Patent ID: 8139842

Claim:
An inspection apparatus for a rechargeable battery electrode plate-connected structure including a plurality of electrode plates, each having a connecting end portion to be connected to a current collector plate by a fillet, wherein the inspection apparatus is for inspecting a connection state of a fillet formed at a connection portion between each connecting end portion and the current collector plate, the inspection apparatus comprising: an imaging device arranged on one side of the rechargeable battery electrode plate-connected structure; a first lighting device which emits inspection light to the rechargeable battery electrode plate-connected structure, with the first lighting device being arranged on the one side of the rechargeable battery electrode plate-connected structure; a second lighting device which emits inspection light to the rechargeable battery electrode plate-connected structure, with the second lighting device facing the imaging device so that the rechargeable battery electrode plate-connected structure is located between the second lighting device and the imaging device; and an inspection circuit connected to the imaging device, wherein the inspection circuit inspects the connection state of the fillet by analyzing a front lighting image of the rechargeable battery electrode plate-connected structure, which is captured by the imaging device when only the first lighting device emits the inspection light, and a back lighting image of the rechargeable battery electrode plate-connected structure, which is captured by the imaging device receiving the inspection light of the second lighting device passing through gaps between the electrode plates and the current collector plate when only the second lighting device emits the inspection light, and wherein the inspection circuit detects the positions of the plurality of electrode plates by analyzing the front lighting image that is captured by the imaging device receiving the inspection light emitted from the first lighting device and reflected at illuminated side surfaces of the electrode plates and the current collector plate when only the first lighting device emits the inspection light.