion of each of the vertically opposite ends and the second horizontally opposite ends of the separator; and the processing unit may analyze the first image and the second image to detect whether the electrode assembly is misaligned.

[0051] The above processing unit can detect the alignment of the first electrode and the alignment of the second electrode with respect to the separator in the first image and the second image, respectively, and can also detect the alignment between the first electrode and the second electrode based on these.

[0052] The second photographing area may include at least a portion of the first transverse end of the second gripper. The position of the first transverse end of the second gripper may be considered as the position of the first transverse end of the separator formed by folding the separator.

[0053] The present invention can provide an inspection method and an inspection device capable of inspecting alignment between electrodes and alignment of electrodes with respect to a separator.

[0054] Specifically, the present invention can provide an inspection method and an inspection device that can inspect the relative arrangement and alignment of electrodes and / or separators without being affected by vibration or rotation of a camera or manufacturing equipment by comparing the relative positions with respect to a fixed reference point.

[0055] The present invention also provides an inspection method and an inspection device therefor capable of comprehensively inspecting damage to a separator by photographing the reverse side of the separator before folding with an electrode.

[0056] According to the present invention, an inspection method and an inspection device capable of inspecting whether an electrode is damaged are provided.

[0057] Another advantage of the inspection method and inspection device according to the present invention is that by considering the end of the gripper as the end of the separator after folding, or by simultaneously photographing the area where the electrodes are laminated and the area where the separator is unfolded, it is possible to inspect for damage and / or alignment of the electrodes and / or the separator with a minimum of photographing.

[0058] In addition, the present invention may have various other effects, which will be described in each embodiment, or the description of effects that can be easily inferred by a person skilled in the art will be omitted.

[0059] Figures 1 and 2 respectively show the appearance before and after the first electrode is laminated in a manufacturing process according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Figure 3 is a vertical view of the stack table of Figure 2.

[0061] Figures 4 and 5 respectively show the appearance before and after the second electrode is laminated in a manufacturing process according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Figure 6 is a vertical view of the stack table of Figure 5.

[0063] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an inspection method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] Figure 8 is a view of an inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention taking a first image.

[0065] Figure 9 shows a first image in which a region of interest is set according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] FIG. 10 shows the relative positions of electrodes or separators with respect to a region of interest according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] Figure 11 is a view of an inspection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention taking a second image.

[0068] Figure 12 shows a second image in which a region of interest is set according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an inspection method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] Figure 14 is a view of an inspection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention taking a first image.

[0071] Figure 15 shows the first gap, the third gap, and the fourth gap according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] Figure 16 is a view of an inspection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention taking a second image.

[0073] Figure 17 shows the second gap, the fifth gap, and the sixth gap according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 10: Nip roll

[0076] 11: Stack Table

[0077] 110: Central axis

[0078] 111: Reference point

[0079] 131: 1st gripper

[0080] 132: Second Gripper

[0081] 141: Camera 1

[0082] 151: First filming area

[0083] 142: Second Camera

[0084] 152: Second filming area

[0085] 16: Means of transport

[0086] 20: Membrane

[0087] 21: Page 1

[0088] 211: Area 1

[0089] 212: Area 2

[0090] 22: Page 2

[0091] 221: Area 1

[0092] 222: Area 2

[0093] 31: First electrode

[0094] 310: Tap

[0095] 32: Second electrode

[0096] 320: Tap

[0097] Area of ​​interest: R

[0098] Gap: G

[0099] The above-described objects, features, and advantages will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily practice the technical idea of ​​the present invention. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of known technologies related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar components.

[0100] Although the terms "first" and "second" are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another, and unless otherwise specified, a "first" component may also be a "second" component.

[0101] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specifically stated, each element may be singular or plural.

[0102] Hereinafter, the phrase "any configuration is placed on (or below)" a component or "on (or below)" a component may mean that any configuration is placed in contact with the upper surface (or lower surface) of said component, and that other configurations may be interposed between said component and any configuration placed on (or below) said component.

[0103] Additionally, when it is described that a component is "connected," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the components may be directly connected or connected to one another, but that other components may also be "interposed" between the components, or that each component may be "connected," "coupled," or "connected" through another component.

[0104] As used herein, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "consisting of" or "comprising" should not necessarily be construed to include all of the components or steps described in the specification, and should be construed to mean that some of the components or steps may not be included, or that additional components or steps may be included.

[0105] Throughout the specification, when we refer to "A and / or B", this means A, B, or A and B, unless otherwise stated, and when we refer to "C to D", this means C or more and D or less, unless otherwise stated.

[0106] Throughout this specification, the term "electrode" refers to both the positive electrode and the negative electrode, or to either the positive electrode or the negative electrode. Furthermore, the first electrode and the second electrode referred to in this specification may be the positive electrode and the negative electrode, or the negative electrode and the positive electrode, respectively.

[0107] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0108]

[0109] [Zigzag Stacking Manufacturing Process]

[0110] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 6, a battery manufacturing process according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. The battery manufacturing process according to this embodiment follows a zigzag stacking method, in which separators are stacked in a zigzag pattern. In practicing the present invention, not only the embodiments described below, but also various known zigzag stacking manufacturing processes can be utilized.

[0111] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the appearance before and after a first electrode is laminated in a manufacturing process according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively, and Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the appearance before and after a second electrode is laminated in a manufacturing process according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively. Referring to these drawings, the manufacturing process according to an embodiment of the present invention is to form an electrode assembly by alternately and repeatedly laminating a first electrode (31) and a second electrode (32) between each layer of a separator (20) folded in a zigzag pattern.

[0112] The stacking of the above separator (20), the first electrode (31), and the second electrode (32) is performed on a stack table (11).

[0113] The above separator (20) is extended in a sheet shape having a first surface (21) and a second surface (22) facing each other, is unwound from a roll shape, passes through a nip roll (10), and is supplied to the stack table (11).

[0114] The first electrode (31) and the second electrode (32) are loaded into each magazine and transported by each transport means (16) and supplied to the stack table (11).

[0115] The stack table (11) may be configured to rotate at a predetermined angle with respect to the central axis (110) so as to face the respective transport means (16) when the first electrode (31) is supplied and when the second electrode (32) is supplied. That is, when the first electrode (31) is stacked, the stack table (11) may rotate at a predetermined angle in one direction with respect to the central axis (110) to face the transport device () that transports the first electrode (31), and when the second electrode (32) is stacked, the stack table (11) may rotate at a predetermined angle in the other direction with respect to the central axis (110) to face the transport device () that transports the second electrode (32).

[0116] FIG. 3 is a vertical view of the stack table of FIG. 2. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first electrode (31) is stacked on the first surface (21) of the separator (20) when the stack table (11) faces the transport device () that transports the first electrode (31). At this time, the separator (20) is held by the first gripper (131) to form a flat surface on which the first electrode (31) can be stacked. The first surface (21) of the separator (20) is divided into a first region (211) of the separator (20) on which the first electrode (31) is stacked, and a second region (212) that is unfolded for subsequent folding, with the portion held by the first gripper (131) as the boundary.

[0117] Specifically, the first region (211) of the first surface of the separator (20) is defined by the first transverse-side end of the second gripper (132) at its first transverse-side end, and the second transverse-side end is defined by the second transverse-side end of the first gripper (131). The second region (212) of the first surface of the separator (20) is defined as a portion that extends and unfolds in the second transverse direction based on the second transverse-side end of the first gripper (131).

[0118] That is, in the manufacturing process according to the present embodiment, the first step of laminating the first electrode (31) is performed by laminating the first electrode (31) on the first surface, first region (211) of the separator (20), and the first gripper (131) gripping the boundary between the first surface, first region (211) and the second surface, second region (212) of the separator (20). At this time, the gripping of the separator (20) by the first gripper (131) may be performed before the first electrode (31) is laminated, or, as in FIG. 2, when there is an overlapping region between the first gripper (131) and the first electrode (31), it may be repeatedly performed before and after the first electrode (31) is laminated.

[0119] The manufacturing process according to the present embodiment includes, after the first step, a second step in which the separator (20) is folded while wrapping around the first gripper (131). In the second step, the separator (20) may be laminated such that the first surface first region (211) and the first surface second region (212) face each other. That is, as the second step is performed, the first electrode (31) is interposed between the first surfaces (21) of the separators (20) laminated on both upper and lower sides.

[0120] At this time, the second step is performed by rotating the stack table (11) while the nip roll (10) fixes one point of the separator (20) and moves another point of the separator (20) gripped by the first gripper (131).

[0121] FIG. 6 is a vertical view of the stack table of FIG. 5. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the second electrode (32) is stacked on the second surface (22) of the separator (20) when the stack table (11) faces the transport device () that transports the second electrode (32). At this time, the separator (20) is held by the second gripper (132) to form a flat surface on which the second electrode (32) can be stacked. The second surface (22) of the separator (20) is divided into a first region (221) of the separator (20) on which the second electrode (32) is stacked, and a second region (222) that is unfolded for subsequent folding, with the portion held by the second gripper (132) as the boundary.

[0122] Specifically, the second surface first region (221) of the separator (20) has its second transverse end defined by the second transverse end of the first gripper (131), and its first transverse end defined by the first transverse end of the second gripper (132). The second surface second region (222) of the separator (20) is defined as a portion that extends and unfolds in the first transverse direction based on the first transverse end of the second gripper (132).

[0123] That is, the manufacturing process according to the present embodiment includes a third step in which the second electrode (32) is laminated and the second gripper (132) grips the separator (20), and a fourth step in which the separator (20) is folded while wrapping around the second gripper (132). The third step is configured symmetrically with the first step, and the fourth step is configured symmetrically with the second step.

[0124] That is, in the fourth step, the separator (20) can also be laminated so that the second surface first region (221) and the second surface second region (222) face each other. That is, as the fourth step is performed, the second electrode (32) is interposed between the second surfaces (22) of the separator (20) laminated on both upper and lower sides.

[0125] The above steps 1 to 4 can be repeated several times until the electrode assembly is completed.

[0126]

[0127] [Example 1 - Electrode alignment inspection using relative positions]

[0128] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12, an inspection method according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. According to this embodiment, an inspection method is provided that can inspect the alignment between electrodes by comparing the relative positions of the electrodes and separators with respect to fixed reference points on the stack table and the alignment of each electrode with respect to the separator calculated in comparison therewith.

[0129] Referring back to FIGS. 3 and 6, the stack table (11) may be provided with one or more reference points (111) whose positions are fixed with respect to the stack table (11). Regardless of their shapes, the reference points (111) are preferably configured so that their positions can be visually identified. The reference points (111) may serve as a reference for detecting the relative positions of the first electrode (31), the second electrode (32), and the separator (20) in the inspection method according to the present embodiment.

[0130] It is preferable that the above-mentioned reference point (111) has a rotationally asymmetrical shape or arrangement. This is because, if the above-mentioned reference point (111) is provided rotationally symmetrically, it is difficult to identify whether the first electrode (31) or the separator (20) has rotated around the above-mentioned reference point (111). For example, the above-mentioned reference points (111) may be provided in multiples arranged in at least one of the horizontal and vertical directions. However, alternatively, the above-mentioned reference point (111) may be provided in a single rotationally asymmetrical shape.

[0131] According to the present embodiment, the reference point (111) may include a pair arranged horizontally on one vertical side of the stack table (11) and a pair arranged horizontally on the other vertical side of the stack table (11).

[0132] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an inspection method according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to this, the inspection method according to the present embodiment includes, between the first step (S11) and the second step (S13), a first photographing step (S12) of obtaining a first image by photographing a first photographing area including at least a portion of the first area (211) of the first surface of the separation membrane (20) and at least one of the reference points (111).

[0133] According to this embodiment, by photographing the first electrode (31) and the separator (20) together with the reference point (111), the relative positions of the first electrode (31) and the separator (20) with respect to the stack table (11) can be quantitatively detected.

[0134] FIG. 8 is a view showing an inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention taking a first image, and FIG. 9 shows a first image in which a region of interest is set according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to these drawings, an inspection device for performing an inspection method according to the present embodiment includes a first camera (141) that photographs the stack table (11), the reference point (111), and the first shooting region (151) to obtain the first image, and a processing unit (not shown) that analyzes the first image to detect misalignment of the electrode assembly.

[0135] The above first camera (141) can be arranged to be aligned with the normal direction of the stack table (11) when the first electrode (31) is stacked.

[0136] The first shooting area (151) according to the present embodiment includes: at least a portion of each of the vertical end portions and the horizontal end portions of the first electrode (31); and at least a portion of each of the vertical end portions and the first horizontal end portion of the separator (20).

[0137] According to the present embodiment, the positions of the first electrode (31) and the separator (20) with respect to the stack table (11) from the first image can be detected and digitized based on the positions of their ends, and in comparison thereto, the alignment of the first electrode (31) with respect to the separator (20) can also be determined.

[0138] The above first shooting area (151) may be set in multiple numbers. At this time, at least one reference point (111) must be provided in each of the multiple first shooting areas (151). In addition, correspondingly, the first camera (141) may be provided in multiple numbers.

[0139] According to the present embodiment, the first camera (141) is provided as a pair arranged in the vertical direction, and among the pair of first cameras (141), one can photograph an area including at least a portion of one vertical end of the first electrode (31) and the separator (20), and the other can photograph an area including at least a portion of the other vertical end of the first electrode (31) and the separator (20). Accordingly, the relative positions of each of the four side ends of the first electrode (31) and the separator (20) with respect to the reference point (111) can be accurately identified, and the central position and rotation of the first electrode (31) and the separator (20) with respect to the stack table (11) can be accurately identified.

[0140] At this time, the first shooting area (151) may include at least a portion of the second horizontal end of the first gripper (131), and the position of the second horizontal end of the first gripper (131) may be regarded as the position of the second horizontal end of the separator (20) to be formed by folding the separator (20).

[0141] The above inspection method may further include a step of analyzing the first image to inspect whether the first electrode (31) is damaged. The damage may include punctures, scratches, tears, folds, etc.

[0142] The above inspection method may further include a step of analyzing the first image to detect the relative position of the first electrode (31) with respect to the stack table (11). Specifically, in the inspection method according to the present embodiment, a predetermined region of interest C (RC) may be set based on the position of the reference point (111) shown in the first image. At this time, the relative position of the first electrode (31) with respect to the stack table (11) may be detected based on the position of the edge of the first electrode (31) shown in the region of interest C (RC).

[0143] According to the present embodiment, it is preferable that the region of interest C (RC) is set to be a plurality of regions arranged to include at least a portion of the edge of the first electrode (31). For example, two or more regions of interest C (RC) may be provided at each of the horizontal and vertical ends of the first electrode (31), and accordingly, the center position and rotation of the first electrode (31) with respect to the stack table (11) can be determined.

[0144] Fig. 10 illustrates the relative position of an electrode or a separator with respect to a region of interest according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to this, the step of detecting the relative position of the first electrode (31) with respect to the stack table (11) may include a process of measuring a gap (G) between the center of the region of interest C (RC) and the edge of the first electrode (31). According to the present embodiment, a plurality of the gaps (G) may be measured from the plurality of regions of interest C (RC) set with respect to the reference point (111), and the relative position of the first electrode (31) with respect to the stack table (11) may be detected based on this data and the known dimensions of the first electrode (31).

[0145] The above inspection method may further include a step of analyzing the first image to detect the relative position of the separation membrane (20) with respect to the stack table (11). Specifically, in the above inspection method, a predetermined region of interest S1 (RS1) may be set based on the position of the reference point (111) shown in the first image. At this time, the relative position of the separation membrane with respect to the stack table (11) may be detected based on the position of the edge of the separation membrane (20) shown in the region of interest S1 (RS1).

[0146] According to the present embodiment, it is preferable that the region of interest S1 (RS1) is set to be a plurality of regions arranged to include at least a portion of the edge of the separation membrane (20). For example, two or more regions of interest S1 (RS1) may be provided at each of the horizontal and vertical ends of the separation membrane (20), and accordingly, the central position and rotation of the separation membrane (20) with respect to the stack table (11) can be determined.

[0147] At this time, a specific method for detecting the relative position of the separator (20) with respect to the stack table (11) may include a process similar to the above-described method for detecting the relative position of the first electrode (31) with respect to the stack table (11).

[0148] The above inspection method may further include a step of inspecting the alignment of the first electrode (31) with respect to the separator (20) based on the relative position of the first electrode (31) with respect to the reference point (111) and the relative position of the separator (20) with respect to the reference point (111).

[0149] The above region of interest S1 may include one region including the first transverse-side end of the separator (20) and another region including the second transverse-side end of the first gripper (131). At this time, when checking the alignment of the first electrode (31) with respect to the separator (20), the relative position of the second transverse-side end of the first gripper (131) with respect to the reference point (111) may be considered to correspond to the relative position of the second transverse-side end of the separator (20) with respect to the reference point (111).

[0150] In the first image, the separator (20) appears in an unfolded state before being folded. Accordingly, the second transverse end of the separator (20) is not defined. However, since the separator (20) is folded while wrapping around the first gripper (131), the second transverse end of the separator (20) formed as the separator (20) is folded in the second step corresponds to the second transverse end of the first gripper (131). Therefore, by detecting the relative position of the second transverse end of the first gripper (131) with respect to the reference point (111) as described above, the position of the second transverse end of the separator (20) to be formed as the separator (20) is folded can be detected in advance.

[0151] According to the present embodiment, there is an advantage in that not only the relative positions of the first electrode (31) and the separator (20) with respect to the stack table (11), but also the relative positions of the first electrode (31) and the separator (20) with respect to each other can be determined from a single image. At this time, since the positions of the first electrode (31) and the separator (20) are relative positions detected from a single image, the relative position of the first electrode (31) with respect to the separator (20) can be detected regardless of whether the separator (20) and the first electrode (31) move in parallel or rotate together with respect to the stack table (11).

[0152] In addition, according to the present embodiment, there is an advantage in that the gap between the second transverse end of the separator (20) that will be formed by folding and the second transverse end of the first electrode (31) can be known even before the separator (20) is folded to wrap around the first gripper (131).

[0153] Referring again to FIG. 7, the inspection method further includes, between the third step (S14) and the fourth step (S16), a second photographing step (S15) of photographing a second photographing area including at least a portion of the first area (221) of the second surface of the separation membrane (20) and at least one of the reference points (111) to obtain a second image.

[0154] Fig. 11 illustrates an inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention capturing a second image, and Fig. 12 illustrates a second image in which a region of interest is set according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to these drawings, the inspection device may additionally include a second camera (142) that captures the second capturing region (152) to acquire the second image.

[0155] The second camera (142) can be arranged to be aligned with the normal direction of the stack table (11) when the second electrode (32) is stacked.

[0156] The second shooting area (152) may include: at least a portion of each of the vertical end portions and the horizontal end portions of the second electrode (32); and at least a portion of each of the vertical end portions and the second horizontal end portion of the separator (20); and the processing unit (not shown) may analyze the first image and the second image to detect whether the electrode assembly is misaligned.

[0157] The above processing unit (not shown) can detect the alignment of the first electrode (31) and the alignment of the second electrode (32) with respect to the separation membrane (20) in the first image and the second image, respectively, and can also detect the alignment between the first electrode (31) and the second electrode (32) based on these.

[0158] The second shooting area (152) may include at least a portion of the first transverse-side end of the second gripper (132). The position of the first transverse-side end of the second gripper (132) may be considered as the position of the first transverse-side end of the separator formed by folding the separator.

[0159] The inspection method according to the present embodiment may further include a step of analyzing the second image to detect a relative position of the second electrode (32) with respect to the stack table (11); a step of analyzing the second image to detect a relative position of the separator (20) with respect to the stack table (11); and a step of inspecting alignment of the second electrode (32) with respect to the separator (20) based on the relative position of the second electrode (32) with respect to the reference point (111) and the relative position of the separator (20) with respect to the reference point.

[0160] Specifically, according to the present embodiment, a predetermined region of interest A (RA) and a region of interest S2 (RS2) can be set based on the position of the reference point (111) shown in the second image. At this time, the relative position of the second electrode (32) with respect to the stack table (11) can be detected based on the position of the edge of the second electrode (32) shown in the region of interest A (RA), and the relative position of the separation membrane (20) with respect to the stack table (11) can be detected based on the position of the edge of the separation membrane (20) shown in the region of interest S2 (RS2).

[0161] According to the present embodiment, it is preferable that the region of interest A (RA) and the region of interest S2 (RS2) are set in multiple numbers so as to include at least a portion of the edge of the second electrode (32) and the separator (20), respectively. For example, the region of interest A (RA) and the region of interest S2 (RS2) may be provided in two or more numbers at each of the horizontal and vertical ends of the second electrode (32) and the separator (20), respectively, so that the center position and rotation of the second electrode (32) and the separator (20) with respect to the stack table (11) can be determined.

[0162] At this time, a specific method for detecting the relative position of the second electrode (32) and the separator (20) with respect to the stack table (11) may include a process similar to the above-described method for detecting the relative position of the first electrode (31) with respect to the stack table (11).

[0163] As in analyzing the first image above, the alignment of the second electrode (32) with respect to the separator (20) can be checked by comparing the relative position of the edge of the second electrode (32) shown in the region of interest A (RA) with the relative position of the edge of the separator (20) shown in the region of interest S2 (RS2).

[0164] The above region of interest S2 (RS2) may include one region including the second transverse-side end of the separator (20) and another region including the first transverse-side end of the second gripper (132). At this time, when checking the alignment of the second electrode (32) with respect to the separator (20), the relative position of the first transverse-side end of the second gripper (132) with respect to the reference point (111) may be considered to correspond to the relative position of the first transverse-side end of the separator (20) with respect to the reference point (111).

[0165] In the second image, the separator (20) appears in an unfolded state before being folded. Accordingly, the first transverse end of the separator (20) is not defined. However, since the separator (20) is folded while wrapping around the second gripper (132), the first transverse end of the separator (20) formed as the separator (20) is folded in the first step corresponds to the first transverse end of the second gripper (132). Therefore, by detecting the relative position of the first transverse end of the second gripper (132) with respect to the reference point (111) as described above, the position of the first transverse end of the separator (20) to be formed as the separator (20) is folded can be detected in advance.

[0166] The above inspection method may further include a step of inspecting the alignment of the first electrode (31) and the second electrode (32) with respect to each other by comparing the alignment of the first electrode (31) with respect to the separator (20) and the alignment of the second electrode (32) with respect to the separator (20). Specifically, the step of inspecting the alignment of the first electrode (31) and the second electrode (32) with respect to each other may be performed by comparing the relative positions of the respective four-sided ends of the first electrode (31) and the second electrode (32) with respect to the relative positions of the respective four-sided ends of the separator (20).

[0167] For example, in order to detect the gap between the second transverse-side end of the first electrode (31) and the second transverse-side end of the second electrode, the first gap between the second transverse-side end of the first gripper (131) and the second transverse-side end of the first electrode (31) shown in the first image and the second gap between the second transverse-side end of the separator (20) and the second transverse-side end of the second electrode (32) shown in the second image can be compared. At this time, the first gap can be detected based on the position of the second transverse-side end of the first gripper (131) shown in the region of interest S1 (RS1), the position of the second transverse-side end of the first electrode (31) shown in the region of interest C (RC), and a predetermined positional relationship between the region of interest S1 (RS1) and the region of interest C (RC). Likewise, the second gap can be determined based on the position of the second transverse end of the separator (20) shown in the region of interest S2 (RS2), the position of the second transverse end of the second electrode (32) shown in the region of interest A (RA), and a predetermined positional relationship between the region of interest S2 (RS2) and the region of interest A (RA). At this time, the positions of the regions of interest (RC, RS1, RA, RS2) are set based on the reference point (111).

[0168] According to the present embodiment, regardless of the parallel movement or rotation of the first electrode (31), the second electrode (32), and the separator (20) with respect to the stack table (11), it is possible to detect whether the first electrode (31) and the second electrode (32) are misaligned with respect to the separator (20), and regardless of variables such as vibration or positional change of the camera in the manufacturing facility, it is also possible to detect whether there is misalignment between the first electrode (31) and the second electrode (32). In addition, by regarding the end of the first gripper (131) and / or the second gripper (132) as the end of the separator (20), it is possible to determine the relative alignment between the first electrode (31), the second electrode (32), and the separator (20) even before the end is formed because the separator (20) has not yet been folded.

[0169]

[0170] [Example 2 - Simultaneous inspection of membrane damage and electrode alignment]

[0171] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 13 to 17, an inspection method according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. According to this embodiment, an inspection method is provided that can simultaneously inspect the alignment of the electrode and / or the separator and simultaneously perform a vision inspection for damage to the entire separator with minimal photography by simultaneously photographing the first region and the second region.

[0172] Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an inspection method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to this, the inspection method according to the present embodiment includes, between the first step (S21) and the second step (S23), a first photographing step (S22) of obtaining a first image by photographing a first photographing area (151) including the entire first surface area (211) and the first surface area (212) of the separation membrane (20).

[0173] The above inspection method may further include a step of analyzing the first image to detect damage to the separator (20). According to the present embodiment, by photographing the separator together with the electrode before it is unfolded and folded for lamination, it is possible to inspect for damage to the separator while simultaneously inspecting for a defect in the lamination of the electrode.

[0174] Fig. 14 is a view showing an inspection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention taking a first image, and Fig. 15 shows a first gap, a third gap, and a fourth gap according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to these drawings, an inspection device for performing an inspection method according to the present embodiment includes a first camera (141) that photographs the stack table (11), the reference point (111), and the first shooting area (151) to obtain the first image, and a processing unit (not shown) that analyzes the first image to detect misalignment of the electrode assembly.

[0175] The above first camera (141) can be arranged to be aligned with the normal direction of the stack table (11) when the first electrode (31) is stacked.

[0176] According to the present embodiment, the area of ​​the second region (212) of the first surface of the separation membrane (20) included in the first shooting region (151) may be equal to or larger than the area of ​​the first region (211) of the first surface of the separation membrane (20) included in the first shooting region (151). Accordingly, detection of damage to the entire portion corresponding to the first region (211) of the first surface of the separation membrane (20) among the second region (212) of the first surface of the separation membrane (20) can be performed.

[0177] At this time, the area of ​​the second area (212) of the first surface of the separation membrane (20) included in the first shooting area (151) refers to the actual area of ​​the second area (212) included in the first image, regardless of the area of ​​the second area (212) projected on the first image. For example, when the normal direction of the second area (212) forms a 60-degree angle with the direction in which the first camera (141) is looking, the area of ​​the second area (212) projected on the first image may be half of the actual area of ​​the second area (212) included in the first shooting area (151).

[0178] The first shooting area (151) may include: at least a portion of each of the longitudinal end portions and the transverse end portions of the first electrode (31); and at least a portion of each of the longitudinal end portions and the first transverse end portion of the separator (20). As a result, the gap between the ends of the separator (20) and the first electrode (31) can be detected from the first image.

[0179] At this time, the first shooting area (151) may include at least a portion of the second horizontal direction side end of the first gripper (131). Since the separator (20) shown in the first image is before folding, the second horizontal direction side end of the separator (20) is not detected in the first image. However, since the separator (20) is folded based on the second horizontal direction side end of the first gripper (131), the position of the second horizontal direction side end of the first gripper (131) can be regarded as the position of the second horizontal direction side end of the separator (20).

[0180] The above inspection method may further include a step of analyzing the first image to inspect whether the first electrode (31) is damaged. The damage may include punctures, scratches, tears, folds, etc.

[0181] The above inspection method may further include a step of analyzing the first image to inspect the alignment of the first electrode (31) with respect to the separator (20). According to the present embodiment, the inspection method may include a step of inspecting the alignment of the first electrode (31) with respect to the separator (20) by detecting a gap between one end of the separator (20) and the same-side end of the first electrode (31) from the first image.

[0182] Specifically, the inspection method can detect a gap (G1) between one longitudinal end of the separator (20) and the same-side end of the first electrode (31) from the first image. At this time, since the longitudinal lengths of the separator (20) and the first electrode (31) are known, the relative arrangement of the first electrode (31) with respect to the separator (20) can be determined.

[0183] In addition, the inspection method can detect a gap (G3) between the first transverse end of the separator (20) and the same-side end of the first electrode (31) from the first image. Similarly, at this time, since the transverse lengths of the separator (20) and the first electrode (31) are known, the relative arrangement of the first electrode (31) with respect to the separator (20) can be determined.

[0184] In contrast, the inspection method can also detect a gap (G4) between the second transverse end of the first gripper (131) and the same-side end of the first electrode (31) from the first image. In the second step, the separator (20) is folded based on the second transverse end of the first gripper (131), so the second transverse end of the first gripper (131) can determine the position of the second transverse end of the separator (20) after folding. That is, by detecting the gap (G3) between the second transverse end of the first gripper (131) and the same-side end of the first electrode (31), the gap between the second transverse end formed by folding the separator (20) and the same-side end of the first electrode (31) can be actually detected before the separator (20) is folded.

[0185] Referring back to FIG. 13, the inspection method may additionally include a second photographing step (S25) of obtaining a second image by photographing a second photographing area including both the first area (221) of the second surface and the second area (222) of the second surface of the separation membrane (20) between the third step (S24) and the fourth step (S26).

[0186] Fig. 16 shows an inspection device according to a second embodiment of the present invention capturing a second image, and Fig. 17 illustrates a second gap, a fifth gap, and a sixth gap according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to these drawings, the inspection device may additionally include a second camera (142) that captures the second capturing area (152) to acquire the second image.

[0187] The second camera (142) can be arranged to be aligned with the normal direction of the stack table (11) when the second electrode (32) is stacked.

[0188] According to the present embodiment, the area of ​​the second surface second region (222) of the separation membrane (20) included in the second photographing region (152) may be equal to or greater than the area of ​​the second surface first region (221) of the separation membrane (20) included in the second photographing region (152). Accordingly, detection of damage to the entire portion corresponding to the second surface first region (221) of the separation membrane (20) among the second surface second region (222) of the separation membrane (20) can be performed.

[0189] At this time, the area of ​​the second surface second area (222) of the separation membrane (20) included in the second shooting area (152) refers to the actual area of ​​the second area (222) included in the second image, regardless of the area of ​​the second area (222) projected on the second image. For example, when the normal direction of the second area (222) forms a 60 degree angle with the direction in which the second camera (142) is looking, the area of ​​the second area (222) projected on the second image may be half of the actual area of ​​the second area (222) included in the second shooting area (152).

[0190] The second shooting area (152) may include: at least a portion of each of the longitudinal end portions and the transverse end portions of the second electrode (32); and at least a portion of each of the longitudinal end portions and the second transverse end portion of the separator (20). As a result, the gap between the ends of the separator (20) and the second electrode (32) can be detected from the second image.

[0191] At this time, the second shooting area (152) may include at least a portion of the first transverse-side end of the second gripper (132). Since the separator (20) shown in the second image is before folding, the first transverse-side end of the separator (20) is not detected in the second image. However, since the separator (20) is folded based on the first transverse-side end of the second gripper (132), the position of the first transverse-side end of the second gripper (132) can be regarded as the position of the first transverse-side end of the separator (20).

[0192] At this time, the inspection method may additionally include a step of analyzing the second image to inspect the alignment of the second electrode (32) with respect to the separator (20).

[0193] Specifically, the inspection method can detect a gap (G2) between one longitudinal end of the separator (20) and the same-side end of the second electrode (32) from the second image. At this time, since the longitudinal lengths of the separator (20) and the second electrode (32) are known, the relative arrangement of the second electrode (32) with respect to the separator (20) can be determined.

[0194] In addition, the inspection method can detect a gap (G5) between the second horizontal end of the separator (20) and the same-side end of the second electrode (32) from the second image. Similarly, at this time, since the horizontal lengths of the separator (20) and the second electrode (32) are known, the relative arrangement of the second electrode (32) with respect to the separator (20) can be determined.

[0195] In contrast, the inspection method can also detect a gap (G6) between the first transverse end of the second gripper (132) and the same-side end of the second electrode (32) from the second image. In the fourth step, the separator (20) is folded based on the first transverse end of the second gripper (132), so the first transverse end of the second gripper (132) can determine the position of the first transverse end of the separator (20) after folding. That is, by detecting the gap (G6) between the first transverse end of the second gripper (132) and the same-side end of the second electrode (32), the gap between the first transverse end formed by folding the separator (20) and the same-side end of the second electrode (32) can be actually detected before the separator (20) is folded.

[0196] The above inspection step may additionally include a step of inspecting the alignment of the second electrode (32) with respect to the first electrode (31) based on the alignment of the first electrode (31) with respect to the separator (20) and the alignment of the second electrode (32) with respect to the separator (20).

[0197] Specifically, the inspection method according to the present embodiment detects a first gap (G1) between one longitudinal end of the separator (20) and the same-side end of the first electrode (31) from the first image, detects a second gap (G2) between one longitudinal end of the separator (20) and the same-side end of the second electrode (32) from the second image, and inspects the longitudinal alignment between the first electrode (31) and the second electrode (32) based on the first gap (G1) and the second gap (G2). At this time, since the longitudinal lengths of the separator (20), the first electrode (31), and the second electrode (32) are known, the relative arrangement of the first electrode (31) and the second electrode (32) can be determined.

[0198] In addition, the inspection method according to the present embodiment can detect at least one of a third gap (G3) between the first transverse end of the separator (20) and the same-side end of the first electrode (31) from the first image, and a fourth gap (G4) between the second transverse end of the first gripper (131) and the same-side end of the first electrode (31), and can detect at least one of a fifth gap (G5) between the second transverse end of the separator (20) and the same-side end of the second electrode (32) from the second image, and a sixth gap (G6) between the first transverse end of the second gripper (132) and the same-side end of the second electrode (32), and can inspect the transverse alignment between the first electrode (31) and the second electrode (32) based on the detected gap values.

[0199] For example, the horizontal alignment between the first electrode (31) and the second electrode (32) can be inspected based on the third gap (G3) and the fifth gap (G5). At this time, since the horizontal gap between the first gripper (131) and the second gripper (132) is maintained constant, the gap between the first horizontal end and the second horizontal end of the separator (20) regulated by these grippers (131, 132), i.e., the horizontal length of the separator (20), is also maintained constant. In addition, since the horizontal lengths of the first electrode (31) and the second electrode (32) are known, the relative arrangement of the first electrode (31) and the second electrode (32) can be determined based on the third gap (G3) and the fifth gap (G5).

[0200] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the horizontal alignment between the first electrode (31) and the second electrode (32) can be inspected based on the fourth gap (G4) and the fifth gap (G5). At this time, the position of the second horizontal end of the first gripper (131) between the first step and the second step corresponds to the position of the second horizontal end of the separator (20) between the third step and the fourth step, so that by comparing the fourth gap (G4) and the fifth gap (G5), the distances at which the second horizontal end of each of the first electrode (31) and the second electrode (32) is spaced from the second horizontal end of the separator (20) can be compared, and based on this, the relative arrangement of the first electrode (31) and the second electrode (32) can be determined.

[0201] According to the present embodiment, by photographing the second region unfolded before the separator is folded together with the first region where the electrode is laminated, a complete inspection for damage to the separator is possible, and by regarding the end of the gripper as the end of the separator, the alignment between the first electrode and the second electrode can be inspected only by comparing the first image and the second image, which are each separately photographed of the first electrode and the second electrode, so that a quick and economical inspection for alignment and damage to the electrode assembly is possible with a minimum of photographing.

[0202] It should be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention will be determined by the claims that follow, rather than by the detailed description set forth above. Furthermore, the meaning and scope of the claims that follow, as well as all possible modifications and variations derived from their equivalent concepts, should be construed as encompassing the scope of the present invention.

[0203] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings exemplified above, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and drawings disclosed herein, and that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Furthermore, even if the operational effects according to the configuration of the present invention have not been explicitly described while describing the embodiments of the present invention, it is natural that the effects predictable by the corresponding configuration should also be acknowledged.

Claims

1. In a manufacturing process of manufacturing an electrode assembly by stacking a plurality of electrodes and separators on a stack table, an inspection method for vision inspection of manufacturing defects in the electrode assembly is provided. The above manufacturing process: A first step in which a first electrode is laminated on a first region of a first surface of the separator, and a first gripper grips a boundary between a first region of the first surface of the separator and a second region of the first surface; A second step in which the above separator is folded so that the first surface first region and the first surface second region face each other; A third step in which a second electrode is laminated on the first region of the second surface of the separator, and a second gripper grips the boundary between the first region of the second surface and the second region of the second surface of the separator; The above separator comprises a fourth step in which the first region of the second surface and the second region of the second surface are folded so that they face each other; The above stack table is provided with one or more reference points whose positions are fixed, The above inspection method comprises a first photographing step of obtaining a first image by photographing a first photographing area including at least a portion of a first area of ​​a first surface of the separator and at least one of the reference points between the first step and the second step.

2. In claim 1, An inspection method in which the above first shooting area is set to be multiple.

3. In claim 1, An inspection method wherein the above reference points are provided in a plurality arranged in at least one of the horizontal and vertical directions.

4. In claim 1, An inspection method further comprising a step of analyzing the first image to inspect whether the first electrode is damaged.

5. In claim 1, An inspection method further comprising a step of analyzing the first image to detect a relative position of the first electrode with respect to the stack table.

6. In claim 5, A predetermined area of ​​interest C is set based on the location of the reference point shown in the first image, An inspection method for detecting the relative position of the first electrode with respect to the stack table based on the position of the edge of the first electrode shown in the region of interest C.

7. In claim 1, An inspection method further comprising a step of analyzing the first image to detect a relative position of the separator with respect to the stack table.

8. In claim 7, A predetermined region of interest S1 is set based on the location of the reference point shown in the first image, An inspection method for detecting the relative position of the separator with respect to the stack table based on the position of the edge of the separator shown in the region of interest S1.

9. In claim 5, A step of analyzing the first image to detect the relative position of the separator with respect to the stack table; and An inspection method further comprising: a step of inspecting the alignment of the first electrode with respect to the separator based on the relative position of the first electrode with respect to the reference point and the relative position of the separator with respect to the reference point.

10. In claim 9, Based on the location of the reference point shown in the first image, a predetermined region of interest C and region of interest S1 are set, Detecting the relative position of the separator with respect to the stack table based on the position of the edge of the separator shown in the region of interest S1; An inspection method for inspecting the alignment of the first electrode with respect to the separator by comparing the relative position of the edge of the first electrode shown in the region of interest C and the relative position of the edge of the separator shown in the region of interest S1.

11. In claim 10, The above region of interest S1 includes one region including the first transverse end of the separator and another region including the second transverse end of the first gripper, An inspection method in which, in inspecting the alignment of the first electrode with respect to the separator, the relative position of the second transverse end of the first gripper with respect to the reference point is considered to correspond to the relative position of the second transverse end of the separator with respect to the reference point.

12. In claim 1, An inspection method further comprising a second photographing step of photographing a second photographing area including at least a portion of the first area of ​​the second surface of the separator and at least one of the reference points to obtain a second image between the third and fourth steps.

13. In claim 9, A step of analyzing the second image to detect the relative position of the second electrode with respect to the stack table; A step of analyzing the second image to detect the relative position of the separator with respect to the stack table; A step of checking the alignment of the second electrode with respect to the separator based on the relative position of the second electrode with respect to the reference point and the relative position of the separator with respect to the reference point; and An inspection method further comprising a step of inspecting the alignment of the first electrode and the second electrode with respect to each other in comparison with the alignment of the first electrode with respect to the separator and the alignment of the second electrode with respect to the separator.

14. In claim 13, Based on the location of the reference point shown in the first image, a predetermined region of interest C and region of interest S1 are set, Detecting the relative position of the first electrode with respect to the stack table based on the position of the edge of the first electrode shown in the region of interest C, Detecting the relative position of the separator with respect to the stack table based on the position of the edge of the separator shown in the region of interest S1; A step of checking the alignment of the first electrode with respect to the separator by comparing the relative position of the edge of the first electrode shown in the region of interest C and the relative position of the edge of the separator shown in the region of interest S1; and Based on the location of the reference point shown in the second image, a predetermined area of ​​interest A and an area of ​​interest S2 are set, Detecting the relative position of the second electrode with respect to the stack table based on the position of the edge of the second electrode shown in the region of interest A, Detecting the relative position of the separator with respect to the stack table based on the position of the edge of the separator shown in the region of interest S2, An inspection method further comprising a step of inspecting the alignment of the second electrode with respect to the separator by comparing the relative position of the edge of the second electrode shown in the region of interest A with the relative position of the edge of the separator shown in the region of interest S2.

15. In claim 14, The above region of interest S1 includes one region including the first transverse end of the separator and another region including the second transverse end of the first gripper, An inspection method in which, in inspecting the alignment of the first electrode with respect to the separator, the relative position of the second transverse end of the first gripper with respect to the reference point is considered to correspond to the relative position of the second transverse end of the separator with respect to the reference point.

16. In claim 14, The above region of interest S2 includes one region including the second transverse end of the separator and another region including the first transverse end of the second gripper, An inspection method in which, in inspecting the alignment of the second electrode with respect to the separator, the relative position of the first transverse end of the second gripper with respect to the reference point is considered to correspond to the relative position of the first transverse end of the separator with respect to the reference point.

17. In a manufacturing process of manufacturing an electrode assembly by stacking multiple electrodes and separators, an inspection device for vision inspection of manufacturing defects in the electrode assembly, The above manufacturing process: A first step in which a first electrode is laminated on a first region of a first surface of the separator, and a first gripper grips a boundary between a first region of the first surface of the separator and a second region of the first surface; A second step in which the above separator is folded so that the first surface first region and the first surface second region face each other; A third step in which a second electrode is laminated on the first region of the second surface of the separator, and a second gripper grips the boundary between the first region of the second surface and the second region of the second surface of the separator; The above separator comprises a fourth step in which the first region of the second surface and the second region of the second surface are folded so that they face each other; The above inspection device: A stack table on which the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator are stacked; A reference point whose position is fixed and provided on the above stack table; A first camera that captures a first image by capturing a predetermined first shooting area including the above reference point; and A processing unit that analyzes the first image to detect whether the electrode assembly is misaligned; The above first shooting area is: At least a portion of each of the longitudinal ends and the transverse ends of the first electrode; and An inspection device comprising at least a portion of each of the longitudinal end portions and the first transverse end portion of the above separation membrane.

18. In claim 17, An inspection device, wherein the first photographing area includes at least a portion of the second horizontal end of the first gripper.

19. In claim 17, An inspection device in which a plurality of the above first cameras are provided.

20. In claim 19, The above first camera is arranged as a pair in a vertical direction, Among the above pair of first cameras, One of them photographs an area including at least a portion of a vertical end of the first electrode and the separator, Another inspection device that photographs an area including at least a portion of the longitudinal opposite end of the first electrode and the separator.

21. In claim 17, It further includes a second camera that captures a second image by capturing a predetermined second shooting area including the above reference point, The above second shooting area is: At least a portion of each of the longitudinal ends and the transverse ends of the second electrode; and At least a portion of each of the longitudinal ends of the above membrane and the second transverse end; An inspection device in which the processing unit analyzes the first image and the second image to detect whether the electrode assembly is misaligned.

22. In claim 21, An inspection device, wherein the second photographing area includes at least a portion of the first horizontal end of the second gripper.

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