JP2023107474A - Inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a configuration capable of bringing a temperature sensor close to or into contact with the same relative positions relative to respective objects so as to accurately measure temperature of each of the multiple objects.SOLUTION: Adopted is an inspection device 2 including: voltage measurement pins 624 and current measurement pins 625 as multiple electrodes brought into contact with each of secondary batteries 4 as multiple objects supported by a tray 3 as a support; multiple temperature sensors 64 brought into contact with or brought closer to each of the multiple secondary batteries 4 supported by the tray 3; and a base 61 that supports the multiple voltage measurement pins 624, current measurement pins 625, and the multiple temperature sensors 64, can relatively approach or can be separated from multiple secondary batteries 4 along a predetermined direction, allows each of the multiple voltage measurement pins 624 and the current measurement pins 625 to be individually displaceable relatively along a predetermined direction, and allows each of the multiple temperature sensors 64 to be individually displaceable relatively along a predetermined direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus provided with a plurality of electrodes connectable to a plurality of objects.

In recent years, secondary batteries that can be charged and used repeatedly, typified by lithium ion batteries, have been used in various electrical and electronic devices, hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, and the like.

By the way, since the performance of a secondary battery changes depending on the temperature, it is necessary to accurately measure the temperature of each of a large number of secondary batteries when performing a performance test of the secondary battery. Therefore, it is known to provide a secondary battery temperature detection mechanism in an inspection device for performing such a performance test (see Patent Document 1, for example).

Therefore, when charge/discharge inspection is performed on 100 or more secondary batteries at the same time, for example, misalignment may occur due to design errors of the secondary batteries, deformation of the tray, and the like. However, even in such a case, it is necessary to accurately measure the temperature of each secondary battery.

In addition, there is a demand for accurately measuring the temperature of each of a plurality of objects, not limited to secondary batteries, with respect to an inspection device having a plurality of electrodes that can be connected to a plurality of objects.

JP-A-10-189059

The present invention has been made by paying attention to the above points, and in order to accurately measure the temperature of each of a plurality of objects, the temperature sensors are brought close to or in contact with the respective objects at similar relative positions. The object is to realize a configuration that allows

In order to solve the above problems, the inspection apparatus according to the present invention has the configuration described below.

That is, the inspection apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 comprises a plurality of electrodes that are brought into contact with each of a plurality of objects supported by a support, and a plurality of electrodes that are brought into contact with each of the plurality of objects supported by the support. Alternatively, a plurality of temperature sensors to be brought close to each other, the plurality of electrodes and the plurality of temperature sensors are supported, the plurality of objects can be relatively approached and separated from each other along a predetermined direction, and each of the plurality of electrodes is a base that is individually displaceable relative thereto along the predetermined direction, and each of the plurality of temperature sensors is individually displaceable relative thereto along the predetermined direction. .

With such a device, the temperature of each object can be reliably determined by bringing the plurality of electrodes into contact with the object and bringing the plurality of temperature sensors into contact with or close to the object at similar positions. can be measured to

As a specific example of supporting a temperature sensor on a base, an electrode guide is supported on the base, wherein the electrode guide includes a fixing portion fixed to the base,
a moving part whose base end is housed in the fixing part and is elastically biased in a direction toward the object and provided with the temperature sensor; and a through hole in which the electrode is accommodated.

Furthermore, in order to more accurately measure the temperature of an object, it is desirable that the tip of the temperature sensor be arranged so as to be flush with the surface of the moving part of the electrode guide facing the object. .

As a specific example of supporting the electrode on the substrate, the substrate supports the probe pin, and the probe pin includes a fixing portion fixed to the substrate and a fixed portion attached to the fixing portion. The voltage measuring electrode that is relatively movable with respect to the object and is elastically biased in a direction toward the object, and the voltage measuring electrode that is independently movable relative to the fixed part and is relatively movable with respect to the object. A device comprising the current measuring electrode that is elastically biased in the direction toward the object and an electrode biasing means that biases the electrode in the direction toward the object.

As a configuration for appropriately positioning the temperature sensors and the electrodes with respect to each of the plurality of batteries, the plurality of electrodes and the plurality of temperature sensors are independently biased toward the target while receiving a biasing force toward the target. can be moved in the direction of contacting and separating from.

A desirable example of the object is a secondary battery.

According to the present invention, in order to accurately measure the temperature of each of a plurality of objects, a configuration is realized in which each temperature sensor can be brought close to or in contact with each object at similar relative positions. can be done.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The perspective view which shows the charging/discharging test|inspection apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of a main part showing the charge/discharge inspection device according to the same embodiment; The perspective view which shows the lower frame which concerns on the same embodiment. The perspective view which shows the probe for negative electrodes which concerns on the same embodiment. The perspective view which shows the probe pin and electrode guide which concern on the same embodiment. The figure which shows the aspect of contact|connection/separation of the probe pin and electrode guide with respect to a secondary battery. The figure which shows the aspect of contact|connection/separation of the probe pin and electrode guide with respect to a secondary battery. The figure which shows the aspect of contact|connection/separation of the probe pin and electrode guide with respect to a secondary battery.

One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a charge/discharge inspection apparatus 2, which is an inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment, is a secondary battery that is a plurality of objects that are carried in a tray 3 that is a support. It is a known method in which a probe equipped with electrodes of the present invention is connected to each electrode of the battery 4 and an inspection involving charging or discharging of the secondary battery 4 is performed.

1 and 2 show a secondary battery 4 to be inspected and a tray 3 for carrying the secondary battery. The secondary battery 4 in the present embodiment is a dry battery type lithium ion battery having a cylindrical outer shape, and is provided with a protruding positive electrode on one end face and a non-protruding negative electrode on the other end face. .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tray 3 is open upward and accommodates and supports a plurality of secondary batteries 4 in an internal space surrounded by four peripheral walls 31 which are substantially rectangular in plan view. It is a flat box. A large number of columnar bodies 321 protrude upward from the upward surface of the bottom wall 32 of the tray 3 . These columnar bodies 321 are arranged at equal intervals along the front, rear, left, and right in the inner space of the tray 3 . The distance between the two columns 321 adjacent to each other in the front and rear or left and right is exactly equal to the outer diameter of the secondary battery 4 .

The columnar body 321 defines the area where each secondary battery 4 is arranged, and also plays a role of supporting the secondary battery 4 in the tray 3 so that the secondary battery 4 does not tilt. Each secondary battery 4 is inserted into each region where columnar bodies 321 stand at the four corners, and is held by the columnar bodies 321 at the four corners. The positive electrode of the secondary battery 4 accommodated in the tray 3 faces upward, and the negative electrode faces downward. A hole 322 penetrating vertically is formed in the bottom wall 32 of the tray 3 at a portion facing the area for holding the individual secondary batteries 4 .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the charge/discharge inspection device 2 includes a positive electrode probe 5 which is a probe on one side connected to the positive electrode on one side of the secondary battery 4 accommodated in the tray 3, A negative electrode probe 6 that is the other probe connected to the other electrode of the secondary battery 4, ie, the negative electrode, is provided. The positive electrode probes 5 and the negative electrode probes 6 are present in numbers corresponding to the maximum number of the secondary batteries 4 accommodated in one tray 3 . If one tray 3 accommodates 16 secondary batteries 4 in the front, rear, left, and right directions (256 in total), the positive electrode probes 5 and the negative electrode probes 6 are also arranged in the front, rear, and left, right directions. 16 are arranged in each direction, and a total of 256 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the positive electrode probe 5 is mainly made of a metal bar (probe pin 52 ) extending in the vertical direction, with the tip part contacting the positive electrode of the secondary battery 4 directed downward. The positive electrode probe 5 has its base end, ie, upper end, supported by a base 51 made of an insulating material such as vinyl chloride. An upper frame 21 of the charge/discharge inspection device 2 includes a base 51 to which the positive electrode probe 5 is fixed, and can be vertically moved by an actuator 23 such as an air cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the negative electrode probe 6 also includes a metal bar (probe pin 62) that extends vertically and has a tip that contacts the negative electrode of the secondary battery 4 directed upward. Mainly. The negative electrode probe 6 and the positive electrode probe 5 face each other along the vertical direction. The negative electrode probe 6 has its base end, that is, the lower end, supported by a base 61 made of an insulating material such as vinyl chloride. The lower frame 22 of the charge/discharge inspection device 2 includes a base 61 to which the negative probe 6 is fixed, and its height position can be moved up and down by an actuator 24 such as an air cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder.

When performing a charge/discharge test of the secondary battery 4 involving charging and/or discharging of the secondary battery 4, a plurality of secondary batteries 4 to be tested are placed in the tray 3, and the tray 3 is charged. It is carried into the area between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 22 of the discharge inspection device 2 .

When the tray 3 is carried into the charge/discharge inspection apparatus 2, as shown in FIG. Each of the negative electrode probes 6 facing each other and fixed to the lower frame 22 located below the tray 3 faces each of the secondary batteries 4 in the tray 3 .

When the actuator 23 is operated to lower the upper frame 21 closer to the tray 3, the tip of the positive electrode probe 5 facing downward enters the inner space of the tray 3 and is stored in the tray 3. It abuts on the positive electrode of the secondary battery 4 . In addition, when the actuator 24 is operated to raise the lower frame 22 closer to the tray 3 , the tip of the negative electrode probe 6 directed upward passes through the through hole 322 drilled in the bottom wall 32 of the tray 3 . It enters the inner space of the tray 3 and comes into contact with the negative electrode of the secondary battery 4 housed in the tray 3 .

FIG. 2 shows a state in which the positive electrode probe 5 and the negative electrode probe 6 are brought into contact with the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the secondary battery 4, respectively. After that, a power supply voltage supplied from a required power supply (not shown) is applied to the probes 5 and 6 connected to the secondary battery 4 to charge the secondary battery 4 and/or 4 is discharged through probes 5 and 6. Furthermore, the magnitude of the current flowing through the probes 5 and 6 during charging and discharging of the secondary battery 4 and the voltage across the terminals of the secondary battery 4, that is, the voltage between the two probes 5 and 6 are measured.

When the charging/discharging test of the secondary battery 4 is completed, the upper frame 21 is lifted away from the tray 3 and the lower frame 22 is lowered away from the tray 3 . As a result, the positive electrode probe 5 and the negative electrode probe 6 are separated from the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the secondary battery 4 , respectively, and these probes 5 and 6 escape from the inner space of the tray 3 . Then, the tray 3 is unloaded from the charge/discharge inspection device 2 .

After that, similarly, the tray 3 containing a new secondary battery 4 to be inspected is carried into the charge/discharge inspection apparatus 2, and the positive electrode probe 5 and the negative electrode probe 6 are connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the secondary battery 4. Then, after the secondary battery 4 is charged and discharged, the tray 3 is unloaded from the charge/discharge inspection device 2, and the procedure is repeated.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. A plurality of probe pins 62 that are fixed to 61 and move close to the tray 3 to contact the electrodes on the bottom surface of each secondary battery 4 housed in the tray 3, and each of the plurality of probe pins 62 On the other hand, it has a plurality of probe guides 63 as electrode guides having probe pin insertion holes 632x, which are through holes in which the probe pins 62 are accommodated, and a plurality of temperature sensors 64 respectively arranged on the upper surfaces of the plurality of probe guides 63. , the probe guide 63 is attached to the substrate 61 so as to be vertically movable and biased toward the tray 3, and the probe pin 62 and the temperature sensor 64 are simultaneously connected to the electrodes ( negative electrode). Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the negative electrode probe 6 has a probe unit 60 in which two rows of probe pins 62 and probe guides 63 are arranged in the front-rear direction and 16 each in the left-right direction on a single substrate 61 . 8 are arranged in parallel.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the probe pin 62 is movable relative to a fixed portion 621 fixed to the base 61 and elastically biased toward the tray 3. A portion 622 and probe biasing means 623 that biases the moving portion 622 toward the tray 3 are provided. The moving part 622 includes a voltage measuring pin 624 located in the central part in a plan view, a current measuring pin 625 arranged to surround the voltage measuring pin 624 , and a second pin fixed to the base end of the current measuring pin 625 . 1 insulator 626, a second insulator 627 fixed to the middle portion of the voltage measurement pin 624, and a third insulator 628 fixed to a portion closer to the tip than the middle portion of the voltage measurement pin 624. I have. The probe biasing means 623 includes an outer spring 629 which is a coil spring arranged between the fixing portion 621 and the current measuring pin 625 and a coil spring arranged between the current measuring pin 625 and the voltage measuring pin 624. An inner spring 620 is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, the probe guide 63 has a fixing member 631 fixed to the base 61, and the base end portion of the probe guide 631 is accommodated in the fixing member 631 and is elastically biased in the direction toward the tray 3. A moving member 632 and biasing means 633 for biasing the moving member 632 toward the tray 3 are provided. A temperature sensor 64 is provided on the moving member 632 . The fixed member 631 is screwed and fixed to the base 61, and accommodates the base end portion of the moving member 632 and the biasing means 633 in a region 631s defined by the top plate 631a and the side plate 631b. In addition, the top plate 631a is provided with a window 631x through which the moving member 632 can be inserted. The moving member 632 includes a cylindrical main body 632a and a flange 632b formed at the proximal end of the main body 632a. Electrodes (voltage measuring pin 624 and current measuring pin 625) are accommodated in the axial center of the main body 632a. through-holes, that is, probe pin insertion holes 632x through which the probe pins 62 can be inserted. The biasing means 633 is a compression coil spring disposed between the base 61 and the moving member 632, and has its fixed end pressed against the base 61 and its free end pressed against the lower surface of the moving member 632, respectively.

The temperature sensor 64 is a thermistor in this embodiment, and is present for each secondary battery 4 as an object. This temperature sensor 64 can individually measure the temperature of each secondary battery 4 .

Here, each voltage measurement pin 624, each current measurement pin 625, and each moving member 632 can move independently in the direction of contact and separation with respect to the secondary battery 4, and each voltage measurement pin 624 and each current measurement pin can move independently. The pin 625 and each moving member 632 can also move independently without interfering with each other.

As the lower frame 22 including the substrate 61 approaches the tray 3, the probe pins 62 also approach the tray 3 from below, and as shown in FIGS. And the top surface 632 s of the moving member 632 hits the bottom surface (negative electrode) of the secondary battery 4 in sequence. At this time, the outer spring 629 and inner spring 620 of the probe pin 62 and the biasing means 633 of the probe guide 63 are compressed to accumulate elastic biasing force, and the current measuring pin 625, the voltage measuring pin 624 and the probe of the probe pin 62 are compressed. The moving member 632 of the guide 63 is biased toward the bottom surface (negative electrode) of the secondary battery 4 .

At this time, since the temperature sensor 64 is arranged so as to be flush with the upper surface 632s of the moving member 632, as described above, the probe pin 62 (the voltage measuring pin 624 and the current measuring pin 625) and the temperature sensor 64 are arranged to be flush with each other. At the same time, the sensors 64 are in contact with the electrodes (negative electrodes) on the bottom surface of the secondary battery 4 .

Here, FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing the charge/discharge inspection device 2 according to the present embodiment, showing a state immediately before inserting the tray 3 containing the secondary battery 4 . FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view showing a main part of the charge/discharge inspection device 2 according to the present embodiment, and particularly shows a mode in which the probe pins 52 and 62 are brought into contact with the secondary battery 4. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the lower frame 22 according to this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the negative electrode probe 6 according to this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing two probe pins 62 and two probe guides 63 supported by a base 61 according to this embodiment. 6 to 8 are diagrams showing how the probe pin 62 and the probe guide 63 are brought into contact with and separated from the secondary battery, and FIG. In FIG. 7, the voltage measuring pin 624 and the current measuring pin 625 of the probe pin 62 are in contact with the secondary battery 4, and the moving member 632 of the probe guide 63 is in contact with the secondary battery 4. 8 shows a state in which the voltage measuring pin 624 and the current measuring pin 625 of the probe pin 62 and the moving member 632 of the probe guide 63 are in contact with the secondary battery 4, respectively.

According to such a configuration, since the probe pin 62 and the temperature sensor 64 are in contact with the electrode (negative electrode) on the bottom surface of the secondary battery 4 at the same time, it is possible to correspond to each secondary battery 4 during an inspection involving charging or discharging. The temperature sensor 64 can be brought close to or in contact with the same relative position, and particularly in this embodiment, can be reliably kept in contact with the negative electrode of the secondary battery 4 . Therefore, the temperature of the secondary battery 4 can be accurately measured, and various corrections depending on the temperature of the secondary battery 4 can be accurately performed.

The probe guide 63 is composed of a fixed member 631 fixed to the base 61, a moving member 632 whose proximal end is accommodated in the fixed member 631 and elastically biased in the direction toward the tray 3, and a moving member 632. toward the secondary battery 4, and the temperature sensor 64 is arranged so as to be flush with the upper surface 632s of the moving member 632 of the probe guide 63. By bringing the temperature sensor 64 into contact with the negative electrode of the secondary battery 4 , the temperature of the secondary battery 4 can be reliably measured.

In addition, electrodes corresponding to each secondary battery 4, that is, a current measuring pin 625 and a voltage measuring pin 624, and a temperature sensor 64 corresponding to each secondary battery 4 apply a biasing force toward the secondary battery 4. Since it is possible to independently move toward and away from the secondary battery 4 while receiving, the current measuring pin 625, the voltage measuring pin 624 and the temperature sensor 64 are required to accurately inspect each secondary battery 4. can be brought into contact with the corresponding negative electrode of the secondary battery 4 .

In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment described above.

For example, an electrode and a temperature sensor corresponding to each of a plurality of secondary batteries are supported on a base, and these electrodes and temperature sensors individually contact and separate from the secondary battery. The intended effect of the present invention can be obtained even with a configuration other than the above-described embodiment, as long as it is configured to be relatively displaceable along the line. However, as in the above-described embodiment, a fixed portion, a moving portion, a biasing means, and an electrode guide (probe guide) having a through hole are supported by a base, and a temperature sensor is provided in the moving portion of the electrode guide. Then, by passing the electrode (probe pin) through the electrode guide, the electrode and temperature sensor corresponding to one secondary battery can be arranged in a limited space.

Moreover, the arrangement of the temperature sensor does not necessarily have to be flush with the surface facing the secondary battery in the moving portion of the electrode guide (probe guide) as in the above-described embodiment. However, if the temperature sensor is arranged flush with the surface of the moving portion of the electrode guide (probe guide) that faces the secondary battery, the temperature sensor can be reliably brought into contact with the secondary battery.

Also, the object may be something other than the secondary battery. That is, the present invention may of course be applied to inspection apparatuses in general that measure the temperature of an object while energizing the object by bringing the electrode into contact with the object.

In addition, the shape of the battery is also not limited to a cylindrical geometry with a protruding positive electrode and a non-protruding negative electrode, and the present invention can be applied to other shaped batteries.

In addition, various modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention.

2 ... Inspection device (charge/discharge inspection device)
3 ... support (tray)
4 ... Object (secondary battery)
61... Base 62... Probe pin 621... Fixing portion (of probe pin) 623... Electrode biasing means 624... Electrode (pin for voltage measurement)
625 ... electrode (pin for voltage measurement)
63 ... Electrode guide (probe guide)
631... Fixed part (of electrode guide) 632... Moving part 632x... Through hole (probe pin insertion hole)
633... Biasing means 64... Temperature sensor

Claims (6)

a plurality of electrodes that are in contact with each of a plurality of objects supported by a support;
a plurality of temperature sensors brought into contact with or close to each of a plurality of objects supported by the support;
supporting the plurality of electrodes and the plurality of temperature sensors and being relatively movable toward and away from the plurality of objects along a predetermined direction, each of the plurality of electrodes being individually oriented relative thereto in the predetermined direction; a base relatively displaceable along said predetermined direction with respect to which each of said plurality of temperature sensors is individually displaceable along said predetermined direction. The base supports an electrode guide,
The electrode guide is
a fixing part fixed to the base;
a moving part whose proximal end is housed in the fixing part, is elastically biased in a direction toward the object, and is provided with the temperature sensor;
urging means for urging the moving part in a direction toward the object;
2. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a through hole for accommodating said electrode. 3. The inspection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the tip of the temperature sensor is arranged so as to be flush with the surface of the moving part of the electrode guide facing the object. The base supports probe pins,
The probe pin is
a fixing part fixed to the base;
the electrode for voltage measurement that is movable relative to the fixed portion and elastically biased in a direction toward the object;
the electrode for current measurement that is movable relative to the fixed portion independently of the electrode for voltage measurement and is elastically biased in a direction toward the object;
4. An inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising electrode biasing means for biasing said electrodes in a direction toward the object. 5. The plurality of electrodes and the plurality of temperature sensors are independently movable toward and away from the object while receiving biasing force toward the object. Inspection equipment as described. 6. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, wherein the object is a secondary battery.

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