KR101475432B1 - Charge/discharge inspection system, correction system and correction device for charge/discharge inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

A calibration system (100) for a charge / discharge test apparatus is provided with a calibration device (102) for calibration of a charge / discharge test apparatus, which includes at least one connection terminal for connecting to at least one of a plurality of contacts And at least one connection terminal 106 can be connected to at least one of the plurality of probes 44 by a battery inspection unit 12 as a calibration device 102. [ And a transport device 104 for positioning at a transporting position.

Description

Technical Field The present invention relates to a charge / discharge inspection system, a charge / discharge inspection system, and a charge /

The present invention relates to a charging / discharging inspection system for inspecting a secondary battery, and a calibration system and a calibration apparatus suitable for such a system.

Patent Document 1 discloses an inspection apparatus for inspecting the thickness of an electrode mixture of a lithium ion secondary battery electrode. This apparatus includes a first ultrasonic sensor for measuring a lithium ion secondary battery electrode and a second ultrasonic sensor for measuring a reference material, and the first ultrasonic sensor is calibrated using the second ultrasonic sensor.

(Patent Literature)

Patent Document 1: JP-A-2010-205678

A charge / discharge test apparatus for automatically inspecting the failure or characteristics of the secondary battery has been proposed. The inspection is carried out as one process or a final process of the battery production. In general, the inspection apparatus is calibrated at a predetermined frequency to maintain inspection accuracy. To perform the calibration, the test is once terminated and a calibration device for calibration is connected to the test device instead of the secondary battery. The carrying-in operation of the calibration apparatus or the wiring connection work with the inspection apparatus is performed manually, and it takes time to prepare for such calibration processing.

The present invention has been made in such a situation, and one of the exemplary objects of the present invention is to contribute to improvement of the productivity of the battery inspection through automation of preparation work of the calibration processing.

One aspect of the present invention relates to a charge-discharge inspection system. This system includes a power source, a battery inspecting unit that accommodates a plurality of secondary cells, and a battery inspecting unit that is provided in the battery inspecting unit and is provided with a power source A charging / discharging inspection device having a plurality of contacts for supplying power to the secondary battery; A calibration device for calibration of a charging / discharging inspection device, comprising: a calibration device having at least one connection terminal for connecting to at least one of a plurality of contacts instead of a secondary battery; And a conveying device for positioning the calibrating device as a battery inspecting unit at a conveying position for connecting at least one connecting terminal to at least one of the plurality of contacts.

According to this aspect, the calibrating device can be positioned at the conveying position by the conveying device. The carrying position is a position in the battery inspection unit that allows connection terminals of the calibration apparatus to be connected to the contacts of the battery inspection unit. In this way, the burden on the operator and the calibration time can be reduced through automation of the conveyance of the calibrating device. It is also expected that the connection workability to the charging / discharging inspection apparatus of the calibrating apparatus is increased by being positioned at a predetermined position. The downtime of the inspection apparatus necessary for the calibration process is reduced, and the inspection throughput can be improved.

The at least one connection terminal may be a plurality of connection terminals formed in an array suitable for arranging a plurality of contacts. Thus, by making the positional relationship between the contacts of the battery inspecting unit and the connection terminals of the calibrating device, it is easy to make direct connection by contact instead of connecting them with wiring. It is possible to shorten the calibration time by automating the connection operation.

The battery inspecting unit is configured such that a plurality of secondary batteries and a plurality of contacts can relatively advance and retract and each contactor is connected to a corresponding secondary battery by relative advancement of the secondary battery relative to the contactor, At least one of the plurality of contacts and at least one connection terminal is positioned at a position where the secondary battery is to be positioned with respect to the conveyance direction of the conveyance apparatus in the conveyance position, Or may be connected by movement of the battery in the relative advancing direction. By positioning the connection terminal instead of the battery, it is possible to connect the connection terminal and the contactor by the same operation as the relative movement of the battery and the contactor. For example, the connection operation between the battery and the contact in the automatic inspection process can be used for connection between the connection terminal and the contactor in the calibration process. By automating the connection operation, it is possible to shorten the calibration time and reduce the burden on the operator.

The conveying device may include a supporting portion disposed on the outside of the battery inspecting unit and an arm portion configured to be movable forward and backward from the supporting portion and linearly moving the aligning device from the supporting portion to the conveying position. The calibration device may be formed so as to avoid interference with the charging / discharging inspection device when being positioned by the arm portion. By doing so, the calibration device can be smoothly conveyed to the charge / discharge inspection device by the linear expansion and contraction operation of the arm portion.

The calibration apparatus may include a first portion including a connection terminal and formed in a dimension that can be accommodated in the battery inspection unit, and a second portion electrically connected to the first portion. The transfer device may position the first portion at the transfer position and support the second portion outside the battery inspection unit. By separating the connection terminal portion of the calibration apparatus from other portions, it is easy to miniaturize the portion.

Another aspect of the invention is a calibration system. This calibration system is a calibration system for a charge / discharge inspection apparatus for a secondary battery. The charge / discharge inspection apparatus includes a battery inspection unit that accommodates a plurality of secondary batteries, A plurality of contacts for power feeding; A calibration device for calibration of a charging / discharging inspection device, comprising: a calibration device having at least one connection terminal for connecting to at least one of a plurality of contacts instead of a secondary battery; And a transfer device for positioning the calibration device in the battery inspection unit at a transfer position for connecting at least one of the plurality of contacts to at least one connection terminal.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a calibration apparatus. This apparatus is a calibration apparatus for calibrating a charging / discharging inspection apparatus for a secondary battery, the charging / discharging inspection apparatus comprising: a battery inspection unit for accommodating a plurality of secondary batteries; And a plurality of contacts for supplying power to the battery. The calibration device is provided with a connection portion having a plurality of connection terminals for connecting to a plurality of contacts instead of the secondary battery and the plurality of connection terminals are formed in an arrangement suitable for the arrangement of a plurality of contacts, And are formed in dimensions that can be accommodated in the inspection unit.

According to the charging / discharging inspection system of one aspect of the present invention, productivity of the inspection apparatus can be improved through automation of preparation work of the calibration processing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a charge / discharge inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
2 is a diagram schematically showing a main part of a battery inspecting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a diagram schematically showing a main part of a battery inspecting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a diagram schematically showing a main part of a battery inspection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a diagram schematically showing a main part of a battery inspection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a diagram schematically showing a calibration system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a diagram schematically showing a calibration system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a block diagram showing a calibration apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a diagram schematically showing a calibration system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A charge / discharge inspection system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a charge / discharge inspection device for charging / discharging a plurality of secondary batteries for inspection, a calibration device for calibration of the charge / discharge inspection device, And a conveying device for conveying to the discharge inspection device. The charge / discharge inspection apparatus includes one or a plurality of battery inspection units and a power supply unit for supplying power to the battery inspection units. The individual battery inspecting units are configured to accommodate a plurality of arranged secondary cells and inspect them collectively. In one embodiment, the battery inspecting unit includes a plurality of probes for measuring or supplying power to respective corresponding secondary cells, and a plurality of probes for relatively connecting the probes and the secondary batteries to each other And a moving mechanism for advancing and retracting.

The carrying apparatus according to an embodiment is configured to carry the calibration apparatus from its storage location to an optional battery inspection unit and to carry the calibration apparatus to the proper position in the battery inspection unit. Thereby, automation of conveyance of the calibrating device is realized. The carrying position of the calibration apparatus is determined from the viewpoint of enhancing easiness of connection work to the charge / discharge inspection apparatus, for example, connection work of the connection terminal of the calibration apparatus and the probe of the battery inspection unit. The conveying position may be determined such that the connecting terminal of the calibrating device is positioned at a position where the electrode of the secondary battery is to be positioned in the inspection process. The calibration device may be a first transfer stage in which the connection terminal is positioned at a position where the electrode is present in the carrying direction of the transfer device to the battery inspection unit. And then the calibrating device may be moved so as to approach the probe in a direction different from the carrying direction as the second carrying step.

The calibration apparatus according to one embodiment has a group of connection terminals formed in an array corresponding to the arrangement of batteries in the battery inspection unit. Since the connection terminals of the calibration apparatus are formed in correspondence with the battery arrangement, connection work to the charge / discharge test apparatus of the calibration apparatus is facilitated. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of connection terminals of the calibration apparatus are formed at a number and arrangement intervals that match the number and spacing of the plurality of probes of the battery inspection unit. The connection terminal may be configured so as to be in contact with the probe so as to establish electrical connection with the probe, like the electrode of the battery.

The calibration apparatus is brought into the battery inspecting unit in the horizontal direction, for example, and is positioned in the same manner as the secondary battery, and then advances relative to the probe, for example, in the vertical direction. The connection terminal of the calibration device approaches and eventually contacts the probe. In this way, it becomes possible to automatically connect a plurality of connection terminals of the calibration apparatus to a plurality of probes of the battery inspection unit.

1 is a diagram schematically showing a charge-discharge inspection apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The charge / discharge testing device 10 is a secondary battery testing device configured to perform charging and discharging of a plurality of secondary batteries in order to collectively inspect a plurality of secondary batteries. The charging / discharging inspection apparatus 10 includes a power supply apparatus 11 and a battery inspection unit 12. In the following description, the battery inspection unit 12 is also referred to simply as the inspection unit 12. [

In one embodiment, the power supply device 11 and the inspection unit 12 are configured as separate devices and are connected by a connection cable. Connecting cables include power lines and control lines. The power supply unit 11 and the inspection unit 12 may be provided adjacent to or close to each other, for example. Or the power supply unit 11 may be installed apart from the inspection unit 12. [ 1 schematically shows a power system and a communication control system of the charging / discharging inspection apparatus 10, and shows a power line as a solid line connecting each element and a communication control line as a broken line. In the present embodiment, a power line and a communication control line for connecting the two components are separately provided in consideration of, for example, alleviating the influence of noise from the power line to the communication line.

The power supply device 11 includes a power regeneration converter 13, a constant voltage power supply 14, and a controller 15. The power regeneration converter 13, the constant voltage power supply 14, and the controller 15 are housed in a power supply unit enclosure (not shown). The power supply unit enclosure has, for example, a rack or a frame structure, and defines a rectangular parallelepiped internal space for accommodating the power regeneration converter 13, the constant voltage power supply 14, and the controller 15.

The power regeneration converter 13 relays an external power supply (not shown) and a constant voltage power supply 14. The external power source is, for example, a commercial power source such as an AC power source supplied for industrial use. The power regeneration converter 13 functions as a power receiving circuit from an external power source when charging the battery to be inspected in the inspection unit 12 and functions to return power to the external power source when discharging the battery. The power regeneration converter 13 is provided as a power regenerative converter common to a plurality of constant voltage power supplies 14.

The constant voltage power supply 14 adjusts the power supplied from the external power supply through the power regeneration converter 13 and outputs it. A plurality of constant voltage power supplies 14 (five in the illustrated example) are provided, and each of the constant voltage power supplies 14 is connected to the power regeneration converter 13. Each of the constant voltage power supplies 14 has a plurality of channels, and individual up / down converter 28 is connected to each channel. The constant voltage power supply 14 supplies the voltage and current higher than the voltage and the current suitable for the inspection specification of the battery to the step-up / down converter 28. [ The constant voltage power supply 14 is, for example, a DC-DC converter, preferably an insulated bidirectional DC-DC converter.

The controller 15 controls the charging / discharging inspection apparatus 10. That is, the controller 15 is configured to control the inspection unit 12, the power regeneration converter 13, and the constant voltage power supply 14. The controller 15 may be managed by a higher level control device, a management server, or the like. For example, the calibration apparatus and the transport apparatus described later may be managed by the management server.

To the controller 15, a data processing unit 16 is connected. The data processing unit 16 collects and stores measurement data such as voltage, current, and temperature of the battery obtained by the inspection unit 12 through the controller 15. [ The data processing unit 16 processes the collected data and outputs it by an output means such as an accompanying display or a printer. The data processing unit 16 is, for example, a known PC. The controller 15 and the data processing unit 16 are connected by a known method such as LAN.

The inspection unit 12 has a plurality of step-up and step-down units 17 mounted thereon. In one embodiment, the elevating and lowering pressure unit 17 is preferably provided in a different compartment from the inspection stage compartment in which the inspection stage is disposed in the casing 22 (see Fig. 2) of the inspection unit 12 .

The step-up and step-down unit 17 mounted on the inspection unit 12 includes a plurality of step-up and step-down converters 28 and a control circuit 29 for controlling these step-up and step-down converters 28. Each of the elevating and lowering units 17 is connected to the constant voltage power supply 14 by the power cable 24 and is connected to the controller 15 by the communication cable 25. [ The step-up and step-down converter 28 adjusts the input given from the constant voltage power supply 14 through the power cable 24 to a voltage and a current suitable for the inspection specification. The output of the step-up / down converter 28 is given to the load 35 to be inspected. The load 35 is, for example, a secondary battery 40 (see Fig. 2).

The inspection unit 12 includes a plurality of measurement circuits 34. [ The measurement circuit 34 measures the state of the load 35. Fig. The measuring circuit 34 includes at least one of, for example, a temperature measuring circuit, a voltage measuring circuit and a current measuring circuit, and measures at least one of the temperature, the voltage and the current of the load 35. The measurement result is transmitted to the controller 15 and then to the data processing unit 16 again. The measurement result may be relayed to the controller 15 by a known communication unit such as a remote I / O installed in the inspection unit 12. [

In the inspection unit 12, the number of the step-up and step-down converters 28 is the same as the number of cells 40 that can be inspected collectively in the inspection stage 42 (see Fig. 2). That is, one step-up / step-down converter 28 corresponds to each load 35, and the same number of step-up / step-down converters 28 as the load 35 is provided. Likewise, a measuring circuit 34 is provided for each load 35.

2 to 5 are diagrams schematically showing a main portion of the inspection unit 12 of the charge-discharge inspection apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. 2 and 3 are a front view and a side view, respectively, when the battery 40 is brought in (or removed after inspection) for inspection. 4 and 5 are a front view and a side view, respectively, showing a state under examination. Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 are views showing the recessed portions of the structures shown in Figs. 2 and 4, respectively, when viewed from the side. For convenience of explanation, the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is determined as shown. That is, the arrangement direction of the cells 40 is X direction, the vertical direction is Y direction, and the direction orthogonal to both is Z direction.

As shown in Figs. 2 to 5, the inspection unit 12 includes an inspection stage 42 and a probe unit 46. Fig. The inspection stage 42 is configured to arrange a plurality of cells 40 to be inspected, for example, in a matrix form. The probe unit 46 includes a probe 44, for example, for inspecting the battery 40. The probe unit 46 includes a plurality of probes 44 provided in an array corresponding to the matrix arrangement of the inspection stage 42.

In the illustrated embodiment, the inspection stage 42 and the probe unit 46 are opposed to each other, and the battery arrangement space 48 is formed between them. The inspection stage 42 is disposed below the vertical direction of the probe unit 46. On the lower side of the inspection stage 42, a cross flow fan 50 for adjusting the temperature of the battery 40 is mounted.

The casing 22 of the inspection unit 12 accommodates the inspection stage 42 and the probe unit 46. In one embodiment, the casing 22 is a structure that closes the inner space from the outer space, as shown, and keeps the intake invisible from the outside. The casing 22 has a wall portion and a door portion (not shown) for defining an internal space. In addition, the casing 22 may have a structure in which the water is opened to the outside and can be visually recognized from the outside. The casing 22 may be, for example, a rack, frame, or frame structure.

The battery 40 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape in the illustrated example, and is arranged in the horizontal direction (X direction) with the side faces facing each other and spaced apart from the adjacent battery 40. The side surface of the battery 40 is a plane parallel to the vertical direction (Y direction). In this embodiment, the battery 40 is carried into the inspection unit 12 while being supported by the pallet 52, and inspected and carried out. The battery 40 has one or a plurality (for example, two) of electrodes 41 on its upper surface. However, the shapes and arrangements of the batteries 40 are not limited to these, and they may have any shape or may be arranged in an arbitrary arrangement. Further, the arrangement of the electrodes and the number of the electrodes are not limited to those shown in the figures.

In Fig. 2, the direction in which the pallet 52 is carried in and out is indicated by an arrow. The position where the pallet 52 and the battery 40 mounted thereon are brought into the inspection stage 42 is indicated by a broken line. The pallet 52 and the battery 40 are carried in or out of the inspection apparatus 12 by the pallet transporting apparatus 60, for example. The pallet transporting device 60 is configured to transport the pallet 52 linearly in X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, for example. The pallet transporting apparatus 60 includes a support portion positioned in the YZ plane, a moving mechanism for moving the support portion in the YZ plane, and a pallet transporting device 60 configured to extend and retract in the X direction from the support portion in a state of mounting the pallet 52 And the arm portion may be provided.

For transporting the battery 40, a part of the side wall of the inspection unit 12 is configured as a door 54 that can be opened and closed. The door 54 is opened when the battery 40 is loaded and unloaded, and is closed when the battery 40 is inspected. By closing the door 54, the battery array space 48 is separated from the external space during the inspection.

The pallet transporting apparatus 60 first transports the pallet 52 from the outside of the inspection unit 12 to a position adjacent to the door 54 and extends the arm portion in the X direction to move the pallet 52 through the door 54, To the inspection stage (42). The pallet transport apparatus 60 places the pallet 52 on the inspection stage 42 such that each cell 40 is located directly below the corresponding probe 44. [

The inspection stage 42 is a support table for supporting and supporting a plurality of cells 40 to be inspected. In the illustrated embodiment, the inspection stage 42 supports the battery 40 by supporting the pallet 52 on which the battery 40 is mounted, instead of directly supporting the battery 40. The inspection stage 42 includes a plurality of (for example, several to several tens or more) cells 40 along a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction (for example, a plane parallel to the bottom surface) Arranged in a matrix or in a line.

The inspection unit 12 may be provided with a moving mechanism for relatively moving the inspection stage 42 and the probe unit 46 so as to connect or separate the probes 44 to / The moving mechanism provides for example relative movement of the inspection stage 42 and the probe unit 46 in the vertical direction. The moving mechanism may be a known moving mechanism having such a function.

In one embodiment, the probe unit 46 is fixed in position, and the inspection stage 42 is moved up and down by a vertically moving mechanism (see FIG. 5). The battery 40 is moved together with the pallet 52 by the movement of the inspection stage 42 so that the electrode 41 and the probe 44 of the battery 40 are connected or disconnected. The probe unit 46 may be movable together with the inspection stage 42 or in place of the inspection stage 42. [ In this manner, the inspection unit 12 is configured such that the plurality of secondary batteries 40 and the plurality of probes 44 can relatively advance and retract, and by relatively advancing the secondary battery 40 relative to the probes 44 And each probe 44 is connected to the corresponding secondary battery 40.

The probes 44 contact the electrodes 41 of the cells 40 and apply electric power to the cells 40. [ A plurality of probes (44) are provided in an array corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of cells (40). The number and arrangement interval of the probes 44 and the number and arrangement interval of the electrodes 41 coincide with each other. In the illustrated example, six cells are arranged in a row in such a manner that their side faces are opposed to each other. Six sets of probes 44 are arranged in a line in correspondence with this. In one example, two electrodes 41 are provided in one cell 40, and two probes 44 are provided in correspondence with the two electrodes 41 (see FIGS. 3 and 5). A contactor (not shown) for measuring the temperature and other characteristics of the battery 40 may also be provided.

Each probe 44 is supported by a probe unit 46. The probe unit 46 includes, for example, a support plate for supporting the probe 44, which is provided opposite to the inspection stage 42. Each of the probes 44 protrudes from the support plate toward the inspection stage 42 and includes the measuring circuit 34 and the up / down pressure unit 17 described above on the side opposite to the inspection stage 42 of the support plate A space for accommodating various electrical components 56 is secured (see FIG. 3). The measurement circuit 34 is attached to each probe 44 and is provided in the vicinity of the probe 44. [ However, the electrical component 56 may be exposed on the upper surface of the casing 22 of the inspection unit 12. A power cable 24 and a communication cable 25 for connecting the inspection unit 12 to the power supply unit 11 may extend from the opposite side of the door 54 with respect to the X direction.

This electrical component accommodating space is partitioned from the battery array space 48 by the probe unit 46 and may be used as an exhaust space for exhausting the air flow discharged from the battery array space 48. [ This exhaust space may also be partitioned from the external space like the rectifying space and the battery arrangement space 48 described above.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, in this embodiment, the batteries 40 are arranged in one row, and the six batteries 40 are accommodated in the inspection unit 12. Fig. It is also possible to configure the inspection unit 12 to accommodate a plurality of (or a few) batteries. For example, the number of arrangement directions (X direction) may be larger or the number of rows of batteries 40 may be two or more. Further, a plurality of battery inspection units 12 including the inspection stage 42 and the probe unit 46 may be stacked in the vertical direction. In this way, it is possible to increase the number of cells that can be inspected collectively.

The cross-flow fan 50 is mounted for each row of the batteries. The cross-flow fans 50 are arranged along the arrangement direction of the batteries 40. 5, the cross flow fan 50 sucks air from the lateral direction (Z direction) and moves upward (Y direction) toward the battery 40 Ventilate. As shown in the figure, the length of the cross-flow fans 50 in the arrangement direction is equal to or longer than the arrangement length of the battery 40. [ Since the fan can be installed directly below each battery in this manner, the air flow velocity distribution around each battery can be made common. However, a plurality of crossflow fans 50 may be provided along the battery array direction with respect to one battery row, or a plurality of battery rows may share one crossflow fan 50. Blowers such as fans, circulators, and blowers may be disposed along the arrangement direction of the batteries 40 instead of the cross flow fans.

The inside of the inspection stage 42 may be provided with a rectification space for rectifying the airflow discharged from the crossflow fan 50 and directed toward the respective batteries 40. [ In order to separate the space from the outside, the inspection stage 42 includes a battery support plate for supporting the battery 40 or the pallet 52, a mounting plate for mounting the cross flow fan 50, And a side plate for connecting the plate and the mounting plate with each other at both ends thereof.

In the charge / discharge inspection apparatus 10 having the above configuration, the batteries 40 are first carried into the inspection unit 12 by the pallet transport device 60 in a state where the cells 40 are arranged on the pallet 52. The pallet transporting apparatus 60 positions the pallet 52 on the inspection stage 42 so that the electrodes 41 of each cell 40 are positioned just under each of the probes 44 of the probe unit 46 (Fig. 2). The pallet 52 and each cell 40 are moved upward in the vertical direction by the moving mechanism of the inspection stage 42 and the electrode 41 and the probe 44 are brought into contact with the probe 44, (Fig. 4). In this way, the preparation step of the inspection is completed.

The inspection of the battery 40 is executed under the control of the controller 15. [ A voltage profile or a current profile is predetermined for each inspection item. The controller 15 controls the charging and discharging of each battery 40 according to this profile. At the same time, measurement values for necessary measurement items are obtained. The inspections are executed based on the measured values, and it is judged, for example, whether or not each battery 40 is defective. When the inspection is completed, the pallet 52 and the battery 40 are taken out from the inspection unit 12 in a flow opposite to the import. Subsequently, the battery 40 to be inspected next is mounted on the pallet 52 and brought into the inspection unit 12, and the inspection is similarly performed. Alternatively, instead of inspecting the next battery, the calibration process of the charge / discharge testing apparatus 10 is executed using the calibration system 100 described later.

Next, a calibration system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a calibration system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The calibration system 100 includes a calibration device 102 for calibration of the charge and discharge inspection apparatus 10 and a conveyance device 104 for conveying the calibration device 102.

The calibration apparatus 102 includes at least one connection terminal 106 for connecting to at least one of the plurality of probes 44 instead of the secondary battery 40. [ The connection terminal 106 has the same structure as, for example, the electrode 41 of the secondary battery 40. At least one of the plurality of probes 44 and the at least one connection terminal 106 are in contact with each other So that they are electrically connected directly. However, the probes 44 and the connection terminals 106 may be connected by wiring. In the illustrated example, six pairs of connection terminals 106 are shown in the X direction corresponding to the battery arrangement shown in Figs. 2 to 5. In the drawing, two connection terminals 106 constituting one pair in the Z direction are listed.

The calibration device 102 preferably includes a connection portion 108 having a plurality of connection terminals 106 for connecting to each of a plurality of probes 44 in place of the secondary battery 40. In the illustrated example, the upper portion of the calibration device 102 is configured as a connection portion 108. [ The connection portion 108 is, for example, a connection terminal support plate for supporting the connection terminal 106. [ The entirety of the calibrating device 102 including the connecting portion 108 is formed in a dimension that can be accommodated in the battery array space 48 of the inspection unit 12. [

The plurality of connection terminals 106 are formed in an arrangement suitable for the arrangement of the plurality of probes 44. For example, the number and spacing of the plurality of connection terminals 106 coincide with the number and intervals of the plurality of probes 44. In another embodiment, the plurality of connection terminals 106 may be formed in an arrangement suitable for a part of the arrangement of the plurality of probes 44. That is, the connection terminal 106 may be fewer than the probe 44. In this case, calibration of all the probes 44 may be completed by connecting the connection terminal 106 to the non-calibration probe 44 by connecting the calibration probe 44 to the non-calibration probe 44.

Alternatively, in another embodiment, a part of the plurality of connection terminals 106 may be formed in an arrangement suitable for the arrangement of the probes 44. That is, the number of the connection terminals 106 may be more than the number of the probes 44. In this case, the calibration apparatus 102 may include a plurality of connection terminals 106 arranged at various intervals, and may be configured to be able to correspond to the probes 44 having various arrangement intervals. Depending on the design of the probe unit 46, the group of connection terminals to be used can be selected in accordance with different probe intervals.

The transfer device 104 is an automatic transfer device for transferring the calibration device 102 from an external storage place to a predetermined transfer position inside the battery inspection unit 12. [ The transport apparatus 104 is configured to be capable of linearly transporting the aligner 102 in, for example, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction. A known automatic conveying apparatus having such a function can be used as the conveying apparatus 104. The conveying device 104 includes a support portion that is positioned in the YZ plane, a movement mechanism that moves the support portion in the YZ plane, and a movable member 102 that is movable forward and backward in the X direction from the support portion, And the arm portion may be provided. The transfer apparatus 104 may be a dedicated transfer apparatus for transferring the calibration apparatus 102, and the transfer apparatus 104 may be the pallet transfer apparatus 60 described above. In the calibration apparatus 102, the conveying path to the inspection unit 12 is common to the secondary battery, and the battery and the conveying apparatus can be shared.

The transfer device 104 first transfers the calibrating device 102 from the outside of the inspection unit 12 to a position adjacent to the door 54. In Fig. 6, the conveying direction of the calibrating device 102 is indicated by an arrow. The position of the calibration device 102 when it is conveyed to the inspection stage 42 is indicated by a broken line. The carrying position of the calibration apparatus 102 is a position where at least one connection terminal 106 can be connected to at least one of the plurality of probes 44. The transfer device 104 preferably positions the alignment device 102 on the inspection stage 42 such that each connection terminal 106 is positioned directly below the corresponding probe 44. In this way, the calibration apparatus 102 is transferred from the transfer apparatus 104 to the inspection unit 12. In the case of a dedicated conveying apparatus, the conveying apparatus 104 that has delivered the calibrating apparatus 102 may stand by. Alternatively, when the conveying device 104 is the pallet conveying device 60, the conveying device 104 may be moved for conveying the battery 40.

In this manner, the connection terminal 106 is positioned at a position where the secondary battery 40 is to be positioned with respect to the carrying-in direction to the inspection unit 12 by the transfer device 104. [ More specifically, the connection terminal 106 of the calibration device 102 placed at the carrying position on the inspection stage 42 by the transfer device 104 is located at a position where the secondary battery 40 is to be positioned within the horizontal plane As shown in Fig.

7, the calibration device 102 is moved from the conveyance position to the connection position with the probe unit 46 by the movement mechanism of the inspection unit 12. As shown in Fig. In one embodiment, the probe unit 46 is fixed in position, and the inspection stage 42 is moved up and down by a vertically moving mechanism. The calibration device 102 is moved in accordance with the movement of the inspection stage 42 and the connection terminal 106 and the probe 44 are connected or disconnected. The probe unit 46 may be movable together with the inspection stage 42 or in place of the inspection stage 42. [ The probe 44 and the connection terminal 106 are connected by relative movement in the same direction as the relative movement direction for connection with the probe 44 of the secondary battery 40. [

However, the conveying direction of the conveying apparatus 104 is not limited to the horizontal direction (X direction), and the direction of connection with the probe unit 46 of the calibrating apparatus 102 (i.e., the inspection stage 42 and the probe unit 46) Is not limited to the vertical direction (Y direction). These can be changed depending on the shape and arrangement of the battery. In one embodiment, the conveying direction of the conveying device 104 and the connecting direction of the probe unit 46 of the calibrating device 102 are directions intersecting with each other, preferably orthogonal. For example, when the battery has a cylindrical shape and electrodes are provided at one end or both ends thereof, the batteries are laid down in the Z direction, arranged in a plurality of directions in the X direction, conveyed in the X direction by the inspecting unit 12, It is conceivable to connect the unit 46 in the Z direction.

8 is a block diagram showing a calibration apparatus 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The calibration apparatus 102 includes a standard resistor 130, a meter 132, and a calibration control circuit 134 in addition to the connection terminal 106 described above. As shown in the figure, a pair of connection terminals 106 are provided corresponding to the pair of probes 44. [ Each of the pair of probes 44 corresponds to each of the positive and negative electrodes 41 of the battery 40. Each of the pair of probes 44 is connected to each of the electrodes 41 Respectively. Therefore, the pair of connection terminals 106 also correspond to the respective probes 44 corresponding to the common electrode of the battery 40, respectively.

As described above, the measuring circuit 34 is connected to the probe 44, and the measuring circuit 34 includes a detecting resistor for measuring the current flowing in the battery during the inspection, for example. The detection resistance is provided on the path of the charging / discharging current of the secondary battery between the output terminal of the step-up / down converter 28 and the probe 44. [ A voltage drop in proportion to the charge / discharge current occurs in the detection resistor. The current flowing through the detection resistor is measured.

The standard resistor 130 is mounted between the terminals of the pair of probes 44 in place of the secondary battery in the calibration process. In the calibration process, a path including the detection resistor of the measurement circuit 34 and the standard resistor 130 in series is constituted. That is, one of the probes 44, one connection terminal 106, the standard resistor 130, the other connection terminal 106, the other probe 44, the measuring circuit 34 To the step-up and step-down converter 28 via the detection resistor of the voltage detection circuit 28. [

When a current is supplied from the up-down converter 28 to the standard resistor 130 through the probe 44 and the connection terminal 106 in the calibration process, a voltage drop proportional to the current occurs in the standard resistor 130 . The meter 132 generates a current correction value indicating the current flowing in the standard resistor 130 based on the voltage drop of the standard resistor 130 in the calibration process. The meter 132 is, for example, a digital multimeter. The resistance value of the standard resistor 130 is well known, and the variation thereof can be ignored. If so, it can be said that the current value indicated by the current correction value represents the actual current value flowing through the path including the standard resistor 130. [

The calibration control circuit 134 controls the calibration process. The calibration control circuit 134 obtains the current correction value a plurality of times by, for example, making the current command value to the up-converter-voltage converter 28 different. Based on the acquired result, the calibration control circuit 134 calculates the relationship between the actual current value obtained by the measuring instrument 132 and the measured value by the measuring circuit 34, for example, and outputs the measured value of the measuring circuit 34 as Calibration parameters for calibration are obtained. Alternatively, the calibration control circuit 134 calculates the relationship between the actual current value obtained by the meter 132 and the current command value to the step-up / down converter 28 to obtain the calibration parameter. The calibration control circuit 134 supplies information necessary for calculation including, for example, a measurement value by the measurement circuit 34 and a current command value to the up-converter 12, from the management server 110 or from the controller 15, Via the management server 110. The calibration control circuit 134 transmits the calculated calibration parameters to the management server 110. The transmitted calibration parameters are stored in the management server 110 or the controller 15 for use in the inspection.

In Fig. 8, one standard resistor 130 is shown at a pair of connection terminals 106. Fig. When the calibration apparatus 102 includes a plurality of pairs of connection terminals 106, a plurality of standard resistors 130 may be provided in the same number as the connection terminal pairs. Or the connection terminal 106 connected to the standard resistor 130 can be selected by switching to a switch so that one standard resistor 130 is shared by a plurality of pairs of connection terminals 106 do.

According to the present embodiment, the aligning device 102 can be positioned by the conveying device 104 at the conveying position inside the inspection unit 12. [ The burden on the operator and the calibration time can be reduced through automation of the conveyance of the calibration apparatus 102. The respective probes 44 of the probe unit 46 and the connection terminals 106 of the calibration apparatus 102 can be positioned relative to each other and can be directly connected at one time by relative movement and contact. It is possible to shorten the calibration time by automating the connection operation. The downtime of the inspection apparatus required for the calibration process is reduced, and the inspection throughput can be improved.

When the charging / discharging inspection apparatus 10 includes a plurality of inspection units 12, the calibration apparatus 102 is transferred to one inspection unit 12 by the transport apparatus 104 to execute the calibration process The other inspection unit 12 can execute the battery inspection. The transfer device 104 is brought into a free state by transferring the calibration device 102 to the inspection unit 12 (that is, the other device such as the battery 40 can be returned) And the other inspection unit 12 can continue the battery inspection. A charging / discharging inspection system or a calibration system capable of conducting or continuing a battery inspection by another inspection unit 12 even when one inspection unit 12 is being calibrated is provided. However, the other inspection unit 12 may perform the battery inspection using a transfer apparatus (for example, the pallet transfer apparatus 60) different from the transfer apparatus 104. [

Next, a calibration system 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. 9 is a diagram schematically showing a calibration system 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The calibration system 200 shown in Fig. 9 includes a calibration system 102 having an integrated calibration device 102 in that it has a calibration device including a first calibration device 202 and a second calibration device 204 100). However, for the same structure as that of the above-described embodiment with respect to the embodiment described with reference to Fig. 9, the description will be appropriately omitted for the sake of simplicity.

The first calibration device 202 is formed to have a dimension that can be accommodated in the battery inspection unit 12 including the connection terminal 106. [ The connection terminal 106 has the same configuration as that of the above-described embodiment. The second calibrating device 204 is electrically connected to the first calibrating device 202 by a cable 206. The first calibrating device 202 is positioned at the conveying position by the conveying device 208 and is also connected to the probe unit 46 by the conveying device 208. [ The second calibrating device 204 is supported on the outside of the inspection unit 12 by the conveying device 208.

The transport apparatus 208 includes a support portion 210 disposed on the outside of the inspection unit 12 and an arm portion 212 configured to be retractable or retractable from the support portion 210. [ The support portion 210 is moved in the Y direction or in the Y direction and the Z direction by at least a moving mechanism capable of moving the support portion 210 in the Y direction, preferably in the Y direction and the Z direction.

In the drawing, the arm portion 212 is movable forward and backward from the support portion 210 in the X direction, and linearly moves the first aligning device 202 from the support portion 210 to the conveying position. The first calibration device 202 is fixed or placed on the arm portion 212 and the second calibration device 204 is fixed or placed on the support portion 210.

The first calibration device 202 is shaped so as to avoid interference with the inspection unit 12 when it is positioned by the arm portion 212. For example, when the first calibration device 202 is brought into the inspection unit 12 by the arm 212, the first calibration device 202, the arm part 212, the probe unit 46 and the inspection stage 42 The dimensions of the first calibrating device 202 are defined so that they do not contact or collide with each other.

The conveying device 208 first conveys the first calibrating device 202 and the second calibrating device 204 from the outside of the inspection unit 12 to the position adjacent to the door 54 from the storage place of the calibrating device. The first calibration device 202 in a state of being supported by the transfer device 208 is shown by a broken line in Fig. The transfer device 208 extends the arm portion 212 to the battery arrangement space 48 of the inspection unit 12 so that the first calibration device 202 is supported while supporting the second calibration device 204 on the support portion 210. [ To the transporting position of the inspection unit (12). In this case, the position of the support portion 210 in the Y direction is determined so as to take a slight distance between the connection terminal 106 and the probe unit 46 to avoid interference between the connection terminal 106 and the probe 44 .

The transfer device 208 positions the arm portion 212 and the first calibration device 202 such that each connection terminal 106 is positioned directly below the corresponding probe 44. [ The transfer device 208 connects the connection terminals 106 of the first calibration device 202 to the probes 44 of the probe unit 46 by moving the supporting portions 210 in the vertical direction, for example. The inspection stage 42 may be raised after the connection is established, and the arm portion 212 may be supported by the inspection stage 42.

According to the embodiment described with reference to Fig. 9, by separating the first calibration device 202 as the connection terminal portion from the second calibration device 204, it is possible to downsize and simplify the connection terminal portion. The design of the insertion portion into the inspection unit 12 can be facilitated. In addition, the second calibrating device 204 is not inserted in the inspection unit 12 but is kept outside. This makes it possible to alleviate the influence of the heat generated by the second calibrator 204 on the calibration process in the inspection unit 12, as compared with the case where the entire calibration apparatus is inserted into the inspection unit 12. [

When the charge and discharge inspection apparatus 10 includes a plurality of inspection units 12, the calibration apparatuses 202 and 204 execute the calibration process in one inspection unit 12 by the transfer apparatus 208 The other inspection unit 12 can carry the battery by using the pallet transportation device 60 and perform the battery inspection.

The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. It is to be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and that various design changes are possible and that various modifications are possible and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

10 Charge / discharge test device 11 Power supply device
12 Battery Inspection Unit 13 Power Regeneration Converter
14 Constant Voltage Power 15 Controller
16 data processing unit 17 B /
22 Casing 24 Power cable
25 communication cable 28 step-up / down converter
29 control circuit 34 measuring circuit
35 load 40 batteries
41 Electrode 42 Inspection Stage
44 Probe 46 Probe unit
48 Battery Array Space 50 Crossflow Fan
52 Pallet 54 door
56 Electrical products 100 calibration system
102 Calibration device 104 Transport device
106 connection terminal 110 management server
130 Standard Resistors 132 Meters
134 Calibration control circuit 200 Calibration system
202 First calibration device 204 Second calibration device
206 cable 208 conveying device
210 support portion 212 arm portion

Claims (7)

A charging / discharging inspection apparatus for charging / discharging a plurality of secondary batteries for inspection, comprising: a power source; a battery inspecting unit for accommodating a plurality of secondary cells; And a plurality of contacts for supplying electric power to the battery,
A calibration device for calibration of the charge / discharge tester, comprising: a calibration device having at least one connection terminal for connecting to at least one of the plurality of contacts instead of a secondary battery;
And a conveyance device for positioning the calibration device to the battery inspection unit at a conveyance position where the at least one connection terminal can be connected to at least one of the plurality of contacts, wherein the X, Y, and Z directions And a conveying device having a function of conveying the calibrating device,
Wherein the charging / discharging inspection apparatus includes a plurality of battery inspecting units, and while one of the plurality of battery inspecting units performs calibration by conveyance of the calibrating apparatus, the other of the plurality of battery inspecting units Unit performs the battery inspection by conveying the secondary battery. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the at least one connection terminal is a plurality of connection terminals formed in an array suitable for the arrangement of the plurality of contacts. The method according to claim 1,
The battery inspecting unit is configured such that the plurality of secondary batteries and the plurality of contacts are relatively movable forward and backward so that each contactor is connected to the corresponding secondary battery by relative advancement of the secondary battery relative to the contactor ,
The at least one connection terminal is positioned at a position where the secondary battery is to be positioned with respect to the carrying direction of the carrying apparatus in the carrying position,
Wherein at least one of the plurality of contacts and the at least one connection terminal are connected by movement of the secondary battery in the relative advancing direction in the battery inspecting unit. The method according to claim 1,
The transfer device includes a support portion disposed on the outside of the battery inspection unit and an arm portion configured to move forward and backward from the support portion and linearly moving the alignment device from the support portion to the transfer position,
Wherein the calibration device has an outer shape formed so as to avoid interference with the charging / discharging inspection device when being positioned by the arm portion. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein the calibration device has a first portion including the connection terminal and formed in a dimension that can be accommodated in the battery inspection unit and a second portion electrically connected to the first portion,
Wherein the transfer device positions the first portion at the transfer position and supports the second portion outside the battery inspection unit. A calibration system for a charge / discharge inspection apparatus for a secondary battery, comprising: a battery inspecting unit for accommodating a plurality of secondary cells; and a plurality of contacts provided in the battery inspecting unit for supplying power to each of the secondary batteries,
A calibration device for calibration of the charge / discharge tester, comprising: a calibration device having at least one connection terminal for connecting to at least one of the plurality of contacts instead of a secondary battery;
The battery inspection unit is characterized in that the calibration device is a transfer device for positioning at a transfer position in which at least one of the plurality of contacts can be connected to the at least one connection terminal, And a conveying device having a function of conveying the calibrating device,
Wherein the charging / discharging inspection apparatus includes a plurality of battery inspecting units, and while one of the plurality of battery inspecting units performs calibration by conveyance of the calibrating apparatus, the other of the plurality of battery inspecting units Unit performs the battery inspection by conveying the secondary battery. delete

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