TWI452317B - Charge and discharge inspection system and calibration system for charging and discharging device - Google Patents

Description

Charge and discharge inspection system and calibration system for charge and discharge inspection device

The present invention relates to a charge and discharge inspection system for inspecting a secondary battery, and a calibration system and correction apparatus suitable for such a system.

Patent Document 1 describes 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 that measures the electrodes of the lithium ion secondary battery and a second ultrasonic sensor that measures the reference material, and the first ultrasonic sensor is corrected by the second ultrasonic sensor.

(previous technical literature) (Patent Literature)

Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2010-205678

A charge and discharge inspection device for automatically checking the quality or characteristics of the secondary battery has been proposed. Inspection is performed as a process or final process for battery production. In general, the inspection device is calibrated at a certain frequency in order to maintain inspection accuracy. In order to perform the calibration and end the inspection, the correction device for correction is connected to the inspection device instead of the secondary battery. The loading operation of the calibration device or the wiring connection with the inspection device is performed manually, and the preparation work for such correction processing requires time and the like.

The present invention is accomplished under such circumstances, and one of the exemplary purposes of one aspect of the present invention is to improve the productivity of battery inspection by automating the preparation of the correction process.

One aspect of the invention relates to a charge and discharge inspection system. This system includes a charge and discharge inspection device for charging and discharging a plurality of secondary batteries for inspection, and includes a power source, a battery inspection unit that accommodates a plurality of secondary batteries, and a battery inspection unit that is provided for use from a power source. a plurality of contacts for supplying power to each of the secondary batteries; and a correction device for correcting the charge and discharge inspection device, comprising at least one connection terminal connected to at least one of the plurality of contacts instead of the secondary battery; A transport device for positioning the calibration device toward the battery inspection unit at a transport position that connects at least one of the connection terminals to at least one of the plurality of probes.

In this aspect, the correcting device can be positioned at the transport position by the transport device. The transport position is a position at which the connection terminal of the calibration device can be connected to the battery inspection unit of the contact of the battery inspection unit. In this way, it is possible to reduce the burden on the worker or shorten the correction time by the automation of the conveyance of the correction device. Further, by positioning at a fixed position, it is expected that the workability of the connection of the correction device to the charge and discharge inspection device is also improved. The down time of the inspection apparatus required for the correction process is lowered, so that the inspection throughput can be increased.

The at least one connection terminal may be a plurality of connection terminals formed by an arrangement matched with the plurality of contacts. By thus aligning the positional relationship of the contacts of the battery inspection unit and the connection terminals of the correction device with each other, it is easy to connect both by wiring instead of direct connection. The correction time can be shortened by the automation of the connection work.

The battery inspection unit is configured such that a plurality of secondary batteries and a plurality of contacts are relatively advanced and retractable, and each of the contacts is connected to the corresponding secondary battery by relative advancement of the secondary battery relative to the contacts, and at least one connection terminal is Positioning in the conveying position at a position where the secondary battery should be positioned with respect to the conveying direction of the conveying device, at least one of the plurality of contacts and at least one connecting terminal may be in a relative advance direction by the secondary battery in the battery inspection unit Mobile phase connection. By positioning the connection terminal instead of the battery, the connection terminal and the contact can be connected in the same operation as the relative movement of the battery and the contact. For example, the connection operation of the battery and the contact in the automatic inspection process can be utilized for the connection of the connection terminal and the contact in the correction process. It is possible to reduce the correction time or reduce the burden on the staff by automating the connection work.

The transport device may include a support portion disposed outside the battery inspection unit and an arm portion configured to be movable forward and backward from the support portion and configured to linearly move the correction device from the support portion to the transport position. The outer shape of the correcting device can be formed to avoid interference with the charge and discharge inspecting device when positioning by the arm portion. In this way, the correction device can be smoothly conveyed to the charge and discharge inspection device by the linear expansion and contraction operation of the arm portion.

The calibration device may include a first portion including a connection terminal and being sized to be accommodated in the battery inspection unit, and a second portion electrically connected to the first portion. The conveying device can position the first portion at the conveying position and hold the second portion outside the battery inspection unit. This portion is easily miniaturized by separating the connection terminal portion of the correction device from other portions.

Other aspects of the invention are correction systems. The calibration system is used for a charge and discharge inspection device for a secondary battery, wherein the charge and discharge inspection device includes a battery inspection unit that houses a plurality of secondary batteries, and a plurality of contacts that are provided to the battery inspection unit and are used to supply power to each secondary battery. The correction system includes: a correction device for correcting the charge and discharge inspection device, and at least one connection terminal connected to at least one of the plurality of contacts instead of the secondary battery; and a transport device The positioning device is positioned in the battery inspection unit to connect at least one of the plurality of contacts to the delivery position of the at least one connection terminal.

Another aspect of the invention is a calibration device. The apparatus is for performing correction of a charge and discharge inspection apparatus for a secondary battery, wherein the charge and discharge inspection apparatus includes a battery inspection unit that accommodates a plurality of secondary batteries, and a plurality of battery inspection units that are provided in the battery inspection unit and used to supply power to each secondary battery Contact. The correction device includes a connection portion having a plurality of connection terminals connected to the plurality of contacts instead of the secondary battery, the plurality of connection terminals being formed in an array matching the arrangement of the plurality of contacts, and at least the connection portion is formed to be It is housed in the size of the battery inspection unit.

According to the aspect of the charge and discharge inspection system of the present invention, the productivity of the inspection apparatus can be improved by the automation of the preparation work of the correction processing.

A charge and discharge inspection system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a charge and discharge inspection device for charging and discharging a plurality of secondary batteries for inspection, a calibration device for performing correction of a charge and discharge inspection device, and a charge and discharge device The inspection device conveys the delivery device of the calibration device. The charge and discharge inspection device includes one or a plurality of battery inspection units and a power supply unit for supplying power to the battery inspection unit. Each of the battery inspection units is configured to receive a plurality of secondary batteries arranged in series and to perform uniform inspection. In one embodiment, the battery inspection unit is provided with a plurality of probes for performing measurement or power supply of each of the corresponding secondary batteries, and for establishing or blocking the connection of the probes to the secondary battery, the two are relatively advanced and retracted. Mobile agency.

The transport device according to an embodiment is configured to transport a correction device from an accommodation position to an arbitrary battery inspection unit, and further convey a correction device to an appropriate position in the battery inspection unit. Thereby, automation of the delivery of the correction device can be achieved. The conveyance position of the correction device is defined in terms of improving the connection work of the charge and discharge inspection device, for example, the connection between the connection terminal of the correction device and the probe of the battery inspection unit. The conveying position may be defined as a connection terminal of the positioning correction device at a position where the electrode of the secondary battery should be positioned in the inspection process. As the first transporting stage, the connection terminal of the correcting device can be positioned at a position where the electrode is present in the carrying direction of the battery inspecting unit by the transporting device. Next, as the second transport stage, the correction device can move so that the connection terminal approaches the probe in a direction different from the carry-in direction.

The correction device of one embodiment has a connection terminal group formed in an arrangement corresponding to the battery arrangement in the battery inspection unit. Since the connection terminal of the correction device is formed corresponding to the battery arrangement, the connection work of the correction device to the charge and discharge inspection device becomes easy. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of connection terminals of the calibration device are formed in a number and arrangement interval that are consistent with the number of probes and the arrangement interval of the battery inspection unit. The connection terminal is the same as the electrode of the battery, and can be configured to contact the probe and establish an electrical connection with the probe.

The calibration device carries the battery inspection unit in the horizontal direction, for example, and performs positioning 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 is close to the probe and is finally in contact. In this way, a plurality of connection terminals of the calibration device can be automatically connected to the plurality of probes of the battery inspection unit.

Fig. 1 is a view showing a charge and discharge inspection device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The charge and discharge inspection device 10 is a secondary battery inspection device configured to perform charging and discharging of the plurality of secondary batteries in order to collectively inspect a plurality of secondary batteries. The charge and discharge inspection device 10 includes a power supply device 11 and a battery inspection unit 12. In addition, the battery inspection unit 12 is also referred to as an inspection unit 12 hereinafter for the sake of brevity.

In one embodiment, the power supply unit 11 and the inspection unit 12 are respectively constructed as individual devices and are connected by a connecting cable. The connecting cable includes a power line and a control line. The power supply unit 11 and the inspection unit 12 can be disposed adjacent to or in close proximity, for example. Alternatively, the power supply device 11 can be disposed away from the inspection unit 12. In addition, the electric power system and the communication control system of the charge and discharge inspection device 10 are schematically shown in Fig. 1, and the power line is indicated by a solid line connecting the respective elements, and the communication control line is indicated by a broken line. In the present embodiment, for example, the influence of the interference from the power line to the communication line is alleviated, and the power line and the communication control line for connecting the two constituent elements are separately provided.

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 device box (not shown). The power supply device box has, for example, a frame or a frame structure, and defines a rectangular inner space that accommodates the power regeneration converter 13, the constant voltage power source 14, and the controller 15.

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

The constant voltage power source 14 adjusts and outputs the power supplied from the external power source through the power regeneration converter 13. The constant voltage power supply 14 is provided in plural (five in the illustrated example), and each constant voltage power supply 14 is connected to the power regeneration converter 13. The constant voltage power source 14 has a plurality of channels, and each of the buck-boost converters 28 is connected to each channel. The constant voltage source 14 supplies the buck-boost converter 28 with voltages and currents that are higher than the voltage and current suitable for the inspection specifications of the battery. The constant voltage power source 14 is, for example, a DC-DC converter, and an insulated bidirectional DC-DC converter is preferred.

The controller 15 controls the charge and discharge inspection device 10. That is, the controller 15 is configured to control the inspection unit 12, the power regeneration converter 13, and the constant voltage power source 14. The controller 15 can be managed by a higher-level control device or a management server or the like. For example, the correction device and the transport device described later can be managed by the management server.

A data processing unit 16 is connected to the controller 15. The data processing unit 16 collects and stores measurement data such as voltage, current, temperature, and the like of the battery obtained in the inspection unit 12 through the controller 15. The data processing unit 16 processes the collected data and outputs it by means of an output device such as a display or a printer attached thereto. The data processing unit 16 is, for example, a well-known computer. The controller 15 and the data processing unit 16 are connected by a known method such as LAN.

A plurality of buck-boost units 17 are mounted on the inspection unit 12. In one embodiment, it is preferable that the step-up and lower pressure unit 17 is disposed in the casing 22 of the inspection unit 12 (refer to FIG. 2), which is different from the arrangement section of the inspection table section in which the inspection table is disposed.

The buck-boost unit 17 mounted on the inspection unit 12 includes a plurality of buck-boost converters 28 and a control circuit 29 for controlling the buck-boost converters 28. The buck-boost unit 17 is connected to the constant voltage source 14 via a power cable 24 and is connected to the controller 15 via a communication cable 25. The buck-boost converter 28 adjusts the input obtained from the constant voltage source 14 via the power cable 24 to a voltage and current suitable for inspection specifications. The output of the step-up and step-down converter 28 is given a load 35 to be inspected. The load 35 is, for example, a secondary battery 40 (refer to Fig. 2).

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

The inspection unit 12 is provided with a buck-boost converter 28 which is equal in total to the number of batteries 40 which can be collectively inspected by the inspection stage 42 (refer to FIG. 2). That is, the buck-boost converter 28 of the same number as the load 35 is provided in association with one load-push converter 28 for each load 35. Also, a measuring circuit 34 is provided for each load 35 in the same manner.

2 to 5 are views showing main parts of the inspection unit 12 of the charge and discharge inspection device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The second and third figures are a front view and a side view, respectively, when the battery 40 is carried in (or removed after inspection) for inspection. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are a front view and a side view, respectively, showing the appearance of the inspection. Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 are views showing the main portions of the structures shown in Figs. 2 and 4, respectively, from the side. For ease of explanation, the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is specified as shown. That is, the arrangement direction of the battery 40 is set to the X direction, the vertical direction is set to the Y direction, and the direction orthogonal to the both is set to the Z direction.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the inspection unit 12 includes a test stage 42 and a probe unit 46. The inspection stage 42 is configured such that a plurality of batteries 40 to be inspected are arranged in a matrix, for example. The probe unit 46 is provided with a contact for inspecting the battery 40, such as the probe 44. The probe unit 46 is provided with a plurality of probes 44 arranged in an array corresponding to the matrix arrangement of the inspection stage 42.

In the illustrated embodiment, the inspection stage 42 is opposed to the probe unit 46, and a battery arrangement space 48 is formed therebetween. The inspection stage 42 is disposed below the probe unit 46 in the vertical direction. A cross flow fan 50 for performing temperature adjustment of the battery 40 is attached to the lower side of the inspection stage 42.

The casing 22 of the inspection unit 12 houses the inspection stage 42 and the probe unit 46. In one embodiment, as shown in the drawing, the casing 22 is a structure that closes the internal space from the external space and is held in such a manner that the contents are not visible from the outside. The casing 22 is provided with a wall portion and a door portion (not shown) for defining an internal space. Further, the casing 22 can be a structure that can open the contents to the outside and can be viewed from the outside. The housing 22 can be, for example, a frame, a frame or a frame structure.

In the illustrated example, the battery 40 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with the side faces facing each other and spaced apart from the adjacent battery 40 in the horizontal direction (X direction). The side surface of the battery 40 is a plane parallel to the vertical direction (Y direction). In the present embodiment, the battery 40 is carried into the inspection unit 12 while being held by the tray 52, and is inspected and carried out. The battery 40 has one or a plurality of (for example, two) electrodes 41 thereon. Further, the shape and arrangement of the battery 40 are not limited thereto, and may have any shape or may be arranged in an arbitrary arrangement. In addition, the arrangement and number of electrodes are not limited to the manner shown.

In the second drawing, the direction in which the tray 52 is carried in and out is indicated by an arrow. In addition, the position where the tray 52 and the battery 40 mounted thereon are carried into the inspection stage 42 is indicated by a broken line. The tray 52 and the battery 40 are carried in or out of the inspection unit 12 by, for example, the tray conveyance device 60. The tray conveyance device 60 is configured, for example, to linearly convey the tray 52 in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction. The tray conveyance device 60 may include a support portion that is positioned in the YZ plane, a movement mechanism that moves the support portion in the YZ plane, and an arm portion that is configured to be expandable and contractible from the support portion in the X direction while the tray 52 is mounted.

In order to transport the battery 40, a portion of the side wall of the inspection unit 12 is constructed as an openable and closable door 54. The door 54 is opened when the battery 40 is carried in and out, and is closed when the battery 40 is inspected. By closing the door 54, the battery array space 48 is delimited from the external space during inspection.

The tray conveyance device 60 first conveys the tray 52 to a position adjacent to the door 54 outside the inspection unit 12, and elongates the arm portion in the X direction, and carries the tray 52 to the inspection stage 42 via the door 54. The tray transport device 60 mounts the tray 52 on the inspection stage 42 such that each battery 40 is located directly below the corresponding probe 44.

The inspection stage 42 is a support table for placing and supporting a plurality of batteries 40 to be inspected. In the illustrated embodiment, the inspection stage 42 supports the battery 40 by supporting the tray 52 on which the battery 40 is mounted, rather than directly supporting the battery 40. The inspection stage 42 is, for example, arranged in a plurality of (for example, several or even tens or more) batteries 40 in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction (for example, a plane parallel to the bottom surface) in a matrix or a row, for example.

The inspection unit 12 may further include a moving mechanism that relatively moves the inspection stage 42 and the probe unit 46 in such a manner that the probe 44 and the battery 40 are in contact with each other. The moving mechanism provides relative movement of the inspection stage 42 and the probe unit 46, for example, in the vertical direction. Mobile organizations can also have this A well-known moving mechanism of function.

In one embodiment, the position of the probe unit 46 is fixed, and the inspection stage 42 is moved up and down by a moving mechanism in the vertical direction (refer to Fig. 5). The mobile battery 40 of the stage 42 is moved together with the tray 52 by inspection, and the electrode 41 of the battery 40 and the probe 44 are in contact with each other. The probe unit 46 can also move with or in place of the inspection stage 42. The inspection unit 12 is configured such that a plurality of secondary batteries 40 and a plurality of probes 44 are relatively advanced and retractable, and each probe 44 is connected to the corresponding secondary battery 40 by relative advancement of the secondary battery 40 with respect to the probe 44.

The probe 44 is in contact with the electrode 41 of each battery 40 and supplies electric power to each battery 40. A plurality of probes 44 are arranged in an array corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of batteries 40. The number and arrangement interval of the probes 44 are the same as the number and arrangement intervals of the electrodes 41. In the example of the figure, six batteries are arranged in a row on opposite sides, and the six sets of probes 44 are arranged in a row correspondingly. In one example, two electrodes 41 are provided in one battery 40, and two probes 44 are provided corresponding thereto (refer to FIGS. 3 and 5). Further, a contact (not shown) for measuring other characteristics such as the temperature of the battery 40 may 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 disposed opposite to the inspection stage 42. Each of the probes 44 protrudes from the support plate toward the inspection stage 42, and on the side opposite to the inspection stage 42 of the support plate, various electrical mounting members 56 for accommodating the measuring circuit 34, the step-up/down unit 17, and the like are secured. Space (refer to Figure 3). The measuring circuit 34 is attached to each of the probes 44 and disposed in the vicinity of the probe 44. In addition, the electrical component 56 may be exposed on the upper surface of the casing 22 provided on the inspection unit 12. The inspection unit 12 may be connected to the power cable 24 and the communication cable 25 of the power supply unit 11 extending from the opposite side of the door 54 in the X direction.

The electrical component accommodating space is defined by the probe unit 46 from the battery arranging space 48, and can be utilized as an exhaust space for exhausting the air flowing from the battery arranging space 48. Further, the exhaust space may be defined from the external space in the same manner as the rectification space and the battery arrangement space 48.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, in the present embodiment, the batteries 40 are arranged in a row, and the six batteries 40 are housed in the inspection unit 12. It can also be configured to accommodate more (or fewer) batteries in the inspection unit 12. For example, the number of array directions (X directions) may be increased, and the number of rows of the 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 batteries that can be uniformly inspected.

A cross flow fan 50 is mounted to each battery column. The cross flow fan 50 is disposed along the direction in which the batteries 40 are arranged. The air supply port of the cross flow fan 50 is placed facing the battery 40, and as shown in Fig. 5, air is taken in from the lateral direction (Z direction) and air is blown upward (Y direction) toward the battery 40. As shown in the figure, the length of the arrangement direction of the cross flow fan 50 is equal to or longer than the arrangement length of the battery 40. In this way, since the fan can be provided directly under each battery, the air flow velocity distribution around each battery can be made common. Further, a plurality of cross flow fans 50 may be provided in the battery array direction with respect to one battery array, and one cross flow fan 50 may be shared by a plurality of battery columns. Instead of the cross flow fan, a blower such as a fan, a circulator, and a blower may be disposed along the direction in which the batteries 40 are arranged.

A rectifying space for rectifying the air flow sent from the cross flow fan 50 and directed toward the respective batteries 40 may be formed inside the inspection stage 42. In order to define the space from the outside, the inspection stage 42 may be provided with a battery support plate for supporting the battery 40 or the tray 52, a mounting plate for mounting the cross flow fan 50, and a battery support plate connected to each other with the ends of the both. And the side panel of the mounting plate.

In the charge and discharge inspection device 10 having the above configuration, first, the battery 40 is carried into the inspection unit 12 by the tray conveyance device 60 while being placed on the tray 52. The tray conveyance device 60 positions the tray 52 on the inspection stage 42 such that the electrode 41 of each battery 40 is located directly below each probe 44 of the probe unit 46 (second drawing). The tray 52 and each of the batteries 40 are moved upward in the vertical direction by the moving mechanism of the inspection stage 42, and the electrode 41 is electrically connected to the probe 44 by the contact of the electrode 41 with the probe 44 (Fig. 4). This completes the preparation phase of the inspection.

The inspection of the battery 40 is performed based on the control of the controller 15. The voltage distribution or current distribution is pre-specified according to the inspection items. The controller 15 controls the charge and discharge of each of the batteries 40 in accordance with this distribution. At the same time, obtain measurements on the necessary measurement items. The inspection is performed based on the measured values, and it is determined whether or not each of the batteries 40 is good or bad. When the inspection is completed, the tray 52 and the battery 40 are carried out from the inspection unit 12 in a flow reverse to the loading. Next, the next inspected battery 40 is mounted on the tray 52 and carried into the inspection unit 12, and the inspection is performed in the same manner. Alternatively, the correction process of the charge and discharge inspection device 10 is performed using the correction system 100 described later, thereby replacing the next battery.

Next, a calibration system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 6 is a view showing a correction system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The correction system 100 includes a correction device 102 for performing correction of the charge and discharge inspection device 10 and a delivery device 104 for conveying the correction device 102.

The calibration device 102 includes at least one connection terminal 106 that is connected to at least one of the plurality of probes 44 in place of the secondary battery 40. The connection terminal 106 has, for example, the same structure as the electrode 41 of the secondary battery 40, and at least one of the plurality of probes 44 and at least one of the connection terminals 106 are directly electrically connected by contact. In addition, the probe 44 and the connection terminal 106 may be connected by wiring. In the example of the drawing, six pairs of connection terminals 106 are shown in the X direction corresponding to the battery array shown in Figs. 2 to 5 . In the figure, two pairs of connection terminals 106 are arranged in the Z direction.

The calibration device 102 is preferably provided with a connection portion 108 having a plurality of connection terminals 106 connected to the plurality of probes 44 instead of the secondary battery 40. In the illustrated example, the upper portion of the correction device 102 is configured as the connection portion 108. The connecting portion 108 is used, for example, to support the connection terminal support plate of the connection terminal 106. The correcting device 102 including the connecting portion 108 is integrally formed to be sized to accommodate the battery array space 48 of the inspection unit 12.

A plurality of connection terminals 106 are formed in an array that matches 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 spacing of the plurality of probes 44. In another embodiment, the plurality of connection terminals 106 can also be formed in an array that matches a portion of the arrangement of the plurality of probes 44. That is, the number of connection terminals 106 may be less than the probe 44. At this time, the connection terminal 106 is redirected from the corrected probe 44 to the uncorrected probe 44, whereby the correction of all the probes 44 can be completed.

Alternatively, in another embodiment, a portion of the plurality of connection terminals 106 may be formed in an array that matches the alignment of the probes 44. That is, the number of connection terminals 106 may be greater than that of the probe 44. At this time, the calibration device 102 may include a plurality of connection terminals 106 arranged at various intervals and configured to be capable of responding to various arrangement intervals of the probes 44. The connection terminal group to be used can be selected according to the probe interval different depending on the design of the probe unit 46.

The conveying device 104 is an automatic conveying device for conveying the correction device 102 from an external storage place to a predetermined conveying position inside the battery inspection unit 12. The transport device 104 is configured to be capable of linearly transporting the correction device 102 in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction, respectively. A known automatic conveying device having such a function can be used as the conveying device 104. The transport device 104 may include a support portion that is positioned in the YZ plane, a moving mechanism that moves the support portion in the YZ plane, and an arm that is configured to be able to advance and retreat from the support portion in the X direction while the correction device 102 is mounted. . It may be a dedicated transport device for transporting the calibration device 102, which may also be the aforementioned tray transport device 60. The transport path of the calibration device 102 to the inspection unit 12 is common to the secondary battery, and the transport device can be used in conjunction with the battery.

The conveying device 104 first conveys the correction device 102 to a position adjacent to the door 54 outside the inspection unit 12. The conveying direction of the correcting device 102 is indicated by an arrow in Fig. 6. Further, the position at which the correction device 102 is transported to the inspection stage 42 is indicated by a broken line. The transport position of the correction device 102 can connect at least one connection terminal 106 to at least one of the plurality of probes 44. Preferably, the transport device 104 positions the calibration device 102 on the inspection stage 42 such that the respective connection terminals 106 are located directly below the corresponding probe 44. Thus the correcting device 102 is handed over from the transport device 104 to the inspection unit 12. When it is a dedicated conveyor, the conveyor 104 that has delivered the calibration device 102 can stand by. Alternatively, when the transport device 104 is a tray transport device 60, the transport device 104 can be moved for transporting the battery 40.

Thus, the connection terminal 106 is positioned at a position where the secondary battery 40 should be positioned in the direction in which the transport unit 104 is carried into the inspection unit 12. Specifically, the connection terminal 106 of the correction device 102, which is placed at the transport position on the inspection stage 42 by the transport device 104, is positioned at a position where the secondary battery 40 should be positioned in a horizontal plane.

As shown in Fig. 7, the correcting device 102 is moved from the transport position toward the connection position with the probe unit 46 by the moving mechanism of the inspection unit 12. In one embodiment, the position of the probe unit 46 is fixed, and the inspection stage 42 is moved up and down by a moving mechanism in the vertical direction. The correcting device 102 is moved by checking the movement of the stage 42, and the connection terminal 106 and the probe 44 are in contact with each other. It is possible to move the probe unit 46 together with or in place of the inspection stage 42. Thus, the probe 44 and the connection terminal 106 are connected by relative movement, which is the same as the relative movement direction of the secondary battery 40 for connection with the probe 44.

Further, the conveying direction of the conveying device 104 is not limited to the horizontal direction (X direction), and the direction of the correction device 102 connected to the probe unit 46 (that is, the relative moving direction of the inspection stage 42 and the probe unit 46) is not limited to the vertical direction. Direction (Y direction). These can be changed depending on the shape or arrangement of the battery. In one embodiment, the direction of transport of the transport device 104 and the direction of the calibration device 102 that is coupled to the probe unit 46 are mutually intersecting directions, and the direction orthogonal to one another is preferred. For example, a structure may also be considered in which when the battery has a cylindrical shape and has electrodes at one or both ends thereof, the battery is tilted in the Z direction and is stacked side by side in the X direction, and is transported to the inspection unit in the X direction. 12, connected to the probe unit 46 in the Z direction.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing a correction device 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The calibration device 102 includes a standard resistor 130, a measuring device 132, and a correction control circuit 134 in addition to the aforementioned connection terminal 106. As shown, a pair of connection terminals 106 are provided corresponding to the pair of probes 44. Each of the pair of probes 44 corresponds to the positive and negative electrodes 41 of the battery 40, and each of the pair of probes 44 is connected to the positive and negative electrodes 41, respectively. Thereby, the pair of connection terminals 106 also correspond to the respective probes 44 corresponding to the positive and negative electrodes of the battery 40, respectively.

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

In the calibration process, a standard resistor 130 is mounted between the terminals of the pair of probes 44 instead of the secondary battery. In the calibration process, the path including the sense resistor of the measurement circuit 34 and the standard resistor 130 is formed in series. That is, it is returned from the step-up/down converter 28 via one of the probes 44, one of the connection terminals 106, the standard resistor 130, the other connection terminal 106, the other probe 44, and the detection resistor of the measurement circuit 34. The path to the buck-boost converter 28.

If a current is supplied from the step-up and step-down converter 28 to the standard resistor 130 via the probe 44 and the connection terminal 106 in the correction process, a voltage drop proportional to the current occurs in the standard resistor 130. The measurer 132 generates a current correction value indicative of the current flowing to the standard resistor 130 in accordance with the voltage drop of the standard resistor 130 in the calibration process. The measurer 132 is, for example, a digital multimeter. The resistance value of the standard resistor 130 is known, and its variation can be ignored. If so, the current value indicated by the current correction value can be referred to as a standard current value indicating the flow to the aforementioned path including the standard resistor 130.

The correction control circuit 134 controls the correction process. The correction control circuit 134 obtains the current correction value a plurality of times, for example, by making the current command value toward the step-up/down converter 28 different. Based on the result of the acquisition, the correction control circuit 134 calculates, for example, the relationship between the standard current value obtained by the measuring unit 132 and the measured value based on the measuring circuit 34, and obtains a correction parameter for correcting the measured value of the measuring circuit 34. Alternatively, the correction control circuit 134 calculates the relationship between the standard current value obtained by the measurer 132 and the current command value directed to the step-up and step-down converter 28, and obtains a correction parameter. The correction control circuit 134 acquires, for example, information necessary for calculation based on the measured value of the measurement circuit 34 and the current command value directed to the step-up and step-down converter 28 from the management server 110 or the controller 15 via the management server 110. The correction control circuit 134 transmits the calculated correction parameters to the management server 110. The transmitted correction 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 on one pair of connection terminals 106. When the correction device 102 is provided with a plurality of pairs of connection terminals 106, a plurality of standard resistors 130 of the same number as the connection terminal pairs may be provided. Alternatively, as will be described later, a plurality of standard resistors 130 may be commonly used for the connection terminals 106, and the connection terminals 106 connected to the standard resistors 130 may be switched by a switch to select them.

According to this embodiment, the correcting device 102 can be positioned by the transport device 104 at the transport position inside the inspection unit 12. The automation of the transportation of the correction device 102 can reduce the burden on the staff or shorten the correction time. Each of the probes 44 of the probe unit 46 and the respective connection terminals 106 of the correcting device 102 can be aligned with each other and directly connected by a relative movement and contact. The correction time can be shortened by the automation of the connection work. It is possible to reduce the down time of the inspection device required for the correction process and to increase the inspection throughput.

Further, in the case where the charge and discharge inspection device 10 includes a plurality of inspection units 12, when the correction device 102 is transferred to one inspection unit 12 by the transport device 104 and performs the correction process, the battery inspection can be performed in the other inspection units 12. . The transport device 104 is in a free state (that is, in a state in which other articles such as the battery 40 can be transported) by transferring the calibration device 102 to the inspection unit 12, and the battery inspection can be continued in the other inspection unit 12 using the transport device 104. It is possible to provide a charge and discharge inspection system or a correction system that can perform or continue battery inspection by other inspection units 12 even if one inspection unit 12 is being calibrated. In addition, in other inspection units 12, battery inspection may be performed using a delivery device other than the delivery device 104 (e.g., tray delivery device 60).

Next, a correction system 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 9 is a view showing a correction system 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The correction system 200 shown in FIG. 9 is different from the correction system 100 including the integrated calibration device 102 in that a correction device including the first correction device 202 and the second correction device 204 is provided. Incidentally, the same configurations as those of the embodiment described with reference to the ninth embodiment will be appropriately omitted for the sake of convenience.

The first correcting device 202 includes a connection terminal 106 and is formed to be sized to be accommodated in the battery inspection unit 12. The connection terminal 106 has the same structure as the embodiment described above. The second correcting device 204 is electrically connected to the first correcting device 202 via the cable 206. The first correcting device 202 is positioned at the delivery position by the delivery device 208 and is coupled to the probe unit 46 by the delivery device 208. The second correcting device 204 is held outside the inspection unit 12 by the transport device 208.

The transport device 208 includes a support portion 210 disposed outside the inspection unit 12 and an arm portion 212 configured to be retractable or extendable from the support portion 210. The support portion 210 is moved in the Y direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction by a moving mechanism that can move the support portion 210 in at least the Y direction, preferably in the Y direction and the Z direction.

In the figure, the arm portion 212 can advance and retreat from the support portion 210 in the X direction, and the first correcting device 202 can be linearly moved from the support portion 210 toward the transport position to perform positioning. The first correcting device 202 is fixed or placed on the arm portion 212, and the second correcting device 204 is fixed or placed on the support portion 210.

The outer shape of the first correcting device 202 is formed to avoid interference with the inspection unit 12 when positioning by the arm portion 212. For example, the first correcting device 202 is sized to prevent the first correcting device 202 and the arm portion 212 from coming into contact with the probe unit 46 and the inspection stage 42 when the first correcting device 202 is carried into the inspection unit 12 by the arm portion 212 or conflict.

The transport device 208 first transports the first correcting device 202 and the second correcting device 204 to a position adjacent to the door 54 from the storage location of the correcting device on the outside of the inspection unit 12. In the ninth figure, the first correction device 202 held in the state of the transport device 208 is indicated by a broken line. The transport device 208 moves the arm portion 212 to the inspection battery space 48 of the inspection unit 12, and moves the first correction device 202 to the transport position of the inspection unit 12 while holding the second correction device 204 in the support portion 210. At this time, in order to avoid interference between the connection terminal 106 and the probe 44, it is preferable to position the support portion 210 in the Y direction so as to maintain a certain distance between the connection terminal 106 and the probe unit 46.

The transport device 208 positions the arm portion 212 and the first correcting device 202 such that the respective connection terminals 106 are located directly below the corresponding probe 44. The transport device 208 moves the support portion 210 in the vertical direction, for example, and connects the connection terminal 106 of the first correcting device 202 to the probe 44 of the probe unit 46 to be connected. The inspection stage 42 can be raised after the connection, and the arm portion 212 is supported by the inspection stage 42.

According to the embodiment described with reference to Fig. 9, it is possible to achieve miniaturization and simplification of the connection terminal portion by separating the first correction device 202 as the connection terminal portion from the second correction device 204. The design of the insertion portion to the inspection unit 12 can be easily designed. Further, the second correcting device 204 is not inserted into the inspection unit 12 and held outside. Therefore, the influence of the heat generation of the second correction device 204 on the correction process in the inspection unit 12 can be reduced as compared with when the entire calibration device is inserted into the inspection unit 12.

Further, in the case where the charge and discharge inspection device 10 includes a plurality of inspection units 12, when the correction devices 202, 204 perform the correction process in one inspection unit 12 by the transport device 208, the trays can be used in the other inspection units 12. The delivery device 60 delivers the battery and performs a battery check.

The invention has been described above by way of examples. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various design changes can be made and various modifications can be made, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

10. . . Charge and discharge inspection device

11. . . Power supply unit

12. . . Battery inspection unit

13. . . Power regeneration converter

14. . . Constant voltage power supply

15. . . Controller

16. . . Data processing unit

17. . . Bucket unit

twenty two. . . Casing

twenty four. . . power cable

25. . . Communication Cable

28. . . Buck-boost converter

29. . . Control circuit

34. . . Measuring circuit

35. . . load

40. . . battery

41. . . electrode

42. . . Check the stage

44. . . Probe

46. . . Probe unit

48. . . Battery arrangement space

50. . . Cross flow fan

52. . . tray

54. . . door

56. . . Electrical installation

100. . . Calibration system

102. . . Correction device

104. . . Conveyor

106. . . Connection terminal

110. . . Management server

130. . . Standard resistor

132. . . Measurer

134. . . Correction control circuit

200. . . Calibration system

202. . . First correcting device

204. . . Second correcting device

206. . . cable

208. . . Conveyor

210. . . Support

212. . . Arm

Fig. 1 is a view showing a charge and discharge inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a view showing a main part of a battery inspection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a view showing a main part of a battery inspection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a view showing a main part of a battery inspection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a view showing a main part of a battery inspection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a view showing a correction system of an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a view showing a correction system of an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing a correction device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a view showing a correction system of an embodiment of the present invention.

12. . . Battery inspection unit

twenty two. . . Casing

twenty four. . . power cable

25. . . Communication Cable

42. . . Check the stage

44. . . Probe

46. . . Probe unit

48. . . Battery arrangement space

50. . . Cross flow fan

54. . . door

100. . . Calibration system

102. . . Correction device

104. . . Conveyor

106. . . Connection terminal

Claims (7)

A charge and discharge inspection system comprising: a charge and discharge inspection device for charging and discharging a plurality of secondary batteries for inspection, comprising a power source, a plurality of battery inspection units for accommodating a plurality of secondary batteries, and a setting Each of the battery inspection units of the plurality of battery inspection units is used for a plurality of contacts for supplying power to the secondary batteries from the power source; and a correction device for performing correction of the charge and discharge inspection device, which is provided for replacing a plurality of connection terminals connected to the plurality of contacts; and a conveying device for positioning the correction device toward the plurality of connection terminals toward at least one of the plurality of battery inspection units The correction device is connected to the transport position inside the battery inspection unit of the plurality of contacts, and the correction device is formed to be sized to be accommodated in the battery inspection unit. The charge and discharge inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connection terminal is a plurality of connection terminals formed by matching the arrangement of the plurality of contacts. The charge and discharge inspection system according to the first or second aspect of the invention, wherein the battery inspection unit is configured such that the plurality of secondary batteries and the plurality of contacts are relatively advanced and retractable and each of the contacts is provided by a secondary battery Relative to touch The forward advancement of the head is connected to the corresponding secondary battery, and the at least one connection terminal is positioned in the transport position at a position where the secondary battery should be positioned with respect to the transport direction of the transport device, and at least one of the plurality of contacts The at least one connection terminal is connected to the movement of the secondary battery in the battery inspection unit in the relative advance direction. The charge and discharge inspection system according to the first or second aspect of the invention, wherein the transport device includes a support portion disposed outside the battery inspection unit, and an arm portion configured to be movable forward and backward from the support portion The correction device is linearly moved from the support portion to the transport position, and the outer shape of the correction device is formed to avoid interference with the charge and discharge test device when positioning by the arm portion. The charge and discharge inspection system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the correction device includes a first portion and a first portion that are sized to be accommodated in the battery inspection unit, including the connection terminal In the second part of the electrical connection, the transport device positions the first portion at the transport position and the second portion is held outside the battery test unit. A calibration system for a charge and discharge inspection device for a secondary battery, characterized in that the charge and discharge inspection device is provided with a battery for accommodating a plurality of secondary batteries a cell inspection unit and a plurality of contacts provided to the battery inspection unit for supplying power to each of the secondary batteries, wherein the calibration system includes: a correction device for performing correction of the charge and discharge inspection device, and is provided for replacing the secondary battery And at least one connection terminal connected to at least one of the plurality of contacts; and a transport device for positioning the correction device in the battery inspection unit to connect at least one of the plurality of contacts to The transport position of the at least one connection terminal. A calibration device for correcting a charge and discharge inspection device for a secondary battery, characterized in that the charge and discharge inspection device includes a battery inspection unit that accommodates a plurality of secondary batteries, and is provided in the battery inspection unit and is used for each a plurality of contacts that are powered by the secondary battery, wherein the correction device includes a connection portion having a plurality of connection terminals connected to the plurality of contacts instead of the secondary battery, the plurality of connection terminals being combined with the plurality of contacts The arrangement of the alignment matches is formed, and at least the aforementioned connecting portion is formed to be sized to be accommodated in the battery inspection unit.