CN113396498A

CN113396498A - Package inspection device and package inspection method

Info

Publication number: CN113396498A
Application number: CN202080012396.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 森冈督大; 足立修一
Original assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Ltd
Current assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-02-04
Filing date: 2020-01-23
Publication date: 2021-09-14
Also published as: WO2020162212A1

Abstract

A package inspection apparatus for a film-packaged battery having a first main surface and a second main surface, the package inspection apparatus comprising: a chamber for housing a film-wrapped battery; a pressure adjusting unit configured to introduce a pressurized gas into the chamber and release the introduced pressurized gas; and a pressurizing unit configured to pressurize the first region, the first region being a part of the first main surface, the pressurizing unit being configured to pressurize the first region such that a pressure applied to the first region is relatively higher than a pressure applied to a second region of the first main surface, the second region being not pressurized by the pressurizing unit, in a state where the pressurized gas is introduced into the chamber.

Description

Package inspection device and package inspection method

Technical Field

The invention relates to a package inspection apparatus and a package inspection method.

Background

Conventionally, film-packaged batteries in which a battery element is externally packaged with a packaging material such as a laminate film have been widely used. In the manufacturing process of such a battery, the packaged state of the battery is checked in order to confirm whether or not the completed battery has a defective package.

As an inspection apparatus for inspecting a packaged state of a battery, for example, the following inspection apparatus is proposed: a battery is housed in a sealed container after pressurization or depressurization, and a pressure change from a state before pressurization or depressurization is measured, and when the pressure change is larger than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that there is a liquid leakage (leak) (patent document 1).

Patent document 2 discloses an airtight inspection apparatus for quickly, easily, and inexpensively performing an airtight inspection of a sealed battery. The air tightness inspection device is provided with: a lidded sealed container capable of housing a sealed battery; a pressure adjusting unit for restoring the air pressure in the container to normal pressure after pressurization; and a unit for measuring the size of the battery.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent No. 3983479

Patent document 2: japanese patent No. 4089389

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

However, in the techniques described in patent documents 1 and 2, when the amount of pressurized gas entering the battery is small, a sufficient amount of swelling cannot be obtained, and a package failure of the battery cannot be detected with high accuracy.

The invention aims to provide a package inspection device and a package inspection method, which can improve the detection precision of the poor package of a film-packaged battery.

Technical solution for solving technical problem

In order to solve the above-described problems, a first aspect of the present invention is a package inspection apparatus for a film-packaged battery having a first main surface and a second main surface, the package inspection apparatus including: a chamber for housing a film-wrapped battery; a pressure adjusting unit configured to introduce a pressurized gas into the chamber and release the introduced pressurized gas; and a pressurizing unit configured to pressurize a first region that is a part of the first main surface, the pressurizing unit being configured to pressurize the first region such that a pressure applied to the first region is relatively higher than a pressure applied to a second region of the first main surface that is not pressurized by the pressurizing unit in a state where the pressurized gas is introduced into the chamber.

A second aspect of the present invention is a package inspection method for a film-packaged battery having a first main surface and a second main surface, the package inspection method including the steps of: housing a film-wrapped battery in a chamber; pressurizing a first region, which is a part of the first main surface, by a pressurizing section; introducing a pressurized gas into the chamber; and releasing the pressurized gas introduced into the chamber while maintaining the pressurization of the first region by the pressurization section, wherein the pressure applied to the first region is relatively higher than the pressure applied to a second region of the first main surface which is not pressurized by the pressurization section in a state where the pressurized gas is introduced into the chamber and the first main surface is pressurized by the pressurization section.

A third aspect of the present invention is a package inspection method for a film-packaged battery having a first main surface and a second main surface, the package inspection method including the steps of: housing a film-wrapped battery in a chamber; pressurizing a first region, which is a part of the first main surface, by a pressurizing section; and introducing a pressurized gas into the chamber in a state where at least a part of the second region of the first main surface not pressurized by the pressurization part is opened to the atmosphere, and in a state where the pressurized gas is introduced into the chamber and the first main surface is pressurized by the pressurization part, the pressure applied to the first region is relatively higher than the pressure applied to the second region of the first main surface not pressurized by the pressurization part.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a package inspection apparatus for a film-wrapped battery in which a part of one principal surface of a battery element is bonded to an inner side of a film-shaped wrapping material that houses the battery element, the package inspection apparatus including: a chamber for housing a film-wrapped battery; and a pressure adjusting unit for introducing the pressurized gas into the chamber and releasing the introduced pressurized gas.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is a method for inspecting a package of a film-packaged battery in which a part of one principal surface of a battery element is bonded to an inner side of a film-shaped packaging material accommodating the battery element, the method comprising the steps of: housing a film-wrapped battery in a chamber; introducing a pressurized gas into the chamber; and releasing the pressurized gas introduced into the chamber.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is a method for inspecting a package of a film-wrapped battery in which a part of one principal surface of a battery element is bonded to an inner side of a film-wrapped material that houses the battery element, the method comprising the steps of: housing a film-wrapped battery in a chamber; and introducing a pressurized gas into the chamber in a state where at least a part of the non-bonded region is opened to the atmosphere.

In the present invention, the package inspection apparatus may further include a measuring device for measuring a surface height or a surface displacement of the film-packaged battery. For example, the package inspection apparatus may further include a displacement sensor for measuring a surface height or a surface displacement of a position or a region on the main surface of the film-packaged battery. The package inspection apparatus may further include a plurality of displacement sensors for measuring surface heights or surface displacements at a plurality of positions or a plurality of regions on the main surface of the film-packaged battery and calculating an average value of all the measured surface heights or surface displacements or a maximum value of all the measured surface heights or surface displacements. The package inspection apparatus may further include a coordinate measuring machine for measuring the shape of the entire film-wrapped battery and calculating the maximum value of the surface height or the surface displacement of the film-wrapped battery in a specific direction (for example, the thickness direction of the film-wrapped battery) based on the measurement result.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the second region of the first main surface of the battery, which is not pressurized by the pressurization part, includes at least a part of the peripheral edge part of the first main surface of the battery. This is because a packaging failure is particularly likely to occur on the side surface of the battery and in the vicinity thereof. In the present invention, the peripheral edge portions of the first and second main surfaces are annular regions each having the peripheral edge of the first and second main surfaces as an outer periphery.

In the present invention, when the battery has a first end and a second end which are opposed to each other, it is preferable that the second region of the first main surface which is not pressurized by the pressurizing portion is adjacent to at least one of the first end and the second end. This is because, in the case where the battery has the first end and the second end which are opposed to each other, a packaging failure is particularly likely to occur at the first end, the second end, and the vicinity thereof of the battery.

In the present invention, the main surface of the film-wrapped battery or the battery element means a surface having the largest area among six surfaces constituting a rectangular parallelepiped when the film-wrapped battery or the battery element has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. In addition, the cylindrical surface is indicated in the case where the film-wrapped battery or the battery element has a cylindrical shape.

In the present invention, in the case where a part of the second region is opened to the atmosphere through the opening portion or the like, "the pressure applied to the first region is relatively higher than the pressure applied to the second region of the first main surface which is not pressurized by the pressurization portion" means that the pressure applied to the first region is relatively higher than the pressure applied to any one of the part of the second region which is not opened to the atmosphere and the part of the second region which is opened to the atmosphere. The opening portion is, for example, a tubular member that communicates with the atmosphere, and is opened to the atmosphere by abutting the opening portion against at least a part of the second region. In the sixth invention, the same applies to the case where a part of the non-bonded region is opened to the atmosphere.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, the accuracy of detecting a defective package of a film-packaged battery can be improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a film-wrapped battery as an object to be inspected.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the structure of a film-packaged battery as an object to be inspected.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the package inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing an example of the structure of the chamber device.

Fig. 5 is a plan view showing an example of a pressurized region pressurized by a pressurized portion and a non-pressurized region not pressurized by the pressurized portion in the first main surface of the film-packaged battery.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an example of the inspection method of the film-wrapped battery according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing an example of the structure of the chamber device.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the package inspection apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing an example of the structure of the chamber device.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view showing an example of the structure of the chamber device.

Fig. 11 is a plan view showing an example of a mounting area mounted on the mounting table and a non-mounting area not mounted on the mounting table in the first main surface of the film-packaged battery.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view showing an example of the structure of the chamber device.

Fig. 13a is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the structure of the film-wrapped battery according to the fifth embodiment. B of fig. 13 is a sectional view taken along line XIIIB-XIIIB of a of fig. 13.

Fig. 14a is a plan view showing an example of a bonding region of the first main surface of the battery element bonded to the packaging material via the adhesive layer and a non-bonding region of the first main surface of the battery element not bonded to the packaging material via the adhesive layer. Fig. 14B is a plan view showing an example of the bonding region of the second main surface of the battery element bonded to the packaging material via the adhesive layer and the non-bonding region of the second main surface of the battery element not bonded to the packaging material via the adhesive layer.

Fig. 15 a and 15B are cross-sectional views for explaining an example of the inspection method of the film-wrapped battery according to the fifth embodiment.

Fig. 16a is a plan view showing an example of a bonding region of the first main surface of the battery element bonded to the packaging material via the adhesive layer and a non-bonding region of the first main surface of the battery element not bonded to the packaging material via the adhesive layer. Fig. 16B is a plan view showing an example of the bonding region of the second main surface of the battery element bonded to the packaging material via the adhesive layer and the non-bonding region of the second main surface of the battery element not bonded to the packaging material via the adhesive layer.

Fig. 17 is a sectional view showing an example of the structure of the chamber.

Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the structure of a film-packaged battery according to a modification of the fifth embodiment.

Fig. 19 a and 19B are exploded perspective views each showing an example of the structure of a film-wrapped battery according to a modification of the fifth embodiment.

Detailed Description

The embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order. Note that, in all the drawings of the following embodiments, the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals.

1 first embodiment

1.1 construction of the Battery

1.2 Package inspection device constitution

1.3 Package inspection method

1.4 Effect

1.5 modification

2 second embodiment

2.1 Package inspection device constitution

2.2 Package inspection method

2.3 Effect

2.4 modification example

3 third embodiment

3.1 Package inspection device constitution

3.2 Package inspection method

3.3 Effect

4 fourth embodiment

4.1 Package inspection device constitution

4.2 Package inspection method

4.3 Effect

4.4 modification example

Fifth embodiment 5

5.1 construction of the Battery

5.2 Package inspection device

5.3 Package inspection method

5.4 Effect

5.5 modified example

< 1 first embodiment >

[1.1 Structure of Battery ]

Fig. 1 and 2 are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view, respectively, showing an example of an external appearance of a film-wrapped battery (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "battery") 10 as an inspection target. The cell 10 has a first major face 10S including opposite faces₁And a second main surface 10S₂Is in the shape of a rectangular thin plate. The battery 10 includes: having a first main face 11S₁And a second main surface 11S₂A rectangular thin plate-like battery element 11, and a film-like packaging material 12 for housing the battery element 11. The battery element 11 is mounted with a positive electrode lead 13 and a negative electrode lead 14.

(Positive electrode, negative electrode lead)

The positive electrode lead 13 and the negative electrode lead 14 are led out in the same direction from one short side of the battery 10. Hereinafter, the short side (first end side) of the battery element 11 from which the positive electrode lead 13 and the negative electrode lead 14 are drawn is referred to as the top side, and the opposite short side (second end side) is referred to as the bottom side. The positive electrode lead 13 and the negative electrode lead 14 have, for example, a thin plate shape or a mesh shape. The positive electrode lead 13 and the negative electrode lead 14 are made of a metal material such as aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), or stainless steel (SUS), for example.

Adhesive films

13A and 14A for preventing the intrusion of outside air are inserted between the casing 12 and the positive electrode lead 13 and between the casing 12 and the negative electrode lead 14, respectively. The

adhesive films

13A and 14A are made of a material having adhesiveness to the positive electrode lead 13 and the negative electrode lead 14, for example, a polyolefin resin such as Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), modified polyethylene, or modified polypropylene.

(packaging Material)

The packaging material 12 has a rectangular shape, and is folded back from the center in the longitudinal direction thereof so that the respective sides overlap. A notch or the like may be provided in the center portion of the folded portion. The battery element 11 is sandwiched between the folded-back packing materials 12. In the periphery of the folded-back packaging material 12, a seal portion is formed on the top side and both long side edges (both sides). The packaging material 12 may have a receiving portion for receiving the battery element 11 on one side overlapped with each other. The receiving portion is formed by deep drawing, for example.

The packaging material 12 is made of, for example, a flexible rectangular laminate film. The packaging material 12 includes a metal layer, a first resin layer provided on one surface (first surface) of the metal layer, and a second resin layer provided on the other surface (second surface) of the metal layer. The wrapping material 12 may further include an adhesive layer between the metal layer and the first resin layer and between the metal layer and the second resin layer, if necessary. Of the two surfaces of the packaging material 12, the surface on the first resin layer side is the outer surface, and the surface on the second resin layer side is the inner surface for accommodating the battery element 11.

The metal layer is a barrier layer that functions to inhibit moisture and the like from entering and protect the battery element 11 as a content. The metal layer is a metal foil, for example comprising aluminium or an aluminium alloy.

The first resin layer is a surface protective layer having a function of protecting the surface of the packaging material 12. The first resin layer includes, for example, at least one of nylon (Ny), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN).

The second resin layer is a heat-fusion resin layer for sealing the peripheral edges of the inner side faces of the folded-back packaging material 12 to each other by heat fusion. The second resin layer contains, for example, at least one of polypropylene and polyethylene.

Note that instead of the laminated film, the packaging material 12 may be formed of a laminated film having another structure, a polymer film such as polypropylene, or a metal film. Alternatively, the laminate film may be formed by laminating a polymer film on one or both surfaces of an aluminum film as a core material.

In addition, the packaging material 12 may further have a colored layer from the viewpoint of the appearance, or may contain a coloring material in at least one of the first resin layer and the second resin layer. When the wrapping material 12 further includes an adhesive layer at least one of between the metal layer and the first resin layer and between the metal layer and the second resin layer, the adhesive layer may contain a coloring material.

(Battery element)

The battery element 11 is, for example, a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery. The battery element 11 has a wound electrode structure, and as shown in fig. 2, the end of the electrode located at the outermost periphery is fixed to the first main surface 11S of the battery element 11 by a tape 15₁. Note that the structure of the battery element 11 is not particularly limited to the wound electrode structure, and may be a stacked electrode structure, a zigzag structure, or the like. As the electrolyte of the battery element 11, for example, an electrolytic solution, a gel electrolyte, or a solid electrolyte is used. The electrolyte may contain ceramic particles such as alumina, silica, zirconia, and magnesia for the purpose of improving heat resistance.

[1.2 Structure of Package inspection apparatus ]

A package inspection apparatus (hereinafter, simply referred to as an "inspection apparatus") 20 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 3 and 4.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the inspection apparatus 20 according to the first embodiment. The inspection device 20 is used to inspect the packaged state of the battery 10 having the above-described configuration, and includes a pressure adjusting unit 21, a chamber device 20A, a control device 24, an operation unit 25, and a display device 26.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing an example of the structure of the chamber device 20A. The chamber device 20A includes a chamber 22 and a pressurizing unit 23. The pressurizing unit 23 is provided, for example, above the support portion 22B of the chamber 22.

(pressure adjusting section)

The pressure adjusting unit 21 includes a pressurizer 21A, a pressure controller 21B, and

pipes

21C, 21D, and 21E. The pipe 21C connects the pressurizer 21A and the pressure controller 21B. The pipe 21D connects the pressure adjusting portion 21 and the chamber 22. The pipe 21E is connected to the chamber 22.

The pressurizer 21A brings the inside of the chamber 22 into a pressurized state. The pressurizer 21A is, for example, a compressor (compressor), compresses gas into pressurized gas (compressed gas), and introduces the pressurized gas into the chamber 22 through the pipe 21C, the pressure controller 21B, and the pipe 21D. As the gas, for example, air, an inert gas, or the like can be used.

The pressure controller 21B includes a pressure regulator, and the pressure of the pressurized gas supplied from the pressurizer 21A is regulated to a predetermined pressure by the pressure regulator and introduced into the chamber 22. The pressure controller 21B may further include an air filter as necessary, and the air filter may prevent moisture and dust in the pressurized gas from entering the pressure controller 21B. The pressure controller 21B may further include a pressure gauge as necessary, and the regulated pressure in the pressure controller 21B can be checked by the pressure gauge.

The pipe 21D is a gas introduction pipe for introducing pressurized gas from the pressurizer 21A into the chamber 22. A gas introduction valve 21D is provided in the pipe 21D₁Through the gas introduction valve 21D₁The introduction of the pressurized gas from the pressure regulating section 21 into the chamber 22 is controlled by the opening and closing of (3).

The pipe 21E is an exhaust pipe for exhausting the pressurized gas in the chamber 22. A gas exhaust valve 21E is provided in the pipe 21E₁Through the gas exhaust valve 21E₁The opening and closing of the valve (2) controls the discharge of the pressurized gas from the chamber 22, i.e., whether or not the chamber 22 is open to the atmosphere.

Gas introduction valve 21D₁ Gas exhaust valve 21E₁Is an automatically operated valve (e.g. solenoid valve) whose opening and closing are controlled by the control device 24. However, the gas introducing valve 21D₁ Gas exhaust valve 21E₁The valve is not limited to this, and may be a manually operated valve.

(Chamber)

The chamber 22 has, for example, a hollow disk shape and accommodates the battery 10. The first main surface 10S of the battery 10₁Is placed at a predetermined position on the bottom surface in the chamber 22 so as to face the pressurizing unit 23. The floor within the chamber 22 is preferably planar. If the bottom surface is made flat in this manner, the entry of the pressurized gas into the second main surface 10S of the battery 10 can be suppressed when inspecting a package failure₂Side, the first main surface 10S of the battery 10 can be further enlarged₁The expansion of the sides. Therefore, the accuracy of detecting the defective package of the battery 10 can be further improved. The pressurized gas is introduced into the chamber 22 from the pressurizer 21A through the pipe 21C, the pressure controller 21B, and the pipe 21D, and the inside of the chamber 22 is brought into a pressurized state (pressurized atmosphere).

The chamber 22 includes a space portion 22A, a support portion 22B, and a window portion 22C₁、22C₂And a port (not shown). The space portion 22A accommodates the battery 10. The support portion 22B supports the pressurizing portion 23, and is provided in the center of the upper surface of the chamber 22. Support portion 22B has, for example, a cylindrical shape, and the hole of support portion 22B is connected to space portion 22A.

Window 22C₁、22C₂Is provided on the upper surface portion of the chamber 22. Window 22C₁、C₂For observing the first main face 10S of the battery 10 housed in the cavity 22₁A non-pressurized region 10R not pressurized by the pressurizing part 23₂、10R₃(referred to as "second region" and "third region", respectively). The cavity is used for taking and placing the battery 10 and is disposed on a side surface portion or an upper surface portion of the cavity 22.

(pressurization part)

The pair of pressing portions 23 serves as the first main surface 10S of the battery 10₁A part of the pressing region (first region) 10R₁Pressurization is performed. In the pressurized region 10R₁In the non-pressurized region 10R, since the pressure is applied by the pressurizing part 23 in addition to the pressure of the introduced pressurized gas, the non-pressurized region is not pressurized by the other non-pressurized regions₂、10R₃Relatively higher than the pressure. Thus, inWhen the pressurized gas is introduced into the chamber 22, the pressurized gas can be prevented or reduced from entering the pressurized region 10R where the pressurized part 23 is pressurized₁. That is, if a defective package portion exists in the battery 10, when a pressurized gas is introduced into the chamber 22, the pressurized gas enters (enters) between the battery element 11 and the packaging material 12 through the defective package portion (see fig. 2) (the pressurized gas entering the inside may be referred to as "entering pressurized gas"). At this time, when pressure is applied to the battery 10 by the pressurizing unit 23, the entering pressurized gas hardly enters the pressurizing region 10R₁And thus the non-pressurized region 10R caused by the intrusion of the pressurized gas is easily detected₂、10R₃Expansion of (2).

The pressing portion 23 includes a plate 23A, a drive shaft 23B, and a drive portion 23C. The plate 23A is a pressing region 10R for the battery 10₁An example of the pressurized body. In the first embodiment, the case where the pressure body is the plate 23A is described, but the pressure body is not limited to this, and may have a shape other than a plate shape, for example, a conical shape, a hemispherical shape, or the like.

The plate 23A is provided in the chamber 22 and has a first main surface 10S facing the battery 10₁(specifically, the pressure region 10R)₁) A pressing surface for pressing and a back surface opposite to the pressing surface. The area of the pressing surface of the plate 23A is smaller than that of the first main surface 10S of the battery 10₁Is small and is positioned on the first main surface 10S of the battery 10₁Non-pressurized region 10R in the pressurized state₂、10R₃Is exposed. Here, the non-pressurized region (second region, third region) 10R₂、10R₃Including the first main surface 10S of the battery 10₁At least a portion of the peripheral edge portions of the top and bottom sides. Note that the non-pressurized region 10R may be formed in accordance with the shape and structure of the plate 23A₂、10R₃The non-pressure region 10R does not include the peripheral edge portions of the top and bottom sides, but a package failure is easily generated in the peripheral edge portion region₂、10R₃Preferably, a part including the peripheral edge part. The pressing surface of the plate 23A is the plate 23A and the first main surface 10S of the battery 10₁The surface actually in contact, the large of the plate 23A itselfSmall but not limited.

Drive shaft 23B is provided in the hole portion of support portion 22B, and one end of drive shaft 23B is connected to the back surface of plate 23A, and the other end is connected to drive portion 23C. The driving portion 23C is supported on the top of the support portion 22B. The driving unit 23C drives the plate 23A in a direction (vertical direction in fig. 4) to approach or separate from the bottom surface in the chamber 22 via the driving shaft 23B based on the control of the control device 24. As the driving portion 23C, for example, an air cylinder, a motor, a spring mechanism portion, or the like can be used, but it is only necessary to be able to press the plate 23A against the first main surface 10S of the battery 10₁In this case, the driving unit may be used. The driving direction of the plate 23A is not limited to the vertical direction as long as it can pressurize a part of the main surface of the battery 10.

(control device)

The control device 24 controls the pressurizer 21A, the pressure controller 21B, and the gas introducing valve 21D₁ Gas exhaust valve 21E₁And the pressure unit 23 and the display unit 26, respectively, of the inspection apparatus 20. Specifically, for example, the control device 24 outputs a control signal to the pressurizer 21A to control the gas compression operation of the pressurizer 21A. The controller 24 outputs a control signal to the pressure controller 21B to adjust the pressure of the pressurized gas supplied from the pressurizer 21A to the chamber 22 to a predetermined pressure. Thereby, the pressure in the chamber 22 is controlled to a predetermined pressure. The control device 24 displays information such as the control state of the pressure controller 21B on the display device 26 based on the supply signal supplied from the pressure controller 21B.

(operation section)

The operation unit 25 allows a worker to operate the inspection device 20. The operation unit 25 may be an operation panel, a personal computer, or the like, but is not limited thereto.

(display device)

The display device 26 is an example of an output unit, and displays information such as control states of the pressurizer 21A, the pressure controller 21B, and the pressurizing unit 23 based on a signal transmitted from the control device 24. As the display device 26, for example, a liquid crystal display, an Electro Luminescence (EL) display, or the like can be used.

Next, referring to fig. 5, a pressurized region 10R pressurized by the pressurized part 23 is shown₁And a non-pressurized region 10R₂、10R₃An example of an embodiment of (1). FIG. 5 shows the first main surface 10S of the battery 10₁A pressing region 10R pressed by the pressing part 23₁And a non-pressurized region 10R not pressurized by the pressurizing part 23₂、10R₃A top view of an example of (a). Non-pressurized region 10R₂And an end face abutting on the top side of the cell 10, a non-pressurized region 10R₃Abutting the end face of the bottom side of the cell 10. Pressurization region 10R₁Is the first main surface 10S₁Is located in the non-pressurized region 10R₂Non-pressurized region 10R₃In the meantime.

Non-pressurized region 10R₂、10R₃Is an inspection region for inspecting whether or not a defective package exists in the battery 10 based on the swelling of the packaging material 12. More specifically, the non-pressurized region 10R₂Is an inspection area for inspecting whether or not a defective package exists in the top end face of the battery 10 and a portion in the vicinity thereof. On the other hand, the non-pressurized region 10R₃Is an inspection region for inspecting whether or not a defective package exists in the bottom end face of the battery 10 and a portion in the vicinity thereof. The window 22C shown in FIG. 4₁、22C₂Are respectively arranged as non-pressurized regions 10R₂、10R₃In contrast, the operator can pass through the window 22C₁、22C₂Confirmation of non-pressurized region 10R₂、10R₃Expansion of (2).

Examples of the cause of the sealing failure include damage to the packaging material 12, a sealing failure, and a pinhole. Since a packaging failure is likely to occur particularly at the end surfaces of the top and bottom sides of the battery 10 and the portions in the vicinity thereof, the non-pressure region 10R is formed by₂、10R₃The detection accuracy of the defective package of the battery 10 can be improved by abutting the top side and the bottom side of the battery 10, respectively.

Pressurization region 10R₁Area B of₁With respect to the first main surface 10S of the battery 10₁Area A of₁Area ratio R of₁(＝(B₁/A₁) X 100) is preferably 10% or more and 90% or less, more preferably 10% or more and 80% or less, and further more preferably 20% or more and 60% or less. When area ratio R₁If the content is less than 10%, the entering pressurized gas is dispersed and it becomes difficult to detect the non-pressurized region 10R when the battery 10 has a defective package₂、10R₃Expansion of (2). On the other hand, when the area ratio R₁Greater than 90%, non-pressurized region 10R₂、10R₃If the thickness is too small, the possibility of missing the defective package increases. Therefore, in order to improve the detection accuracy of the package failure of the battery 10, the area ratio R is set to be larger₁The above range is preferable.

[1.3 Package inspection method ]

Next, an example of a method for inspecting a package of the battery 10 according to the first embodiment (hereinafter, simply referred to as "inspection method") will be described with reference to fig. 3, 4, and 6. First, the worker carries the battery 10 into the chamber 22 to have the first main surface 10S₁Battery 10 is placed at a predetermined position on the bottom surface in chamber 22 so as to face plate 23A. When the worker operates the operation unit 25 to start the inspection of the defective package, the driving unit 23C lowers the plate 23A to move the plate 23A to a predetermined pressure (P) as shown in fig. 4_R. ) To the first main surface 10S of the battery 10₁A part of the pressing region 10R₁Pressurization is performed.

Then, the passing plate 23A is coated with P_RTo the first main surface 10S of the battery 10₁In the pressurized state, the gas exhaust valve 21E is closed by the control device 24₁Thereafter, the gas introduction valve 21D is opened₁The pressurizer 21A starts driving. Thereby, the introduction of the pressurized gas into the chamber 22 from the pressurizer 21A through the pipe 21C and the pipe 21D is started, and the inside of the chamber 22 becomes a pressurized state. Then, once the atmosphere in the chamber 22 reaches a predetermined pressure (P)_C. ) Then, the pressurizer 21A is stopped under the control of the controller 24, and the gas introduction valve 21D is closed₁. When a defective package is present in the battery 10, the pressurized gas enters the second stage of the battery element 11 through the defective package portion due to the introduction of the pressurized gasBetween one main face 11S1 and the packaging material 12. (hereinafter, the space between the first main surface 11S1 of the battery element 11 and the packaging material 12 may be simply referred to as "inner space")

P_RThe lower limit of (2) is a pressure exceeding atmospheric pressure, preferably 0.3MPa or more. If P_RIf the lower limit value of (3) exceeds the atmospheric pressure, the cavity 22 can be opened to the atmosphere to expand the packaging material 12 when a defective package exists in the battery 10.

Then, the passing plate 23A is pressed at a predetermined pressure P_RTo the first main surface 10S of the battery 10₁The gas exhaust valve 21E is opened by the control device 24 in a pressurized state₁The chamber 22 is opened to the atmosphere. Thus, when a defective package exists in the battery 10, as shown in fig. 6, the pressure of the entering pressurized gas existing inside the packaging material 12 is higher than the pressure of the atmosphere existing outside the packaging material 12, and therefore, the non-pressurized region 10R not pressurized by the pressurization part 23 is not pressurized₂And a non-pressurized region 10R₃At least a portion of which expands.

More specifically, when a defective package exists in the top end face of the battery 10 and a portion in the vicinity thereof, or the like, pressurized gas enters the internal gap through the defective package portion to correspond to at least the non-pressurized region 10R₂Thus the non-pressurized region 10R₂The packaging material 12 is inflated. On the other hand, when a sealing failure occurs in the bottom end face of the battery 10 and a portion in the vicinity thereof, the pressurized gas enters the internal gap through the sealing failure, corresponding to at least the non-pressurized region 10R₃Thus the non-pressurized region 10R₃The packaging material 12 is inflated.

Then, the operator passes through the window 22C₁、22C₂Non-pressurized region 10R of battery 10 was visually confirmed₂、10R₃Whether or not swelling has occurred. By checking this swelling, the operator can detect a defective package of the battery 10. Subsequently, the driving unit 23C raises the plate 23A to release the first main surface 10S of the battery 10₁And (3) pressurizing. Then, the worker carries out the battery 10 from the chamber 22. Note that it is also possible to carry battery 10 into chamber 22 and carry battery 10 out of chamber 22The operation is performed by a handling device such as a robot.

[1.4 Effect ]

As described above, the inspection apparatus 20 according to the first embodiment includes: a chamber 22 for accommodating the first main surface 10S₁The battery 10 of (a); a pressure adjusting unit 21 for introducing a pressurized gas into the chamber 22 and releasing the pressurized gas introduced into the chamber 22; and a pressurizing part 23 for pressurizing the region (first region) 10R₁Pressurized, and a pressurized region (first region) 10R is formed₁Is the first main surface 10S of the battery 10₁To (3) is described.

In the inspection apparatus 20 having such a configuration, a package failure of the battery 10 is inspected as follows. That is, the battery 10 is accommodated in the cavity 22, and the first main surface 10S of the battery 10 is pressed by the pressing portion 23₁A part of the pressing region 10R₁After the pressurization, a pressurized gas is introduced into the chamber 22 through the pressure adjusting section 21. Then, the first main surface 10S of the battery 10 is maintained while facing₁The pressurized gas introduced into the chamber 22 is released to the atmosphere through the pressure adjusting section 21. Thus, when a defective package portion exists in the battery 10, the pressurized gas entering the internal gap can be concentrated in the non-pressurized region 10R₂、10R₃. Therefore, compared to a case where the region into which the pressurized gas enters is not limited (a case where the main surface of the battery element 11 is not pressurized by the pressurization part 23), the swelling of the packaging material 12 at the time of the sealing failure can be increased. Therefore, the accuracy of detecting the defective package of the battery 10 can be improved.

The amount of the pressurized gas introduced into the battery 10 mainly depends on the opening state of the defective portion and the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the battery 10, and when the opening area of the defective portion is small, only a small amount of the pressurized gas may be introduced into the battery 10. However, in the inspection apparatus 20 according to the first embodiment, as described above, the pressurized gas introduced into the battery 10 can be concentrated in the non-pressurized region 10R₂、10R₃Therefore, even when the amount of pressurized gas entering the battery 10 is small, the swelling of the packaging material 12 can be increased. Therefore, even in the opening of the defective portion of the packageEven when the area is small, the package failure of the battery 10 can be detected with high accuracy.

[1.5 modified example ]

(modification 1)

In the first embodiment, the first main surface 10S of the battery 10 is faced with the utilization plate 23A₁The first main surface 10S of the battery 10 in a pressurized state₁Although the case where both the peripheral edge portions of the top and bottom sides are exposed from the plate 23A has been described, either one of the peripheral edge portions of the top and bottom sides or either one of the sealing portions on both sides of the battery 10 may be exposed. Alternatively, at least two or more of the peripheral edge portions of the top and bottom sides and the sealing portions on both sides of the battery 10 may be exposed. For example, even in a state where the peripheral edge portion and the sealing portion are all exposed (four sides), the battery 10 can be pressurized by the pressurizing portion 23 to detect a package failure. In addition, the inspection of the top and bottom peripheral edge portions for defective packaging and the inspection of the sealing portions on both sides for defective packaging may be performed sequentially in different steps.

(modification 2)

In the first embodiment, the case where the inspection device 20 includes the control device 24, the operation unit 25, and the display device 26 has been described, but the control device 24, the operation unit 25, and the display device 26 may be portions provided as needed, or may not be provided. In this case, the inspection apparatus 20 may be controlled by an external device, or the inspection apparatus 20 may be controlled by manual operation.

(modification 3)

In the first embodiment, the case where the entire pressurizing body (plate 23A) is accommodated in the chamber 22 has been described, but a part of the pressurizing body may be exposed from the chamber. Hereinafter, the chamber device 120A having such a configuration will be described with reference to fig. 7.

The chamber device 120A includes a chamber 122 and a pressurizing unit 123. In the chamber device 120A, the same portions as those of the chamber device 20A (fig. 4) described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

The pressurizing portion 123 has a pressurizing block 123A instead of the plate 23A. Applying pressureBlock 123A is a pressing region 10R for battery 10₁An example of the pressing member for pressing has a first main surface 10S for the cell 10, similar to the plate 23A₁(specifically, the pressure region 10R)₁) A pressing surface to be pressed and an opposite surface to the opposite side.

The chamber 122 has an open portion 122B instead of the support portion 22B. The opening portion 122B opens the opposing surface of the pressurizing block 123A to the atmosphere, and restricts the pressurizing block 123A from moving in a direction to approach or separate from the bottom surface in the chamber 122. The opening portion 122B has a cylindrical shape, and the hole portion of the opening portion 122B is structurally communicated with the space portion 22A and the atmosphere. The pressurizing block 123A is fitted in the hole of the open portion 122B so as to be movable in the approaching or separating direction as described above.

In the chamber device 120A having the above-described configuration, the pressurizing section 123 pressurizes the region 10R of the battery 10₁When the pressurization is performed, the total value of the atmospheric pressure and the pressure (driving force) generated by the driving unit 23C is applied to the opposing surface of the pressurization block 123A. Therefore, the pressurizing block 123A is driven by the driving unit 23C so that the total value exceeds the gas pressure in the chamber 122 after the pressurized gas is introduced, and the pressurized region 10R can be formed₁In a relatively higher pressure than the other non-pressurized regions 10R₂、10R₃Pressure in (1).

(modification 4)

In the first embodiment, the case where the positive electrode lead 13 and the negative electrode lead 14 are led out in the same direction from the same short side of the battery 10 has been described, but the positive electrode lead 13 and the negative electrode lead 14 may be led out in the same direction from the same long side of the battery 10, or may be led out in different directions from different sides of the battery 10.

(modification 5)

In the first embodiment, the description has been given of the case where the battery element 11 is sealed by sandwiching the battery element 11 between the folded rectangular one sheet of packaging material 12 and sealing three sides, but the battery element 11 may be sealed by sandwiching the battery element 11 between two rectangular pieces of packaging material and sealing four sides of the two pieces of packaging material that are overlapped with each other.

(modification 6)

In the first embodiment, the pressurizing region 10R in the battery 10 is defined₁The case where the driving unit 23C drives the plate 23A at the time of pressurization has been described, but the driving unit 23C may not drive the plate 23A. In this case, the pressurized region 10R of the cell 10 is pressed by the pressurized gas introduced into the chamber 22 and the weight of the plate 23A₁Pressurization is performed.

< 2 second embodiment >

[2.1 Structure of inspection apparatus ]

Fig. 8 shows an example of the structure of the inspection apparatus 120 according to the second embodiment. The inspection device 120 further includes a measuring device 27, and the measuring device 27 measures the first main surface 10S of the battery 10₁The displacement of the region not pressurized by the pressurizing portion 23. The inspection device 120 includes a control device 124 instead of the control device 24, and the control device 124 determines whether or not the battery 10 is defective based on the measurement result of the measurement device 27. In the second embodiment, the same portions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 9 shows an example of the structure of the measuring device 27. The measuring device 27 is, for example, a displacement sensor, and includes a window portion 22C₁Measuring non-pressurized region 10R of battery 10₂A measuring part 27A for measuring the surface height (or detecting the surface position)₁And via the window portion 22C₂Measuring non-pressurized region 10R of battery 10₃The surface height measuring part 27A₂. Note that the following configuration is also possible: one measuring part is provided, and the window part 22C is scanned₁、C₂(or a plurality of three or more window portions).

The control device 124 determines whether or not the battery 10 has a defective package based on the measurement result transmitted from the measurement device 27. In the present embodiment, the control device 124 also serves as a detection device for determining whether or not the battery 10 has a defective package, but may be provided separately from the control device 124. Note that transmission and reception of the measurement result (measurement data) may be either wired communication or wireless communication.

[2.2 inspection method ]

The inspection method according to the second embodiment is similar to the inspection method according to the first embodiment except for the following points. That is, the measurement device 27 measures the non-pressurized region 10R before and after the chamber 22 is opened to the atmosphere based on the control of the control device 124₂、10R₃And sends the measurement to the control device 124. Further, the control device 124 determines whether or not the battery 10 has a defective package based on the measurement result transmitted from the measurement device 27. It is noted that the calculation of the surface displacement may also be performed in the control device 124 (or the detection device).

Specifically, the controller 124 determines whether or not the battery 10 has a defective package as follows. The control device 124 is in the non-pressurized region 10R sent from the measuring device 27₂、10R₃If at least one of the measurement results of the surface displacement exceeds a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that a package failure is present in the battery 10, and the determination result is output to the display device 26. On the other hand, when none of the measurement results exceeds the predetermined threshold value, it is determined that there is no defective packaging in the battery 10, and the determination result is output to the display device 26.

[2.3 Effect ]

As described above, the inspection apparatus 120 according to the second embodiment includes: a measuring device 27 for measuring the first main surface 10S of the battery 10₁Displacement of the region not pressurized by the pressurizing portion 23; and a control device (detection device) 124 for determining whether or not the battery 10 has a defective package based on the measurement result of the measurement device 27. Thus, the determination of the defective package of the battery 10 can be performed more accurately and in a shorter time than when the worker visually determines the defective package of the battery 10.

[2.4 modified example ]

(modification 1)

In the second embodiment, the measuring device 27 measures the surface displacement of the packaging material 12 before and after opening to the atmosphere, but the measuring device 27 may measure the surface height before and after opening to the atmosphere and send the measurement result to the control device 124. In this case, the control device 124 (or the detection device) calculates, for example, a surface displacement (difference in surface height) based on the measurement results before and after the opening to the atmosphere sent from the measurement device 27. Then, the control device 124 can determine whether or not the battery 10 has a defective package based on the calculation result.

(modification 2)

In the second embodiment, the control device 124 is in the non-pressurized region 10R sent from the measurement device 27₂、10R₃The case where it is determined that a sealing failure exists in the battery 10 when at least one of the measurement results of the surface displacement exceeds a predetermined threshold value has been described, but the method of determining a sealing failure is not limited to this. For example, the control device 124 may be in the non-pressurized region 10R sent from the measurement device 27₂、10R₃If the total value of the measurement results of the surface displacement of (2) exceeds a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that a package failure exists in the battery 10.

< 3 third embodiment >

[3.1 Structure of inspection apparatus ]

The inspection apparatus according to the third embodiment is similar to the inspection apparatus according to the second embodiment in terms of the exception of the chamber apparatus and the measuring apparatus. Therefore, only the configurations of the chamber device and the measuring device will be described below.

Fig. 10 shows an example of the structure of the chamber device 220A. The chamber device 220A further has a window 22D in the chamber 222₁、22D₂And a mounting table (mounting section) 22E are different from the chamber apparatus 20A in the first embodiment.

The stage 22E is provided on the bottom surface portion in the chamber 222. The mounting table 22E is used for mounting the second main surface 10S of the battery 10₂. The area of the mounting surface of the mounting table 22E on which the battery 10 is mounted is larger than that of the second main surface 10S of the battery 10₂The area of (2) is small. For example, the second main surface 10S of the battery 10₂The top and bottom areas of the upper and lower portions are not placed on the mounting table 22E, and extend beyond the mounting table 22E.

FIG. 11 shows the second main surface 10S of the battery 10₂A mounting area 10R mounted on the mounting table 22E₄(fourth region) and a non-mounting region 10R not mounted on the mounting table 22E₅、10R₆(referred to as "fifth region" and "sixth region", respectively.) in the drawings. Non-mounting region 10R₅An end face adjacent to the top side of the battery 10, and an unloaded region 10R₆Abutting the end face of the bottom side of the cell 10. Mounting region 10R₄Is the second main surface 10S₂Is located in the non-mounting region 10R₅And non-mounting region 10R₆In the meantime.

Non-mounting region 10R₅、10R₆Is an inspection region for inspecting whether or not a defective package exists in the battery 10 based on the swelling of the packaging material 12. More specifically, the non-placement region 10R₅Is an inspection area for inspecting whether or not a defective package exists in the top end face of the battery 10 and a portion in the vicinity thereof. On the other hand, the non-mounting region 10R₆Is an inspection region for inspecting whether or not a defective package exists in the bottom end face of the battery 10 and a portion in the vicinity thereof.

Since a package failure is particularly likely to occur in the end surfaces of the top and bottom sides of the battery 10 and the portions in the vicinity thereof, the non-mounting region 10R is formed₅、10R₆The detection accuracy of the defective package of the battery 10 can be improved by abutting the top side and the bottom side of the battery 10, respectively.

Mounting region 10R₄Area B of₂With respect to the second main surface 10S of the battery 10₂Area A of₂Area ratio R of₂(＝(B₂/A₂) X 100) is preferably 10% or more and 90% or less, more preferably 10% or more and 80% or less, and further more preferably 20% or more and 60% or less. Area ratio R₂The reason why the above numerical range is preferable is the area ratio R in the first embodiment₁The same applies to the definition of the numerical ranges of (A) and (B). In fig. 10, the window portion 22D₁、22D₂Disposed at the bottom surface within the chamber 222. Window 22D₁、22D₂For observing the second main surface 10S of the battery 10 mounted on the mounting table 22E₂The non-mounting region 10R₅、10R₆. Window 22D₁、22D₂Respectively arranged to be in contact with the non-carrying areas 10R of the top side₅A bottom non-carrying region 10R₆And (4) oppositely.

In addition, the window portion 22D₁、22D₂The side measuring device 27 is, for example, a displacement sensor, and includes a window 22D₁Measuring the non-mounted region 10R of the top side of the battery 10₅The surface height measuring part 27B₁And via the window portion 22D₂Measuring the non-mounted region 10R of the bottom side of the battery 10₆The surface height measuring part 27B₂. Note that the following configuration is also possible: one measuring part is provided, and the window part 22D is scanned in sequence₁、D₂(or a plurality of three or more window portions).

[3.2 examination method ]

Next, an example of a method for inspecting battery 10 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 5, 8, 10, and 11. The inspection method of the battery 10 according to the third embodiment is the same as the inspection method according to the second embodiment except for the following points. That is, the operator places the battery 10 on the placement table 22E such that the second main surface 10S of the battery 10₂The top and bottom side areas of the peripheral portion of (a) project from the table 22E. In addition, the measuring device 27 (including each measuring part 27A)₁、27A₂、27B₁、27B₂. The same applies below. ) The non-pressurized region 10R before and after the chamber 222 is opened to the atmosphere is measured based on the control of the control device 124₂、10R₃And an unmounted region 10R₅、10R₆And sends the measurement to the control device 124. Further, the control device 124 determines whether or not the battery 10 has a defective package based on the measurement result transmitted from the measurement device 27.

Specifically, the controller 124 determines whether or not the battery 10 has a defective package, for example, as follows. The control device 124 is in the non-pressurized region 10R sent from the measuring device 27₂、10R₃And an unmounted region 10R₅、10R₆If at least one of the measurement results of the surface displacement exceeds a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that a packaging failure is present in the battery 10, and the determination result is output to the display device 26. Another one isOn the other hand, in the non-pressurized region 10R sent from the measuring device 27₂、10R₃And an unmounted region 10R₅、10R₆If none of the results of the surface displacement measurements exceeds the predetermined threshold value, it is determined that there is no defective packaging in the battery 10, and the determination result is output to the display device 26.

[3.3 Effect ]

An inspection device according to a third embodiment includes: a mounting table 22E for mounting the second main surface 10S of the battery 10₂A partial region of (1); and a window portion 22D₁、22D₂For measuring the second main face 10S of the battery 10 by means of the measuring device 27₂The surface displacement of the region not mounted on the mounting table 22E. Thereby, the non-pressurized region 10R can be passed₂、10R₃And an unmounted region 10R₅、10R₆Since the surface displacement of these four regions determines the defective packaging of the battery 10, the determination of the defective packaging of the battery 10 can be performed more accurately than in the inspection apparatus 120 according to the second embodiment.

< 4 fourth embodiment >

[4.1 Structure of inspection apparatus ]

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a chamber device 320A provided in the inspection apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. The inspection apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is different from the inspection apparatus according to the third embodiment in the following points. That is, the cavity 322 replaces the window 22C₁、22C₂And a window portion 22D₁、22D₂And is provided with: open part 22F₁、22F₂Making the first main surface 10S of the battery 10₁The region not pressurized by the pressurizing portion 23 is opened to the atmosphere; and an opening part 22G₁、22G₂Making the second main surface 10S of the battery 10₂The area not mounted on the mounting table 22E is open to the atmosphere. The inspection device further includes a driving mechanism for driving the opening portions 22F₁、22F₂Driving part 22H of₁、22H₂And for driving the opening part 22G₁、22G₂Driving part 22I of₁、22I₂。

Open part 22F₁、22F₂Respectively make the non-pressurized regions 10R₂、10R₃Are each open to the atmosphere. Open part 22F₁、22F₂Has a cylindrical shape such as a cylinder shape, and abuts against the non-pressure region 10R₂、10R₃Are respectively provided with annular elastic members 22J at the lower ends thereof₁、22J₂. Open part 22F₁、22F₂Respectively, are communicated with the atmosphere. By providing the elastic member 22J in this way₁、22J₂In the opening part 22F₁、22F₂Respectively, are abutted against the non-pressurized regions 10R₂、10R₃In this state, the opening part 22F can be opened₁、22F₂And the first main surface 10S₁Tightly attached without gaps. Drive unit 22H₁、22H₂Can make the opening part 22F based on the control of the control device 124₁、22F₂With respect to the first main surface 10S of the battery 10 mounted on the mounting table 22E₁Moving in the approaching/separating direction (i.e., the up-down direction of fig. 12). Open part 22F₁、22F₂The diameter of the through-hole (2) is, for example, 12 mm.

Open part 22G₁、22G₂Respectively make the non-carrying region 10R₅、10R₆Are each open to the atmosphere. Open part 22G₁、22G₂Has a cylindrical shape such as a cylinder shape, and abuts on the non-mounting region 10R₅、10R₆Are respectively provided with annular elastic members 22K at the upper ends thereof₁、22K₂. Open part 22G₁、22G₂Respectively, are communicated with the atmosphere. By providing the elastic member 22K in this way₁、22K₂In the opening part 22G₁、22G₂Respectively abut against the non-mounting regions 10R₅、10R₆In this state, the opening part 22G can be opened₁、22G₂And the second main surface 10S₂Tightly attached without gaps. Drive section 22I₁、22I₂Can open the opening part 22G based on the control of the control device 124₁、22G₂In the battery 10 mounted on the mounting table 22ESecond main surface 10S₂Moving in the approaching/separating direction (i.e., up-down direction of fig. 12). Open part 22G₁、22G₂The diameter of the through-hole (2) is, for example, about 10 mm.

[4.2 examination method ]

Next, an example of a method for inspecting battery 10 according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 5, 8, 11, and 12. First, the worker carries the battery 10 into the cavity 322 to move the first main surface 10S of the battery 10₁A second main surface 10S of the battery 10 is arranged to face the plate 23A₂Is mounted on the mounting table 22E. At this time, the second main surface 10S of the battery 10₂The top and bottom areas of the table 22E are extended from the table.

When the worker operates the operation unit 25 to start the inspection of the defective package, the driving unit 23C lowers the plate 23A, and the plate 23A is pressed by a predetermined pressure P_RTo the first main surface 10S of the battery 10₁A part of the pressing region 10R₁Pressurization is performed. Then, the driving part 22H₁、22H₂Make the opening part 22F₁、22F₂Lowered to open the opening part 22F₁、22F₂Against the first main face 10S of the cell 10₁And is adhered tightly. Further, the driving part 22I₁、22I₂Make the opening part 22G₁、22G₂Is raised to open the part 22G₁、22G₂Against the second main face 10S of the battery 10₂And is adhered tightly. Note that the order of the pressing step and the adhering step is not limited. Alternatively, they may be performed simultaneously. The degree of adhesion is a pressure P higher than the pressure when the plate 23A is used for pressurization_RThe sealing material is weak and preferably has a degree of allowing the pressurized gas to pass therethrough when the sealing is defective. Next, the measuring device 27 measures the non-pressurized region 10R based on the control of the control device 124₂、10R₃And an unmounted region 10R₅、10R₆The surface height of the packaging material 12.

Then, the first main surface 10S of the battery 10 is faced with the plate 23A₁Pressurized and opened 22F₁、22F₂Lower end, open part 22G of₁、22G₂Respectively with the first main surface 10S of the battery 10₁Second main surface 10S₂In the adhered state, the gas exhaust valve 21E is closed under the control of the control device 124₁Thereafter, the gas introduction valve 21D is opened₁The pressurizer 21A starts driving. Thereby, the introduction of the pressurized gas into the chamber 322 from the pressurizer 21A via the pipe 21C, the pressure controller 21B, and the pipe 21D is started, and the chamber 322 is pressurized. Then, once the atmosphere in the chamber 322 reaches a predetermined pressure (P)_C) Then, the pressurizer 21A is stopped under the control of the controller 124, and the gas introduction valve 21D is closed₁. When a defective package exists in the battery 10, the pressurized gas is introduced into the first main surface 11S of the battery element 11₁With the packaging material 12 and the second main surface 11S₂And the packaging material 12.

Then, the plate 23A and the opening part 22F are simultaneously bonded₁、22F₂And an opening part 22G₁、22G₂While maintaining the above state, the measuring device 27 measures the non-pressurized region 10R again₂、10R₃And an unmounted region 10R₅、10R₆The surface height of the packaging material 12. Next, the measurement device 27 calculates the non-pressurized region 10R before and after the chamber 322 is opened to the atmosphere based on the control of the control device 124₂、10R₃And an unmounted region 10R₅、10R₆And sends the calculation to the control device 124.

Next, the control device 124 determines whether or not the battery 10 has a defective package based on the measurement result transmitted from the measurement device 27. Next, the gas exhaust valve 21E is opened by the control device 124₁After the inside of the cavity 322 is opened to the atmosphere, the driving unit 23C raises the plate 23A to release the first main surface 10S of the battery 10₁And (3) pressurizing. Then, the driving part 22H₁、22H₂Make the opening part 22F₁、22F₂Is raised to open the part 22F₁、22F₂Is spaced from the first main surface 10S of the cell 10₁And, furthermore,drive section 22I₁、22I₂Make the opening part 22G₁、22G₂Lowered to open the opening part 22G₁、22G₂Is spaced from the second main surface 10S of the battery 10₂. Then, the worker carries out the battery 10 from the chamber 322.

[4.3 Effect ]

As described above, the chamber 322 according to the fourth embodiment further includes: open part 22F₁、22F₂Making the first main surface 10S of the battery 10₁The region not pressurized by the pressurizing portion 23 is opened to the atmosphere; and an opening part 22G₁、22G₂Making the second main surface 10S of the battery 10₂The area not mounted on the mounting table 22E is open to the atmosphere. With such a configuration, the region into which the pressurized gas mainly enters can be limited to the open portion 22F₁、22F₂、22G₁、22G₂The opening part 22F can be enlarged when there is a packaging failure₁、22F₂、22G₁、22G₂The swelling of the packaging material 12 facilitates the detection of the swelling. Therefore, the accuracy of detecting the defective package of the battery 10 can be further improved.

[4.4 modified example ]

The chamber device 322 may have a structure that can be divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. In this case, the opening portion 22F may be provided₁、22F₂Fixed to the upper chamber, and the opening portion 22F is formed when the upper chamber and the lower chamber are combined to close the chamber 322₁、22F₂And the first main surface 10S of the battery 10₁And (6) tightly attaching. In addition, the opening part 22G may be₁、22G₂Fixed in the lower chamber, and an opening portion 22G when the battery 10 is mounted on the mounting table 22E₁、22G₂And the second main surface 10S of the battery 10₂And (6) tightly attaching.

< 5 fifth embodiment

In the first to fourth embodiments, the case where the pressurizing portion 23 pressurizes a partial region of the surface of the battery 10 to define the region where the packaging material 12 is inflated by the intrusion of the pressurized gas has been described. In the fifth embodiment, a case will be described in which a region of the packaging material 12 that is expanded by the pressurized gas is defined by bonding a part of the battery element 11 and the packaging material 12 in advance.

[5.1 Structure of Battery ]

Fig. 13a and 13B are an exploded perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, showing an example of the structure of the battery 110 according to the fifth embodiment. The battery 110 includes a first main surface 11S provided on the battery element 11₁An adhesive layer 16A provided on a part of the packaging material 12 and a second main surface 11S of the battery element 11₂And an adhesive layer 16B on a part of the packaging material 12. Thereby, the first main surface 11S of the battery element 11₁Part of the second main surface 11S of the battery element 11 is bonded to the packaging material 12 by the adhesive layer 16A₂A part of the space between the outer layer and the packaging material 12 is bonded by the adhesive layer 16B. In the fifth embodiment, the same portions as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. As shown in a of fig. 13, the outermost periphery of the battery element 11 (the outermost periphery of the electrode assembly in which the positive electrode, the separator, and the negative electrode are regularly arranged) is fixed with a tape 15. However, instead of using the tape stop tape 15, the adhesive layer 16A may have both the function of the tape stop tape 15 and the function of adhering to the wrapping material 12.

FIG. 14A shows a first main surface 11S of the battery element 11₁In the bonding region 11R bonded to the packaging material 12 via the adhesive layer 16A₁And the first main surface 11S of the battery element 11₁In the non-adhesive region 11R not bonded to the packaging material 12 by the adhesive layer 16A₂、11R₃A top view of an example of (a). Non-adhesive region 11R₂Non-adhesive region 11R adjacent to the end face of the top side of battery element 11₃Abutting the end face of the bottom side of the cell element 11. Bonding region 11R₁In the non-bonding region 11R₂And a non-bonded region 11R₃In the meantime.

Bonding region 11R₁Area b of₁First main surface 11S facing battery element 11₁Area a of₁Area ratio r of₁(＝(b₁/a₁) X 100) is preferably 10% or more and 90% or less, more preferably 10% or more and 80% or less, and further more preferably 20% or more and 60% or less. Area ratio r₁The reason why the above numerical range is preferable is the area ratio R in the first embodiment₁The same applies to the definition of the numerical ranges of (A) and (B).

FIG. 14B shows the second main surface 11S of the battery element 11₂In the bonding region 11R bonded to the packaging material 12 via the adhesive layer 16B₄And a second main surface 11S of the battery element 11₂In the non-adhesive region 11R not bonded to the packaging material 12 by the adhesive layer 16B₅、11R₆A top view of an example of (a). Non-adhesive region 11R₅Non-adhesive region 11R adjacent to the end face of the top side of battery element 11₆Abutting the end face of the bottom side of the cell element 11. Bonding region 11R₄In the non-bonding region 11R₂And a non-bonded region 11R₃In the meantime.

Bonding region 11R₄Area b of₂Second main surface 11S opposite to battery element 11₂Area a of₂Area ratio r of₂(＝(b₂/a₂) X 100) is preferably 10% or more and 90% or less, more preferably 10% or more and 80% or less, and further more preferably 20% or more and 60% or less. Area ratio r₂The reason why the above numerical range is preferable and the above area ratio R₁The same applies to the definition of the numerical ranges of (A) and (B).

The

adhesive layers

16A and 16B are, for example, single-layer adhesive layers or a laminate (for example, double-sided tape) in which an adhesive is provided on both surfaces of a base material. In the present specification, adhesion, that is, pressure sensitive adhesion (pressure sensitive adhesion) is defined as one of adhesion (adhesion). The adhesive or bonding agent may be a cured product, a liquid material, or a gel material, for example. As the adhesive, an adhesive exhibiting adhesiveness by reacting with an electrolyte in the battery 110 or by applying heat may be used.

The base material preferably includes at least one selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polyimide, polypropylene, and polystyrene. By including at least one of the above-described substances in the base material, the strength can be maintained even if the base material is in contact with the electrolytic solution for a long time.

The

adhesive layers

16A and 16B include at least one adhesive selected from an acrylic adhesive, a silicone adhesive, and a urethane adhesive, for example, and among these adhesives, an acrylic adhesive is particularly preferable. Since the acrylic adhesive has low reactivity with the electrolyte, the electrode, and the current collector when the battery 110 is left standing or charged and discharged, deterioration in the characteristics of the battery 110 due to the provision of the

adhesive layers

16A and 16B can be suppressed.

In order to improve the adhesion between the packaging material 12 and the main surface of the battery element 11, the first main surface 11S of the battery element 11 and the inside surface of the packaging material 12 may be bonded to each other₁And a second main surface 11S₂At least one of the opposing portions is subjected to roughening treatment. Similarly, in order to improve the adhesion between the electrodes, at least the surface of the electrode in contact with the packaging material 12 among the electrodes wound or laminated in the battery element 11 may be roughened.

[5.2 inspection apparatus ]

The inspection apparatus according to the fifth embodiment is similar to the inspection apparatus according to the third embodiment except that a chamber 422 shown in a of fig. 15 is provided instead of the chamber apparatus 220A shown in the third embodiment (fig. 10). The chamber 422 may have the same configuration as the chamber 222 in the third embodiment, except that the pressurizing unit 23 and the support unit 22B are not provided. Note that, the chamber device 220A shown in fig. 10 may be used to inspect the defective packaging of the battery 10 in which the packaging material 12 and the battery element 11 are bonded. In this case, the pressurizing section 23 of the chamber device 220A does not need to be used in particular.

[5.3 inspection method ]

Next, an example of a method for inspecting battery 110 according to a fifth embodiment will be described. First, as shown in fig. 15 a, the worker carries the battery 110 into the chamber 422 and places the second main surface 10S of the battery 110₂Is mounted on the mounting table 22E. At this time, electricity isSecond main surface 10S of cell 110₂The top and bottom areas of the peripheral edge portion of the table are extended from the table 22E.

Next, when the worker operates the operation unit 25 to start the inspection of the defective package, the gas exhaust valve 21E is closed by the control device 124₁Thereafter, the gas introduction valve 21D is opened₁The pressurizer 21A starts driving. Thereby, introduction of the pressurized gas into the chamber 422 from the pressurizer 21A through the pipe 21C, the pressure controller 21B, and the pipe 21D is started, and the inside of the chamber 422 becomes a pressurized state. Then, once the atmosphere in the chamber 422 reaches a predetermined pressure (P)_C) Then, the control device 124 stops the pressurizer 21A and closes the gas introduction valve 21D₁. When a defective package exists in the battery 110, as shown in B of fig. 15, the pressurized gas is introduced to enter the first main surface 11S of the battery element 11₁Between the battery cell and the packaging material 12, and the second main surface 11S of the battery cell 11₂And the packaging material 12. Thereby, the non-bonding region 11R₂、11R₃And a non-adhesive region 11R₅、11R₆At least one of which expands.

Next, the measuring device 27 measures the surface height of each non-bonded region before the chamber 422 is opened to the atmosphere based on the control of the control device 124, and sends the measurement result to the control device 124. Next, the gas exhaust valve 21E is opened by the control device 124₁After the chamber 422 is opened to the atmosphere, the measuring device 27 measures the surface height of each non-bonded region after the chamber 422 is opened to the atmosphere based on the control of the control device 124, and transmits the measurement result to the control device 124.

Next, the control device 124 calculates the surface displacement of each region before and after the chamber 422 is opened to the atmosphere, based on the data of the surface height of each non-bonded region transmitted from the measurement device 27. Next, the controller 124 determines whether or not the battery 110 has a defective package based on the calculated surface displacement. More specifically, when at least one of the calculated surface displacements of the respective regions exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control device 124 determines that a package failure is present in the battery 110, and outputs the determination result to the display device 26. On the other hand, when the surface displacement of each region does not exceed the predetermined threshold value, it is determined that there is no defective packaging in the battery 110, and the determination result is output to the display device 26. Then, the worker carries out the battery 110 from the chamber 422.

[5.4 Effect ]

A battery 110 according to a fifth embodiment includes a battery element 11 and a packaging material 12 for housing the battery element 11, and a first main surface 11S of the battery element 11₁Is adhered to a part of the packaging material 12, and the second main surface 11S of the battery element 11₂And a portion of the packaging material 12.

In the battery 110 having such a configuration, a package failure can be checked as follows. First, the battery element 11 is accommodated in the chamber 422, and pressurized gas is introduced into the chamber 422 to make the inside of the chamber 422 a pressurized atmosphere, and then the chamber is opened to the atmosphere. Thus, when a defective package portion is present in the battery 110, the defective package portion can be caused to enter the first main surface 11S of the battery element 11₁(or the second main surface 11S of the battery element 11₂) The pressurized gas with the packaging material 12 is concentrated in the defined non-bonded region 11R₂、11R₃、11R₅、11R₆At least one of (a). Therefore, the expansion of the packaging material 12 can be increased as compared with the case where the area where the pressurized gas enters is not restricted. Therefore, the accuracy of detecting a defective package of the battery 110 can be improved.

[5.5 modified example ]

(modification 1)

In the fifth embodiment, the first main surface 11S of the battery element 11 is faced₁With the packaging material 12 and the second main surface 11S of the battery element 11₂The case where both are bonded to the packaging material 12 has been described, but one of these may be bonded. That is, the battery 110 may include one of the adhesive layer 16A and the adhesive layer 16B.

(modification 2)

In the fifth embodiment, the pair of bonding regions 11R₁In the non-bonding region 11R₂And a non-bonded region 11R₃The above description is made, but the position of each region is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in a of fig. 16, on the first main surface 10S₁In (3), the bonding region 11R may be₁₁、11R₁₂Non-adhesive regions 11R respectively adjacent to the end faces of the top and bottom sides of the battery element 11₁₃In the bonding region 11R₁₁And the bonding region 11R₁₂In the meantime.

Further, as shown in B of fig. 16, on the second main surface 10S₂In (3), the bonding region 11R may be₁₄、11R₁₅Non-adhesive regions 11R respectively adjacent to the end faces of the top and bottom sides of the battery element 11₁₆In the bonding region 11R₁₄And the bonding region 11R₁₅In the meantime.

The inspection apparatus for inspecting the battery 210 having the above-described configuration includes a chamber 522 in place of the chamber 422 shown in a of fig. 15, and a measurement unit 27A shown in a of fig. 15₁、27A₂、27B₁、27B₂The inspection apparatus according to the fifth embodiment is similar to the inspection apparatus according to the fifth embodiment in that the

measurement units

527A and 527B are provided.

Chamber 522 includes space 22A, windows 522C and 522D, chamber 522, and an orifice (not shown). Note that, in the chamber 522, the same portions as those of the chamber 422 (a in fig. 15) described in the fifth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

Mounting table 522E₁、522E₂Disposed at the bottom surface within the chamber 522. Mounting table 522E₁、522E₂Second main surfaces 11S for mounting the batteries 210, respectively₂Adhesive region 11R₁₄、11R₁₅. The battery 210 is placed on the placing table 522E₁、522E₂In the state of (1), on the second main surface 11S of the battery 210₂Non-adhesive region 11R₁₆Forming a space with the bottom surface within the chamber 522.

The windows 522C and 522D are provided in the upper surface portion and the lower surface portion of the chamber 522, respectively. The windows 522C and 522D are used to observe the non-adhesive region 11R of the battery 210 accommodated in the chamber 522, respectively₁₃、11R₁₆。

The measurement section 527A measures the non-adhesive region 11R of the battery 210 via the window section 522C₁₃The surface height of (a). The measurement section 527B measures the non-adhesive region 11R of the battery 210 via the window section 522D₁₆The surface height of (a).

(modification 3)

In the fifth embodiment, the method of inspecting the package failure of the battery 110 using the chamber 422 having the configuration capable of making the entire battery 110 into the pressurized atmosphere has been described, but the method of inspecting the package failure of the battery 110 is not limited thereto. For example, the chamber 22 shown in fig. 9 or the chamber 322 shown in fig. 12 may be used to check the defective packaging of the battery 110. In this case, the chamber 22 and the support portion 22B (i.e., the pressurizing portion 23) of the chamber 322 may be omitted.

(modification 4)

In the fifth embodiment, the case where the battery 110 has a flat plate shape is described, but as shown in fig. 18, the battery 110 may have a curved shape or a cubic shape.

(modification 5)

In the fifth embodiment, the case where the battery 110 has a flat shape (rectangular shape) is described, but may have a cylindrical shape. Fig. 19 a shows an example of the structure of the cylindrical battery 30. The battery 30 includes a columnar battery element 31, a packaging material 32 that houses the battery element 31, and an adhesive layer 31A provided between the battery element 31 and the packaging material 32. The packing material 32 includes a first packing material 32A and a second packing material 32B having a semi-cylindrical shape. The battery element 11 is sandwiched between the first packaging material 32A and the second packaging material 32B, and the peripheral edge portions of the first packaging material 32A and the second packaging material 32B are overlapped with each other and bonded by thermal fusion bonding or the like. Note that four sides of the packaging material 32 are sealed, but it is also possible to form a shape in which one side is folded back and seal three sides.

The cylindrical surface 31S of the battery element 31 has a bonding region 31R bonded to the packaging material 12 via an adhesive layer 31A₁And a non-bonded region 31R of the cylindrical surface 31S of the battery element 31 that is not bonded to the packaging material 12 by the adhesive layer 31A₂、31R₃. Non-bonded region 31R₂A non-adhesive region 31R adjacent to one end surface of the battery element 31₃Abutting the other end face of the battery element 31. Bonding region 31R₁In the non-bonded region 31R₂And non-bonded region 31R₃In the meantime.

Bonding region 31R₁Area B of₃Area a with respect to cylindrical surface 31S of battery element 31₃Area ratio R of₃(＝(B₃/A₃) X 100) is preferably 10% or more and 90% or less, more preferably 10% or more and 80% or less, and further more preferably 20% or more and 60% or less. Area ratio R₃The reason why the above numerical range is preferable is the area ratio R in the first embodiment₁The same applies to the definition of the numerical ranges of (A) and (B).

Note that, as shown in B of fig. 19, the battery 110 may also have the bonding region 31R₁And a non-bonded region 31R₂. In this case, the bonding region 31R₁From the substantially central portion of the cylindrical surface 31S of the cell 31 to the other end surface of the cell 31.

Examples

The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

Examples 1-1 to 1-5

In this embodiment, an example in which a chamber device having a pressurizing portion is used and the pressurizing area ratio is changed will be described.

First, a rectangular thin plate-shaped battery (except for the dimensions of the sealing portion: thickness 4mm, width 40mm, length 100mm) was prepared, and a leak hole was formed using a micro-drill having a dimension Φ (diameter) of 80 μm as a sample for inspection.

Next, the maximum expansion amount of the non-pressurized region of the test sample was determined as follows. First, the test sample is accommodated in the chamber device shown in fig. 4, and the heights of the two non-pressurized regions of the first main surface of the test sample are measured by a three-dimensional measuring machine (measuring device) through the window. Next, the first main body of the sample for inspection was pressed against the plate at a pressure of 0.05MPaAfter a partial region (pressurized region, see fig. 5) of the surface is pressurized, pressurized gas is supplied into the chamber device, and the chamber device is pressurized. Note that in examples 1-1 to 1-5, the dimensions of the plates were changed so that the area B of the pressurizing region was set as shown in Table 1₁Area A of the first main surface of the test sample₁Area ratio R of₁(＝(B₁/A₁) X 100) in the range of 10% to 80%. Further, the pressure atmosphere in the chamber device was set to 0.4 MPa. Subsequently, the chamber device is opened to the atmosphere, and the inside of the chamber device is returned to the atmospheric pressure. Next, while the pressing by the plate is maintained, the heights of the two non-pressed regions of the first main surface of the inspection sample are measured again by the coordinate measuring machine through the window portion. Then, the maximum expansion amount of the expansion amounts of the two non-pressurized regions of the test specimen is determined from the measurement data.

Comparative examples 1 to 1

First, a sample for examination similar to that of example 1-1 was prepared. Next, the maximum amount of swelling in the entire first main surface of the test sample was determined in the same manner as in example 1-1, except that the first main surface of the test sample was not pressed with a plate and the height of the entire first main surface was measured. Note that, as the chamber device, a device having the same configuration as that of the chamber device of example 1-1 was used except that no plate was used and a window portion capable of observing the entire first main surface was provided.

Table 1 shows the conditions and evaluation results of the inspection methods of examples 1-1 to 1-5 and comparative example 1-1.

[ Table 1]

Note that, in a state where the pressurized gas is introduced into the chamber and the first main surface is pressurized by the plate, the pressure applied to the pressurized region of the first main surface of the battery is the total pressure of the "pressure pressurized by the plate" and the "gas pressure".

The following is evident from Table 1.

In the inspection methods of examples 1-1 to 1-5 and comparative example 1-1, the pressurized gas intruded into the battery and the packaging material swelled. However, in the inspection methods of examples 1-1 to 1-5 in which the first main surface of the inspection sample was pressurized by the plate, the expansion was larger than that in the inspection method of comparative example 1-1 in which the first main surface of the inspection sample was not pressurized by the plate. Therefore, by pressurizing a partial region of the first main surface of the inspection sample with the plate, the leak detection accuracy can be improved.

Area B of the pressurized region₁Area A of the first main surface of the test sample₁Area ratio R of₁The more increased, the greater the expansion. Therefore, the area ratio R is from the viewpoint of improving the leak detection accuracy₁Preferably 10% or more, more preferably 20% or more, further more preferably 40% or more, particularly preferably 60% or more, and most preferably 80% or more.

[ examples 2-1, 2-3, 2-5, 2-7]

In the present embodiment, an example in which a chamber device having a pressurizing portion and an opening portion is used and the pressurizing area ratio is changed will be described.

First, a sample for examination similar to that of example 1-1 was prepared. Next, the sample for examination was accommodated in the chamber device shown in fig. 12, and the four open portions were driven so that one ends of the four open portions were respectively abutted against the four non-pressurized regions and adhered thereto. Then, the heights of the two non-pressurized regions of the first main surface and the two non-pressurized regions of the second main surface of the test sample are measured by the displacement sensor (measuring device) through the opening portion. Next, the first main surface of the test sample was pressurized by the plate at a pressure of 0.003MPa, and then a pressurized gas was supplied into the chamber device to bring the inside of the chamber device into a pressurized state. Note that in examples 2-1, 2-3, 2-5, and 2-7, the dimensions of the plates were changed, respectively, so that the areas B of the pressurizing regions were set as shown in Table 2₁Area A of the first main surface of the test sample₁Area ratio R of₁(＝(B₁/A₁)×100) Varying from 10% to 80%. Further, the pressure atmosphere in the chamber device was set to 0.4 MPa. Next, the heights of the two non-pressurized regions of the first main surface and the two non-pressurized regions of the second main surface of the inspection sample are measured again by the displacement sensor via the opening portion while the plate is kept pressurized in the pressurized atmosphere. Then, the maximum expansion amount among the expansion amounts of the four non-pressurized regions of the test specimen was determined from the measurement data.

Examples 2-2, 2-4, 2-6 and 2-8

First, a sample for examination similar to that of example 1-1 was prepared. Next, the maximum expansion amount among the expansion amounts of the four non-pressurized regions of the test sample was determined in the same manner as in examples 2-1, 2-3, 2-5, and 2-7, except that the first main surface of the test sample was pressurized by the plate at a pressure of 0.015 MPa.

Comparative example 2-1

First, a sample for examination similar to that of example 1-1 was prepared. Next, the maximum expansion amount of the test sample was determined in the same manner as in example 2-1, except that the first main surface of the test sample was not pressed by the plate. Note that, as the chamber device, a device having the same configuration as that of the chamber device of example 2-1 was used except that no plate was provided.

Table 2 shows the conditions and evaluation results of the inspection methods of examples 2-1 to 2-8 and comparative example 2-1.

[ Table 2]

Note that, in a state where the pressurized gas is introduced into the chamber and the first main surface is pressurized by the plate, the pressure applied to the pressurized region of the first main surface of the battery is the total pressure of the "pressure increase due to plate pressurization" and the "gas pressure".

The following can be seen from Table 2.

In the inspection methods of examples 2-1 to 2-8 and comparative example 2-1, the pressurized gas intruded into the battery and the packaging material swelled. However, in the inspection methods of examples 2-1 to 2-8 in which the first main surface of the inspection sample was pressurized by the plate, the expansion was larger than that in the inspection method of comparative example 2-1 in which the first main surface of the inspection sample was not pressurized by the plate. Therefore, by pressurizing a partial region of the first main surface of the inspection sample with the plate, the leak detection accuracy can be improved.

[ examples 3-1 to 3-4]

In this embodiment, an example in which the bonding area ratio of a battery formed by bonding a rectangular battery element and a packaging material is changed will be described.

First, a rectangular thin plate-shaped battery element is prepared, and as shown in fig. 14a and 14B, double-sided tapes are bonded to a partial region of the first main surface (central region of the first main surface) and a partial region of the second main surface (central region of the second main surface) of the battery element, respectively. Note that in examples 3-1 to 3-4, the dimensions of the double-sided adhesive tapes were changed so that the areas b of the adhesive regions were as shown in Table 3₁Area a relative to the first main surface₁Area ratio r of₁(＝(b₁/a₁) X 100) and area b of the bonding region₂Area a relative to the second main surface₂Area ratio r of₂(＝(b₂/a₂) X 100) in the range of 10% to 80%. Then, the battery element was housed in a packaging material, and the peripheral edge portions of the packaging material were heat-welded to each other, thereby obtaining a rectangular thin plate-shaped battery (dimensions except for the sealing portion: thickness: 4mm, width: 40mm, length: 100 mm). Then, a micro-drill of 80 μm in diameter was used to form a leak hole in the batteryTo be a sample for examination.

Next, the maximum expansion amount of the non-bonded region of the test sample was determined as follows. First, the test sample is accommodated in the chamber device shown in a of fig. 15, and the heights of the two non-adhesive regions of the first main surface and the two non-adhesive regions of the second main surface (see a of fig. 14 and B of fig. 14) of the test sample are measured by a coordinate measuring machine (measuring device) through the window. Subsequently, a pressurized gas is supplied into the chamber device to bring the inside of the chamber device into a pressurized state. Note that the pressurized atmosphere in the chamber device was set to 0.4 MPa. Subsequently, the chamber device is opened to the atmosphere, and the inside of the chamber device is returned to the atmospheric pressure. Next, the heights of the two non-bonded regions of the first main surface and the two non-bonded regions of the second main surface of the inspection sample were measured again through the window portion by the coordinate measuring machine. Then, the maximum expansion amount among the expansion amounts of the four non-bonded regions of the test sample was determined from the measurement data.

[ examples 3 to 5]

First, as shown in fig. 16a and 16B, an inspection sample was obtained in the same manner as in example 3-1, except that double-sided tapes were bonded to a partial region of the first main surface (peripheral edge portions of the top and bottom sides of the first main surface) and a partial region of the second main surface (peripheral edge portions of the top and bottom sides of the second main surface) of the battery element, respectively. Next, the maximum expansion amount among the expansion amounts of the non-adhesive region was determined in the same manner as in example 3-1, except that the test sample was stored in the chamber device shown in fig. 17, and the heights of the non-adhesive region provided between the peripheral edge portions of the top side and the bottom side of the first main surface and the non-adhesive region provided between the peripheral edge portions of the top side and the bottom side of the second main surface were measured.

[ examples 3 to 6]

First, the size of the double-sided tape is changed so that the area ratio r is changed₁And area ratio r₂A test sample was obtained in the same manner as in example 3-1 except that the content was 20%. Subsequently, the maximum swelling amount in the non-bonded region of the test sample was determined in the same test procedure as in comparative example 2-1 using the same chamber apparatus as in comparative example 2-1.

[ examples 3 to 7]

First, a sample for examination was obtained in the same manner as in example 3-3. Subsequently, the maximum swelling amount in the non-bonded region of the test specimen was determined in the same manner as in examples 3 to 6.

Comparative example 3-1

First, a sample for inspection was obtained in the same manner as in example 3-1, except that the double-sided tape was not bonded to the first main surface and the second main surface of the battery element. Next, the maximum amount of swelling in the entire first main surface and the entire second main surface of the test sample was determined in the same manner as in example 3-1, except that the heights of the entire first main surface and the entire second main surface were measured. Note that, as the chamber device, a device having the same configuration as that of the chamber device of example 3-1 was used except that a window portion capable of observing the entire first main surface and the entire second main surface was provided.

[ example 4-1]

In this example, an example of a battery in which a cylindrical battery element and a packaging material are bonded together will be described.

First, a columnar battery element is prepared, and as shown in a of fig. 19, a double-sided tape is bonded to a partial region (central region of the columnar surface) of the columnar surface of the battery element. Note that the size of the double-sided adhesive tape was adjusted, as shown in Table 3, to the area B of the region to be bonded₃Area A relative to the cylindrical surface₃Area ratio R of₃(＝(B₃/A₃) X 100) was set to 60%. Then, the battery element was housed in a packaging material, and the peripheral edge portions of the packaging material were heat-welded to each other, thereby obtaining a cylindrical battery (dimensions excluding the sealing portion: diameter 10mm, length 50 mm). Next, a leak hole was formed in the battery as an inspection sample using a micro drill having a size Φ (diameter) of 80 μm.

Next, the maximum swelling amount of the non-adhesive region of the battery was determined as follows. First, the height of two non-bonded regions (see a in fig. 19) of the cylindrical surface of the battery is measured by a coordinate measuring machine (measuring device). Next, after the battery is housed in the chamber device shown in a of fig. 15, a pressurized gas is supplied into the chamber device to bring the inside of the chamber device into a pressurized state. Note that the pressurized atmosphere in the chamber device was set to 0.4 MPa. Next, after the chamber device was opened to the atmosphere and the pressure in the chamber device was returned to the atmospheric pressure, the battery was taken out from the chamber device, and the height of the two non-bonded regions on the cylindrical surface of the battery was measured again by the coordinate measuring machine. Then, the maximum expansion amount of the expansion amounts of the two non-bonded regions of the battery is determined from the measurement data.

Comparative example 4-1

A battery was obtained in the same manner as in example 4-1, except that the double-sided tape was not bonded to the cylindrical surface of the battery element. Next, the maximum swelling amount among the swelling amounts of the cylindrical surface of the battery was determined in the same manner as in example 4-1, except that the height was measured over the entire cylindrical surface of the battery by the coordinate measuring machine.

[ example 5-1]

In this embodiment, an example of a battery in which a curved battery element and a packaging material are bonded together will be described.

First, a curved battery (except for the dimensions of the sealing portion: thickness: 5mm, width: 30mm, inner circumference length: 80mm, inner circumference curvature radius: 80mm) was obtained in the same manner as in example 3-3, except that a curved thin plate-shaped battery element was used. Subsequently, a leak hole was formed as a sample for inspection using a micro drill having a size Φ (diameter) of 80 μm. Next, the maximum swelling amount among the swelling amounts of the four non-adhesive regions of the battery was determined in the same manner as in example 3-1.

Comparative example 5-1

A battery was obtained in the same manner as in example 5-1, except that the double-sided tape was not bonded to the first main surface and the second main surface of the battery element. Next, the maximum swelling amount among the swelling amounts of the first main surface and the second main surface was determined in the same manner as in example 3-1, except that the displacement of the entire first main surface and the entire second main surface of the battery was measured. Note that, as the chamber device, a device having the same configuration as that of the chamber device of example 3-1 was used except that a window portion capable of observing the entire first main surface and the entire second main surface was provided.

Table 3 shows the structures and evaluation results of the batteries of examples 3-1 to 3-7, comparative example 3-1, example 4-1, comparative example 4-1, example 5-1 and comparative example 5-1.

[ Table 3]

The following is evident from Table 3.

In the batteries of examples 3-1 to 3-7 and comparative example 3-1, the pressurized gas intruded into the battery and the packaging material swelled. However, in the batteries of examples 3-1 to 3-7 in which a part of the regions of the first and second main surfaces of the battery were bonded to the packaging material with the double-sided tape, swelling was larger than that in the battery of comparative example 3-1 in which the first and second main surfaces of the battery were not bonded with the double-sided tape. Therefore, by bonding a part of the first and second main surfaces of the battery to the packaging material with the double-sided tape, the leak detection accuracy can be improved.

Area b of the bonded region₁Area a relative to the first main surface of the battery₁Area ratio r of₁And area b of the bonding region₂Area a relative to the second main surface of the battery₂Area ratio r of₂The more increased, the greater the expansion. Therefore, the area ratio r is set to improve the leak detection accuracy₁、r₂Preferably 10% or more, more preferably 20% or more, further more preferably 40% or more, particularly preferably 60% or more, and most preferably 80% or more.

In the case of a cylindrical battery or a curved battery, the leakage detection accuracy can be improved similarly to the case of a thin plate-like (flat plate-like) battery by bonding a part of the main surface of the battery element to the packaging material with the double-sided tape.

While the embodiments, modifications, and examples of the present invention have been specifically described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, modifications, and examples, and various modifications may be made based on the technical concept of the present invention.

For example, the configurations, methods, steps, shapes, materials, numerical values, and the like described in the above embodiments and modifications thereof and examples are merely examples, and configurations, methods, steps, shapes, materials, numerical values, and the like different from these may be used as necessary.

The configurations, methods, steps, shapes, materials, numerical values, and the like of the above-described embodiments, modifications thereof, and examples may be combined with each other without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

In the numerical ranges described in the above embodiments and the modifications thereof, the upper limit or the lower limit of the numerical range in a certain step may be replaced with the upper limit or the lower limit of the numerical range in another step. The materials exemplified in the above embodiments and modifications thereof may be used singly or in combination of two or more unless otherwise specified.

In the present invention, the following configuration may be adopted as a configuration suitable for inspecting a battery having a defective package.

(1)

A film-packaged battery is provided with:

a battery element having opposing first and second major faces; and

a film-like packaging material that houses the battery element,

a portion of the area of the first major face is bonded to the wrapper,

area a of the first main surface₁And an area b of a partial region of the first main surface₁Area ratio of ((b)₁/a₁) X 100) is 10% or more and 90% or less.

(2)

The film-wrapped battery according to (1), wherein,

the area ratio is 20% or more and 60% or less.

(3)

The film-packaged battery according to (1) or (2), wherein,

the region of the first main face not bonded to the packaging material includes at least a part of the peripheral edge portion of the first main face.

(4)

The film-wrapped battery according to any one of (1) to (3),

the cell element has opposing first and second ends,

an area of the first main face not bonded to the packaging material is adjacent to at least one of the first end portion and the second end portion.

(5)

The film-wrapped battery according to any one of (1) to (4),

a portion of the area of the second major face is bonded to the wrapper.

(6)

The film-packaged battery according to any one of (1) to (5),

the battery element has a curved shape.

(7)

The film-wrapped battery according to any one of (1) to (6),

the battery element includes (a) a wound electrode body in which a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode are alternately stacked and wound, (b) a stacked electrode body in which a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode are alternately stacked, and (c) an electrode body having a zigzag shape in which a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode are regularly arranged.

(8)

The film-wrapped battery according to (7), wherein,

the outermost periphery of any of the electrode bodies is fixed with a tape.

(9)

A film-packaged battery is provided with:

a battery element having a main surface; and

a film-like packaging material that houses the battery element,

a portion of the area of the major face is bonded to the wrapper,

an area ratio ((B/A) × 100) of an area A of the main surface to an area B of a partial region of the main surface is 10% or more and 90% or less.

(10)

The film-wrapped battery according to (9), wherein,

the battery element has a cylindrical shape and is,

the main surface is a cylindrical surface.

Description of the reference numerals

10. 110, 210 batteries (film package battery)

10S₁、11S₁First main surface

10S₂、11S₂Second main surface

10R₁Pressure area (first area)

10R₂、10R₃Non-pressurized region (second region, third region)

10R₄Mounting area (fourth area)

10R₅、10R₆Non-carrying region (fifth region, sixth region)

11 Battery element

12 packaging material

15 stop winding belt

16A, 16B adhesive layer

20. 120 inspection device

20A, 120A, 220A, 320A chamber device

21 pressure regulating part

21A pressurizer

21B pressure controller

21C, 21D, 21E piping

21D₁Gas introducing valve

21E₁Gas exhaust valve

22. 122, 222, 322, 422, 522 chamber

Space part 22A

22B support part

22C₁、22C₂、22D₁、22D₂Window part

22E table

22F₁、22F₂、22G₁、22G₂Open part

23 pressure part

23A board

23B drive shaft

23C drive unit

24. 124 control device (detection device)

25 operating part

26 display device

27 measuring device

27A₁、27A₂、27B₁、27B₂Measuring part

Claims

1. A package inspection apparatus for a film-packaged battery having a first main surface and a second main surface, the package inspection apparatus comprising:

a chamber containing the film-wrapped battery;

a pressure adjusting unit configured to introduce a pressurized gas into the chamber and release the introduced pressurized gas; and

a pressing section that presses a first region that is a part of the first main surface,

the pressurizing unit is configured to pressurize the first region such that a pressure applied to the first region is relatively higher than a pressure applied to a second region of the first main surface that is not pressurized by the pressurizing unit in a state where the pressurized gas is introduced into the chamber.

2. The package inspection apparatus according to claim 1,

an area ratio (B/a) × 100 of an area B of the first region to an area a of the first main surface is 10% or more and 90% or less.

3. The package inspection apparatus according to claim 2,

the area ratio is 20% or more and 60% or less.

4. The package inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the first region is a central region of the first major face.

5. The package inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the second region includes at least a part of the peripheral edge portion of the first main surface.

6. The package inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the film-wrapped battery has opposite first and second ends,

the second region is adjacent to at least one of the first end portion and the second end portion.

7. The package inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,

the package inspection apparatus further includes an opening portion that opens at least a part of the second region to the atmosphere.

8. The package inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

the package inspection apparatus is also provided with a measuring device that measures the height or displacement of the second region.

9. The package inspection apparatus according to claim 8,

the package inspection apparatus further includes a detection device that detects a defective package of the film-packaged battery based on a measurement result of the measurement device.

10. The package inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,

the chamber further has a placement portion for placing a part of the second main surface of the film-wrapped battery.

11. A package inspection method for a film-packaged battery having a first main surface and a second main surface, the package inspection method comprising the steps of:

housing the film-wrapped battery in a chamber;

pressurizing a first region by a pressurizing section, the first region being a part of the first main surface;

introducing a pressurized gas into the chamber; and

releasing the pressurized gas introduced into the chamber while maintaining the pressurization of the first region by the pressurization section,

in a state where the pressurized gas is introduced into the chamber and the first main surface is pressurized by the pressurizing section, a pressure applied to the first region is relatively higher than a pressure applied to the second region of the first main surface that is not pressurized by the pressurizing section.

12. A package inspection method for a film-packaged battery having a first main surface and a second main surface, the package inspection method comprising the steps of:

housing the film-wrapped battery in a chamber;

pressurizing a first region by a pressurizing section, the first region being a part of the first main surface; and

introducing a pressurized gas into the chamber in a state where at least a part of a second region of the first main surface, which is not pressurized by the pressurization section, is opened to the atmosphere,

in a state where the pressurized gas is introduced into the chamber and the first main surface is pressurized by the pressurizing section, a pressure applied to the first region is relatively higher than a pressure applied to a second region of the first main surface that is not pressurized by the pressurizing section.

13. The package inspection method according to claim 12,

the opening to the atmosphere is performed by abutting a cylindrical member communicating with the atmosphere against at least a part of the second region.

14. A package inspection apparatus for a film-wrapped battery in which a part of one principal surface of a battery element is bonded to an inner side of a film-wrapping material accommodating the battery element, the package inspection apparatus comprising:

a chamber containing the film-wrapped battery; and

and a pressure adjusting unit configured to introduce a pressurized gas into the chamber and release the introduced pressurized gas.

15. A package inspection method of a film-wrapped battery in which a part of one principal surface of a battery element is bonded to an inner side of a film-wrapped material accommodating the battery element, the package inspection method comprising:

housing the film-wrapped battery in a chamber;

introducing a pressurized gas into the chamber; and

releasing the pressurized gas introduced into the chamber.

16. A package inspection method of a film-wrapped battery in which a part of one principal surface of a battery element is bonded to an inner side of a film-wrapped material accommodating the battery element, the package inspection method comprising:

housing the film-wrapped battery in a chamber; and

introducing a pressurized gas into the chamber in a state where at least a part of the region where the bonding is not performed is opened to the atmosphere.

17. The package inspection method according to claim 16,

the opening to the atmosphere is performed by abutting a cylindrical member communicating with the atmosphere against at least a part of a region where the bonding is not performed.