Battery manufacturing method, battery manufacturing system, and electrode roll

Abstract

According to exemplary embodiments, a battery manufacturing system and a battery manufacturing method are provided. The system comprises: at least one measurement device of a width measurement device and a thickness measurement device for acquiring at least one of a plurality of pieces of width data and a plurality of pieces of thickness data by measuring, along the longitudinal direction of a plurality of electrode sheets, at least one of the width and the thickness of each electrode sheet a plurality of times; a grade determiner for deriving at least one of a width representative value and a thickness representative value of each electrode sheet from at least one of the plurality of pieces of width data and the plurality of pieces of thickness data, and determining at least one of a width grade and a thickness grade of each electrode sheet according to at least one of the width representative value and the thickness representative value; and a matcher for selecting and matching a pair of electrode sheets which have different polarities and are to be coupled to each other from the plurality of electrode sheets on the basis of at least one of the width grade and the thickness grade.

Description

Battery manufacturing method, battery manufacturing system, and electrode roll

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery manufacturing system, a battery manufacturing method, and an electrode roll.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0130237 dated September 25, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the document of said Korean patent application are incorporated herein as part of this specification.

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, batteries, particularly secondary batteries, can be charged and discharged multiple times. Batteries are widely used as an energy source for various wireless devices such as handsets, laptops, and cordless vacuum cleaners. Recently, as the manufacturing cost per unit capacity of batteries has decreased dramatically due to improved energy density and economies of scale, and as the driving range of BEVs (battery electric vehicles) has increased to a level equivalent to that of fuel vehicles, the primary use of batteries is shifting from mobile devices to mobility.

[0004] Batteries are manufactured through electrode, assembly, and activation processes. Among these, the electrode process is the most critical process for determining the yield and performance of the battery cell. The electrode process may include a coating process, a roll press process, and a slitting process. In the coating process, active materials and insulating materials may be applied to the surface of the current collector (electrode sheet). In the roll press process, the electrode sheet may be pressed by pressure rolls. The roll press process can determine the density, performance, and surface quality of the electrode. In the slitting process, the electrode sheet may be cut into multiple electrode sheets according to the design of the battery cell.

[0005] The anode sheet and cathode sheet that have undergone the electrode process may undergo a notching process, which is a process of the assembly process. Subsequently, in a subsequent assembly process, such as a bonding process (e.g., a lamination process), the anode sheet and cathode sheet may be cut to a predetermined pitch to become the anode and cathode, respectively.

[0006] Alternatively, in another bonding process, such as a winding process, the anode sheet and cathode sheet may be cut into anodes and cathodes, respectively, according to a predetermined pitch.

[0007] In the winding process, the anode and cathode are wound with a separator interposed therebetween to manufacture a jelly roll-shaped electrode assembly.

[0008] Defects in the electrode assembly manufactured in the above bonding process may occur depending on the combination of specifications of the anode and cathode (e.g., width and / or thickness of the anode and cathode).

[0009] Therefore, in order to prevent mismatch between the anode and cathode that causes defects in the electrode assembly during the bonding process, it is necessary to carefully select the specifications or types of the electrode sheets (anode sheets and cathode sheets) used for manufacturing the anode and cathode.

[0010] (Patent Literature)

[0011] Japanese Published Patent No. 2010-212000 (September 24, 2010)

[0012] The present invention is intended to provide a battery manufacturing system and a battery manufacturing method for selecting the width and / or thickness of an anode sheet and a cathode sheet introduced for the manufacture of an anode and a cathode so as not to cause a mismatch between an anode and a cathode that results in defects in the electrode assembly during the bonding process.

[0013] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention for solving the above-described problem, a battery manufacturing system is provided.

[0014] The above system comprises a width measuring instrument and / or a thickness measuring instrument that obtains multiple width data and / or multiple thickness data by measuring the width and / or thickness of each electrode sheet multiple times along the longitudinal direction of multiple electrode sheets;

[0015] A grade determination device that derives a representative width value and / or a representative thickness value of each electrode sheet from the plurality of width data and / or a plurality of thickness data, and determines a width grade and / or a thickness grade of each electrode sheet according to the representative width value and / or a representative thickness value; and

[0016] Based on the width grade and / or thickness grade above, a matching device (AGV, server) may be included to select and match pairs of electrode sheets with different polarities to be combined from a plurality of electrode sheets.

[0017] In the above system, one selected from the group of average, standard deviation, maximum value, minimum value, median, and quartile of multiple width data or multiple thickness data can be used as the width representative value or thickness representative value.

[0018] In the above system, the upper quartile of multiple width data of each anode sheet is used as the representative width value of each anode sheet, and

[0019] The lower quartile of multiple width data of each cathode sheet can be used as the representative width value of each cathode sheet.

[0020] In the above system, the median of multiple thickness data of each anode sheet is used as the representative thickness value of each anode sheet, and

[0021] The median of multiple thickness data of each cathode sheet can be used as the representative thickness value of each cathode sheet.

[0022] The above grade determiner is,

[0023] When the representative width value of the electrode sheet falls into any one of a plurality of set electrode width sub-ranges, the width grade assigned to that sub-range can be determined as the width grade of the electrode sheet and / or

[0024] When the representative thickness value of the electrode sheet falls into any one of the multiple set electrode thickness sub-ranges, the thickness grade assigned to that sub-range can be determined as the width grade of the electrode sheet.

[0025] The above matching device is,

[0026] A pair of anode sheets and cathode sheets can be selected such that an anode sheet having a width class of the maximum anode width subrange and a cathode sheet having a width class of the minimum cathode width subrange are not matched, and / or

[0027] A pair of anode sheets and cathode sheets can be selected such that an anode sheet having a thickness grade of the maximum anode thickness sub-range and a cathode sheet having a thickness grade of the maximum cathode thickness sub-range are not matched.

[0028] A single electrode sheet having a plurality of electrode lanes can be separated along the longitudinal direction to obtain the plurality of electrode sheets corresponding to the plurality of electrode lanes. The system may further include a slitting knife configured to separate the single electrode sheet along the longitudinal direction to form the plurality of electrode sheets. The width data may be acquired after the single electrode sheet is separated into the plurality of electrode sheets, and / or the thickness data may be acquired before the single electrode sheet is separated into the plurality of electrode sheets.

[0029] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem, a battery manufacturing method is provided.

[0030] The above manufacturing method comprises the step of obtaining multiple width data and / or multiple thickness data by measuring the width and / or thickness of each electrode sheet multiple times along the longitudinal direction of a plurality of electrode sheets;

[0031] A step of deriving a representative width value and / or a representative thickness value of each electrode sheet from the plurality of width data and / or plurality of thickness data above;

[0032] A step of determining the width grade and / or thickness grade of each electrode sheet according to the above width representative value and / or thickness representative value; and

[0033] Based on the width grade and / or thickness grade above, the method may include the step of selecting a pair of electrode sheets with different polarities to be combined from a plurality of electrode sheets.

[0034] The above width representative value or thickness representative value may be one selected from the group of mean, standard deviation, maximum value, minimum value, median, and quartile of multiple width data or multiple thickness data.

[0035] The upper quartile of multiple width data of each anode sheet can be used as the representative width value of each anode sheet.

[0036] The lower quartile of multiple width data of each cathode sheet can be used as the representative width value of each cathode sheet.

[0037] The median of multiple thickness data of each anode sheet can be used as the representative thickness value of each anode sheet.

[0038] The median of multiple thickness data of each cathode sheet can be used as the representative thickness value of each cathode sheet.

[0039] When the representative width value of the electrode sheet falls into any one of a plurality of set electrode width sub-ranges, the width grade assigned to the corresponding sub-range can be determined as the width grade of the electrode sheet, and / or

[0040] When the representative thickness value of the electrode sheet falls into any one of the multiple set electrode thickness sub-ranges, the thickness grade assigned to that sub-range can be determined as the width grade of the electrode sheet.

[0041] A pair of anode sheets and cathode sheets can be selected such that an anode sheet having a width class of the maximum anode width subrange and a cathode sheet having a width class of the minimum cathode width subrange are not matched, and / or

[0042] A pair of anode sheets and cathode sheets can be selected such that an anode sheet having a thickness grade of the maximum anode thickness sub-range and a cathode sheet having a thickness grade of the maximum cathode thickness sub-range are not matched.

[0043] A single electrode sheet having multiple electrode lanes can be separated along the longitudinal direction to obtain multiple electrode sheets corresponding to the multiple electrode lanes. In this case, the width data can be obtained after the single electrode sheet is separated into multiple electrode sheets, and / or the thickness data can be obtained before the single electrode sheet is separated into multiple electrode sheets.

[0044] According to another aspect of the present invention, an electrode roll on which the electrode sheet is wound may be provided, the electrode roll having a grade indicator label indicating a width grade of the electrode sheet assigned according to a representative width value derived from a plurality of electrode width data measured along the longitudinal direction of the electrode sheet and / or a thickness grade of the electrode sheet assigned according to a representative thickness value derived from a plurality of electrode thickness data measured along the longitudinal direction of the electrode sheet.

[0045] According to the present invention, data regarding the width and / or thickness of the anode sheet and cathode sheet introduced into the bonding process can be obtained before the bonding process.

[0046] The grade of each electrode sheet can be determined based on the data regarding the width and / or thickness mentioned above.

[0047] Based on the width grade and / or thickness grade determined above, a pair of positive electrode sheets and negative electrode sheets to be introduced into the bonding process can be selected. That is, in order to prevent a mismatch between the positive and negative electrodes that would cause defects in the electrode assembly, which is a semi-finished product of the battery, during the subsequent bonding process, the positive electrode sheets and negative electrode sheets introduced into the bonding process for the manufacture of the positive and negative electrodes can be appropriately matched based on the width grade and / or thickness grade determined above.

[0048] Accordingly, defects in the electrode assembly can be reduced by the present invention. As a result, the productivity and yield of the battery manufacturing system and the battery manufacturing method can be improved.

[0049] The effects obtainable from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects can be clearly derived and understood by those skilled in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure belong from the following description. That is, unintended effects resulting from the implementation of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be derived by those skilled in the art from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0050] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a battery manufacturing system according to one embodiment.

[0051] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which a plurality of electrode lanes are formed on a single electrode sheet.

[0052] Figure 3 shows an example of multiple width and thickness data of an electrode sheet measured at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the electrode sheet.

[0053] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a statistical representative value.

[0054] Figure 5 shows an example of a width grade assigned to a set electrode width sub-range and a thickness grade assigned to a set electrode thickness sub-range.

[0055] Figure 6 shows an example of a grade indicator label attached to an electrode roll.

[0056] Figure 7 shows an example of matching an anode sheet and a cathode sheet.

[0057] FIG. 8 shows a battery manufacturing system according to one embodiment.

[0058] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a battery manufacturing method according to one embodiment.

[0059] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings. Instead, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms to best describe his invention, they should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0060] Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention; thus, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0061] In addition, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known components or functions may obscure the essence of the invention, such detailed description is omitted.

[0062] Since embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the invention to those skilled in the art, the shapes and sizes of the components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically depicted for clearer explanation. Accordingly, the size or proportion of each component does not entirely reflect the actual size or proportion.

[0063]

[0064] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a battery manufacturing system according to one embodiment, and

[0065] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which a plurality of electrode lanes are formed on a single electrode sheet.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 1, the battery manufacturing system (10) may include an unwinder (111), rewinders (113a, 113b), a first rotary encoder (121), second rotary encoders (123a, 123b), a slitting knife (115), a guide roll (116), width measuring instruments (117a, 117b), a thickness measuring instrument (118), a roll map controller (141), a process controller (143), a relay server (150), and a server (160).

[0067] A battery manufacturing system (10) may be configured to manufacture a battery cell (e.g., a cylindrical battery cell) by performing a series of roll-to-roll processes. An electrode sheet unwound from an input electrode roll may be processed by any one of a die coater of a coating device, pressure rolls of a roll pressing device, and a slitting knife of a slitting device, and the processed electrode sheet may be wound onto an electrode roll. A combining device may combine an anode sheet unwound from an anode roll, a cathode sheet unwound from a cathode roll, and separator sheets unwound from separator rolls.

[0068] The first electrode roll (ER1) can be loaded into an unwinder (111). After the first electrode roll (ER1) is completed in the roll pressing device, it can be transported by a transfer device and loaded into the unwinder (111). The unwinder (111) can be configured to unwind one electrode sheet (ES1) from the first electrode roll (ER1).

[0069] When the electrode sheet (ES1) is an anode sheet, the anode sheet may include an anode current collector and an anode slurry coated on the anode current collector.

[0070] When the above electrode sheet (ES1) is a negative electrode sheet, the negative electrode sheet may include a negative current collector and a negative electrode slurry coated on the negative current collector.

[0071] The electrode sheet (ES1) may have a plurality of coating lanes (L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6, L7, L8, L9, L10, L11, L12, L13, L14, L15, L16, hereinafter L1 to L16) on which an electrode slurry is coated on a current collector by a die coater (not shown). The plurality of coating lanes (L1 to L16) are parts of the electrode sheet (ES1) coated with the electrode slurry.

[0072] Adjacent coating lanes (L1 and L2, L3 and L4, L5 and L6, L7 and L8, L9 and L10, L11 and L12, L13 and L14, L15 and L16) can be formed from the same slit of the die coater and can be connected to each other.

[0073] Coating lanes (L1, L2), coating lanes (L3, L4), coating lanes (L5, L6), coating lanes (L7, L8), coating lanes (L9, L10), coating lanes (L11, L12), coating lanes (L13, L14) and coating lanes (L15, L16) can be separated by a slitting knife (115). For example, an electrode sheet (ES1) containing 16 coating lanes (L1 to L16) can be separated into an electrode sheet (ESa) containing 8 coating lanes (L1 to L8) and an electrode sheet (ESb) containing 8 coating lanes (L9 to L16).

[0074] The above separated electrode sheets (ESa, ESb) can be separated into eight electrode sheets (Esc), each containing one coating lane.

[0075] That is, a single electrode sheet having multiple electrode lanes can be separated along the longitudinal direction to obtain multiple separated electrode sheets corresponding to the multiple electrode lanes.

[0076] Each of the non-coated portions (U1, U2, U3, U4, U5, U6, U7, U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, hereinafter U1~U16) is a portion of the electrode sheet (ES1) that is not coated with an electrode slurry. The non-coated portions (U1, U16) may be located at both ends of the electrode sheet (ES1) in the transverse direction (TD). The non-coated portions (U2, U3) may be located between the coated portion lanes (L2, L3). The non-coated portions (U4, U5) may be located between the coated portion lanes (L4, L5). The non-coated portions (U6, U7) may be located between the coated portion lanes (L6, L7). Non-coated sections (U8, U9) may be located between coated section lanes (L8, L9). Non-coated sections (U10, U11) may be located between coated section lanes (L10, L11). Non-coated sections (U12, U13) may be located between coated section lanes (L12, L13). Non-coated sections (U14, U15) may be located between coated section lanes (L14, L15).

[0077] The non-coating section (U1) corresponds to the coating section lane (L1), and the non-coating section (U1) and the coating section lane (L1) form a single electrode lane. This single electrode lane can be separated into identical electrode sheets after the completion of the slitting process and wound into an electrode roll in a rewinder.

[0078] Likewise, the non-coated section (U2) and the coated section lane (L2) form a single electrode lane, and this electrode lane can be separated into the same electrode sheet and wound into an electrode roll in a rewinder. In this way, adjacent non-coated and coated sections form a single electrode lane and can be separated into the same electrode sheet after the slitting process.

[0079]

[0080] In FIG. 1, only two separated electrode sheets (ESa, ESb) are shown for convenience of illustration, but the separation of the electrode sheets can be determined based on the number of electrode lanes on the electrode sheets. For example, the electrode sheets (ESa, ESb) provided by half-slitting of the electrode sheet (ES1) having 16 coating lanes in FIG. 2 may include eight electrode sheets (Esc) to be separated, and accordingly, the electrode sheets (ESa, ESb) may each be cut into eight separated electrode sheets (Esc). A guide roll (116) may be placed on the path of the separated electrode sheet (ESb) to separate the paths of the separated electrode sheet (ESa) and the separated electrode sheet (ESb).

[0081] The rewinders (113a, 113b) may be configured to wind the separated electrode sheets (ESa, ESb) onto the second electrode rolls (ER2a, ER2b). The separated electrode sheets (ESa, ESb) are wound onto the second electrode rolls (ER2a, ER2b), and after reaching a target winding amount, the second electrode rolls (ER2a, ER2b) may be cut and separated. Accordingly, the electrode sheet (ES1) and the separated electrode sheets (ESa, ESb) may move between the unwinder (111) and the rewinders (113a, 113b).

[0082] The first rotary encoder (121) may be configured to detect the amount of electrode sheet (ES1) unwound from the first electrode roll (ER1) by the unwinder (111). Accordingly, the first rotary encoder (121) may be configured to generate an input amount signal (UWAS) indicating the length of the electrode sheet (ES1) unwound by the unwinder (111) and the lengths of the electrode sheet (ESa, ESb) portions before separation contained in the electrode sheet (ES1). The first rotary encoder (121) may be configured to transmit the input amount signal (UWAS) to the roll map controller (141).

[0083] The second rotary encoders (123a, 123b) may be configured to detect the amount of separated electrode sheets (ESa, ESb) wound onto the second electrode rolls (ER2a, ER2b) by the rewinders (113a, 113b). Accordingly, the second rotary encoders (123a, 123b) may be configured to generate exhaustion signals (WASa, WASb) indicating the lengths of the separated electrode sheets (ESa, ESb) wound by the rewinders (113a, 113b). The second rotary encoders (123a, 123b) may be configured to transmit the exhaustion signals (WASa, WASb) to the roll map controller (141).

[0084] The roll map controller (141) may be configured to collect coordinate data (CDa) of the electrode sheet (ESa) and coordinate data (CDb) of the electrode sheet (ESb) based on the input amount signal (UWAS) of the electrode sheet (ES1) and / or the exhaustion amount signals (WASa, WASb) of the separated electrode sheets (ESa, ESb).

[0085] For example, the roll map controller (141) can determine the travel distance of the electrode sheets (ESa, ESb) based on the input amount signal (UWAS) of the electrode sheet (ES1). Accordingly, the roll map controller (141) can be configured to determine the position of the electrode sheets (ESa, ESb) being unwound by the unwinder (111) at each point in time when an event occurs in the part of the electrode sheets (ESa, ESb) before separation or in the electrode sheets (ESa, ESb) after separation.

[0086] As another example, the roll map controller (141) can determine the travel distance of the separated electrode sheets (ESa, ESb) based on the exhaustion signals (WASa, WASb) of the separated electrode sheets (ESa, ESb). Accordingly, the roll map controller (141) can be configured to determine the position of the electrode sheets (ESa, ESb) being unwound by the rewinder (111) at each point in time when an event occurs in the part of the electrode sheets before separation or in the electrode sheets (ESa, ESb) after separation. As another example, the roll map controller (141) may determine the travel distance of the electrode sheets (ESa, ESb) based on the exhaustion signals (WASa, WASb) and the input signal (UWAS), respectively.

[0087] Hereinafter, the technical concept of the present invention is explained with reference to an embodiment in which coordinate data (CDa, CDb) are collected based on exhaustion signals (WASa, WASb) of a roll map controller as a non-limiting example.

[0088] The coordinate data (CDa, CDb) may include coordinate values ​​that correspond to each part of the electrode sheets (ESa, ESb). That is, each of any point on the separated electrode sheets (ESa, ESb) may be matched to a coordinate value. The coordinate value may be a one-dimensional quantity in the direction of travel of the separated electrode sheets (ESa, ESb), but is not limited thereto. The coordinate value may also be a two-dimensional quantity in the direction of travel (MD) and the transverse direction (TD) of the separated electrode sheets (ESa, ESb).

[0089] Width measuring devices (117a, 117b) may be configured to measure the width of each separated electrode sheet (ESa, ESb). Specifically, width measuring devices (117a, 117b) may be configured to measure the width of the electrode slurry coating portion of each separated electrode sheet (ESa, ESb). Each width measuring device (117a, 117b) may measure the width of each electrode sheet (ESa, ESb) by scanning. In some embodiments, each width measuring device (117a, 117b) may move along the width direction of each electrode sheet (ESa, ESb).

[0090] The width measuring device (117a) of the electrode sheet (ESa) may include a sensing unit (117aS) and a processing unit (117aP). The sensing unit (117aS) and the processing unit (117aP) may be connected via a wired or wireless connection.

[0091] The above sensing unit (117aS) can generate a width measurement signal (WMSa) of the electrode sheet (CESa).

[0092] For example, the sensing unit (117aS) may include an imaging device such as a TDI (Time Delay and Integration) camera or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor. The sensing unit (117aS) may be configured to transmit a width measurement signal (WMSa) to the processing unit (117aP).

[0093] The width measuring device (117b) of the electrode sheet (ESb) may include a sensing unit (117bS) and a processing unit (117bP). The sensing unit (117bS) and the processing unit (117bP) may be connected via wired or wireless connection. The sensing unit (117bS) may generate a width measurement signal (WMSb) of the electrode sheet (ESb). The sensing unit (117bS) may be configured to transmit the width measurement signal (WMSb) to the processing unit (117bP).

[0094] The sensing units (117aS, 117bS) can measure the width of each electrode sheet (ESa, ESb) multiple times at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction. For example, the sensing units (117aS, 117bS) can measure the width of each electrode sheet (ESa, ESb) at intervals of 10m, 20m, or 30m. However, the measurement intervals are not limited thereto. As the number of width measurements increases, the reliability of the representative width value for the corresponding electrode sheet can be increased.

[0095] The processing unit (117aP) may be configured to collect a width measurement signal (WMSa) generated by the sensing unit (117aS) to generate width data. The processing unit (117aP) may be configured to collect coordinate-associated width data (CWDa) based on the width measurement signal (WMSa) and coordinate data (CDa). The processing unit (117aP) may be configured to transmit the coordinate-associated width data (CWDa) for the electrode sheet (ESa) to the roll map controller (141).

[0096] The processing unit (117bP) may be configured to collect a width measurement signal (WMSb) generated by the sensing unit (117bS) to generate width data. The processing unit (117bP) may be configured to collect coordinate-associated width data (CWDb) based on the width measurement signal (WMSb) and coordinate data (CDb). The processing unit (117bP) may be configured to transmit the coordinate-associated width data (CWDb) for the electrode sheet (ESb) to the roll map controller (141).

[0097] Depending on the slitting process, the width of each electrode sheet (ESa, ESb) (especially the width of the coating portion) may not be slit uniformly. Therefore, it may be desirable to measure the width of the electrode sheets (ESa, ESb) after slitting. In this case, a plurality of width measuring devices corresponding to the number of separated electrode sheets may be required.

[0098] Multiple thickness gauges may be required to measure the thickness of each electrode sheet (ESa, ESb) after slitting. The thickness of each electrode sheet is almost the same before and after slitting. Therefore, it is not necessary to measure the thickness of the electrode sheets after slitting, but can be done before slitting. In this case, since only one electrode sheet containing multiple electrode sheet portions (electrode lanes) moves, a single thickness gauge can be moved in a scanning manner to measure the thickness of each electrode sheet portion included in the single electrode sheet.

[0099] The thickness measuring device (118) may be configured to measure the thickness of each electrode sheet portion (each electrode lane) included in a single electrode sheet that has been unwound. Specifically, the thickness measuring device (118) may be configured to measure the total thickness of the electrode sheet by adding the thickness of the coating portion of each electrode lane and the thickness of the electrode current collector below it. In the case of a single-sided coating electrode sheet, the thickness of the coating portion on one side and the thickness of the current collector may be measured. In the case of a double-sided coating electrode sheet, the thickness of the coating portion on both sides and the thickness of the current collector may be measured.

[0100] It is desirable that the thickness measurement of the electrode sheet be performed non-contactually to ensure continuous operation without stopping the production line. For example, ultrasonic sensors, displacement sensors, laser sensors, confocal thickness sensors, etc., can be applied as non-contact thickness measuring instruments. Confocal thickness sensors can calculate the distance (thickness) by analyzing the wavelength of reflected light.

[0101] The thickness measuring device (118) can measure the thickness of each electrode lane by scanning.

[0102] The thickness measuring device (118) may include a sensing unit (118S) and a processing unit (118P). The sensing unit (118S) and the processing unit (118P) may be connected via a wired or wireless connection.

[0103] The above sensing unit (118S) can generate a thickness measurement signal (TMS) for each electrode lane.

[0104] The sensing unit (118S) can be configured to transmit a thickness measurement signal (TMS) to the processing unit (118P).

[0105] The sensing unit (118S) can measure the thickness of each electrode lane multiple times at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction. For example, the sensing unit (118) can measure the thickness of each electrode lane at intervals of 10m, 20m, or 30m, but the measurement intervals are not limited thereto. As the number of thickness measurements increases, the reliability of the representative thickness value for the corresponding electrode sheet portion can be increased.

[0106] The processing unit (118P) may be configured to collect a thickness measurement signal (TMS) generated by the sensing unit (118S) to generate thickness data. The processing unit (118P) may be configured to collect coordinate-associated thickness data (CTDa, CTDb) based on the thickness measurement signal (TMS) and coordinate data (CDa, CDb). The processing unit (118P) may be configured to transmit the coordinate-associated thickness data (CTDa, CTDb) for each electrode sheet (CESa, CESb) to the roll map controller (141).

[0107]

[0108] Figure 3 shows an example of multiple width and thickness data of an electrode sheet measured at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of the electrode sheet.

[0109] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, it is shown that multiple width and thickness data were acquired at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of multiple separated electrode sheets (ESa, ESb). The width of the electrode sheets was measured eight times at intervals of 30 m to acquire width measurements W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, W6, W7, and W8. The thickness of the electrode sheets was measured eight times at intervals of 10 m to acquire width measurements T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, and T8. What is disclosed in FIG. 3 is merely an example, and the number of measurements and the measurement intervals for width and / or thickness are not limited thereto.

[0110] The roll map controller (141) may be in operative communication with the first and second rotary encoders (111, 113a, 113b), width measuring device (117a, 117b), and thickness measuring device (118) via a wired or wireless data network.

[0111] The roll map controller (141) can be configured to transmit coordinate data to the processing unit of the width measuring device and the thickness measuring device.

[0112] Coordinate-associated width data and / or thickness data transmitted to the roll map controller (141) may be transmitted to the server (160) via the process controller (143). Alternatively, coordinate-associated width data and / or thickness data may be transmitted from the process controller (143) to the server (160) via the EIF (150) (see FIG. 1).

[0113]

[0114] According to the present embodiment, a representative value of the width and / or a representative value of the thickness of each electrode sheet can be derived from a plurality of width data and / or a plurality of thickness data.

[0115] In order to select a pair of electrode sheets with different polarities for application in the bonding process, it is first necessary to determine the dimensions of each electrode sheet. Conventionally, an operator manually unwound the electrode sheet from each electrode roll and measured the width and thickness of each electrode sheet by performing a sample inspection on only a portion of the outermost part of the electrode sheet. Consequently, the labor required to select electrode sheets suitable for bonding increased, and deviations due to manual inspection were inevitable. Furthermore, since only a portion of the electrode sheet was sample-inspected, it was not possible to accurately determine the dimensions of the electrode sheet wound inside the electrode roll. When selecting a pair of electrode sheets with different polarities based on width and thickness data measured through such sample inspection, the defects in the electrode assembly manufactured during the bonding process increased. For example, even when bonding an anode sheet and a cathode sheet having widths within a set range, deviations in width can cause meandering defects when a relatively wide anode sheet and a relatively narrow cathode sheet are fed into the winding process.

[0116] As such, conventionally, not only was the reliability of the representativeness of data regarding width and thickness dimensions low, but there were also no criteria for selecting and matching which electrodes to use in the bonding process.

[0117] This embodiment not only improves data reliability by acquiring representative values ​​regarding the width and thickness of the electrode sheet, but also reduces defects in the bonding process by establishing electrode matching criteria. Furthermore, productivity can be significantly improved by automating these representative value acquisition and electrode matching processes.

[0118] The above roll map controller (141) can derive a representative width value (Rwa, Rwb) and / or a representative thickness value (Rta, Rtb) from a plurality of width data and / or a plurality of thickness data collected from a width measuring device (117a, 117b) and / or a thickness measuring device (118).

[0119] For example, the roll map controller (141) may use one selected from the group of average, standard deviation, maximum value, minimum value, median value, and quartile of multiple width data obtained by measuring multiple times along the length direction of each electrode sheet (ESa, ESb) as the width representative value.

[0120] Alternatively, the roll map controller (141) may use one selected from the group of the average, standard deviation, maximum value, minimum value, median value, and quartile of multiple thickness data obtained by measuring multiple times along the longitudinal direction of each electrode sheet (ESa, ESb) as the representative thickness value.

[0121] In order to obtain a representative width value (Rwa, Rwb) or a representative thickness value (Rta, Rtb), the roll map controller (141) may include a calculation unit or a calculation unit. The calculation unit may statistically calculate the width data and / or thickness data of each electrode sheet to derive a representative value.

[0122] For example, when multiple width data or multiple thickness data are used as a sample group, the average may be the sum of all data values ​​divided by the number of data.

[0123] Standard deviation is the square root of variance. Variance is the sum of the squares of the deviations, which are the differences between each data value and the mean, divided by the number of data points.

[0124] The median is the value in the middle when data from a sample group is arranged from smallest to largest. The maximum and minimum values ​​refer to the largest and smallest values ​​among multiple data points.

[0125] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the concept of quartiles as statistical representative values.

[0126] Quartiles are values ​​obtained by dividing the data of a sample group into four equal parts.

[0127] The first quartile (Q1) is the value where 25% of the data is less than or equal to this value, and it is also called the lower quartile.

[0128] The second quartile (Q2) is the value where 50% of the data is less than or equal to this value, and it is also called the median.

[0129] The third quartile (Q3) is the value where 75% of the data is less than or equal to this value, and it is also called the upper quartile.

[0130] If the width of the coating portion of the anode sheet is greater than the width of the coating portion of the cathode sheet, lithium precipitation may occur on the exposed anode portion. Alternatively, even if the width of the coating portion of the anode sheet is not greater than the width of the coating portion of the cathode sheet, if the difference is not significant, the placement tolerance is small when the anode sheet and the cathode sheet are combined, and a meandering defect may occur in the electrode assembly.

[0131] Therefore, to reduce the occurrence rate of meandering defects, it is necessary to take a conservative approach when selecting representative width values ​​for the anode and cathode sheets.

[0132] In other words, since large values ​​are important for the width data of the anode sheet, the upper quartile among multiple width data can be used as the representative width value. Since small values ​​are important for the width data of the cathode sheet, the lower quartile among multiple width data can be used as the representative width value.

[0133] In the case of double-sided coating electrode sheets, the representative width value of the coating data on the upper surface may differ from the representative width value of the coating data on the lower surface. Even in this case, to reduce the occurrence of meandering, it is necessary to take a conservative approach when selecting the representative width values ​​for the anode and cathode sheets. That is, for the anode sheet, the larger value between the representative width value of the upper surface and the representative width value of the lower surface can be set as the representative width value of the anode sheet. Conversely, for the cathode sheet, the smaller value between the representative width value of the upper surface and the representative width value of the lower surface can be set as the representative width value of the anode sheet.

[0134] Meanwhile, in the case of thickness data, a representative median can be used as the representative value. For example, the median of multiple thickness data of each anode sheet can be used as the representative thickness value (Rta, Rtb) of each anode sheet. Additionally, the median of multiple thickness data of each cathode sheet can be used as the representative thickness value (Rta, Rtb) of each cathode sheet.

[0135] The roll map controller (141) can calculate the width representative value or thickness representative value (Rta, Rtb) of each anode sheet or cathode sheet of a plurality of anode sheets according to the statistical criteria described above.

[0136]

[0137] Figure 5 shows an example of a width grade assigned to a set electrode width sub-range and a thickness grade assigned to a set electrode thickness sub-range.

[0138] The roll map controller (141) can determine the width grade (Gwa, Gwb) and / or thickness grade (Gta, Gtb) of each electrode sheet according to the calculated width representative values ​​(Rwa, Rwb) and / or thickness representative values ​​(Rta, Rtb).

[0139] For grade determination, a set electrode width sub-range and / or a set electrode thickness sub-range may be input or stored in the roll map controller (141). Information regarding the sub-range may be received from the server (160) as part of electrode specification information or manufacturing recipe information (MRI).

[0140] The roll map controller (141) may include a judgment unit or a judgment device for determining the grade.

[0141] The roll map controller (141) may be a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). A PLC is a special type of microprocessor-based controller that uses programmable memory to store commands and implements functions such as logic, sequencing, timing, counting, and arithmetic to control machines and processes. PLCs are easy to operate and program.

[0142] The roll map controller (141) may include a power supply, a CPU, an input interface, an output interface, a communication interface, and memory devices. The memory devices may include Read Only Memory (ROM) configured to store system programs such as an operating system, and Random Access Memory (RAM) configured to store data such as user programs, status information of input and output devices, timers, counters, and values ​​of other internal devices. The CPU may be configured to control communication between modules that implement logic and convert input signals into output operation signals. The CPU may operate based on system programs and user programs stored in the memory devices. The CPU may be configured to write or read inspection data and measurement data to the data areas of the memory devices based on system programs and user programs. Conditions or data of industrial devices and production processes may be transmitted to the CPU through the input module. Results processed by the CPU may be transmitted externally through the output module. The communication interface may be configured to relay the transmission and reception of data between the roll map controller (141) and an external device.

[0143] However, it is not limited to this, and the roll map controller (141) may include any one of a simple controller, a complex processor such as a microprocessor, CPU, GPU, etc., a processor configured by software, dedicated hardware, and firmware.

[0144] The roll map controller (141) can determine the width grade (Gwa, Gwb) assigned to the corresponding sub-range as the width grade (Gwa, Gwb) of the electrode sheet when the representative width value (Rwa, Rwb) of the electrode sheet belongs to any one of the multiple set electrode width sub-ranges.

[0145] Referring to FIG. 5, the range of coating widths set for a specific electrode sheet can be divided into three sub-ranges according to size, and for each sub-range, an H grade (maximum electrode width sub-range), an M grade, and an L grade (minimum electrode width sub-range) are assigned. The roll map controller (141) can determine the grade of the corresponding sub-range as the width grade (Gwa, Gwb) of the electrode sheet when the derived width representative value (Rwa, Rwb) of the electrode sheet (e.g., upper quartile for an anode sheet, lower quartile for a cathode sheet) falls into one of the sub-ranges, specifically when the width representative value falls between the upper and lower limits of each sub-range.

[0146] The roll map controller (141) can determine the thickness grade (Gta, Gtb) assigned to a corresponding sub-range as the thickness grade (Gta, Gtb) of the electrode sheet when the representative thickness value (Rta, Rtb) of the electrode sheet belongs to any one of the multiple set electrode thickness sub-ranges. Referring to FIG. 5, the range of coating thickness set for a specific electrode sheet can be divided into three sub-ranges according to size, and an H grade (maximum electrode thickness sub-range), an M grade, and an L grade (minimum electrode thickness sub-range) are assigned to each sub-range. The roll map controller (141) can determine the grade of the corresponding sub-range as the thickness grade (Gta, Gtb) of the electrode sheet when the derived representative thickness value of the electrode sheet (e.g., the median of the thickness data of the anode sheet, the median of the thickness data of the cathode sheet) belongs to one of the sub-ranges. Information regarding the grade of each determined electrode sheet can be transmitted to the server (160) via the process controller (143) and the relay server (150).

[0147] The process controller (143) and the relay server (e.g., EIF (150)) can relay the communication of data including inspection and / or measurement data between the server (160) and the roll map controller (141). However, this is not limited thereto, and the roll map controller (141) may also directly transmit coordinate-associated inspection and / or measurement data (e.g., width data and / or thickness data) to the server (160).

[0148] A process controller (143) may be configured to control the operation of an unwinder (111), a rewinder (113a, 113b), and a slitting knife (115). The process controller (143) may be configured to generate signals for the operation and cessation of the unwinder (111), the rewinder (113a, 113b), and the slitting knife (115). The signals may be generated based on a body containing details of a product ID and a manufacturing recipe.

[0149] For process control, a communication line connecting the process controller (143) and the server (160) via the EIF (150) may be installed. Accordingly, data transmission through the process controller (143) can reduce the resources required for the installation of the communication line and can streamline data processing and management compared to cases where the first and second rotary encoders (121, 123) and measuring instruments directly transmit unwinding signal (UWAS), winding signal (WASa, WASb), and inspection and / or measurement signal to the server (160), and cases where the roll map controller (141) directly transmits related data to the server (160).

[0150] The EIF (150) may be a device for communication between process controllers of a manufacturing facility and a server (160). Process controllers such as a coating process, a roll pressing process, and a slitting process may communicate with the server (160) through the EIF (150).

[0151] In addition, the process controller of the combinator or combination device can also communicate with the server (160) through the EIF (150).

[0152] Accordingly, data of process events occurring in the coating process, roll pressing process, slitting process and joining process can be transmitted to the server (160).

[0153] The server (160) may be configured to generate a roll map containing data of process events. The data of the roll map may include a value representing a process event and a coordinate value matched with said value. The coordinate value may represent a position on the electrode (sheet). Accordingly, the roll map enables the feedback, feedforward, and battery manufacturing process tracking described below.

[0154] Roll maps can be generated on a lot basis. A lot is a production unit of a roll-to-roll process, and an electrode roll loaded into an unwinder of each process is an example of a lot. The server (160) can generate and store roll maps for each process (e.g., a coating process, a roll pressing process, or a slitting process).

[0155] Time-series data configured over time (i.e., according to the progress of the process) in a roll map can be associated with coordinate data collected based on the amount of movement of the electrode sheet (i.e., either the amount consumed or the amount added).

[0156] Battery manufacturing involves a series of distinct processes, and the leading process influences the following process. In this context, if the time-series data of the leading process does not directly match real-world workpieces, intermediate products, or finished products, it is difficult to incorporate that data into the following process. Hereinafter, the correction of the following process based on data generated from the results of the leading process is referred to as "feed-forward."

[0157] Here, the workpiece refers to an article provided as the result of each process, such as an electrode sheet on which a coating process, a roll pressing process, and a slitting process have been performed. The intermediate product may refer to one of cut separators, electrodes, and assemblies thereof. The intermediate product may also be a structure comprising a housing and an electrode assembly embedded in the housing (in some cases, said structure further comprises an electrolyte). The product refers to an article processed to be operable as a battery through an activation process. The definitions of the workpiece, intermediate product, and product described above pertain to one aspect thereof and do not exclude the conventional definitions thereof.

[0158] Process events are generally time-series data because they occur as the process progresses. Accordingly, the data of process events may include a value representing the event and a time value matched thereto. Thus, the data of process events may be time-series data.

[0159] For feedforward, time-series data needs to be associated with the positions of real-world workpieces, parts, semi-finished products, and finished products. Here, feedforward may involve controlling the processing of electrode sheets based on a roll map generated in a previous process. The roll map can associate the time-series data with coordinate data containing coordinate values ​​representing the positions of real-world workpieces, parts, semi-finished products, and finished products. Based on the coordinate data, the roll map can provide a matching between the time-series data and real-world workpieces, parts, semi-finished products, and finished products. Accordingly, the generation of the roll map and the feedforward based on the roll map can improve productivity and quality by quantifying and objectifying phases of the process that previously depended on the operator's discretion.

[0160] In addition, the roll map of a preceding lot may be used to improve the process for a subsequent lot, and this action may be referred to as process feedback. Process feedback using a roll map may include identifying process conditions and process parameters that caused problems and defects based on the data contained in the roll map.

[0161] Furthermore, the roll map is generated cumulatively for the workpieces, parts, semi-finished products, and finished products of the unit processes, thereby enabling the tracking of the process history for shipped products (e.g., battery cells, battery modules, or battery packs). For example, a battery cell may include a cell ID formed on an electrode assembly or case. The cell ID may include lot number and coordinate information of the electrodes and separator included in the battery cell. In other words, the cell ID may be associated with the roll map of the electrodes and separator included in the battery cell. Accordingly, if an event such as a quality issue occurs in a battery cell that has already been shipped, the historical data of the manufacturing of the battery cell can be retrieved based on the cell ID.

[0162] According to exemplary embodiments, the server (160) may be a data processing system that supports all activities necessary to manage the manufacturing of batteries, such as work schedule management, work instructions, quality control, and work performance aggregation. The server (160) may be, for example, a Manufacturing Execution System (MES). The server (160) may be configured to perform input, processing, output, and communication of data necessary for electrode manufacturing, such as coating processes, press processes, and manufacturing processes.

[0163] According to other exemplary embodiments, the server (160) may be configured to store and process raw measurement data. The server (160) can manage the quality of electrode sheet processing by continuously monitoring the processing of the electrode sheet based on the measurement data. According to exemplary embodiments, the server (160) may be a Statistical Process Controller (SPC). By collecting and analyzing manufacturing data in near real-time, the server (160) can identify problem conditions in a timely manner and provide an alarm to the operator before potential problems occur.

[0164] According to other exemplary embodiments, the server (160) may be, for example, a data warehouse and may store roll maps for a long period based on the product's warranty period, etc.

[0165] According to other exemplary embodiments, the server (160) may perform all functions of the MES, SPC, and data warehouse, or may be provided separately from the MES, SPC, and data warehouse for creating a role map.

[0166] The separated electrode sheets (ESa, ESb) can each be wound in a rewinder (113a, 113b) and completed into a second electrode roll (ER2a, ER2b) to be fed into a bonding process.

[0167] The operator can retrieve information related to each completed electrode roll from the server. The operator can retrieve the width representative value, thickness representative value, and grade information stored in the server (160). Specifically, by searching for the lot number or completion date of the electrode roll, the electrode lane number, width representative value, width grade, thickness representative value, and thickness grade of the electrode roll can be verified. These grade information can be attached to each completed electrode roll.

[0168] Figure 6 shows an example of a grade indicator label attached to an electrode roll.

[0169] The completed second electrode rolls (ER2a, ER2b) can each constitute a lot of the corresponding electrode sheet. A label containing identification information regarding the corresponding lot may be attached to each electrode roll.

[0170] The width grade and / or thickness grade may be indicated on the finished second electrode rolls (ER2a, ER2b). Information regarding the grade may be written on a grade indicator label and attached to the electrode roll. Alternatively, information regarding the grade may be additionally indicated on a label containing lot identification information. In any case, such labels serve as grade indicator labels.

[0171] Referring to FIG. 6, grade information is indicated along with the date and time the electrode roll was completed and lot identification information. The width (W) is indicated as Grade H, and the thickness (T) is indicated as Grade M. However, the grade information is not limited to this and may be indicated using other electronic codes, symbols, numbers, etc., such as barcodes or QR codes.

[0172] The operator can check dimensional information regarding the corresponding electrode roll from the grade indicator label. Based on this dimensional information, a pair of electrode sheets to be fed into the assembly process can be selected. Alternatively, a transport means (e.g., an automated guided vehicle (AGV)) transporting the electrode rolls to the assembly process can check the grade information and select a pair of electrode rolls (electrode sheets) to be fed into the input process. In this case, the automated guided vehicle can refer to electrode matching criteria stored in a server (160), etc.

[0173] Figure 7 shows an example of matching an anode sheet and a cathode sheet.

[0174] Grade information determined by a grade determination device (roll map controller (141) or a determination device equipped by the roll map controller (141)) can be stored in a server (160). The server (160) can store electrode matching criteria that can minimize defects in the electrode assembly. Accordingly, the server (160) can perform the role of a matching device that selects and matches pairs of electrode sheets to be combined in the bonding process. Alternatively, if the unmanned transport vehicle refers to the electrode matching criteria of the server (160) or refers to the electrode matching criteria stored in a memory device, etc., equipped in the unmanned transport vehicle to actually select an electrode roll to be fed into the bonding process, it may be considered as an unmanned transport vehicle roll matching device. The memory device of the unmanned transport vehicle can periodically download information regarding the electrode matching criteria from the server.

[0175] Referring to FIG. 7, electrode matching criteria (allowable width matching criteria and allowable thickness matching criteria for anode and cathode) are disclosed. Referring to FIG. 7(a), in order to prevent misalignment of the electrode assembly, it is necessary to select a pair of anode sheets and cathode sheets such that an anode sheet having a width grade (Grade H) of the maximum anode width sub-range and a cathode sheet having a width grade (Grade L) of the minimum cathode width sub-range are not matched. Since the anode width grade is determined based on the upper quartile of the anode width data, the relative width of the anode sheet with Grade H may be relatively large relative to the cathode sheet. On the other hand, since the cathode width grade is determined based on the lower quartile of the cathode width data, the relative width of the cathode sheet with Grade L may be relatively small relative to the anode sheet. Therefore, electrode matching criteria can be established such that the matching of an anode sheet with a width of Grade H and a cathode sheet with a width of Grade L is considered defective (×) and is not allowed.

[0176] Other matching of cathode sheet width grades and anode sheet width grades can be considered normal in principle. Meanwhile, based on the above grade information, the quality of the combined battery semi-finished product (e.g., electrode assembly) or battery product can also be predicted.

[0177] For example, when the cathode sheet width grade is relatively higher than the anode sheet width grade, the matching can be considered good (○).

[0178] For example, if the difference between the cathode sheet width grade and the anode sheet width grade is excessively large, or if the cathode sheet width grade is not relatively high compared to the anode sheet width grade, the matching can be considered intermediate (△). In this case, while the matching of the electrodes is acceptable, it can be predicted that the quality of the electrode assembly will not reach that of a good match.

[0179] Referring to FIG. 7(b), in order to prevent other defects in the electrode assembly, it is necessary to select a pair of positive and negative sheets such that a positive sheet having a width grade (Grade H) of the maximum positive thickness sub-range and a negative sheet having a width grade (Grade H) of the maximum negative width sub-range are not matched. When combining a pair of positive and negative sheets with large thickness to manufacture, for example, a jelly roll-shaped electrode assembly, an electrode assembly exceeding the set value may be produced. In this case, the battery cell containing the electrode assembly may experience increased swelling pressure during charging and discharging, and the load applied to the cell case of the battery cell may increase.

[0180] Therefore, electrode matching criteria can be established such that the matching of an anode sheet with an H-grade thickness and a cathode sheet with an H-grade thickness is considered defective (×) and is not allowed.

[0181] In principle, the matching of the cathode sheet thickness grade and the anode sheet thickness grade can be considered normal. Even in this case, the quality of the electrode assembly to be manufactured in the bonding process can be predicted by classifying the matching criteria into good (○) and intermediate (△) according to the cathode sheet thickness grade and the anode sheet thickness grade.

[0182] As shown in Fig. 7, the matching allowance criteria for width grades and thickness grades may differ.

[0183] According to the matching acceptance criteria of Fig. 7, electrode matching that is good (○) when considering both width grade and thickness grade may be recommended. However, matching of electrodes (sheets) that are defective (×) in at least one of the width grade and thickness grade sides may be excluded. Considering productivity, electrode matching that is intermediate (△) may be allowed.

[0184]

[0185] FIG. 8 shows a battery manufacturing system according to one embodiment.

[0186] The battery manufacturing system (20) may include a server (160), a positive electrode roll storage (200), a negative electrode roll storage (300), an unmanned transport vehicle (400), and a coupling device (500).

[0187] The above server (160) is the same as the server (160) shown in FIG. 1 and stores information regarding the representative value of the width of the electrode sheet, the representative value of the thickness, the width grade and the thickness grade, and the electrode matching criteria.

[0188] In the positive roll storage (200) and the negative roll storage (300), positive rolls and negative rolls completed through a slitting process, for example, may be stored. The positive roll may be a slit and separated positive sheet wound on top. The negative roll may be a slit and separated negative sheet wound on top. Alternatively, the positive roll or negative roll may be formed by winding a positive sheet or a negative sheet that has not undergone a slitting process according to the electrode specifications.

[0189] Each positive and negative roll may have a grade indicator label attached as shown in Fig. 6.

[0190] The unmanned transport vehicle (400) can move to the positive roll storage (200) and the negative roll storage (300) to transport the positive roll and the negative roll.

[0191] The unmanned transport vehicle (400) may be equipped with a scanner, a memory device, a computing device equipped with a communication interface, etc. Electrode matching criteria may be stored in the memory device of the unmanned transport vehicle (400). Alternatively, the unmanned transport vehicle (400) may download electrode matching criteria regarding the anode and cathode from the server (160). The unmanned transport vehicle (400) may periodically download information regarding electrode matching criteria from the server (160).

[0192] The unmanned transport vehicle (400) that has moved to each storage unit (200, 300) can recognize grade information on grade indicator labels attached to the positive and negative rolls. For example, the unmanned transport vehicle (400) can check the width grade and / or thickness grade of the positive roll or negative roll by scanning the barcode of the grade indicator label. The unmanned transport vehicle (400) can select a pair of electrode sheets to be combined in the bonding process according to the electrode matching criteria as shown in FIG. 7.

[0193] The unmanned transport vehicle (400) may not select positive and negative rolls that are at least defective (×) according to the electrode matching criteria. The unmanned transport vehicle (400) may select positive and negative rolls that are good (○) or intermediate (△). The unmanned transport vehicle may transport the positive and negative rolls selected in this way to the coupling device (500).

[0194] The coupling device (500) can form an anode and a cathode by cutting the anode sheet unwound from the anode roll and the cathode sheet unwound from the cathode roll, respectively, with a cutter, and then combine the anode and the cathode.

[0195] The above coupling device (500) may be a lamination device that combines an anode and a cathode by applying pressure through a separator.

[0196] The above coupling device (500) may be a ZZS (Zigzag stacking) coupling device or an AZS (Advanced zigzag stacking) coupling device that combines the positive and negative electrodes by stacking them in a zigzag shape between separators extending in a zigzag pattern.

[0197] The above coupling device (500) may be a winding coupling device that forms a jelly roll-shaped electrode assembly by winding an anode and a cathode through a separator.

[0198]

[0199] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a battery manufacturing method according to one embodiment.

[0200] Referring to FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 9, in step P10, the width and / or thickness of the electrode sheet can be measured multiple times along the longitudinal direction of the electrode sheet to obtain multiple width data and / or multiple thickness data.

[0201] The electrode sheet can be moved in a roll-to-roll state along its length between the unwinder and the rewinder. To this end, an electrode roll wound with the electrode sheet can be loaded into the unwinder.

[0202] The electrode sheet may be an electrode sheet separated by slitting from a single electrode sheet. The single electrode sheet may have a plurality of electrode lanes. By separating the single electrode sheet along the longitudinal direction, a plurality of electrode sheets of measurement targets corresponding to the plurality of electrode lanes can be obtained (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). However, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto and may include cases where width data and / or thickness data are acquired when an electrode sheet having a single electrode lane moves. That is, width data and thickness data can be acquired for each electrode sheet, whether it is separated into a plurality of electrode sheets through a slitting process or a single electrode sheet is moved in a roll-to-roll state.

[0203] The width and / or thickness of each electrode sheet can be measured at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction. The width measurement interval and the thickness measurement interval may be the same or different. In the case of a slitting process, the thickness of a plurality of electrode lanes can be measured first before slitting, and the width of the separated electrode sheets can be measured after slitting (see FIG. 1).

[0204] Width measuring instruments and thickness measuring instruments may be installed on electrode sheets to measure width and thickness. In the slitting process, a number of width measuring instruments or thickness measuring instruments corresponding to the number of separated electrode sheets may be installed on multiple separated electrode sheets.

[0205] In step P20, a representative width value and / or representative thickness value of each electrode sheet can be derived from the plurality of width data and / or plurality of thickness data. The representative width value or representative thickness value may be one selected from the group of the mean, standard deviation, maximum value, minimum value, median, and quartile of the plurality of width data or plurality of thickness data. The criteria for selecting the representative width values ​​of the anode sheet and the cathode sheet may be different. For example, the representative width value of the anode sheet may be the upper quartile of the plurality of width data. The representative width value of the cathode sheet may be the lower quartile of the plurality of width data.

[0206] The criteria for selecting the representative thickness values ​​of the anode sheet and the cathode sheet may be the same. For example, the representative thickness value of the anode sheet may be the median of multiple thickness data.

[0207] A battery manufacturing system may be equipped with a calculator for calculating a representative width value or a representative thickness value. As shown in FIG. 1, a roll map controller (141) for creating a roll map may be the calculator. Alternatively, the roll map controller (141) may include the calculator. Width data and thickness data measured from a width measuring device or a thickness measuring device may be transmitted to the roll map controller (141). In this case, the data may be associated with the position (coordinates) of the electrode sheet at the time when the data was acquired.

[0208] However, if each processing unit (117aP, 117bp, 118P) of the width measuring device (117a, 117b) or thickness measuring device (118) is equipped with a predetermined calculation unit or calculation unit, a representative width value or a representative thickness value can be calculated. In this case, the processing unit can transmit the representative width value or the representative thickness value to the roll map controller (141).

[0209] In step P30, the width grade and / or thickness grade of each electrode sheet can be determined according to the above width representative value and / or thickness representative value.

[0210] For grade determination, multiple set electrode width sub-ranges or multiple set electrode thickness sub-ranges can be determined for width or thickness. Additionally, a width grade or thickness grade can be assigned to each of the above sub-ranges.

[0211] The above sub-ranges, assigned width grades, or thickness grades may be determined according to the specification information of the corresponding electrode sheet. The roll map controller (141) may receive information regarding the sub-ranges and assigned grades as part of the electrode specification information or manufacturing recipe information (MRI) from the server (160).

[0212] A grade determination device (e.g., a roll map controller (141)) can determine the width grade assigned to a corresponding sub-range as the width grade of the electrode sheet when the representative value of the width of the electrode sheet belongs to any one of a plurality of set electrode width sub-ranges.

[0213] Additionally, when the representative thickness value of the electrode sheet falls into any one of the multiple set electrode thickness sub-ranges, the thickness grade assigned to that sub-range can be determined as the width grade of the electrode sheet. The grade determination device can transmit the determined grade information to the server (160) along with information regarding the width / thickness representative values.

[0214] In step P40, based on the width grade and / or thickness grade, a pair of electrode sheets with different polarities to be combined with each other can be selected from a plurality of electrode sheets.

[0215] Referring to FIG. 1, the server (160) can perform the function of a matcher that selects and matches pairs of electrode sheets. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, a transport means (e.g., an unmanned transport vehicle (400)) that transports electrode rolls can actually perform the role of a matcher.

[0216] The matching device can select pairs of electrode sheets according to predetermined electrode matching criteria. The matching device can select pairs of electrode sheets so that no defects occur during the bonding process. For example, the matching device can select pairs of anode sheets and cathode sheets such that an anode sheet having a width grade of the maximum anode width sub-range and a cathode sheet having a width grade of the minimum cathode width sub-range are not matched.

[0217] For example, the matching device can select a pair of anode sheets and cathode sheets such that an anode sheet having a thickness grade of the maximum anode thickness sub-range and a cathode sheet having a thickness grade of the maximum cathode thickness sub-range are not matched.

[0218] The above representative value or grade information may be displayed on an electrode roll to be fed into the bonding process. The electrode roll may be one on which each electrode sheet separated by slitting in FIG. 1 is wound. Or it may be one on which individual single electrode sheets that have not undergone the slitting process are wound.

[0219] The electrode roll may be provided with a grade indicator label. The grade indicator label may indicate the width grade and / or thickness grade of the corresponding electrode sheet.

[0220] The above width grade may be assigned based on a representative width value derived from multiple electrode width data measured along the longitudinal direction of the electrode sheet.

[0221] The above thickness grade may be assigned based on a representative thickness value derived from multiple electrode thickness data measured along the longitudinal direction of the electrode sheet.

[0222] In step P50, pairs of electrode sheets with different polarities selected based on the width and / or thickness grades can be selected and combined. Rolls of the electrode sheets (electrode rolls) selected according to a predetermined electrode matching standard can be fed into the combining process by a transport means such as an unmanned transport vehicle. In the combining process, each electrode sheet can be cut by a predetermined combining device to form an anode and a cathode. The anode and cathode can be combined via a separator. The combining device may be, for example, a lamination device, a ZZS combining device, an AZS combining device, or a winding combining device.

[0223]

[0224] The present invention has been described in more detail above through drawings and embodiments. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments described in this specification are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all technical concepts of the present invention; therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0225]

[0226] (Explanation of symbols)

[0227] 10,20: Battery manufacturing system

[0228] 111: Unwinder

[0229] 113a,113b: Rewinder

[0230] 121: 1st Rotary Encoder

[0231] 123a, 123b: Second rotary encoder

[0232] 115: Slitting knife

[0233] 116: Guide Roll

[0234] 117a, 117b: Width measuring instrument

[0235] 118: Thickness gauge

[0236] ES1: Electrode sheet

[0237] ESa,ESb: Separated electrode sheets

[0238] 141: LoL Map Controller

[0239] 143: Process Controller

[0240] 150: Relay server

[0241] 160: Server

[0242] 200: Anode Roll Storage

[0243] 300: Cathode Roll Storage

[0244] 400: Automated transport vehicle

[0245] 500: Coupling device

Claims

1. At least one measuring instrument among a width measuring instrument and a thickness measuring instrument that measures at least one of the width and thickness of each electrode sheet multiple times along the longitudinal direction of a plurality of electrode sheets to acquire at least one of a plurality of width data and a plurality of thickness data; A grade determiningr that derives at least one of a width representative value and a thickness representative value of each electrode sheet from at least one of the plurality of width data and the plurality of thickness data, and determines at least one of a width grade and a thickness grade of each electrode sheet according to at least one of the width representative value and the thickness representative value; and A battery manufacturing system comprising a matching device that selects and matches pairs of electrode sheets with different polarities to be combined from a plurality of electrode sheets based on at least one of the width grade and thickness grade above.

2. In Paragraph 1, A battery manufacturing system that uses one selected from a group of averages, standard deviations, maximum values, minimum values, medians, and quartiles of multiple width data or multiple thickness data as a representative width value or a representative thickness value.

3. In Paragraph 2, The upper quartile of multiple width data of each anode sheet is used as the representative width value of each anode sheet, and A battery manufacturing system that uses the lower quartile of multiple width data of each cathode sheet as the representative width value of each cathode sheet.

4. In Paragraph 2, The median of multiple thickness data of each anode sheet is used as the representative thickness value of each anode sheet, and A battery manufacturing system that uses the median of multiple thickness data of each cathode sheet as the representative thickness value of each cathode sheet.

5. In Paragraph 1, The above grade determiner is, When the representative width value of the electrode sheet falls into any one of the multiple set electrode width sub-ranges, the width grade assigned to that sub-range is determined as the width grade of the electrode sheet, or A battery manufacturing system that determines the thickness grade assigned to a corresponding sub-range as the width grade of the electrode sheet when the representative thickness value of the electrode sheet falls into any one of a plurality of set electrode thickness sub-ranges.

6. In Paragraph 5, The above matching device is, Select a pair of anode sheets and cathode sheets so that an anode sheet having a width class of the maximum anode width subrange and a cathode sheet having a width class of the minimum cathode width subrange are not matched, or A battery manufacturing system for selecting a pair of positive and negative sheets such that a positive sheet having a thickness grade of a maximum positive thickness sub-range and a negative sheet having a thickness grade of a maximum negative thickness sub-range are not matched.

7. In Paragraph 1, A single electrode sheet having a plurality of electrode lanes is separated along the longitudinal direction to obtain the plurality of electrode sheets corresponding to the plurality of electrode lanes, and It further includes a slitting knife configured to separate the above-mentioned single electrode sheet along the longitudinal direction to form the above-mentioned plurality of electrode sheets, The above width data is obtained after the one electrode sheet is separated into a plurality of electrode sheets, and The above thickness data is obtained in a battery manufacturing system before the one electrode sheet is separated into a plurality of electrode sheets.

8. A step of obtaining at least one of a plurality of width data and a plurality of thickness data by measuring at least one of each electrode sheet multiple times along the longitudinal direction of a plurality of electrode sheets; A step of deriving at least one of a representative width value and a representative thickness value of each electrode sheet from at least one of the plurality of width data and the plurality of thickness data; A step of determining at least one of the width grade and thickness grade of each electrode sheet according to at least one of the above-mentioned width representative value and thickness representative value; and A battery manufacturing method comprising the step of selecting a pair of electrode sheets with different polarities to be combined from a plurality of electrode sheets based on at least one of the width grade and thickness grade.

9. In Paragraph 8, A battery manufacturing method in which the above width representative value or thickness representative value is one selected from the group of average, standard deviation, maximum value, minimum value, median, and quartile of a plurality of width data or a plurality of thickness data.

10. In Paragraph 9, The upper quartile of multiple width data of each anode sheet is used as the representative width value of each anode sheet, and A battery manufacturing method in which the lower quartile of multiple width data of each cathode sheet is used as the representative width value of each cathode sheet.

11. In Paragraph 9, The median of multiple thickness data of each anode sheet is used as the representative thickness value of each anode sheet, and A battery manufacturing method in which the median of multiple thickness data of each cathode sheet is used as the representative thickness value of each cathode sheet.

12. In Paragraph 8, When the representative width value of the electrode sheet falls into any one of the multiple set electrode width sub-ranges, the width grade assigned to that sub-range is determined as the width grade of the electrode sheet, or A battery manufacturing method in which, when a representative value of the thickness of the electrode sheet falls into any one of a plurality of set electrode thickness sub-ranges, the thickness grade assigned to the corresponding sub-range is determined as the width grade of the electrode sheet.

13. In Paragraph 12, Select a pair of anode sheets and cathode sheets so that an anode sheet having a width class of the maximum anode width subrange and a cathode sheet having a width class of the minimum cathode width subrange are not matched, or A battery manufacturing method for selecting a pair of positive and negative sheets such that a positive sheet having a thickness grade of a maximum positive thickness sub-range and a negative sheet having a thickness grade of a maximum negative thickness sub-range are not matched.

14. In Paragraph 8, A single electrode sheet having a plurality of electrode lanes is separated along the longitudinal direction to obtain the plurality of electrode sheets corresponding to the plurality of electrode lanes, and The above width data is obtained after the one electrode sheet is separated into a plurality of electrode sheets, and The above thickness data is obtained before the one electrode sheet is separated into a plurality of electrode sheets in a battery manufacturing method.

15. Width grade of an electrode sheet assigned according to a representative width value derived from multiple electrode width data measured along the longitudinal direction of the electrode sheet and A grade indicator label having at least one grade among the thickness grades of an electrode sheet assigned according to a representative thickness value derived from a plurality of electrode thickness data measured along the longitudinal direction of the electrode sheet, The electrode roll on which the above electrode sheet is wound.

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