Data processing method, method for producing power storage element, and data processing apparatus

Abstract

Provided is a data processing method for processing data related to the production and management of a power storage element, wherein: with respect to different production lines in which the same type of raw materials or in-process items are used, different determination criteria for the same type of raw materials or in-process items are stored; it is determined whether a raw material or in-process item for a first production line among the different production lines satisfies a first determination criterion associated with the first production line; it is determined whether the a material or in-process item which has been determined as not satisfying the first determination criterion satisfies a second determination criterion associated with a second production line; and a raw material or in-process item which does not satisfy the first determination criterion but satisfies the second determination criterion is provided as a recovered item for the second production line.

Description

Data processing method, method for manufacturing a storage element, and data processing apparatus

[0001] The present invention relates to a data processing method, a method for manufacturing a storage element, and a data processing apparatus related to recycling of storage elements.

[0002] In order to realize a sustainable society, even in the manufacturing business of storage elements, it is being promoted to collect and reuse the manufactured storage elements. Patent Document 1 discloses determining the use and reusing based on the amount of the positive electrode active material contained in the collected storage element.

[0003] Collected storage elements that have reached the end of their life are reused for different applications. For example, reuse of a traction battery for an electric vehicle as a stationary battery is being carried out. Not only reuse, but also attempts have been made to purify materials from the collected storage elements and recycle them.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-046644

[0005] In addition to the reuse of storage elements and the recycling of materials, further implementation of recycling, reuse, etc. is required.

[0006] An aspect of the present invention aims to provide a data processing method, a method for manufacturing a storage element, and a data processing apparatus related to recycling of storage elements.

[0007] A data processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention is a data processing method for processing data related to manufacturing management of a storage element, which stores different determination criteria for the raw material or work-in-progress for different production lines using the same type of raw material or work-in-progress, and determines whether the raw material or work-in-progress for the first production line among the different production lines satisfies the first determination criteria corresponding to the first production line. For the raw material or work-in-progress determined not to satisfy the first determination criteria, it is determined whether it satisfies the second determination criteria corresponding to the second production line, and the raw material or work-in-progress that does not satisfy the first determination criteria but satisfies the second determination criteria is assigned as a recovered product to the second production line.

[0008] According to a data processing method of one embodiment of the present invention, raw materials or work-in-progress that would otherwise be discarded in the manufacturing process because they do not meet the criteria can be used as recycled materials, thereby further increasing the proportion of recycled materials used in the manufacturing process.

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a data processing system including a data processing device. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the data processing device. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal device. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a judgment processing procedure. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a judgment processing procedure. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the manufacturing process of an energy storage module. Figure 7 is a diagram showing the manufacturing process of an energy storage module. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of grade output in the terminal device.

[0010] First, an overview of the data processing method, the method for manufacturing an energy storage element, and the data processing device disclosed herein will be described.

[0011] (1) The data processing method is a data processing method for processing data relating to the manufacturing management of energy storage elements, which stores different judgment criteria for raw materials or work-in-progress for different manufacturing lines using the same type of raw materials or work-in-progress, determines whether the raw materials or work-in-progress for the first manufacturing line among the different manufacturing lines satisfy the first judgment criteria corresponding to the first manufacturing line, determines whether the raw materials or work-in-progress determined not to satisfy the first judgment criteria satisfy the second judgment criteria corresponding to the second manufacturing line, and allocates the raw materials or work-in-progress that do not satisfy the first judgment criteria but satisfy the second judgment criteria to the second manufacturing line as recovered items.

[0012] In the data processing method disclosed herein, different criteria are established for similar raw materials or work-in-progress, and even if the first criterion is not met, if the second criterion is met, the material can be used as a recalled product in another manufacturing line corresponding to the other criterion.

[0013] Raw materials or work-in-progress that were determined not to meet the first criterion were sometimes treated as waste, but if they met the second criterion, they could be used as recovered waste. As a result, items manufactured on production lines that meet the second criterion can be recorded as using recycled materials.

[0014] Naturally, goods manufactured using raw materials or work-in-progress that meet the stringent first criteria will be highly valued, and goods manufactured using recycled materials can also have their value enhanced as goods that can contribute to achieving carbon neutrality.

[0015] (2) In the data processing method of (1) above, the grade of the product using recovered materials is output for the identification data of the energy storage element manufactured by the second manufacturing line.

[0016] The above configuration demonstrates that even if the first criterion is not met, the product still has value as a product using recycled materials, that is, as a product that contributes to carbon neutrality.

[0017] (3) In the data processing method described in (2) above, a higher grade is output for the identification data of the energy storage element manufactured by the first manufacturing line.

[0018] The above configuration demonstrates that the product has value as a product utilizing raw materials or work-in-progress that meet the stringent first criteria.

[0019] (4) In any one of the data processing methods (1) to (3) above, the price of the finished energy storage element is calculated according to the grade.

[0020] Based on the above structure, the price reflects the value of the product as one that contributes to carbon neutrality, or the value of the product as one that utilizes raw materials or work-in-progress that meet stringent standards.

[0021] (5) In any one of the data processing methods described in (1) to (4) above, the energy storage element manufactured by the first manufacturing line is for high-power applications.

[0022] With the above configuration, products utilizing raw materials or work-in-progress that meet stringent standards can be appropriately used in high-power applications.

[0023] (6) In any one of the data processing methods described in (1) to (5) above, the energy storage element manufactured by the second manufacturing line is for high-capacity applications.

[0024] With the above configuration, products that contribute to carbon neutrality can be appropriately used in high-capacity applications, even if they are not for high-power applications.

[0025] (7) In any one of the data processing methods described in (1) to (6) above, the first and second criteria have different tolerance ranges for variations in the coating width of the active material on the electrode plate of the energy storage element.

[0026] The first and second criteria relate to the permissible range for variations in the coating width of the active material on the electrode plates of the energy storage element. This allows for the appropriate selection of the product's value due to the use of recycled materials and the intended use of the product using recycled materials.

[0027] (8) A method for manufacturing an energy storage element, in a method for manufacturing an energy storage element, stores different judgment criteria for raw materials or work-in-progress for different manufacturing lines using the same type of raw materials or work-in-progress, determines whether the raw materials or work-in-progress for the first manufacturing line among the different manufacturing lines satisfy the first judgment criteria corresponding to the first manufacturing line, determines whether the raw materials or work-in-progress determined not to satisfy the first judgment criteria satisfy the second judgment criteria corresponding to the second manufacturing line, allocates the raw materials or work-in-progress that do not satisfy the first judgment criteria but satisfy the second judgment criteria as recovered products to the second manufacturing line, and manufactures an energy storage element using the raw materials or work-in-progress.

[0028] (9) The data processing device is a data processing device that processes data relating to the manufacturing management of energy storage elements, and includes a processing unit that stores different judgment criteria for raw materials or work in progress for different manufacturing lines using the same type of raw materials or work in progress, determines whether the raw materials or work in progress for a first manufacturing line among the different manufacturing lines satisfy a first judgment criterion corresponding to the first manufacturing line, determines whether the raw materials or work in progress determined not to satisfy the first judgment criterion satisfy a second judgment criterion corresponding to the second manufacturing line, and allocates the raw materials or work in progress that do not satisfy the first judgment criterion but satisfy the second judgment criterion to the second manufacturing line as recovered items.

[0029] A data processing method, a method for manufacturing an energy storage element, and a data processing device according to one aspect of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to drawings illustrating the embodiments thereof.

[0030] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a data processing system 100 including a data processing device 1. The data processing system 100 is a system that stores data of an energy storage module 4 in a way that allows it to be accessed by other devices, at a manufacturer that manufactures an energy storage module 4 as an energy storage element. The manufacturer procures raw materials such as electrode plates and active materials from suppliers, uses these to coat the electrode plates with active materials, manufactures energy storage cells 40 from the electrode plates with active materials coated, and then manufactures an energy storage module 4 by assembling multiple energy storage cells 40 and a control board, etc.

[0031] The data processing system 100 includes a data processing device 1 and a terminal device 2. The data processing device 1 and the terminal device 2 can communicate with each other via a network N within the manufacturer. The data processing system 100 is constructed by connecting to the production management system 3 of the energy storage element manufacturer. The data processing device 1 and the terminal device 2 can communicate with the production management system 3 via the network N. The data processing device 1 can access data on materials or work-in-progress used in each process, the results of quality evaluations for the materials, and the results of quality evaluations for the manufactured work-in-progress from the production management system 3. The data processing device 1 may be implemented as an internal function of the production management system 3.

[0032] The production management system 3 is a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) that records and makes available the manufacturing of energy storage elements from planning to execution. The production management system 3 has a database 30. The database 30 stores information such as material procurement plans and material arrival dates, separated by data that identifies the material and lot. The database 30 stores, as a manufacturing plan, identification data (part number, product ID, etc.) of energy storage elements that are intermediate work-in-progress or finished products manufactured on the manufacturing line, and data that identifies the raw materials or intermediate work-in-progress allocated for manufacturing, in association with the identification data of the energy storage element manufacturing line.

[0033] The data processing device 1 performs a determination on whether the raw materials and work-in-progress used in multiple processes up to the manufacture of the energy storage module 4 meet the criteria, and outputs the determination result to the production management system 3. The data processing device 1 may also output the determination result in response to a reference request from the terminal device 2. Based on the information obtained from the data processing system 100 of this disclosure, the production management system 3 allocates the materials or work-in-progress at each process. Further details will be described later.

[0034] Terminal device 2 is a device used by operators of manufacturers that produce energy storage modules 4. Terminal device 2 inputs and outputs information to and from data processing device 1 or production management system 3 via network LN. Operators can use terminal device 2 to view information stored and updated in the database 30 of the production management system 3. Operators can also use terminal device 2 to view information calculated by data processing device 1.

[0035] Network N is an Ethernet® or optical communication network installed by the manufacturer. Network N includes wireless communication devices such as Wi-Fi communication devices or short-range wireless communication devices, and can also communicate with terminal device 2 that performs wireless communication.

[0036] The configuration of the data processing system 100 and the processing performed by the data processing device 1 will be described below. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the data processing device 1. The data processing device 1 may be either a personal computer or a server computer. If it is a server computer, the data processing device 1 is not limited to one unit, but may be distributed among multiple units. The data processing device 1 comprises a processing unit 10, a storage unit 11, and a communication unit 12.

[0037] The processing unit 10 includes one or more processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The processing unit 10 includes memory, which is a temporary storage medium such as SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The processing unit 10 may be configured as a single hardware (SoC: System On a Chip) integrating the processor, memory, storage unit 11, and communication unit 12. The processing unit 10 reads the data processing program P1 stored in the storage unit 11 into memory and executes it, thereby causing a general-purpose computer to perform various processes described later, and functioning as the data processing device 1 of this disclosure.

[0038] The storage unit 11 is a relatively large-capacity non-temporary storage medium such as a hard disk, flash memory, or SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 11 stores the program (program product) necessary for the processing unit 10 to execute processing. The program product includes the data processing program P1.

[0039] The data processing program P1 stored in the storage unit 11 may be one that the processing unit 10 downloads from a download server via the communication unit 12 and stores in the storage unit 11, or it may be one that the processing unit 10 reads and stores from a data processing program P9 stored on a non-temporary storage medium 9 that can be read from a computer.

[0040] The storage unit 11 stores the criteria for determination for each of the raw materials and the work-in-progress items in multiple stages. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 11 stores at least two criteria for determination. Among the two criteria for determination, the first criterion for determination is the criterion for determination for each of the material associated with the production line for manufacturing the power storage module 4 for high-output applications and the work-in-progress item. The second criterion for determination is the criterion for determination for each of the material associated with the production line for manufacturing the power storage module 4 for high-capacity applications and the work-in-progress item. The first criterion for determination is a stricter criterion than the second criterion for determination, and the raw material or work-in-progress item that satisfies the first criterion for determination satisfies the second criterion for determination. The storage unit 11 stores the determination result in association with the data for individually identifying each of the raw materials and the work-in-progress items. The data for identification may include the identification data of the lot in addition to the product number and the model number, etc.

[0041] The communication unit 12 realizes communication with the terminal device 2 and the production management system 3 via the network N. The communication unit 12 is a wired communication device such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or a wireless communication device for WiFi.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal device 2. The terminal device 2 is a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, etc. used by an operator. The terminal device 2 includes a processing unit 20, a storage unit 21, a communication unit 22, a display unit 23, and an operation unit 24.

[0043] The processing unit 20 includes processors such as one or more CPUs, MPUs, GPUs, etc. The processing unit 10 includes a memory which is a temporary storage medium such as SRAM, DRAM, etc. The processing unit 20 reads out various programs stored in the storage unit 21 into the memory and executes them.

[0044] The storage unit 21 is a non-temporary storage medium such as a flash memory or an SSD. The storage unit 21 stores programs (program products) necessary for the processing unit 20 to execute processing. The program products include a Web browser program.

[0045] The communication unit 22 realizes communication with the data processing device 1 and the production management system 3 via the network N. The communication unit 22 may be a wireless communication device for WiFi or a wireless communication device connected to a carrier network. The communication unit 22 may also be a wired communication device corresponding to the communication unit 12 of the data processing device 1.

[0046] The display unit 23 is a display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The display unit 23 may be a display with an integrated touch panel. The processing unit 20 causes the display unit 23 to display a screen presenting information of the data processing device 1 or the production management system 3 based on the Web browser program stored in the storage unit 21. The operator can operate on the information from the data processing device 1 or the production management system 3 on the screen displayed on the display unit 23.

[0047] The operation unit 24 is a user interface capable of input and output with the processing unit 20. The processing unit 20 receives the operator's operation from the operation unit 24. The operation unit 24 is a touch panel integrated in the display unit 23. The operation unit 24 may include physical buttons, switches, and physical dials. The operation unit 24 may be connected to a user interface such as a keyboard and a mouse. The terminal device 2 may include an audio input / output unit including a speaker and a microphone as one of the user interfaces.

[0048] In the data processing system 100 configured as described above, the data processing device 1 executes a determination as to whether the raw materials and semi-finished products used in a plurality of processes until the manufacturing of the power storage module 4 meet the standards.

[0049] FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing an example of the determination processing procedure. The data processing device 1 executes the following processing each time it is detected in the production management system 3 that raw materials have been received and each time the completion of the manufacturing of semi-finished products is detected

[0050] The processing unit 10 identifies the part number and lot identification data (hereinafter referred to as the lot number) of the incoming raw materials or the manufactured intermediate work-in-progress (step S101). It identifies different manufacturing lines that will be used to manufacture the raw materials or intermediate work-in-progress with the identified part number and lot number (step S102). In this embodiment, the processing unit 10 identifies two manufacturing lines that will be used for the raw materials or intermediate work-in-progress with the same part number and lot number: a manufacturing line for energy storage modules 4 for high-power applications and a manufacturing line for energy storage modules 4 for high-capacity applications.

[0051] The processing unit 10 obtains the results of the good product evaluation of the raw materials or work-in-progress identified by the identification data specified in step S101 from the production management system 3 (step S103). In step S104, the processing unit 10 may obtain data obtained from the raw material supplier, such as the weight of the raw materials and the variation in the content of specific substances in the raw materials for each lot number. In step S104, the processing unit 10 may obtain the variation in the coating width of the active material on the electrode plates, which are work-in-progress of the energy storage cell 40, for each lot number. In step S104, the processing unit 10 may obtain the variation in the voltage of the energy storage cell 40 for each lot number.

[0052] The processing unit 10 determines whether the result of the good product evaluation obtained in step S103 satisfies the first judgment criterion of the first production line, which has stricter standards, among the different production lines identified in step S102 (step S104).

[0053] If it is determined that the first criteria for the first production line are met (S104: YES), the processing unit 10 allocates the raw materials or work-in-progress identified by the part number and lot number specified in step S101 to the production plan for other work-in-progress or energy storage module 4 to be manufactured on the first production line (step S105).

[0054] The processing unit 10 associates the part number and lot number of the allocated raw material or work-in-progress with the data identifying the manufacturing plan and stores them in the storage unit 11 (step S106). The processing unit 10 assigns a high grade to other work-in-progress or energy storage modules 4 to be manufactured with the data identifying the manufacturing plan and stores them (step S107). The processing unit 10 outputs the part number and lot number of the allocated raw material or work-in-progress with the manufacturing plan, and the high grade assigned to other work-in-progress or energy storage modules 4 to be manufactured, to the production management system 3 (step S108), and ends the determination process.

[0055] If it is determined that the first judgment criterion for the first production line is not satisfied (S104: NO), the processing unit 10 determines whether the result of the good product evaluation obtained in step S103 satisfies the second judgment criterion for the second production line (step S109).

[0056] If it is determined that the second criteria for the second production line are met (S109: YES), the processing unit 10 allocates the raw materials or work-in-progress identified by the part number and lot number specified in step S101 to the production plan for other work-in-progress or energy storage module 4 to be manufactured on the second production line as recovered items (step S110).

[0057] The processing unit 10 stores the part number and lot number of the allocated raw material or work-in-progress in the storage unit 11 in association with the data identifying the manufacturing plan (step S111). The processing unit 10 stores the grade of the product using recovered materials in association with other work-in-progress or energy storage modules 4 to be manufactured in association with the data identifying the manufacturing plan (step S112). The processing unit 10 outputs the part number and lot number of the allocated raw material or work-in-progress in association with the manufacturing plan, and the grade of the product using recovered materials, to the production management system 3 (step S113), and ends the determination process.

[0058] If the second production line is determined not to satisfy the second criteria (S109: NO), the processing unit 10 stores the raw material or work-in-progress identified by the part number and lot number specified in step S101 as waste or for recycling (step S114). The processing unit 10 outputs the determination result that the raw material or work-in-progress identified in step 101 is waste or for recycling to the production management system 3 (step S115), and terminates the determination process.

[0059] Based on the manufacturing plan in which raw materials or work-in-progress are allocated according to the processing procedures shown in Figures 4 and 5, the energy storage module 4 is manufactured on each production line according to the following procedure. Figures 6 and 7 show the manufacturing process of the energy storage module 4.

[0060] In the first production line, the production system selects raw materials that have been determined to satisfy the first criteria for raw materials and have been allocated based on the production plan for work-in-progress products for the line (step S201).

[0061] In the first production line, the manufacturing system performs the process of coating the electrode plates of the energy storage cell 40 in the first production line with the selected raw materials (step S202).

[0062] The manufacturing system performs an evaluation on the electrode plates produced in the coating process of step S202 (step S203). In step S203, the manufacturing system evaluates the variation in coating width.

[0063] The production management system 3 stores the evaluation results in the database 30, associating them with the part number and lot number of the electrode plates to be manufactured (step S204).

[0064] After the processing in step S204, the data processing device 1 performs the processing shown in Figures 4 and 5 by referring to the evaluation results stored in the database 30 of the production management system 3. The first criterion is that the variation in coating width is within the first acceptable range. As a result, the manufacturing system removes from the first production line any electrode plates that, as a result of the evaluation in step S203, are determined not to satisfy the first criterion for energy storage modules 4 to be manufactured on the first production line (step S205).

[0065] In the first manufacturing line, the manufacturing system selects an electrode plate that satisfies the first criterion and is allocated based on the manufacturing plan for the energy storage cell 40 for that line (step S206).

[0066] In the first production line, the manufacturing system executes the manufacturing process for the energy storage cell 40 using the selected electrode plates (step S207).

[0067] The manufacturing system performs an evaluation on the energy storage cell 40 manufactured in the manufacturing process of step S208 (step S208). In step S208, the manufacturing system evaluates the variation in output voltage.

[0068] The production management system 3 stores the evaluation results in the database 30, associating them with the part numbers and lot numbers of the energy storage cells 40 to be manufactured (step S209).

[0069] After the processing in step S209, the data processing device 1 performs the processing shown in Figures 4 and 5 by referring to the evaluation results stored in the database 30 of the production management system 3. The first criterion is that the variation in output voltage is within the first acceptable range. As a result, the manufacturing system excludes from the first production line any energy storage cells 40 that, as a result of the evaluation in step S208, are determined not to satisfy the first criterion for energy storage modules 4 to be manufactured on the first production line (step S210).

[0070] In the first manufacturing line, the manufacturing system selects an energy storage cell 40 that has been determined to satisfy the first determination criterion and allocated based on the manufacturing plan for the energy storage module 4 for that line (step S211).

[0071] In the first production line, the manufacturing system executes the manufacturing process for the energy storage module 4 using the selected energy storage cell 40 (step S212).

[0072] In step S212, the manufacturing system performs an evaluation on the energy storage module 4 that was manufactured (step S213). In step S213, the manufacturing system evaluates the output voltage.

[0073] The production management system 3 stores the evaluation results in the database 30, associating them with the part numbers and lot numbers of the energy storage modules 4 to be manufactured (step S214).

[0074] In the second production line, the production system selects raw materials that, based on the production plan for work-in-progress products for that line, do not satisfy the first criterion but satisfy the second criterion and are therefore allocated (step S215). The processes from step S215 onward are executed in parallel with the processes from step S201 onward.

[0075] In the second production line, the manufacturing system performs the process of coating the electrode plates of the energy storage cell 40 in the second production line with the selected raw materials (step S216).

[0076] The manufacturing system performs an evaluation on the electrode plates produced in the coating process of step S218 (step S217). In step S217, the manufacturing system evaluates the variation in coating width.

[0077] The production management system 3 stores the evaluation results in the database 30, associating them with the part number and lot number of the electrode plates to be manufactured (step S218).

[0078] After the processing in step S220, the data processing device 1 performs the processing shown in Figures 4 and 5 by referring to the evaluation results stored in the database 30 of the production management system 3. The second criterion is that the variation in coating width is within a second tolerance range, which is wider than the first tolerance range. As a result, the manufacturing system determines that, as a result of the evaluation in step S217, the electrode plates for the energy storage module 4 manufactured on the second production line do not satisfy the second criterion and are to be discarded or recycled (step S219).

[0079] In the second production line, the production system selects an electrode plate that has been determined to satisfy the second criterion and allocated based on the production plan for the energy storage cell 40 for that line (step S220). In step S220, the production management system 3 may select an electrode plate that was excluded from the first production line in step S205 because it did not satisfy the first criterion.

[0080] In the second production line, the manufacturing system executes the manufacturing process for the energy storage cell 40 using the selected electrode plates (step S221).

[0081] In step S221, the manufacturing system performs an evaluation on the energy storage cell 40 produced in the manufacturing process. In step S222, the manufacturing system evaluates the variation in output voltage.

[0082] The production management system 3 stores the evaluation results in the database 30, associating them with the part numbers and lot numbers of the energy storage cells 40 to be manufactured (step S223).

[0083] After the processing in step S223, the data processing device 1 performs the processing shown in Figures 4 and 5 by referring to the evaluation results stored in the database 30 of the production management system 3. The second criterion is that the variation in output voltage is within a second tolerance range, which is wider than the first tolerance range. As a result, the manufacturing system determines that any energy storage cells 40 that do not satisfy the second criterion for energy storage modules 4 manufactured on the second production line, based on the evaluation in step S222, are to be discarded or recycled (step S224).

[0084] In the second production line, the production system selects an energy storage cell 40 that has been determined to satisfy the second determination criterion and allocated based on the production plan for the energy storage module 4 for that line (step S225).

[0085] In the second production line, the manufacturing system executes the manufacturing process for the energy storage module 4 using the selected energy storage cell 40 (step S226).

[0086] In step S226, the manufacturing system performs an evaluation on the energy storage module 4 that was manufactured (step S227). In step S227, the manufacturing system evaluates the output voltage.

[0087] The production management system 3 stores the evaluation results in the database 30, associating them with the part numbers and lot numbers of the energy storage modules 4 to be manufactured (step S228).

[0088] The manufacturing system or production management system 3 assigns a high-grade designation for high-output applications to the energy storage modules 4 completed on the first manufacturing line (step S229), calculates the price (step S230), and stores the grade and price in the database 30 (step S231).

[0089] The manufacturing system or production management system 3 assigns grades of high-capacity application and recycled product to the energy storage modules 4 completed on the second manufacturing line (step S232), calculates the price (step S233), and stores it in the database 30 (step S234). The manufacturing system or production management system 3 completes processing for one manufacturing plan in each of the first and second manufacturing lines. The manufacturing system or production management system 3 executes the processes shown in Figures 6 and 7 each time a manufacturing plan is created.

[0090] According to the manufacturing procedure shown in Figures 6 and 7, if raw materials or work-in-progress that are determined not to meet the first criterion meet the second criterion, they are treated as recycled materials, and the finished energy storage module 4 is given the grade of a product using recycled materials. Not only is the value of products manufactured using raw materials or work-in-progress that have cleared the strict first criterion highly valued, but the value of products manufactured using recycled materials can also be improved.

[0091] In the processing procedure described above, it was explained that a high-grade energy storage module 4 and an energy storage module 4 with a grade assigned to a product using recovered materials are manufactured based on two criteria. The data processing device 1 of the data processing system 100 for energy storage elements of this disclosure may perform judgment processing using three or more criteria. The judgment criteria may evaluate variations in viscosity or specific gravity of the active material paste, or variations in coating weight, coating thickness, or moisture content of the active material on the electrode plate.

[0092] Figure 8 shows an example of grade output in terminal device 2. The grade output screen 230 in Figure 8 is displayed when an operator using terminal device 2 performs an operation on the operation screen provided by data processing device 1 to specify the part number and lot number of the manufactured work-in-progress and manufactured energy storage module 4. The grade output screen 230 outputs the grade assigned to the energy storage module 4 identified by the specified part number and lot number. The grade output screen 230 shown in Figure 8 indicates that the grade assigned is for a product using recycled materials. The output screen 230 includes the price calculated for the energy storage module 4. The part numbers and lot numbers of the work-in-progress and raw materials used in the manufacturing process of the energy storage module 4 are displayed in a traceable manner. The judgment result for the part numbers and lot numbers of the work-in-progress and raw materials used in the manufacturing process of the energy storage module 4 is displayed.

[0093] This allows operators to properly understand the value of products made using recycled materials and the intended uses of those products.

[0094] The embodiments disclosed above are illustrative in all respects and are not limiting. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

[0095] 1. Data Processing Device 10. Processing Unit 11. Storage Unit 12. Communication Unit P1. Data Processing Program (Computer Program) 2. Terminal Device 20. Processing Unit 22. Communication Unit 23. Display Unit 24. Operation Unit 3. Production Management System

Claims

1. A data processing method for processing data related to the manufacturing management of energy storage elements, comprising: storing different judgment criteria for raw materials or work-in-progress for different manufacturing lines using the same type of raw materials or work-in-progress; determining whether the raw materials or work-in-progress for a first manufacturing line among the different manufacturing lines satisfy a first judgment criterion corresponding to the first manufacturing line; determining whether the raw materials or work-in-progress determined not to satisfy the first judgment criterion satisfy a second judgment criterion corresponding to a second manufacturing line; and allocating the raw materials or work-in-progress that do not satisfy the first judgment criterion but satisfy the second judgment criterion to the second manufacturing line as recovered items.

2. The data processing method according to claim 1, which outputs the grade of a product using recovered materials for the identification data of an energy storage element manufactured by the second production line.

3. The data processing method according to claim 2, which outputs a higher grade than others for the identification data of the energy storage element manufactured by the first manufacturing line.

4. The data processing method according to claim 3 for calculating the price of the energy storage element of the finished product according to the grade.

5. The data processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the energy storage element manufactured by the first manufacturing line is for high-power applications.

6. The data processing method according to claim 5, wherein the energy storage element manufactured by the second manufacturing line is for high-capacity applications.

7. The data processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second criteria have different tolerance ranges for variations in the coating width of the active material on the electrode plate of the energy storage element.

8. A method for manufacturing energy storage elements, comprising: storing different criteria for raw materials or work-in-progress for different manufacturing lines using the same type of raw materials or work-in-progress; determining whether the raw materials or work-in-progress for a first manufacturing line satisfy a first criterion corresponding to the first manufacturing line; determining whether the raw materials or work-in-progress determined not to satisfy the first criterion satisfy a second criterion corresponding to a second manufacturing line; assigning the raw materials or work-in-progress that do not satisfy the first criterion but satisfy the second criterion as recovered products to the second manufacturing line; and manufacturing energy storage elements using the raw materials or work-in-progress.

9. A data processing device for processing data relating to the manufacturing management of energy storage elements, comprising: storing different judgment criteria for raw materials or work-in-progress for different manufacturing lines using the same type of raw materials or work-in-progress; determining whether the raw materials or work-in-progress for a first manufacturing line among the different manufacturing lines satisfy a first judgment criterion corresponding to the first manufacturing line; determining whether the raw materials or work-in-progress determined not to satisfy the first judgment criterion satisfy a second judgment criterion corresponding to a second manufacturing line; and executing a processing unit for allocating raw materials or work-in-progress that do not satisfy the first judgment criterion but satisfy the second judgment criterion to the second manufacturing line as recovered items.

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