JP2021086719A - Inspection device and inspection method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an inspection device capable of accurately detecting a contour of a sheet body, and an inspection method.SOLUTION: An inspection device 100 is configured to inspect an individual electrode 20. The inspection device 100 comprises: a cutoff part 21 which supplies the electrode 20; a suction conveyer 24A which conveys the electrode 20 supplied by the cutoff part 21 while sucking it on a conveyance face F; and an imaging part 26A which is disposed oppositely to the conveyance face F of the suction conveyer 24A. The conveyance face F includes a plurality of suction regions R which are disposed in an intermittent manner at a fixed pitch P in a conveyance direction D of the electrode 20, a plurality of suction holes 24d each for sucking the electrode 20 are formed in the suction regions R, and the cutoff part 21 supplies the electrode 20 onto the suction region R on the conveyance face F in such a manner that the plurality of suction holes 24d in the suction region R are settled within the inside of an outer edge 20a of the electrode 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present disclosure relates to an inspection device and an inspection method.

As an inspection device for inspecting a sheet body, for example, there is an inspection device described in Patent Document 1. The inspection device described in Patent Document 1 includes a suction conveyor that sucks and conveys the sheet body on the conveying surface, and an imaging unit that images the sheet body conveyed by the suction conveyor. A plurality of suction holes are provided on the transport surface of the suction conveyor over substantially the entire surface of the transport surface. In this inspection device, the sheet body is sucked and conveyed to the transport surface of the suction conveyor by a plurality of suction holes, the sheet body on the transport surface is imaged by the imaging unit, and the sheet body is inspected based on the captured image. .. Further, in Patent Document 1, the suction hole is projected from the back surface opposite to the transport surface.

JP-A-2019-86509

When the inspection device as described above inspects the sheet body based on the image captured by the imaging unit, the sheet body in the image is determined in order to determine the inspection target area (that is, the area in which the sheet body is reflected). The boundary between the sheet body and the transport surface is specified by the difference in color between the sheet body and the transport surface, and the contour line of the sheet body formed by this boundary is detected. In Patent Document 1, by projecting light from the back surface of the suction holes, it is easy to detect the contour line of the sheet body even on the transport surface provided with the suction holes. However, depending on the suction holes, there are places where the light hits diagonally, and if the light hits the suction holes diagonally, the entire suction holes cannot be made bright, and part or most of the suction holes are dark. Can remain. If an image of the sheet body on the transport surface is taken in this state, it may be difficult to clearly distinguish the sheet body from the suction holes provided on the transport surface in the image. In this case, the contour of the sheet body is defined. There is a risk of erroneous detection due to the shape including the suction holes.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an inspection device and an inspection method capable of accurately detecting the contour of a sheet body.

The inspection device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an inspection device that inspects individual sheet bodies by adsorbing a supply unit that supplies the sheet body and a sheet body supplied by the supply unit to a transport surface. It is provided with a suction conveyor for transporting and an imaging unit arranged so as to face the transport surface of the suction conveyor, and the transport surface is a plurality of suctions intermittently arranged at a constant pitch along the transport direction of the sheet body. It has a region, and a plurality of suction holes for sucking the sheet body are formed in the suction region, and the supply unit has a plurality of suction holes in the suction region when viewed from the normal direction of the transport surface. The sheet body is supplied on the suction region on the transport surface so as to fit inside the outer edge of the body.

In this inspection device, the suction conveyor sucks and conveys the sheet body supplied from the supply unit through a plurality of suction holes in the suction region of the transport surface, and the imaging unit sucks the sheet body sucked by the plurality of suction holes. Take an image. Here, since the supply unit supplies the sheet body on the suction region so that the plurality of suction holes in the suction region are accommodated inside the outer edge of the sheet body when viewed from the normal direction of the transport surface of the suction conveyor. On the surface, the plurality of suction holes in the suction region are in a state of being covered with the sheet body without protruding outside the contour of the sheet body. If the sheet body on the transport surface is imaged by the imaging unit in this state, the boundary between the sheet body and the transport surface is not erroneously detected in the image captured by the shape including the suction holes. Can be identified accurately. That is, according to the inspection device described above, the contour of the seat body can be accurately detected.

In the above-mentioned inspection device, the supply timing of the sheet body from the supply unit to the transfer surface and the suction conveyor so that the supply position of the sheet body from the supply unit to the transfer surface and the position of the suction region on the transfer surface are synchronized with each other. A control unit for setting the transport speed may be further provided. In this case, it is possible to easily realize a configuration in which the supply unit supplies the sheet body on the suction region so that the plurality of suction holes in the suction region are contained inside the outer edge of the seat body.

The above-mentioned inspection device further includes a sensor arranged so as to face the transport surface, and the suction conveyor rotates at a rotation speed corresponding to the transport speed set by the control unit and the belt constituting the transport surface. A reference mark that can be detected by a sensor is provided in a region excluding a plurality of suction regions on the transport surface, and the control unit has a timing at which the sensor detects the reference mark. The deviation between the phase of the circulation operation of the belt and the phase of the rotation operation of the drive unit may be calculated based on the above, and the rotation speed of the drive unit may be adjusted so as to compensate for the deviation. In this configuration, even if there is a gap between the phase of the belt circulation operation and the phase of the drive unit rotation operation due to slippage between the belt of the suction conveyor and the drive unit, the deviation is compensated. The rotation speed of the drive unit is adjusted so as to. As a result, it is possible to correct the deviation between the actual speed of the transport surface (that is, the circulation speed of the belt) and the transport speed set by the control unit, so that the sheet body is supplied from the supply unit to the transport surface. It is possible to more reliably synchronize the position with the position of the suction region on the transport surface.

In the above-described inspection device, the sheet body is an electrode in which an active material layer is formed on a metal foil, and the electrode includes a rectangular foil main body portion and a tab protruding from the edge of the foil main body portion, and is a transport surface. At least one of the plurality of suction holes in the suction region may be arranged at a position overlapping with the tab when viewed from the normal direction of the above. According to this configuration, even when the suction conveyor sucks the electrode on the lower surface side and conveys the electrode, the tab of the electrode is sucked by the suction hole, so that the electrode is conveyed in a state where the tab hangs down. Can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the hanging tab from colliding with another device and being damaged.

The inspection method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an inspection method for inspecting an individual sheet body, and a suction region provided with a plurality of suction holes for sucking the sheet body is a transport direction of the sheet body. A preparatory step for preparing a suction conveyor having a plurality of transport surfaces intermittently arranged at a constant pitch along the surface, a supply step for supplying the sheet body to the suction region of the transport surface, and a suction region for the supplied sheet body. A transport step for sucking and transporting the sheet body and an imaging step for imaging the sheet body transported on the transport surface are provided. In the supply step, a plurality of suction holes in the suction region are formed when viewed from the normal direction of the transport surface. The sheet body is supplied on the suction region on the transport surface so as to fit inside the outer edge of the sheet body.

In this inspection method, when the sheet body is supplied to the transport surface of the suction conveyor, the sheet body is sucked and conveyed by a plurality of suction holes in the suction region of the transport surface, and the sheet body sucked by the plurality of suction holes is sucked and conveyed. Take an image. Here, when supplying the sheet body to the transport surface of the suction conveyor, the sheet body is arranged so that the plurality of suction holes in the suction region are contained inside the outer edge of the sheet body when viewed from the normal direction of the transport surface of the suction conveyor. Is supplied onto the suction region, so that the plurality of suction holes in the suction region are covered with the sheet body without protruding outside the contour of the sheet body. If the sheet body on the transport surface is imaged in this state, the boundary between the sheet body and the transport surface can be accurately detected without erroneously detecting the contour of the sheet body in the image captured in the shape including the suction holes. Can be identified. That is, according to the inspection method described above, the contour of the sheet body can be accurately detected.

According to the present disclosure, the contour line of the sheet body can be accurately detected.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of a power storage device manufactured by applying the inspection device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an inspection device according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a transport surface of the suction conveyor of the inspection device of FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit of the inspection device of FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the control unit shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an inspection method according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a transport surface of the suction conveyor according to the comparative example.

Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of a power storage device 1 manufactured by applying the inspection device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the power storage device 1 is a lithium ion secondary battery having a laminated electrode assembly.

The power storage device 1 includes, for example, a case 2 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and an electrode assembly 3 housed in the case 2. The case 2 is made of a metal such as aluminum. Although not shown, a non-aqueous (organic solvent-based) electrolytic solution is injected into the case 2, for example. The positive electrode terminal 4 and the negative electrode terminal 5 are arranged on the case 2 so as to be separated from each other. The positive electrode terminal 4 is fixed to the case 2 via the insulating ring 6, and the negative electrode terminal 5 is fixed to the case 2 via the insulating ring 7. An insulating film is arranged between the electrode assembly 3 and the inner side surface and the bottom surface of the case 2, and the case 2 and the electrode assembly 3 are insulated from each other by the insulating film.

In FIG. 1, for convenience, a slight gap is provided between the lower end of the electrode assembly 3 and the bottom surface of the case 2, but in reality, the lower end of the electrode assembly 3 is inside the case 2 via an insulating film. Is in contact with the bottom of the. Further, in order to reduce the rattling of the electrode assembly 3 in the stacking direction of the electrode assembly 3, several spacers are arranged in the gap between the electrode assembly 3 and the case 2. The number of spacers is appropriately adjusted according to the thickness of the electrode assembly 3.

The electrode assembly 3 has a structure in which a plurality of positive electrodes 8 and a plurality of negative electrodes 9 are alternately laminated via a bag-shaped separator 10. The positive electrode 8 is wrapped in a bag-shaped separator 10. The positive electrode 8 in a state of being wrapped in the bag-shaped separator 10 is configured as a positive electrode 11 with a separator. Therefore, the electrode assembly 3 has a structure in which a plurality of positive electrodes 11 with separators and a plurality of negative electrodes 9 are alternately laminated. The electrodes located at both ends of the electrode assembly 3 are negative electrodes 9.

The positive electrode 8 has, for example, a metal foil 14 which is a positive electrode current collector made of aluminum foil, and a positive electrode active material layer 15 formed on both sides of the metal foil 14. The metal foil 14 has a foil main body portion 14a having a rectangular shape in a plan view and a tab 14b integrated with the foil main body portion 14a. The tab 14b projects from the edge of the foil body 14a near one end in the longitudinal direction. The tab 14b penetrates the separator 10. The plurality of tabs 14b extending from the plurality of positive electrodes 8 are connected (welded) to the conductive member 12 in a foil-collected state, and are connected to the positive electrode terminals 4 via the conductive member 12. In FIG. 2, tab 14b is omitted for convenience.

The positive electrode active material layer 15 is formed on both the front and back surfaces of the foil main body portion 14a. The positive electrode active material layer 15 is a porous layer formed by containing the positive electrode active material and the binder. Examples of the positive electrode active material include composite oxides, metallic lithium, sulfur and the like. Composite oxides include, for example, at least one of manganese, nickel, cobalt and aluminum and lithium.

The negative electrode 9 has, for example, a metal foil 16 which is a negative electrode current collector made of copper foil, and a negative electrode active material layer 17 formed on both sides of the metal foil 16. The metal foil 16 has a foil main body portion 16a having a rectangular shape in a plan view and a tab 16b integrated with the foil main body portion 16a. The tab 16b projects from the edge of the foil body 16a near one end in the longitudinal direction. The tab 16b is connected to the negative electrode terminal 5 via the conductive member 13. In FIG. 2, tab 16b is omitted for convenience.

The negative electrode active material layer 17 is formed on both the front and back surfaces of the foil body portion 16a. The negative electrode active material layer 17 is a porous layer formed by containing the negative electrode active material and the binder. Examples of the negative electrode active material include graphite, highly oriented graphite, mesocarbon microbeads, carbon such as hard carbon and soft carbon, alkali metals such as lithium and sodium, metal compounds, and SiOx (0.5 ≦ x ≦ 1.5). ) And other metal oxides or boron-added carbon and the like.

The separator 10 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. Examples of the material for forming the separator 10 include a porous film made of a polyolefin resin such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). The separator 10 may be a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric made of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), methyl cellulose or the like.

When manufacturing the power storage device 1 configured as described above, for example, a step of manufacturing the electrodes (positive electrode 11 with separator and negative electrode 9), a laminating step of forming the electrode assembly 3 from the manufactured electrodes, and a step of forming the electrode assembly 3 The electrode assembly 3 is housed in the case 2, the electrolytic solution is injected and the can is sealed, and the assembled power storage device 1 is activated by initial charging / discharging or the like. The present invention relates to a process of manufacturing an electrode, and more particularly to an inspection of the manufactured electrode.

Next, the inspection device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the inspection device 100. In the following description, the inspection target of the inspection device 100 may be either the positive electrode 8 or the negative electrode 9. Therefore, assuming that both electrodes can be included, the inspection target of the inspection device 100 will be referred to as an electrode 20.

The inspection device 100 is a device that inspects the cut electrode 20 after the electrode 20 is cut. The electrode 20 is completed by being pressed by the press portion 22 described later, but here, for ease of explanation, even if the member is before being pressed, the cut portion described later will be described. The one formed by 21 in the shape of the electrode 20 is referred to as an “electrode 20”. The press unit 22 is not an essential configuration for the inspection device 100. For example, if the material of the electrode 20 (base material B described later) is pressed during production, the pressing after cutting from the base material B to the electrode 20 can be omitted.

The inspection device 100 includes a cutting unit 21 (supply unit), a pressing unit 22, a processing unit 23, suction conveyors 24A, 24B, 24C, and 24D, sensors 25A, 25B, 25C, and 25D, and an imaging unit 26A. , 26B, 26C, and 26D, and a control unit 30 (see FIG. 5). In the following description, the direction in which the electrode 20 is transported is defined as the transport direction D. Each of the suction conveyors 24A, 24B, 24C, and 24D has the same configuration as each other, and each of the sensors 25A, 25B, 25C, and 25D has the same configuration as each other, and the imaging unit 26A , 26B, 26C, and 26D each have the same configuration as each other.

Therefore, when it is not necessary to separately explain the suction conveyors 24A, 24B, 24C, and 24D, these are collectively referred to as "suction conveyor 24", and the sensors 25A, 25B, 25C, and 25D are divided into sections, respectively. When it is not necessary to explain them separately, they are collectively referred to as "sensor 25", and when it is not necessary to separately explain the imaging units 26A, 26B, 26C, and 26D, they are collectively referred to as "sensor 25". It is called "imaging unit 26".

The cutting portion 21 forms individual electrodes 20 by cutting the strip-shaped base material B, and supplies the electrodes 20 to the suction conveyor 24A. The cutting portion 21 is, for example, a rotary die-cut type cutting device including a pair of rollers. The strip-shaped base material B is conveyed in the longitudinal direction of the base material B so as to pass between the pair of rollers of the cutting portion 21. The cutting portion 21 sandwiches the base material B with a pair of rollers and cuts the base material B with the blade portion to form individual electrodes 20. Then, the cutting portion 21 supplies the cut electrode 20 to the suction conveyor 24A.

The suction conveyor 24A is arranged in a transport path between the cutting section 21 and the pressing section 22. The suction conveyor 24A transports the electrode 20 supplied from the cutting portion 21 in the transport direction D. The suction conveyor 24A has a transport surface F on the lower surface side thereof, and in a state where the electrode 20 is sucked on the transport surface F, the electrode 20 is transported in the transport direction D. The suction conveyor 24B is arranged on the downstream side of the suction conveyor 24A in the transfer path between the cutting portion 21 and the pressing portion 22. The electrode 20 conveyed by the suction conveyor 24A is supplied to the suction conveyor 24B. The suction conveyor 24B has a transport surface F on the upper surface side thereof, and in a state where the electrode 20 is sucked on the transport surface F, the electrode 20 is transported in the transport direction D.

The press unit 22 is a device that presses the electrode 20. The electrode 20 conveyed by the suction conveyor 24B is supplied to the press unit 22. The press unit 22 has a pair of press rollers, and presses the supplied electrodes 20 with the pair of press rollers. The press unit 22 sends the pressed electrode 20 to the suction conveyor 24C.

The suction conveyor 24C is arranged in a transport path between the press unit 22 and the processing unit 23. The electrode 20 is supplied to the suction conveyor 24C from the press unit 22. The suction conveyor 24C has a transport surface F on the lower surface side thereof, and in a state where the electrode 20 is sucked on the transport surface F, the electrode 20 is transported in the transport direction D. The suction conveyor 24D is arranged on the downstream side of the suction conveyor 24C in the transfer path between the press unit 22 and the processing unit 23. The electrode 20 conveyed by the suction conveyor 24C is supplied to the suction conveyor 24D. The suction conveyor 24D has a transport surface F on the upper surface side thereof, and in a state where the electrode 20 is sucked on the transport surface F, the electrode 20 is transported in the transport direction D.

The processing unit 23 is a facility for performing a predetermined process using the electrode 20 after pressing, or an entrance of the facility. The electrode 20 conveyed by the suction conveyor 24D is supplied to the processing unit 23. For example, when the electrode 20 is a positive electrode 8, the positive electrode 11 with a separator is manufactured by wrapping the positive electrode 8 after pressing with a separator 10. In this case, the processing unit 23 is a heater roller located at the upstream end of the separator packaging device that performs the above-mentioned processing, and for welding two separators arranged so as to sandwich the positive electrode 8 from above and below. Not shown).

Here, the configuration of the suction conveyor 24 will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 3, the suction conveyor 24 includes a drive unit 24a and a belt 24b. The drive unit 24a is configured to include, for example, a pair of rollers arranged at both ends of the suction conveyor 24 in the transport direction D, and drives the rotation of one of the pair of rollers. The rotation speed of this roller is set by the control unit 30. The belt 24b is a member formed in an annular shape by connecting the ends of a strip-shaped sheet in which a plurality of suction holes 24d (see FIG. 4) are formed. The outward facing surface of the belt 24b constitutes the transport surface F. The belt 24b is bridged by a pair of rollers of the drive unit 24a and is circulated and driven as the rollers rotate. Therefore, the drive unit 24a can circulate drive the belt 24b by rotating the roller.

A suction box 24c for generating an attractive force on the transport surface F is provided on the opposite side of the belt 24b from the transport surface F. The inside of the suction box 24c is connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) and has a negative pressure. The electrode 20 is attracted to the suction box 24c through the plurality of suction holes 24d on the transport surface F, so that the electrode 20 is attracted to the transport surface F. Therefore, the electrode 20 supplied to the suction conveyor 24 is conveyed in the transfer direction D in a state of being attracted to the transfer surface F of the suction conveyor 24. The transfer speed of the electrode 20 by the suction conveyor 24 is a speed corresponding to the rotation speed of the drive unit 24a set by the control unit 30 (that is, the circulation speed of the belt 24b).

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the transport surface F of the belt 24b. As shown in FIG. 4, the transport surface F has a plurality of suction regions R for sucking the electrode 20 on the transport surface F. The plurality of suction regions R are not provided on the entire surface of the transport surface F, but are provided on a portion of the transport surface F that serves as a transport path for the electrode 20. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of suction regions R are provided at the central portion of the transport surface F in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction D. The plurality of suction regions R are intermittently arranged at a constant pitch P along the transport direction D in the central portion of the transport surface F. That is, the plurality of adsorption regions R are arranged at equal intervals along the transport direction D. The pitch P is the distance between the centers of the suction regions R adjacent to each other in the transport direction D.

The suction region R is provided with a plurality of suction holes 24d for sucking the electrode 20. The plurality of suction holes 24d are regularly arranged in the suction region R. Specifically, the plurality of suction holes 24d are arranged at equal intervals in the suction region R along the direction orthogonal to the transport direction D and the transport direction D. Each suction hole 24d has a circular shape when viewed from the normal direction of the transport surface F (that is, in a plan view). The shape and arrangement of the suction holes 24d in the suction region R are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 4, and can be appropriately changed as long as the electrode 20 can be sucked.

The electrode 20 is arranged on the suction region R of the transport surface F, and the area of the suction region R is smaller than the area of the electrode 20 when viewed from the normal direction of the transport surface F. Therefore, the plurality of suction holes 24d in the suction region R are housed inside the outer edge 20a of the electrode 20. The state in which the plurality of suction holes 24d in the suction region R are contained inside the outer edge 20a of the electrode 20 means that all the suction holes 24d in the suction region R are located inside the outer edge 20a of the electrode 20. This means that all the suction holes 24d do not protrude to the outside of the outer edge 20a of the electrode 20.

For example, when the cutting portion 21 supplies the electrode 20 on the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24A, the plurality of suction holes 24d in the suction region R are accommodated inside the outer edge 20a of the electrode 20 on the suction region R. 20 is supplied to the electrode 20. As a result, the arrangement of the electrodes 20 shown in FIG. 4 can be realized. A part of the plurality of suction holes 24d is provided at a position overlapping with the tab 14b of the electrode 20 when viewed from the normal direction of the transport surface F, and the rest of the plurality of suction holes 24d is the foil main body portion of the electrode 20. It is provided at a position overlapping with 14a. When viewed from the normal direction of the transport surface F, all of the plurality of suction holes 24d may be provided at positions where they overlap with the foil body portion 14a of the electrode 20.

The transport surface F further has a reference mark M that can be detected by the sensor 25. The reference mark M can be formed of, for example, a hole similar to the suction hole 24d. However, the reference mark M is not limited to this as long as it can be detected from the transport surface F by the sensor 25. The reference mark M may be composed of, for example, a notch or a tape. Alternatively, the reference mark M may be represented by a color different from the color of the transport surface F.

The reference mark M is provided on the transport surface F in a region other than the plurality of suction regions R. The position of the reference mark M is not particularly limited as long as it does not overlap with the electrode 20 on the transport surface F. The reference mark M is provided on the transport surface F at a portion other than the portion serving as the transport path of the electrode 20. The reference mark M is provided, for example, at one end (lower end in FIG. 4) of the transport surface F in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction D. The reference mark M may be provided at the other end portion (upper end portion in FIG. 4) of the transport surface F in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction D. The portion of the transport surface F that serves as the transport path for the electrode 20 is more likely to be blackened due to dirt or the like than the portion of the transport surface F that is not the portion that serves as the transport path for the electrode 20. Therefore, if the reference mark M is arranged on the transport surface F as the transport path of the electrode 20, it may be difficult for the sensor 25 to detect it. Therefore, by arranging the reference mark M on the transport surface F other than the portion serving as the transport path of the electrode 20, the reference mark M can be detected more reliably by the sensor 25.

See again in FIG. The sensor 25A is arranged below the suction conveyor 24A so as to face the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24A. The sensor 25A detects the reference mark M on the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24A. The sensor 25B is arranged above the suction conveyor 24B so as to face the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24B. The sensor 25B detects the reference mark M on the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24B. The sensor 25C is arranged below the suction conveyor 24C so as to face the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24C. The sensor 25C detects the reference mark M on the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24C. The sensor 25D is arranged above the suction conveyor 24D so as to face the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24D. The sensor 25D detects the reference mark M on the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24D.

The sensor 25 is, for example, an optical sensor, and detects the reference mark M based on the difference in light reflectance between the reference mark M and the transport surface F. When the sensor 25 detects the reference mark M, the sensor 25 transmits a detection signal to the control unit 30. The sensor 25 is not limited to the optical sensor as long as the reference mark M can be detected, and may be another sensor. For example, if the reference mark M can be detected by the difference in color from the transport surface F, a color sensor may be adopted as the sensor 25.

The imaging unit 26A is arranged below the suction conveyor 24A so as to face the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24A. The imaging unit 26A is located, for example, on the downstream side of the sensor 25A in the transport direction D. The imaging unit 26A images the electrode 20 on the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24A. The imaging unit 26B is arranged above the suction conveyor 24B so as to face the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24B. The imaging unit 26B is located, for example, on the downstream side of the sensor 25B in the transport direction D. The imaging unit 26B images the electrode 20 on the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24B.

The imaging unit 26C is arranged below the suction conveyor 24C so as to face the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24C. The imaging unit 26C is located, for example, on the downstream side of the sensor 25C in the transport direction D. The imaging unit 26C images the electrode 20 on the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24C. The imaging unit 26D is arranged above the suction conveyor 24D so as to face the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24D. The imaging unit 26D is located, for example, on the downstream side of the sensor 25D in the transport direction D. The imaging unit 26D images the electrode 20 on the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24D. The imaging unit 26 is, for example, a CCD camera, which acquires an image of the electrode 20 being conveyed and transmits the image to the control unit 30.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 30. The control unit 30 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, an input / output interface, and the like. The control unit 30 may be composed of one processing device or a plurality of processing devices. The control unit 30 controls the cutting unit 21, the pressing unit 22, the processing unit 23, and the suction conveyors 24A, 24B, 24C, and 24D. The control unit 30 includes, for example, a setting unit 31, an adjusting unit 32, and a detecting unit 33.

The setting unit 31 cuts so that the rotation operation of the cutting unit 21, the rotation operation of the press unit 22, the rotation operation of the processing unit 23, and the transfer operation of the suction conveyors 24A, 24B, 24C, and 24D are synchronized with each other. The rotation speed of the unit 21, the rotation speed of the press unit 22, the rotation speed of the processing unit 23, and the transfer speed of the suction conveyors 24A, 24B, 24C, and 24D are set. For example, an encoder is attached to the cutting unit 21 and the processing unit 23, and based on the signal from the encoder, the rotation speed of the cutting unit 21, the rotation speed of the press unit 22, the rotation speed of the processing unit 23, and each suction conveyor 24A. , 24B, 24C and 24D may be set. The rotation speed of the cutting portion 21 determines the supply timing of the electrode 20 from the cutting portion 21 to the suction conveyor 24A. The transfer speed of the suction conveyor 24A determines the supply timing of the electrode 20 from the suction conveyor 24A to the suction conveyor 24B. The rotation speed of the press unit 22 determines the supply timing of the electrode 20 from the press unit 22 to the suction conveyor 24C. The transfer speed of the suction conveyor 24C determines the supply timing of the electrode 20 from the suction conveyor 24C to the suction conveyor 24D.

Specifically, the transfer speed of the suction conveyor 24 means the rotation speed of the rollers of the drive unit 24a of the suction conveyor 24. The drive unit 24a circulates the belt 24b at a circulation speed corresponding to the rotation speed by rotating the roller at the rotation speed set by the setting unit 31. Therefore, when the belt 24b circulates without slipping from the drive unit 24a, the circulation speed of the belt 24b matches the rotation speed of the drive unit 24a set by the setting unit 31. On the other hand, when slippage occurs between the belt 24b and the drive unit 24a, the circulation speed of the belt 24b deviates from the rotation speed of the drive unit 24a set by the setting unit 31.

By synchronizing the rotation operation of the cutting portion 21 and the transfer operation of the suction conveyor 24A with each other, the supply position of the electrode 20 from the cutting portion 21 to the transfer surface F of the suction conveyor 24A and the suction on the transfer surface F of the suction conveyor 24A The positions of the regions R coincide with (synchronize with) each other. The supply position of the electrode 20 from the cutting portion 21 to the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24A is such that the electrode 20 is completely separated from the base material B by the cutting portion 21, and the electrode 20 is received from the cutting portion 21 to the transport surface F. Means the position to be passed. The position of the suction region R is, for example, the central position of the transport direction D in the suction region R. Therefore, by synchronizing the supply position of the electrode 20 from the cutting portion 21 to the transport surface F with the position of the suction region R on the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24A, the cutting portion 21 may have a plurality of cutting portions 21 in the suction region R. The electrode 20 can be supplied on the suction region R on the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24A so that the suction hole 24d fits inside the outer edge 20a of the electrode 20.

By synchronizing the transfer operation of the suction conveyor 24A and the transfer operation of the suction conveyor 24B with each other, the supply position of the electrode 20 from the suction conveyor 24A to the transfer surface F of the suction conveyor 24B and the transfer surface F of the suction conveyor 24B The positions of the adsorption regions R coincide with each other (synchronize). As a result, the suction conveyor 24A places the electrode 20 on the suction region R on the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24B so that the plurality of suction holes 24d in the suction region R of the suction conveyor 24B fit inside the outer edge 20a of the electrode 20. Can be supplied.

By synchronizing the rotational operation of the press unit 22 and the transfer operation of the suction conveyor 24C with each other, the supply position of the electrode 20 from the press unit 22 to the transfer surface F of the suction conveyor 24C and the transfer surface F of the suction conveyor 24C The positions of the adsorption regions R coincide with each other (synchronize). As a result, the press unit 22 places the electrode 20 on the suction region R on the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24C so that the plurality of suction holes 24d in the suction region R of the suction conveyor 24C fit inside the outer edge 20a of the electrode 20. Can be supplied.

By synchronizing the transfer operation of the suction conveyor 24C and the transfer operation of the suction conveyor 24D with each other, the supply position of the electrode 20 from the suction conveyor 24C to the transfer surface F of the suction conveyor 24D and the transfer surface F of the suction conveyor 24D The positions of the adsorption regions R coincide with each other (synchronize). As a result, the suction conveyor 24C places the electrode 20 on the suction region R on the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24D so that the plurality of suction holes 24d in the suction region R of the suction conveyor 24D fit inside the outer edge 20a of the electrode 20. Can be supplied.

The adjusting unit 32 adjusts the transport speed of the suction conveyor 24 on which the sensor 25 is provided, based on the detection signal from the sensor 25. Specifically, the adjusting unit 32 has the phase of the circulation operation of the belt 24b calculated based on the timing when the sensor 25 detects the reference mark M on the transport surface F, and the driving unit 24a set by the setting unit 31. It is determined whether or not there is a phase shift from the phase of the rotation operation. For example, the adjusting unit 32 calculates the cycle of the circulation operation of the belt 24b based on the time difference between the detection of the reference mark M by the sensor 25 and the detection of the next reference mark M. Then, the adjusting unit 32 determines whether or not there is a time lag between the calculated cycle of the circulation operation of the belt 24b and the period of the rotation operation of the driving unit 24a set by the setting unit 31.

When the adjusting unit 32 determines that there is a time lag between the cycle of the circulation operation of the belt 24b and the cycle of the rotation operation of the drive unit 24a, the phase of the circulation operation of the belt 24b is determined based on this time lag. , Calculate the phase shift from the phase of the rotational operation of the drive unit 24a. Then, the adjusting unit 32 adjusts the rotation speed of the driving unit 24a so as to compensate for this phase shift. For example, when the phase of the circulation operation of the belt 24b is behind the phase of the rotation operation of the drive unit 24a, the adjusting unit 32 temporarily increases the rotation speed of the drive unit 24a to be larger than the original rotation speed. Adjust so that As a result, the adjusting unit 32 matches the phase of the circulating operation of the belt 24b with the phase of the rotational operation of the driving unit 24a. Then, when these phases match, the adjusting unit 32 returns the rotation speed of the drive unit 24a to the original rotation speed again. In this way, the adjusting unit 32 can compensate for the phase shift between the phase of the circulating operation of the belt 24b and the phase of the rotational operation of the driving unit 24a.

The detection unit 33 acquires an image transmitted from the imaging unit 26. The detection unit 33 identifies the boundary between the electrode 20 and the transport surface F by the difference in color between the electrode 20 and the transport surface F in the image, and detects the contour of the electrode 20 formed by this boundary. Then, the detection unit 33 determines whether or not the electrode 20 has a shape defect or a cutting defect based on the detected contour. For example, the detection unit 33 determines the defect in the shape of the electrode 20 by detecting the length of each side of the electrode 20 constituting the contour from the contour of the electrode 20. The detection unit 33 determines that the electrode 20 is normal when the length of each side of the electrode 20 is within the allowable predetermined range, and when the length of each side of the electrode 20 is out of the predetermined range. Determines the electrode 20 as abnormal. Further, the detection unit 33 determines the presence or absence of burrs due to poor cutting of the electrode 20 based on the shape of the contour line of the electrode 20. Further, the detection unit 33 may also determine whether or not a foreign substance is present in the contour line of the electrode 20. The detection unit 33 may specify the boundary between the electrode 20 and the transport surface F by the difference in brightness between the electrode 20 and the transport surface F in the image.

Subsequently, the control flow of the control unit 30 for compensating for the above-mentioned phase shift will be described with reference to FIG. First, the setting unit 31 of the control unit 30 of the suction conveyor 24 synchronizes with the rotation operation of the roller of the cutting unit 21, the rotation operation of the roller of the press unit 22, and the rotation operation of the roller of the processing unit 23. The transport speed (that is, the rotation speed of the drive unit 24a) is set (step S11).

Next, the sensor 25 facing the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24 detects the reference mark M provided on the transport surface F (step S12). When the sensor 25 detects the reference mark M, the sensor 25 transmits a detection signal to the control unit 30. Next, the adjusting unit 32 of the control unit 30 between the phase of the circulation operation of the belt 24b and the phase of the rotation operation of the drive unit 24a based on the timing when the sensor 25 detects the reference mark M on the transport surface F. It is determined whether or not there is a phase shift in (step S13).

When the adjusting unit 32 determines that there is no phase shift between the phase of the circulation operation of the belt 24b and the phase of the rotation operation of the drive unit 24a (No in step S13), the adjusting unit 32 returns to step S12 and returns to the phase. Continue to determine if there is a discrepancy. On the other hand, when the adjusting unit 32 determines that there is a phase shift between the phase of the circulating operation of the belt 24b and the phase of the rotational operation of the driving unit 24a (Yes in step S13), the adjusting unit 32 compensates for the phase shift. The rotation speed of the drive unit 24a is adjusted so as to be performed (step S14). After that, the process returns to step S12, and steps S13 and S14 are repeated.

Subsequently, the inspection method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an inspection method according to the present embodiment. In the inspection method according to the present embodiment, the electrode 20 can be inspected by using the inspection device 100 described above.

First, the suction conveyors 24A, 24B, 24C, and 24D described above are prepared (preparation step S1). Then, the suction conveyors 24A, 24B, 24C, and 24D are conveyed and driven at the transfer speed set by the setting unit 31 of the control unit 30. At this time, the transfer speeds of the suction conveyors 24A, 24B, 24C, and 24D are synchronized with the rotation operation of the rollers of the cutting unit 21, the rotation operation of the rollers of the press unit 22, and the rotation operation of the rollers of the processing unit 23. It becomes the speed.

Next, the cutting portion 21 supplies the electrode 20 to the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24A (supply step S2). Since the supply position of the electrode 20 from the cutting portion 21 to the transport surface F and the position of the suction region R on the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24A are synchronized with each other, in the supply step S2, the cut portion 21 is subjected to the transport surface. The electrode 20 is supplied onto the suction region R on the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24A so that the plurality of suction holes 24d in the suction region R are contained inside the outer edge 20a of the electrode 20 when viewed from the normal direction of F. (See Fig. 4).

Next, the suction conveyor 24A sucks the electrode 20 on the suction region R of the transport surface F and transports the electrode 20 in the transport direction D (convey step S3). Next, the imaging unit 26A images the electrode 20 that is adsorbed and conveyed to the adsorption region R (imaging step S4). The image pickup unit 26A transmits the captured image to the detection unit 33 of the control unit 30. The detection unit 33 acquires this image and detects the contour of the electrode 20 in the image. Through the above steps, the electrode 20 transported on the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24A is inspected. The inspection of the electrode 20 transported on the transport surface F of the suction conveyors 24B, 24C, and 24D can also be performed from the supply step S2 through the same steps as the imaging step S4. The steps S11 to S14 of the control flow of the control unit 30 described above may be performed in parallel with the preparation steps S1 to the imaging step S4.

Subsequently, the operation / effect of the inspection device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described together with the problems of the comparative example. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a transport surface 200F of the suction conveyor 200 of the inspection device according to the comparative example. In the suction conveyor 200 according to the comparative example, when viewed from the normal direction of the transport surface 200F, the plurality of suction holes 210 provided on the transport surface 200F do not fit inside the outer edge 20a of the electrode 20, and the outer edge 20a of the electrode 20 It sticks out of the outside. When the electrode 20 placed on the transport surface 200F is imaged, the contour of the electrode 20 may be erroneously detected when it is difficult to distinguish between the electrode 20 and the suction hole 210 in the captured image. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the suction holes 210 overlap in the vicinity of the outer edge 20a of the electrode 20, the contour of the electrode 20 may be erroneously detected in a shape including the suction holes 210. Therefore, it may be difficult to accurately detect the contour of the electrode 20 in the inspection device provided with the suction conveyor 200 according to the comparative example.

On the other hand, in the inspection device 100 according to the present embodiment, in the cutting portion 21, the plurality of suction holes 24d in the suction region R are formed on the outer edge 20a of the electrode 20 when viewed from the normal direction of the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24A. Since the electrode 20 is supplied onto the suction region R of the suction conveyor 24A so as to fit inside, the plurality of suction holes 24d in the suction region R do not protrude outside the contour of the electrode 20 on the transport surface F, and the electrode 20 is used. It will be covered with. If the electrode 20 on the transport surface F is imaged by the imaging unit 26A in this state, the contour of the electrode 20 is not erroneously detected in the image captured in the image including the suction hole 24d, and the electrode 20 and the transport surface are not erroneously detected. The boundary with F can be specified accurately. That is, according to the inspection device 100 according to the present embodiment, the contour of the electrode 20 can be accurately detected.

In the inspection device 100 according to the present embodiment, the setting unit 31 of the control unit 30 synchronizes the supply position of the electrode 20 from the cutting unit 21 to the transfer surface F with the position of the suction region R on the transfer surface F. , The supply timing of the electrode 20 from the cutting portion 21 to the transport surface F (that is, the rotation speed of the cutting portion 21), and the transport speed of the suction conveyor 24A are set. As a result, it is possible to easily realize a configuration in which the cutting portion 21 supplies the electrode 20 on the suction region R of the suction conveyor 24A so that the plurality of suction holes 24d in the suction region R fit inside the outer edge 20a of the electrode 20. ..

In the inspection device 100 according to the present embodiment, a reference mark M that can be detected by the sensor 25A is provided on the transport surface F except for a plurality of suction regions R, and the adjustment unit 32 of the control unit 30 is the sensor 25A. Calculates the deviation between the phase of the circulation operation of the belt 24b and the phase of the rotation operation of the drive unit 24a based on the timing at which the reference mark M is detected, and adjusts the rotation speed of the drive unit 24a so as to compensate for the deviation. To do. The longer the length of the belt 24b of the suction conveyor 24A, the more likely it is that slippage will occur between the belt 24b of the suction conveyor 24A and the drive unit. On the other hand, in the above-described configuration, when the slip between the belt 24b of the suction conveyor 24A and the drive unit 24a causes a gap between the phase of the circulation operation of the belt 24b and the phase of the rotation operation of the drive unit 24a. Even so, the rotation speed of the drive unit 24a is adjusted so as to compensate for the deviation. As a result, the deviation between the actual speed of the transport surface F (that is, the circulation speed of the belt 24b) and the transport speed set by the control unit 30 can be corrected. The supply position of the electrode 20 to the transport surface F and the position of the suction region R on the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24A can be more reliably synchronized.

In the inspection device 100 according to the present embodiment, at least one of the plurality of suction holes 24d in the suction region R is arranged at a position overlapping with the tab 14b of the electrode 20 when viewed from the normal direction of the transport surface F. According to this configuration, when the suction conveyor 24A sucks and conveys the electrode 20 on the transport surface F on the lower surface side, the tab 14b of the electrode 20 is sucked by the suction hole 24d, so that the tab 14b hangs down. It is possible to suppress the situation where the electrode 20 is conveyed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the hanging tab 14b from colliding with another device and being damaged.

In the inspection method according to the present embodiment, when the electrode 20 is supplied to the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24A, the plurality of suction holes 24d of the suction region R are electrodes when viewed from the normal direction of the transport surface F of the suction conveyor 24A. Since the electrode 20 is supplied on the suction region R so as to fit inside the outer edge 20a of the 20, the plurality of suction holes 24d in the suction region R are covered by the electrode 20 without protruding outside the contour of the electrode 20. It will be in a state of being. If the electrode 20 on the transport surface F is imaged in this state, the boundary between the electrode 20 and the transport surface F is not erroneously detected in the image captured by the shape including the suction hole 24d. Can be identified accurately. That is, according to the inspection method according to the present embodiment, the contour of the electrode 20 can be accurately detected. As a result, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not a foreign substance is present in the contour line of the electrode 20, so that it is possible to suppress a situation in which the electrode 20 to which no foreign substance is actually attached is determined to be abnormal. .. As a result, a decrease in yield can be suppressed.

The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the electrode 20 is exemplified as the individual sheet body, but the individual sheet body is not limited to this. For example, the individual sheet body may be a laminated sheet body in which an electrode and a separator are combined, or an electrode unit coated with a separator active material or the like. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the electrode 20 having the tab 14b is illustrated as the individual sheet body, but the individual sheet body may be an electrode having no tab.

The inspection device 100 according to the above-described embodiment includes both the suction conveyors 24A and 24B between the cutting section 21 and the pressing section 22, but the inspection device 100 includes either one of the suction conveyors 24A and 24B. May be provided. Similarly, the inspection device 100 according to the above-described embodiment includes both the suction conveyors 24C and 24D between the press unit 22 and the processing unit 23, but the inspection device 100 includes the suction conveyors 24C and 24D. Either one may be provided.

In the above-described embodiment, the cutting section 21 is illustrated as the supply section, and the description has been made focusing on the relationship between the cutting section 21 and the suction conveyor 24A. However, the supply section supplies the sheet body to the suction conveyor. If there is, it is not limited to the cutting portion 21. For example, when the press unit 22 is regarded as a supply unit, the relationship between the cutting unit 21 and the suction conveyor 24A is also between the press unit 22 and the suction conveyor 24C to which the electrode 20 is supplied from the press unit 22. A similar relationship holds. Further, the suction conveyor 24A can be regarded as a supply unit, and in this case, the cutting unit 21 and the suction conveyor 24A are also between the suction conveyor 24A and the suction conveyor 24B to which the electrode 20 is supplied from the suction conveyor 24A. A relationship similar to a relationship is established. Similarly, the suction conveyor 24C can be regarded as a supply unit, and in this case, the cutting unit 21 and the suction conveyor 24A are also provided between the suction conveyor 24C and the suction conveyor 24D to which the electrode 20 is supplied from the suction conveyor 24C. A relationship similar to the relationship between is established.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the imaging units 26A, 26B, 26C and 26D are provided for the suction conveyors 24A, 24B, 24C and 24D, respectively, has been illustrated, but the suction conveyors 24A, 24B, 24C and 24D, respectively. It is not necessary that the image pickup unit is provided in the. In that case, the suction conveyor on which the imaging unit is not provided may be a suction conveyor having a conventional structure, and the suction conveyor having the conventional structure may not be provided with a sensor.

The arrangement of the imaging unit and the sensor provided on the suction conveyor is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate. The arrangement of the sensors is not particularly limited as long as the reference mark on the transport surface of the suction conveyor can be detected. For example, the sensor may be arranged on the downstream side of the imaging unit in the transport direction. Further, the image pickup unit and the sensor do not have to be arranged side by side along the transport direction, and the sensor may be arranged on the side opposite to the image pickup unit with the suction conveyor in the vertical direction.

1 ... Power storage device, 14, 16 ... Metal leaf, 14a, 16a ... Foil body, 14b, 16b ... Tab, 20 ... Electrode, 20a ... Outer edge, 21 ... Cutting part (supply part), 24, 24A, 24B, 24C , 24D ... adsorption conveyor, 24a ... drive unit, 24b ... belt, 24d ... adsorption hole, 25, 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D ... sensor, 26, 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D ... imaging unit, 30 ... control unit, 100 ... Inspection device, F ... Transport surface, D ... Transport direction, M ... Reference mark, P ... Pitch, R ... Adsorption region.

Claims (5)

It is an inspection device that inspects individual sheets.
The supply unit that supplies the sheet body and
A suction conveyor that sucks and transports the sheet body supplied by the supply unit on the transport surface, and
An image pickup unit arranged so as to face the transport surface of the suction conveyor, and
With
The transport surface has a plurality of suction regions intermittently arranged at a constant pitch along the transport direction of the sheet body.
A plurality of suction holes for sucking the sheet body are formed in the suction region.
When viewed from the normal direction of the transport surface, the supply unit has the sheet body on the suction region on the transport surface so that the plurality of suction holes in the suction region fit inside the outer edge of the sheet body. Supply, inspection equipment. The supply timing of the sheet body from the supply unit to the transfer surface and the supply timing of the sheet body from the supply unit to the transfer surface so that the supply position of the sheet body from the supply unit to the transfer surface and the position of the suction region on the transfer surface are synchronized. The inspection device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit for setting a transfer speed of the suction conveyor. Further equipped with a sensor arranged to face the transport surface,
The suction conveyor has a belt forming the transport surface and a drive unit that circulates and drives the belt by rotating at a rotation speed corresponding to the transport speed set by the control unit.
A reference mark that can be detected by the sensor is provided on the transport surface in a region other than the plurality of suction regions.
The control unit calculates the phase of the circulation operation of the belt and the phase of the rotation operation of the drive unit based on the timing at which the sensor detects the reference mark, and compensates for the deviation. The inspection device according to claim 2, wherein the rotation speed of the drive unit is adjusted. The sheet body is an electrode in which an active material layer is formed on a metal foil.
The electrode includes a rectangular foil body and a tab protruding from the edge of the foil body.
The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the plurality of suction holes in the suction region is arranged at a position overlapping the tab when viewed from the normal direction of the transport surface. Inspection device. It is an inspection method that inspects individual sheets.
Preparation for preparing a suction conveyor having a transport surface in which a plurality of suction regions provided with a plurality of suction holes for sucking the sheet body are intermittently arranged at a constant pitch along the transport direction of the sheet body. Steps and
A supply step for supplying the sheet body to the adsorption region of the transport surface, and
A transport step of sucking and transporting the supplied sheet body to the suction region, and
An imaging step of imaging the sheet body transported on the transport surface, and
With
In the supply step, the sheet body is placed on the suction region on the transport surface so that the plurality of suction holes in the suction region are accommodated inside the outer edge of the sheet body when viewed from the normal direction of the transport surface. Supply, inspection method.

Images