KR102629069B1 - Apparatus and method for aligning electrode plate using double vision system - Google Patents

Abstract

an alignment table on which the electrode plate is placed and configured to reciprocate between a first position and a second position; a first imaging unit configured to acquire first alignment information by imaging a specific portion of the electrode plate when the alignment table is in the first position; a position adjustment module configured to adjust the position of the alignment table; and a control module configured to command operation of the position adjustment module by comparing the first alignment information with a reference position.

Description

Apparatus and method for aligning electrode plates using a double vision system {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ALIGNING ELECTRODE PLATE USING DOUBLE VISION SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to an electrode plate alignment device and method for prismatic battery cell manufacturing equipment, and more specifically, to an electrode plate alignment device and method equipped with a double vision system.

In general, a chemical battery is a battery that consists of a pair of electrodes (positive and negative plates) and an electrolyte, and the amount of energy that can be stored varies depending on the materials that make up the electrodes and electrolyte. These chemical batteries are divided into primary batteries, which have a very slow charging reaction and are used only for one-time discharge, and secondary batteries, which can be reused through repeated charging and discharging. Recently, the use of secondary batteries has been increasing due to the advantage of being able to charge and discharge. .

Due to their advantages, secondary batteries are being applied to various technical fields across industries. They are not only widely used as an energy source for mobile communication devices such as smartphones, but are also attracting attention as an energy source for electric vehicles.

These secondary batteries are made up of a positive electrode plate, a separator, and a negative electrode plate sequentially stacked and immersed in an electrolyte solution. There are two major ways to manufacture the internal cells of such secondary batteries.

In the case of small secondary batteries, the method of placing the negative and positive plates on a separator and winding them to form a jelly-roll is often used, whereas in the case of medium to large secondary batteries with more electric capacity, the method is often used. A method of manufacturing a cathode plate and a positive plate by stacking them with a separator in an appropriate order is widely used.

In the zigzag type (also known as 'z-folding' type) stacking method, which is one of the stacking methods used to manufacture the inner cells of medium to large-sized secondary batteries, that is, prismatic secondary batteries, the separator forms a zigzag folded shape. The negative and positive plates are stacked in an alternating manner between them.

Various methods are known for supplying electrode plates and separators onto a stack table where the electrode plates are stacked.

In Patent Publication No. 10-2009-0030175 (published on March 24, 2009), the positive and negative plates placed on the cartridge are each transferred to an alignment tray by a transfer robot, aligned on the alignment tray, and then transferred to a stacking tray. When the stacking tray moves horizontally from side to side, the separator is released onto the stacking tray and covers the positive or negative plate. As this process is repeated, a separator is placed between the electrode plates, resulting in stacking of the electrode plates.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a battery cell manufacturing device with a high electrode plate transfer speed.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the above problem, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

The electrode plate alignment device and method according to the present invention for achieving the above-described object include the following aspects and any combination thereof.

One aspect of the invention includes an alignment table on which an electrode plate is placed and configured to reciprocate between a first position and a second position; a first imaging unit configured to acquire first alignment information by imaging a specific portion of the electrode plate when the alignment table is in the first position; a position adjustment module configured to adjust the position of the alignment table; and a control module configured to command operation of the position adjustment module by comparing the first alignment information with a reference position.

Another aspect of the present invention further includes a second imaging unit configured to obtain second alignment information by imaging the specific portion of the electrode plate when the alignment table is in the second position, and the control module is configured to obtain second alignment information. 2 This is a plate alignment device designed to determine good or bad quality by comparing alignment information with a reference position.

In another aspect of the present invention, the position adjustment module is a pole plate alignment device configured to operate while the alignment table moves from the first position to the second position.

In another aspect of the present invention, the position adjustment module includes an X-axis movement module capable of moving the alignment table in the X-axis direction; a Y-axis movement module capable of moving the alignment table in the Y-axis direction; and a θ-axis movement module capable of rotating the alignment table about the θ-axis.

Another aspect of the present invention is an electrode plate alignment device in which the electrode plate is generally rectangular, and the first and second imaging units are configured to image two of the four corners of the electrode plate, respectively.

Another aspect of the present invention is a pole plate alignment device in which the two corners are located diagonally to each other.

Another aspect of the invention includes an alignment table configured to reciprocate between a first position and a second position; a pick and place unit configured to drop-off the electrode plate on the alignment table; a first imaging unit configured to image a specific portion of the electrode plate when the alignment table is in the first position; a position adjustment module configured to adjust the position of the alignment table; and a control module configured to command operation of the position adjustment module by comparing the image captured from the first imaging unit with a reference position, wherein the pick and place unit is configured to: Dropping off the electrode plate onto an alignment table in a first position; acquiring first alignment information by having the first imaging unit image a specific portion of the electrode plate; Comparing the first alignment information with a reference position by the control module; and adjusting the position of the alignment table by the position adjustment module according to a command from the control module.

In another aspect of the present invention, the battery cell manufacturing apparatus further includes a second imaging unit configured to image the specific portion of the electrode plate when the alignment table is in the second position, and the second imaging unit is configured to: acquiring second alignment information by imaging the specific portion of the electrode plate; And the control module compares the second alignment information with a reference position to determine good or bad. The electrode plate alignment method further includes.

Another aspect of the present invention is a pole plate alignment method in which the position adjustment module is configured to operate while the alignment table moves from the first position to the second position.

In another aspect of the present invention, the position adjustment module includes an X-axis movement module capable of moving the alignment table in the X-axis direction; a Y-axis movement module capable of moving the alignment table in the Y-axis direction; and a θ-axis movement module capable of rotating the alignment table about the θ-axis.

According to the present invention, it is possible to transport the electrode plates without waiting time for alignment of the electrode plates.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

The description below may be better understood when viewed in conjunction with the attached drawings. Components having the same reference numerals in different drawings have similar functions, so they are not repeatedly described unless necessary for understanding the invention, and well-known components are briefly described or omitted, but in the embodiments of the present invention. It should not be understood as being excluded.
Figure 1 shows a path through which a negative plate and a positive plate are input and discharged from a battery cell in a battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 shows a battery cell manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, excluding some components, focusing on electrode transfer units.
FIG. 3 shows the battery cell manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 from another side.
Figure 4 shows a first electrode plate transfer unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 shows a primary transfer unit constituting the second electrode plate transfer unit, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 shows a secondary transfer unit constituting the second electrode plate transfer unit, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 shows the operation of the first electrode plate transfer unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 shows the operation of the first transfer unit constituting the second electrode plate transfer unit, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 shows the operation of the secondary transfer unit constituting the second electrode plate transfer unit, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 10 shows in detail the operation of the first electrode plate transfer unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 11 shows in detail the operation of the primary transfer unit constituting the second electrode plate transfer unit, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 12 shows in detail the operation of the secondary transfer unit constituting the second electrode plate transfer unit, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 13 is a plan view of an electrode plate alignment unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 14 shows the state in which the electrode plate and alignment table in Figure 13 have been removed.
Figure 15 is a perspective view of a pole plate alignment unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 shows a state in which the sort table in FIG. 15 has been removed.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be subject to various changes and may be implemented in various different forms. Only this example is provided to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but substitutes or adds to the configuration of one embodiment and the configuration of another embodiment, as well as all changes and equivalents included in the technical spirit and scope of the present invention. It should be understood to include substitutes.

The attached drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, and the technical idea disclosed in the present specification is not limited by the attached drawings, and all changes and equivalents included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention are not limited to the attached drawings. It should be understood to include water or substitutes. In the drawings, components may be expressed exaggeratedly large or small in size or thickness for convenience of understanding, etc., but the scope of protection of the present invention should not be construed as limited due to this.

The terms used in this specification are only used to describe specific implementations or examples, and are not intended to limit the invention. And singular expressions include plural expressions, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the specification, terms such as ~include, ~consist of, etc. are intended to indicate the existence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or a combination thereof described in the specification. That is, in the specification, terms such as ~include, ~consist of, etc. should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Terms containing ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

When a component is said to be “connected,” “connected,” or “coupled” to another component, it may be directly connected to or connected to that other component, but with no other components in between. It should be understood that components may exist. On the other hand, when it is mentioned that a component is “directly connected” or “directly connected” to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

When a component is referred to as being "on top" or "below" another component, it should be understood that not only is it placed directly on top of the other component, but there may also be other components in between. .

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. Terms as defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with the meanings they have in the context of the related technology, and unless clearly defined in this specification, should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense. No.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

Figure 1 shows a bird's eye view of the path in which electrode plates and separators are introduced and progress in the battery cell manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Looking at the overall picture, the negative electrode plate is supplied from the bottom left, the positive plate is supplied from the bottom right, and the separator is supplied perpendicular to the direction of movement of the electrode plates by the separator supply unit 300. Each plate is aligned before being fed into the stacking unit.

According to this embodiment of the present invention, the positive electrode plate is arranged below the separator, and the negative electrode plate is arranged above the separator, and the two electrode plates and the separator sandwiched between them are gripped by the electrode plate feeding unit 10 to form an electrode plate stacking unit ( 400). The negative electrode plate is transferred to the electrode plate feeding unit 10 by the negative plate transfer units 210 and 240, and the positive plate is transferred to the electrode plate feeding unit 10 by the positive plate transfer unit 110 (see FIG. 2). It is also possible to insert and transport the cathode and anode plates by changing their positions.

Referring to FIG. 3, a negative electrode plate primary transfer unit 210 and an alignment table 211 including a pair of pick and place units 220 and 230 are shown. The pick and place units (220, 230) pick up the negative electrode plates from the negative plate magazines (270, 271) and drop them on the alignment table (211). To obtain the information necessary to align the electrode plates, multiple cameras (3a, 5a, 5b, 6a, 7a) and lights (3a-1, 5a-1, 5b-1, 6a-1, 7a-1) are arranged. there is.

4, the positive plate transfer unit 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes pillars 125-1, 125-2, 125-3, and 125-4, horizontal movement modules 129 and 139, and vertical movement. It includes modules 128 and 138, a pair of pick and place units 124 and 135, and alignment tables 111 and 111' (see FIGS. 7 and 10). The pick and place units (124, 135) include arms (127, 137) and electrode suction heads (126, 136). The two pick and place units (124, 135) can move back and forth in both directions (in the direction of the two-way arrow) by the horizontal movement modules (129, 139), and at this time, one suction head (126, 136) and the other suction head are They can cross each other at intervals up and down so as not to interfere with each other. The electrode plate adsorption heads 126 and 136 may be provided with a plurality of vacuum holes for picking up or dropping the electrode plates (hereinafter, the same).

Additionally, the two pick and place units 124 and 135 can be raised or lowered by the vertical movement modules 128 and 138.

The negative plate transfer unit according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the primary transfer unit 210 shown in FIG. 5, the secondary transfer unit 240 shown in FIG. 6, and the negative plate alignment tables 211 and 211', FIG. 8. , 11). The negative electrode plate is sequentially transferred by the primary transfer unit 210 and the secondary transfer unit 240.

Figure 5 shows a primary transport unit 210 of a negative electrode plate according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cathode plate primary transfer unit 210 includes columns 225-1, 225-2, 225-3, and 225-4, a horizontal movement module, a vertical movement module, and a pair of pick and place units 220 and 230. can do. The horizontal and vertical movement method of the pair of pick and place units (220, 230) is the same as that of the positive plate pick and place units (124, 135). In Figure 5, the electrode plate adsorption head 221 of the upper pick and place unit 220 is shown to move horizontally at a higher position than the electrode plate adsorption head 231 of the lower pick and place unit 230.

Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view of the negative plate secondary transfer unit 240 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cathode plate secondary transfer unit 240 includes pillars 255-1, 255-2, 255-3, horizontal movement modules 254, 264, vertical movement modules 253, 263, and a pair of pick and place units ( 250, 260). The horizontal and vertical movement method of the pair of pick and place units (250, 260) is the same as that of the positive plate pick and place units (124, 135). In FIG. 5 , for convenience, the electrode plate adsorption heads 251 and 261 are shown overlapped at the same height, but both adsorption heads 251 and 251 may cross each other at intervals up and down so as not to interfere with each other (in FIG. 12). (see b), (c)). Both adsorption heads (221, 231; 126, 136; 251, 261) are preferably configured to move horizontally in opposite directions and to move vertically in the same direction.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12, the transfer process of the electrode plates in the cell stack manufacturing apparatus constructed according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Figure 7 shows the operation of one of the two pick and place units 124 and 135 of the positive plate transfer unit 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The pick and place unit 124 descends from above the positive plate magazine 150 (hereinafter referred to as the 'positive plate pick-up position') to pick up the positive plate, then rises and moves horizontally. When it reaches the top of the alignment table 111 (hereinafter referred to as the 'positive plate drop-off position'), it descends and places the positive plate on the table 111.

Afterwards, the pick and place unit 124 rises, and the alignment table 111 on which the positive plate is placed moves laterally to the position of the alignment table 111' (hereinafter, 'positive plate alignment position'). Next, when the alignment table 111' returns to the positive plate drop-off position, the other pick and place unit 135 picks up the positive plate and moves to the positive plate drop-off position, while the pick and place unit 124 moves to the positive plate pick-up position. The above steps are repeated.

Here, there is only one alignment table, but for convenience of explanation, it is indicated at two positions (111, 111') (hereinafter, the same). In this specification, '˜position' is based on the view from vertically upward.

Figure 8 shows the operation of one of the two pick and place units 220 and 230 of the cathode plate primary transfer unit 210 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The pick and place unit 220 descends from above the negative plate magazine 271 (hereinafter referred to as the 'negative plate pick-up position') to pick up the negative plate, then rises and moves horizontally. When it reaches the top of the alignment table 211 (hereinafter referred to as the 'negative plate first drop-off position'), it descends and places the positive plate on the table 211.

Afterwards, the pick and place unit 220 rises, and the alignment table 211 on which the negative electrode plate is placed moves laterally to the position of the alignment table 211' (hereinafter, 'negative plate alignment position'). Next, when the alignment table 211' returns to the negative electrode plate first drop-off position, the other pick and place unit 230 picks up the negative electrode plate and moves to the negative electrode first drop-off position, while picking and placing the negative electrode plate. Unit 220 moves to the negative plate pick-up position. The above steps are repeated.

Figure 9 shows the operation of one of the two pick and place units 250 and 260 of the negative plate secondary transfer unit 240 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The pick and place unit 250 descends from the negative electrode plate alignment position to pick up the negative electrode plate on the alignment table 211', then rises and moves horizontally. When the cathode plate is reached at the drop-off position ('cathode plate second drop-off position', corresponding to position 261 in FIG. 12(a)), it is lowered and placed on the table 111' (on the separator above). Place the cathode plate down. In this embodiment, the negative plate secondary drop-off position is the same as the positive plate alignment position (l11').

Afterwards, the pick and place unit 250 rises, and the alignment table 111' moves in the horizontal direction to the positive plate d drop-off position 111. Next, when the alignment table 111 returns to the positive plate alignment position, another pick and place unit 260 picks up the negative plate and moves to the negative plate secondary drop-off position, while the pick and place unit 250 moves to the negative plate secondary drop-off position. Move to the negative plate alignment position. The above steps are repeated.

As described above, the pick and place units (124, 135; 220, 230; 250, 260) according to the present invention have a two-head configuration, so when one head drops off, the other head picks up. Therefore, the electrode plate can be transported at approximately twice the speed compared to the one-head configuration.

Figure 10 shows the operation of the positive plate transfer unit 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention in more detail, and one cycle is classified into six stages of operation as shown in Table 1 below.

Step (a) Step (b) Step (c) Step (d) Step (e) Step (f) Upper pick and place unit (124) (After pick-up) Rise Lateral movement descent (After drop-off) Rise Lateral opposite movement descent Lower pick and place unit (135) (After drop-off) Rise Lateral opposite movement descent (After pick-up) Rise Lateral movement descent

Referring to FIG. 10, the separator S is supplied, and the positive plate alignment table 111 (111') moves horizontally below it. The upper pick and place unit 124 is always positioned higher than the lower pick and place unit 135 when moving laterally. Additionally, as shown in the table, the upper pick and place unit 124 and the lower pick and place unit 135 move in the same direction when ascending and descending, and move in opposite directions when moving laterally. There may be a difference in the starting point or end point of each step between the units 124 and 135, and the other side may be in a standby state during part of the operation of one side.

In step (a), the upper pick and place unit 124 picked up the positive plate 2 and rose, and the lower pick and place unit 135 dropped the positive plate on the alignment table 111 and then rose.

In step (b), the upper and lower pick and place units 124 and 135 are moving laterally in opposite directions. The upper unit 124 (adsorption head) passes a higher position than the lower unit 135 (adsorption head). The alignment table 111' (111) is moving to the positive plate drop-off position.

In step (c), the upper pick and place unit 124 was lowered onto the alignment table 111 and the lower pick and place unit 135 was lowered onto the bipolar plate magazine 150.

In step (d), the upper pick and place unit 124 rose after bipolar plate drop-off, and the lower pick and place unit 135 rose after bipolar plate pick-up.

In step (e), the upper and lower pick and place units 124 and 135 are moving laterally in opposite directions. It is similar to step (b), but the unit adsorbing the positive plate 2 is reversed.

In step (f), the upper pick and place unit 124 was lowered onto the bipolar plate magazine 150 and the lower pick and place unit 135 was lowered onto the alignment table 111.

Figure 11 shows the operation of the negative plate primary transfer unit 210 according to an embodiment of the present invention in more detail, and one cycle is classified into six stages of operation as shown in Table 2 below.

Step (a) Step (b) Step (c) Step (d) Step (e) Step (f) Upper pick and place unit (220) (After pick-up) Rise Lateral movement descent (After drop-off) Rise Lateral opposite movement descent Lower pick and place unit (230) (After drop-off) Rise Lateral opposite movement descent (After pick-up) Rise Lateral movement descent

Referring to FIG. 11, the negative plate alignment table 211 (211') moves laterally, and the upper pick and place unit 220 is always positioned higher than the lower pick and place unit 230 when moving laterally. Additionally, as shown in the table, the upper pick and place unit 220 and the lower pick and place unit 230 move in the same direction when ascending and descending, and move in opposite directions when moving laterally. There may be a slight difference in the starting point or end point of each step between the units 220 and 230, and the other side may be in a standby state during part of the operation of one side.

In step (a), the lower pick and place unit 230 is rising after dropping off the negative electrode plate 1 on the alignment table 211 (211'). The upper pick and place unit 220 picks up the negative electrode plate and is in an upward state (not shown).

In step (b), the upper and lower pick and place units 220 and 230 are moving laterally in opposite directions. The upper unit 220 (adsorption head) passes at a higher position than the lower unit 230 (adsorption head). Alignment table 211' 211 is moving to the negative plate drop-off position.

In step (c), the upper pick and place unit 220 was lowered onto the alignment table 211 and the lower pick and place unit 230 was lowered onto the negative plate magazine 271.

In step (d), the upper pick and place unit 220 is rising after the negative plate 1 drop-off, and the lower pick and place unit 135 is rising after the negative plate pick-up.

In step (e), the upper and lower pick and place units 220 and 230 are moving laterally in opposite directions. It is similar to step (b), but the unit adsorbing the negative electrode plate (1) is reversed.

In step (f), the lower pick and place unit 230 was lowered onto the alignment table 211 and the upper pick and place unit 220 was lowered onto the negative plate magazine 271 (not shown).

Figure 12 shows the operation of the negative plate secondary transfer unit 240 according to an embodiment of the present invention in more detail.

Looking at step (a), the electrode plate suction head 251 of the upper pick and place unit 250 is descending to pick up the negative electrode plate 1 on the negative electrode plate alignment table 211'. Meanwhile, the electrode plate adsorption head 261 of the lower pick and place unit 260 is dropping off the negative electrode plate at the 'negative plate secondary drop-off position'.

In step (b), the upper suction head 251 passes over the lower suction head 261 while adsorbing the negative electrode plate 1.

Looking at step (c), it is similar to step (b), but the lower suction head 261 is adsorbing the negative electrode plate (1).

Now, the electrode plate alignment unit 215 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16. The electrode plate alignment unit 215 is for the above-mentioned negative plate (1) side alignment tables (211, 211'), but the same electrode plate alignment unit is used for the positive plate (2) side alignment tables (111, 111') or other types of battery cells. It can also be universally applied to manufacturing equipment.

As mentioned earlier, the alignment table 211 reciprocates between the 'electrode plate drop-off position' and the 'electrode plate alignment position', so when it is in the electrode plate drop-off position, it is denoted by reference numeral 211, and when it is in the electrode plate alignment position, it is denoted by reference numeral 211. The time is indicated by reference numeral 211'. The same applies to other configurations connected to the sorting tables 211 and 211'.

The alignment tables 211 and 211' have a rectangular shape and have windows 212a, 212b, 213a, 213b; 212a', 212b', 213a', and 213b' near each corner. The windows 212a, 212b, 213a, 213b; 212a', 212b', 213a', and 213b' may be open or may be covered with a light-transmissive material. Of course, if necessary, a cover made of a light-opaque material may be used for certain corners.

In this embodiment, imaging units (i.e., cameras and lights) described later are arranged at the upper right and lower left sides of the electrode plate 1, and are configured to capture images of the corresponding corners of the electrode plate. For convenience of explanation, the upper right corner is shown in an open state and the lower left corner is shown with a transparent window inserted, but it would be desirable to provide the two corners in the same configuration. Depending on need, various applications may be possible, such as placing the imaging unit in only one corner or placing the imaging units side by side in the corners of the same side.

In the drawing, extending like a round chopstick from the illumination (eg, 6a-1) to the imaging object is an imaginary line indicating the path of the illumination (hereinafter, the same). The cameras (6a, 6b, 7a, 7b) and lights (6a-1, 6b-1, 7a-1, 7b-1) constituting the imaging unit of the present invention are fixed on the supports (8a, 8b), It can be displaced and then fixed along the rails 9a and 9b according to the size of the electrode plate to be imaged. In this case, it may be necessary to replace the alignment table with a window that matches the size of the electrode plate. In these drawings, the path of the lighting is shown to be misaligned with the window, but the alignment unit can be operated after displacing and fixing the imaging unit to fit the electrode plate or alignment table.

As shown in Figure 15, the alignment table 211 is connected to the X-axis movement module 216, the Y-axis movement module 217, and the θ-axis movement module 218, so that the And it can move in the θ-axis direction (see FIG. 14 for each direction). In the present invention, the X-axis movement module 216, Y-axis movement module 217, and θ-axis movement module 218 are referred to as 'position adjustment modules'. Among the position adjustment modules, the X-axis movement module 216 is used to move the alignment table 211 between the pole plate drop-off position and the pole plate alignment position. Movement movements are excluded.

The operation of the electrode plate alignment unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described as follows.

When the alignment table 211 is in the electrode plate drop-off position, the negative electrode plate primary transfer unit 210 drops the negative electrode plate 1 on the alignment table 211. At this time, the cameras 6a and 6b operate together with the lights 6a-1 and 6b-1 to image two diagonal corners of the cathode plate 1 through the windows 212a and 213b. The captured image is transmitted to a control unit (not shown), and the control unit compares the captured image with a pre-entered reference position, that is, position information aligned to a desired position. As a result of the comparison, if it is determined that the captured position information deviates from the reference position, the control device commands the position adjustment modules 216, 217, and 218 to make necessary position adjustments.

When a position adjustment command is input, the position adjustment module adjusts the position of the alignment table 211 to correct the electrode plate 1 to the aligned position. This position adjustment is performed during the process of the alignment table 211 moving from the pole plate drop-off position to the pole plate alignment position, and is completed before or simultaneously with the alignment table 211 arriving at the pole plate alignment position. Because of this, the upper and lower pick and place units (220, 230; 250, 260) of the electrode transfer units 210 and 240 in the front and rear processes can operate simultaneously and continuously without waiting time for electrode plate alignment. Therefore, this method of aligning the electrode plates contributes to improving the transfer speed of the electrode plates and the resulting stacking speed.

When the alignment table 211 arrives at the electrode plate alignment position, the cameras 7a, 7b and lights 7a-1, 7b-1 operate to show the two diagonal corners of the cathode plate 1 through the windows 212a' and 213b'. Take pictures of various places. The captured image is transmitted back to the control unit, and the control unit compares the captured image with the previously input reference position. As a result of the comparison, if it is determined that the captured location information matches the reference location, the subsequent process continues. If it is determined to be out of the reference position, that is, the electrode plate is not in the aligned position despite the position adjustment of the position adjustment module, the control device transmits a defective judgment to a separate pick and place unit to remove the electrode plate.

Above, embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the attached drawings, but those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical idea or essential features. You will understand that it exists. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted in accordance with the claims below, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the scope of rights of the present invention.

1: negative plate 2: positive plate
3a, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b: Camera
3a-1, 5a-1, 5b-1, 6a-1, 6b-1, 7a-1, 7b-1: Lighting
8a, 8b: support 9a, 9b: rail
10: Electrode plate feeding unit 100: Battery cell manufacturing device
110: positive plate transfer unit 111, 111': positive plate alignment table
124, 135: Pick and place unit 126, 136: Electrode adsorption head
127, 137: arm 128, 138: vertical movement module
129, 139: horizontal movement module 125-1, 125-2, 125-3, 125-4: pillar
150, 151: positive plate magazine 210: negative plate primary transfer unit
211, 211': cathode plate alignment table 212a, 212b, 213a, 213b: window
215: pole plate alignment unit 216: X-axis movement module
217: Y axis movement module 218: (-) axis movement module
219: support frame 220: upper pick and place unit
230: Lower pick and place unit 221, 231: Electrode plate adsorption head
240: Negative plate secondary transfer unit 225-1, 225-2, 225-3, 225-4: Column
250, 260: Pick and place unit 251, 261: Electrode adsorption head
252, 262: arm 253, 263: vertical movement module
254, 264: horizontal movement module 255-1, 255-2, 255-3: pillar
270, 271: Negative plate magazine 300: Separator supply unit
400: Electrode plate stacking unit

Claims (10)

an alignment table on which the electrode plate is placed and configured to reciprocate between a first position and a second position;
a first imaging unit configured to acquire first alignment information by imaging a specific portion of the electrode plate when the alignment table is in the first position;
a position adjustment module configured to adjust the position of the alignment table;
a control module configured to command operation of the position adjustment module by comparing the first alignment information with a reference position; and
a second imaging unit configured to obtain second alignment information by imaging a specific portion of the electrode plate when the alignment table is in the second position;
Including,
The control module is configured to determine good or bad quality by comparing the second alignment information with a reference position,
Further comprising a pick and place unit configured to remove the corresponding electrode plate when it is determined to be defective as a result of comparison between the second alignment information and the reference position by the control module.
Polar plate alignment device. delete In claim 1,
The position adjustment module is configured to operate while the alignment table is moving from the first position to the second position.
Polar plate alignment device. In claim 1,
The position adjustment module is,
an X-axis movement module capable of moving the alignment table in the X-axis direction;
a Y-axis movement module capable of moving the alignment table in the Y-axis direction; and
a θ-axis movement module capable of rotating the alignment table about the θ-axis;
containing
Polar plate alignment device. In claim 1,
The electrode plate is rectangular,
The first and second imaging units are configured to image two of the four corners of the electrode plate, respectively.
Polar plate alignment device. In claim 5,
The two corners are located diagonally to each other.
Polar plate alignment device. an alignment table configured to reciprocate between a first position and a second position;
a pick and place unit configured to drop-off the electrode plate on the alignment table;
a first imaging unit configured to image a specific portion of the electrode plate when the alignment table is in the first position;
a position adjustment module configured to adjust the position of the alignment table;
a control module configured to command operation of the position adjustment module by comparing the image captured from the first imaging unit with a reference position;
a second imaging unit configured to image a specific portion of the electrode plate when the alignment table is in the second position; and
Pick and place unit for defect removal;
A method of aligning electrode plates in a battery cell manufacturing device comprising:
the pick and place unit dropping off an electrode plate on an alignment table in the first position;
acquiring first alignment information by having the first imaging unit image a specific portion of the electrode plate;
Comparing the first alignment information with a reference position by the control module;
adjusting the position of the alignment table by the position adjustment module according to a command from the control module;
acquiring second alignment information by having the second imaging unit image a specific portion of the electrode plate;
Comparing the second alignment information with a reference position by the control module to determine whether it is good or bad; and
When the control module determines that the second alignment information is defective by comparing it with the reference position, the pick and place unit for defect removal removes the corresponding electrode plate from the alignment table;
containing
How to align the pole plates. delete In claim 7,
The position adjustment module is configured to be operable while the alignment table moves from the first position to the second position.
How to align the pole plates. In claim 7,
The position adjustment module is,
an X-axis movement module capable of moving the alignment table in the X-axis direction;
a Y-axis movement module capable of moving the alignment table in the Y-axis direction; and
a θ-axis movement module capable of rotating the alignment table about the θ-axis;
containing
How to align the pole plates.

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