Battery cell charging / discharging device, battery cell produced using the same, battery pack including the battery cell, and automobile

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery cell charging / discharging device, a battery cell manufactured using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell. The battery cell charging / discharging device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device for charging and discharging a battery cell during an activation process of the battery cell, and includes a charging / discharging member that contacts the battery cell to charge and discharge the battery cell, a power supply member that is connected to the charging / discharging member and supplies power to the charging / discharging member, and an insulating member that surrounds the charging / discharging member and whose length changes when the battery cell is charged or discharged.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery cell charging / discharging device, a battery cell manufactured using the same, a battery pack including the battery cell, and a vehicle, and more particularly to a battery cell charging / discharging device capable of preventing a short circuit when charging / discharging a battery cell, a battery cell manufactured using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0179667 filed on December 20, 2022 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0180321 filed on December 13, 2023, and the contents disclosed in the specifications and drawings of those applications are incorporated herein in their entirety. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries, which are easily applicable to various products and have electrical properties such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that are driven by electrical sources.

[0004] Such secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source that not only has the primary advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels, but also is environmentally friendly because they do not produce any by-products associated with energy use, and can improve energy efficiency.

[0005] Currently, the types of secondary batteries that are widely used include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, etc. The operating voltage of such a unit secondary battery cell is approximately 2.5V to 4.5V.

[0006] Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, a battery module or a battery pack may be configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series. Alternatively, a battery module or a battery pack may be configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in parallel depending on a required charge / discharge capacity. Therefore, the number and electrical connection form of battery cells included in a battery module or a battery pack may be variously set depending on at least one of the required output voltage and charge / discharge capacity.

[0007] Meanwhile, cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch-type battery cells are known as types of secondary battery cells. In the case of a cylindrical battery cell, a separator, which is an insulator, is interposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and the separator is wound up to form a jelly-roll-shaped electrode assembly, which is then placed in a battery can together with an electrolyte to form a battery. Furthermore, a current collector plate may be used to electrically connect the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate to each other in the cylindrical battery cell.

[0008] The cylindrical battery cells may be configured to classify defective battery cells through a charging / discharging activation process, wherein during the activation process using a charging / discharging device, a positive electrode charging / discharging pin and a negative electrode charging / discharging pin contact a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal of the cylindrical battery cell, respectively, to charge and discharge the cylindrical battery cell.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing how a short circuit occurs when a cylindrical battery cell is charged or discharged using a conventional charging / discharging pin.

[0010] In the case of a conventional charge / discharge pin 1, an insulating top cap portion 3 is provided on a pin head portion 2 to prevent short circuits during the charge / discharge process, and the length of the pin head portion 2 is formed longer than the length of the insulating top cap portion 3.

[0011] In the case of such conventional technology, when the charging / discharging pin 1 is tilted due to various causes during the charging / discharging process as shown in FIG. 1, and the pin head portion 2 of the charging / discharging pin 1 comes into contact with the battery cell 4, the pin head portion 2 may come into contact with the positive terminal 5 and the negative terminal 6 at the same time, which may cause a short circuit in the battery cell 4 and damage the battery cell 4. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] The present invention aims to provide a battery cell charging / discharging device capable of preventing a short circuit that may occur during the charging / discharging process of a cylindrical battery cell, a battery cell manufactured using the same, a battery pack including the battery cell, and a vehicle.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery cell charging / discharging device that improves productivity by reducing the occurrence of defective battery cells due to short circuits, a battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and automobile including the battery cell.

[0014] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, there may be provided a battery cell charging / discharging device for charging / discharging a battery cell during an activation process, the battery cell charging / discharging device including: a charging / discharging member that contacts the battery cell and charges / discharges the battery cell; a power supply member that is connected to the charging / discharging member and supplies power to the charging / discharging member; and an insulating member that surrounds the charging / discharging member and whose length changes when the battery cell is charged / discharged.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the charging / discharging member includes a cable portion connected to the power supply member and a charging / discharging head portion coupled to the cable portion for charging / discharging the battery cell, and the insulating member completely surrounds the side of the charging / discharging head portion, and when the battery cell is charged or discharged, the insulating member contacts the battery cell before the charging / discharging head portion, causing a change in length of the insulating member, and the charging / discharging head portion may contact the battery cell.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the insulating member may be formed to be longer than the charge / discharge head.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the charge / discharge head is housed inside the insulating member, and the insulating member may protrude downward from the charge / discharge head in the up-down direction.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the insulating member may be formed from an elastically contractible material.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the insulating member may elastically contract upward when in contact with the battery cell.

[0021] According to an embodiment, the insulating member may include at least one of polyamide, polyurethane, and polyester.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the insulating member may include a first cover portion coupled to the cable portion and surrounding the charge / discharge head portion, and a second cover portion inserted inside the first cover portion, moving along the inside of the first cover portion, and surrounding the charge / discharge head portion.

[0023] According to one embodiment, a guide groove is formed in the first cover part, a guide protrusion is formed in the second cover part, and the guide protrusion of the second cover part can move along the guide groove of the first cover part.

[0024] According to an embodiment, the cover may include an elastic portion located inside the first cover portion, coupled to the second cover portion, and providing elastic force to the second cover portion.

[0025] According to an embodiment, the battery cell mounting device may further include a jig member on which the battery cell is mounted and which is movable up and down with the battery cell mounted thereon.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the jig member may include a cell tray on which the battery cell is mounted.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, a battery cell manufactured using the above-described battery cell charging / discharging device may be provided. Also, a battery pack including at least one of the above-described battery cells may be provided. Also, a vehicle including at least one of the above-described battery cells may be provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] The embodiments of the present invention can prevent short circuits that may occur during the charging and discharging of cylindrical battery cells.

[0029] Furthermore, by reducing the occurrence of defective battery cells due to short circuits, productivity can be improved.

[0030] However, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other technical effects of the present invention not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention.

[0031] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further understand the technical concept of the present invention, so the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the matters described in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a short circuit occurs when a cylindrical battery cell is charged or discharged using a conventional charging / discharging pin. [Figure 2] 4A and 4B are views illustrating how a short circuit is prevented even when the battery cell charging / discharging device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is tilted and comes into contact with a cylindrical battery cell. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram showing how charge / discharge members are surrounded by insulating members in the battery cell charge / discharge device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing how a battery cell is charged and discharged by a battery cell charging / discharging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a process of charging and discharging a battery cell by a battery cell charging / discharging device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a process of charging and discharging a battery cell by a battery cell charging / discharging device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a process of charging and discharging a battery cell by a battery cell charging and discharging device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a process of charging and discharging a battery cell by a battery cell charging and discharging device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10 is a perspective view schematically showing how the guide protrusion of the second cover part moves along the guide groove of the first cover part in a battery cell charging / discharging device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a perspective view schematically showing how the guide protrusion of the second cover part moves along the guide groove of the first cover part in a battery cell charging / discharging device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a process in which a battery cell is charged and discharged by a battery cell charging / discharging device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a process in which a battery cell is charged and discharged by a battery cell charging / discharging device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a battery cell charging / discharging device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a battery pack including battery cells manufactured using a battery cell charging / discharging device according to each embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 14. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical ideas of the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best explain the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiment described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical ideas of the present invention, and therefore, various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0034] In the drawings, the size of each component or specific parts of the component may be exaggerated, omitted, or illustrated schematically for convenience and clarity of description. Therefore, the size of each component may not completely reflect the actual size. If a detailed description of well-known functions or configurations related to the present invention is deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, such description will be omitted.

[0035] As used herein, the terms "coupled" or "connected" include not only cases where one member is directly coupled or connected to another member, but also cases where one member is indirectly coupled or connected to another member via a joint member.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing how a short circuit is prevented even when the battery cell charging / discharging device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is tilted and comes into contact with a cylindrical battery cell, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing how a charging / discharging member is surrounded by an insulating member in the battery cell charging / discharging device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing how a battery cell is charged / discharged by the battery cell charging / discharging device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] The battery cell charging / discharging device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a device for charging / discharging a battery cell 20, for example, a cylindrical battery cell, during an activation process of the battery cell 20. Hereinafter, the battery cell 20 will be described mainly in the case of a cylindrical battery cell.

[0038] The cylindrical battery cell may include an electrode assembly, a battery can, and a cap plate.

[0039] The electrode assembly may have a structure in which a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrode plates are wound in one direction, and may have a center hole formed in the center of the electrode assembly, forming a jelly roll shape.

[0040] For example, the electrode assembly may be manufactured by sequentially stacking a negative electrode plate, a separator, a positive electrode plate, and a separator at least once, and then winding the stacked body, where the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate may be formed in a sheet shape.

[0041] That is, the electrode assembly applied to the present embodiment may be a winding-type electrode assembly. In this case, a separator may be further provided on the outer periphery of the electrode assembly for insulation from the battery can. That is, the electrode assembly may have any winding structure known in the related art without limitation.

[0042] The positive electrode plate may have a positive electrode active material coated on one or both sides, and a first uncoated portion where the positive electrode active material is not coated may be formed at an end of the positive electrode plate. The first uncoated portion may be exposed to the outside of the separator while forming a plurality of winding turns based on the center of the electrode assembly, and may be used as an electrode tab. However, the positive electrode plate does not necessarily have to have a first uncoated portion.

[0043] The negative electrode plate may have a negative electrode active material coated on one or both sides, and a second uncoated portion where the negative electrode active material is not coated may be formed at an end of the negative electrode plate. The second uncoated portion may be exposed to the outside of the separator while forming a plurality of right turns based on the center of the electrode assembly, and may be used as an electrode tab. However, the negative electrode plate does not necessarily have to have a second uncoated portion.

[0044] Here, when the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate each include a non-coated portion, the first non-coated portion and the second non-coated portion may be configured to face in opposite directions.

[0045] The positive electrode active material coated on the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode active material coated on the negative electrode plate may be any active material known in the art without any limitations.

[0046] The separator may be a porous polymer film, for example, a porous polymer film made of a polyolefin polymer such as an ethylene homopolymer, a propylene homopolymer, an ethylene / butene copolymer, an ethylene / hexene copolymer, or an ethylene / methacrylate copolymer, either alone or in combination.

[0047] As another example, the separator may be made of a common porous nonwoven fabric, such as a nonwoven fabric made of high-melting-point glass fiber or polyethylene terephthalate fiber.

[0048] At least one surface of the separator may include a coating layer of inorganic particles. Alternatively, the separator itself may be made of a coating layer of inorganic particles. The particles constituting the coating layer may have a structure in which they are bound with a binder so that there is an interstitial volume between adjacent particles.

[0049] The center hole of the electrode assembly may be used to weld the cell terminal (positive terminal) and the positive current collector plate, that is, the cell terminal and the positive current collector plate may be welded by irradiating a laser through the center hole of the electrode assembly.

[0050] The battery can accommodates the electrode assembly. A through-hole may be formed in the battery can. Here, the battery can is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the electrode assembly is accommodated inside the battery can, and the battery can may be electrically connected to the negative electrode plate of the electrode assembly. As a result, the battery can may have the same polarity as the negative electrode plate, i.e., the negative electrode.

[0051] The diameter of the battery can is larger than the diameter of the electrode assembly. A predetermined gap is formed between the battery can and the positive electrode current collector plate, and an insulator may be interposed in the gap.

[0052] If the size of the electrode assembly is increased while the size of the battery can is determined according to the standard, the overall capacity of the cylindrical battery cell increases, but the gap between the battery can and the electrode assembly decreases.

[0053] That is, when the size of the electrode assembly is increased to increase the overall capacity of the cylindrical battery cell, the gap between the battery can and the electrode assembly is reduced. Therefore, in order to increase the capacity of the cylindrical battery cell, an insulator must be interposed in the reduced gap between the battery can and the electrode assembly. For this reason, it is desirable for the thickness of the insulator to be as thin as possible.

[0054] The battery can is a generally cylindrical container that may be made of a conductive material such as, but not limited to, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, etc.

[0055] The positive current collector is electrically connected to the positive plate, for example, connected to the positive plate at the top of the electrode assembly. For example, the positive current collector may be made of a conductive metal material and electrically connected to the first uncoated portion of the positive plate.

[0056] The cell terminal is made of a conductive metal material and is electrically connected to the positive current collector plate, and the cell terminal is electrically connected to the positive plate of the electrode assembly through the positive current collector plate, thereby having a positive polarity.

[0057] That is, the cell terminal can function as a positive terminal 21 (see FIG. 2). And, as described above, the battery can is electrically connected to the negative electrode plate of the electrode assembly, and can thereby function as a negative polarity, i.e., a negative electrode terminal 22 (see FIG. 2).

[0058] The negative current collector is electrically connected to the negative plate, for example, connected to the negative plate at the bottom of the electrode assembly. For example, the negative current collector may be made of a conductive metal material such as aluminum, steel, copper, or nickel, and electrically connected to the second uncoated portion of the negative plate.

[0059] The negative electrode current collector may be electrically connected to the battery can, and for this purpose, the negative electrode current collector may be fixed with at least a portion of its edge interposed between the inner surface of the battery can and a sealing gasket.

[0060] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the edge of the negative electrode current collector plate may be fixed to the beading portion by welding while being supported by the lower surface of the beading portion formed at the lower end of the battery can.

[0061] At least a portion of the remaining portion of the negative electrode current collector plate excluding the bonding portion of the beading portion can be bonded to the bent surface of the second non-coated portion by welding, for example, laser welding.

[0062] In addition, at least a portion of the end of the negative electrode current collector plate may be electrically coupled to the upper surface of the beading portion and the surface of the plate surface adjacent to the crimping portion.

[0063] The cap plate is configured to seal an opening formed at the bottom end of the battery can, and may be made of, for example, a metal material to ensure rigidity.

[0064] The cap plate may be separated from the electrode assembly and may be non-polar, i.e., the cap plate may not have polarity even if it is made of a conductive metal material.

[0065] The fact that the cap plate has no polarity means that the cap plate is electrically insulated from the battery can and the cell terminals. Thus, the cap plate does not have to have polarity, and its material does not necessarily have to be a conductive metal.

[0066] The cap plate may be mounted on and supported by a beading portion formed on the battery can. The cap plate may be fixed by a crimping portion, which will be described later. A sealing gasket may be interposed between the cap plate and the crimping portion of the battery can to ensure airtightness of the battery can. That is, the sealing gasket may be interposed between an edge of the cap plate and an opening of the battery can.

[0067] 2, various causes may cause the charging / discharging member 100 to tilt and come into contact with the battery cell 20 during charging / discharging, but in the battery cell charging / discharging device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the insulating member 300 completely surrounds the charging / discharging head 120 of the charging / discharging member 100, preventing the charging / discharging head 120 from simultaneously contacting the positive terminal 21 and the negative terminal 22, thereby preventing a short circuit that may occur during charging / discharging of a cylindrical battery cell. This will be described in detail below.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 3, a battery cell charging / discharging device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a charging / discharging member 100, a power supply member 200, and an insulating member 300.

[0069] 4, the charging / discharging member 100 contacts the battery cell 20 to charge / discharge the battery cell 20. The charging / discharging member 100 may be configured in various ways, for example, but is not limited to, including charging / discharging pins.

[0070] 3, the charging / discharging member 100 may include a cable part 110 and a charging / discharging head part 120. The cable part 110 is connected to the power supply member 200 and receives power from the power supply member 200. The charging / discharging head part 120 is coupled to the cable part 110 and is provided to contact the battery cell 20 to charge / discharge the battery cell 20. Here, in order to prevent short circuits when charging / discharging the battery cell 20, the charging / discharging head part 120 is completely surrounded on its sides by an insulating member 300, which will be described later.

[0071] The power supply member 200 is connected to the charging / discharging member 100 to supply power to the charging / discharging member 100. That is, the charging / discharging member 100 receives power from the power supply member 200 and charges the battery cells 20.

[0072] 3, the insulating member 300 completely surrounds the side of the charge / discharge head 120 of the charge / discharge member 100, and is configured so that its length changes when charging or discharging the battery cell 20. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the insulating member 300 is formed to have a length longer than the charge / discharge head 120, so that the insulating member 300 can be disposed to completely surround the side of the charge / discharge head 120 under normal conditions.

[0073] As a specific example, the charge / discharge head 120 may be housed inside the insulating member 300, and the insulating member 300 may be configured to protrude downward from the charge / discharge head 120 in the vertical direction of FIG.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 4, when charging or discharging the battery cell 20, the insulating member 300 contacts the battery cell 20 before the charge / discharge head unit 120, and the length of the insulating member 300 changes as the charge / discharge head unit 120 contacts the battery cell 20, thereby enabling charging or discharging.

[0075] Here, the insulating member 300 may be formed of an elastic material so as to elastically contract upward when it contacts the battery cell 20. For example, the insulating member 300 may be configured to include at least one of polyamide, polyurethane, and polyester, which have both elasticity and electrical insulation properties, but the material of the insulating member 300 is not limited thereto.

[0076] As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, since the insulating member 300 completely surrounds the side of the charge / discharge head 120, even if the charge / discharge member 100 is tilted and contacts the battery cell 20 due to various reasons as shown in Fig. 2, the insulating member 300 contacts the battery cell 20 first, thereby preventing the charge / discharge head 120 from contacting the positive terminal 21 and the negative terminal 22 at the same time, thereby preventing a short circuit that may occur during the charge / discharge process of the battery cell 20. Furthermore, productivity is improved by reducing the occurrence of defective battery cells 20 due to short circuits.

[0077] 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating a process of charging and discharging a battery cell by the battery cell charging and discharging device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] The second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that it includes a first cover part 310 and a second cover part 320. The same content as that described in the first embodiment will be substituted for the description of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the content of the second embodiment that is applicable to the first embodiment can also be applied to the first embodiment.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 5, the insulating member 300 may include a first cover portion 310 and a second cover portion 320.

[0080] The first cover part 310 is coupled to the cable part 110 and configured to surround the charge / discharge head part 120. The second cover part 320 is inserted into the inside of the first cover part 310 and moves along the inside of the first cover part 310 to surround the charge / discharge head part 120. That is, the second cover part 320 is inserted into the first cover part 310 and configured to be movable up and down.

[0081] 5, the second cover part 320 descends downward within the first cover part 310 due to gravity, so that the first cover part 310 and the second cover part 320 together surround the charge / discharge head part 120. That is, under normal circumstances, the first cover part 310 and the second cover part 320 protect the charge / discharge head part 120 and prevent short circuits.

[0082] 6, during charging and discharging, the second cover part 320 first contacts the battery cell 20 and moves upward within the first cover part 310, and the charging and discharging head part 120 contacts the battery cell 20, enabling charging and discharging.

[0083] The second embodiment of the present invention is also applicable to materials that have electrical insulation but no elasticity.

[0084] 7 and 8 are diagrams showing the process of charging and discharging a battery cell by a battery cell charging and discharging device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views showing the guide protrusion of the second cover part moving along the guide groove of the first cover part in the battery cell charging and discharging device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] The third embodiment of the present invention differs from the first or second embodiment in that a guide groove 311 is formed in a first cover part 310 and a guide protrusion 321 is formed in a second cover part 320. The same content as that described in the first or second embodiment will be substituted for the description of the first or second embodiment. Furthermore, the content of the third embodiment that is applicable to the first or second embodiment can also be applied to the first or second embodiment.

[0086] 9 and 10, a guide groove 311 is formed in the first cover part 310, and a guide protrusion 321 is formed in the second cover part 320. The guide protrusion 321 of the second cover part 320 is configured to move along the guide groove 311 of the first cover part 310.

[0087] 7, the second cover part 320 descends downward within the first cover part 310 due to gravity, so that the first cover part 310 and the second cover part 320 together surround the charge / discharge head part 120, and under normal conditions, the first cover part 310 and the second cover part 320 protect the charge / discharge head part 120 and prevent short circuits, which is the same as in the second embodiment. However, when the second cover part 320 descends downward within the first cover part 310, the guide protrusions 321 of the second cover part 320 move downward while being guided along the guide grooves 311 of the first cover part 310.

[0088] 8, during charging / discharging, the second cover part 320 first comes into contact with the battery cell 20 and then moves upward within the first cover part 310, and the charging / discharging head part 120 comes into contact with the battery cell 20 to enable charging / discharging, which is also the same as the second embodiment. However, when the second cover part 320 moves upward within the first cover part 310, the guide protrusions 321 of the second cover part 320 move upward while being guided along the guide grooves 311 of the first cover part 310.

[0089] The third embodiment of the present invention is not only applicable to materials that are electrically insulating but not elastic, but also has the effect of improving the accuracy of the vertical movement of the second cover portion 320.

[0090] 11 and 12 are diagrams illustrating a process of charging and discharging a battery cell by the battery cell charging and discharging device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] The fourth embodiment of the present invention differs from the first to third embodiments in that it includes an elastic portion 330 that provides elastic force to the second cover portion 320. The same content as that described in the first to third embodiments will be described in the first to third embodiments. Furthermore, the content that is applicable to the first to third embodiments among the content described in the fourth embodiment can also be applied to the first to third embodiments.

[0092] 11, the elastic portion 330 is located inside the first cover portion 310 and is coupled to the second cover portion 320 to provide an elastic force to the second cover portion 320. The elastic force of the elastic portion 330 causes the second cover portion 320 to descend downward within the first cover portion 310. As a result, the first cover portion 310 and the second cover portion 320 together surround the charge / discharge head portion 120. That is, under normal conditions, the first cover portion 310 and the second cover portion 320 protect the charge / discharge head portion 120 and prevent short circuits.

[0093] 12, during charging / discharging, the second cover part 320 first comes into contact with the battery cell 20 and moves upward within the first cover part 310, and the charging / discharging head part 120 comes into contact with the battery cell 20 to enable charging / discharging, which is the same as the second embodiment. However, when charging / discharging of the battery cell 20 is completed, the second cover part 320 may move further downward due to the elastic force of the elastic part 330.

[0094] In the case of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, not only is it applicable to materials that are electrically insulating but not elastic, but it also has the effect of ensuring that the second cover part 320 returns to its original position due to the elastic force of the elastic part 330.

[0095] FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating a battery cell charging / discharging device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] The fifth embodiment of the present invention differs in configuration from the first to fourth embodiments in that the fifth embodiment can simultaneously charge and discharge a plurality of battery cells 20. The same content as that described in the first to fourth embodiments will be described in the first to fourth embodiments. Furthermore, the content that is applicable to the first to fourth embodiments among the content described in the fifth embodiment can also be applied to the first to fourth embodiments.

[0097] 13, at least one battery cell 20 can be mounted on a jig member 400. The jig member 400 can be configured to be able to move up and down (see the arrow in FIG. 13) with the battery cell 20 mounted thereon. In the case of the fifth embodiment, even when the charging / discharging member 100 of the battery cell charging / discharging device 10 is fixed, the jig member 400 can move up and down to charge and discharge the battery cell 20.

[0098] Furthermore, a plurality of battery cells 20 may be mounted on the jig member 400. A plurality of battery cell charging / discharging devices 10 according to the embodiments of the present invention may be provided above each of the plurality of battery cells 20, and when the jig member 400 moves upward, the plurality of battery cells 20 may be discharged all at once.

[0099] Here, the jig member 400 may be configured in various ways, for example, it may include a cell tray on which a plurality of battery cells 20 are mounted at once, but is not limited thereto.

[0100] FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a battery pack including battery cells produced using the battery cell charging / discharging device according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0101] 14, a battery pack 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery cells 20. Here, the battery cells 20 are battery cells 20 manufactured using the battery cell charging / discharging device 10 according to the embodiments of the present invention as described above, and may be cylindrical battery cells.

[0102] The battery pack 30 may further include a pack housing 31 for accommodating the battery cells 20, and various devices for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery cells 20, such as a BMS, a current sensor, and a fuse.

[0103] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG.

[0104] 15, an automobile 40 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery cells 20 or battery packs 30. The battery cells 20 are produced using the battery cell charging / discharging device 10 according to each embodiment of the present invention as described above. And, the battery pack 30 may include one or more battery cells 20 as described above.

[0105] Here, the automobile 40 includes various automobiles that are configured to use electricity, such as electric automobiles or hybrid automobiles.

[0106] Although terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear are used in this specification, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms indicate relative positions and are used only for convenience of explanation, and may vary depending on the position of the object in question, the position of the observer, etc.

[0107] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereby, and it is obvious that various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art within the spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the following claims. Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be considered from an illustrative rather than a restrictive perspective. In other words, the true spirit of the present invention is set forth in the claims, and all differences within the equivalent scope should be construed as being included in the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0108] The present invention relates to a battery cell charge / discharge device, a battery cell produced using the same, a battery pack including the battery cell, and an automobile, and is particularly applicable to the secondary battery-related industry. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 1 Charge / Discharge Pin 2 Pin head 3 Insulating top cap 4 battery cells 5 Positive terminal 6 Negative terminal 10 Battery cell charging / discharging device 20 battery cells 21 Positive terminal 22 Negative terminal 30 Battery Pack 31 Pack Housing 40 Automobiles 100 Charging and discharging components 110 Cable section 120 Charging and discharging head 200 Power supply components 300 Insulating material 310 First cover part 311 Guide groove 320 Second cover part 321 Guide protrusion 330 Elastic part 400 Jig parts

Claims

1. An apparatus for charging and discharging a battery cell during an activation process of the battery cell, a charging / discharging member that contacts the battery cell and charges / discharges the battery cell; a power supply member connected to the charging / discharging member and supplying power to the charging / discharging member; an insulating member surrounding the charging / discharging member and changing its length when the battery cell is charged or discharged.

2. The charge / discharge member is a cable portion connected to the power supply member; a charge / discharge head unit connected to the cable unit and configured to charge / discharge the battery cell; 2. The battery cell charging / discharging device of claim 1, wherein the insulating member completely surrounds the side of the charge / discharge head, and when the battery cell is charged or discharged, the insulating member contacts the battery cell before the charge / discharge head, causing a change in length of the insulating member, and the charge / discharge head contacts the battery cell.

3. 3. The battery cell charge / discharge device according to claim 2, wherein the insulating member is formed to be longer than the charge / discharge head portion.

4. The charge / discharge head unit is housed inside the insulating member, The battery cell charge / discharge device according to claim 3 , wherein the insulating member protrudes downward from the charge / discharge head portion in the vertical direction.

5. 5. The battery cell charge / discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the insulating member is made of an elastic material.

6. The battery cell charging / discharging device according to claim 5, wherein the insulating member elastically contracts upward when contacting the battery cell.

7. The battery cell charging / discharging device according to claim 5, wherein the insulating member is made of at least one of polyamide, polyurethane, and polyester.

8. The insulating member is a first cover portion coupled to the cable portion and surrounding the charge / discharge head portion; 5. The battery cell charging / discharging device according to claim 2, further comprising: a second cover portion that is inserted into the inside of the first cover portion, moves along the inside of the first cover portion, and surrounds the charging / discharging head portion.

9. A guide groove is formed in the first cover portion, The second cover portion is formed with a guide protrusion, The battery cell charging / discharging device according to claim 8, wherein the guide protrusion of the second cover part moves along the guide groove of the first cover part.

10. 9. The battery cell charging / discharging device according to claim 8, further comprising an elastic portion located inside the first cover portion and coupled to the second cover portion to provide elastic force to the second cover portion.

11. The battery cell charging / discharging device according to claim 1 , further comprising a jig member on which the battery cell is mounted and which is movable up and down with the battery cell mounted thereon.

12. The battery cell charging / discharging device according to claim 11, wherein the jig member includes a cell tray on which the battery cell is mounted.

13. A battery cell produced using the battery cell charging / discharging device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

14. A battery pack comprising at least one battery cell according to claim 13.

15. A motor vehicle comprising at least one battery cell according to claim 13.

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