# US 11,307,026 B2 · Alignment inspection apparatus for electrode assembly and alignment inspection method for electrode assembly using the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,307,026 B2 - Document ID: US11307026B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/636,244 - Filed: 2019-03-22 - Published: 2020-11-26 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-29 - Assignees: LG Energy Solution, Ltd. - Applicants: LG Chem, Ltd. - Inventors: Tai Jin Jung; Cha Hun Ku; Su Taek Jung; Jung Kwan Pyo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11307026B2 ## CPC - G01B 11/272: {using photoelectric detection means} - G01N 21/8806: {Specially adapted optical and illumination features} - G01N 21/88: Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination - G01N 21/95: characterised by the material or shape of the object to be examined (G01N21/89 - G01N21/91, G01N21/94 take precedence) - H01M 10/0404: {Machines for assembling batteries} - H04N 23/54: Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils - H04N 23/56: provided with illuminating means - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - Y02P 70/50: Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS ## Abstract An alignment inspection apparatus for the electrode assembly including a laminate, in which a first separator, an internal electrode, a second separator, and an upper electrode are sequentially laminated, includes a camera disposed above a central portion of the electrode assembly to photograph and inspect the electrode assembly and side lights obliquely irradiating light onto each of both ends of the upper electrode. The side lights are symmetrical to each other with respect to the central portion of the electrode assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An alignment inspection apparatus for an electrode assembly comprising: a laminate in which a first separator, an internal electrode, a second separator, and an upper electrode are sequentially stacked in a first direction, the upper electrode forming a top surface of the electrode assembly, a camera disposed in the first direction above a central portion of the electrode assembly to photograph and inspect the electrode assembly; side lights at an oblique angle to an upper surface of the electrode assembly, the side lights irradiating light onto each of both ends of the upper electrode, which are symmetrical to each other with respect to the central portion of the electrode assembly; a controller measuring an alignment state of the electrode assembly through photographed information of the electrode assembly observed through the camera; and an internal electrode tab extending from the internal electrode in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the controller measures a distance in the second direction between one end of the internal electrode tab and one end of the upper electrode of the electrode assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The alignment inspection apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a low light disposed below the electrode assembly to irradiate light onto a bottom surface of the electrode assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The alignment inspection apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controller measuring an alignment state of the electrode assembly through photographed information of the electrode assembly observed through the camera. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The alignment inspection apparatus of claim 3, wherein the controller measures a distance between one end of an internal electrode tab and one end of the upper electrode of the electrode assembly. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An alignment inspection method for an electrode assembly through the alignment inspection apparatus of claim 1, the alignment inspection method comprising: an upper light irradiation step of obliquely irradiating light onto each of both ends of the electrode assembly, which are symmetrical to each other with respect to a central portion of the electrode assembly, by using the side light; and a photographing step of photographing the electrode assembly through the camera disposed above the central portion of the electrode assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The alignment inspection method of claim 5, further comprising a measurement step of transmitting information observed through the camera to the controller to allow the controller to measure a distance between one end of an internal electrode tab and one end of an upper electrode. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An alignment inspection method for an electrode assembly through the alignment inspection apparatus of claim 1, the alignment inspection method comprising: an upper light irradiation step of obliquely irradiating light onto each of both ends of the electrode assembly, which are symmetrical to each other with respect to a central portion of the electrode assembly, by using the side light; a lower light irradiation step of irradiating light onto a bottom surface of the electrode assembly by using a lower light; and a photographing step of photographing the electrode assembly through the camera disposed above the central portion of the electrode assembly. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The alignment inspection method of claim 7, further comprising a measurement step of transmitting information observed through the camera to the controller to allow the controller to measure a distance between one end of an internal electrode, which is projected to the second separator by the lower light, and one end of upper electrode.