KR20220161640A - Detecting apparatus for electrode of secondary battery - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for inspecting an electrode of a secondary battery capable of inspecting an electrode arrangement of a battery in a battery manufacturing process. The device for inspecting an electrode of a secondary battery comprises: a contact unit which is in contact with the electrode of the battery; a power unit which provides power to the contact unit to be in contact with or be separated from the electrode of the contact unit; and a detecting unit which displays electrical information including voltage by contact of the contact unit on the electrode. By preventing manufacturing and releasing of a defective product in advance and preventing occurrence of a short circuit for electronic equipment including the secondary battery, a circuit can be protected from being broken.

Description

Secondary battery electrode inspection device {DETECTING APPARATUS FOR ELECTRODE OF SECONDARY BATTERY}

The present invention relates to an electrode inspection device for a secondary battery.

In general, a secondary battery refers to a battery that can be charged and discharged, unlike a primary battery that cannot be charged, and such a secondary battery is widely used in the field of high-tech electronic devices such as phones, notebook computers and camcorders. The secondary battery has a structure including an electrode assembly, a pair of electrode leads coupled to the electrode assembly, and a case accommodating the electrode assembly in a state in which tips of the pair of electrode leads are drawn out. In the manufacturing process of such a secondary battery, whether or not a pair of electrode leads are arranged in a forward direction is inspected for defects. The conventionally used electrode lead defect inspection device uses a non-contact method such as a photo sensor and a method of discriminating with a photographed image through color detection. In a battery state in which a predetermined packing is made, an accurate inspection may be difficult due to a small exposed area of the electrode lead, structural difficulties in photographing, or rapid aging of the inspection device. Accordingly, there is a need for a device capable of inspecting the positive arrangement of electrodes not only for battery cells but also for battery modules and battery packs.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0086041 (2018. 07. 30)

An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to inspect whether electrodes are disposed in a forward direction by contacting an electrode tab provided in a battery cell of a secondary battery.

An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to inspect whether an electrode is disposed in a forward direction by contacting a terminal provided in a battery module of a secondary battery.

The present invention relates to an electrode inspection device for a secondary battery, which inspects the arrangement of electrodes of a battery in a battery manufacturing process, comprising: a contact portion contacting an electrode of the battery; a power unit supplying power to the contact portion to be in contact with or spaced apart from the contact electrode; and a detection unit displaying electrical information including voltage by contact of the contact portion to the electrode.

The battery is the battery cell 2, the contact part contacting the electrode tab 2b, which is an electrode, is the tab contact part 125, and the power part includes the first power unit 110 fixed to the inspection frame 100a and the battery cell. (2) may include a second power unit 120 positioned to correspond to the electrode tabs 2b positioned at both ends.

In addition, the first power unit 110 may provide power in the vertical direction, and the second power unit 120 may provide power in the left and right directions.

In addition, the slider 113 slides and moves by the power provided by the first power unit 110 in the vertical direction, and a fixed column having one end connected to the slider 113 and the second power unit 120 connected to the other end. (114) may be further included.

In addition, the tap contact portion 120 may include an inclined portion 125a extending toward the electrode tab 2b by the second power unit 120 and guiding the electrode tab 2b to the contact point.

In addition, the battery is the battery module 1, and the contact portion contacting the terminal 1b, which is an electrode, is the terminal contact portion 254, and the transfer roller 211 for providing power to transfer the battery module 1, the transfer roller ( 211) may further include a transfer belt 212 rotated in conjunction with the transfer belt 212 and a holder 220 positioned on an outer circumferential surface of the transfer belt 212 to fix one end of the battery module 1.

In addition, the power unit includes the third power unit 250, and advances the terminal contact portion 254 toward the path along which the battery module 1 is transported so as to come into contact with the terminal 1b, or retracts the terminal contact portion 254. It can be spaced apart from the movement path of the battery module (1).

In addition, the third power unit 250 includes a connection block 251 fixed to the support unit 200a, a reciprocating block 252 connected to the connection block 251 and a third reciprocating rod 252a, and a reciprocating block 252 ) and may include a connection block 253 for fixing the terminal contact portion 254.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a cell inspection unit for inspecting whether an electrode is disposed in a positive direction by contacting an electrode tab provided in a battery cell of a secondary battery or by contacting a terminal provided in a battery module of a secondary battery determines whether the electrode is positively disposed. Provides a module inspection unit that inspects whether or not it is placed, prevents manufacturing and shipping of defective products in advance, prevents short circuits in electronic equipment containing secondary batteries, protects circuits from being damaged, and prevents fires in electronic equipment This has the advantage of preventing human injury and property damage in advance.

1 is a view schematically showing an inspection process of an electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery module including a plurality of battery cells according to an embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a perspective view showing a cell inspection unit in which a plurality of battery cells are seated according to an embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a view showing a state in which a tab contact unit contacts an electrode tab according to an embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a view showing a form in which a first power unit and a second power unit are connected to a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention;
6 is a view showing the operation of the second power unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 (a) is a view showing that the reciprocating block is in a retracted state and the tab contact part is in contact with the electrode tab, FIG. (b) is a view showing that the tab contact part is spaced apart from the electrode tab in a state in which the reciprocating block is advanced;
7 is a bottom side perspective view showing the operation of a second power unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;
8 is a perspective view showing a module inspection unit in which a battery module is seated according to an embodiment of the present invention;
9 is a view showing a module inspection unit and a detection unit connected to the module inspection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;
10 shows a third power unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 (a) is a view showing that the terminal and the terminal contact portion are separated from each other in a state in which the reciprocating block is retracted, and FIG. 10 (b) is a reciprocating block A drawing showing that the terminal and the terminal contact part are in contact with the block in the advanced state.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, this is only an example and the present invention is not limited thereto.

In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of the known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. In addition, terms to be described later are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, which may vary according to the intention or custom of a user or operator. Therefore, the definition should be made based on the contents throughout this specification.

The technical spirit of the present invention is determined by the claims, and the following examples are only one means for efficiently explaining the technical spirit of the present invention to those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for performing an inspection procedure for confirming that electrodes of a battery cell and a battery module are disposed in a forward direction during a process of manufacturing a secondary battery. Hereinafter, an electrode inspection device for a secondary battery of the present invention, which is intervened in a process of performing an inspection after a cell is supplied during a process of manufacturing a secondary battery, will be described. Specifically, the cell inspection unit 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7 , and the module inspection unit 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10 .

Briefly, the apparatus for inspecting the electrode of a secondary battery of the present invention targets a battery cell 2 and a battery module 1 in which one or more of the battery cells 2 are assembled in a predetermined direction during the manufacturing process of the secondary battery. It inspects whether the electrode is disposed, and provides power so that the tab contact portion 125 in contact with the electrode tab 2b, which is the electrode of the battery cell 2, and the tab contact portion 125 approach or separate from the electrode tab 2b. It includes a cell inspection unit 100 including a first power unit 110 and a second power unit 120 to do.

And, the terminal contact portion 254 contacting the terminal 1b, which is an electrode of the battery module 1, and the third power unit 250 providing power so that the terminal contact portion 254 contacts or separates from the terminal 1b It includes a module inspection unit 200 including a. Here, the module inspection unit 200 may be disposed behind the cell inspection unit 100 during the manufacturing process.

Furthermore, one or more detection units electrically connected to at least one of the tap contact portion 125 and the terminal contact portion 254 and displaying a numerical value within a predetermined voltage range when the electrode is disposed in a forward direction may be further included, Through the display, it is possible to notify whether or not the forward arrangement is performed using at least one of visual information such as the numerical value and auditory information.

The detection unit may be one of the cell detection unit 101 and the module detection unit 201 .

According to the foregoing, the case in which both the cell inspection unit 100 and the module inspection unit 200 are sequentially provided, but is not limited thereto, and the installation inspection unit 100 and the module inspection unit ( 200) may be optionally provided. However, as one embodiment, hereinafter, a case in which both the cell inspection unit 100 and the module inspection unit 200 are included in the battery manufacturing process will be described as an example.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an inspection process of an electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, cell supply 10, cell inspection 100', module assembly 20, module inspection 200', and transfer 30 may be sequentially performed. Here, the electrode inspection apparatus for a secondary battery of the present invention includes a cell inspection unit 100 and a module inspection unit 200 that respectively perform cell inspection 100' and module inspection 200'.

The cell inspection unit 100 may perform a process of inspecting whether the direction of the electrode tabs 2b positioned at both ends of the supplied battery cell 2 is in the forward direction. Specifically, this may be performed by making electrical contact with the electrode tab 2b to sense the voltage. To this end, the tab contact portion 125 may approach the electrode tabs 2b located at both ends. Specifically, it will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3 below.

A plurality of battery cells 2 for which the cell inspection 100' has been completed may be assembled into the battery module 1 by combining a plurality of them. When the battery module 1 is assembled, a module inspection 200 ′ may be performed by the module inspection unit 200 . In the module inspection 200', one terminal 1b is provided at both ends of the battery module 1 through the connection between the electrode tabs 2b provided in each of the plurality of battery cells 2, and the direction of each terminal is forward. It is a process to check whether it is arranged as.

The module test 200' may also be performed by making electrical contact with the terminal 1b to sense the voltage. To this end, the terminal contact portions 254 may be brought close to the terminals 1b located at both ends of the battery module 1 . Specifically, it will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 8 below.

After the module inspection 200' is completed, the battery cell 1 may be transported and subjected to post-processing. Here, the post process may be a process of assembling or arranging a battery pack.

2 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery module 1 including a plurality of battery cells 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the battery module 1 is provided with a plurality of battery cells 2 and a frame 1a having an arrangement space 1c so that the battery cells 2 can be disposed. When the battery cell 2 is disposed, while the cover 1d is coupled to the frame 1a from the outside, the battery cell 2 can be positioned inside. At this time, terminals 1b electrically connected between the electrode tabs 2b of the battery cells 2 facing the same direction and exposed to the outside of the frame 1a may be provided. Of course, this is the battery cell 2 and the battery module 1 as an embodiment for explaining the present invention, and if the condition of the battery module formed by electrical coupling between one or more battery cells is met, the form can be implemented in various ways. .

In addition, in this embodiment, the electrode tabs 2b provided at both ends of the battery cell 2 may be provided with a copper tab at one end and an aluminum tab at the other end. A copper tab can be formed as a negative electrode and an aluminum tab can be formed as an anode, and between a plurality of battery cells 2 disposed in the same arrangement space 1c, the directions of the electrodes can be the same as each other, and can be arranged vertically in the drawing. Electrode directions may be disposed in opposite directions between the battery cells 2 disposed in the adjacent arrangement spaces 1c. That is, such an arrangement may be referred to as a normal electrode arrangement (forward direction arrangement) in the battery module 1 in the example of the present invention.

3 is a perspective view showing a cell inspection unit 100 in which a plurality of battery cells 2 are seated according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the first power unit 110 is fixed to the inspection frame 100a, and at least one pair of second power units 120 are positioned at both ends of the battery cell 2, respectively. ) and can be positioned to correspond.

Furthermore, one or more cell detection units 101 such as a multimeter having a display 101' electrically connected to the tap contact unit 125 and displaying a value within a predetermined voltage range when the electrode is disposed in a positive direction. ) may be further included to be installed on the seating plate 101a of the inspection frame 100a.

The first power unit 110 may be directly or indirectly coupled to the inspection frame 100a, and through this, the first power unit 110 is supplied to the cell inspection unit 100 and is spaced apart from the disposed battery cell 2. Motion can be generated by providing power in the state.

In this example, the first power unit 110 is connected to the upwardly extending inspection frame 100a so that the first power unit 110 may be spaced upward from the battery cell 2 . In this case, the movement may transmit power by which the second power unit 120 is moved in a vertical direction (vertical direction) to the electrode tab 2b. Through this, the second power unit 120 disposed at both ends of the battery cell 2 is capable of reciprocating in the vertical direction.

4 is a view showing a state in which the tap contact portion 125 contacts the electrode tab 2b according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 shows the first power unit 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention and This is a view showing a form in which the second power unit 120 is connected to the inspection frame 100a. Referring to FIG. 5 together with FIG. 4 , movement through the first power unit 110 can be described in more detail.

As described above, the first power unit 110 may provide power in the vertical direction, and the second power unit 120 may provide power in the left and right directions. The first power unit 110 may be indirectly fixed to the inspection frame 100a through the connection plate 111 . The first power unit 110 includes a reciprocating rod 117 passing through the connecting plate 111, and the reciprocating rod 117 reciprocates in an extending direction (up and down direction) by the power of the first power unit 110. It can be. An end of the reciprocating rod 117 may be connected to the plate 116 .

The plate 116 may extend in a direction (left and right direction) orthogonal to the reciprocating rod 117, and second power units 120 may be provided at both ends of the plate 116. In addition, a section extending toward both ends of the plate 116 may be connected to the fixed column 114 . The stationary column 114 is a column extending in the vertical direction connected to the plate 116 at one end. A slider 113, such as an LM guide, is formed on the side of the column in the longitudinal direction so that it can slide, and the power of the first power unit 110 is transmitted through the plate 116 to slide with the slider 113.

Here, the slider 113 is fixed to the inspection frame 100a and the fixed block 112 so that movement does not occur by the first power unit 110, that is, along the fixed slider 113, The fixed column 114 may be moved in the power supply direction of the first power unit 110 . Here, the power supply direction may be parallel to the extending direction of the stationary column 114 . As described above, the cell inspection unit 100 has a slider 113 that slides and moves by the power provided by the first power unit 110 in the vertical direction and one end connected to the slider 113 and the other end connected to the second A fixed column 114 to which the power unit 120 is connected may be further included.

FIG. 6 is a view showing the operation of the second power unit 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 (a) shows the state in which the reciprocating block 122 is retracted, and the tap contact part 125 is the electrode tab. (2b) is a view showing contact, and FIG. 6 (b) is a view showing a state in which the reciprocating block 122 is advanced and the tab contact portion 125 is spaced apart from the electrode tab 2b.

6, the second power unit 120 is connected to the connection block 121 coupled to the plate 116, the connection block 121 and the first reciprocating rod 122a and the second reciprocating rod 122b. It may include a reciprocating block 122, an extension bracket 123 connected to the reciprocating block 122, a fixing member 124 connected to the extension bracket 123, and a tap contact portion 125 connected to the fixing member 124. . Of course, the configuration separately described above may be provided as one configuration, but in the case of this example, it is the same as the case shown in FIG. 6 . Here, a wire (not shown) may be provided to electrically connect the tap contact portion 125, and a pneumatic cable (not shown) may be connected to provide air pressure to the connection block 121. In particular, in the case of a wire, it is connected to the cell detection unit 101 and can perform a function of transmitting electrical information such as voltage.

On the other hand, as an example, air pressure is transmitted and the first reciprocating rod 122a and the second reciprocating rod 122b connected to the connection block 121 are pulled out, and the reciprocating block 122 may be advanced in the drawing direction. Due to this movement, the expansion bracket 123, the fixing member 124, and the tap contact portion 125 directly or indirectly connected to the reciprocating block 122 may be moved in the withdrawing direction.

This movement can cause the electrode tab 2b and the tab contact portion 125 to be separated from each other, as shown in FIG. 6(b). This may be a state before and after measuring the voltage.

7 is a bottom side perspective view showing the operation of the second power unit 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7 , an inclined portion 125a extending toward the electrode tab 2b by the second power unit 120 and guiding the electrode tab 2b to a contact point may be included. The inclined portion 125a is configured to guide the electrode tab 2b in the process of measuring the voltage of the electrode tab 2b, and may extend toward the electrode tab 2b. For example, when the electrode tab 2b is angularly separated from the extension direction of the battery cell 2 by a predetermined angle, contact with the tab contact portion 125 may not be normally made. Therefore, even in this case, for normal contact between the tab contact portion 125 and the electrode tab 2b, while the tab contact portion 125 approaches the electrode tab 2b by the second power unit 120, the inclined portion 125a By this, the electrode tab 2b is guided so that normal contact can be made.

8 is a perspective view showing the module inspection unit 200 in which the battery module 1 is seated according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, a conveying roller 211 providing power for conveying the battery module 1, a conveying belt 212 rotating in conjunction with the conveying roller 211, and an outer circumferential surface of the conveying belt 212 A holder 220 positioned and fixing one end of the battery module 1 may be further included.

As described above, when the plurality of battery cells 2 are assembled to the frame 1a or the like, they may be transferred to the module inspection unit 200 . The delivered battery module 1 may be fixed by the holder 220 and transported by the transport belt 212 . The transfer belt 212 is stopped at a predetermined position, and a voltage check may be performed by the operation of the third power unit 250 .

9 is a view showing the module inspection unit 200 and the module detection unit 201 connected to the module inspection unit 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the third power unit 250 may be coupled to the support unit 200a. The support portion 200a may be a structure extending upward from the conveyance belt 212 side. The third power unit 250 coupled to one side of the support unit 200a allows reciprocating motion to be approached and separated from the terminal 1b.

Here, the approach is to electrically connect the terminal contact portion 254 to be described below with the terminal 1b, and through this, it can be confirmed whether the electrodes are disposed in the forward direction. Of course, this may be displayed through the module detection unit 201. For example, a numerical value within a predetermined voltage range may be displayed on the display 201' to indicate that they are normally arranged. Like the above-described cell detection unit 101, it is possible to notify whether forward arrangement is made through one or more of visual information and auditory information.

10 shows a third power unit 250 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 (a) shows a state in which the reciprocating block 252 is retracted, and the terminal 1b and the terminal contact portion 254 are spaced apart. 10 (b) is a view showing that the terminal 1b and the terminal contact portion 254 are in contact with the reciprocating block 252 in a forward state,

Referring to FIG. 10, a connection block 251 fixed to the support part 200a, a reciprocation block 252 connected to the connection block 251 by a third reciprocating rod 252a, and fixed to the reciprocating block 252 and a connection block 253 for fixing the terminal contact portion 254. Here, the third power unit 250 advances the terminal contact portion 254 toward the path along which the battery module 1 is transported to make contact with the terminal 1b, or moves the terminal contact portion 254 backward to It can be spaced apart from the movement path of the battery module (1).

Here, contact means electrical connection, and the terminal contact portion 254 enables electrical connection with the module detection unit 201 . Therefore, converters (not shown) may be arranged to be connected to each other, and a pneumatic cable (not shown) may be connected to the third power unit 250 to provide air pressure for operation. When the voltage measurement for the terminal 1b is completed, the third power unit 250 retracts the reciprocating block 252 to connect the connection block 253 directly or indirectly connected to the reciprocating block 252 and the terminal contact portion 254 can also be made to retreat. Interference of the terminal contact portion 254 may not occur in the movement path of the battery module 1 through the movement of the transfer belt 212 due to the retraction.

Although representative embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications are possible to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. . Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments and should not be defined, and should be defined by not only the claims to be described later, but also those equivalent to these claims.

1: Battery module
1a: frame
1b: Terminal
1c: Layout space
1d: cover
2: battery cell
2a: cell case
2b: electrode tab
10: Cell supply
20: module assembly
30: transfer
100': cell inspection
200': module inspection
100: cell inspection unit
100a: inspection frame
101: cell detection unit
101': display
101a: seating plate
110: first power unit
111: connection plate
112: fixed block
113: Slider
114: fixed column
116: plate
117: reciprocating rod
120: second power unit
121: connection block
122: reciprocating block
122a: first reciprocating rod
122b: second reciprocating rod
123: extension bracket
124: fixing member
125: tap contact
125a: inclined portion
200: module inspection unit
200a: support
201: module detection unit
201': display
211: transfer roller
212: conveying belt
220: holder
250: 3rd power unit
251: connection block
252: reciprocating block
252a: third reciprocating rod
253: connection block
254: terminal contact part

Claims (6)

In the secondary battery inspection device for inspecting the electrode arrangement of the battery in the battery manufacturing process,
a contact portion contacting the electrode of the battery;
a power unit supplying power to the contact unit so that the contact unit is in contact with or separated from the electrode; and
a detection unit displaying electrical information including voltage by contact of the contact portion with the electrode;
Electrode inspection device for a secondary battery comprising a.
The method of claim 1,
The battery is composed of battery cells 2,
The electrode inspection device of a secondary battery, characterized in that the contact portion is made of a tab contact portion 125 in contact with the electrode tab (2b) as an electrode.
The method of claim 2,
The power unit is fixed to the inspection frame 100a installed above the battery cell 2 to provide power in the vertical direction, and the first power unit 110 and the electrode tabs positioned at both ends of the battery cell 2, respectively. An electrode inspection device for a secondary battery, characterized in that it includes a second power unit 120 positioned to correspond to (2b) and providing power in the left and right directions.
The method of claim 2,
The tap contact portion 120,
and an inclined portion 125a extending toward the electrode tab 2b by the second power unit 120 to guide the electrode tab 2b to a contact point. .
The method of claim 1,
The battery is made of a battery module (1),
The electrode inspection device for a secondary battery, characterized in that the contact part consists of a terminal contact part 254 in contact with the terminal (1b) as an electrode.
The method of claim 5,
The power unit includes a third power unit 250,
The terminal contact portion 254 is advanced toward the path along which the battery module 1 is transported so as to come into contact with the terminal 1b, or the terminal contact portion 254 is retreated from the moving path of the battery module 1. An electrode inspection device for a secondary battery, characterized in that it allows to be spaced apart.

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