Battery cell charging / discharging device, battery cell produced using same, and battery pack and vehicle comprising battery cell

Abstract

A battery cell charging / discharging apparatus, a battery cell produced using the same, a battery pack including the battery cell, and a vehicle are disclosed. A battery cell charging / discharging device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device for charging or discharging a battery cell during an activation process of the battery cell, and comprises: a charging and discharging member that contacts the battery cell to charge or discharge the battery cell; a power supply member connected to the charging and discharging member and supplying power to the charging and discharging member; and an insulating member surrounding the charging and discharging member and having a length that varies when the battery cell is charged or discharged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to 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, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a battery cell charging / discharging device, a battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell, and more particularly, to a battery cell charging / discharging device capable of preventing a battery cell from short-circuiting during charging / discharging, and a battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell. Background Art

[0003] Secondary batteries have high applicability according to product groups and electrical characteristics such as high energy density, and thus are generally applied not only to portable devices but also to electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) driven by a power source.

[0004] Such a secondary battery is receiving attention as a new energy source to improve eco-friendliness and energy efficiency because it has not only the major advantage of significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels but also no byproducts generated by the use of energy.

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

[0006] Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, a plurality of battery cells may be connected in series to configure a battery module or a battery pack. In addition, depending on the required charge / discharge capacity, a plurality of battery cells may also be connected in parallel to configure a battery module or a battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in a battery module or a battery pack and the type of electrical connection may be differently set according to at least one of the required output voltage and the required charge / discharge capacity.

[0007] Meanwhile, cylindrical, prismatic and pouch-type battery cells are referred to 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 plate and a negative electrode plate and wound to form a jelly roll electrode assembly, which is then inserted into a battery together with an electrolyte to form a battery. Also, in a cylindrical battery cell, a current collector plate may be used to electrically connect the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, respectively.

[0008] The cylindrical battery cell may be configured to sort out defective battery cells through a charge / discharge activation process. Here, during the activation process of the charge / discharge device, the positive charge / discharge pin and the negative charge / discharge pin are respectively contacted with the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the cylindrical battery cell to charge / discharge the cylindrical battery cell.

[0009] Figure 1 is a view showing a state in which a short circuit occurs when a cylindrical battery cell is charged / discharged using a conventional charge / discharge pin.

[0010] In the case of the conventional charge / discharge pin 1 , the insulating cap 3 is mounted on the pin head 2 to prevent a short circuit during the charge / discharge process, but the length of the pin head 2 is formed longer than that of the insulating cap 3 .

[0011] In this prior art, Figure 1 As shown, if the charge / discharge pin 1 is tilted due to various reasons during the charge / discharge process and the pin head 2 of the charge / discharge pin 1 contacts the battery cell 4, the pin head 2 may contact the positive terminal 5 and the negative terminal 6 at the same time, thereby causing a short circuit in the battery cell 4 and damaging the battery cell 4. Summary of the invention

[0012] Technical issues

[0013] The present invention aims to solve the problems of the prior art, and therefore the present invention aims to provide a battery cell charging / discharging device capable of preventing a cylindrical battery cell from short-circuiting during the charging / discharging process, a battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cell.

[0014] The present disclosure also relates to providing a battery cell charging / discharging apparatus capable of improving productivity by reducing the occurrence of defective battery cells due to short circuits, battery cells produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle including the battery cells.

[0015] However, the technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the above problems, and those skilled in the art can clearly understand other problems not mentioned herein through the following description of the present invention.

[0016] Technical Solution

[0017] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a battery cell charging / discharging device may be provided, which is a device for charging and discharging a battery cell during an activation process of the battery cell, the battery cell charging / discharging device comprising: a charging / discharging member contacting the battery cell to charge and discharge the battery cell; a power supply member connected to the charging / discharging member and supplying power to the charging / discharging member; and an insulating member surrounding the charging / discharging member and changing length during charging / discharging of the battery cell.

[0018] In an embodiment, the charging / discharging member may include: a cable portion connected to the power supply member; and a charging / discharging head coupled to the cable portion and charging and discharging the battery cell, and the insulating member may completely surround the side of the charging / discharging head, and during charging / discharging of the battery cell, the insulating member may contact the battery cell earlier than the charging / discharging head and change in length so that the charging / discharging head can contact the battery cell.

[0019] In an embodiment, the insulating member may be formed to be longer than the charging / discharging head.

[0020] In an embodiment, the charge / discharge head may be accommodated inside the insulating member, and the insulating member may protrude further downward than the charge / discharge head based on a vertical direction.

[0021] In an embodiment, the insulating member may be made of an elastic material.

[0022] In an embodiment, the insulating member may elastically shrink upward when in contact with the battery cell.

[0023] In an embodiment, the insulating member may be configured to include at least one of polyamide, polyurethane, and polyester.

[0024] In an embodiment, the insulating member may include: a first cover portion, which is coupled to the cable portion and surrounds the charging / discharging head; and a second cover portion, which is inserted into the first cover portion, moves along the inside of the first cover portion, and surrounds the charging / discharging head.

[0025] In an embodiment, a guide groove may be formed in the first cover part, a guide protrusion may be formed on the second cover part, and the guide protrusion of the second cover part may move along the guide groove of the first cover part.

[0026] In an embodiment, the battery cell charging / discharging device may include 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.

[0027] In an embodiment, the battery cell charging / discharging device may further include a clamp member on which the battery cell is seated, and the clamp member may move up and down when the battery cell is in place.

[0028] In an embodiment, the fixture member may include a cell tray on which the battery cells are seated.

[0029] Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, a battery cell produced using the above-mentioned battery cell charging / discharging device may be provided, a battery pack including at least one above-mentioned battery cell may be provided, and a vehicle including at least one above-mentioned battery cell may be provided.

[0030] Beneficial Effects

[0031] Each embodiment of the present disclosure has the effect of preventing a short circuit that may occur during a charge / discharge process of a cylindrical battery cell.

[0032] Furthermore, it has the effect of improving productivity by reducing the occurrence of defective battery cells due to short circuits.

[0033] However, the effects to be obtained by the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned herein may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art through the following description of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the foregoing disclosure, are used to provide a further understanding of the technical features of the present disclosure, and thus the present disclosure is not to be construed as being limited to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Figure 1 is a view showing a state in which a short circuit occurs when a cylindrical battery cell is charged / discharged using a conventional charge / discharge pin.

[0036] Figure 2 is a view showing a state in which a short circuit is prevented even when the battery cell charging / discharging device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is tilted and contacts a cylindrical battery cell.

[0037] Figure 3 is a view showing a state in which 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 disclosure.

[0038] Figure 41 is a view showing a state in which a battery cell is charged / discharged by the battery cell charging / discharging device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 5 and Figure 6 is a view illustrating a process of charging / discharging a battery cell by a battery cell charging / discharging device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 7 and Figure 8 2 is a view showing a process of charging / discharging a battery cell by the battery cell charging / discharging device according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 : is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a guide protrusion of a second cover portion moves along a guide groove of a first cover portion in a battery cell charging / discharging device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Fig.11 and Fig.12 4 is a view showing a process of charging / discharging a battery cell by the battery cell charging / discharging device according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Fig.13 is a schematic diagram of a battery cell charging / discharging device according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Fig.14 is a view schematically showing a configuration of a battery pack including a battery cell produced using the battery cell charging / discharging device according to each embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Fig.15 It is used to describe Fig.14 View of the battery pack of a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The terms used in the specification and the appended claims should not be interpreted as limited to the general and dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical aspects of the present disclosure, based on the principle that allows the inventor to appropriately define the terms for the best interpretation. Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are only one of the most preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not intended to fully represent the technical aspects of the present disclosure, so it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications may be made to them when submitting this application.

[0047] In the accompanying drawings, for the convenience and clarity of description, the size of each component or a specific part of a component is exaggerated, omitted or schematically shown. Therefore, the size of each component does not fully reflect the actual size. If it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the main points of the present disclosure, such description will be omitted.

[0048] As used herein, the term “coupled” or “connected” refers not only to a case where one member is directly coupled or directly connected to another member, but also to a case where one member is indirectly coupled or indirectly connected to another member through a joint member.

[0049] Figure 2 is a view showing a state in which a short circuit is prevented even when the battery cell charging / discharging device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is tilted and contacts a cylindrical battery cell, Figure 3 is a view showing a state in which 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 disclosure, and Figure 4 1 is a view showing a state in which a battery cell is charged / discharged by the battery cell charging / discharging device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] 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 (eg, a cylindrical battery cell) during activation of the battery cell 20. Hereinafter, the case where the battery cell 20 is a cylindrical battery cell will be focused on.

[0051] A cylindrical battery cell may include an electrode assembly, a battery can, and a cover plate.

[0052] The electrode assembly has a structure in which a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate are wound in one direction, and a central hole is formed at the center of the electrode assembly, and the electrode assembly may be formed in a core-wound type.

[0053] For example, the electrode assembly may be manufactured by winding a laminate formed by sequentially stacking a negative electrode plate, a separator, a positive electrode plate, and a separator at least once. Here, the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate may be formed in a sheet shape.

[0054] That is, the electrode assembly applied to the present embodiment may be a wound electrode assembly. In this case, an additional separator may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the electrode assembly for insulation from the battery can. That is, the electrode assembly may have a winding structure well known in the prior art without limitation.

[0055] The positive electrode active material may be applied to one or both sides of the positive electrode plate, and a first uncoated portion to which the positive electrode active material is not applied may be formed at the end of the positive electrode plate. The first uncoated portion is exposed to the outside of the separator while forming a plurality of winding turns around the center of the electrode assembly, and itself may be used as an electrode tab. However, the first uncoated portion may not be formed on the positive electrode plate.

[0056] The negative electrode active material may be applied to one or both sides of the negative electrode plate, and a second uncoated portion to which the negative electrode active material is not applied may be formed at the end of the negative electrode plate. The second uncoated portion is exposed to the outside of the separator while forming a plurality of winding turns around the center of the electrode assembly, and itself may be used as an electrode tab. However, the second uncoated portion may not be formed on the negative electrode plate.

[0057] Here, when the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate each include a non-coating portion, the first non-coating portion and the second non-coating portion may be configured to face opposite directions.

[0058] And, 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 used without limitation as long as they are active materials known in the art.

[0059] The separator may be a porous polymer film, for example, a porous polymer film made of a polyolefin-based polymer such as ethylene homopolymer, propylene homopolymer, ethylene / butene copolymer, ethylene / hexene copolymer, and ethylene / methacrylate copolymer alone or in a stacked structure thereof.

[0060] As another example, the separator may be a conventional porous nonwoven fabric, for example, a nonwoven fabric made of high melting point glass fibers, polyethylene terephthalate fibers, or the like.

[0061] At least one surface of the separator may include a coating of inorganic particles. In addition, the separator itself may be formed by a coating of inorganic particles. The particles constituting the coating may have a structure bonded to a binder so that there is a gap volume between adjacent particles.

[0062] And, the center hole of the electrode assembly is also used to weld the battery terminal (positive terminal) and the positive current collecting plate. That is, it can be configured to weld the battery terminal and the positive current collecting plate by irradiating laser through the center hole of the electrode assembly.

[0063] The electrode assembly is accommodated in the battery can. And, a through hole may be formed in the battery can. Here, the battery can is formed in a cylindrical shape so that the electrode assembly is accommodated in the battery can and can be electrically connected to the negative plate of the electrode assembly. Therefore, the battery can have the same polarity as the negative plate (ie, the negative electrode).

[0064] The diameter of the battery can is formed to be larger than the diameter of the electrode assembly. A gap of a preset size is formed between the battery can and the positive electrode current collecting plate, and an insulator may be inserted between the gaps.

[0065] If the size of the battery can is set according to the standard and the size of the electrode assembly is increased, the total capacity of the cylindrical battery cell is increased, but the gap between the battery can and the electrode assembly is reduced.

[0066] That is, since the size of the electrode assembly is increased to increase the total capacity of the cylindrical battery cell, which reduces the gap between the battery can and the electrode assembly, the insulator should be able to be inserted between the reduced gap of the battery can and the electrode assembly to increase the capacity of the cylindrical battery cell, and to this end, the thickness of the insulator is preferably as thin as possible.

[0067] The battery can may be a container in an approximately cylindrical shape, which may be made of a conductive material such as metal. The material of the battery may be made of a conductive metal such as aluminum, steel, stainless steel, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0068] The positive current collecting plate is electrically connected to the positive electrode plate, for example, at the top of the electrode assembly. For example, the positive current collecting plate is made of a conductive metal material and can be electrically connected to the first uncoated portion of the positive electrode plate.

[0069] The battery terminal is made of a conductive metal material and is electrically connected to the positive electrode current collecting plate. Also, the battery terminal is electrically connected to the positive electrode plate of the electrode assembly through the positive electrode current collecting plate, thereby having a positive polarity.

[0070] That is, the battery terminal can be used as the positive terminal 21 (see Figure 2 ). Also, the battery can be electrically connected to the negative plate of the electrode assembly as described above, and thus can have a negative polarity, that is, serve as a negative terminal 22 (see Figure 2 ).

[0071] The negative current collecting plate is electrically connected to the negative electrode plate, for example, at the bottom of the electrode assembly. For example, the negative current collecting plate is made of a conductive metal material such as aluminum, steel, copper, nickel, etc., and can be electrically connected to the second uncoated portion of the negative electrode plate.

[0072] The negative electrode current collecting plate may be electrically connected to the battery can. To this end, the negative electrode current collecting plate may be fixed with at least a portion of its edge portion being inserted between the inner surface of the battery can and the sealing gasket.

[0073] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the edge portion of the negative electrode current collecting plate may be fixed to the beaded portion by welding while being supported on the bottom surface of the beaded portion formed at the bottom of the battery can.

[0074] Also, at least a portion of the remaining portion excluding the coupling portion of the beaded portion of the negative electrode current collecting plate may be coupled to the curved surface of the second non-coating portion by welding (eg, laser welding).

[0075] In addition, at least a portion of the edge of the negative electrode current collecting plate may be electrically coupled to a surface adjacent to the clamping portion among the upper and lower surfaces of the beaded portion.

[0076] The cover plate is configured to seal an opening formed at the bottom of the battery can. The cover plate may be made of, for example, a metal material to ensure rigidity.

[0077] Also, the cap plate may be separated from the electrode assembly and provided as non-polar. That is, even if the cap plate is made of a conductive metal material, the cap plate may not have polarity.

[0078] The cap is non-polarized, which means that the cap is electrically insulated from the battery can and the cell terminals. Therefore, the cap does not need to be polarized, and its material does not need to be a conductive metal.

[0079] The cover plate may be supported by being placed on a flange portion formed on the battery can. In addition, the cover plate is fixed by a clamping portion to be described later. A sealing gasket may be inserted between the cover plate and the clamping portion of the battery can to ensure airtightness of the battery can. That is, the sealing gasket may be arranged to be inserted between the edge of the cover plate and the opening of the battery can.

[0080] Reference Figure 2 , the charging / discharging member 100 may be tilted due to various reasons during the charging / discharging process and may contact the battery cell 20, but since the insulating member 300 completely surrounds the charging / discharging head 120 of the charging / discharging member 100 in the battery cell charging / discharging device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, the charging / discharging head 120 may be prevented from contacting the positive terminal 21 and the negative terminal 22 at the same time, thereby preventing a short circuit from possibly occurring during the charging / discharging process of the cylindrical battery cell. This will be described in detail below.

[0081] Reference Figure 3 , the battery cell charging / discharging device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a charging / discharging member 100 , a power source member 200 , and an insulating member 300 .

[0082] like Figure 4 As shown, the charging / discharging member 100 contacts the battery cell 20 to charge / discharge the battery cell 20. The charging / discharging member 100 may be various and may be configured to include, for example, a charging / discharging pin, but is not limited thereto.

[0083] refer to Figure 3, the charging / discharging member 100 may include a cable portion 110 and a charging / discharging head 120. The cable portion 110 is connected to the power supply member 200 to receive power from the power supply member 200. And, the charging / discharging head 120 is coupled to the cable portion 110 and is disposed to contact the battery cell 20 to charge / discharge the battery cell 20. Here, in order to prevent a short circuit during charging / discharging of the battery cell 20, the side of the charging / discharging head 120 is completely surrounded by the insulating member 300. This will be described later.

[0084] The power source member 200 is connected to the charge / discharge member 100 to supply power to the charge / discharge member 100. That is, the charge / discharge member 100 receives power from the power source member 200 to charge the battery cells 20.

[0085] refer to Figure 3 , the insulating member 300 completely surrounds the side of the charging / discharging head 120 of the charging / discharging member 100, and is configured to change in length during the charging / discharging of the battery cell 20. That is, Figure 3 As shown, the insulating member 300 is formed to be longer than the charging / discharging head 120 , and thus the insulating member 300 may be disposed to completely surround the side of the charging / discharging head 120 in a normal time.

[0086] As a specific example, the charge / discharge head 120 is accommodated inside the insulating member 300, and the insulating member 300 may be configured based on Figure 3 The vertical direction of the charging / discharging head 120 further protrudes downward.

[0087] And, if Figure 4 As shown, during charge / discharge of the battery cell 20 , the insulating member 300 contacts the battery cell 20 earlier than the charge / discharge head 120 and changes in length, so that the charge / discharge head 120 contacts the battery cell 20 , thereby achieving charge / discharge.

[0088] Here, the insulating member 300 may be made of an elastic material so that it can elastically shrink upward when in contact with the battery cell 20. For example, the insulating member 300 may be configured to include at least one of polyamide, polyurethane, and polyester, which has elastic and electrical insulating properties, but the material of the insulating member 300 is not limited thereto.

[0089] Thus, according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, since the insulating member 300 completely surrounds the side of the charge / discharge head 120, the insulating member 300 first contacts the battery cell 20, and even when the charge / discharge member 100 is Figure 2When the charging / discharging head 120 is tilted and contacts the battery cell 20 due to various reasons shown in the figure, the charging / discharging head 120 also does not contact the positive terminal 21 and the negative terminal 22 at the same time, thereby having an effect of preventing a short circuit that may occur during the charging / discharging process of the battery cell 20. In addition, there is an effect of improving productivity by reducing the occurrence of defective battery cells 20 due to short circuits.

[0090] Figure 5 and Figure 6 2 is a view showing a process of charging / discharging a battery cell by the battery cell charging / discharging device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0091] The second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that it includes a first cover portion 310 and a second cover portion 320. In addition, the contents common to the components described in the first embodiment are replaced by the description of the first embodiment. In addition, the contents applicable to the first embodiment in the components described in the second embodiment can be applied to the first embodiment.

[0092] refer to Figure 5 , the insulating member 300 may include a first cover portion 310 and a second cover portion 320 .

[0093] The first cover portion 310 is coupled to the cable portion 110 and is configured to surround the charge / discharge head 120. Also, the second cover portion 320 is inserted into the first cover portion 310, moves along the inside of the first cover portion 310, and is configured to surround the charge / discharge head 120. That is, the second cover portion 320 is inserted into the first cover portion 310 and is configured to move up and down.

[0094] refer to Figure 5 , the second cover 320 drops downward inside the first cover 310 due to gravity, so that the first cover 310 and the second cover 320 together surround the charge / discharge head 120. That is, in normal time, the first cover 310 and the second cover 320 protect the charge / discharge head 120 and prevent short circuit.

[0095] And, reference Figure 6 , when charging / discharging, the second cover portion 320 first contacts the battery cell 20 and moves upward inside the first cover portion 310 , and the charging / discharging head 120 may contact the battery cell 20 to achieve charging / discharging.

[0096] In the case of the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the above-mentioned technical effects can be achieved even with a material having electrical insulation but no elasticity.

[0097] Figure 7 and Figure 8is a view showing a process of charging / discharging a battery cell by a battery cell charging / discharging device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 9 and Fig.10 : is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a guide protrusion of a second cover portion moves along a guide groove of a first cover portion in a battery cell charging / discharging device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0098] The third embodiment of the present invention is different from the first or second embodiment in that a guide groove 311 is formed in the first cover portion 310, and a guide protrusion 321 is formed in the second cover portion 320. In addition, the contents common to the components described in the first or second embodiment are replaced by the description of the first or second embodiment. In addition, the contents applicable to the first or second embodiment in the components described in the third embodiment can be applied to the first or second embodiment.

[0099] First, refer to Fig. 9 and Fig.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 . And, 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 .

[0100] Reference Figure 7 , wherein the second cover 320 descends downward inside the first cover 310 due to gravity so that the first cover 310 and the second cover 320 surround the charge / discharge head 120 together, and in normal time, the first cover 310 and the second cover 320 protect the charge / discharge head 120 and prevent short circuits are common to the above-mentioned second embodiment. However, when the second cover 320 moves downward inside the first cover 310, the guide protrusion 321 of the second cover 320 moves downward while being guided along the guide groove 311 of the first cover 310.

[0101] And, reference Figure 8 , wherein during charging / discharging, the second cover 320 first contacts the battery cell 20 and moves upward inside the first cover 310, and the charging / discharging head 120 can contact the battery cell 20 to achieve charging / discharging is also common to the above-mentioned second embodiment. However, when the second cover 320 moves upward inside the first cover 310, the guide protrusion 321 of the second cover 320 moves upward while being guided along the guide groove 311 of the first cover 310.

[0102] In the case of the third embodiment of the present disclosure, not only can the above-mentioned technical effects be achieved even for a material having electrical insulation but no elasticity, but also the accuracy of the vertical movement of the second cover portion 320 can be improved.

[0103] Fig.11 and Fig.12 4 is a view showing a process of charging / discharging a battery cell by the battery cell charging / discharging device according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0104] The fourth embodiment of the present invention is different from the first to third embodiments in that it includes an elastic portion 330 that provides elastic force to the second cover portion 320. And, the contents common to the components described in the first to third embodiments are replaced by the description of the first to third embodiments described above. In addition, the contents applicable to the first to third embodiments in the components described in the fourth embodiment can be applied to the first to third embodiments.

[0105] refer to Fig.11 , the elastic part 330 is located inside the first cover part 310 and is coupled to the second cover part 320 to provide elastic force to the second cover part 320. The second cover part 320 drops downward inside the first cover part 310 due to the elastic force of the elastic part 330. Therefore, the first cover part 310 and the second cover part 320 surround the charging / discharging head 120 together. That is, during normal time, the first cover part 310 and the second cover part 320 protect the charging / discharging head 120 and prevent short circuit.

[0106] And, refer to Fig.12 The contents in which the second cover 320 first contacts the battery cell 20 and moves upward inside the first cover 310 during charging / discharging, and the charging / discharging head 120 can contact the battery cell 20 to achieve charging / discharging are the same as those in the above-mentioned second embodiment. However, when the charging / discharging of the battery cell 20 is completed, the second cover 320 can move downward again by the elastic force of the elastic part 330.

[0107] In the case of the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, not only can the above technical effects be achieved even for a material having electrical insulation but no elasticity, but also the elastic force of the elastic portion 330 can ensure that the second cover portion 320 returns to its original position.

[0108] Fig.13 is a schematic diagram of a battery cell charging / discharging device according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0109] The fifth embodiment of the present disclosure is different from the first to fourth embodiments in that it can charge / discharge a plurality of battery cells 20 at a time. Also, the contents common to the components described in the first to fourth embodiments are replaced by the description of the first to fourth embodiments described above. In addition, the contents applicable to the first to fourth embodiments among the components described in the fifth embodiment can be applied to the first to fourth embodiments.

[0110] refer to Fig.13 , at least one battery cell 20 may be placed on the clamp member 400. Also, the clamp member 400 may be configured to be movable up and down when the battery cell 20 is in place (see Fig.13 In the case of the fifth embodiment, even when the charging / discharging member 100 of the battery cell charging / discharging device 10 is fixed, there is an effect of charging / discharging the battery cells 20 when the clamp member 400 moves up and down.

[0111] In addition, the plurality of battery cells 20 may be placed on the jig member 400. Also, the plurality of battery cell charging / discharging devices 10 according to each embodiment of the present disclosure are mounted on the upper side of each of the plurality of battery cells 20, and when the jig member 400 moves upward, there is an effect that the plurality of battery cells 20 may be charged / discharged at once.

[0112] Here, the jig member 400 may be different and may include, for example, a cell tray in which a plurality of battery cells 20 are seated at once. However, it is not limited thereto.

[0113] Fig.14 is a view schematically showing a configuration of a battery pack including a battery cell produced using the battery cell charging / discharging device according to each embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0114] refer to Fig.14 The battery pack 30 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include one or more battery cells 20. Here, the battery cell 20 is a battery cell 20 produced using the battery cell charging / discharging device 10 according to each embodiment of the present disclosure as described above, and may be a cylindrical battery cell.

[0115] In addition, the battery pack 30 may further include a battery pack case 31 for accommodating the battery cells 20 , various devices for controlling charging / discharging of the battery cells 20 , such as a BMS, a current sensor, a fuse, and the like.

[0116] Fig.15 It is used to describe Fig.14 View of the battery pack of a vehicle.

[0117] refer to Fig.15 The vehicle 40 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include one or more battery cells 20 or a battery pack 30. The battery cell 20 is a battery cell 20 produced using the battery cell charging / discharging device 10 according to each embodiment of the present disclosure as described above. And, the battery pack 30 may include one or more battery cells 20 as described above.

[0118] Here, the vehicle 40 includes various vehicles designed to use electric power, such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.

[0119] The terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, and right used herein are used only for convenience of description, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the terms may be changed according to the positions of the elements or observers.

[0120] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to a limited number of embodiments and drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to it within the equivalent scope of the technical aspects of the present disclosure and the appended claims. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed above should be considered from an illustrative perspective rather than a restrictive perspective. That is, the scope of the true technical concept of the present disclosure is shown in the claims, and all differences within the scope of equivalents should be interpreted as included in the present disclosure.

[0121] Industrial Applicability

[0122] The present invention relates to a battery cell charging / discharging device, a battery cell produced using the same, and a battery pack and a vehicle comprising the battery cell, and is particularly suitable for secondary battery-related industries.

Claims

1. A battery cell charging / discharging device, wherein the battery cell charging / discharging device is a device for charging and discharging the battery cell during the activation process of the battery cell, and the battery cell charging / discharging device comprises: a charging / discharging member contacting the battery cell to charge and discharge the battery cell; a power supply member connected to the charging / discharging member and supplying power to the charging / discharging member; as well as An insulating member surrounds the charging / discharging member and changes in length during charging / discharging of the battery cell.

2. The battery cell charging / discharging device according to claim 1, in, The charging / discharging member comprises: a cable portion connected to the power supply member; and a charge / discharge head which is coupled to the cable portion and charges and discharges the battery cells, and The insulating member completely surrounds the side of the charge / discharge head, and during charge / discharge of the battery cell, the insulating member contacts the battery cell earlier than the charge / discharge head and changes in length so that the charge / discharge head contacts the battery cell.

3. The battery cell charging / discharging device according to claim 2, in, The insulating member is formed to be longer than the charging / discharging head.

4. The battery cell charging / discharging device according to claim 3, in, The charging / discharging head is accommodated inside the insulating member, and The insulating member protrudes further downward than the charging / discharging head based on the vertical direction.

5. The battery cell charging / discharging device according to claim 1, in, The insulating member is made of elastic material.

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

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

8. The battery cell charging / discharging device according to claim 2, in, The insulating member comprises: a first cover portion coupled to the cable portion and surrounding the charge / discharge head; and A second cover portion is inserted into the first cover portion, moves along an interior of the first cover portion, and surrounds the charge / discharge head portion.

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

10. The battery cell charging / discharging device according to claim 8, comprising: An elastic portion is located inside the first cover portion and connected 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 clamp member on which the battery cell is seated and which is capable of moving up and down when the battery cell is in place.

12. The battery cell charging / discharging device according to claim 11, in, The fixture member includes a cell tray on which the battery cells are seated.

13. A battery cell produced using the battery cell charging / discharging device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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

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

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