Automatic checking, validation, and post-processing of a battery object
First Claim
1. A system for controlling a machine to perform two or more predetermined tests on a battery cell, said system comprising:
- a machine having a tool for performing said two or more predetermined tests, said tool adapted to detect one or more properties of said battery cell said machine adapted to position said tool at two or more predetermined locations on conductive material of said battery cell when said two or more predetermined tests are to be performed; and
a computing device having therein program code usable by said computing device, said program code comprising;
code configured to cause said machine to position said tool at said two or more predetermined locations relative to conductive material of said battery cell, each of said two or more predetermined locations associated with one or more of said two or more predetermined tests;
code configured to cause said machine, and via at least use of said tool, to perform said one or more of said two or more predetermined tests that is associated with a first one of said two or more predetermined locations;
code configured to analyze the results of said performed two or more predetermined tests and determine if retesting of one or more of said two or more predetermined tests is needed, and, upon determining retesting is needed, to reposition said tool at a second one of said two or more predetermined locations on said conductive material and retest said one or more of said two or more predetermined tests;
code configured to determine if all of said two or more predetermined tests have been performed on said battery cell and, upon determination, if any, of all of said two or more predetermined tests have not been performed, configured to cause said machine, via use of said tool, to proceed with another of said two or more predetermined tests; and
wherein said machine is controlled to perform said two or more predetermined tests.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A machine such as an industrial robot operates either in a stand-alone or in-production mode to perform a number of tests on a battery object having one of several different assembly levels and packaging geometries. The machine has selectable testing programs that correspond to various combinations of object assembly levels and geometries. The machine performs the tests either by coming into contact with a predetermined location on the conductive material of the object or viewing that location. The test results are analyzed to determining if retesting is necessary. After all of the tests are completed on an object, the tested object is assigned a grade and then sorted by grade. The tested objects may be kept at the machine location or sent on for further processing based on the assigned grade. After the testing is completed on one object, the machine tests the next object to be tested.
7 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A system for controlling a machine to perform two or more predetermined tests on a battery cell, said system comprising:
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a machine having a tool for performing said two or more predetermined tests, said tool adapted to detect one or more properties of said battery cell said machine adapted to position said tool at two or more predetermined locations on conductive material of said battery cell when said two or more predetermined tests are to be performed; and a computing device having therein program code usable by said computing device, said program code comprising; code configured to cause said machine to position said tool at said two or more predetermined locations relative to conductive material of said battery cell, each of said two or more predetermined locations associated with one or more of said two or more predetermined tests; code configured to cause said machine, and via at least use of said tool, to perform said one or more of said two or more predetermined tests that is associated with a first one of said two or more predetermined locations; code configured to analyze the results of said performed two or more predetermined tests and determine if retesting of one or more of said two or more predetermined tests is needed, and, upon determining retesting is needed, to reposition said tool at a second one of said two or more predetermined locations on said conductive material and retest said one or more of said two or more predetermined tests; code configured to determine if all of said two or more predetermined tests have been performed on said battery cell and, upon determination, if any, of all of said two or more predetermined tests have not been performed, configured to cause said machine, via use of said tool, to proceed with another of said two or more predetermined tests; and wherein said machine is controlled to perform said two or more predetermined tests. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for controlling predetermined tests on a battery cell, said system, comprising;
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a machine having a tool for performing said predetermined tests, said tool configured to detect one or more properties of said battery cell; and a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising; computer usable program code configured to cause said machine to displace said tool to two or more predetermined locations relative to said conductive material of said battery cell, each of said two or more predetermined locations associated with one or more of said predetermined tests; computer usable program code configured to cause said machine to perform, using at least said tool, said one or more of said predetermined tests that is associated with a first one of said two or more predetermined locations; computer usable program code configured to analyze the results of said performed one or more of said predetermined tests and determine if retesting of said performed one or more of said predetermined tests is needed, and, upon determining retesting is needed, to reposition said tool at a second one of said two or more predetermined locations on said conductive material and retest said per formed one or more of said predetermined tests; computer usable program code configured to determine if all of said predetermined tests have been performed on said battery cell, and, upon determination, if any, of said predetermined tests having not been performed, configured to cause said machine, via use of said tool, to proceed with another of said predetermined tests; and wherein said machine is controlled to perform one or more said predetermined tests. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for performing predetermined tests on a battery cell comprising:
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causing a machine for performing said predetermined tests to be positioned at two or more predetermined locations on conductive material of said battery cell, each of said two or more predetermined locations associated with one or more of said predetermined tests; causing said machine to perform said one or more of said predetermined tests associated with a first one of said two or more predetermined locations; analyzing the results of said performed one or more of said predetermined tests and determine if retesting of said performed, one or more of said predetermined tests is needed, and, upon determining retesting is needed, to reposition said tool at a second one of said two or more predetermined locations on said conductive material and retest said performed one or more of said predetermined tests; determining if all of said predetermined tests have been performed on said battery cell; and causing, upon determination, if any, of said predetermined tests are determined to have not been performed, said machine to proceed with another of said predetermined tests. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for testing battery cells, said battery cells to be tested grouped in a plurality of sets of one or more battery cells, said one or more battery cells in a first of said sets of battery cells having an identical set of characteristics which are different than the set of identical characteristics of one or more battery cells in a second set of battery cells to be tested, said system comprising:
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a machine having one or more tools for performing said predetermined tests on each of said battery cells in said first set and second set, said tool configured to detect one or more properties of said battery cell; a computing device having therein program code usable by said computing device, said program code comprising; code configured to cause said machine to select from a plurality of testing programs each associated with a respective one of said plurality of sets of battery cells to be tested a testing program associated with said first set of battery cells to be tested, each of said testing programs having a predetermined number of tests to be performed on said associated one of said plurality of sets of battery cells; code configured to cause said machine to be positioned at two or more predetermined locations on conductive material of each of said one or more battery cells in said first set of battery cells to be tested, each of said two or more predetermined locations associated with one or more of said predetermined tests; code configured to cause said machine to perform said one or more of said predetermined tests that is associated with a first one of said two or more predetermined locations; code configured to analyze the results of said performed one or more of said predetermined tests and determine if retesting of said performed one or more of said predetermined tests is needed, and, upon determining retesting is needed, to reposition said tool at a second one of said two or more predetermined locations on said conductive material and retest said performed one or more of said predetermined tests; code configured to determine if all of said predetermined tests have been performed on said each of said one of more battery cells in said first set and, upon determination, if any, of predetermined tests have not been performed, configured to cause said machine, via use of said tool, to proceed with another of said predetermined tests on each of said one of more battery cells in said first set; and wherein said machine is controlled to perform one or more of said predetermined tests. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification