Secondary Battery Appearance Inspection Using Rotated Multi-Image Stitching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional apparatuses for inspecting the lateral surface of cylindrical secondary batteries have low inspection efficiency due to the use of one or two cameras, which limits the speed and effectiveness of the inspection process.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that simultaneously rotate and illuminate multiple secondary batteries using a hand, a camera, and an illuminator, with an image processor combining individual images from multiple light sources to generate a single inspection image, allowing for synchronized control of light emission and camera operation to enhance inspection efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If one or two cameras are used to inspect the lateral surface of cylindrical secondary batteries, then the inspection process is simple, but the inspection efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the inspection task into segments by using multiple cameras (at least three) positioned at different angles around the battery. Each camera captures a specific angular range of the lateral surface, and the images are subsequently combined to form a complete inspection image. This segmentation approach enables parallel inspection of different battery positions, significantly improving inspection efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple cameras are used to improve inspection efficiency, then the inspection speed increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual camera images into a single comprehensive inspection image through image processing. The image processor combines the images captured by multiple cameras at different angles, aligning and integrating them to create a complete view of the battery's lateral surface. This merging approach allows parallel inspection of multiple batteries while presenting a unified result, improving speed without proportionally increasing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection system is designed with multi-functionality to handle various inspection scenarios. The same apparatus can inspect multiple batteries simultaneously at different positions, and the system can adjust to different battery orientations and lighting conditions. This universal design allows the system to perform multiple inspection functions with a single configuration, reducing the need for separate inspection systems for different scenarios.
3Productivity
If batteries are inspected one by one, then the inspection quality is high, but the inspection throughput is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning multiple cameras at optimal angles and pre-configuring the illumination sources before inspection begins. The hand rotates multiple batteries into position in advance, and the image processor is pre-programmed with the combining algorithms. This preliminary preparation enables simultaneous inspection of multiple batteries without sequential delays, significantly increasing throughput while maintaining inspection quality through pre-validated imaging geometry.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Significantly improves inspection speed and efficiency by allowing simultaneous inspection of multiple batteries, identifying defects based on brightness and contrast, and reconstructing the entire lateral surface image from partial views, thereby maximizing the inspection throughput.
Implementation Method 1
an illuminator configured to emit light to the plurality of secondary batteries at a time
Implementation Method 2
a camera configured to simultaneously obtain a photographed image of the plurality of secondary batteries to which the light is emitted
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an apparatus and method for inspecting appearance of secondary batteries, in which a plurality of secondary batteries arranged in a lateral direction are rotated at a time, a photographed image obtained by a camera according to rotated angles is divided into individual image sections where the secondary batteries are respectively photographed, and an inspection image is generated by combining the individual image sections according to the photographed images of one secondary battery.