JP6477172B2 - Inspection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus that inspects the positional accuracy of members constituting a battery module.

  A battery pack in which a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells held in a battery holder are arranged is attached to a housing or the like is known. Patent Document 1 discloses a battery pack in which heat dissipation is improved by attaching a heat transfer plate to a battery holder and bringing the heat transfer plate into contact with a housing. In a battery module including such a heat transfer plate, the distance between the heat transfer plate and the casing when the battery module is attached to the casing is important from the viewpoint of maintaining heat dissipation.

  In view of such a situation, in such a battery module, when the battery module is attached to the housing, the distance between the reference position serving as the housing position and the heat transfer plate is managed within a predetermined range. . For example, the distance from the reference position may be measured for each heat transfer plate, and a plurality of positions may be measured for one heat transfer plate.

JP-T 8-506205

  However, the inspection method for confirming the mounting accuracy of the members to be inspected one by one is very laborious.

  Then, the objective of this invention is providing the inspection apparatus which can test | inspect easily the positional accuracy of the member which comprises a battery module.

  An inspection apparatus of the present invention is an inspection apparatus that inspects the positional accuracy of a battery cell of a battery module in which battery cells arranged in a first direction are sandwiched between a pair of end plates or a heat transfer plate fixed to the battery cell. And a main body disposed so as to face the battery module, and formed in the main body, and intersects the first direction or the second direction which is the first direction and the opposite direction of the battery module and the main body. An insertion hole group consisting of a plurality of insertion holes arranged in the third direction, and a rod-shaped member extending in the second direction penetrating the main body portion, and penetrating in each of the insertion holes in the second direction And a plurality of moving parts movably provided on the main body part, and an elastic part that allows the position of the moving part in the second direction relative to the main body part to be restored to a predetermined position. battery When the main body is attached to the pair of end plates so as to come into contact with each of the plurality of heat transfer plates or the plurality of heat transfer plates, the other end of the moving portion is the size of the gap between the battery cell or the heat transfer plate and the main body. Protruding according to the height.

  In the inspection apparatus having this configuration, by attaching the inspection apparatus to the end plate of the battery module, the other end of the moving portion protrudes according to the size of the gap between the battery cell or the heat transfer plate and the main body. This makes it easy to check the size of gaps in all battery cells or heat transfer plates that occur when the battery module is attached to the housing, and easily inspects the positional accuracy of the members that make up the battery module. can do.

  In the inspection apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of insertion hole groups may be arranged along the third direction or the first direction intersecting with the arrangement direction of the insertion holes. That is, in the inspection apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of insertion hole groups including insertion holes arranged in the first direction may be arranged in the third direction, or insertion holes consisting of insertion holes arranged in the third direction. A plurality of groups may be arranged in the first direction.

  In the inspection apparatus having this configuration, since the positional accuracy can be confirmed at a plurality of positions for each battery cell or heat transfer plate, the positional accuracy of the members constituting the battery module can be inspected with higher accuracy.

  In the inspection apparatus of the present invention, the thickness of the main body portion in the second direction is formed so as to increase stepwise in the third direction, and the length of the moving portion in the extending direction is the main body of the portion to be penetrated You may lengthen according to the thickness of a part.

  In the inspection apparatus having this configuration, even when a plurality of moving parts are arranged in the third direction, the front end part and / or the mark are not overlapped with each other, so that visual inspection is easy.

  In the inspection apparatus of the present invention, the first mark and the second mark are formed along the circumferential direction in the moving part, and when the gap is the first distance or more and the second distance or less as the specified value range, The first mark is formed at a position protruding from the main body to the other end when the gap is equal to or less than the second distance, and the second mark is the other end from the main body when the gap is smaller than the first distance. It may be formed at a position protruding.

  In the inspection apparatus having this configuration, it is possible to objectively determine whether the mounting accuracy of the members constituting the battery module is acceptable based on whether the first mark and the second mark protrude from the main body portion to the other end side. it can. That is, when the gap is smaller than the specified value, both the first mark and the second mark are visible from the main body to the other end side, and when the gap is within the specified value range, the first mark When the gap is larger than the specified value, only the first mark and the second mark are not visible from the main body part to the other end side. Thus, it is possible to objectively determine whether the mounting accuracy of the members constituting the battery module is acceptable.

  The inspection apparatus of the present invention includes a first detection unit and a second detection unit including a light emitting element and a light receiving element arranged with a plurality of movement units arranged in the first direction, and the movement unit includes a second detection unit. When the through hole extending in the direction and penetrating in the first direction is formed and the gap is within the specified value range from the first distance to the second distance, the first detector has the gap The light emitted from the light emitting element can be received by the light receiving element through the through-hole when the distance is equal to or longer than one distance, and the second detector can emit light emitted from the light emitting element when the gap is equal to or smaller than the second distance. May be received by the light receiving element through the through hole.

  In the inspection apparatus having this configuration, whether the mounting accuracy of the members constituting the battery module is acceptable or not is objectively and automatically determined based on the presence or absence of light detection by the light receiving element in the first detection unit and the second detection unit. be able to. That is, when the gap is smaller than the specified value, only the second detection unit detects light, and when the gap is within the specified value range, the light is transmitted by both the first detection unit and the second detection unit. If the gap is larger than the specified value, it is possible to objectively and automatically determine whether the mounting accuracy of the members constituting the battery module is acceptable or not by using the fact that only the first detector detects light. Can do.

  The inspection apparatus according to the present invention includes a first detection unit and a second detection unit including a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element that are arranged with a plurality of moving units arranged in the first direction, and the gap is a first distance or more. When the specified distance is less than 2 distances, the first detector places the moving part protruding from the main body to the other end when the gap is larger than the second distance at a position where it cannot be detected. And the 2nd detection part may be arranged in the position which can detect the movement part which protrudes from the main part to the other end side when a crevice is smaller than the 1st distance.

  In the inspection apparatus having this configuration, whether the mounting accuracy of the members constituting the battery module is acceptable or not is objectively and automatically determined based on the presence or absence of light detection by the light receiving element in the first detection unit and the second detection unit. be able to. That is, when the gap is smaller than the specified value, both the first detection unit and the second detection unit detect light, and when the gap is within the specified value range, only the first detection unit emits light. If the gap is larger than the specified value, the fact that both the first detection unit and the second detection unit do not detect light is used to objectively determine whether the mounting accuracy of the members constituting the battery module is acceptable. It can be determined automatically.

  In the inspection apparatus of the present invention, when the gap is a specified value range when the gap is not less than the first distance and not more than the second distance, the other end protruding from the main body when the gap is not less than the first distance is detected. A detection unit; and a fourth detection unit that detects the other end of the moving unit protruding from the main body when the gap is larger than the second distance. The third detection unit and the fourth detection unit are the moving unit. It may be provided for each.

  In the inspection apparatus having this configuration, it is possible to objectively and automatically determine whether the mounting accuracy of the members constituting the battery module is acceptable based on the presence or absence of detection by the third detection unit and the fourth detection unit. Furthermore, in this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the mounting accuracy is acceptable for each heat transfer plate.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the position accuracy of the member which comprises a battery module can be test | inspected easily.

It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the battery module which is a test object. It is a perspective view showing a cell holder holding a battery cell and a cell holder. It is a top view which shows the clearance gap which arises when the battery module of FIG. 1 is attached to a housing | casing. It is a perspective view which shows the state which attached the test | inspection apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment to the battery module. It is the top view which shows the state which the moving part contacted the heat-transfer plate, and the top view of a moving part. It is a perspective view which shows the state which attached the inspection apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment to the battery module. It is a side view which shows the state which the moving part contacted the heat-transfer plate for every magnitude | size of a clearance gap. It is the side view seen from the side of the inspection device concerning a 3rd embodiment, and the top view which looked at a part of inspection device concerning a 4th embodiment from the upper part. It is a side view which shows the state which the moving part in the inspection apparatus which concerns on a modification contacts the heat exchanger plate for every magnitude | size of a clearance gap.

  Hereinafter, inspection apparatuses 60 and 160 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. The dimensional ratios in the drawings do not necessarily match those described. In the description, terms indicating directions such as “up” and “down” are convenient terms based on the state shown in the drawings.

  First, the battery module 1 including the heat transfer plate 50 to be inspected by the inspection devices 60 and 160 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality (in this example, 13) of battery modules 1 are arranged in a state where the battery cells 11 are held by a cell holder 31 (see FIG. 2A). As shown in FIG. 2, the battery cell 11 is a battery in which an electrode assembly (not shown) is accommodated in a rectangular box-shaped case 11 </ b> A. For example, a non-aqueous electrolyte 2 such as a lithium ion secondary battery is used. Next battery. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the array body 14 is configured by arranging the battery cells 11 held by the cell holder 31 in the X-axis direction. The configuration of the cell holder 31 will be described in detail later.

  The battery module 1 includes an elastic member 12, a restraining portion 15, and a plurality of bus bars (not shown) in addition to the array body 14. The elastic member is formed in a flat plate shape by rubber, for example, and is arranged on one side in the arrangement direction (X-axis direction) of the array body 14.

  The restraining portion 15 restrains the battery cell 11 and the elastic member 12 by pressing in the arrangement direction. The restraining portion 15 includes a pair of end plates 16, 16, bolts 17, and nuts 18. The pair of end plates 16 and 16 are formed of a material having high rigidity such as iron, for example. The pair of end plates 16 and 16 are fixed by a plurality of bolts 17 extending in the arrangement direction. Each bolt 17 is sequentially inserted into one end plate 16, each cell holder 31, and the other end plate 16, and is fastened by a nut 18 on the other end plate 16 side. A binding force is applied to the array body 14 by this fastening.

  The electrode terminals 13 of the adjacent battery cells 11 are electrically connected by a bus bar which is a rectangular plate member formed of a metal such as copper. More specifically, each battery cell 11 has a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal as electrode terminals 13, and the plurality of battery cells 11 are arranged so that electrode terminals 13 having different polarities are adjacent to each other. The bus bar electrically connects the plurality of battery cells 11 in series by connecting these adjacent electrode terminals 13 to each other.

  Next, the structure of the cell holder 31 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B). Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 2A, the thickness direction of the battery cell 11 when the cell holder 31 holds the battery cell 11, the width direction of the battery cell 11 (the arrangement direction of the electrode terminals 13 and 13), the battery cell. The height direction orthogonal to the thickness direction and the width direction of 11 is “X axis direction (first direction)”, “Y axis direction (second direction / opposing direction)”, “Z axis direction (third direction), respectively. ) ”.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the cell holder 31 includes a rectangular flat plate-like lower surface portion 35, a pair of side surface portions 37, a base portion 41, a terminal accommodating portion 43, and a column member 47. ing. In addition, a control device E or the like can be disposed on the upper portion of the cell holder 31 via a cover.

  The lower surface part 35 is a plate-like member extending in the Y-axis direction. The lower surface portion 35 covers the bottom surface of the battery cell 11 when holding the battery cell 11. Leg portions 35 </ b> A and 35 </ b> A are provided at lower portions of both end portions of the lower surface portion 35. The leg portion 35A is provided with an insertion hole 35B penetrating along the X-axis direction. The bolt 17 described above is inserted into the insertion hole 35B.

  The side surface portion 37 is a plate-like member extending in the Z-axis direction. The pair of side surface portions 37 and 37 are disposed at both ends of the lower surface portion 35 in the Y-axis direction. A pair of side surface parts 37 and 37 are arrange | positioned so that it may mutually oppose. The base portion 41 is a plate-like member provided so as to connect the pair of side surface portions 37 and 37 with the thickness direction directed in the X-axis direction.

  The terminal accommodating portion 43 is provided at both ends of the upper end of the base portion 41 in the Y-axis direction. The terminal accommodating portions 43 and 43 are provided so as to be connected to the side surface portions 37 and 37, respectively. The terminal accommodating portion 43 opens in a U shape in the X-axis direction. The terminal accommodating portions 43 and 43 are portions that surround the electrode terminals 13 and 13 of the battery cell 11 when the battery cell 11 is held.

  The column members 47 and 47 are provided adjacent to the terminal accommodating portions 43 and 43 at the upper end of the base portion 41. The column member 47 is a quadrangular columnar column member extending in the X-axis direction, and its length matches the X-axis direction length of the lower surface portion 35. Each of the column members 47, 47 is provided with an insertion hole 47A penetrating along the X-axis direction. The bolt 17 described above is inserted through the insertion hole 47A.

  In the cell holder 31, the accommodating portion S in which the battery cell 11 is accommodated by the space surrounded by the lower surface portion 35, the pair of side surface portions 37 and 37, the base portion 41, the terminal accommodating portions 43 and 43, and the column members 47 and 47. Is formed.

(First embodiment)
Subsequently, the inspection apparatus 60 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail. The inspection device 60 inspects the mounting accuracy of the heat transfer plate 50 that is one of the members constituting the battery module 1. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a gap G between the heat transfer plate 50 and the housing 3 that is generated when the battery module 1 is attached to the housing 3 of the battery pack (not shown), in other words, The amount of protrusion of the heat transfer plate 50 from the array 14 is inspected. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A, the inspection device 60 includes a main body portion 61, a moving portion 71, and an elastic portion 77.

  The main body 61 is a plate-like member extending in the X-axis direction (first direction), and has insertion hole groups 62A, 62B, and 62C including a plurality of insertion holes 61A arranged in the X-axis direction. ing. In the first embodiment, three sets of insertion hole groups 62A, 62B, and 62C are arranged along the Z-axis direction (third direction).

  A pair of attachment portions 63 and 63 are formed in the main body portion 61 to facilitate attachment to the pair of end plates 16 and 16. The attachment portion 63 is formed at a position corresponding to the pair of end plates 16 and 16, and a magnet is disposed thereon. In addition, holding portions 65 are formed at both ends of the main body portion 61 in the X-axis direction. The holding part 65 is an opening that penetrates in the Y-axis direction (thickness direction) and facilitates holding of the inspection apparatus 60.

  The moving part 71 is a rod-like member extending in the Y-axis direction (second direction) that penetrates the main body part 61. The cross section of the moving part 71 is circular. As shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the moving part 71 is in a state of being penetrated through the plurality of insertion holes 61A, that is, the one end 71A and the other end 71B of the moving part 71 are the main body. It is provided so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction while protruding from the portion 61.

  One end portion 71 </ b> A in the Y-axis direction of the moving portion 71 is provided with a contact portion 73 for contacting the heat transfer plate 50 when the inspection device 60 is attached to the battery module 1. The contact part 73 is formed of a resin material. Examples of the resin material include PS (polystyrene) resin and PSF (super engineering plastic). However, the characteristics and / or effects of these materials are not expected. A flat surface 73 </ b> A that contacts the heat transfer plate 50 is formed on the contact portion 73.

  The elastic part 77 is fixed to the main body part 61 so that the position of the moving part 71 relative to the main body part 61 in the Y-axis direction can be restored to a predetermined position. That is, the elastic portion 77 has a function of returning to a predetermined position even if the moving portion 71 is moved by some action. The elastic part 77 is, for example, a spring member.

  The inspection device 60 having such a configuration is attached to the battery module 1 so that each of the contact portions 73 provided at the one end portion 71A of the plurality of moving portions 71 is in contact with each of the plurality of heat transfer plates 50. Specifically, the inspection device 60 is attached to the pair of end plates 16 and 16 so that the extending direction of the main body 61 is parallel to the arrangement direction of the battery cells 11. The inspection device 60 is attached to the pair of end plates 16, 16 using the magnetic force of the pair of attachment portions 63, 63. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5A, the other end 71B of the moving part 71 in the inspection device 60 is in accordance with the size of the gaps G11, G12, G13 between the heat transfer plate 50 and the main body 61. Protruding. That is, the moving part 71 has a larger protruding amount as the gaps G11, G12, G13 between the heat transfer plate 50 and the main body part 61 are smaller, and the protruding amount is smaller as the gaps G11, G12, G13 are larger.

  Next, the moving unit 71 will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 5B, the moving portion 71 is formed with a first mark 75A and a second mark 75B along the circumferential direction. The first mark 75A and the second mark 75B are, for example, strip-shaped lines stamped along the circumferential direction.

  The first mark 75 </ b> A and the second mark 75 </ b> B are provided to easily determine whether the mounting accuracy of the heat transfer plate 50 is acceptable. Specifically, when the gap G is equal to or greater than the first distance D1 and equal to or less than the second distance D2, the first mark 75A indicates that the gap G is equal to or smaller than the second distance D2 (within the specified value range). When the gap G is equal to or greater than the first distance D1 (within the specified value range), the second mark 75B is formed at a position protruding from the main body 61 to the other end 71B. It is formed at a position that does not protrude.

This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. The case where the relationship among the gaps G11, G12, G13, the first distance D1, and the second distance D2 is expressed by the following formula (1) will be described as an example.
G11 <D1 <G12 <D2 <G13 (1)
That is, the case where the gap G11 is smaller than the specified value, the gap G12 is within the specified value range, and the gap G13 is larger than the specified value will be described as an example.

When the gap G11 is smaller than the specified value (G11 <D1), both the first mark 75A and the second mark 75B are visible from the main body 61 to the other end 71B side. When the gap G12 is within the specified value range (D1 <G12 <D2), only the first mark 75A is visible from the main body 61 to the other end 71B (the second mark 75B is not visible). . When the gap G13 is larger than the specified value (D2 <G13), both the first mark 75A and the second mark 75B are not visible from the main body 61 to the other end 71B side. These are summarized in Table 1 below.

  Then, the effect of the inspection apparatus 60 demonstrated above is demonstrated. In the inspection device 60 of the first embodiment, the other end portion 71 </ b> B of the moving portion 71 is connected between the heat transfer plate 50 and the main body portion 61 by attaching the inspection device 60 to the pair of end plates 16, 16 of the battery module 1. It protrudes according to the size of the gap G. Thereby, the size of the gap G in all the heat transfer plates 50 arranged in the arrangement direction, which is generated when the battery module 1 is attached to the housing 3, can be easily confirmed, and the heat transfer constituting the battery module 1. The position accuracy of the plate 50 can be easily inspected.

  In the inspection apparatus 60 of the first embodiment, a plurality of insertion hole groups 62A, 62B, 62C in the main body 61 are arranged along the Z-axis direction. For this reason, since position accuracy can be confirmed in a plurality of positions for every heat transfer plate 50, position accuracy of heat transfer plate 50 which constitutes battery module 1 can be inspected with higher accuracy.

  Moreover, in the inspection apparatus 60 of 1st Embodiment, the battery module 1 is comprised based on the presence or absence (Table 1) of the protrusion of the 1st mark 75A and the 2nd mark 75B from the main-body part 61 to the other end part 71B side. Whether the mounting accuracy of the heat transfer plate 50 is acceptable or not can be objectively determined. That is, when the gap G is smaller than the specified value, both the first mark 75A and the second mark 75B are visible from the main body 61 to the other end 71B side, and the gap G is within the specified value range. Only the first mark 75A is visible from the main body 61 to the other end 71B side, and when the gap G is larger than the specified value, both the first mark 75A and the second mark 75B are removed from the main body 61. By making use of the fact that the other end portion 71B cannot be visually recognized, it is possible to objectively determine whether the mounting accuracy of the heat transfer plate 50 constituting the battery module 1 is acceptable.

(Second Embodiment)
Subsequently, the inspection apparatus 160 according to the second embodiment will be described in detail. Similar to the inspection device 60, the inspection device 160 inspects the mounting accuracy of the heat transfer plate 50 that is one of the members constituting the battery module 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the inspection device 160 includes a first detection unit 168 and a second detection unit 169 in addition to the configuration of the inspection device 60. The configuration of the main body 61 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof is omitted here.

  The first detection unit 168 includes a first light emitting element 168A and a first light receiving element 168B arranged with a plurality of moving units 171 arranged in the X-axis direction. The second detection unit 169 includes a second light emitting element 169A and a second light receiving element 169B arranged with a plurality of moving units 171 arranged in the X-axis direction. The second detection unit 169 is disposed at a position where the distance from the main body unit 61 in the Y-axis direction is farther than the first detection unit 168.

  The first light emitting element 168A and the first light receiving element 168B are respectively disposed in a pair of detection unit fixing portions 167 and 167 disposed with a plurality of insertion holes 61A arranged in the X-axis direction. The second light emitting element 169A and the second light receiving element 169B are respectively disposed in a pair of detection unit fixing portions 167 and 167 disposed with a plurality of insertion holes 61A arranged in the X-axis direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, the moving portion 171 is formed with a through-hole 171A extending in the Y-axis direction and penetrating in the X-axis direction.

  Next, the first detection unit 168 and the second detection unit 169 will be described in detail. The 1st detection part 168 and the 2nd detection part 169 are provided in order to determine automatically the pass / fail of the attachment accuracy in the heat-transfer plate 50. FIG. Specifically, when the gap G is not less than the first distance D1 and not more than the second distance D2, the first detection unit 168 performs the first light emission when the gap G is not less than the first distance D1. The light emitted from the element 168A can be received by the first light receiving element 168B through the through-hole 171A, and the second detection unit 169 can detect the light from the second light emitting element 169A when the gap G is equal to or less than the second distance D2. The emitted light can be received by the second light receiving element 169B through the through hole 171A.

This will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. The case where the relationship among the gaps G11, G12, G13, the first distance D1, and the second distance D2 is expressed by the following formula (2) will be described as an example.
G11 <D1 <G12 <D2 <G13 (2)
That is, the case where the gap G11 is smaller than the specified value, the gap G12 is within the specified value range, and the gap G13 is larger than the specified value will be described as an example.

  When the gap G11 is smaller than the specified value (G11 <D1), the second light receiving element 169B can detect the light emitted from the second light emitting element 169A in the second detection unit 169 via the through hole 171A. The light emitted from the first light emitting element 168A in the first detection unit 168 is blocked by the moving unit 171 and cannot be detected by the first light receiving element 168B.

  When the gap G12 is within the specified value range (D1 <G12 <D2), the light emitted from the second light emitting element 169A in the second detection unit 169 through the through hole 171A is transmitted to the second light receiving element 169B. The first light receiving element 168B can detect light emitted from the first light emitting element 168A in the first detecting unit 168 through the through hole 171A. The length of the through hole 171A in the Y-axis direction is longer than the distance between the first light emitting element 168A and the second light emitting element 169A (distance between the first light receiving element 168B and the second light receiving element 169B). That is, the difference between the length of the through-hole 171A in the Y-axis direction and the distance between the first light emitting element 168A and the second light emitting element 169A is set as the range of the specified value. In other words, when the first light receiving element 168B and the second light receiving element 169B are viewed in the X-axis direction from the position where the first light emitting element 168A and the second light emitting element 169A are disposed, the first light receiving is received through the through hole 171A. The range of the distance between the main body 61 and the heat transfer plate 50 when both the element 168B and the second light receiving element 169B can be seen is the specified value range.

When the gap G13 is larger than the specified value (D2 <G13), the light emitted from the second light emitting element 169A in the second detection unit 169 is blocked by the moving unit 171 and can be detected by the second light receiving element 169B. Instead, the first light receiving element 168B can detect the light emitted from the first light emitting element 168A in the first detection unit 168 via the through hole 171A. These are summarized as shown in Table 2 below.

  Then, the effect of the inspection apparatus 160 demonstrated above is demonstrated. In the inspection device 160 of the second embodiment, the gap G in all the heat transfer plates 50 arranged in the arrangement direction, which is generated when the battery module 1 is attached to the housing 3, as in the inspection device 60 of the first embodiment. The size can be easily confirmed, and the positional accuracy of the heat transfer plate 50 constituting the battery module 1 can be easily inspected. Moreover, in the inspection apparatus 160 of 2nd Embodiment, since position accuracy can be confirmed in several positions for every heat-transfer plate 50, position accuracy of the heat-transfer plate 50 which comprises the battery module 1 with higher precision is obtained. Can be inspected.

  Further, in the inspection apparatus 160 of the second embodiment, based on the presence or absence (Table 2) of light detection by the first light receiving element 168B and the second light receiving element 169B in the first detection unit 168 and the second detection unit 169. Whether the mounting accuracy of the heat transfer plate 50 constituting the battery module 1 is acceptable or not can be determined objectively and automatically. That is, when the gap G is smaller than the specified value, only the second detection unit 169 detects light, and when the gap G is within the specified value range, the first detection unit 168 and the second detection unit 169 are detected. If the gap G is larger than the specified value, the mounting accuracy of the heat transfer plate 50 constituting the battery module 1 can be improved by utilizing only the first detector 168 to detect the light. Pass / fail can be objectively and automatically determined.

(Third embodiment)
Subsequently, an inspection apparatus 260 according to the third embodiment will be described. Similar to the inspection device 60, the inspection device 260 inspects the mounting accuracy of the heat transfer plate 50 that is one of the members constituting the battery module 1. As shown in FIG. 8A, the inspection apparatus 260 includes a main body portion 261 formed in a step shape along the Z-axis direction, and is different from the inspection apparatus 60 according to the first embodiment. Is different. The thickness of the main body 261 in the Y-axis direction is formed so as to increase gradually in the downward direction in the Z-axis direction. Further, the length in the extending direction of the moving part 271 penetrating the main body part 261 is formed so as to be longer as the moving part 271 is arranged downward in the Z-axis direction.

  The inspection apparatus 260 having this configuration has the following operational effects in addition to the operational effects of the inspection apparatus 60 of the first embodiment. That is, even when there are a plurality of inspection locations in the Z-axis direction, that is, when a plurality of moving portions 271 are arranged in the Z-axis direction, the other end of the moving portion and / or the first mark 75A and the first mark The two marks 75B can be prevented from overlapping. This facilitates confirmation of the amount of protrusion visually and / or confirmation of the presence or absence of protrusion of the first mark 75A and the second mark 75B.

(Fourth embodiment)
Subsequently, an inspection apparatus 360 according to the fourth embodiment will be described. Similar to the inspection device 60, the inspection device 360 inspects the mounting accuracy of the heat transfer plate 50 that is one of the members constituting the battery module 1. As shown in FIG. 8B, the inspection apparatus 360 includes a first limit switch (third detection unit) 382 instead of the first mark 75A and the second mark 75B of the inspection apparatus 60 of the first embodiment. , A second limit switch (fourth detection unit) 383.

  When the gap G between the heat transfer plate 50 and the main body 61 is not less than the first distance D1 and not more than the second distance D2, the first limit switch 382 has the gap G not more than the second distance D2. Sometimes the other end 371B protruding from the main body 361 is detected. The second limit switch (fourth detection unit) 383 detects the other end 371B of the moving unit 371 protruding from the main body 361 when the gap G is smaller than the first distance D1. The first limit switch 382 and the second limit switch 383 are provided for each moving unit 371. The first limit switch 382 and the second limit switch 383 are disposed in the second main body portion 381 having a through hole through which the moving portion 371 can pass.

This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. The case where the relationship among the gaps G11, G12, G13, the first distance D1, and the second distance D2 is represented by the following formula (3) will be described as an example.
G11 <D1 <G12 <D2 <G13 (3)
That is, the case where the gap G11 is smaller than the specified value, the gap G12 is within the specified value range, and the gap G13 is larger than the specified value will be described as an example.

When the gap G11 is smaller than the specified value (G11 <D1), both the first limit switch 382 and the second limit switch 383 detect the moving part 371. When the gap G12 is within the specified value range (D1 <G12 <D2), only the first limit switch 382 detects the moving part 371. When the gap G13 is larger than the specified value (D2 <G13), both the first limit switch 382 and the second limit switch 383 do not detect the moving part 371. These are summarized in Table 3 below.

  The inspection apparatus 360 according to the fourth embodiment has the following operational effects in addition to the operational effects of the inspection apparatus 60 of the first embodiment. That is, in the inspection apparatus 360, since the first limit switch 382 and the second limit switch 383 are provided for each moving part 71, it is determined whether the mounting accuracy is acceptable for each heat transfer plate 50 based on Table 3. Can do.

  Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the three insertion hole groups 62A, 62B, and 62C are arranged along the Z-axis direction (third direction), that is, an example in which three rows are arranged in the Z-axis direction has been described. However, one example, two rows, or four or more rows of insertion hole groups may be formed in the Z-axis direction.

  In addition, the insertion hole group including a plurality of insertion holes may be formed as an insertion hole group including a plurality of insertion holes arranged along the Z-axis direction (third direction). In this case, it becomes possible to inspect the position accuracy of the heat transfer plate or the battery cell in the Z-axis direction.

  In the said embodiment, although the example which test | inspects the positional accuracy of the heat-transfer plate 50 which is one of the members which comprise the battery module 1 was given and demonstrated, the positional accuracy of the cell holder 31 holding the battery cell 11 or the battery cell 11 is demonstrated. It is also possible to inspect.

  It is not essential that the first mark 75A and the second mark 75B of the first embodiment are stamped along all the circumferential directions.

  In the inspection apparatus 160 of the second embodiment, the first light emitting element 168A and the first light receiving element 168B in the first detection unit 168, and the second light emitting element 169A and the second light receiving element 169B in the second detection unit 169, Although the example arrange | positioned in the position which pinches | interposes 171A of through-holes of the moving part 171 was given and demonstrated, this invention is not limited to this. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the first detection unit 168 cannot detect the moving unit 171 that protrudes from the main body 161 toward the other end 171B when the gap G is larger than the second distance D2. The second detection unit 169 may be disposed at a position where the moving unit 171 protruding from the main body 161 toward the other end 171B when the gap G is smaller than the first distance D1 can be detected. .

This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. The case where the relationship among the gaps G11, G12, G13, the first distance D1, and the second distance D2 is expressed by the following formula (4) will be described as an example.
G11 <D1 <G12 <D2 <G13 (4)
That is, the case where the gap G11 is smaller than the specified value, the gap G12 is within the specified value range, and the gap G13 is larger than the specified value will be described as an example.

  When the gap G11 is smaller than the specified value (G11 <D1), the light emitted from the first light emitting element 168A in the first detection unit 168 and the second light emitting element in the second detection unit 169 is transmitted by the moving unit 171. It is blocked and cannot be detected by the first light receiving element 168B and the second light receiving element 169B.

  When the gap G12 is within the specified value range (D1 <G12 <D2), the second light receiving element 169B can detect the light emitted from the second light emitting element 169A in the second detection unit 169, The light emitted from the first light emitting element 168A in the first detection unit 168 is blocked by the moving unit 171 and cannot be detected by the first light receiving element 168B.

When the gap G13 is larger than the specified value (D2 <G13), the light emitted from the first light emitting element 168A in the first detection unit 168 and the second light emitting element in the second detection unit 169 is the first light receiving element. It is detected by 168B and the second light receiving element 169B, respectively. These are summarized in Table 4 below.

  Also in this case, the first light receiving element 168B and the second light receiving element 169B in the first detection unit 168 and the second detection unit 169 are different only in the combination of the presence or absence of detection by the first detection unit 168 and the second detection unit 169. Based on the presence / absence of detection of light (Table 4), it is possible to objectively and automatically determine whether the mounting accuracy of the heat transfer plate 50 constituting the battery module 1 is acceptable. Also in the configuration according to this modification, as in the second embodiment, the distance between the first detection unit 168 and the second detection unit 169 in the Y-axis direction can be set as a specified value range. That is, the distance between the first detection unit 168 and the second detection unit 169 in the Y-axis direction is set according to the range of the specified value.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Battery module, 11 ... Battery cell, 31 ... Cell holder, 50 ... Heat-transfer plate, 60, 160, 260, 360 ... Inspection apparatus, 61, 261, 361 ... Main-body part, 61A ... Insertion hole, 62A, 62B, 62C ... group of insertion holes, 63 ... attachment part, 65 ... holding part, 71, 171, 271 and 371 ... moving part, 71A ... one end part, 71B and 371B ... other end part, 75A ... first mark, 75B ... second mark , 77 ... Elastic part, 168 ... First detection part, 168A ... First light emitting element, 168B ... First light receiving element, 169 ... Second detection part, 169A ... Second light emitting element, 169B ... Second light receiving element, 171A ... Through hole, 382... First limit switch (third detection unit), 383... Second limit switch (fourth detection unit).

Claims (7)

An inspection device for inspecting the positional accuracy of the battery cell of the battery module in which the battery cells arranged in the first direction are sandwiched by a pair of end plates or the heat transfer plate fixed to the battery cell,
A main body disposed to face the battery module;
A plurality of insertions formed in the main body part and arranged in a third direction intersecting the first direction or the second direction which is the first direction and the opposite direction of the battery module and the main body part. An insertion hole group consisting of holes;
A plurality of moving parts which are rod-like members extending in the second direction penetrating the main body part, and are movably provided in the second direction in a state of being penetrated through the insertion holes;
An elastic part that allows the position of the moving part in the second direction relative to the main body part to be restored to a predetermined position;
When the main body portion is attached to the pair of end plates so that each of the one end portions of the plurality of moving portions is in contact with each of the plurality of battery cells or the plurality of heat transfer plates. The other end part protrudes according to the magnitude | size of the clearance gap between the said battery cell or the said heat-transfer plate, and the said main-body part.   The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the insertion hole groups are arranged along the third direction or the first direction intersecting with the arrangement direction of the insertion holes. The thickness of the main body portion in the second direction is formed so as to increase gradually in the third direction,
The inspection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a length of the moving portion in the extending direction is increased according to a thickness of the main body portion of a portion to be penetrated. The moving part is formed with a first mark and a second mark along the circumferential direction,
When the gap is a specified value range when the gap is not less than the first distance and not more than the second distance,
The first mark is formed at a position protruding from the main body part toward the other end when the gap is equal to or less than the second distance, and the second mark is when the gap is smaller than the first distance. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inspection apparatus is formed at a position protruding from the main body portion toward the other end portion. Comprising a first detection unit and a second detection unit comprising a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element that are arranged across the plurality of moving units arranged in the first direction,
The moving part is formed with a through hole extending in the second direction and penetrating in the first direction,
When the gap is a specified value range when the gap is not less than the first distance and not more than the second distance,
The first detection unit can receive light emitted from the light emitting element through the through hole when the gap is equal to or greater than a first distance by the light receiving element;
The said 2nd detection part can receive the light light-emitted from the said light emitting element via the said through-hole in the said light receiving element when the said clearance gap is below 2nd distance. The inspection apparatus according to one item. Comprising a first detection unit and a second detection unit comprising a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element that are arranged across the plurality of moving units arranged in the first direction,
When the gap is a specified value range when the gap is not less than the first distance and not more than the second distance,
The first detection unit is arranged at a position where the moving unit protruding from the main body unit to the other end side when the gap is larger than the second distance cannot be detected,
The said 2nd detection part is arrange | positioned in the position which can detect the said moving part which protrudes from the said main-body part to the said other end part side when the said clearance gap is smaller than the said 1st distance. The inspection device according to any one of the above. When the gap is a specified value range when the gap is not less than the first distance and not more than the second distance,
A third detector for detecting the other end protruding from the main body when the gap is equal to or greater than the first distance;
A fourth detection unit that detects the other end of the moving unit protruding from the main body when the gap is larger than the second distance;
The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third detection unit and the fourth detection unit are provided for each of the moving units.

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