Battery image analysis device and operation method thereof

Abstract

A battery image analysis device according to an embodiment disclosed in the present document comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires a first image of a battery including an electrode assembly and a case that protects the electrode assembly; a target extraction unit that extracts a target image corresponding to a target configuration among configurations of the battery included in the first image, on the basis of pixel values of a plurality of pixels included in the first image; a center line extraction unit that extracts a center line of the target configuration included in the target image; and a calculation unit that extracts coordinate data of each of the center line and the case, and calculates a proportion occupied by the electrode assembly inside the case on the basis of the coordinate data of the center line and the coordinate data of the case.

Description

Battery image analysis device and its operating method

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This invention claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0089434, filed on July 8, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] Embodiments disclosed in this document relate to a battery image analysis device and an operating method thereof.

[0005] Recently, research and development on secondary batteries has been actively conducted. Here, secondary batteries are rechargeable and include both conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries, as well as recent lithium-ion batteries. Among secondary batteries, lithium-ion batteries have the advantage of having a much higher energy density than conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries. Furthermore, lithium-ion batteries can be manufactured in a compact and lightweight form, making them suitable for use as power sources for mobile devices. Recently, their use has expanded to include power sources for electric vehicles, attracting attention as a next-generation energy storage medium.

[0006] Secondary batteries are classified into cylindrical batteries, in which the electrode assembly is housed in a cylindrical metal can, square batteries, in which the electrode assembly is housed in a square metal can, and pouch batteries, in which the electrode assembly is housed in a pouch-shaped case made of aluminum laminate sheet, depending on the shape of the battery case. Among these, cylindrical batteries have the advantages of relatively large capacity and structural stability.

[0007] The electrode assembly built into the battery case is a rechargeable power plant having a stacked structure of anode / separator / cathode, and is classified into jelly-roll type, stack type, and stack / folding type. The jelly-roll type is a form in which a separator is interposed between long sheet-shaped cathodes and cathodes coated with active materials and wound, the stack type is a form in which a plurality of cathodes and anodes of a predetermined size are sequentially stacked with a separator interposed between them, and the stack / folding type is a composite structure of the jelly-roll type and the stack type. Among them, the jelly-roll type electrode assembly has the advantages of being easy to manufacture and having a high energy density per weight.

[0008] Defects in these cylindrical batteries can be determined by analyzing images of the battery's interior (e.g., Computed Tomography (CT) images). However, previously, engineers had to individually evaluate these images, adjust contrast values, etc. to extract and analyze electrode images (e.g., anode and / or cathode images). This resulted in inefficient analysis time and accuracy.

[0009] In addition, as the battery is repeatedly charged and discharged, the size and / or position of the electrode assembly inside the battery may change, and there was a problem that the battery had to be disassembled to directly measure the length of the electrode assembly to confirm this.

[0010] The technical problems of the embodiments disclosed in this document are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the descriptions below.

[0011] According to an embodiment disclosed in the present document, a battery image analysis device may include: an acquisition unit that acquires a first image of a battery including an electrode assembly and a case protecting the electrode assembly; a target extraction unit that extracts a target image corresponding to a target configuration among configurations of the battery included in the first image based on pixel values ​​of a plurality of pixels included in the first image; a centerline extraction unit that extracts a center line of the target configuration included in the target image; and a calculation unit that extracts coordinate data of each of the center line and the case, and calculates a proportion occupied by the electrode assembly within the case based on the coordinate data of the center line and the coordinate data of the case.

[0012] In one embodiment, the specific gravity may include at least one of an area specific gravity regarding an area of ​​the electrode assembly corresponding to the first cross-section of the case relative to an area of ​​the first cross-section of the case and a volume specific gravity regarding a volume of the electrode assembly relative to a volume of the case.

[0013] In one embodiment, the target configuration may include an anode included in the electrode assembly, and the calculating unit may calculate the specific gravity based on an outermost center line corresponding to the outermost part of the anode among the center lines.

[0014] In one embodiment, the obtaining unit can further obtain the distance between the negative electrode and the positive electrode of the battery, and the calculating unit can calculate the specific gravity based on the outermost center line and the distance.

[0015] In one embodiment, the calculation unit can designate the position of the negative electrode of the battery based on the outermost center line and the distance, extract coordinate data of the designated negative electrode, and calculate the specific gravity based on the coordinate data of the negative electrode and the coordinate data of the case.

[0016] In one embodiment, the battery image analysis device may further include a diagnostic unit that diagnoses the state of the battery based on the specific gravity.

[0017] An operating method of a battery image analysis device according to an embodiment disclosed in the present document may include: acquiring a first image of a battery including an electrode assembly and a case protecting the electrode assembly; extracting a target image corresponding to a target configuration among configurations of the battery included in the first image based on pixel values ​​of a plurality of pixels included in the first image; extracting a center line of the target configuration included in the target image; extracting coordinate data of each of the center line and the case; and calculating a proportion occupied by the electrode assembly within the case based on the coordinate data of the center line and the coordinate data of the case.

[0018] In one embodiment, the specific gravity may include at least one of an area specific gravity regarding an area of ​​the electrode assembly corresponding to the first cross-section of the case relative to an area of ​​the first cross-section of the case and a volume specific gravity regarding a volume of the electrode assembly relative to a volume of the case.

[0019] In one embodiment, the target configuration may include an anode included in the electrode assembly, and the operation of calculating the specific gravity may include an operation of calculating the specific gravity based on an outermost center line corresponding to an outermost portion of the anode among the center lines.

[0020] In one embodiment, the method of operating the battery image analysis device may further include an operation of obtaining a distance between the negative electrode and the positive electrode of the battery, and the operation of calculating the specific gravity may include an operation of calculating the specific gravity based on the outermost center line and the distance.

[0021] In one embodiment, the operation of calculating the specific gravity may include an operation of designating a position of a negative electrode of the battery based on the outermost center line and the distance, an operation of extracting coordinate data of the designated negative electrode, and an operation of calculating the specific gravity based on the coordinate data of the negative electrode and the coordinate data of the case.

[0022] In one embodiment, the method of operating the battery image analysis device may further include an operation of diagnosing the state of the battery based on the specific gravity.

[0023] According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, the time required to analyze an image of a battery can be reduced.

[0024] According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, image analysis errors regarding batteries can be reduced by minimizing engineer intervention.

[0025] According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, the area or volume of an electrode assembly can be calculated through an image of the battery, so that the condition of the battery can be diagnosed without disassembling the battery.

[0026] The effects of the battery image analysis device and the operating method thereof according to the disclosure of 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] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cylindrical secondary battery including a jelly roll-type electrode assembly.

[0028] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a battery image analysis device according to one embodiment.

[0029] FIGS. 3A to 3D are diagrams illustrating a method for extracting the outermost center line of a positive electrode through a first image of a battery by a battery image analysis device according to one embodiment.

[0030] FIGS. 4A to 4D are drawings for explaining a method for extracting coordinate data of a battery case by a battery image analysis device according to one embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 5 is an image reconstructed of the inside of a battery based on an image extracted by a battery image analysis device according to one embodiment.

[0032] Figure 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the reconstructed image of Figure 5.

[0033] Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of a battery image analysis device according to one embodiment.

[0034] FIG. 8 illustrates a computing system for executing operations of a battery image analysis device according to one embodiment.

[0035] In connection with the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for identical or similar components.

[0036] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that the present invention encompasses various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives of the embodiments.

[0037] 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 relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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).

[0040] The methods according to various embodiments disclosed in this document may be provided as included in 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 user 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 an intermediary server.

[0041] 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.

[0042] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cylindrical secondary battery including a jelly roll-type electrode assembly.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 1, a cylindrical secondary battery (10) can be manufactured by housing a jelly roll-shaped electrode assembly (20) in which a negative electrode (21), a positive electrode (22), and a separator (23) are wound, in a cylindrical battery case (30), injecting an electrolyte into the battery case (30), and then combining a cap assembly (70) to the top of the battery case (30).

[0044] The cap assembly (70) may include a cap plate (72) that is in close contact with a top cap (71) that forms a positive electrode terminal. A positive electrode tab (22t) extending from the positive electrode (22) is connected to the cap plate (72), so that the top cap (71) can function as a positive electrode terminal.

[0045] To ensure stable bonding of the cap assembly (70) and prevent movement of the electrode assembly (20), a beading portion (30B) and a crimping portion (30C) may be formed on the battery case (30).

[0046] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a battery image analysis device according to one embodiment.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 2, the battery image analysis device (200) may include a communication circuit (220), a memory (240), and a processor (260). According to an embodiment, the battery image analysis device (200) illustrated in FIG. 2 may further include at least one component (e.g., a display, an input device, or an output device) other than the components illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0048] The communication circuit (220) establishes a wired communication channel and / or a wireless communication channel between the battery image analysis device (200) and an external electronic device (e.g., an image capturing device), and can transmit and receive data with the external electronic device through the established communication channel.

[0049] In one embodiment, the communication circuit (220) may acquire an image of a battery (e.g., a cylindrical battery) from an external electronic device. The image of the battery may include a non-destructive computed tomography (CT) image and an X-ray image, and may include an image obtained by actually disassembling the battery and taking a cross-section.

[0050] In one embodiment, the communication circuit (220) may obtain information related to a jelly-roll-shaped electrode assembly from an external electronic device. The information related to the electrode assembly may include the distance between the positive and negative electrodes. The distance between the positive and negative electrodes may be information based on manufacturing specifications established during the battery manufacturing process, or may be information based on a distance directly measured between the positive and negative electrodes by disassembling a normal battery.

[0051] The memory (240) may include volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory.

[0052] In one embodiment, the memory (240) may store data used by at least one component (e.g., a processor (260)) of the battery image analysis device (200). For example, the data may include software (or instructions related thereto), input data, or output data. In one embodiment, the instructions, when executed by the processor (260), may cause the battery image analysis device (200) to perform operations defined by the instructions.

[0053] In one embodiment, the memory (240) may include one or more software (e.g., an acquisition unit (242), a target extraction unit (244), a centerline extraction unit (246), a calculation unit (248), or a combination thereof).

[0054] The processor (260) may include a central processing unit, an application processor, a graphics processing unit, a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor.

[0055] In one embodiment, the processor (260) may execute software stored in the memory (240) (e.g., an acquisition unit (242), a target extraction unit (244), a centerline extraction unit (246), a calculation unit (248), or a combination thereof) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the battery image analysis device (200) connected to the processor (260) and perform various data processing or calculations.

[0056] Hereinafter, a method for analyzing an image of a battery through components included in a battery image analysis device (200) will be described. In addition, for convenience of explanation, the image of the battery will be described as a CT image obtained by photographing the inside of the battery through a computed tomography machine, and the battery will be described as a cylindrical battery including a jelly roll-shaped electrode assembly and a case (e.g., a cylindrical metal can) for protecting the electrode assembly.

[0057] The battery image analysis device (200) may include an acquisition unit (242), a target extraction unit (244), a center line extraction unit (246), and an output unit (248).

[0058] The acquisition unit (242) can acquire a first image regarding the battery. Here, the first image may include a two-dimensional image photographing a cross-section of the battery and a three-dimensional image photographing a three-dimensional structure regarding the battery. The first image may include one or more CT images photographing the inside of the battery according to one or more photographing environments. The CT images may have different brightness and / or sizes depending on the specifications of the CT scanner and the photographing environment, and the first image may include CT images photographed based on various photographing environments using a plurality of CT scanners.

[0059] In one embodiment, the acquisition unit (242) may acquire information related to a jelly-roll-shaped electrode assembly. Here, the information related to the electrode assembly may include the distance between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and the distance between the positive electrode and the negative electrode may be information based on manufacturing specifications set in advance during the battery manufacturing process.

[0060] The target extraction unit (244) can extract a target image corresponding to a target configuration from the first image. The target extraction unit (244) can extract a target image (e.g., an anode image) corresponding to a target configuration (e.g., an anode) from among the configurations (e.g., anode, cathode, separator, and case) of the battery included in the first image based on pixel values ​​of a plurality of pixels included in the first image.

[0061] In one embodiment, the target extraction unit (244) can extract the target image from the first image based on pixel values ​​of a plurality of pixels included in the first image. In one embodiment, the target extraction unit (244) can extract the target image based on at least one pixel having a pixel value greater than or equal to a threshold value among the plurality of pixels included in the first image. For example, the target extraction unit (244) can extract the target image by adjusting the pixel values ​​of the remaining pixels excluding the at least one pixel in the first image to 0. In another embodiment, the target extraction unit (244) can extract the target image by adjusting the pixel value of the at least one pixel in the first image to a first pixel value and the pixel values ​​of the remaining pixels to a second pixel value different from the first pixel value.

[0062] In one embodiment, the target extraction unit (244) may extract images of each of the case and the positive electrode among the components (e.g., the electrode assembly and the case) that constitute the battery. The reason why the target extraction unit (244) extracts images corresponding to the case and the positive electrode may be to calculate the proportion of the electrode assembly inside the case through the calculation unit (248) that will be described later. The target extraction unit (244) may extract a case image corresponding to the case from the first image. The target extraction unit (244) may extract an positive electrode image corresponding to the positive electrode from the first image. The reason why the target extraction unit (244) extracts an positive electrode image corresponding to the positive electrode among the components (e.g., the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the separator) included in the electrode assembly from the first image is because it may be easiest to identify the positive electrode in the first image.

[0063] The centerline extraction unit (246) can extract the centerline of the target configuration included in the target image. The centerline extraction unit (246) can extract the centerline of the target configuration from the target image using a skeleton extraction technique. Here, the skeleton extraction technique may refer to an image processing technique that extracts a skeleton corresponding to the centerline of a specific area of ​​the image. At this time, various conventional methods, such as a thinning algorithm and a MAT (Medial Axis Transform) algorithm, can be used as a method for extracting the skeleton.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the centerline extraction unit (246) may perform blurring on the target image and then extract the centerline of the target configuration from the blurred target image using a skeleton extraction technique. For example, the centerline extraction unit (246) may perform blurring by adjusting the pixel values ​​of surrounding pixels of a specific pixel among pixels having a second pixel value in some area of ​​the target image to lower values ​​as the distance from the specific pixel increases. Here, the blurred pixels may have pixel values ​​that decrease as the distance from the specific pixel increases. Thereafter, the centerline extraction unit (246) may extract a skeleton of the blurred pixels using a skeleton extraction technique. For example, the centerline extraction unit (246) may extract the pixel having the highest pixel value among the blurred pixels as the skeleton. The centerline extraction unit (246) may extract the centerline of the target configuration from the target image by extracting the centerline for all parts of the target configuration based on at least one of the above-described methods.

[0065] The output unit (248) can extract coordinate data of the center line of the target configuration and each case. Here, the coordinate data can include coordinates based on a two-dimensional or three-dimensional coordinate system, and the coordinates can be expressed based on Cartesian coordinates or polar coordinates. By designating the center point of the electrode assembly as the origin, each of the pixels corresponding to the center line of the target configuration and the pixels corresponding to the cases based on the origin can be expressed as plane coordinates of the x-axis component and the y-axis component.

[0066] The calculation unit (248) can calculate the specific gravity of the electrode assembly within the case based on the coordinate data of the center line and the coordinate data of the case. Here, the specific gravity may include at least one of an area specific gravity and a volume specific gravity. The area specific gravity may be the specific gravity occupied by the area of ​​the electrode assembly corresponding to the first cross-section based on the internal area of ​​the case at the first cross-section corresponding to a specified height from the ground for a case having a three-dimensional structure. The volume specific gravity may be the specific gravity occupied by the volume of the electrode assembly based on the internal volume of the case.

[0067] In one embodiment, the calculation unit (248) may calculate the specific gravity based on the outermost center line corresponding to the outermost part among the center lines of the anodes corresponding to the target configuration. For example, when calculating the area specific gravity, the calculation unit (248) may calculate the area specific gravity based on the area of ​​the first cross-section of the case in the shape of a three-dimensional cylinder and the area based on the outermost center line corresponding to the outermost part of the anode among the center lines of the anodes corresponding to the first cross-section. Specifically, the calculation unit (248) may extract coordinate data of each pixel from the case image corresponding to the first cross-section extracted through the target extraction unit (244), calculate the distance between the center point of the case corresponding to the first cross-section and each of the pixels, and integrate the calculated distance to calculate the internal area of ​​the case. Likewise, the output unit (248) can extract coordinate data of the outermost center line among the center lines of the anode corresponding to the first cross-section extracted through the target extraction unit (244) and the center line extraction unit (246), calculate the center point of the outermost center line corresponding to the first cross-section and the distance of each of the pixels constituting the outermost center line, and integrate the calculated distances to calculate the area of ​​the electrode assembly. Here, the center point can be selected based on the average of the x-axis component and the y-axis component of the plane coordinates of the pixels of the case corresponding to the first cross-section, and can also be selected based on the manufacturing specifications (e.g., the diameter and material of the case, etc.) set in advance during the battery manufacturing process.

[0068] In one embodiment, the calculation unit (248) can calculate the specific gravity of the electrode assembly within the case based on the outermost centerline of the positive electrode centerline and the distance between the negative electrode and the positive electrode of the battery. The calculation unit (248) calculates the specific gravity based on the outermost centerline of the positive electrode centerline and the distance between the negative electrode and the positive electrode is described later in FIG. 6.

[0069] The battery image analysis device (200) may further include a diagnostic unit (not shown).

[0070] The diagnostic unit (not shown) can diagnose the condition of the battery based on the specific gravity calculated by the calculating unit (248). For example, as the battery is repeatedly charged and discharged, the electrode assembly expands and contracts repeatedly, and the shape of the electrode assembly may be deformed when such a charge and discharge cycle continues. If the jelly-roll-shaped electrode assembly expands abnormally due to heat generated inside the battery, the specific gravity occupied by the electrode assembly inside the case may exceed a preset normal range. In this case, the diagnostic unit (not shown) can diagnose that a problem has occurred in the battery.

[0071] FIGS. 3A to 3D are diagrams illustrating a method for a battery image analysis device according to one embodiment to extract the outermost center line of a positive electrode from a first image of a battery. FIGS. 4A to 4D are diagrams illustrating a method for a battery image analysis device according to one embodiment to extract coordinate data of a battery case.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3D, the battery image analysis device (200) can acquire a first image (300). Here, the first image (300) may be a CT image taken of a first cross-section of a battery corresponding to a specified height from the ground.

[0073] The battery image analysis device (200) can extract an anode image (320) corresponding to the anode from the first image (300). The battery image analysis device (200) can extract a center line (322) of the anode from the anode image (320). The battery image analysis device (200) can extract an outermost center line (324) corresponding to the outermost part of the center lines (322) of the anode. The battery image analysis device (200) can extract coordinate data based on the center line (322) of the anode.

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4D, the battery image analysis device (200) can acquire a first image (400). Here, the first image (400) may be a CT image taken of a first cross-section of a battery corresponding to a specified height from the ground.

[0075] The battery image analysis device (200) can extract a case image (420) regarding a case protecting an electrode assembly from the first image (400). The battery image analysis device (200) can extract a center line (422) of the case from the case image (420). The battery image analysis device (200) can extract coordinate data (424) based on the center line (422) of the case.

[0076] FIG. 5 is an image reconstructed of the inside of a battery based on an image extracted by a battery image analysis device according to one embodiment. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the reconstructed image of FIG. 5. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 together, a method for the battery image analysis device (200) to designate the outermost portion of an electrode assembly will be described.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 5, the reconstructed image may include a center line (422) of the anode.

[0078] FIG. 6 may include a portion (602) of the center line (422) of the positive electrode in FIG. 5. The battery image analysis device (200) may designate the outermost part of the electrode assembly by adding the distance (600) between the positive electrode and the negative electrode for each pixel included in a portion (602) of the center line (422) of the positive electrode. The outermost part of the electrode assembly may be a configuration corresponding to the negative electrode, and since the negative electrode is difficult to identify in the first image, the battery image analysis device (200) may designate the outermost part of the negative electrode by adding the distance between the positive electrode and the negative electrode based on the outermost part of the positive electrode.

[0079] In one embodiment, the battery image analysis device (200) can calculate the area of ​​the electrode assembly based on coordinate data of the outermost part of the designated negative electrode. The battery image analysis device (200) can calculate the area specific gravity based on the calculated area of ​​the electrode assembly.

[0080] In another embodiment, the battery image analysis device (200) can calculate the volume of the electrode assembly based on coordinate data of the outermost portion of the designated negative electrode. The battery image analysis device (200) can calculate the volume specific gravity based on the calculated volume of the electrode assembly.

[0081] Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of a battery image analysis device according to one embodiment.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 7, in operation 700, the battery image analysis device (200) can obtain a first image of the battery.

[0083] In one embodiment, the battery image analysis device (200) can obtain information related to a jelly roll-shaped electrode assembly.

[0084] In operation 702, the battery image analysis device (200) can extract a target image corresponding to a target configuration from the first image. The battery image analysis device (200) can extract a target image (e.g., an anode image) corresponding to a target configuration (e.g., an anode) from among the configurations (e.g., a cathode, anode, a separator, and a case) of a battery included in the first image based on pixel values ​​of a plurality of pixels included in the first image.

[0085] In one embodiment, the battery image analysis device (200) can extract a target image from a first image based on pixel values ​​of a plurality of pixels included in the first image. In one embodiment, the battery image analysis device (200) can extract a target image based on at least one pixel having a pixel value greater than or equal to a threshold value among a plurality of pixels included in the first image.

[0086] In operation 704, the battery image analysis device (200) can extract the center line of the target configuration included in the target image. The battery image analysis device (200) can extract the center line of the target configuration from the target image using a skeleton extraction technique. Here, the skeleton extraction technique may refer to an image processing technique that extracts a skeleton corresponding to the center line of a specific area of ​​the image. At this time, various conventional methods, such as a thinning algorithm and a MAT (Medial Axis Transform) algorithm, can be used as a method for extracting the skeleton.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the battery image analysis device (200) can perform blurring on a target image and then extract the center line of the target configuration from the blurred target image using a skeleton extraction technique.

[0088] In operation 706, the battery image analysis device (200) can extract coordinate data of the center line of the target configuration and each case.

[0089] In operation 708, the battery image analysis device (200) can calculate the specific gravity of the electrode assembly inside the case based on the coordinate data of the center line and the coordinate data of the case.

[0090] In one embodiment, the battery image analysis device (200) can calculate the specific gravity based on the outermost center line corresponding to the outermost center line of the positive electrode corresponding to the target configuration.

[0091] In one embodiment, the battery image analysis device (200) can calculate the proportion of the electrode assembly within the case based on the outermost center line of the positive electrode center line and the distance between the negative electrode and the positive electrode of the battery.

[0092] FIG. 8 illustrates a computing system for executing operations of a battery image analysis device according to one embodiment.

[0093] Referring to FIG. 8, a computing system (800) according to one embodiment disclosed in the present document may include an MCU (802), a memory (804), an input / output I / F (806), and a communication I / F (808).

[0094] The MCU (802) may be a processor that executes various programs (e.g., a battery image analysis program) stored in the memory (804), processes various data through these programs, and performs the functions of the battery image analysis device (200) shown in the aforementioned FIGS. 1 to 7.

[0095] The memory (804) can store various programs related to the operation of the battery image analysis device (200). In addition, the memory (804) can store operation data of the battery image analysis device (200).

[0096] Such memories (804) may be provided in multiple numbers as needed. The memories (804) may be volatile memories or non-volatile memories. As volatile memories (804), RAM, DRAM, SRAM, etc. may be used. As non-volatile memories (804), ROM, PROM, EAROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memories, etc. may be used. The memories (804) listed above are merely examples and are not limited to these examples.

[0097] The input / output I / F (806) can provide an interface that enables data transmission and reception between an input device (not shown) such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel, and an output device (not shown) such as a display and the MCU (802).

[0098] The communication I / F (808) is a component capable of transmitting and receiving various data with the server, and may be any device capable of supporting wired or wireless communication. For example, a program for diagnosing abnormalities or various data (e.g., manufacturing specifications for battery components) can be transmitted and received from a separately provided external server via the communication I / F (808).

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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.

Claims

1. An acquisition unit for acquiring a first image of a battery including an electrode assembly and a case protecting the electrode assembly; A target extraction unit that extracts a target image corresponding to a target configuration among the configurations of the battery included in the first image based on pixel values ​​of a plurality of pixels included in the first image; A center line extraction unit for extracting the center line of the target configuration included in the target image; and A calculation unit that extracts coordinate data of the center line and each of the cases, and calculates the specific gravity occupied by the electrode assembly inside the case based on the coordinate data of the center line and the coordinate data of the case. Battery image analysis device.

2. In claim 1, The specific gravity includes at least one of an area specific gravity regarding the area of ​​the electrode assembly corresponding to the first cross-section of the case compared to the area of ​​the first cross-section of the case and a volume specific gravity regarding the volume of the electrode assembly compared to the volume of the case. Battery image analysis device.

3. In claim 1, The above target configuration includes an anode included in the electrode assembly, The above output section, The specific gravity is calculated based on the outermost center line corresponding to the outermost part of the anode among the above center lines. Battery image analysis device.

4. In claim 3, The above acquisition part is, Obtaining more distance between the negative electrode and the positive electrode of the above battery, The above output section, Calculating the specific gravity based on the outermost center line and the distance, Battery image analysis device.

5. In claim 4, The above output section, Designate the position of the negative pole of the battery based on the outermost center line and the distance, By extracting the coordinate data of the above-mentioned cathode, Calculating the specific gravity based on the coordinate data of the cathode and the coordinate data of the case, Battery image analysis device.

6. In claim 1, Further comprising a diagnostic unit that diagnoses the condition of the battery based on the specific gravity. Battery image analysis device.

7. An operation of acquiring a first image of a battery including an electrode assembly and a case protecting the electrode assembly; An operation of extracting a target image corresponding to a target configuration among the configurations of the battery included in the first image based on pixel values ​​of a plurality of pixels included in the first image; An operation of extracting a center line of the target configuration included in the target image; An operation of extracting coordinate data of the center line and each of the cases; and An operation of calculating a specific gravity of the electrode assembly within the case based on coordinate data of the center line and coordinate data of the case, Method of operation of a battery image analysis device.

8. In claim 7, The specific gravity includes at least one of an area specific gravity regarding the area of ​​the electrode assembly corresponding to the first cross-section of the case compared to the area of ​​the first cross-section of the case and a volume specific gravity regarding the volume of the electrode assembly compared to the volume of the case. Method of operation of a battery image analysis device.

9. In claim 7, The above target configuration includes an anode included in the electrode assembly, The operation to calculate the above specific gravity is: Including an operation of calculating the specific gravity based on the outermost center line corresponding to the outermost part of the anode among the above center lines. Method of operation of a battery image analysis device.

10. In claim 9, Further comprising an operation of obtaining a distance between the negative electrode and the positive electrode of the battery, The operation to calculate the above specific gravity is: Including an operation of calculating the specific gravity based on the outermost center line and the distance, Method of operation of a battery image analysis device.

11. In claim 10, The operation to calculate the above specific gravity is: An operation of designating the position of the negative pole of the battery based on the outermost center line and the distance; An operation for extracting coordinate data of the above-mentioned cathode, Including an operation of calculating the specific gravity based on the coordinate data of the cathode and the coordinate data of the case. Method of operation of a battery image analysis device.

12. In claim 7, Further comprising an operation of diagnosing the state of the battery based on the specific gravity. Method of operation of a battery image analysis device.

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