Series connection device and battery charging / discharging system including same

Abstract

A series connection device and a charge / discharge system including the same are provided. The series connection device includes: a connector group including first to mth connector modules; and a wire harness. A first connector of the first connector module is connected to a first power supply terminal. A second connector of the mth connector module is connected to a second power supply terminal. A second connector of a jth connector module (j is a natural number less than m) is connected to a first connector of a (j + 1) th connector module via the wire harness. When an i-th battery cell slot (i is a natural number of m or less) is empty, the first connector of the i-th connector module is electrically connected to the second connector of the i-th connector module via the wire harness. When the i-th battery cell slot is occupied, a first connector of the i-th connector module is connected to a first electrode terminal of a battery cell placed in the i-th battery cell slot, and a second connector of the i-th connector module is connected to a second electrode terminal of the battery cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a series connection device and a battery charging / discharging system comprising the series connection device.

[0002] This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0089289 filed on July 10, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0088480 filed on July 4, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Background Art

[0003] In recent years, with the rapid increase in demand for portable electronic products such as laptop computers, camcorders, and portable mobile phones, and with the rapid development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, and satellites, research on high-performance batteries that can be repeatedly charged and discharged is in full swing.

[0004] Currently, commercial batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium batteries. Among these batteries, lithium batteries have attracted much attention due to their advantages, including almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based batteries, free charge and discharge, very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0005] Battery cells need to undergo a formation process after manufacturing and before transportation. The battery formation process can be broadly divided into an aging process and a charge / discharge process. During the aging process, the battery cells are stored for a predetermined period of time in an environment with a predetermined temperature and humidity so that the electrolyte introduced into the battery cells is stabilized. During the charge / discharge process, the battery cells are each charged and discharged at least once according to a predetermined schedule. As a result, a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is formed on the surface of the negative electrode, and the performance of the battery cell is manifested.

[0006] Meanwhile, for the battery cell formation process, an efficient and stable battery charging / discharging system is required, and a lot of research is being conducted for this purpose.

[0007] Public content

[0008] Technical issues

[0009] The present disclosure aims to address the aforementioned issues and provides a device that, while not requiring multiple voltage sensors and FETs that require electrical signals for control, utilizes a physical connection state that changes depending on whether each of a plurality of battery cell wells provided in a battery cell holder is vacant or occupied, thereby providing a series charging / discharging path for a battery cell placed in an occupied battery cell well. The present disclosure also provides a battery charging / discharging system including the device.

[0010] Other purposes and advantages of the present disclosure can be understood from the following description, and these purposes and advantages will be more clearly understood by practicing the present disclosure.In addition, it is obvious that the purposes and advantages of the present disclosure can be achieved by the features set forth in the claims and their combinations.

[0011] Technical Solution

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, a series connection device includes: a connector group including first to mth connector modules (m is a natural number of 2 or greater), the first to mth connector modules being arranged in a one-to-one manner with first to mth battery cell slots provided in a battery cell holder, wherein each of the first to mth connector modules includes a first connector and a second connector; and a wiring harness electrically connected to the first to mth connector modules. The first connector of the first connector module is electrically connected to a first power terminal of a charging / discharging unit. The second connector of the mth connector module is electrically connected to a second power terminal of the charging / discharging unit. The second connector of the jth connector module (j is a natural number less than m) is electrically connected to the first connector of the (j+1)th connector module via the wiring harness. When the i-th battery cell slot (i is a natural number of m or less) is in an empty state with no battery cell placed therein, the first connector of the i-th connector module is configured to be electrically connected to the second connector of the i-th connector module via the wiring harness. When the i-th battery cell slot is in an occupied state with a battery cell placed therein, the first connector of the i-th connector module is configured to be electrically connected to the first electrode terminal of the battery cell placed in the i-th battery cell slot, and the second connector of the i-th connector module is configured to be electrically connected to the second electrode terminal of the battery cell placed in the i-th battery cell slot.

[0013] The first connector of the i-th connector module may include: a first body having a first interior space; a first wire connector, one end of which is inserted into the first interior space and the other end of which is exposed to the outside of the first body; a first battery cell connector, one end of which is exposed to the outside of the first body toward a battery cell holder and the other end of which is inserted into the first interior space; a first elastic member disposed in the first interior space to be positioned between the first wire connector and the first battery cell connector; a first movable contact coupled to the first elastic member so as to be movable along an axial direction of the first interior space according to deformation of the first elastic member; and a first fixed contact, one end of which is fixed to a predetermined area of ​​the first interior space and the other end of which is exposed to the outside of the first body. The first body may be non-conductive. The first battery cell connector, the first fixed contact, the first elastic member, and the first movable contact may be conductive.

[0014] The other end of the first wire connector of the first connector of the first connector module can be connected to the first power terminal of the charging / discharging unit. The other end of the first wire connector of the second connector of the j-th connector module can be connected to the other end of the first wire connector of the first connector of the (j+1)-th connector module via a wiring harness.

[0015] When the jth battery cell slot is in an empty state, the first movable contact of the first connector of the jth connector module can be physically contacted with the first fixed contact through the first elastic member to be electrically connected to the first fixed contact of the first connector of the jth connector module, and the first fixed contact of the first connector of the jth connector module can be electrically connected to the first wire connector of the first connector of the (j+1)th connector module via a wiring harness.

[0016] When the mth battery cell slot is in an empty state, the first movable contact of the first connector of the mth connector module can be physically contacted with the first fixed contact through the first elastic member to be electrically connected to the first fixed contact of the first connector of the mth connector module, and the first fixed contact of the first connector of the mth connector module can be electrically connected to the second power terminal of the charging / discharging unit via a wiring harness.

[0017] When the i-th battery cell slot is in an occupied state, the first battery cell connector of the first connector of the i-th connector module can be configured to physically contact the first electrode terminal of the battery cell placed in the i-th battery cell slot to be electrically connected to the first electrode terminal of the battery cell, and the first movable contact of the first connector of the i-th connector module can be configured to be physically separated from the first fixed contact according to the deformation of the first elastic member to be electrically separated from the first fixed contact of the first connector of the i-th connector module.

[0018] The second connector of the i-th connector module may include: a second body having a second internal space formed therein; a second wire connector, one end of which is inserted into the second internal space and the other end of which is exposed to the outside of the second body; a second battery cell connector, one end of which is exposed to the outside of the second body toward the battery cell holder and the other end of which is inserted into the second internal space; and a second elastic member disposed in the second internal space to be positioned between the second wire connector and the second battery cell connector. The first body may be a non-conductor. The second wire connector, the second battery cell connector, and the second elastic member may be conductors.

[0019] The second wire connector of the second connector of the jth connector module can be connected to the first fixed contact of the first connector of the jth connector module and the first wire connector of the first connector of the (j+1)th connector module via a wiring harness. The second wire connector of the second connector of the mth connector module can be connected to the first fixed contact of the first connector of the mth connector module and the second power terminal of the charging / discharging unit via a wiring harness.

[0020] When the i-th battery cell slot is in an occupied state, the second battery cell connector of the second connector of the i-th connector module can be configured to physically contact the second electrode terminal of the battery cell placed in the i-th battery cell slot to be electrically connected to the second electrode terminal of the battery cell placed in the i-th battery cell slot.

[0021] The wiring harness may include first to mth bypass wires and first to (m-1)th battery cell connection wires. The i-th bypass wire may electrically interconnect a first wire connector of a first connector of an i-th connector module and a second wire connector of a second connector of an i-th connector module. The i-th battery cell connection wire may electrically connect the second wire connector of the second connector of the i-th connector module to the first wire connector of the first connector of an (i+1)th connector module.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a series connection device includes a plurality of connector modules corresponding one-to-one to a plurality of battery cell slots included in a battery cell holder. Each of the plurality of connector modules includes a connector group including a first connector and a second connector. Among the plurality of connector modules, the first connector and the second connector of each connector module corresponding to an empty battery cell slot into which no battery cell is inserted are configured to automatically be electrically connected to each other to form a bypass path. Among the plurality of connector modules, the first connector and the second connector of each connector module corresponding to an occupied battery cell slot into which a battery cell is inserted are configured to be individually connected to the first electrode and the second connector of the battery cell inserted into the occupied battery cell slot to provide a series charge / discharge path.

[0023] The first connector includes a first body, a first wire connector, a first battery cell connector, a first elastic member, a first movable contact, and a first fixed contact. The first body is made of a non-conductor and has a circular cylindrical shape with two open ends opposite to each other in the Z-axis direction, and includes a first internal space.

[0024] The first wire connector has: a portion located in the first internal space of the first body; and a remaining portion protruding to the outside through one end of the first body, and the first battery cell connector has: a portion located in the first internal space of the first body; and a remaining portion exposed to the outside of the first body toward a predetermined battery cell slot of the battery cell holder disposed on a lower side thereof.

[0025] The first elastic member is placed in the first internal space to be positioned between the other end of the first wire connector and the other end of the first battery cell connector, so that the other end of the first wire connector and the other end of the first battery cell connector are electrically connected to each other, and the first movable contact is fixedly coupled to a predetermined portion of the first elastic member and also reciprocates along the Z-axis direction according to deformation of the first elastic member in the Z-axis direction.

[0026] The first fixed contact is made of a conductor and has one end fixed to a predetermined area of ​​the first internal space and the other end exposed to the outside of the first body, and the bypass wire is connected to a first wire connector protruding to the outside of the first body, and the first movable contact is connected to the first fixed contact at the predetermined portion, and as the first elastic member deforms in the Z-axis direction in response to the movement of the first battery cell connector in the Z-axis direction, the first movable contact also reciprocates in the Z-axis direction to separate from the first fixed contact.

[0027] A battery charging / discharging system according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a series connection device.

[0028] Beneficial effects

[0029] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, by using a physical connection state that changes depending on whether each of a plurality of battery cell slots provided in a battery cell holder is in an empty state or an occupied state, a series charge / discharge path can be provided for battery cells placed in the battery cell slots in an occupied state.

[0030] That is, since multiple voltage sensors and multiple field effect transistors (FETs) that need to be controlled using electrical signals are not required, the entire circuit structure can be simplified, the volume and weight can be reduced, and the cost of manufacturing, repair and maintenance can be reduced.

[0031] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand other effects not mentioned above from the description of the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The following drawings illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and are used to provide a further understanding of the technical concept of the present disclosure in conjunction with the detailed description of the present disclosure to be described later. Therefore, the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited to the contents shown in the drawings.

[0033] Figure 1 is a view exemplarily showing the configuration of a battery charging / discharging system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 2a It is shown as an example Figure 1 A view showing the structure of a battery cell holder.

[0035] Figure 2b is an exemplary illustration of a battery cell being inserted into Figure 2a A view showing the state of the battery cell holder in the battery cell slot.

[0036] Figure 3 It is used for illustrative purposes Figure 1 A view showing the configuration of a series connection device is shown.

[0037] Figure 4a This is an example Figure 3 A view of the external appearance of the first connector of the connector module is shown.

[0038] Figure 4b This is an example Figure 4a A view showing the internal appearance of the first connector in the charging / discharging standby mode is shown.

[0039] Figure 4c This is an example Figure 4a A view showing the internal appearance of the first connector in a charge / discharge execution mode is shown.

[0040] Figure 5a This is an example Figure 3 A view of the external appearance of the second connector of the connector module is shown.

[0041] Figure 5b This is an example Figure 5a A view showing the internal appearance of the second connector in the charge / discharge standby mode is shown.

[0042] Figure 5c This is an example Figure 5a A view showing the internal appearance of the second connector in the charge / discharge execution mode is shown.

[0043] Figure 6 is a view cited to explain an example of a series charge / discharge path provided by a connection plate according to a battery cell insertion state of a battery cell holder.

[0044] Figure 7 is a view cited to explain another example of a series charge / discharge path provided by a charge / discharge plate according to a battery cell insertion state of a battery cell holder.

[0045] Figure 8 is a view cited to explain another example of a series charge / discharge path provided by a charge / discharge plate according to a battery cell insertion state of a battery cell holder.

[0046] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating a battery charging / discharging control method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 10 is a view schematically showing the configuration of a battery charging / discharging system according to the related art.

[0048] In some figures, corresponding components have the same reference numerals. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the figures illustrate elements simply and clearly and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, to aid understanding of the various embodiments, the dimensions of some elements shown in the figures may be exaggerated compared to other elements. Furthermore, to avoid obstructing understanding of the spirit of the various embodiments of the present disclosure, elements that are useful or necessary in commercially feasible embodiments but are known in the art may generally not be depicted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before that, the terms and words used in the specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted with meanings and concepts consistent with the technical concept of the present disclosure based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms in order to best explain his or her invention.

[0050] Therefore, since the embodiments described in this specification and the constructions shown in the accompanying drawings are merely some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and do not represent all technical concepts of the present disclosure, it should be understood that when this application is filed, various equivalents and modifications that can replace the embodiments may exist.

[0051] Terms including ordinal numbers such as “first” and “second” are used to distinguish one component from the rest of various components and are not used to limit the components by the terms.

[0052] Throughout the specification, when a portion is described as "including" a specific component, this does not exclude other elements, but may further include other components unless otherwise specifically stated. In addition, terms such as "controller" described in the specification refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and the controller can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0053] Furthermore, throughout the specification, when a certain part is described as being “connected” to another part, this includes not only a case where the parts are “directly connected” but also a case where other elements are interposed between the parts so that the parts are “indirectly connected”.

[0054] Since battery cells are manufactured in large quantities, in order to improve the efficiency of a charge / discharge process for formation, it is necessary to connect several to hundreds of battery cells in series and charge / discharge the battery cells simultaneously.

[0055] Figure 10 is a view schematically showing a conventional battery charge / discharge system used in a battery formation process.

[0056] refer to Figure 10 The battery charging / discharging system 1000 is configured to receive a plurality of battery cells BC1 to BC2 placed in a battery cell holder CH. m (m is a natural number of 2 or more) performs charging / discharging, and includes a charger / discharger 1100, a plurality of voltage sensors VS1 to VS m , multiple switching circuits SC1 to SC m and controller 1200. Assuming i is a natural number less than or equal to m, the battery cell BC iProvide voltage sensor VS i and switching circuit SC i , and the switching circuit SC i The switching circuit SC includes a first FET SW1 and a second FET SW2. i In the embodiment, the first FET SW1 and the second FET SW2 are not both controlled to be in the on state at the same time.

[0057] When the battery cell BC i When the battery is normally inserted into the i-th battery cell slot provided in the battery cell holder CH, the voltage sensor VS i Measured as the voltage sensor VS i The voltage across the battery cell is the voltage, and for the voltage sensor VS i When the collected voltage value is within the predetermined voltage range, the controller 1200 can identify the battery cell BC i Normally inserted and occupied in the i-th battery cell slot. When it is determined that the battery cell BC i When the battery is normally inserted into the i-th battery cell slot, the controller 1200 switches the switching circuit SC i The first FET SW1 is controlled to be in an on state, and the second FET SW2 is controlled to be in an off state.

[0058] When no battery cell is inserted into the i-th battery cell groove provided in the battery cell holder CH, that is, the battery cell BC i When not placed in the battery cell holder CH, the voltage sensor VS i The voltage of the battery cell BC is outside the above voltage range. Therefore, the controller 1200 can identify that the i-th battery cell slot is empty. i When the battery is not inserted into the i-th battery cell slot, the controller 1200 switches the switching circuit SC i The first FET SW1 is controlled to be in an off state, and the second FET SW2 is controlled to be in an on state.

[0059] Therefore, even when a plurality of battery cells BC1 to BC m When some of the battery cells are not inserted into the battery cell holder CH, the battery cells can be switched to the battery cell holder CH by a plurality of switching circuits SC1 to SC m The battery cells inserted into the battery cell holder CH are connected in series. The series connection of the battery cells is electrically connected between a first power terminal (+) and a second power terminal (-) of the charger / discharger 1100 to enable charging and discharging.

[0060] In the plurality of battery cells BC1 to BC m In the embodiment, when only the battery cell BC2 is not put into the battery cell holder CH, the switching circuits SC1 to SC m Of the m second FETs SW2, only the second FET SW2 of the switching circuit SC2 is controlled to be in the on state, and in the plurality of switching circuits SC1 to SC m In the embodiment, the first switching circuit SC1 and the third to mth switching circuits SC3 to SC m As a result, the first FET SW1 of the battery cells BC1 to BC m In addition to the battery cell BC2, the remaining battery cells BC1 and BC3 to BC m From this point of view, it can be said that the first FET SW1 is provided for connection between two battery cells, and it can be said that the second FET SW2 is provided for bypass to replace an uninserted battery cell.

[0061] However, in the above conventional battery charging / discharging system, since a plurality of voltage sensors VS1 to VS m and a plurality of switching circuits SC1 to SC m ,Therefore, there are the following problems: the overall structure of the circuit is complicated, the volume and weight are increased, and the manufacturing, repair and maintenance costs of the charging / discharging system are high.

[0062] In addition, since a process of identifying whether a battery cell is inserted into each battery cell slot of the battery cell holder CH through voltage measurement and individually controlling the plurality of switching circuits SC1 to SC m Therefore, there are limitations such as, for example, that a lot of time is spent before actually starting the charging and discharging of the battery cells of the battery cell holder CH.

[0063] In addition, the voltage sensor VS, the first FET SW1, and the second FET SW2 are electronic components and should be electrically controlled by the controller 1200. However, due to the characteristics of electronic devices, the possibility of operation errors is high.

[0064] Figure 1 is a view showing the configuration of a battery charging / discharging system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0065] refer to Figure 1 The battery charging / discharging system 10 is provided for a battery formation process and includes a charging / discharging facility 100 and a series connection device 200. The battery charging / discharging system 10 may further include a lifting device 300.

[0066] The charging / discharging facility 100 charges a plurality of battery cells BC1 to BC2 according to a predetermined charging / discharging schedule. m Performing a charge / discharge cycle causes the plurality of battery cells BC1 to BC m Can show appropriate performance.

[0067] The charging / discharging facility 100 has a charging function, a discharging function, and a pause function, and is configured to selectively perform one of the charging function, the discharging function, and the pause function according to a charging / discharging schedule, and to charge the plurality of battery cells BC1 to BC2 based on control parameters (e.g., charging voltage, charging current, discharging voltage, and discharging current) preset for each charging / discharging stage. m Here, the type of the battery cell BC is not particularly limited as long as it can be repeatedly charged and discharged like a lithium-ion cell. In addition, the battery cell BC may be a cylindrical battery cell in which the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal are exposed in the same direction so as to physically contact the connector CN. A and CN B , which will be described below. Meanwhile, the first and second electrode terminals of the battery cell BC may not be exposed in the same direction. In this case, the connector that can contact the battery cell BC may be transformed into an appropriate structure for physically contacting and separating with the exposed electrode terminals of the battery cell BC.

[0068] The charging / discharging facility 100 includes a charger / discharger 110 and a charging / discharging controller 120 .

[0069] The charger / discharger 110 includes a power source 111 and a charging / discharging unit 112 .

[0070] According to an embodiment, the power supply 111 is configured to convert power supplied from an AC power supply and / or a DC power supply into direct current having a predetermined voltage level that satisfies an input specification of the charging / discharging unit 112. One or a combination of known AC-DC converters and DC-DC converters may be used as the power supply 111.

[0071] The charge / discharge unit 112 is provided with a pair of charge / discharge terminals, including a first power terminal (+) and a second power terminal (-). The first and second power terminals can be connected to the positive and negative electrodes of the battery cells BC, respectively, and charge or discharge the battery cells BC in response to commands from the charge / discharge controller 120. Depending on the embodiment, one or a combination of known DC-DC converters, constant current circuits, and constant voltage circuits can be used as the charge / discharge unit 112.

[0072] The charge / discharge controller 120 stores a program capable of executing, for example, a charge / discharge schedule in advance in a memory 124 installed therein. In response to user input, the charge / discharge controller 120 executes the program stored in the memory 124 via the processor (CPU) 122 to perform a charge / discharge cycle according to the charge / discharge schedule, and controls the charger / discharger 110 to sequentially perform each charge / discharge phase of the charge / discharge cycle according to a predetermined execution order.

[0073] The charge / discharge cycle can be defined as, for example, a sequential flow of a first charging phase (e.g., constant current (CC)-constant voltage (CV) charging), a first pause phase, a discharge phase (e.g., constant current (CC) discharge), a second pause phase, and a secondary charging phase (e.g., CC-CV charging). Since the charge / discharge cycle for battery formation is well known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the first pause phase, the pause function of the charge / discharge unit 112 can be activated for a predetermined first pause time, and in the second pause phase, the pause function of the charge / discharge unit 112 can be activated for a predetermined second pause time.

[0074] The series connection device 200 is configured to electrically connect the battery cells BC inserted into the battery cell holder CH to form a series connection of the battery cells BC, and electrically connect the series connection to the charger / discharger 110 .

[0075] The lifting device 300 includes at least one of a first lifter 310 and a second lifter 320 .

[0076] According to one embodiment, when the series connection device 200 is placed or coupled to the first lifter 310 , the first lifter 310 may raise or lower the series connection device 200 along a predetermined direction (Z-axis) to adjust the distance between the battery cell holder CH and the series connection device 200 .

[0077] In addition, when the battery cell holder CH is placed or coupled to the second lifter 320 , the second lifter 320 may raise or lower the battery cell holder CH along a predetermined direction (Z axis) to change a contact state between the battery cell holder CH and the series connection device 200 .

[0078] Figure 2a It shows Figure 1 A view showing the structure of the battery cell holder CH is shown, Figure 2b is an example showing the insertion into Figure 2a A view of a battery cell in a battery cell well of a battery cell holder is shown.

[0079] refer to Figure 2a and Figure 2b The battery cell holder CH includes a support body HB and a plurality of battery cell slots CS.

[0080] The plurality of battery cell slots CS may be recessed or open portions in the support body HB, thereby partially accommodating and supporting the battery cells BC.

[0081] To help understand, Figure 2a The battery cell holder CH according to the embodiment is illustrated, in which a total of 12 battery cell slots CS are arranged in 2 rows and 6 columns. Since one battery cell BC can be inserted into each battery cell slot CS, up to 12 battery cells BC can be placed in the battery cell holder CH of FIG. 2 as the objects of series connection of the series connection device 200.

[0082] In this regard, the task of placing (inserting) the battery cells BC into the battery cell slots CS may be performed manually by an operator or automatically by, for example, a robot. Due to, for example, an operator's error or an operational error of a robot, a situation may occur in which the battery cell holder CH is transferred to the battery charging / discharging system 10 without the battery cells BC being inserted into one or more of the plurality of battery cell slots CS. Figure 2b A case is illustrated in which, among the 12 battery cell slots CS of the battery cell holder CH, only one specific battery cell slot CS is empty, and the remaining 11 battery cell slots CS are occupied.

[0083] refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 2a and Figure 2b, the first lifter 310 and the second lifter 320 of the lifting device 300 face each other along the Z-axis direction. According to an embodiment, the battery cell holder CH is illustrated as being coupled to the lower portion of a support surface provided in the first lifter 310, and the series connection device 200 is coupled to the upper portion of a support surface provided in the second lifter 320. Meanwhile, the positions of the first lifter 310 and the second lifter 320 of the lifting device 300 can be changed according to needs and circumstances.

[0084] Furthermore, the lifting device 300 may include only one of the first lifter 310 and the second lifter 320. For example, when the lifting device includes only the first lifter 310, the battery cell holder CH may be placed in a predetermined area below the first lifter 310. Alternatively, for example, when the lifting device 300 includes only the second lifter 320, the series connection device 200 may be located in a predetermined area above the second lifter 320.

[0085] The charge / discharge controller 120 can operate in a charge / discharge standby mode or a charge / discharge execution mode and can accordingly control the lifting device 300. According to one embodiment, in the lifting device 300, the raising and lowering operations of each of the first lifter 310 and the second lifter 320 can be achieved by, for example, a piston or a stepping motor.

[0086] When the lifting device 300 includes both the first lifter 310 and the second lifter 320, in the charge / discharge standby mode, the first lifter 310 raises the series connection device 200, while the second lifter 320 lowers the battery cell holder CH, such that the battery cell holder CH and the series connection device 200 are spaced apart from each other along the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, in the charge / discharge execution mode, the first lifter 310 lowers the series connection device 200, while the second lifter 320 raises the battery cell holder CH, such that the battery cell holder CH and the series connection device 200 are in physical contact with each other. According to an embodiment, the raising and lowering amounts of the first lifter 310 and the second lifter 320 in the charge / discharge standby mode and the charge / discharge execution mode are preprogrammed. However, without limitation thereto, the raising and lowering amounts of each of the first lifter 310 and the second lifter 320 may be adjusted, for example, based on user input.

[0087] When the lifting device 300 includes only the first lifter 310 of the first and second lifters 310 and 320, in the charge / discharge standby mode, the first lifter 310 lifts the series connection device 200 so that the battery cell holder CH and the series connection device 200 are spaced apart from each other along the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, in the charge / discharge execution mode, the first lifter 310 lowers the series connection device 200 so that the battery cell holder CH and the series connection device 200 are in physical contact with each other. The raising and lowering amounts of the first lifter 310 in the charge / discharge execution mode and the charge / discharge execution mode are pre-programmed. However, the raising and lowering amounts of the first lifter 310 may be adjusted based on, for example, user input.

[0088] When the lifting device 300 includes only the second lifter 320 of the first and second lifters 310 and 320, in the charge / discharge standby mode, the second lifter 320 lowers the battery cell holder CH so that the battery cell holder CH and the series connection device 200 are spaced apart from each other in the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, in the charge / discharge execution mode, the second lifter 320 raises the battery cell holder CH so that the battery cell holder CH and the series connection device 200 are in physical contact with each other. The raising and lowering amounts of the second lifter 320 in the charge / discharge execution mode and the charge / discharge execution mode are pre-programmed. However, the raising and lowering amounts of the second lifter 320 are not limited thereto and can be adjusted based on, for example, user input.

[0089] Figure 3 is used to explain Figure 1 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of the series connection device 200. Figure 3 In the embodiment, it is assumed that m is 5.

[0090] refer to Figure 3 The series connection device 200 includes a connector set 210 and a wiring harness 220 .

[0091] The connector group 210 includes first to mth connector modules CM1 to CM m According to an embodiment, the number of connector modules CM included in the connector group 210 may be equal to the number of battery cell slots CS provided in the battery cell holder CH. The first to mth connector modules CM1 to CM m Each includes a first connector CN A and the second connector CN B .

[0092] The wiring harness 220 is configured to be fixedly coupled to the first to mth connector modules CM1 to CMm A predetermined portion of each of the first to mth connector modules CM1 to CM m Furthermore, the wiring harness 220 is configured to mediate the first to mth connector modules CM1 to CM2 via a plurality of electric wires disposed therein. m electrical connections between them.

[0093] The wiring harness 220 includes first to (m-1)th battery cell connection wires CW1 to CW2 for connecting battery cells. m-1 and first to mth bypass wires PW1 to PW m The wiring harness 220 further includes a first main wiring MW1 and a second main wiring MW2 for connecting to the charging / discharging unit 112 of the charging / discharging facility 100 .

[0094] Assume that j is a natural number less than m, and i is a natural number less than or equal to m.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the battery cell connecting wires CW j Connector module CM j Second connector CN B The second wire connection member 61 (see Figure 5a 、 Figure 5b and Figure 5c ) is electrically connected to the connector module CM j+1 First Connector CA N The first wire connection member 51 (see Figure 4a 、 Figure 4b and Figure 4c ), the connector module CM j+1 With the connector module CM j adjacent.

[0096] The bypass wire PW i The connector module CM i First connector CN A The first wire connection piece 51 and the second connector CN B The second wire connecting members 61 are electrically interconnected.

[0097] The first main wire MW1 connects the first connector CN of the connector module CM1 A The first power terminal (+) is electrically connected to the charging / discharging unit 112 .

[0098] The second main wire MW2 connects the connector module CM m Second connector CN B A second power terminal (−) electrically connected to the charge / discharge unit 112 .

[0099] The serial connection device 200 may further include a connector holder 230. According to an embodiment, the connector holder 230 may have 2m through holes. The first to mth connector modules CM1 to CM m The first connector CN of each connector module A and the second connector CN B The connectors can be inserted into the 2m through-holes provided in the connector holder 230. Therefore, all the connectors of the connector set 210 can be stably supported by the connector holder 230.

[0100] According to an embodiment, the connector holder 230 may be mechanically coupled to the first lifter 310. That is, the first lifter 310 may raise or lower the connector holder 230 along the Z-axis so that each connector of the connector group 210 and each battery cell of the battery cell holder CH may be physically contacted with or separated from each other.

[0101] at the same time, Figure 3 The case where the connector holder 230 supports the side surface of each connector is shown, which should be understood as an example. For example, the connector holder 230 can be located above each connector in the Z axis, and the Z axis end of each connector can be assembled to the connector holder 230, coupled to the connector holder 230 using bolts, or bonded to the connector holder 230 using an adhesive.

[0102] In addition, the connector holder 230 may have a separate inner space for accommodating the wire harness 220 .

[0103] Figure 4a This is an example of an embodiment according to the present disclosure. Figure 3 A view of the external appearance of the first connector of the connector module is shown. Figure 4b This is an example Figure 4a A view showing the internal appearance of the first connector in the charging / discharging standby mode, Figure 4c This is an example Figure 4a The first connector is shown in the charge / discharge execution mode. Figures 4a to 4c The first connector CN shown A Belongs to connector module CM i .

[0104] refer to Figure 4a and Figure 4b as well as Figure 3 , first connector CN AThe battery cell includes a first main body 50 , a first wire connector 51 , a first battery cell connector 52 , a first elastic member 53 , a first movable contact 54 and a first fixed contact 55 .

[0105] According to one embodiment, the first body 50 is made of a non-conductor, has a cylindrical shape, and has two opposite open ends in the Z-axis direction, and has a first internal space.

[0106] The first wire connector 51 is made of a conductor, a portion of which is located in the first interior space of the first body 50, and the remaining portion protrudes to the outside through one end of the first body 50. For example, one end of the first wire connector 51 is inserted into the first interior space, while the other end is exposed to the outside of the first body 50.

[0107] exist Figure 4a The first connector CN shown A In the case of the first connector module CM1 (i.e., i is 1), the first wire connector 51 protruding to the outside of the first body 50 is connected to the first main wire MW1, and the first wire connector 51 is electrically connected to, for example, the first power terminal (+) of the charging / discharging unit 112 through the first main wire MW1.

[0108] At the same time, Figure 4a The first connector CN shown in A The second to mth connector modules CM2 to CM m In the case of one of (i.e., i is 2 to m), the battery cell connecting wire CW i-1 The first wire connection member 51 is connected to the first wire connection member 51 protruding outside the first body 50 .

[0109] The first battery cell connector 52 is made of a conductor, wherein a portion of the first battery cell connector is located in the first internal space of the first body 50, and the remaining portion protrudes downward to the outside of the first body 50. That is, one end of the first battery cell connector 52 is exposed to the outside of the first body 50 toward the specific battery cell slot CS of the battery cell holder CH, while the other end is inserted into the first internal space of the first body 50. When the battery cell BC i When placed in a specific battery cell slot CS, in the charge / discharge execution mode, one end of the first battery cell connector 52 is pressed in the Z-axis direction and simultaneously contacts the battery cell BC. i As a result, the exposed portion of the first battery cell connector 52 moves into the first internal space of the first body 50 .

[0110] For example, Figure 4b As shown, the first elastic member 53 is disposed in the first interior space of the first body 50 so as to be positioned between the other end of the first wire connector 51 and the other end of the first battery cell connector 52, and to electrically connect the other end of the first wire connector 51 and the other end of the first battery cell connector 52. To this end, opposite ends of the first elastic member 53 are in direct contact with the other end of the first wire connector 51 and the other end of the first battery cell connector 52, respectively. Figure 4b A case is shown in which the first elastic member 53 is a spring, but other than the spring, any medium having a predetermined elasticity level or higher may be used.

[0111] refer to Figure 4b , the first movable contact 54 is fixedly coupled to a predetermined portion of the first elastic member 53. Therefore, the first movable contact 54 can also reciprocate along the Z-axis direction according to the deformation of the first elastic member 53 in the Z-axis direction.

[0112] The first fixed contact 55 is made of a conductor, one end of which is fixed to a predetermined area of ​​the first internal space, and the other end of which is exposed to the outside of the first body 50. i Connected to a portion of the first fixed contact 55 protruding outside the first body 50 .

[0113] In charge / discharge standby mode, or when the battery cell BC i When inserted into the battery cell slot CS, the first battery cell connector 52 and the battery cell BC i In this case, since the upward pressing force along the Z axis does not act on the first battery cell connector 52, the first elastic member 53 does not shrink. Figure 4b As shown, the first movable contact 54 and the first fixed contact 55 are in direct contact with each other in the inner space. Therefore, the first movable contact 54 and the first fixed contact 55 are electrically connected to each other.

[0114] refer to Figure 4c In the charge / discharge execution mode, the first battery cell connector 52 is in direct contact with the first electrode terminal (for example, the protruding positive terminal shown in the figure), and thus, the first battery cell connector 52 moves upward from its original position along the Z axis. In this case, since the first elastic member 53 also contracts in the Z axis direction, the first movable contact 54 also moves upward along the Z axis, and as shown in FIG. Figure 4cAs shown, the first movable contact 54 is spaced apart from the first fixed contact 55. Therefore, it is connected to the bypass conductor PW i The first fixed contact 55 and the first movable contact 54 are electrically separated from each other.

[0115] When the first body 50 is a non-conductor, the first wire connector 51 , the first battery cell connector 52 , the first elastic member 53 , the first movable contact 54 and the first fixed contact 55 are conductors.

[0116] refer to Figure 3 As shown in Figure 4, in the charge / discharge standby mode, the two wires MW1 and CW i-1 A wire in the first inner space, the first wire connector 51, the first elastic member 53, the first movable contact 54, the first fixed contact 55, and the bypass wire (PW) are connected in series. That is, in the charge / discharge standby mode, the first movable contact 54 and the first fixed contact 55 are in direct contact with each other in the first inner space. Therefore, the first movable contact 54 and the first fixed contact 55 are electrically connected to each other, thereby forming a bypass path together with the connection structure to be described later.

[0117] In addition, even in the charge / discharge execution mode, when no battery cell BC is inserted, a series connection is formed as in the charge / discharge standby mode. For example, in the series connection, the first connector CN A Used as a bypass path to replace uninserted battery cells BC i Therefore, although the battery cell BC is not inserted, the first connector CN A Allows the flow of charge / discharge current for the inserted battery cell.

[0118] In the charge / discharge execution mode, the first movable contact 54 is spaced apart from the first fixed contact 55. Accordingly, the first movable contact 54 and the first fixed contact 55 connected to the bypass wire PW are i The first fixed contacts 55 are electrically separated from each other. As a result, the two wires MW1 and CW i-1 One of the first wire connector 51, the first elastic member 53, the first battery cell connector 52 and the battery cell BC i The first electrode terminals of the battery cells BC are connected in series so that the charge / discharge current flows through the series connection and the battery cells BC i According to an embodiment, in the charge / discharge execution mode, the bypass conductor PW i becomes open circuit and blocks the bypass wire PW i The charge / discharge current flows.

[0119] Figure 5a This is an example Figure 3 A view showing the external appearance of the second connector of the connector module is shown, Figure 5b This is an example Figure 5a A view of the interior of the second connector shown in charge / discharge standby mode, and Figure 5c This is an example Figure 5a FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the internal appearance of the second connector in the charge / discharge execution mode. Figures 5a to 5c The second connector CN shown B is a Pogo pin connector, and assuming that the second connector CN B and Figures 4a to 4c The first connector CN shown A Belong to the same connector module CM j .

[0120] refer to Figure 5a and Figure 5b as well as Figure 3 , the second connector CN B The battery cell includes a second main body 60 made of a non-conductor, a second wire connecting member 61 made of a conductor, a second battery cell connecting member 62 made of a conductor, and a second elastic member 63 also made of a conductor.

[0121] According to an embodiment, similar to the first body 50 , the second body 60 has a cylindrical shape having two opposite open ends in the Z-axis direction, and has a second internal space.

[0122] The second wire connector 61 is made of a conductor, wherein a portion of the second wire connector is located in the second inner space of the second body 60 and the remaining portion protrudes to the outside through one end of the second body 60 .

[0123] The second connector CN B ( Figure 5a The figure shows the mth connector module CM m (i.e., i is m) in the case of a connector, the bypass wire PW m The second main wire MW2 is connected to a portion of the second wire connection member 61 protruding outside the second body 60 .

[0124] exist Figure 5a The second connector CN shown B Belong to the first to (m-1)th connector modules CM1 to CM m-1 In the case of a connector in one connector module (i.e., i is 1 to m-1), the bypass wire PW i Connecting wire CW to battery cell iThe second wire connection member 61 is connected to the second body 60 .

[0125] The second battery cell connector 62 is made of a conductor, wherein a portion of the second battery cell connector is located in the second inner space of the second body 60 and the remaining portion protrudes to the outside through the other end of the second body 60 .

[0126] The second elastic member 63 is disposed in the second interior space of the second body 60 and is located between the second wire connector 61 and the second battery cell connector 62. According to one embodiment, opposite ends of the second elastic member 63 are connected to one end of the second wire connector 61 and one end of the second battery cell connector 62, respectively, such that the second wire connector 61 and the second battery cell connector 62 are electrically connected to each other. Figure 5b A case where the second elastic member 63 is a spring is shown, but other than the spring, any medium having a predetermined elasticity level or higher may be used.

[0127] In the charge / discharge execution mode, when the battery cell BC i Insert into Figure 5c The corresponding battery cell slot CS of the battery cell holder CH is shown i When the second battery cell connector 62 is in direct contact with the second electrode terminal (eg, the negative terminal adjacent to the positive terminal shown as protruding). Therefore, the charge / discharge current will flow through the battery cell BC i The second electrode terminal, the second battery cell connector 62, the second elastic member 63, the second wire connector 61 and the two wires CW i A series connection with one of the wires in MW2.

[0128] At the same time, in the charge / discharge execution mode, when the battery cell BC i The corresponding battery cell slot CS that is not inserted into the battery cell holder CH i In the middle of the day, Figure 5c Unlike the situation in the above example, the charge / discharge current will flow through the bypass wire PW. i , the second wire connector 61 and two wires CW i and MW2 are connected in series to form a bypass path to connect with the first connector CA N Replace the uninserted battery cells BC together i .

[0129] In the following, in reference Figures 6 to 8 When describing the present disclosure, it is assumed that m is 5.

[0130] Figure 6 1 is a view cited to explain an example of a series charge / discharge path provided by a connector group according to a battery cell insertion state of a battery cell holder CH. Figure 6 A series charge / discharge path is illustrated in which a charge / discharge execution mode is performed in a state in which the battery cells BC1 to BC5 are placed in all m (m=5) battery cell slots CS provided in the battery cell holder CH.

[0131] refer to Figure 6 , since all m battery cell slots CS are occupied by battery cells BC1 to BC5, all battery cells BC1 to BC5 are electrically connected in series via the series charge / discharge path provided by the series connection device 200. Figure 6 middle, I CH1 Indicates the charging current (or its path).

[0132] For example, the charging / discharging current flows through the first main wire MW2, the first connector CN of the first connector module CM1, and the A , battery cell BC1, second connector CN of the first connector module CM1 B Connect the battery cell to the lead wire CW1.

[0133] First, through the first main wire MW1 and the first connector CN of the first connector module CM1 A The supplied charging current flows to the second connector CN of the first connector module CM1 through the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal of the battery cell BC1. B In addition, the charging current will be drawn from the second connector CN of the first connector module CM1. B Flow to the first connector CN of the second connector module CM2 A In this manner, when all m battery cell slots CS are occupied by battery cells BC1 to BC5, all bypass wires PW1 to PW5 of the series connection device 200 remain in an open circuit state. The discharge current flows in the reverse order of the above-described charge current.

[0134] The flow of charge / discharge current due to the connection relationship between the first connector module CM1 and the battery cell BC1 is similarly applied to the second to fifth connector modules CM2 to CM5 and the battery cells BC2 to BC5. Therefore, when the charge / discharge current supplied by the charge / discharge unit 112 sequentially passes through the battery cells BC1 to BC5, each of the battery cells BC1 to BC5 is charged / discharged.

[0135] Figure 7is a view cited to explain another example of a series charge / discharge path provided by the charge / discharge plate according to a battery cell insertion state of the battery cell holder CH.

[0136] According to an embodiment, Figure 7 The series charge / discharge path when the charge / discharge execution mode is performed is illustrated in a state where the first battery cell BC1, the second battery cell BC2, the fourth battery cell BC4 and the fifth battery cell BC5 are normally placed in the battery cell holder CH, but the third battery cell BC3 is not inserted. Figure 7 middle, I CH2 Indicates the charging current (or its path).

[0137] refer to Figure 7 Even when battery cell BC3 is not inserted, the normally inserted battery cells BC1, BC2, BC4, and BC5 are electrically connected in series via the series charge / discharge path provided by the series connection device 200. For example, even if battery cell BC3 is not inserted, the series connection device 200 automatically forms a bypass path that replaces battery cell BC3 to provide a charge / discharge path. As a result, the second electrode terminal of battery cell BC2 and the first electrode terminal of battery cell BC4 are electrically connected, thereby enabling the flow of charge / discharge current and enabling the charging / discharging of the normally inserted battery cells BC1, BC2, BC4, and BC5.

[0138] For example, the charging current will flow to the battery cell connection wire CW2 via the battery cell BC1 and the battery cell BC2. Subsequently, similar to the direction of the curved arrow indicated in the third connection module CM3, the battery cell connection wire CW2 flows to the battery cell connection wire CW2 via the first connector CN of the third connection module CM3. A Connected to bypass wire PW3, which is connected to battery cell connection wire CW3. Therefore, even when battery cell BC3 is not inserted, a bypass path is formed to replace battery cell BC3, and the charging current flows from the second electrode terminal of battery cell BC2 to the first electrode terminal of battery cell BC4. The discharge current flows in the opposite order to the above-mentioned charging current.

[0139] Therefore, when the charge / discharge current supplied from the charge / discharge unit 112 sequentially passes through the battery cells BC1 , BC2 , BC4 , and BC5 , each of the battery cells BC1 , BC2 , BC4 , and BC5 is charged / discharged.

[0140] Figure 8 is a view cited to explain another example of the series charge / discharge path provided by the charge / discharge plate according to the battery cell BC insertion state of the battery cell holder CH.

[0141] Figure 8 The series charge / discharge path when the charge / discharge execution mode is performed is illustrated in a state where the first, second and fifth battery cells BC1, BC2 and BC5 are normally placed in the battery cell holder CH, but the third and fourth battery cells BC3 and BC4, which are two electrically adjacent battery cells, are not inserted. Figure 8 middle, I CH3 Indicates the charging current (or its path).

[0142] refer to Figure 8 Even when the two battery cells BC3 and BC4 are not inserted, the normally inserted battery cells BC1, BC2, and BC5 are automatically electrically connected in series via the series charge / discharge path provided by the series connection device 200. In other words, the series connection device 200 automatically provides a charge / discharge path that bypasses the two battery cells BC3 and BC4. Therefore, since the second electrode terminal of the battery cell BC2 and the first electrode terminal of the battery cell BC5 are electrically connected to each other, the series connection device 200 can achieve the flow of charging current through the normally inserted battery cells BC1, BC2, and BC5.

[0143] For example, as referenced Figure 7 As described above, the charging current flows through the battery cell BC1 and the battery cell BC2 to the battery cell connecting wire CW2. In addition, as shown by the curved arrow in the figure, the battery cell connecting wire CW2 is connected to the battery cell connecting wire CW2 via the first connector CN of the third connection module CM3. A , bypass wire PW3, battery cell connection wire CW3, first connector CN of the fourth connection module CM4 A , bypass wire PW4, and battery cell connection wire CW4 are automatically electrically connected to the fifth connection module CM5. Therefore, even if two electrically adjacent battery cells BC3 and BC4 are not inserted, a charging current can be achieved from the second electrode terminal of the properly inserted battery cell BC2 to the first electrode terminal of the battery cell BC5. The discharge current flows in the reverse order of the above-described charging current.

[0144] Therefore, similar to reference Figure 7 In the described situation, even when there are uninserted battery cells BC3 and BC4, a bypass path for the uninserted battery cells BC3 and BC4 is automatically formed without the need for a complex control device such as a voltage sensor and a switching circuit, and when the charging / discharging current supplied by the charging / discharging unit 112 passes sequentially through the normally inserted battery cells BC1, BC2 and BC5, each of the battery cells BC1, BC2 and BC5 is charged / discharged.

[0145] Figure 9 is a flow chart of a battery charge / discharge control method according to another embodiment of the present invention. According to the embodiment, Figure 9 The charge / discharge control method of FIG. 1 may be performed when the charge / discharge execution mode is started. Assume that the operation of the charge / discharge unit 112 is stopped when the charge / discharge execution mode is started.

[0146] refer to Figures 1 to 9 In step S910, the charge / discharge controller 120 measures a series connection voltage, which is a voltage between the first main wiring MW1 and the second main wiring MW2. The series connection voltage is a voltage across a series connection circuit of battery cells placed in occupied battery cell slots CS among all battery cell slots CS of the battery cell holder CH, and is positively correlated with the number of battery cells BC inserted into the battery cell holder CH.

[0147] In step S920 , the charge / discharge controller 120 determines a charge limit voltage and a discharge limit voltage of a charge / discharge cycle based on the series connection voltage measured in step S910 .

[0148] According to an embodiment, the charge / discharge controller 120 estimates the number of battery cells BC inserted into the battery cell holder CH by dividing the series connection voltage by a predetermined reference battery cell voltage. Next, the charge / discharge controller 120 obtains a charge limit voltage associated with the estimated number of battery cells BC from a first lookup table stored in the memory 124 and defining the charge limit voltage according to the number of battery cells. Furthermore, the charge / discharge controller 120 obtains a discharge limit voltage associated with the estimated number of battery cells BC from a second lookup table stored in the memory 124 and defining the discharge limit voltage according to the number of battery cells. The charge limit voltage and discharge limit voltage may also be obtained by methods other than the lookup tables, such as through user input via wired or wireless means.

[0149] In step S930, the charge / discharge controller 120 controls the charge / discharge unit 112 according to the charge / discharge schedule in which the charge limit voltage and the discharge limit voltage determined in step S920 are set. Depending on the embodiment, the charge / discharge schedule may be pre-stored in the memory 124 or may be input externally using wired or wireless communication.

[0150] Specifically, when the charge / discharge cycle is performed according to the charge / discharge schedule, the charge limit voltage and discharge limit voltage set in step S920 are used. As an example, as described above, when the battery formation process is performed in the order of a first charging phase, a first pause phase, a discharge phase, a second pause phase, and a second charging phase, the charge / discharge controller 120 stops the charging function of the charge / discharge unit 112 in response to the series connection voltage reaching the charge limit voltage in each of the first charging phase and the second charging phase, and activates the pause function. In addition, in the discharge phase, the charge / discharge controller 120 stops the discharge function of the charge / discharge unit 112 in response to the voltage across the series connection reaching the discharge limit voltage, and activates the pause function.

[0151] The above-mentioned embodiments of the present disclosure are implemented not only by devices and methods, but also by programs that implement functions corresponding to the configurations of the embodiments of the present disclosure or recording media having the programs recorded thereon. Based on the description of the above-mentioned embodiments, ordinary technicians in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs can easily implement this.

[0152] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to several embodiments of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments, and various changes and modifications may be made by ordinary technicians in the field to which the present disclosure belongs without departing from the technical spirit and equivalent scope of the present disclosure defined by the appended claims.

[0153] In addition, since ordinary technicians in the field to which the present disclosure belongs can make various replacements, modifications and changes to the present disclosure without departing from the technical spirit of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and drawings, but can selectively combine all or some embodiments to make various modifications.

Claims

1. A series connection device comprising: a connector group comprising first to mth connector modules, the first to mth connector modules being arranged in a one-to-one manner with first to mth battery cell slots provided in a battery cell holder, wherein m is a natural number of 2 or greater, each of the first to mth connector modules comprising a first connector and a second connector; and a wiring harness electrically connected to the first to mth connector modules, wherein the first connector of the first connector module is configured to be electrically connected to a first power terminal of the charging / discharging unit, wherein the second connector of the mth connector module is configured to be electrically connected to the second power terminal of the charging / discharging unit, wherein the second connector of the j-th connector module is configured to be electrically connected to the first connector of the (j+1)-th connector module via the wiring harness, and j is a natural number smaller than m. wherein, when the i-th battery cell slot is in an empty state in which no battery cell is placed therein, the first connector of the i-th connector module is configured to be electrically connected to the second connector of the i-th connector module via the wiring harness, i being a natural number m or less, and In which, when the i-th battery cell slot is in an occupied state with a battery cell placed therein, the first connector of the i-th connector module is configured to be electrically connected to the first electrode terminal of the battery cell placed in the i-th battery cell slot, and the second connector of the i-th connector module is configured to be electrically connected to the second electrode terminal of the battery cell placed in the i-th battery cell slot.

2. The series connection device according to claim 1, wherein: The first connector of the i-th connector module includes: a first body having a first interior space; a first wire connector, one end of which is inserted into the first internal space and the other end of which is exposed to the outside of the first body; a first battery cell connector, one end of the first battery cell connector being exposed to the outside of the first body toward the battery cell holder, and the other end of the first battery cell connector being inserted into the first internal space; a first elastic member disposed in the first interior space so as to be positioned between the first wire connector and the first battery cell connector; a first movable contact coupled to the first elastic member to be movable in an axial direction of the first internal space according to deformation of the first elastic member; and a first fixed contact, one end of which is fixed to a predetermined area of ​​the first internal space, and the other end of which is exposed to the outside of the first body; wherein the first body is a non-conductor, and Wherein, each of the first battery cell connector, the first fixed contact, the first elastic member and the first movable contact is a conductor.

3. The series connection device according to claim 2, wherein: The other end of the first wire connection piece of the first connector of the first connector module is connected to the first power terminal of the charging / discharging unit, and The other end of the first wire connector of the second connector of the j-th connector module is connected to the other end of the first wire connector of the first connector of the (j+1)-th connector module via the wiring harness.

4. The series connection device according to claim 2, wherein: When the j-th battery cell slot is in an empty state, The first movable contact of the first connector of the j-th connector module is configured to physically contact the first fixed contact through the first elastic member to be electrically connected to the first fixed contact of the first connector of the j-th connector module; and The first fixed contact of the first connector of the j-th connector module is configured to be electrically connected to the first wire connector of the first connector of the (j+1)-th connector module via the wiring harness; and When the mth battery cell slot is in an empty state, The first movable contact of the first connector of the mth connector module is configured to physically contact the first fixed contact through the first elastic member to be electrically connected to the first fixed contact of the first connector of the mth connector module, and The first fixed contact of the first connector of the mth connector module is configured to be electrically connected to the second power terminal of the charging / discharging unit via the wiring harness.

5. The series connection device according to claim 2, wherein: When the i-th battery cell slot is in an occupied state, The first battery cell connector of the first connector of the i-th connector module is configured to physically contact the first electrode terminal of the battery cell placed in the i-th battery cell slot to be electrically connected to the first electrode terminal of the battery cell, and The first movable contact of the first connector of the i-th connector module is configured to be physically spaced apart from the first fixed contact according to deformation of the first elastic member to be electrically separated from the first fixed contact of the first connector of the i-th connector module.

6. The series connection device according to claim 2, wherein: The second connector of the i-th connector module includes: a second body having a second interior space formed therein; a second wire connector, one end of the second wire connector being inserted into the second inner space and the other end of the second wire connector being exposed to the outside of the second body; a second battery cell connector, one end of the second battery cell connector being exposed to the outside of the second body toward the battery cell holder and the other end of the second battery cell connector being inserted into the second internal space; and a second elastic member disposed in the second inner space so as to be positioned between the second wire connector and the second battery cell connector, wherein the second body is a non-conductor, and Wherein, each of the second wire connector, the second battery cell connector and the second elastic member is a conductor.

7. The series connection device according to claim 6, wherein: The second wire connector of the second connector of the jth connector module is connected to the first fixed contact of the first connector of the jth connector module and the first wire connector of the first connector of the (j+1)th connector module via the wiring harness, and The second wire connector of the second connector of the mth connector module is connected to the first fixed contact of the first connector of the mth connector module and the second power terminal of the charging / discharging unit via the wiring harness.

8. The series connection device according to claim 6, wherein: When the i-th battery cell slot is in an occupied state, the second battery cell connector of the second connector of the i-th connector module is in physical contact with the second electrode terminal of the battery cell placed in the i-th battery cell slot to be electrically connected to the second electrode terminal of the battery cell placed in the i-th battery cell slot.

9. The series connection device according to claim 6, wherein: The wiring harness includes: first to mth bypass wires; and The first to (m-1)th battery cell connecting wires, wherein the i-th bypass wire electrically interconnects the first wire connector of the first connector of the i-th connector module and the second wire connector of the second connector of the i-th connector module, and The i-th battery cell connecting wire electrically connects the second wire connector of the second connector of the i-th connector module to the first wire connector of the first connector of the (i+1)-th connector module.

10. A battery charging / discharging system comprising the series connection device according to claim 1.

11. A series connection device comprising: a plurality of connector modules corresponding to a plurality of battery cell slots included in the battery cell holder in a one-to-one manner, Each of the plurality of connector modules includes a connector group, and the connector group includes a first connector and a second connector. wherein, among the plurality of connector modules, the first connector and the second connector of each connector module corresponding to an empty battery cell slot into which no battery cell is inserted are configured to be electrically connected to each other to automatically form a bypass path, and Among the multiple connector modules, the first connector and the second connector of each connector module corresponding to the occupied battery cell slot into which the battery cell is inserted are configured to be connected to the first electrode and the second electrode of the battery cell inserted into the occupied battery cell slot, respectively, to provide a series charging / discharging path.

12. The series connection device according to claim 11, wherein: The first connector includes a first body, a first wire connector, a first battery cell connector, a first elastic member, a first movable contact and a first fixed contact, and The first body is made of a non-conductor and has a cylindrical shape. It has two opposite open ends in the Z-axis direction, and the first body includes a first internal space.

13. The series connection device according to claim 12, wherein: The first wire connector has: a portion located in the first internal space of the first body; and a remaining portion protruding to the outside through one end of the first body, and The first battery cell connector includes: a portion located in the first inner space of the first body; and a remaining portion exposed to the outside of the first body toward a predetermined battery cell slot of the battery cell holder disposed at a lower side thereof.

14. The series connection device according to claim 13, wherein: The first elastic member is disposed in the first internal space to be positioned between the other end of the first wire connector and the other end of the first battery cell connector so that the other end of the first wire connector and the other end of the first battery cell connector are electrically connected to each other, and The first movable contact is fixedly coupled to a predetermined portion of the first elastic member, and also reciprocates along the Z-axis direction according to deformation of the first elastic member in the Z-axis direction.

15. The series connection device according to claim 14, wherein: The first fixed contact is made of a conductor, and one end of the first fixed contact is fixed to a predetermined area of ​​the first internal space, the other end of the first fixed contact is exposed to the outside of the first body, and the bypass wire is connected to the first wire connector protruding to the outside of the first body.

16. The series connection device according to claim 15, wherein: The first movable contact is connected to the first fixed contact at the predetermined portion, and as the first elastic member deforms along the Z-axis direction in response to the movement of the first battery cell connector in the Z-axis direction, the first movable contact also reciprocates in the Z-axis direction to separate from the first fixed contact.

17. A battery charging / discharging system comprising the series connection device according to claim 11.

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