WO2022044293A1 - Tray for testing battery cells, testing system, and transfer device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a tray for testing battery cells. In the present invention, a mounting part is where a magazine accommodating an array of multiple battery cells is mounted. Magazine regulation parts regulate the position of the magazine mounted on the mounting part. A pressing mechanism is capable of pressing the multiple battery cells, which are accommodated in the magazine mounted on the mounting part, in the array direction.

Description

Battery cell test tray, test system and transfer device

The present invention relates to a battery cell test tray, a test system, and a transfer device.

A battery cell constituting a battery used in an automobile or other electronic device is manufactured through a plurality of processes such as a process of assembling a battery and a process of performing a charge / discharge test of the assembled battery cell (a process of performing a charge / discharge test). See Patent Document 1-4). The assembled battery cell may be transferred using a container that can accommodate a plurality of battery cells from the viewpoint of battery cell protection, transfer efficiency, and the like. Further, the test of the performance of the battery cell or the like may be performed in a state where the battery cell is pressurized. Patent Document 1 describes that a pressure magazine capable of pressurizing a housed battery cell is used to transfer the battery cell and pressurize the battery cell during a test. Further, Patent Document 2 describes that a mechanism for pressing the battery is provided on the side of the charge / discharge stage for performing the charge / discharge test of the battery.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-106930 Japanese Patent No. 6644230 Special Table 2013-178903 Gazette Japanese Patent No. 5946648

The process other than the test such as the battery cell charge / discharge test includes a process that does not require pressurization of the battery cell. However, in Patent Document 1, since a mechanism for pressurizing the battery cell is provided in the magazine for transfer, the above mechanism is also provided when the battery cell is transferred to an area where a process that does not require pressurization of the battery cell is performed. The magazine is used. Therefore, the structure of the magazine used for transferring the battery cell between each process including the process other than the test becomes complicated. If the structure of the magazine for transfer becomes complicated, the man-hours and costs required for manufacturing the magazine may increase. Further, in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to pressurize the battery after it has been carried into the charge / discharge stage, disclose the pressurized state of the battery, and then carry out the battery from the charge / discharge stage. May decrease.

The present invention provides a technique for suppressing a decrease in test efficiency while simplifying the structure of a battery cell transfer magazine.

According to the present invention
A mounting unit for mounting a magazine in which multiple battery cells are arranged and stored,
A magazine regulation unit that defines the position of the magazine mounted on the mounting unit, and a magazine regulation unit.
A pressurizing mechanism for pressing the plurality of battery cells housed in the magazine placed in the above-mentioned mounting portion in the arrangement direction is provided.
A test tray for battery cells is provided.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for suppressing a decrease in test efficiency while simplifying the structure of a magazine for transferring a battery cell.

The plan view explaining the outline of the test system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. Front view of the test system of FIG. The perspective view which shows the outline of the transfer apparatus. A plan view illustrating a configuration example of a working unit. The front view explaining the configuration example of the working part. A block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the test system. The perspective view which shows the outline of a magazine and a test tray. The plan view which shows each state of a test tray. The plan view which shows each state of a test tray. The plan view which shows each state of a test tray. A flowchart showing an outline of a part of a battery cell manufacturing process. The flowchart which shows the specific example of the battery cell formation process. The flowchart which shows the control example of a test system. The plan view explaining the structure of the test tray which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The plan view explaining the structure of the test tray which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The figure explaining the regulation operation by the pressure movement regulation part of the test tray which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The figure explaining the regulation operation by the pressure movement regulation part of the test tray which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The plan view explaining the structure of the test tray which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Of the plurality of features described in the embodiments, two or more features may be arbitrarily combined. In addition, the same or similar configuration will be given the same reference number, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. In each figure, the X direction and the Y direction are the horizontal direction, and the Z direction is the vertical direction. Further, for the sake of readability of the drawings, some reference numerals may be omitted.

<First Embodiment>
<Overview of test system>
FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an outline of the test system SY according to the first embodiment. 2 is a front view of the test system SY of FIG. 1. FIG. The test system SY is a system for testing an assembled battery cell in the manufacture of a battery cell. The test system SY includes a test area 1, a transfer unit 2, and a preparation area 3.

The test area 1 is an area for testing a plurality of battery cells 7 housed in a magazine 8 mounted on a mounting portion 91 of a test tray 9 described later. In the present embodiment, the charge / discharge test of the battery cell 7 is performed in the test area 1. The test area 1 includes a test unit 11, an exhaust unit 12, and a control device 10 of the test unit. In the present embodiment, a plurality of test units 11 are provided in the test area 1, and the battery cell 7 is tested in each test unit 11. A shutter 111 that can be opened and closed is provided on the transfer unit 2 side of the test unit 11, and the test tray 9 can be carried into the test unit 11 by opening the shutter 111. In this embodiment, 16 test units 11 are provided in 4 rows × 4 columns, but the number and arrangement of the test units 11 can be appropriately set. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the test unit 11 is configured as a set of eight test units in 4 rows × 2 columns, and a total of two sets are arranged. The exhaust unit 12 is arranged between one test unit 11 of 4 rows × 1 column and the other test unit 11 constituting a set of test unit groups, and is connected to each test unit 11 for testing. Exhaust the inside of the unit 11. The control device 10 of the test unit controls the test unit 11 and the exhaust unit 12. As an example, the control device 10 of the test unit controls opening and closing of the shutter 111, charging / discharging and testing of the battery cell 7 during the test, driving of an exhaust fan (not shown) provided in the exhaust unit 12, and the like.

In the present embodiment, the test area 1 and the preparation area 3 of the test system SY are arranged on one side of the transfer unit 2, and the transfer of the test tray 9 is performed by the transfer unit 2 between the test area 1 and the preparation area 3. It is done in. Further, either one of the test area 1 or the preparation area 3 may be arranged on the other side of the transfer unit 2. Further, a plurality of test areas 1 or preparation areas 3 may be arranged. These arrangements may be appropriately determined and arranged according to the test efficiency.

The transfer unit 2 transfers the test tray 9 in which the magazine 8 is placed to the test area 1. In the present embodiment, the transfer unit 2 is a so-called stacker crane, and the test tray 9 on which the magazine 8 is placed in the preparation area 3 is transferred to the test unit 11 in the test area 1. The transfer unit 2 includes a holding unit 21, an elevating unit 22, and a traveling unit 23. The movement route of the transfer unit 2 is provided with a route guide unit that guides the movement of the transfer unit 2.

The route guide portion is extended in the X direction in which the traveling rail 24 to which the lower portion of the transfer portion 2 can be engaged is the traveling direction. Further, the route guide portion is provided above the transfer portion 2, and the upper rail 25 to which the upper portion of the transfer portion 2 can be engaged is extended in the X direction, which is the same as the traveling rail 24. The traveling rail 24 and the upper rail 25 have a length capable of transferring the test tray 9 between the test unit 11 and the preparation area 3 arranged in the traveling direction.

The holding unit 21 holds the test tray 9. In the present embodiment, the holding portion 21 is a plate-shaped member on which the test tray 9 is placed. Further, the holding unit 21 may include a fork moving mechanism for moving the test tray 9 in and out of the test unit 11. For example, after the test tray 9 is transferred to the front of a predetermined test unit 11 in the test area 1 while being placed on the plate-shaped member of the holding unit 21, the moving body included in the fork moving mechanism is tested. The test tray 9 is carried into the test section by moving to.

The elevating part 22 guides the elevating movement of the holding part 21 in the vertical direction (Z direction). The elevating portion 22 is movably supported along the elevating rail 23b described later.

The traveling unit 23 includes an elevating support body 23a that is movably supported along a traveling rail 24 extending in the X direction and elevating rails 23b and 23b that guide the elevating unit 22 to move in the elevating direction. And a moving mechanism unit 23d including a traveling moving mechanism for moving the traveling body 23a and an elevating moving mechanism for moving the elevating unit 22. The traveling body 23a includes an engaging portion (not shown) and wheels that engage with the traveling rail 24.

The elevating support 231 is a support member that is supported on the upper part of the traveling body 23a and is extended upward with a predetermined length, and an elevating rail 23b that guides the elevating movement of the elevating portion 22 is extended. In this embodiment, the elevating support 231 has a length higher than the height of the test unit 11. Further, the elevating rail 23b has a length in the elevating direction so that the test tray 9 supported by the elevating unit 22 can be carried in or out of the test unit 11.

The fork moving mechanism, the elevating moving mechanism, and the traveling moving mechanism (not shown) are configured to be able to stop at arbitrary positions in the respective moving directions, and the test tray 9 is transferred to a predetermined test unit 11 and from the predetermined test unit 11. The test tray 9 can be taken out. It should be noted that well-known techniques can be applied to these specific configurations.

Further, the traveling portion 23 includes an upper support portion 23c that engages with and is guided by the upper rail 25. The upper support portion 23c is movably supported by the upper rail 25, thereby preventing the elevating support from shaking and enabling stable movement.

Further, the transfer unit 2 has a control device 20 for the transfer unit that controls the operations of the holding unit 21, the elevating unit 22, and the traveling unit 23. The control device 20 of the transfer unit controls the holding unit 21, the elevating unit 22, and the traveling unit 23 based on the instruction of the host computer 5 described later, and transfers the test tray 9 to the predetermined test unit 11 and the preparation area 3. I do.

The preparation area 3 is an area for preparing for the test performed in the test area 1, and in the present embodiment, the magazine 8 is transferred to the mounting section 91 of the test tray 9. The preparation area 3 is arranged along the traveling rail 24. In the present embodiment, the magazine 8 is transferred by the transfer device 3a described in detail below.

<Transfer device>
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an outline of the transfer device 3a. The transfer device 3a is provided in the preparation area 3 and transfers the magazine 8 to the mounting portion 91 of the test tray 9. The transfer device 3a includes a magazine transfer unit 31, a test tray transfer unit 32, a work unit 33, and a transfer unit 34.

The magazine transport unit 31 transports the magazine 8 from outside the range of the test system SY to within the range of the test system SY. Further, the magazine transport unit 31 transports the magazine 8 from within the range of the test system SY to outside the range of the test system SY. Further, in the present embodiment, the magazine transport unit 31 transports the magazine 8 to the work unit 33. Specifically, the magazine transport unit 31 has a carry-in conveyor 311 that carries the magazine 8 containing the battery cell 7 before the test into the work unit 33 provided in the preparation area 3 of the test system SY, and a battery cell that has been tested. It includes a carry-out conveyor 312 that carries out the magazine 8 in which the 7 is stored from the work unit 33 provided in the preparation area 3 of the test system SY. By providing a plurality of conveyors, the magazine 8 can be transferred more efficiently. In this embodiment, a conveyor for two lanes is provided.

The test tray transport unit 32 transports the test tray 9 to the work unit 33. Further, the test tray transport unit 32 transports the test tray 9 from the work unit 33. In the present embodiment, the test tray transport unit 32 is a conveyor capable of transporting the test tray 9 in the X direction. In the transfer device 3a, a carry-in section 35 and a carry-out section 36 are provided on the transport path of the test tray transport section 32 so as to sandwich the work section 33. The carry-in section 35 is a portion in which the test tray 9 is placed by the transfer section 2 when the test tray 9 is transported from the test area 1 to the preparation area 3. The carry-out section 36 is a portion where the test tray 9 is taken out by the transfer section 2 when the test tray 9 is transported from the preparation area 3 to the test area 1. The test tray transport unit 32 transports the test tray 9 between the work unit 33, the carry-in unit 35, and the carry-out unit 36.

Refer to FIGS. 4A and 4B together. 4A is a plan view for explaining a configuration example of the working unit 33, and FIG. 4B is a front view for explaining a configuration example of the working unit 33.

The working unit 33 transfers the magazine 8 to the test tray 9 and operates the pressurizing mechanism 92 provided on the test tray 9. These operations are performed in the work area 330 formed above the test tray transport unit 32. The working unit 33 includes an elevating unit 331, an operation unit 332, a regulation unit 333, and a support member 334.

The elevating unit 331 raises and lowers the test tray 9. Further, the elevating unit 331 supports the test tray 9. The elevating unit 331 includes a mounting portion 331a on which the test tray 9 is mounted, and an elevating portion 331b including an elevating mechanism for raising and lowering the mounting portion. In the present embodiment, the test tray 9 is configured to be able to move up and down between the transport path of the test tray transport unit 32 and the work area 330 above the transport path. A well-known technique such as an electric cylinder can be applied to the elevating unit 331.

The operation unit 332 operates the pressurizing mechanism 92 provided on the test tray 9. The operation unit 332 includes an engaging portion 3321 that engages with the operating member 9211 of the pressurizing mechanism 92, and a driving portion 3322 that operably drives the engaging portion 3321. The operation of the operation unit 332 will be described later.

The regulation unit 333 positions the test tray 9 at the transfer position where the transfer work is performed. In the present embodiment, the test tray 9 supported by the elevating unit 331 in the work area 330 is restricted from moving at the transfer position by the regulation unit 3331 and the regulation unit 3332, and the test tray 9 is positioned at the transfer position. .. The regulation unit 3331 and the regulation unit 3332 are composed of, for example, a support unit that supports the test tray 9, a drive unit that drives the support unit, and the like. A well-known actuator such as an electric cylinder or an air cylinder can be applied to the drive unit in this case.

The support member 334 supports the operation unit 332 and the regulation unit 333. In the present embodiment, the support member 334 provided above the test tray transport portion 32 is a plate-shaped member, and a work area 330 is formed on the upper surface thereof. Further, the support member 334 is formed with an opening 3341 that is larger than the outer size of the test tray 9, and the test tray 9 is provided by the elevating unit 331 from the test tray transport portion 32 to the work area 330 via the opening 3341. Will be moved.

The transfer unit 34 transfers the magazine 8 to the test tray 9 arranged in the work unit 33. Further, the magazine 8 is transferred from the test tray 9 arranged in the working unit 33. More specifically, the transfer unit 34 transfers the magazine 8 containing the untested battery cell 7 from the carry-in conveyor 311 to the test tray 9 arranged in the work unit 33. Further, the transfer unit 34 transfers the magazine 8 containing the tested battery cell 7 to the carry-out conveyor 312 from the test tray 9 arranged in the work unit 33.

Further, the transfer unit 34 includes a holding unit 341 and a moving unit 342. The holding unit 341 holds the magazine 8. In the present embodiment, the holding unit 341 includes holding members 3411 and 3411 for holding the magazine 8, and a drive unit 3412 including a moving mechanism for moving the holding members 3411 and 3411 so as to be able to approach and separate from each other. The holding member 3411 includes an engaging portion (not shown) that can be engaged with and disengaged from the holding portion set in the magazine 8, and the magazine 8 is held and released by being driven by the driving portion 3412.

The moving unit 342 moves the holding unit 341. The moving unit 342 has a rotating mechanism 3421 that rotates the holding unit 341 in a direction parallel to the elevating direction, a elevating mechanism 3422 that elevates the rotating mechanism 3421, and an elevating mechanism 3422 that are orthogonal to the elevating direction. The X-direction moving mechanism 3423 that moves in the X direction, which is the first horizontal direction, and the Y-direction moving mechanism 3424, which moves the X-direction moving mechanism 3423 in the Y direction, which is the second horizontal direction orthogonal to the elevating direction and the X direction. And include.

The rotation mechanism 3421 includes a rotating body 3421a to which the holding unit 341 is fixed, and a rotation driving unit 3421b including a rotation moving mechanism for rotating the rotating body 3421a around the elevating shaft HC of the elevating mechanism 3422. When the rotation drive unit 3421b is driven, the rotating body 3421a rotates around the elevating shaft HC, and the holding unit 341 is rotationally moved around the elevating shaft HC. The elevating mechanism 3422 includes an elevating moving body 3422a to which the rotating mechanism 3421 is fixed, and an elevating driving unit 3422b for moving the elevating moving body 3422a in the elevating direction. By driving the elevating drive unit 3422b, the elevating moving body 3422a moves up and down, and the holding unit 341 moves up and down together with the rotation mechanism 3421. The X-direction moving mechanism 3423 includes an X-direction moving body 3423a to which the elevating mechanism 3422 is fixed, and a first horizontal drive unit 3423b for moving the X-direction moving body 3423a in the X direction. By driving the first horizontal drive unit 3423b, the X-direction moving body 3423a reciprocates in the X direction, and the holding unit 341 is horizontally moved in the X direction together with the elevating movement mechanism 3422. The Y-direction moving mechanism 3424 is provided with a guide portion having a predetermined length with which the X-direction moving mechanism 3423 is movably engaged in the X direction, and is formed with a Y-direction moving body 3423a having a predetermined length in the X direction. , A second horizontal drive unit 3424b that moves the Y-direction moving body 3424a in the Y-direction. By driving the second horizontal drive unit 3424b, the Y-direction moving body 3424a reciprocates in the Y direction, and the holding unit 341 is horizontally moved in the Y direction together with the X moving mechanism 3423. For these mechanisms, for example, a mechanism such as a ball screw mechanism using a motor as a drive source, a rack and pinion mechanism, and a belt transmission mechanism can be applied.

The carry-in section 35 is provided on the transport path of the test tray transport section 32, and is a place where the test tray 9 is carried in by the transfer section 2. In the present embodiment, the loading unit 35 is provided with an elevating unit 351 so that the elevating unit 351 can receive the test tray 9 from the transfer unit 2 above the test tray transport unit 32. The elevating unit 351 includes a mounting portion 351a on which the test tray 9 is placed, and an elevating portion 351b including an elevating mechanism for raising and lowering the mounting portion 351a. As a result, the test tray 9 can be easily received between the test tray transport unit 32 and the fork or the like provided in the holding portion 21 of the transfer unit 2.

The carry-out section 36 is provided on the transport path of the test tray transport section 32, and is a place where the test tray 9 waits for the test tray 9 to be carried out by the transfer section 2. In the present embodiment, the elevating unit 361 is provided in the carry-out unit 36, and the elevating unit 361 is configured to be able to transfer the test tray 9 to the transfer unit 2 above the test tray transfer unit 32. The elevating unit 361 includes a mounting portion 361a on which the test tray 9 is placed, and an elevating portion 361b including an elevating mechanism for raising and lowering the mounting portion. This makes it possible to easily transfer the test tray 9 between the test tray transport unit 32 and the fork or the like provided in the holding portion 21 of the transfer unit 2.

Further, the transfer device 3a includes a transfer support unit 37 that supports the transfer unit 34 and a work support unit 38 that supports the work unit 33. The transfer support portion 37 and the work support portion 38 are integrally supported by the base portion 39. As a result, the relative positions of the working unit 33 and the transfer unit 34 are defined, so that the magazine 8 can be transferred more accurately. Further, the work area 330 can be set by aligning the test tray transport unit 32 and the work unit 33, and the transfer device 3a can be easily arranged with respect to the test tray transport unit 32.

<Hardware configuration example>
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the hardware of the test system SY. The test system SY is collectively controlled by the host computer 5, which is a higher-level device. For example, when the host computer 5 transmits a control signal to the control device 10 of the test unit, the control device 20 of the transfer unit, and the preparation control device 30, each of the control devices 10, 20, and 30 receives information from the host computer 5. Based on this, each component included in the control range controlled by each control device 10, 20, and 30 is controlled. The host computer 5 may comprehensively control the entire production line of the battery cell 7, including not only the test system SY but also the device related to the battery cell forming process which is an upstream process of the test.

The host computer 5 includes a processing unit 51, a storage unit 52, and an I / F unit 53. The processing unit 51 is a processor represented by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and executes a program stored in the storage unit 52 to collectively control each component of the test system SY. The storage unit 52 is a storage device (storage means) such as a ROM (ReadOnlyMemory), a RAM (RandomAccessMemory), and an HDD (HardDiskDrive), and is a program executed by the processing unit 51 and various control information. Remember. The I / F unit 53 (interface unit 53) is an interface for transmitting and receiving signals between the processing unit 51 and an external device. The I / F unit 53 may include, for example, an I / O (Input / Output) interface and a communication interface. In the present embodiment, the I / F unit 53 is a communication device that includes a communication interface and communicates with other devices via the communication line 54, and the processing unit 51 is a control device 10 of each test unit via the communication interface. , 20, 30 and send / receive information. In addition, all or a part of the management control device 5 (hereinafter referred to as a host computer 5) may be configured by a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

Further, the control device 10 of the test unit includes a processing unit 101, a storage unit 102, and an I / F unit 103. The control device 20 of the transfer unit includes a processing unit 201, a storage unit 202, and an I / F unit 203. The preparation control device 30 includes a processing unit 301, a storage unit 302, and an I / F unit 303. These may have the same configurations as the processing unit 51, the storage unit 52, and the I / F unit 53 of the host computer 5.

<Magazine>
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an outline of the magazine 8 and the test tray 9.

The magazine 8 is a container for arranging and storing a plurality of battery cells 7. The magazine 8 includes a storage portion 81, a support member 82, and a plurality of partition members 83. By storing the plurality of battery cells 7 in the magazine 8, the battery cells 7 can be efficiently transferred in the manufacturing process of the battery cells 7.

The storage unit 81 is a portion in which the battery cells 7 are arranged and stored, and the front wall 801 provided on one side of the storage unit 81 in the arrangement direction and the rear wall provided on the other side of the storage unit 81 in the arrangement direction. A bottom wall 803 provided between the front wall 801 and the front wall 801 and connected to the lower ends of the front wall 801 and the rear wall 802, and a bottom wall 803 provided above the bottom wall 803 and separated from the front wall. A pair of support guide members 824 and 824 for connecting the 801 and the rear wall 802 are provided. The pair of support guide members 824 and 824 are arranged apart from each other in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction, and are connected to the respective side ends in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the front wall 801 and the rear wall 802. .. The pair of support guide members 824 and 824 guide the movement of the partition member 83 in the arrangement direction and support the partition members 83 so as to be movable. In the present embodiment, the battery cell 7 has a thin flat shape in the thickness direction, and the storage unit 81 has a plurality of partition members when a plurality of battery cells 7 are arranged and stored in the thickness direction. Each of them is supported by 83 and is stored in the storage unit 81. The pair of support guide members 824 and 824 guide the movement of the support members 82 in the arrangement direction and support them in a movable manner. Hereinafter, the thickness direction may be referred to as an arrangement direction of the battery cells 7. The thickness size of the battery cell 7 may differ depending on the type, and the number of battery cells 7 that can be stored in the storage unit 81 can be appropriately set according to the thickness size.

The support member 82 is a member that supports the battery cell 7 in the arrangement direction, and one support member 82a arranged on one side in the arrangement direction and the other support member 82b arranged on the other side in the arrangement direction are formed. It will be provided. Each of the support members 82a and 82b is supported by a pair of support guide members 824 and 824 from one side to the other side in the arrangement direction or from the other side to the other side in the arrangement direction, and is configured to be movable. .. Further, the support member 82a includes a pair of engaging portions 82at and 82at that are engaged with the pair of support guide members 824 and 824, respectively, and are movably supported in the arrangement direction. The support member 82a is provided in the arrangement direction between the partition member 83 of the battery cell 7 housed in the storage portion 81 and the front wall 801. The support member 82a is provided with one surface in the arrangement direction as a pressing surface for pressing the battery 7, and the other surface in the arrangement direction as a pressed surface to be pressed by the pressing portion 926 described later. Further, the support member 82b includes a pair of engaging portions 82bt and 82bt that are engaged with the pair of support guide members 824 and 824, respectively, and are movably supported in the arrangement direction. Further, the support member 82b is provided in the arrangement direction between the partition member 83 of the battery cell 7 housed in the storage portion 81 and the rear wall 802. The support member 82b is provided as a one-sided contact surface in which one surface in the arrangement direction abuts on the rear wall 802, and the other surface in the arrangement direction is in the pressurizing direction in which the other surface in the arrangement direction is unidirectional in the arrangement direction by the pressurizing mechanism 92. It is provided as the other contact surface that comes into contact with the moved battery cell 7 (specifically, the partition member 83 described later). The support member 82b is moved in one direction in the arrangement direction together with the battery 7 when the battery 7 moved in one direction in the arrangement direction by the pressurizing mechanism 92 abuts on the other contact surface of the support member 82b.

Further, the support member 82b that is moved in one direction in the arrangement direction is restricted from moving in one direction in the arrangement direction by the one contact surface of the support member 82b abuting on the rear wall 802. By restricting movement in one direction in the arrangement direction, the position of the support member 82b with respect to the magazine 8 in the arrangement direction is defined with reference to the rear wall 802. The other contact surface of the support member 82b whose movement is restricted is in contact with the battery cell 7, so that the movement in one direction in the arrangement direction is restricted and the position of the battery cell 7 in the magazine 8 in the arrangement direction is supported. It is defined with reference to the member 82b. Further, pressure is applied to the battery cell 7 when the battery cell 7 whose movement is regulated tries to move by further pressing in one direction in the arrangement direction by the pressurizing operation of the pressurizing mechanism 92. In the present embodiment, pressure is applied from the pressurizing mechanism 92 to the battery cell 7 via the support member 82a.

The partition member 83 includes a partition portion 83a provided between a plurality of battery cells 7 housed in the storage portion 81, and a support portion 83b for supporting the battery cell 7. Further, the partition member 83 includes a pair of engaging portions 83c and 83c that are engaged with the pair of support guide members 824 and 824, respectively, and can be moved in the arrangement direction. The plurality of partition members 83 are members that support and partition each battery cell 7 housed in the storage unit 81. The partition member 83 is slidably provided with respect to the storage portion 81 in the arrangement direction of the battery cells 7.

The front wall 801 is formed with a plurality of openings 84 as holes penetrating in the arrangement direction. The opening 84 of the front wall 801 is an opening for applying a force in the arrangement direction to the support member 82a from the outside of the magazine 8. The force in the arrangement direction is applied to the support member 82a by the pressing portion 926 described later passing through the opening 84 and pressing the support member 82a. A plurality of openings 84 are formed in the front wall 801 at predetermined intervals so that the pressure applied from the pressing portion 926 to the support member 82a becomes uniform. Six openings 84 provided in the front wall 801 are formed in this embodiment. However, if the size is smaller than the outer size of the support member 82a, one large opening 84 may be formed. Further, if the pressure applied to the support member 82a from the pressing portion 926 is uniformly applied, two or more openings 84 may be formed. Further, the front wall 801 abuts on the take-out position defining portion 9273 provided on the test tray 9 when the front wall 801 is moved in the other direction in the arrangement direction while being placed on the test tray 9, and the front wall 801 abuts on the other in the arrangement direction. Movement in the direction is restricted. Further, the bottom wall 803 can be moved in the arrangement direction while being placed on the test tray 9, and the movement in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction is restricted by a plurality of width direction defining portions 9271 described later.

<Test tray>
The test tray 9 is used for a charge / discharge test of the battery cell 7 and the like, and presses the battery cell 7 stored in the magazine 8. The test tray 9 has a wall portion 90, a mounting portion 91, and a pressurizing mechanism 92.

In the wall portion 90 (see FIG. 7A and the like), the front wall 901 is arranged on one side in the arrangement direction and the rear wall 902 is arranged on the other side in the arrangement direction with the mounting portion 91 sandwiched between them. Further, the wall portion 90 includes a bottom wall 903 that is connected to the lower portions of the front wall 901 and the rear wall 902 and extends in the arrangement direction. Further, the wall portion 90 includes a side wall 904 that connects to one side and the other side of the front wall 901, the rear wall 902, and the bottom wall 903 in the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction, and has a box shape with an open upper portion. Has a shape. A configuration in which the side wall 904 is not provided can also be adopted.

The mounting portion 91 (see FIG. 7A, etc.) is a portion on which the magazine 8 is mounted and is provided on the bottom wall 903. In the present embodiment, the magazine 8 in which a plurality of battery cells 7 are arranged and stored is mounted on the mounting section 91.

The pressurizing mechanism 92 is a mechanism for pressing a plurality of battery cells 7 housed in the magazine 8 mounted on the mounting portion 91 in the arrangement direction. In the present embodiment, the pressurizing mechanism 92 moves the support member 82a from the front wall 801 side of the magazine 8 which is one side in the arrangement direction, and presses the support member 82a in one direction in the arrangement direction to house the battery in the magazine 8. Press cell 7. The pressurizing mechanism 92 includes an operation unit 921, a transmission member 922, a moving body 923, a guide member 924, an imparting member 925 (see FIG. 7A, etc.), and a pressing unit 926.

The operation unit 921 receives the operation of the pressurizing mechanism 92 from the outside, and is provided on the outside of the front wall 901. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 921 receives the operation of the pressurizing mechanism 92 from the operation unit 332 of the work unit 33. When the operation unit 332 moves the operation unit 921 in the arrangement direction, the moving body 923 is also moved in the arrangement direction. The operation unit 921 includes an operation member 9211. The operation member 9211 is a portion that engages with the operation unit 332 when the pressurizing mechanism 92 is operated by the operation unit 332. The operation member 9211 of the present embodiment is a circular flange member provided at one end of the transmission member 922 and extending from the transmission member 922 in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction.

The transmission member 922 is a rod-shaped member that connects the operation member 9211 and the plate-shaped member 9231 of the moving body 923. The transmission member 922 is provided through an opening formed in the front wall 901, and is provided so as to be movable relative to the front wall 901.

An operation control unit 9221 is formed on the transmission member 922. The operation regulation unit 9221 regulates the movement of the transmission member 922 that is moved in the direction in which the force is applied by the imparting member 925 described later (the direction in which the plate-shaped member 9231 is separated from the front wall 901 with respect to the front wall 901). do. In the present embodiment, the operation restricting unit 9221 is a collar-shaped member provided on the transmission member 922 on the outer side of the front wall 901, and restricts the movement of the transmission member 922 by abutting on the outer surface of the front wall 901. The operation restricting unit 9221 keeps the operation member 9211 and the front wall 901 apart from each other at a predetermined interval, and enables the operation unit 332 and the operation member 9211 to be engaged with each other.

The moving body 923 is a member that moves in the arrangement direction of the plurality of battery cells 7. The moving body 923 moves by being transmitted via the transmission member 922 by operating the operation unit 921 from the outside. The moving body 923 has a plate-shaped member 9231 connected to the transmission member 922 and a sliding body 9232 slidable with respect to the guide member 924. The plate-shaped member 9231 includes a connecting portion 9231a to which the transmission member 922 is connected, a sliding support portion 9231b provided with the sliding body 9232, and a pressing support portion 9231c provided with the pressing portion 926. The connecting portion 9231a is provided in the central portion of the plate-shaped member 9231. The sliding body 9232 is provided with two at one end and two at the other end of the plate-shaped member 9231 in the direction orthogonal to the pressing direction, for a total of four, and is configured with an interval in the vertical direction.

The guide member 924 guides the movement of the moving body 923 in the arrangement direction. The guide member 924 is a rod-shaped member extending in the arrangement direction of the battery cells 7, and is provided so that the sliding body 9232 of the moving body 923 can slide along the guide member 924. A total of four guide members 924 are provided, two at one end and two at the other end of the front wall 901 and the rear wall 902 orthogonal to the arrangement direction. Further, the two guide members 924 provided at one end and the two guide members 924 provided at the other end are respectively provided in parallel with an interval in the vertical direction. As the guide member 924, a member having a circular cross section is adopted in this embodiment.

The granting member 925 applies a force in the arrangement direction of the battery cells 7 to the moving body 923 moving body. The imparting member 925 may include an elastic member such as a spring. In the present embodiment, the applying member 925 is a compression spring, and is provided between the front wall 901 and the plate-shaped member 9231 and between the transmission member 922.

The pressing portion 926 (see FIG. 7A and the like) is provided by connecting to the plate-shaped member 9231 of the moving body 923, and presses the support member 82a which is the pressed portion of the magazine 8. The pressing portion 926 is provided on the pressing support portion 9231c of the plate-shaped member 9231 so as to coincide with the position corresponding to the position of the opening 84 formed in the front wall 801 of the magazine 8 mounted on the mounting portion 91. The pressing portion 926 is a rod-shaped member having a predetermined length extending from the plate-shaped member 9231 in the arrangement direction. The pressing portion 926 can press the support member 82a through the opening 84 by moving the plate-shaped member 9231 to the side closer to the magazine 8.

The regulation unit 927 defines the position of the magazine 8 mounted on the mounting unit 91. In the present embodiment, the range defined by the plurality of regulating portions 927 provided in the mounting portion 91 is set as the mounting position 91a (dashed-dotted line). The battery cell 7 housed in the magazine 8 is pressed by the pressurizing mechanism 92 with the magazine 8 mounted at the mounting position 91a of the mounting portion 91. Therefore, the regulation unit 927 defines the relative position of the magazine 8 with respect to the pressurizing mechanism 92. Further, when the magazine 8 is taken out, the regulation unit 927 is released from the pressurizing state by the pressurizing mechanism 92, and the magazine 8 is set within the range of the mounting position 91a by the transfer unit 34 at a position where the magazine 8 can be taken out. The magazine 8 is specified. The ruler 927 includes a width direction ruler 9271 and a take-out position ruler 9273 (see FIG. 7A and the like). Further, the regulation unit 927 may include a pressure position regulation unit 9272.

A plurality of width direction defining portions 9271 are provided at intervals in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction of the battery cells 7 in order to define the position of the magazine 8 in the horizontal width direction with the mounting portion 91. In the present embodiment, the width direction defining portion 9271 is a member having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, which is provided so as to project upward from the bottom wall 903 and has a regulating portion. The position of the magazine 8 is defined by the side portion of the magazine 8 coming into contact with the restricting portion of this member. In the present embodiment, rectangular parallelepiped width direction regulating members 9271 are provided on a plurality of bottom walls 903 at intervals in the width direction.

The pressurizing position defining portion 9272 defines the position of the magazine 8 in the arrangement direction in the mounting portion 91 when the magazine 8 is pressurized by the pressurizing mechanism 92. In the present embodiment, the pressurizing position defining portion 9272 is provided so as to project from the rear wall 902 toward the pressurizing mechanism 92. The magazine 8 mounted on the mounting portion 91 is moved to one side in the arrangement direction by the pressurizing operation of the pressurizing mechanism 92, and the pressurizing position defining portion 9272 and the rear wall 802 of the magazine 8 come into contact with each other. The pressurizing position of the magazine 8 in the mounting portion 91 is defined.

The take-out position defining unit 9273 defines the take-out position in the position in the arrangement direction of the magazine 8 when the magazine 8 is taken out from the mounting unit 91. In the present embodiment, the take-out position defining portion 9273 is a member having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, which is provided so as to project from the bottom wall 903 and includes the defining portion. When the front wall 801 of the magazine 8 comes into contact with the specified portion of this member, the take-out position of the magazine 8 in the mounting portion 91 is defined.

<Magazine placement position>
7A to 7C are plan views showing each state of the test tray 9. FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a state of the test tray 9 before the magazine 8 is placed on the test tray 9. FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a state in which the magazine 8 is placed on the test tray 9 and the pressurization of the battery cell 7 by the pressurizing mechanism 92 is released. FIG. 7C is a diagram showing a state in which the magazine 8 is placed on the test tray 9 and the battery cell 7 is pressurized by the pressurizing mechanism 92.

In the state shown in FIG. 7A, the operating unit 332 (see FIG. 4A) operates the operating unit 921 to pull the moving body 923 toward the front wall 901, whereby the applying member 925, which is a compression spring, is contracted and the pressing unit 926 is compressed. Is arranged outside the range of the mounting position 91a. As a result, the transfer section 34 can mount the magazine 8 within the range of the mounting position 91a of the mounting section 91 without the magazine 8 interfering with the moving body 923.

In the state shown in FIG. 7B, the position of the magazine 8 is arranged within the range of the mounting position 91a. When the transfer unit 34 mounts the magazine 8 or takes out the mounted magazine 8, the holding members 3411 and 3411 are held by engaging the holding members 3411 and 3411 with the front wall 801 and the rear wall 802 of the magazine 8. Will be. When mounting the magazine 8 on the mounting portion 91, the magazine 8 is mounted within the range of the mounting position 91a, and the front wall 801 and the rear wall 802 of the magazine 8 are engaged with the holding members 3411 and 3411. By releasing the above, the magazine 8 is mounted on the mounting 91. Further, when the magazine 8 is taken out from the test tray 9, the position of the magazine 8 is moved within the range of the mounting position 91a defined by the extraction position defining portion 9273, so that the rear wall 802 and the pressurizing position are defined. The contact state with the portion 9272 is released, and the magazine 8 can be moved upward.

In the state shown in FIG. 7C, the magazine 8 is defined by the pressurizing position defining unit 9272. The magazine 8 is moved to the rear wall 902 side by the pressing portion 926 to which the force is applied by the applying member 925, and is pressed by restricting the movement of the magazine 8 by the pressurizing position defining portion 9272. As a result, pressure is applied to the battery cell 7 housed in the magazine 8 via the support member 82a. That is, the battery cell 7 is in a pressurized state. In the present embodiment, the applying member 925, which is a compression spring, has a natural length longer than that shown in FIG. 7C. Specifically, the natural length of the applying member 925, which is a compression spring, is longer than the length of the pressing portion 926. As a result, pressure is applied to the battery cell 7 by the elastic force of the applying member 925.

Further, the pressurizing position defining unit 9272 defines the relative position of the magazine 8 with respect to the test tray 9 in the pressurized state. Therefore, when the test tray 9 is transferred to the test unit 11, the position of the magazine 8 with respect to the test unit 11 is also defined when the test tray 9 is positioned with respect to the test unit 11. As a result, the magazine 8 can be easily positioned when the test tray 9 is transferred to the test unit 11. Therefore, the positions of the contacts of the test unit provided in the test unit 11 can be matched with the positions of the electrodes of the respective battery cells 7 housed in the magazine 8 placed on the test tray 9.

<Outline of battery cell manufacturing process>
In the manufacturing process of the battery cell 7, the battery cell 7 is tested after the battery cell 7 is formed. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an outline of a part of the manufacturing process of the battery cell 7. In the present embodiment, the manufacturing process of the battery cell 7 includes a battery cell forming step (S1), a battery cell accommodating step (S2), and a battery cell test step (S3). The battery cell forming step forms the battery cell 7, and the battery cell accommodating step stores the battery cell 7 formed in the battery cell forming step in the magazine 8. In the battery cell test step, the battery cell 7 stored in the magazine 8 is tested in the battery cell storage step. As described above, in the present embodiment, the battery cell 7 is formed and the formed battery cell 7 is stored in the magazine 8 before the battery cell 7 is tested by the test system SY described above.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the battery cell forming step (S1) of FIG.

In the electrode laminating step of S101, the electrode laminated body is formed by sequentially laminating the positive electrode, the negative electrode and the separator. For example, the positive electrode may be one in which a positive electrode active material is applied as a slurry containing a binder on both sides of an aluminum foil serving as a current collector, and dried and rolled to form an active material layer having a predetermined thickness. The current collector ends of the plurality of laminated positive electrodes are overlapped with each other, and the positive electrode tabs serving as terminals can be ultrasonically welded. Further, for example, the negative electrode may be one in which a negative electrode active material is applied as a slurry containing a binder on both surfaces of a copper foil serving as a current collector, and dried and rolled to form an active material layer having a predetermined thickness. The current collector ends of the plurality of laminated negative electrodes are overlapped with each other, and the negative electrode tabs serving as terminals can be ultrasonically welded. Further, for example, the separator may have a function of preventing a short circuit between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and at the same time holding an electrolytic solution, and the microporous property of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) may be used. It can be composed of a film or a non-woven fabric.

In the exterior process of S102, the electrode laminate formed of S101 is arranged in a flexible film-like exterior body. The exterior body may be composed of, for example, a laminated film having a three-layer structure in which a heat-sealing layer made of synthetic resin is laminated on the inside of an aluminum foil and a protective layer made of synthetic resin is laminated on the outside. As an example, the exterior body is composed of one laminating film arranged on the lower surface side of the electrode laminated body and another laminating film arranged on the upper surface side. Then, an electrode laminate may be arranged between these two laminated films, one of the four surrounding sides may be left as an injection port, and then the other three sides may be overlapped and heat-sealed to each other.

In the liquid injection process of S103, the electrolytic solution is injected from the liquid injection port of the exterior body. For example, the liquid injection is performed in a plurality of times under a predetermined depressurized state. As a result, the electrolytic solution can be injected while removing the air remaining inside the exterior body.

In the sealing step of S104, the injection port is sealed by heat fusion or the like. In one embodiment, the sealing here is a so-called temporary sealing. After charging and discharging, which will be described later, the injection port or its vicinity is opened in order to remove the gas generated by charging, so that the final sealing is performed after the gas is removed. The battery cell 7 is formed by the above steps.

<Control example of test system>
A control example of the test system SY will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control example of the test system SY, and shows a specific example of S3 in FIG. For example, in this flowchart, the CPU of the host computer 5 or the control devices 10, 20, and 30 reads the program stored in the ROM and the like into the RAM and executes the program, so that the control devices 10, 20, and 30 perform the test system SY. It is realized by controlling the operation of each component included in each control range of. Further, for example, the operation of each component of the test system SY according to this flowchart is executed for the magazine 8 in which the battery cell 7 to be tested is housed in the test area 1.

S300 is a first magazine transfer step in which the magazine 8 is transferred into the range of the test system SY, and the magazine 8 containing the battery cell 7 outside the range of the test system SY, that is, the untested battery cell 7 is stored. The magazine 8 is transferred within the range of the test system SY. In the present embodiment, the magazine 8 containing the untested battery cell 7 is transferred to the carry-in conveyor 311 of the magazine transfer unit 31 by a transfer device (not shown) or the like.

S301 is a second magazine transfer step, and the carry-in conveyor 311 transports the magazine 8 transferred from the outside of the test system SY to the vicinity of the working unit 33 within the range of the test system SY. For example, the processing unit 51 of the host computer 5 gives an instruction to transfer the magazine 8 to the preparation control device 30, and the preparation control device 30 that receives the instruction controls the magazine transfer unit 31 to convey the magazine 8. ..

S302 is a magazine loading process, and the transfer section 34 holds the magazine 8 waiting in the magazine take-out section set in the carry-in conveyor 311 and takes out the magazine 8 from the magazine take-out section and waits in advance in the work area 330 for testing. Transfer to tray 9 and place. The magazine mounting step includes a test tray positioning step in which the test tray 9 is supported in the work area 330 and the test tray 9 is positioned by operating the regulation unit 333. In the magazine loading process, the pressurizing mechanism 92 of the test tray 9 positioned in the work area 330 is operated by the operation of the operation unit 332 to release the pressurizing state of the pressurizing mechanism 92, and the test tray is released. A magazine mounting preparation step that enables mounting of the magazine 8 on the mounting portion 91 of 9 is included. Further, the magazine mounting step includes a magazine loading completion step in which the magazine 8 is mounted on the mounting section 91 of the test tray 9 and the transfer section 34 releases the holding of the magazine 8.

S303 is a pressurizing step, and when the operation unit 332 operates, the pressurizing mechanism 92 presses the battery cell 7 housed in the magazine 8 mounted on the test tray 9 to one side in the arrangement direction, and the magazine The battery cell 7 is held in the test tray 9 together with the 8. In the pressurizing step, the pressurizing mechanism 92 is operated by operating the operation unit 332, and the battery cell 7 is housed in the magazine 8 mounted on the test tray 9 and pressed to one side in the arrangement direction for testing. A pressurizing movement step of moving the magazine 8 to a predetermined position with respect to the tray 9 and moving the battery cell 7 to a predetermined position with respect to the magazine 8, and a predetermined battery cell 7 moved in the arrangement direction in the arrangement direction of the magazine 8. Includes a pressurizing and holding step of positioning and holding the magazine 8 mounted on the test tray 9 at a predetermined position in the arrangement direction of the test tray 9 while positioning at the position of.

S304 is a test management process, and the processing unit 51 acquires information on the test status of each test unit 11 in the test area 1. For example, the processing unit 51 acquires the availability information of each test unit 11 and the test time status information such as the scheduled completion time of the test from the control device 10 of the test unit. The test management step includes a test information collecting step of collecting information on the test status of each test unit 11.

S305 is a test determination process, and the processing unit 51 determines the test unit 11 to be transported to the test tray 9 on which the magazine 8 is placed, based on the test status information acquired in the test management process. The test determination step is a test information comparison step in which the test information of each test unit 11 is compared, and a transfer destination extraction process in which the test unit 11 to be the transfer destination of the test tray 9 is extracted based on the compared test information. Including the process. As a result, the test tray 9 can be effectively transferred according to the situation of the plurality of test units 11. In addition to the processing described in this flowchart, the processing unit 51 may acquire and manage information regarding the test status of the testing unit 11. In this case, the processing unit 51 may omit the processing of the test management process and determine the test unit 11 to be the transport destination based on the managed information. The processing unit 51 may periodically acquire the information of the test unit 11. Further, the test information updating step may be included so that the updated information is transmitted from the control device 10 of the testing unit to the processing unit 51 each time the status of the testing unit 11 is updated.

S306 is the first test tray transfer step, and the test tray 9 is transferred from the preparation area 3 to the test area 1. In the first test tray transfer step, the test tray 9 in the work area 330 is moved to the test tray transport unit 32 below the elevating unit 331 by operating the elevating unit 331, and is moved to the transport unit 32 for testing. The test tray unloading step of transporting the tray 9 to the unloading section 36 by the test tray transport section 32 is included. Further, in the first test tray transfer step, the test tray 9 is transferred by operating the elevating unit 361 so that the test tray 9 transferred to the carry-out unit 36 can be collected by the fork or the like of the transfer unit 2. The test unit transfer step of lifting from the unit 32 and then transferring the test tray 9 to the test unit 11 determined in the test determination step is included. In the present embodiment, since the battery cell 7 is preliminarily pressed to one side in the arrangement direction in the pressurizing step and prepared in a state of being positioned at a predetermined position, the test unit 11 has a magazine 8 for the test tray 9. The position and the position of the battery cell 7 with respect to the magazine 8 are defined, and the test tray 9 is transferred in a held pressurized state.

S307 is a charge / discharge test implementation process, and the charge / discharge test of the battery cell 7 is performed based on a preset test process. The test process includes steps such as initial charging, aging, and discharging.

S308 is the second test tray transfer process, and the test tray 9 is transferred from the test area 1 to the preparation area 3 based on the processing of the test control process. In the second test tray transfer step, the transfer unit 2 transfers the test tray 9 to the carry-in section 35 of the preparation area 3, places it on the elevating unit 351 above the carry-in section 35, and the elevating unit 351 operates. This includes a test tray loading step in which the test tray 9 is moved below the test tray 9 and placed on the test tray transport unit 32. In the second test tray transfer step, the test tray 9 placed on the test tray transfer unit 32 is moved to the work unit 33 by the test tray transfer unit 32, and is transferred to the work unit 33 for testing. The work unit transfer step of moving the tray 9 to the upper work area 330 by operating the elevating unit 331 is included.

S309 is a pressurization release step, and the pressurization state of the battery cell 7 pressurized by the pressurization mechanism 92 of the test tray 9 is released. The test tray 9 transferred to the carry-in section 35 is conveyed to the vicinity of the working section 33 by the test tray transport section 32. After that, the test tray 9 is transferred to the work area 330 of the work unit 33 by the transfer unit 34. The operation unit 332 releases the pressurized state of the battery cell 7 by operating the operation unit 921 of the test tray 9 transferred to the work area 330.

S310 is a magazine taking-out process, and the transfer section 34 takes out the magazine 8 mounted on the mounting section 91 of the test tray 9 from the test tray 9. The transfer unit 34 transfers the removed magazine 8 to the carry-out conveyor 312. The magazine 8 is conveyed to the unloading position by the unloading conveyor 312. The magazine 8 in which the tested battery cell 7 at the carry-out position is housed is carried to a place where the downstream process is performed by a transport device (not shown) or the like. In the present embodiment, for example, it is transferred to the sealing step again and the final sealing is performed.

After the magazine 8 is taken out, the subsequent magazine 8 conveyed to the working unit 33 by the carry-in conveyor 311 is placed on the test tray 9. In this way, the working unit 33 replaces the magazine 8 placed on the test tray 9.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the test tray 9 having the pressurizing mechanism 92 is used only in the test area where the test is performed, and in the steps before and after the test step, the battery is provided by the magazine 8 having no pressurizing mechanism. The cell 7 is transported. Therefore, the configuration of the magazine 8 can be simplified as compared with the magazine 8 having a pressurizing mechanism. This makes it possible to reduce the cost of the magazine 8 by reducing the number of parts. Further, in the present embodiment, since the battery cell 7 is transferred by the magazine 8 in the steps before and after the test, the required number of test trays 9 can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the entire manufacturing equipment can be reduced. Can be done.

Further, in the present embodiment, the test tray 9 is conveyed to the test unit 11 after the plurality of battery cells 7 housed in the magazine 8 are positioned on one side in the arrangement direction in the preparation area 3 and are in a pressurized state. Will be done. Therefore, for example, it is possible to suppress a decrease in test efficiency as compared with the case where the magazine 8 is not provided with the pressurizing mechanism of the battery cell 7 but is provided with the mechanism of pressing by the test unit 11. That is, when the test unit 11 is provided with a mechanism for pressing the battery cell 7, it is necessary for the test unit 11 to perform a pressurizing operation and a pressurizing state release operation of the battery cell 7. Therefore, in the test method of the present embodiment, the time for each test tray 9 to occupy the test unit 11 can be shortened. Therefore, when viewed as a whole of the test system SY including the plurality of test units 11. It is possible to suppress a decrease in test efficiency.

<Second Embodiment>
In the second embodiment, the structure of the pressurizing mechanism is different from that of the first embodiment, such that the pressurizing mechanism has a pressurizing movement restricting portion. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11A to 12B, but the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment may be omitted.

11A and 11B are plan views illustrating the configuration of the test tray 9 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11A shows a state in which the battery cell 7 housed in the magazine 8 is not pressurized, and FIG. 11B shows a state in which the battery cell 7 housed in the magazine 8 is pressurized.

The pressurizing mechanism 95 includes an operation unit 951, a transmission member 952, a moving body 953, a guide member 924, an imparting member 955, and a pressing unit 926. The operation unit 951 of the pressurizing mechanism 95 includes an operating member 9511 and a pressurizing movement restricting unit 9512. The operation member 9511 is a rectangular flange member provided at one end of the transmission member 952 and extending from the transmission member 952 in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction. The pressure movement regulating unit 9512 is in the direction opposite to the direction in which the force is applied by the applying member 955 (direction in which the operating member 9511 is separated from the plate-shaped member 9531 with reference to the plate-shaped member 9531: positive direction in the X direction). The movement of the moving body 953 to be moved to is restricted. In the present embodiment, the pressure movement restricting unit 9512 is a convex member provided between the operation member 9511 and the plate-shaped member 9531 so as to project in a direction intersecting the movement direction of the transmission member 952.

Further, in the present embodiment, the granting member 955 is provided between the flange portion 9522 provided on the transmission member 952 and the plate-shaped member 9531 of the moving body 953. Further, the plate-shaped member 9531 of the moving body 953 is slidably provided between the flange portion 9522 and the flange portion 9523. In the state shown in FIG. 12A, the moving body 953 is configured on the transmission member 952 in a state of being pressed against the flange portion 9523 side with respect to the flange portion 9522 by the elastic force of the imparting member 955.

FIG. 12A is a diagram for explaining the regulation operation by the pressure movement regulation unit 9512, and is a diagram showing a state before regulation. FIG. 12B is a diagram for explaining the regulation operation by the pressure movement regulation unit 9512, and is a diagram showing a state at the time of regulation.

In the present embodiment, the transmission member 952 is a rod-shaped member that connects the operation member 9511 and the plate-shaped member 9531 of the moving body 953. The transmission member 952 is provided through an opening 93 formed in the front wall 901, and is provided so as to be movable relative to the front wall 901. Further, the transmission member 952 is provided through an opening (not shown) formed in the plate-shaped member 9531, and the other end portion of the transmission member 952 is a circle extending from the transmission member 952 in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction. A flange portion 9523 having a shape is provided, and the transmission member 952 and the plate-shaped member 9531 are configured to be relatively movable. The transmission member 952 is movable in the axial direction by the operation of the operation unit 951 by the operation unit 332, and is rotatably provided around the axis of the transmission member 952 extending in the arrangement direction with respect to the moving body 953. ..

Further, the opening 93 is a key through which the pressure movement restricting unit 9512 can pass by moving the transmission member 952 around the axis of the transmission member 952 and the central opening 93a through which the transmission member 952 is inserted to a predetermined rotation angle. It has key openings 93b and 93b in shape. In the example of FIG. 12A, the key openings 93b and 93b of the opening 93 are formed with long openings extending in the horizontal direction (Y direction) parallel to the mounting surface of the mounting portion 91 from the central opening 93a. Therefore, the pressure movement restricting portion 9512 provided so as to project in the circumferential direction from the transmission member 952 can be passed through the opening 93 by matching the key openings 93b and 93b.

On the other hand, the pressure movement restricting unit 9512 passes the opening 93 from one side of the front wall 901 to the other side of the front wall 901 (from the state of FIG. 12A), and then rotates the transmission member 952 (90 in the example of FIG. 12B). The pressure movement restricting unit 9512 and the key openings 93b and 93b are out of phase, and the movement of the moving body 923 from the other side to the one side in the arrangement direction is restricted by the front wall 901. Therefore, the movement of the moving body 953 connected to the transmission member 952 is also restricted.

If a test such as charging / discharging is performed while the battery cell 7 is pressurized, the battery cell 7 may expand. When the battery cell 7 expands, a force in the positive direction in the X direction (toward the front wall 901 with respect to the rear wall 902) is applied to the moving body 953. In the present embodiment, the pressure movement restricting unit 9512 can suppress the movement of the moving body 953 due to the expansion of the battery cell 7 within a predetermined movement range.

<Third Embodiment>
In the third embodiment, the configuration of the imparting member is different from that of the first and second embodiments. Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 13, but the description of the same configurations as those of the first and second embodiments may be omitted.

FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the test tray 9 according to the third embodiment. The applying member of the first and second embodiments is a compression spring provided between the front wall 901 and the moving body 923 to apply a repulsive force, but the applying member 975 of the present embodiment applies a contraction force. It is a tension spring.

The applying member 975 of the pressurizing mechanism 97 is provided so as to surround the circumference of the guide member 924. One end of the imparting member 975 is attached to the sliding body 9232 of the moving body 923, and the other end is attached to the rear wall 902. Then, the moving body 923 is pulled toward the rear wall 902 (negative direction in the X direction) by the force that the applying member 975, which is a pulling spring, tries to contract. By this contraction force, the battery cell 7 housed in the magazine 8 can be pressed by the pressing portion 926.

The invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the invention.

1 test area, 2 transfer section, 3 preparation area, 7 battery cell, 8 magazine, 9 test tray, SY test system

Claims (17)

1. A mounting unit for mounting a magazine in which multiple battery cells are arranged and stored,
   A magazine regulation unit that defines the position of the magazine mounted on the mounting unit, and a magazine regulation unit.
   A pressurizing mechanism for pressing the plurality of battery cells housed in the magazine placed in the above-mentioned mounting portion in the arrangement direction is provided.
   Battery cell test tray.
2. The pressurizing mechanism is
   A moving body that moves in the arrangement direction of the plurality of battery cells,
   An operation unit that operates the moving body and
   A transmission member that connects the moving body and the operating unit and transmits the force applied to the operating unit to the moving body.
   It has an imparting member that applies a force in the arrangement direction to the moving body.
   The test tray according to claim 1.
3. The test tray according to claim 2, wherein the transmission member has an operation control unit that regulates the movement of the transmission member in a direction in which a force is applied by the application member.
4. The test tray according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the operation unit has a pressure movement control unit that regulates the movement of the moving body in the direction opposite to the direction in which the force is applied by the application member.
5. The pressurizing mechanism has a pressing portion that is connected to the moving body and presses the pressed portion of the magazine.
   The test tray according to any one of claims 2 to 4.
6. The test tray according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising a guide member for guiding the movement of the moving body in the arrangement direction.
7. The magazine regulation part
   A first magazine ruler that intersects the array direction and defines the position of the magazine in a direction horizontal to the previously described placement section.
   It has a second magazine defining portion that defines the position of the magazine in the arrangement direction at a defined position when the magazine is pressed and moved by the pressurizing mechanism.
   The test tray according to any one of claims 2 to 6.
8. The test tray according to claim 7, wherein the magazine ruler further includes a third magazine ruler that defines the position of the magazine in the array direction as the take-out position when the magazine is taken out from the previously described mounting section. ..
9. A test area for testing the plurality of battery cells housed in the magazine placed in the predicated portion of the test tray according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
   A transfer unit for transferring the test tray with the magazine mounted on the above-mentioned storage unit to the test area is provided.
   Test system.
10. Further provided with a preparation area for transferring the magazine to the previously described section of the test tray.
    In the preparation area
    The work unit where the work of transferring the magazine to the test tray is performed, and
    A magazine transport unit that transports the magazine to the work unit,
    A test tray transport unit that transports the test tray to the work unit,
    Is provided,
    The test system according to claim 9.
11. The test system according to claim 10, wherein the working unit has an operation unit for operating the pressurizing mechanism.
12. The test system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the working unit has a positioning unit for positioning the test tray at a transfer position where the transfer work is performed.
13. In the preparation area, a delivery section for delivering the test tray to and from the transfer section is provided.
    The test tray transport section transports the test tray between the working section and the delivery section.
    The test system according to any one of claims 10 to 12.
14. A transfer device for transferring a magazine containing a plurality of battery cells to the test tray according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
    A working unit in which the magazine is transferred to the test tray, and
    A transfer unit for transferring the magazine to the test tray arranged in the work unit is provided.
    The working unit has an operating unit that operates the pressurizing mechanism of the test tray.
    The transfer unit has a holding unit for holding the magazine.
    Transfer device.
15. The transfer device according to claim 14, further comprising a test tray transport section for transporting the test tray to the working section.
16. A magazine transport section for transporting the magazine to the work section is further provided.
    The transfer unit transfers the magazine, which is conveyed by the magazine transfer unit and contains the plurality of battery cells before the test, to the test tray arranged in the work unit.
    The transfer device according to claim 14 or 15.
17. The transfer support part that supports the transfer part and the transfer support part
    A work support part that supports the work part and
    Further provided with a transfer support portion and a base portion that integrally supports the work support portion.
    The transfer device according to any one of claims 14 to 16.

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