Battery pack performance inspection jig

Abstract

To provide a charging and discharging inspection jig that can secure the safety of a worker while improving the productivity of a battery pack with a compact formation of a charging / discharging inspection facility.SOLUTION: A performance inspection jig for inspecting performance of a battery pack to be mounted on a vehicle, comprises: a base part; an operation detection unit that is provided in the base part, detects an approach of a worker, and controls supply of electric power; a fitting detection unit that is provided in the base part, detects a fitting state of the battery pack to a connector provided in the base part, and controls supply of electric power to the battery pack; and a charging and discharging unit that is provided on a surface of the base part in the vicinity of the operation detection unit and the fitting detection unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a performance inspection jig for performing comprehensive performance inspections such as charging and discharging of a battery pack mounted on a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, comprehensive performance inspections such as charging and discharging are performed on a battery pack before it is mounted on a vehicle. In this performance inspection of the battery pack, it is carried out by connecting an inspection jig to the output connector and the charging connector of the battery pack and applying a high voltage to the battery pack.

[0003] Thus, in the inspection of the battery pack using an inspection jig, since a high voltage is applied, if the fitting state of the connector between the battery pack and the inspection jig becomes unstable, an excessive current may instantaneously flow through the energized part between the battery pack and the inspection jig, and spark discharge may occur. In a work site where such a high voltage is handled, there is a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 as a means for preventing spark discharge.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which two terminals, a power supply terminal for energization and a detection terminal for detecting the connection state of the connector part, which is a connection part with a power supply part, are provided, and whether to supply power to the power supply terminal is controlled according to the presence or absence of connection of the detection terminal. In the technique of Patent Document 1, the length of the power supply terminal is formed shorter than the length of the detection terminal. Thereby, power supply is performed in a state where the power supply terminal is surely connected, and it is possible to prevent spark discharge from occurring at the connector part.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] As described above, in the prior art, by forming the length of the control terminal shorter than the length of the power supply terminal, it is possible to prevent spark discharge from occurring between the power supply terminal on the power supply side and the power supply terminal on the powered side. However, in the technology for preventing spark discharge described in Patent Document 1, unnecessary control terminals that are not used after being mounted on a vehicle are provided in the battery pack, and the connection connector provided in the battery pack becomes larger, which may compress the space of the vehicle after mounting.

[0007] Also, in the inspection of conventional battery packs, in order to ensure the safety of the operator, charging and discharging of the battery pack was performed at a position separated from the operator. That is, in the conventional performance inspection, after connecting the battery pack and the performance inspection jig, the battery pack was moved to a position separated from the operator, the charge and discharge inspection was performed, and then the battery pack was moved back to the vicinity of the operator again, and the connection between the battery pack and the performance inspection jig was released. Thus, in the inspection of conventional battery packs, in order to perform the performance inspection, the battery pack in a state where the performance inspection jig is connected needs to be moved twice, and the workability of the performance inspection of the battery pack is poor. Also, because the battery pack is retracted from the operator, the performance inspection device is large-scale.

[0008] Also, in the inspection of other battery packs, in order to ensure the safety of the operator, a sensor for detecting the intrusion of the operator near the battery pack during charging and discharging is provided, and when the sensor detects that the operator has approached the battery pack during charging and discharging, there is one that stops the power supply to the battery pack. In this inspection device, a plurality of sensors are installed so as to surround the battery pack to which the performance inspection jig is connected. Thus, in the conventional performance inspection device for battery packs, by installing a plurality of sensors around the battery pack, it is possible to stop the power supply to the battery pack when the operator approaches the battery pack during charging and discharging and ensure the safety of the operator. However, in the conventional performance device, a space for installing a plurality of sensors is required, and when performing the performance inspection of the battery pack, extra operations such as activating the sensors are required, which has reduced the productivity of the performance inspection of the battery pack.

[0009] As described above, in the conventional battery pack performance inspection device, in order to ensure the safety of the operator, the battery pack during performance inspection is separated from the operator by a certain distance, or a sensor is provided around the battery pack to detect the approach of the operator to the vicinity of the battery pack during charging and discharging. Extra operations such as moving the battery pack or activating the sensor at a location where the operator is away from the battery pack are required, which reduces the productivity of the performance inspection of the battery pack.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a performance inspection jig that can form a compact performance inspection facility, improve the productivity of battery packs, and ensure the safety of operators.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] A first aspect of the present invention is a performance inspection jig for performing a performance inspection of a battery pack mounted on a vehicle, comprising a base portion, an operation detection portion provided on the base portion for detecting the approach of an operator and controlling power supply, a fitting detection portion provided on the base portion for detecting the fitting state between the battery pack and a connector provided on the base portion and controlling power supply to the battery pack, and a charging / discharging portion provided on the other surface of the base portion in the vicinity of the operation detection portion and the fitting detection portion.

[0012] A second aspect of the present invention is that the operation detection portion includes a support piece extending forward from the front surface of the base portion, a handle portion connected to the front end portion of the support piece, a lever main body provided between the front surface of the base portion and the handle portion, and a contact detection sensor provided on one side facing the lever main body.

[0013] A third aspect of the present invention is that the fitting detection portion includes a fitting detection pin and a fitting detection sensor for detecting the fitting state between the charging / discharging portion and the battery pack according to the detection presence or absence of the fitting detection pin.

Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, in the performance inspection of a battery pack, while forming a compact performance inspection facility capable of charging and discharging, the time required for the performance inspection of the battery pack is shortened to improve the productivity of the battery pack, and spark discharge between the battery pack and the inspection jig is prevented to ensure safety during work.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] The present invention is a performance inspection jig M for confirming the performance of a battery pack B before being mounted on a vehicle. While miniaturizing the performance inspection jig M, power supply to the performance inspection jig M is controlled according to the connection state between the performance inspection jig M and the battery pack B, or power supply to the performance inspection jig M is controlled according to the presence or absence of an operator near the performance inspection jig M to surely prevent spark discharge from occurring between the battery pack B and the performance inspection jig M. By doing so, the time required for the performance inspection of the battery pack B is shortened to improve the productivity of the battery pack B. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] The overall configuration of the performance inspection jig M according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of the performance inspection jig M. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the performance inspection jig M. FIG. 3 is a right side sectional view of the A-A line section in FIG. 2 as viewed from the right side, and FIG. 4 is a right side sectional view of the B-B line section in FIG. 2 as viewed from the right side. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the fitting detection pin 31. (a) is a diagram showing a state where the battery pack B and the performance inspection jig M are joined, (b) is a diagram showing a state where the performance inspection jig M retreats from the battery pack B and the fitting detection sensor 32 cannot detect the fitting detection pin 31, and (c) is a diagram showing a state where the performance inspection jig M is completely separated from the battery pack B. FIG. 6 is a side view showing an embodiment of the performance inspection of the battery pack B. In this embodiment, the side where the operator of the performance inspection jig M operates is defined as the front side, and the vertical direction in FIG. 2 is defined as the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction is defined as the left-right direction for explanation.

[0018] The battery pack B described in this embodiment is placed and fixed on a transport pallet and transported to a predetermined performance inspection position by a belt conveyor (not shown). The battery pack B has a charging connector B1 and an output connector B2 on the side peripheral surface on the front side. The charge-discharge inspection of the battery pack B is performed in a state where the battery pack B is placed and fixed on the pallet.

[0019] The performance inspection jig M is a jig for inspecting whether the battery pack B has a predetermined performance by connecting a charging side connector 40 and an output side connector 41 as connectors provided on the base portion 1 of the performance inspection jig M to the charging connector B1 and the output connector B2 of the battery pack B placed at a predetermined position.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the performance inspection jig M includes a base portion 1 for hanging from the ceiling surface in the factory, an operation detection portion 2 provided on one surface (front surface) of the base portion 1, a fitting detection portion 3 provided so as to straddle from one surface (front surface) of the base portion 1 to the other surface (rear surface), a charge-discharge portion 4 provided in the vicinity of the operation detection portion 2 and the fitting detection portion 3 on the other surface (rear surface) of the base portion 1, and a support portion 5 connected to the lower end portion of the base portion 1 and supporting the base portion 1.

[0021] The base portion 1 has a base main body 10 and suspension fixing portions 11 connected and fixed near the left and right end portions at the upper part of the base main body 10.

[0022] The base main body 10 is formed in a plate shape having a substantially square shape and a certain thickness. In a front view, the base main body 10 has a fitting detection hole portion 12 formed to penetrate in the front-rear direction near the lower left corner portion, and a detachment hole portion 13 formed to penetrate in the front-rear direction at a position slightly lower right from the substantially central portion and at substantially the same height as the fitting detection hole portion 12. The fitting detection hole portion 12 and the detachment hole portion 13 are formed in a substantially circular shape in a front view.

[0023] The suspension fixing portion 11 has a fixing portion 11a for fixing to the base main body 10 and an eye plate portion 11b provided on the upper surface of the fixing portion 11a. The fixing portion 11a has a rear surface portion 11c and a top surface portion 11d that bends forward by approximately 90 degrees from the upper end portion of the rear surface portion 11c and extends forward. The rear surface portion 11c and the top surface portion 11d are formed in a plate shape having a substantially square shape and a certain thickness. The fixing portion 11a is formed in a substantially "L" shape with the top and bottom reversed in a side view by the rear surface portion 11c and the top surface portion 11d. The rear surface portion 11c is fixed to the base main body 10 by inserting a fixing means such as a bolt through it and screwing the tip portion thereof to the base main body 10.

[0024] The eye plate portion 11b is provided on the top surface portion 11d of the fixing portion 11a. The eye plate portion 11b is formed in a U shape and has a hanging space S between it and the top surface portion 11d by fixing both tip portions of the U shape to the top surface portion 11d. Note that the fixing portion 11a and the eye plate portion 11b are integrally formed by means such as welding.

[0025] A string body a is connected to the eye plate portion 11b. The string body a has a base end portion connected to the eye plate portion 11b and a tip portion connected to a hanging portion H vertically provided on the ceiling in the factory. The base main body 10 is provided so as to be movable according to the cable length for supplying power to the performance inspection jig M by the hanging portion H.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the operation detection unit 2 is provided to cover the detachment hole portion 13 of the base body 10. The operation detection unit 2 includes a jig operation unit 20 for an operator to move the performance inspection jig M suspended by the suspension part H, a detachment operation unit 21 provided inside the jig operation unit 20, and an operation detection sensor 22 for detecting whether the operator is gripping the jig operation unit 20 and the detachment operation unit 21.

[0027] The jig operation unit 20 includes upper and lower support pieces 23, 23 in the shape of flat plates horizontally extending forward from the front side of the base body 10, and a handle part 24 installed between the tip ends of the upper and lower support pieces 23, 23.

[0028] The upper support piece 23 is fixed to the front surface of the base body 10 by fixing means such as bolts in the vicinity of the suspension fixing part 11 at the upper end of the base body 10. The lower support piece 23 is provided to face the upper support piece 23, and is fixed to the front surface of the base body 10 by fastening means such as bolts below the detachment hole portion 13 formed in the base body 10 and near the lower end of the base body 10. The upper and lower support pieces 23, 23 are formed in the shape of rectangular flat plates having a certain thickness.

[0029] The holding portion 24 has a front support piece 25 installed at the tip portions of the upper and lower support pieces 23, 23, and a gripping portion 26 surrounding the front support piece 25. The front support piece 25 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape having a certain thickness, similar to the upper and lower support pieces 23, 23, and is smoothly connected to the upper and lower support pieces 23, 23. The front support piece 25 is provided with a light receiving portion 27 so as to face the base body 10 slightly upward from the central portion on the back side. The light receiving portion 27 functions as a photoelectric sensor together with an operation detection sensor 22 described later. The light receiving portion 27 can detect whether an operator is trying to operate the performance inspection jig M according to whether it receives the output light from the operation detection sensor 22. The light receiving portion 27 functions as a light receiving portion in the photoelectric sensor. That is, while the light receiving portion 27 is receiving the output light from the operation detection sensor 22, it is recognized that the performance inspection jig M is in a non-operating state, and power supply to the battery pack B can be started according to the fitting state between the performance inspection jig M and the battery pack B detected by a fitting detection portion 3 described later. Also, when the light receiving portion 27 cannot detect the output light from the operation detection sensor 22, regardless of the fitting state between the performance inspection jig M and the battery pack B in any state detected by the fitting detection portion 3 described later, it is recognized that the performance inspection jig M is in an operating state and power supply to the battery pack B is not performed. The light receiving portion 27 is provided at substantially the same height as the operation detection sensor 22 described later.

[0030] The gripping portion 26 surrounds the front support piece 25 by fixing means such as bolts. The gripping portion 26 has a hole portion 26a through which the light radiated from the operation detection sensor 22 passes at a location corresponding to the light receiving portion 27. The hole portion 26a is formed with a diameter slightly larger than that of the light receiving portion 27, and the light receiving portion 27 is exposed to the operation detection sensor 22 side. The gripping portion 26 is formed in a substantially square shape and a substantially box shape in a horizontal cross-sectional view.

[0031] The detachment operation portion 21 has left and right support pieces 21a extending horizontally forward from the base body 10, a detachment portion 21b rotatably installed between the front end portions of the left and right support pieces 21a, and a detachment shaft portion 21c connected to the lower end portion of the detachment portion 21b.

[0032] The support piece 21a is formed in a plate shape that is substantially square and has a constant thickness in side view. The base end of the support piece 21a is connected to the front surface of the base body 10 and is supported by the base body 10 in the form of a cantilever beam. The support pieces 21a are arranged opposite to each other at a certain distance in the left - right direction. The left and right support pieces 21a, 21a have a rotation restricting piece 21d installed between the left and right support pieces 21a, 21a at approximately the center of the upper surface, and a rotation hole portion 21e provided near the tip end portion.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the rotation restricting piece 21d is formed in a substantially arch - shaped convex upward. The rotation restricting piece 21d is fixed to the upper surface near the front end portions of the left and right support pieces 21a, 21a by fixing means such as bolts.

[0034] The rotation hole portion 21e is provided near the upper part of the front portions of the left and right support pieces 21a, 21a and is formed to penetrate circularly in the left - right direction. The rotation shaft portion 29 of the detachment portion 21b is inserted into the rotation hole portion 21e.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and (b), the detachment portion 21b has a lever body 28 and rotation shaft portions 29 protruding from both side surfaces near the lower end portion of the lever body 28.

[0036] The lever body 28 is formed in a substantially square bar shape and has an opening 28a penetrating in the front-rear direction slightly upward from a substantially central portion. The opening 28a is formed in a substantially circular shape when viewed from the front. Further, rotation shaft portions 29 project from the left and right side surfaces near the lower end portion of the lever body 28. The rotation shaft portions 29 are formed in a solid cylindrical shape. The rotation shaft portions 29 have their tip portions inserted into the rotation hole portions 21e of the support pieces 21a. That is, the lever body 28 is provided so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction about the rotation hole portions 21e by the rotation shaft portions 29. The rotation range of the lever body 28 is such that, with the vertical state in which the opening 28a is located above the rotation hole portions 21e as a reference (0 degrees, the position in Fig. 3(a)), the angle at which the upper end portion of the lever body 28 tilts backward is 10°, and the angle at which the upper end portion of the lever body 28 tilts forward is 30°. The backward tilt of the lever body 28 is restricted by a rotation restricting piece 21d. Further, the forward tilt of the lever body 28 about the axis of the rotation hole portions 21e is restricted by a release shaft portion 21c.

[0037] The release shaft portion 21c is inserted into a release bush 21g provided on the base body 10. The release shaft portion 21c projects its tip portion to the back surface of the base body 10 via the release bush 21g and brings its base end portion into contact with the lower end portion of the lever body 28. The forward protrusion amount of the release shaft portion 21c from the front end portion of the release bush 21g is configured to change according to the forward tilt angle of the lever body 28. That is, the release shaft portion 21c is provided in a state where its front end portion is in contact with the lower end portion of the lever body 28, and as the lever body 28 tilts forward from the reference (0 degrees), the lower end portion of the lever body 28 is displaced rearward, displacing the release shaft portion 21c to the rear surface side of the base body 10. Thereby, the forward protrusion amount of the release shaft portion 21c from the front end portion of the release bush 21g is adjusted.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 3(a), the operation detection sensor 22 is fixed to the front surface of the base body 10 at substantially the same height as the light receiving portion 27 provided on the back surface of the front support piece 25 so as to face the light receiving portion 27. The operation detection sensor 22 is a photoelectric sensor formed in a pair with the light receiving portion 27. The operation detection sensor 22 functions as a light projecting portion of the photoelectric sensor. The operation detection sensor 22 is a photoelectric sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object when the output light is detected by the light receiving portion 27, and the light output direction from the operation detection sensor 22 as the light projecting portion is set to the front side. That is, the operation detection sensor 22 outputs light toward the light receiving portion 27 as the light receiving portion of the photoelectric sensor located in the front. The light output from the operation detection sensor 22 passes through the opening 28a provided in the lever body 28 and is detected by the light receiving portion 27. That is, in the reference state (0 degrees) where the opening 28a of the lever body 28 is located above the rotation hole portion 21e, the operation detection sensor 22, the opening 28a, and the light receiving portion 27 are configured to be located at the same height. In the present embodiment, when the light output from the operation detection sensor 22 does not reach the light receiving portion 27, it is determined that the operator is near the performance inspection jig M, and the power supply to the battery pack B is stopped. That is, the operator closes the opening 28a of the lever body 28 with a finger so that the light output from the operation detection sensor 22 does not reach the light receiving portion 27 provided in the jig operation portion 20, or the lever body 28 tilts forward to block the light output from the operation detection sensor 22 with the opening 28a, or the operator closes the light receiving portion 27 with a finger when gripping the gripping portion 26, whereby the power supply to the battery pack B can be easily stopped. In the present embodiment, the operation detection sensor 22 and the light receiving portion 27 are described together as a photoelectric sensor, but what detects whether the operator is operating the performance inspection jig M is not limited to a photoelectric sensor. That is, the operation detection sensor 22 may use any detection means as long as it can detect that the operator is about to operate the performance inspection jig M. For example, the light receiving portion 27 that functions as the light receiving portion of the photoelectric sensor is configured as a proximity sensor, and when the operator grips the gripping portion 26 near the light receiving portion 27, it is detected that the operator is about to operate the performance inspection jig M, and the power supply to the performance inspection jig M may be controlled.

[0039] By configuring the operation detection unit 2 in this way, when an operator tries to operate the performance inspection jig M, the light emitted from the operation detection sensor 22 is blocked by the operator's hand, so that the power supply to the performance inspection jig M is stopped, and it is possible to prevent a spark discharge from occurring between the performance inspection jig M and the battery pack B. That is, when the operator operates the performance inspection jig M, since the power supply to the performance inspection jig M is stopped, it is possible to prevent a spark discharge from occurring between the battery pack B and the performance inspection jig M when connecting the battery pack B and the performance inspection jig M, or when releasing the connection state between the battery pack B and the performance inspection jig M.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the fitting detection unit 3 includes a fitting bush 30 inserted and fixed in the fitting detection hole portion 12 of the base body 10, a fitting detection pin 31 inserted through the fitting bush 30, and a fitting detection sensor 32 provided on the front side of the base body 10.

[0041] The fitting bush 30 extends rearward from the fitting detection hole portion 12. The fitting bush 30 is a cylindrical body having a flange for fixing to the base body 10. The fitting bush 30 has a guide hole portion 30a formed to penetrate in the front-rear direction at a substantially central portion. The guide hole portion 30a has a spring biasing portion 30b at the central portion in the front-rear direction. The spring biasing portion 30b is formed to have a larger diameter than the inner diameter of the guide hole portion 30a.

[0042] The fitting detection pin 31 is inserted through the guide hole portion 30a of the fitting bush 30. The fitting detection pin 31 is provided so as to straddle the front surface and the back surface of the base body 10, and has a sensor detection portion 33 provided on the front surface side of the base body 10 and a contact portion 34 extending rearward from the sensor detection portion 33.

[0043] The sensor detection unit 33 is formed in a solid cylindrical shape. The sensor detection unit 33 has a sensor blocking portion 33a formed with a diameter larger than that of the fitting detection hole portion 12 provided in the base body 10, and a connecting portion 33b connected to the center on the back surface side of the sensor blocking portion 33a and formed with a diameter smaller than that of the fitting detection hole portion 12. The connecting portion 33b connects a contact portion 34 to its tip end.

[0044] The contact portion 34 is formed in a solid cylindrical shape and has a guide portion 34a connected to the connecting portion 33b and a detection portion 34b connected to the tip end of the guide portion 34a. Both the guide portion 34a and the detection portion 34b are formed in a solid cylindrical shape. The detection portion 34b is formed with a diameter larger than that of the guide portion 34a. Accordingly, the base end portion of the detection portion 34b has a flange portion 34c. In the space closed by the spring biasing portion 30b of the fitting bush 30, the guide portion 34a, and the flange portion 34c, a biasing spring 35 made of a coil spring is disposed. The biasing spring 35 surrounds the guide portion 34a of the contact portion 34. Thereby, the fitting detection pin 31 is biased in the direction in which the sensor detection portion 33 of the fitting detection pin 31 contacts the front surface of the base body 10 by the biasing force of the biasing spring 35. That is, the fitting detection pin 31 is constantly biased toward the rear of the base body 10 by the biasing force of the biasing spring 35.

[0045] The fitting detection sensor 32 is a capacitance proximity sensor that detects changes in capacitance generated between the sensor and an object to determine the presence or absence of the object. The fitting detection sensor 32 is provided with an electrode charged positively. When a detected object approaches the electrode, the positive charge charged on the electrode increases, and the capacitance of the electrode increases. The fitting detection sensor 32 detects whether there is an object in the vicinity of the sensor according to this change in capacitance. In the present embodiment, the fitting detection sensor 32 detects whether the sensor detection unit 33 of the fitting detection pin 31 has moved forward away from the base body 10. That is, as shown in FIG. 5(a), when the fitting detection sensor 32 detects the sensor detection unit 33 and the operator is not detected by the operation detection unit 2, it shifts to a state where power supply to the performance inspection jig M can be started. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5(b) and 5(c), when the fitting detection sensor 32 cannot detect the sensor detection unit 33, it controls to stop the power supply to the performance inspection jig M. That is, the fitting state of the performance inspection jig M and the battery pack B is detected according to whether the fitting detection sensor 32 can detect the sensor detection unit 33 of the fitting detection pin 31, and it is possible to prevent spark discharge from occurring between the performance inspection jig M and the battery pack B.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the fitting detection sensor 32 of the fitting detection unit 3 for detecting the fitting state of the performance inspection jig M and the battery pack B is configured as a proximity sensor, and the fitting state of the performance inspection jig M and the battery pack B is detected according to whether the sensor detection unit 33 is in the vicinity of the sensor. However, the means for detecting the fitting state of the performance inspection jig M and the battery pack B in the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the fitting detection sensor 32 may be configured as a photoelectric sensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and the fitting state of the performance inspection jig M and the battery pack B may be detected according to whether the output light from the light emitting unit can be detected by the light receiving unit. Further, a distance detection sensor capable of detecting the distance to the battery pack B may be provided on the other surface (back surface) of the base body 10, and the fitting state may be detected according to the distance between the performance inspection jig M and the battery pack B, and it may be configured to determine whether to be in a state where power supply to the performance inspection jig M is possible or to be in a state where power supply is stopped.

[0047] The charge and discharge unit 4 protrudes from the back side of the base body 10 and has a charging-side connector 40 and an output-side connector 41. The charging-side connector 40 is provided at the right side end of the base body 10, that is, on the right side of the detachment shaft portion 21c of the detachment operation portion 21.

[0048] The output-side connector 41 is disposed at the left side end of the base body 10 located on the opposite side across the detachment shaft portion 21c. The output-side connector 41 is above the fitting detection pin 31 and is provided at substantially the same height as the charging-side connector 40.

[0049] The support portion 5 has a support fixing portion 50 vertically provided at the center lower portion of the base body 10 and a support block portion 51 provided below the support fixing portion 50.

[0050] The support fixing portion 50 has a vertical portion 50a connected and fixed to the base body 10 and a horizontal portion 50b placed on the support pedestal portion P that supports the pallet and supports the base body 10 in a vertical posture. The support fixing portion 50 is formed in a substantially "L" shape in a left side view by the vertical portion 50a and the horizontal portion 50b. The horizontal portion 50b is fixed to the support block portion 51 by fastening means such as bolts.

[0051] The support block portion 51 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped block shape and supports the base body 10 in a vertical posture by being placed on the support pedestal portion P. As shown in FIG. 1, the support block portion 51 is located at substantially the center in the left-right direction of the base body 10.

[0052] By forming the support block portion 51 in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped block and placing the base portion 1 on the support pedestal portion P via the support fixing portion 50, it is possible to facilitate the connection between the charging side connector 40 and the output side connector 41 of the performance inspection jig M and the charging connector B1 and the output connector B2 of the battery pack B. That is, the height of the charging side connector 40 and the output side connector 41 from the support pedestal portion P when the support block portion 51 is placed on the support pedestal portion P is substantially the same as the height of the charging connector B1 and the output connector B2 of the battery pack B placed on the pallet from the support pedestal portion P. In this state, the connectors can be easily joined by simply sliding the performance inspection jig M toward the battery pack B side.

[0053] Also, since the height of the charging side connector 40 and the output side connector 41 from the support pedestal portion P when the support block portion 51 is placed on the support pedestal portion P is substantially the same as the height of the charging connector B1 and the output connector B2 of the battery pack B placed on the pallet from the support pedestal portion P, the weight of the performance inspection jig M during the performance inspection of the battery pack B is supported by the support portion 5, and it is possible to make it difficult to release the fitting state between the performance inspection jig M and the connectors of the battery pack B. As a result, the connection state between the performance inspection jig M and the battery pack B is less likely to become unstable, and it is possible to prevent spark discharge from occurring between the connectors.

[0054] The performance inspection jig M in the present embodiment is configured as described above. By including the base portion 1, it is suspended from the ceiling surface in the factory and can be moved according to the length of the cable for supplying power to the performance inspection jig M.

[0055] Also, the performance inspection jig M in the present embodiment is configured to include two detection units, an operation detection unit 2 and a fitting detection unit 3, so that the performance inspection of the battery pack B can be performed in a state where the performance inspection jig M and the battery pack B are reliably connected. As a result, it is possible to prevent spark discharge from occurring between the performance inspection jig M and the battery pack B.

[0056] Regarding the power supply control of the performance inspection jig M in this embodiment, in more detail, in the operation detection unit 2, light is constantly emitted from the operation detection sensor 22. When the light emitted from the operation detection sensor 22 is input to the light receiving unit 27, it is assumed that there is no operator near the performance inspection jig M, and the state is set to be able to start power supply to the performance inspection jig M. Also, when the light emitted from the operation detection sensor 22 is not input to the light receiving unit 27, since there is an operator near the performance inspection jig M, the power supply to the performance inspection jig M is stopped. That is, in the power supply control of the performance inspection jig M, while the operator is operating the operation detection unit 2, the power supply is always cut off, and even if the connection states of the charging connector B1 and the output connector B2 and the charging side connector 40 and the output side connector 41 become unstable during the operation of the performance inspection jig M, spark discharge between the connectors can be prevented.

[0057] Also, in the fitting detection unit 3, when the fitting detection pin 31 contacts the side surface of the battery pack B and the sensor detection unit 33 protrudes to the front side of the base body 10, and the fitting detection sensor 32 detects the protrusion of the sensor detection unit 33 forward of the base body 10, it shifts to a state where power supply to the performance inspection jig M can be started. When the fitting detection sensor 32 does not detect the sensor detection unit 33, the power supply to the performance inspection jig M is stopped. That is, in the fitting detection unit 3, by determining the fitting state of the battery pack B and the performance inspection jig M based on whether the fitting detection sensor 32 detects the sensor detection unit 33, the risk of spark discharge occurring at the connection part of each connector can be eliminated. In this embodiment, the fitting state of the battery pack B and the performance inspection jig M is detected using the fitting detection pin 31 to control the power supply state to the performance inspection jig M. However, a distance sensor may be provided on the rear surface side of the base body 10 to measure the distance between the battery pack B and the performance inspection jig M, and the power supply state to the performance inspection jig M may be controlled according to the measured distance.

[0058] In addition, the control of the power supply state to the performance inspection jig M in the present embodiment is controlled to energize when both the operation detection unit 2 and the fitting detection unit 3 satisfy the conditions for enabling power supply. That is, even if the power supply condition to the performance inspection jig M by the operation detection unit 2 is satisfied, if the power supply condition to the performance inspection jig M by the fitting detection unit 3 is not satisfied, the power supply to the performance inspection jig M is not started. Conversely, even if the power supply condition to the performance inspection jig M by the fitting detection unit 3 is satisfied, if the power supply condition to the performance inspection jig M by the operation detection unit 2 is not satisfied, the power supply to the performance inspection jig M is not started. By configuring not to supply power unless the power supply conditions by the operation detection unit 2 and the fitting detection unit 3 are satisfied in this way, even when the operator operates the performance inspection jig M without grasping the handle part 24, or when accidentally touches the performance inspection jig M during the performance inspection, the risk of spark discharge occurring between the performance inspection jig M and the battery pack B can be eliminated.

[0059] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes configurations in which the respective configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments are mutually replaced and recombined, configurations obtained by changing the combinations, known inventions, and configurations in which the respective configurations disclosed in the above-described embodiments are mutually replaced, and the like. Further, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and extends to the matters described in the claims and their equivalents.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0060] 1 Base part 2 Operation detection unit 3 Fitting detection unit 4 Charge and discharge unit 5 Support part 10 Base body 11 Suspension fixing part 11a Fixing part 11b Eye plate part 11c Rear part 11d Top part 12 Fitting detection hole part 13 Release hole part 20 Operation part 21 Release operation part 21a Support piece 21b Detachment part 21c Detachment shaft part 21d Rotation regulating piece 21e Rotation hole part 21g Detachment bush 22 Operation detection sensor 23 Support piece 24 Holding part 25 Front support piece 26 Gripping part 26a Hole part 27 Light receiving part 28 Lever body 28a Opening part 29 Rotation shaft part 30 Fitting bush 30a Guide hole part 31 Fitting detection pin 32 Fitting detection sensor 33 Sensor detection part 33a Sensor blocking part 33b Connecting part 33c Contact part 33d Guide part 33e Detection part 33f Flange part 34 Contact part 35 Biasing spring 40 Charging side connector 41 Output side connector 50 Support fixing part 50a Vertical part 50b Horizontal part 51 Support block part B Battery pack B1 Charging connector B2 Output connector H Hanging part M Charge and discharge inspection jig S Hooking space a String body P Support pedestal part

Claims

1. A performance inspection jig for inspecting the performance of a battery pack mounted on a vehicle, a base portion, an operation detection unit provided on the base portion for detecting the approach of an operator and controlling power supply, a fitting detection unit provided on the base portion for detecting the fitting state between the battery pack and a connector provided on the base portion and controlling power supply to the battery pack, a charge and discharge unit provided on the other surface of the base portion near the operation detection unit and the fitting detection unit, and characterized by having the above. A battery pack performance inspection jig.

2. The operation detection unit is a support piece extending forward from the front surface of the base portion, a handle portion connected to the front end portion of the support piece, an open lever body provided between the front surface of the base portion and the handle portion, an operation detection sensor provided on a surface facing the lever body, and the battery pack performance inspection jig according to Claim 1 having the above.

3. The fitting detection unit is a fitting detection pin, a fitting detection sensor for detecting the fitting state between the charge and discharge unit and the battery pack according to the presence or absence of detection of the fitting detection pin, and the battery pack performance inspection jig according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 having the above.

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