Battery inspection system and battery inspection method

Abstract

A battery inspection system, according to some embodiments, comprises: a two-dimensional (2D) inspection device configured to generate a 2D image of an inspection portion of a battery; a control device configured to determine whether a defective region exists in the inspection portion on the basis of a pattern of the 2D image; and a three-dimensional (3D) inspection device configured to acquire depth information of the inspection portion when the defective region exists, wherein the control device is configured, when the defective region exists, to determine whether the defective region is recessed in the inspection portion on the basis of the pattern of the 2D image, and to diagnose a state of the battery on the basis of whether the defective region is recessed and the depth information of the defective region.

Description

Battery inspection system and battery inspection method

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Republic of Korea Patent Application No. 10-2024-0081009, filed June 21, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] The embodiments disclosed in this document relate to a battery testing system and a battery testing method.

[0005] Recently, active research and development has been conducted on secondary batteries. The term "secondary battery" refers to a rechargeable battery, encompassing both conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries, as well as recent lithium-ion batteries. Among secondary batteries, lithium-ion batteries can boast higher energy densities than conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries. They can be manufactured in small and lightweight designs, making them highly versatile power sources for mobile devices. Recently, their use has expanded to include power sources for electric vehicles, attracting attention as a next-generation energy storage medium.

[0006] During the manufacturing process of cylindrical battery cells, defects such as dents or scratches can occur on the external surface during the process of sealing the electrodes and electrolyte into the battery can. To inspect for surface defects, analysis based on 2D and / or 3D images of the battery can be performed. However, conventional image analysis can present a challenge in that it is difficult to determine the depth of areas suspected of being defective.

[0007] One of the objects of the embodiments disclosed in this document is to provide a battery inspection system and a battery inspection method capable of performing quantitative inspection by generating depth information of a suspected defective area when inspecting surface defects by generating a 3D image based on a 2D image.

[0008] The technical objectives of the embodiments disclosed in this document are not limited to the technical tasks mentioned above, and other technical tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the descriptions below.

[0009] According to some embodiments, a battery inspection system includes a 2D inspection device configured to generate a 2D image of an inspection portion of a battery; a control device configured to determine whether a defective area exists in the inspection portion based on a pattern of the 2D image; and a 3D inspection device configured to obtain depth information of the inspection portion when the defective area exists, wherein the control device is configured to determine whether the defective area is sunken in the inspection portion based on a pattern of the 2D image when the defective area exists, and to diagnose a condition of the battery based on whether the defective area is sunken and the depth information of the defective area.

[0010] According to some embodiments, the control device is configured to synthesize the depth information into the two-dimensional image when the defective area exists to generate a three-dimensional image of the inspection area, and to diagnose the condition of the battery based on the three-dimensional image.

[0011] According to some embodiments, the control device is configured to derive a normal surface depth of the inspection area and an average depth of the defective area based on depth information of the three-dimensional image, and classify the defective area as a protruding area or a sunken area by comparing the normal surface depth and the average depth.

[0012] According to some embodiments, the control device is configured to diagnose the state of the battery as a surface defect state when classified as the sunken area, and to diagnose the state of the battery as a foreign substance contamination state when classified as the protruding area.

[0013] According to some embodiments, the control device is configured to derive a depth minimum value and a depth maximum value of the defective area from the three-dimensional image when the defective area is classified as the sunken area, and to diagnose the level of the surface defect condition based on a depth difference between the depth minimum value and the depth maximum value.

[0014] According to some embodiments, the control device is configured to derive a protrusion pattern of the protrusion area when classified as the protrusion area, and classify the type of foreign matter in the foreign matter contamination state based on the protrusion pattern.

[0015] According to some embodiments, the 2D inspection device is configured to generate the 2D image based on a photometric stereo technique.

[0016] According to some embodiments, the 3D inspection device is configured to generate the depth information based on a laser triangulation technique.

[0017] According to some embodiments, a battery inspection method includes: generating a two-dimensional image of an inspection portion of a battery through a two-dimensional inspection device; determining whether a defective area exists in the inspection portion based on a pattern of the two-dimensional image through a control device; obtaining depth information of the inspection portion when the defective area exists through a three-dimensional inspection device; determining whether the defective area is sunken in the inspection portion based on a pattern of the two-dimensional image when the defective area exists through the control device; and diagnosing a state of the battery based on whether the defective area is sunken and the depth information of the defective area through the control device.

[0018] According to some embodiments, the step of diagnosing the condition of the battery includes the step of generating a three-dimensional image of the inspection area by synthesizing the depth information into the two-dimensional image when the defective area exists; and the step of diagnosing the condition of the battery based on the three-dimensional image.

[0019] According to some embodiments, the step of determining whether the defective area is sunken includes the step of deriving a normal surface depth of the inspection site and an average depth of the defective area based on depth information of the three-dimensional image; and the step of comparing the normal surface depth and the average depth to classify the defective area as a protruding area or a sunken area.

[0020] According to some embodiments, the step of diagnosing the condition of the battery includes: diagnosing the condition of the battery as a surface defect condition if the battery is classified as a sunken area; and diagnosing the condition of the battery as a foreign substance contamination condition if the battery is classified as a protruding area.

[0021] According to some embodiments, the step of diagnosing the condition of the battery includes the step of deriving a minimum depth value and a maximum depth value of the defective area from the three-dimensional image when the defective area is classified as the sunken area; and the step of diagnosing the level of the surface defective condition based on a depth difference between the minimum depth value and the maximum depth value.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the step of diagnosing the state of the battery includes the step of deriving a protrusion pattern of the protrusion area when the protrusion area is classified as the protrusion area; and the step of classifying the type of foreign matter in the foreign matter contamination state based on the protrusion pattern.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the step of generating the two-dimensional image comprises the step of generating the two-dimensional image based on a photometric stereo technique.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the step of obtaining the depth information includes the step of generating the depth information based on a laser triangulation technique.

[0025] According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, a battery inspection system and a battery inspection method can be provided that can perform quantitative inspection by generating depth information of a suspected defective area when inspecting surface defects by generating a 3D image based on a 2D image.

[0026] The technical effects according to the embodiments disclosed in this document are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art according to the disclosure of this document.

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates how a battery testing system operates according to some embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates elements constituting a battery testing system according to some embodiments.

[0029] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a photometric stereo technique that positions light sources in different directions to generate a 2D image according to some embodiments.

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates a 2D image of an inspection site including defective areas according to some embodiments.

[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates a 3D image generated by adding depth information of an inspection area to a 2D image according to some embodiments.

[0032] FIG. 7 illustrates a method for inspecting surface defects of a battery based on depth information produced through a 3D image according to some embodiments.

[0033] FIG. 8 illustrates steps of a battery testing method according to some embodiments.

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments described in this document are described with reference to the attached drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the disclosure of this document to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives of the embodiments described in this document are included.

[0035] The embodiments and terminology used in this document are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to a specific embodiment, but should be understood to encompass various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiment. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the item, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0036] In this document, the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" can each include any one of the items listed together in that phrase, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first", "second", "first", "second", "A", "B", "(a)", or "(b)" may be used merely to distinguish the corresponding component from other corresponding components, and do not limit the corresponding components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order) unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0037] In this document, when a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as being “connected,” “coupled,” or “connected,” with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicatively,” or “coupled” or “connected,” it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired or wirelessly), or indirectly (e.g., via a third component).

[0038] The methods according to various embodiments disclosed in this document may be provided as a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a commodity between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory, CD-ROM), or may be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) through an application store or directly between two driver devices. In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or temporarily generated in a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or a relay server.

[0039] According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include one or more entities, and some of the entities may be separated and placed in other components. According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, one or more components or operations of the aforementioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., a module or a program) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components identically or similarly to those performed by the corresponding component among the plurality of components prior to the integration. According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, the operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates how a battery testing system operates according to some embodiments.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 1, the battery inspection system (100) can perform 2D inspection and / or 3D inspection on a battery (200) and diagnose the condition of the battery (200) based on the inspection results.

[0042] The 2D inspection of the battery inspection system (100) may be performed based on a 2D image of the inspection area of ​​the battery (200). For example, the inspection area may include the outer surface of the battery (200), and the 2D image may be an image taken of the outer surface of the battery (200). The 3D inspection of the battery inspection system (100) may be performed by adding or synthesizing 3D information to the inspection area of ​​the battery (200). For example, the 3D information may include depth information of the inspection area. Addition / synthesis of 3D information may be performed based on the 2D image.

[0043] The battery (200) may include a battery pack, etc. that is an object of inspection by the battery inspection system (100). The battery pack of the battery (200) may include a plurality of battery modules, and each battery module may include a plurality of battery cells. According to an embodiment, the battery (200) may be mounted on a power-using device, and the power-using device may include a mobility device such as an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), an electric bike, etc. The mobility device may drive a motor based on the power of the battery (200) or charge the battery (200) with power generated through regenerative braking. According to an embodiment, the power-using device may include a charger / discharger configured to charge or discharge the battery (200), and the charger / discharger may provide charge / discharge cycles to the battery (200).

[0044] The battery inspection system (100) can diagnose the condition of the battery (200) based on the results of the 2D inspection and / or the 3D inspection. According to an embodiment, the condition of the battery (200) may include the surface condition of the battery (200). For example, if there is a dent, scratch, etc. on the surface of the battery (200), the surface condition of the battery (200) may be diagnosed as defective. According to an embodiment, the battery (200) may include a cylindrical battery cell, and the defective surface condition may occur during the process of sealing the cylindrical electrode assembly into a cylindrical battery can.

[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates elements constituting a battery testing system according to some embodiments.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 2, the battery inspection system (100) may include a 2D inspection device (110), a control device (120), and a 3D inspection device (130). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and some components may be omitted from the battery inspection system (100), or other general-purpose components may be further included in the battery inspection system (100).

[0047] The 2D inspection device (110) can inspect the battery (200) in a two-dimensional manner. The two-dimensional inspection can include generating a two-dimensional image of the battery (200). The 2D inspection device (110) can include a photographing means such as an image sensor or a camera, and can generate a two-dimensional image using the same. According to an embodiment, the 2D inspection device (110) can be configured to generate a two-dimensional image based on a photometric stereo technique. The photometric stereo technique can refer to a technique of generating a plurality of images by arranging a plurality of light sources in different directions, and generating a final image of an object based on the images.

[0048] The 3D inspection device (130) can inspect the battery (200) in a three-dimensional manner. The three-dimensional inspection can include generating a three-dimensional image of the battery (200). The three-dimensional image can additionally include three-dimensional information in addition to the two-dimensional image of the battery. The three-dimensional information can include depth information for each pixel of the two-dimensional image. The 3D inspection device (130) can include means for acquiring the depth information. According to an embodiment, the 3D inspection device (130) can be configured to generate the depth information based on a laser triangulation technique. The control device (120) can add and / or synthesize the depth information to the two-dimensional image to generate the three-dimensional image of the battery (200).

[0049] The control device (120) may have a structure for executing commands that implement the operations of the battery inspection system (100). The control device (120) may be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates for processing various operations or as a general-purpose microprocessor, and may be composed of a single processor or multiple processors. For example, the control device (120) may be implemented in the form of at least one of a microprocessor, a CPU, a GPU, and an AP.

[0050] The control device (120) can operate with a memory configured to store various data, commands, mobile applications, computer programs, etc. The memory can be configured separately from or integrally with the control device (120). The control device (120) can process various operations by executing commands stored in the memory. For example, the memory can be implemented as a non-volatile device such as a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, a PRAM, an MRAM, an RRAM, an FRAM, etc., or a volatile device such as a DRAM, an SRAM, an SDRAM, a PRAM, etc., and can be implemented in the form of an HDD, an SSD, an SD, a Micro-SD, etc., or in the form of a combination thereof.

[0051] The 2D inspection device (110) may be configured to generate a 2D image of an inspection portion of a battery (200). Before shipping the battery (200) after manufacturing, the battery (200) may be inspected for defects. For example, when the battery (200) is transported along an inspection line, the 2D inspection device (110) may photograph the battery (200) to generate a 2D image, after which the battery (200) may be transported again for the next inspection step. In an embodiment, the battery (200) may include a cylindrical battery cell, and the inspection portion of the battery (200) may include a sealed portion between a battery cap and a battery can.

[0052] The control device (120) may be configured to determine whether a defective area exists in the inspection area based on a pattern of a two-dimensional image. If a defect occurs in the battery (200), an image pattern resulting from the defect may appear on the two-dimensional image. For example, if a dent or scratch occurs on the surface of a cylindrical battery cell, the two-dimensional image may include a pattern related thereto. For example, a classification model may be trained through machine learning on the relationship between the image pattern and the defect, and the presence of a defective area in the inspection area of ​​the battery (200) may be determined using the classification model.

[0053] The 3D inspection device (130) may be configured to acquire depth information of the inspection area when a defective area exists. For example, a depth value for each pixel of a 2D image may be acquired, and the control device (120) may apply the depth value for each pixel to the 2D image to generate a 3D image. If no defective area exists in the inspection area, a depth pattern according to the normal shape of the battery (200) will be observed. However, if a defective area exists, a depth pattern different from the normal shape may be observed. For example, if a dent or scratch exists, the depth value of the defective area may be greater than the depth value of the surrounding normal area.

[0054] The control device (120) may be configured to determine whether the defective area is sunken in the inspection area based on the pattern of the two-dimensional image when a defective area exists. The depth pattern of the defective area may be different from the depth pattern of the normal area, but this pattern difference may be classified into two different types. If the defective area is sunken, this may indicate that the inspection area of ​​the battery (200) is damaged. On the other hand, if the defective area protrudes, this may indicate that a foreign substance is attached to the inspection area of ​​the battery (200). Since the purpose of the battery inspection system (100) is to inspect for damage such as dents or scratches, it may be determined whether the defective area is sunken for this purpose.

[0055] The control device (120) may be configured to diagnose the condition of the battery (200) based on whether the defective area is sunken and the depth information of the defective area. If the depth difference between the defective area and the normal area does not exceed a threshold, the battery (200) may be classified as a normal condition that does not affect the performance or quality of the battery. In addition, whether the area occupied by the defective area within the inspection area exceeds a reference area may be additionally considered in the condition diagnosis of the battery (200).

[0056] According to an embodiment, the control device (120) may be configured to synthesize depth information into a two-dimensional image when a defective area exists to generate a three-dimensional image of the inspection area, and diagnose the condition of the battery (200) based on the three-dimensional image. For example, a depth value may be assigned to each pixel of the two-dimensional image, and the condition of the battery (200) may be diagnosed based on the depth values ​​of the inspection area. For example, whether the difference from the normal depth value in each pixel exceeds a threshold, the area of ​​the pixel area exceeding the threshold, etc. may be calculated, and the condition of the battery (200) may be diagnosed based on these. According to an embodiment, the three-dimensional image may visually display the depth value of each pixel, and the visual display may include color, brightness, etc.

[0057] According to an embodiment, the control device (120) may be configured to derive a normal surface depth of an inspection area and an average depth of a defective area based on depth information of a three-dimensional image, and classify the defective area as a protruding area or a sunken area by comparing the normal surface depth and the average depth. The inspection area may be classified into a normal area and a defective area based on information about a normal shape of the battery (200) according to manufacturing specifications. The surface depth of the normal area may be utilized to detect the defective area. If a defective area having depth information different from the normal surface depth is observed, the average depth of the defective area may be calculated based on the depth value of each pixel constituting the defective area. According to an embodiment, if the average depth of the defective area is deeper than the normal surface depth, the defective area may be classified as a sunken area. If the average depth of the defective area is shallower than the normal surface depth, the defective area may be classified as a protruding area.

[0058] According to an embodiment, the control device (120) may be configured to diagnose the state of the battery (200) as a surface defect state when classified as a sunken area, and to diagnose the state of the battery (200) as a foreign substance contamination state when classified as a protruding area. When a dent or scratch occurs and a portion of the surface of the battery (200) is lost, the defective area may be classified as a sunken area, and the surface of the battery (200) may be diagnosed as having a defect. On the other hand, when the defective area is classified as a protruding area, it may be diagnosed that foreign substances such as hair, floating objects, or metal particles are in contact with the surface of the battery (200).

[0059] According to an embodiment, the control device (120) may be configured to derive a minimum depth value and a maximum depth value of a defective area from a three-dimensional image when classified as a sunken area, and diagnose the level of a surface defect condition based on the depth difference between the minimum depth value and the maximum depth value. A larger depth difference may be diagnosed as a more severe level of defect, and reference values ​​for classifying the same may be set. For example, three reference values ​​may be set to classify the surface defect condition into four levels of high, medium, low, and normal. According to an embodiment, the area of ​​the defective area may be calculated to diagnose the level of the surface defect condition. For example, the area of ​​the defective area may be calculated based on pixels whose depth difference from the normal surface depth is greater than a specific value. A specific value required for calculating the area of ​​the defective area may be set according to the inspection accuracy requirement.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the control device (120) may be configured to derive a protrusion pattern of a protrusion area when classified as a protrusion area, and classify the type of foreign matter in a foreign matter contamination state based on the protrusion pattern. Foreign matter causing the protrusion area may include hair, metal powder, dust, etc. The protrusion pattern may appear differently depending on the type of foreign matter, and the type of foreign matter may be classified based on the relationship between the two. For example, the type of foreign matter may be classified using a classification model learned through machine learning for the protrusion pattern according to the type of foreign matter.

[0061] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a photometric stereo technique that positions light sources in different directions to generate a 2D image according to some embodiments.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 3, images (310-340) may be illustrated to illustrate a photometric stereo technique of placing light sources in different directions to generate a 2D image.

[0063] The first image (310) may represent a case where the light source is located on the top of the battery (200). The second image (320) may represent a case where the light source is located on the left side of the battery (200). The third image (330) may represent a case where the light source is located on the bottom of the battery (200). The fourth image (340) may represent a case where the light source is located on the right side of the battery (200).

[0064] Referring to FIG. 4, a 2D image (400) generated based on images (310-340) corresponding to light sources in different directions according to a photometric stereo technique can be illustrated.

[0065] According to an embodiment, the 2D image (400) may represent the top surface of a cylindrical battery cell. Since the 2D image (400) is generated based on a photometric stereo technique, the presence of a defective area in the inspection area of ​​the battery (200) can be inspected more precisely through the 2D image (400).

[0066] FIG. 5 illustrates a 2D image of an inspection site including defective areas according to some embodiments.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 5, a 2D image (500) of an inspection area including defective areas (D1, D2, D3) can be illustrated.

[0068] Based on the pattern of the two-dimensional image (500), defective areas (D1, D2, D3) can be identified in the inspection area. The defective areas (D1, D2, D3) can be identified using a classification model learned through machine learning on the relationship between the image pattern and the defect. According to an embodiment, the defective areas (D1, D2, D3) may include dents and / or scratches that occur during the process of sealing the battery cell.

[0069] FIG. 6 illustrates a 3D image generated by adding depth information of an inspection area to a 2D image according to some embodiments.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 6, a 3D image (600) generated by adding depth information of an inspection area to a 2D image may be illustrated. According to an embodiment, the 3D image (600) may express the depth information in color and / or brightness.

[0071] Based on the 3D image (600), the defective areas (D1, D2, D3) can be classified as protruding areas or sunken areas. If classified as protruding areas, the type of foreign matter that caused the defective areas (D1, D2, D3) can be identified based on the protrusion pattern. If classified as sunken areas, the level of surface defects can be determined based on the difference between the maximum depth and minimum depth values, or based on the difference between the normal surface depth and the maximum depth.

[0072] FIG. 7 illustrates a method for inspecting surface defects of a battery based on depth information produced through a 3D image according to some embodiments.

[0073] Referring to FIG. 7, a graph (700) may be illustrated illustrating a method for inspecting surface defects of a battery based on depth information derived from a 3D image. The vertical axis of the graph (700) may represent depth on the 3D image, which may mean the depth difference between a maximum depth value and a minimum depth value, or the depth difference relative to a normal surface depth.

[0074] The graph (700) can plot estimated depth values ​​and actually measured depth values ​​on a 3D image. The graph (700) can display a line (710) that matches the estimated values ​​and the measured values ​​on a 1:1 basis. Compared to the line (710), the plotted values ​​can have a pattern in which the estimated values ​​are larger than the measured values.

[0075] The plotted values ​​may not fit the line (710), but may have a pattern that fits a line with a different slope from the line (710). In summary, the plotted values ​​may have a linear pattern. Accordingly, the higher the depth value estimated through the 3D image, the greater the actual depth of the dent or scratch. Accordingly, the depth value estimated through the 3D image may be utilized as an indicator for classifying surface defects of the battery (200).

[0076] The graph (700) may display a critical depth (720). Among the plotted values, values ​​exceeding the critical depth (720) may be classified as surface defects. Values ​​not exceeding the critical depth (720) may be classified as normal. The critical depth (720) may be determined considering the inspection precision of the battery inspection system (100). If a more precise inspection is required, the critical depth (720) may be lowered.

[0077] FIG. 8 illustrates steps of a battery testing method according to some embodiments.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 8, the battery inspection method (800) may include steps (810) to (850). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and some steps may be omitted or other general steps may be added, and the steps of the battery inspection method (800) may be executed in a different order than the illustrated order.

[0079] The battery inspection method (800) may be composed of steps that are processed in a time-series manner in the battery inspection system (100). Therefore, even if the details are omitted below, the details described above for the battery inspection system (100) may be equally applied to the battery inspection method (800).

[0080] Steps (810) to (850) of the battery inspection method (800) can be performed by the 2D inspection device (110), the control device (120), and the 3D inspection device (130) of the battery inspection system (100).

[0081] In step (810), the battery inspection system (100) can perform a step of generating a two-dimensional image of the inspection portion of the battery through a 2D inspection device.

[0082] In step (820), the battery inspection system (100) can perform a step of determining whether a defective area exists in the inspection area based on a pattern of a two-dimensional image through a control device.

[0083] In step (830), the battery inspection system (100) can perform a step of acquiring depth information of an inspection area when a defective area exists through a 3D inspection device.

[0084] In step (840), the battery inspection system (100) can perform a step of determining whether a defective area is sunken in the inspection area based on a pattern of a two-dimensional image when a defective area exists through a control device.

[0085] In step (850), the battery inspection system (100) can perform a step of diagnosing the condition of the battery based on whether the defective area is sunken and the depth information of the defective area through the control device.

[0086] According to an embodiment, the battery inspection method (800) may be implemented in the form of a computer program stored on a computer-readable storage medium. That is, the computer program may include instructions for implementing the battery inspection method (800), and the instructions of the program may be stored on the computer-readable storage medium. The computer program may include a mobile application.

[0087] According to an embodiment, the computer-readable storage medium may include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute computer program instructions such as ROMs, RAMs, flash memories, and the like. The computer program instructions may include machine language codes generated by a compiler and high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc.

[0088] The terms "include," "comprise," or "have" used herein, unless otherwise specifically stated, imply that the corresponding component may be included, and therefore should be interpreted to include other components rather than to exclude other components. All terms, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments disclosed in this document pertain, unless otherwise defined. Commonly used terms, such as terms defined in dictionaries, should be interpreted to be consistent with their contextual meaning in the relevant art, and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless explicitly defined in this document.

[0089] The above description is merely an example of the technical idea disclosed in this document, and those skilled in the art to which the embodiments disclosed in this document pertain may make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the embodiments disclosed in this document. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in this document are not intended to limit the technical idea of ​​the embodiments disclosed in this document, but to explain it, and the scope of the technical idea disclosed in this document is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the technical idea disclosed in this document should be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical ideas within a scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of rights of this document.

[0090] [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 100: Battery inspection system 110: 2D inspection device

[0092] 120: Control device 130: 3D inspection device

[0093] 200: Battery

Claims

1. A 2D inspection device configured to generate a 2D image of an inspection area of ​​a battery; A control device configured to determine whether a defective area exists in the inspection area based on the pattern of the two-dimensional image; and A 3D inspection device configured to obtain depth information of the inspection area when the above defective area exists, The control device determines whether the defective area is sunken in the inspection area based on the pattern of the two-dimensional image when the defective area exists, A battery inspection system configured to diagnose the condition of the battery based on whether the defective area is sunken and depth information of the defective area.

2. In paragraph 1, The control device generates a three-dimensional image of the inspection area by synthesizing the depth information into the two-dimensional image when the defective area exists, A battery inspection system configured to diagnose the condition of the battery based on the three-dimensional image.

3. In paragraph 2, The control device derives the normal surface depth of the inspection area and the average depth of the defective area based on the depth information of the three-dimensional image, A battery inspection system configured to classify the defective area as a protruding area or a sunken area by comparing the normal surface depth and the average depth.

4. In paragraph 3, The above control device diagnoses the condition of the battery as a surface defect when classified into the above sunken area, A battery inspection system configured to diagnose the state of the battery as a foreign substance contamination state when classified into the above protruding area.

5. In paragraph 4, The control device derives the minimum depth value and maximum depth value of the defective area from the three-dimensional image when classified as the sunken area, A battery inspection system configured to diagnose the level of the surface defect condition based on the depth difference between the depth minimum value and the depth maximum value.

6. In paragraph 4, The control device derives a protrusion pattern of the protrusion area when classified as the protrusion area, A battery inspection system configured to classify the type of foreign matter in the foreign matter contamination state based on the above protrusion pattern.

7. In paragraph 1, A battery inspection system, wherein the 2D inspection device is configured to generate the 2D image based on a photometric stereo technique.

8. In paragraph 1, A battery inspection system, wherein the 3D inspection device is configured to generate the depth information based on a laser triangulation technique. 9.2D step of generating a two-dimensional image of the inspection area of ​​the battery using a inspection device; A step of determining whether a defective area exists in the inspection area based on the pattern of the two-dimensional image through a control device; A step of obtaining depth information of the inspection area when the defective area exists through a 3D inspection device; A step of determining whether the defective area is sunken in the inspection area based on the pattern of the two-dimensional image when the defective area exists through the control device; and A battery inspection method, comprising a step of diagnosing the condition of the battery based on whether the defective area is sunken and depth information of the defective area through the control device.

10. In paragraph 9, The steps for diagnosing the status of the above battery are: A step of generating a three-dimensional image of the inspection area by synthesizing the depth information into the two-dimensional image when the defective area exists; and A battery inspection method, comprising a step of diagnosing the condition of the battery based on the three-dimensional image.

11. In paragraph 10, The step of determining whether the above defective area is sunken is as follows: A step of deriving the normal surface depth of the inspection area and the average depth of the defective area based on the depth information of the three-dimensional image; and A battery inspection method, comprising a step of classifying the defective area as a protruding area or a sunken area by comparing the normal surface depth and the average depth.

12. In paragraph 11, The steps for diagnosing the status of the above battery are: A step of diagnosing the condition of the battery as a surface defect when classified as the above sunken area; and A battery inspection method, comprising a step of diagnosing the state of the battery as a foreign substance contamination state when the battery is classified as the protruding area.

13. In paragraph 12, The steps for diagnosing the status of the above battery are: A step of deriving the minimum depth value and maximum depth value of the defective area in the three-dimensional image when classified as the above-mentioned sunken area; and A battery inspection method, comprising a step of diagnosing the level of the surface defect condition based on the depth difference between the depth minimum value and the depth maximum value.

14. In paragraph 12, The steps for diagnosing the status of the above battery are: A step of deriving a protrusion pattern of the protrusion area when classified as the protrusion area; and A battery inspection method, comprising a step of classifying the type of foreign matter in the foreign matter contamination state based on the protrusion pattern.

15. In paragraph 8, The step of generating the above two-dimensional image is: A battery inspection method comprising a step of generating the two-dimensional image based on a photometric stereo technique.

16. In paragraph 9, The step of acquiring the above depth information is: A battery inspection method comprising a step of generating the depth information based on a laser triangulation technique.

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