Gas analyzer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gas analyzer, and provides a gas analyzer that can be implemented in a system in which individual collection and analysis of gases generated in each of a plurality of analysis target cells are automated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0178983, filed on December 20, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the literature of the Korean Patent Application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a gas analyzer, and more particularly, to a gas analyzer capable of automatically collecting and analyzing individual gases generated in each of a plurality of analysis target cells.

Background Art

[0003] Generally, a secondary battery is a battery that can be repeatedly used through a discharge process of converting chemical energy into electrical energy and a charging process in the reverse direction. Examples of secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries, nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries, lithium metal batteries, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, and lithium-ion polymer batteries. Among these secondary batteries, lithium secondary batteries, which have a high energy density, voltage, long cycle life, and low self-discharge rate, have been commercialized and widely used.

[0004] Inside a lithium secondary battery, various gases such as hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons represented by C n H 2n-2 (n = 2 to 5), C n H 2n (n = 2 to 5), C n H 2n+2 (n = 1 to 5), and other organic gas species are generated as secondary battery generated gases.

[0005] In addition, lithium secondary batteries degrade while generating a large amount of secondary battery generated gas due to electrolyte decomposition as repeated charging and discharging progresses, and this mode varies depending on the battery design and usage form. Therefore, it is essential to analyze the secondary battery generated gas to infer the battery degradation mechanism during the battery development process.

[0006] Therefore, it is very important to accurately analyze the secondary battery generated gas. Specifically, information on the composition and content of the secondary battery generated gas is usefully used in the development of battery materials, the optimization of the battery manufacturing process, the understanding of battery failure causes, etc. For this purpose, the development of technology for analyzing the secondary battery generated gas is important.

[0007] The analysis of the secondary battery generated gas is carried out in stages: collecting the gas generated from inside the secondary battery, transmitting the collected gas to an analytical device such as GC (gas chromatography) for GC measurement, and analyzing the measurement data. Since the composition and amount of the secondary battery generated gas change not only depending on the type of secondary battery but also on the conditions applied to the secondary battery such as the number of cycles, SOC, and temperature, individual collection and analysis of the secondary battery generated gas are required for various secondary batteries, and individual collection and analysis of the secondary battery generated gas are required for each of the various conditions. That is, the analysis of the secondary battery generated gas is repeatedly performed on a plurality of secondary batteries.

[0008] At this time, the repetitive work increases the fatigue level of the analyst as the number of samples increases, and human errors also occur depending on the proficiency of the analyst. In addition, the secondary battery analysis is carried out for a long time, and in such cases, there are limitations to the analysis method performed by the manual operation of the analyst.

[0009] Therefore, an automated analysis technology that automates the gas collection inside the secondary battery and the GC measurement work of the collected gas to minimize human errors and enable efficient and accurate analysis is required.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] The present invention relates to a gas analyzer, and provides a gas analyzer capable of being performed by a system in which individual collection and analysis of gases generated in each of a plurality of cells to be analyzed are automated.

[0011] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the above-described technical problems, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] The gas analyzer of the present invention includes a jig part on which a cell to be analyzed is mounted, a gas diffusion chamber provided with a gas diffusion space in which the jig part is accommodated inside, a supply cell storage unit provided with a supply cell storage space in which the jig part for supplying to the gas diffusion space is stored, a recovery cell storage unit provided with a recovery cell storage space in which the jig part recovered from the gas diffusion space is stored, a cell moving unit that moves the jig part from the supply cell storage space to the gas diffusion space or moves the jig part accommodated in the gas diffusion space to the recovery cell storage space, a gas analysis unit that analyzes the gas transmitted from the gas diffusion space, and a gas transmission flow path that connects the gas diffusion space and the gas analysis unit.

Effects of the Invention

[0013] The gas analyzer of the present invention can collect and analyze gases generated in secondary cells with minimal intervention by an analyst in an automated system.

[0014] The gas analyzer of the present invention can independently perform gas collection and analysis on a plurality of secondary cells only with the initial settings of an analyst.

[0015] The gas analyzer of the present invention can perform continuous analysis without the analyst waiting in the vicinity of the gas analyzer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

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Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] The gas analyzer of the present invention includes a jig part on which an analysis target battery is mounted, a gas diffusion chamber provided with a gas diffusion space in which the jig part is accommodated, a supply battery storage unit provided with a supply battery storage space in which the jig part for supplying to the gas diffusion space is stored, a recovered battery storage unit provided with a recovered battery storage space in which the jig part recovered from the gas diffusion space is stored, a battery moving unit that moves the jig part from the supply battery storage space to the gas diffusion space or moves the jig part accommodated in the gas diffusion space to the recovered battery storage space, a gas analysis unit that analyzes the gas transmitted from the gas diffusion space, and a gas transmission flow path that connects the gas diffusion space and the gas analysis unit.

[0018] In the gas analyzer of the present invention, a battery accommodation groove for mounting the analysis target battery is formed on the upper surface of the jig part.

[0019] In the gas analyzer of the present invention, the battery moving unit includes a gripper unit for gripping the jig unit, a lifting drive unit for linearly moving the gripper unit in the vertical direction, and a first drive unit for moving the gripper unit in a first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0020] In the gas analyzer of the present invention, when the vertical direction and the direction perpendicular to the first direction are defined as the second direction, the gripper unit includes a pair of gripper members that contact both side surfaces of the jig unit formed in a plane perpendicular to the second direction to grip the jig unit.

[0021] In the gas analyzer of the present invention, a pair of gripper insertion groove portions are formed in the jig unit, and each of the pair of gripper insertion groove portions is located on each of the both side surfaces of the jig unit formed in a plane perpendicular to the second direction.

[0022] In the gas analyzer of the present invention, each of the pair of gripper insertion groove portions includes a first gripper insertion groove formed in a long groove shape and a second gripper insertion groove formed at a certain distance from the first gripper insertion groove.

[0023] In the gas analyzer of the present invention, the pair of gripper members are formed with a first protrusion for insertion into the first gripper insertion groove and a second protrusion for insertion into the second gripper insertion groove.

[0024] In the gas analyzer of the present invention, the gripper unit further includes a grip actuator that provides a driving force for adjusting the distance between the pair of grip members, and a gripper body member to which the grip actuator and the pair of grip members are coupled. The first driving unit includes a first moving member that linearly moves in the first direction, and a first guide member that guides the movement of the first moving member. The lifting and lowering driving unit includes a lifting and lowering guide member coupled to the first moving member, and a lifting and lowering moving member that linearly moves in the vertical direction along the lifting and lowering guide member. The gripper body member is fixed to the lifting and lowering moving member.

[0025] In the gas analyzer of the present invention, the supply battery storage unit includes a supply battery storage portion provided with the supply battery storage space therein and extending in the vertical direction, and a supply battery lifting portion that lifts the jig portion in the supply battery storage space. A battery discharge port is formed at the upper end of the supply battery storage portion. On each of both side surfaces of the supply battery storage portion, first gripper contact holes are formed so as to be directly contactable with each of both side surfaces of the jig portion formed by the pair of grip members in a plane perpendicular to the second direction.

[0026] In the gas analyzer of the present invention, the recovered battery storage unit includes a recovered battery storage portion provided with the recovered battery storage space therein and extending in the vertical direction, and a recovered battery lowering portion that lowers the jig portion in the recovered battery storage space. A battery recovery port is formed at the upper end of the recovered battery storage portion. On each of both side surfaces of the recovered battery storage portion, second gripper contact holes are formed so as to be directly contactable with each of both side surfaces of the jig portion formed by the pair of grip members in a plane perpendicular to the second direction.

[0027] In the gas analyzer of the present invention, the gas diffusion chamber is located at a certain distance from the supply battery storage unit and the recovery battery storage unit in the first direction. The gas diffusion chamber includes a chamber body portion in which a jig portion accommodation groove is formed as the gas diffusion space on the upper surface, and a chamber cover portion that covers the upper surface of the chamber body portion to make the gas diffusion space a sealed space. The chamber cover portion is slid in the vertical direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to open or seal the gas diffusion space.

[0028] In the gas analyzer of the present invention, a punching portion for punching the battery to be analyzed is provided on the upper surface of the chamber cover portion. The punching needle of the punching portion is inserted into the gas diffusion space through the through hole of the chamber cover portion to punch the battery to be analyzed.

[0029] In the gas analyzer of the present invention, the gas transfer channel is connected to the chamber body portion.

[0030] In the gas analyzer of the present invention, a manifold is provided in the gas transfer channel. The gas transferred to the gas analysis unit through the gas transfer channel in the gas diffusion space is injected into the gas analysis unit after waiting in the manifold for a certain period of time.

[0031] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this process, the sizes, shapes, etc. of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation. Also, terms specifically defined in consideration of the configuration and operation of the present invention may vary depending on the intention or convention of the user or operator. Definitions of such terms should be given based on the overall content of this specification.

[0032] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", "one surface", "the other surface", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship usually assumed when the product of the present invention is in use. It is merely for the purpose of simplifying the description of the present invention and should not be construed as presenting or implying that the indicated device or element must be configured or operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited by this understanding.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a gas analyzer of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the jig part 100. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the gripper part 510. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the gripper part 510 grips the jig part 100. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the supply battery storage unit 300. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the recovered battery storage unit 400. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the gas diffusion chamber 200.

[0034] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, the gas analyzer of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0035] Hereinafter, in the coordinate system shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the z-axis direction is the vertical direction, the x-axis direction is the first direction, and the y-axis direction is the second direction.

[0036] The gas analyzer of the present invention is for analyzing the gas generated inside a secondary battery, and can perform, without manual operation by an analyst, loading the battery 11 to be analyzed into a sealed space, diffusing the gas generated by the battery 11 to be analyzed in the sealed space, collecting the diffused gas, transmitting the collected gas to a gas analysis unit for gas analysis, and unloading the battery 11 to be analyzed from the sealed space.

[0037] Therefore, the gas analyzer of the present invention can ensure the safety of the analyst and minimize human errors caused by the analyst's operation during the gas collection and analysis process.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the gas analyzer of the present invention includes a jig unit 100 on which an analysis target battery 11 is mounted, a gas diffusion chamber 200 provided with a gas diffusion space in which the jig unit 100 is accommodated, a supply battery storage unit 300 provided with a supply battery storage space for storing the jig unit 100 to be supplied to the gas diffusion space, a recovery battery storage unit 400 provided with a recovery battery storage space for storing the jig unit 100 recovered from the gas diffusion space, a battery moving unit 500 for moving the jig unit 100 from the supply battery storage space to the gas diffusion space or moving the jig unit 100 accommodated in the gas diffusion space to the recovery battery storage space, a gas analysis unit for analyzing the gas transmitted from the gas diffusion space, and a gas transmission flow path 290 connecting the gas diffusion space and the gas analysis unit.

[0039] The gas analysis unit is equipment capable of quantitatively and qualitatively analyzing gases, such as GC analysis equipment. For example, the gas analysis unit is GC / MS (gas chromatography / mass spectrometer) analysis equipment.

[0040] In the gas analyzer of the present invention, the analysis target battery 11 is not separately accommodated in the gas diffusion space provided inside the gas diffusion chamber 200, but is mounted on a jig unit 100 made of a Teflon (registered trademark) material or the like and then accommodated in the gas diffusion space.

[0041] In the gas analyzer of the present invention, until the process of mounting the battery 11 to be analyzed on the jig unit 100, it is performed manually by the analyst, and the subsequent processes are automatically performed without the intervention of the analyst. Specifically, the process of loading the jig unit 100 into the gas diffusion chamber 200, the process of diffusing gas into the gas diffusion space of the gas diffusion chamber 200, the process of transmitting the diffused gas to the gas analysis unit, the process of unloading the jig unit 100 from the gas diffusion chamber 200, etc. are automatically performed without the direct operation of the analyst.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, as described above, the jig unit 100 is made of Teflon (registered trademark) material which is a chemical-resistant material, and a battery accommodation groove 110 for mounting the battery 11 to be analyzed is formed on the upper surface of the jig unit 100. For example, the jig unit 100 can be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0043] The gas analyzer of the present invention can sequentially analyze a plurality of batteries 11 to be analyzed. A plurality of jig units 100 can also be provided corresponding to the number of the plurality of batteries 11 to be analyzed. Each of the plurality of batteries 11 to be analyzed is mounted on each of the plurality of jig units 100. At this time, the plurality of batteries 11 to be analyzed can have different volumes or shapes from each other. The plurality of jig units 100 are provided so that the outer shapes and specifications are all the same, but the sizes of the battery accommodation grooves 110 are provided corresponding to the specifications of the batteries 11 to be analyzed to be mounted, so that when the jig unit 100 is accommodated in the gas diffusion space, the difference in the volume of the space where the gas is substantially diffused can be made similar for each battery 11 to be analyzed.

[0044] A gas discharge groove 130 can be formed on the upper surface of the jig unit 100 so that the gas in the battery accommodation groove 110 is well diffused into the gas diffusion space. One end of the gas discharge groove 130 can be connected to the battery accommodation groove 110, and the other end can be located at the edge of the jig unit 100. Therefore, the gas in the battery accommodation groove 110 escapes to the side surface of the jig unit 100 through the gas discharge groove 130 and is diffused into the gas diffusion space.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, the battery moving unit 500 includes a gripper unit 510 for gripping the jig unit 100, a lifting drive unit 520 for linearly moving the gripper unit 510 in the vertical direction, and a first drive unit 530 for moving the gripper unit 510 in a first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0046] When the vertical direction and the direction perpendicular to the first direction are defined as the second direction, the gripper unit 510 includes a pair of grip members 511 that contact both side surfaces of the jig unit 100 formed in a plane perpendicular to the second direction to grip the jig unit 100.

[0047] The pair of grip members 511 face each other, and the surfaces facing each other are formed as planes and are in close contact with both side surfaces of the jig unit 100, respectively, so that the jig unit 100 can be gripped.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of gripper insertion groove portions 120 are formed in the jig unit 100, and each of the pair of gripper insertion groove portions 120 is located on each of the both side surfaces of the jig unit 100 formed in a plane perpendicular to the second direction. The gripper insertion groove portion 120 can be formed at a position facing the grip member 511 when the gripper unit 510 grips the jig unit 100.

[0049] Each of the pair of gripper insertion groove portions 120 includes a first gripper insertion groove 121 formed in a long groove shape and a second gripper insertion groove 122 formed at a certain distance from the first gripper insertion groove 121. Specifically, the first gripper insertion groove 121 is provided in a long groove shape extending in the first direction. The second gripper insertion groove 122 can be formed at positions on both sides of the first gripper insertion groove 121 at a certain distance in the first direction. Therefore, two second gripper insertion grooves 122 are assigned to one first gripper insertion groove 121. That is, two first gripper insertion grooves 121 and four second gripper insertion grooves 122 can be provided in one jig unit 100.

[0050] In the pair of grip members 511, a first protrusion 511a for insertion into the first gripper insertion groove 121 and a second protrusion 511b for insertion into the second gripper insertion groove 122 are formed. Specifically, the first protrusion 511a has a shape extending in the first direction so as to correspond to the shape of the first gripper insertion groove 121, and the second protrusion 511b may also have a shape corresponding to the shape of the second gripper insertion groove 122. One grip member 511 may be formed with one first protrusion 511a and two second protrusions 511b. Since the jig portion 100 is provided with a material having low frictional force such as Teflon (registered trademark) as described above, when the jig portion 100 of the gripper portion 510 is gripped, the first protrusion 511a is inserted into the first gripper insertion groove 121, and the second protrusion 511b is inserted into the second gripper insertion groove 122, whereby the jig portion 100 is stably gripped without shaking.

[0051] The gripper portion 510 further includes a grip actuator 512 that provides a driving force for adjusting the distance between the pair of grip members 511, and a gripper body member 513 to which the grip actuator 512 and the pair of grip members 511 are coupled.

[0052] The grip actuator 512 is an electric or pneumatic actuator or the like.

[0053] The pair of grip members 511 are slidably fixed to the gripper body member 513 in the second direction.

[0054] The first driving unit 530 includes a first moving member 531 that linearly moves in the first direction and a first guide member 532 that guides the movement of the first moving member 531. The lifting and lowering driving unit 520 includes a lifting and lowering guide member 522 coupled to the first moving member 531 and a lifting and lowering moving member 521 that linearly moves in the vertical direction along the lifting and lowering guide member 522. The gripper body member 513 is fixed to the lifting and lowering moving member 521.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 5, the supply battery storage unit 300 is provided with the supply battery storage space inside, and includes a supply battery storage part 310 extending in the vertical direction and a supply battery lifting part 320 for lifting the jig part 100 in the supply battery storage space. At the upper end of the supply battery storage part 310, a battery discharge port 311 is formed. On each of both side surfaces of the supply battery storage part 310, first gripper contact holes 312 are formed so as to be able to directly contact each of both side surfaces of the jig part 100 formed in a plane perpendicular to the second direction.

[0056] The supply battery storage part 310 is provided in a quadrangular prism shape extending in the vertical direction. In the supply battery storage space inside the supply battery storage part 310, a plurality of jig parts 100 are stacked and loaded in the vertical direction. The supply battery lifting part 320 can support the bottom surface of the lowermost jig part 100 among the plurality of jig parts 100 stacked in the vertical direction. If the gripper part 510 takes out one jig part 100 through the battery discharge port 311 in the supply battery storage space, the supply battery lifting part 320 rises, and the gripper part 510 can raise the height of the uppermost jig part 100 among the plurality of jig parts 100 located in the supply battery storage space to a position where it is easy to grip.

[0057] The first gripper contact holes 312 are a pair, and each of the pair of first gripper contact holes 312 is formed in a shape penetrating each of two planes perpendicular to the second direction of the supply battery storage part 310. The pair of first gripper contact holes 312 are formed in a shape extending in the vertical direction, and the upper end parts of the pair of first gripper contact holes 312 are connected to the battery discharge port 311.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 6, the recovered battery storage unit 400 includes a recovered battery storage portion 410 provided with the recovered battery storage space therein and extending in the vertical direction, and a recovered battery lowering portion 420 for lowering the jig portion 100 in the recovered battery storage space. At the upper end of the recovered battery storage portion 410, a battery recovery port 411 is formed. On each of both side surfaces of the recovered battery storage portion 410, a second gripper contact hole 412 is formed so as to be able to directly contact each of both side surfaces of the jig portion 100 formed in a plane perpendicular to the second direction.

[0059] The recovered battery storage portion 410 is provided in a quadrangular prism shape extending in the vertical direction. In the recovered battery storage space inside the recovered battery storage portion 410, a plurality of jig portions 100 recovered from the gas diffusion chamber 200 are stacked and loaded in the vertical direction. The recovered battery lowering portion 420 can support the bottom surface of the lowermost jig portion 100 among the plurality of jig portions 100 stacked in the vertical direction. If the gripper portion 510 loads the jig portion 100 through the battery recovery port 411 in the recovered battery storage space, the recovered battery lowering portion 420 descends, and the gripper portion 510 can lower the height of the uppermost jig portion 100 among the plurality of jig portions 100 located in the recovered battery storage space to a position appropriate for placing.

[0060] The second gripper contact holes 412 are in a pair, and each of the pair of second gripper contact holes 412 is formed in a shape penetrating each of two planes perpendicular to the second direction of the recovered battery storage portion 410. The pair of second gripper contact holes 412 has a shape extending in the vertical direction, and the upper end portions of the pair of second gripper contact holes 412 are connected to the battery recovery port 411.

[0061] The gas diffusion chamber 200 may be located at a certain distance from the supply battery storage unit 300 and the recovered battery storage unit 400 in the first direction. By the first driving unit 530, the gripper portion 510 moves between the gas diffusion chamber 200 and the supply battery storage unit 300 or between the gas diffusion chamber 200 and the recovered battery storage unit 400.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 7, the gas diffusion chamber 200 includes a chamber body portion 210 having a jig portion accommodation groove 211 formed as the gas diffusion space on the upper surface, and a chamber cover portion 220 that covers the facing surface of the chamber body portion 210 to form the gas diffusion space as a sealed space. The chamber cover portion 220 is slid in the vertical direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to open or seal the gas diffusion space.

[0063] A sealing member insertion groove 212 may be formed around the jig portion accommodation groove 211 on the upper surface of the chamber body portion 210. Specifically, the sealing member insertion groove 212 is in a closed loop shape into which a sealing member such as an O-ring can be inserted, and the jig portion accommodation groove 211 is located inside the inner circumference of the sealing member insertion groove 212.

[0064] The upper surface of the chamber body portion 210 and the bottom surface of the chamber cover portion are formed as planes and are in complete contact.

[0065] As an embodiment, the battery moving unit may further include a second driving unit (not shown) for positioning one of the center of the gripper body member 513 of the gripper portion 510, the center of the battery discharge port 311 of the supply battery storage portion 310, and the center of the battery recovery port 411 of the recovered battery storage portion 410 on a virtual plane parallel to the first direction and the vertical direction. That is, the second driving unit makes the position of one of the center of the gripper body member 513 of the gripper portion 510, the center of the battery discharge port 311 of the supply battery storage portion 310, and the center of the battery recovery port 411 of the recovered battery storage portion 410 the same in the second direction. The second driving unit is mounted on the first moving member 531 or the lifting and lowering moving member 521.

[0066] As another embodiment, the center of the battery discharge port 311 of the supply battery storage unit 310, the center of the battery recovery port 411 of the recovered battery storage unit 410, and the center of the jig unit accommodation groove 211 may be located on a virtual plane parallel to the first direction and the vertical direction. That is, the center of the battery discharge port 311 of the supply battery storage unit 310, the center of the battery recovery port 411 of the recovered battery storage unit 410, and the center of the jig unit accommodation groove 211 may be located at the same position in the second direction. Therefore, the distance between the supply battery storage unit 300 and the gas diffusion chamber 200 may be formed to be further away from or closer to the distance between the recovered battery storage unit 400 and the gas diffusion chamber 200. That is, on a virtual straight line parallel to the first direction, [gas diffusion chamber 200]-[supply battery storage unit 300]-[recovered battery storage unit 400] may be arranged in this order, or [gas diffusion chamber 200]-[recovered battery storage unit 400]-[supply battery storage unit 300] may be arranged in this order. In such a case, the second drive unit is omitted.

[0067] On the upper surface of the chamber cover portion 220, a punching portion 221 for punching the battery 11 to be analyzed is provided, and the punching needle of the punching portion 221 is inserted into the gas diffusion space through the through hole of the chamber cover portion 220 to punch the battery 11 to be analyzed.

[0068] The punching portion 221 can move the punching needle in the vertical direction through an electric motor or an actuator.

[0069] The gas transfer channel 290 is connected to the chamber body portion 210. The gas transfer channel 290 includes a tube, a hose, a pipe, etc. through which gas can move.

[0070] A manifold is provided in the gas transfer channel 290, and the gas transferred to the gas analysis unit through the gas transfer channel 290 in the gas diffusion space is injected into the gas analysis unit after waiting in the manifold for a certain period of time.

[0071] The manifold is connected with a gas collection container for storing the gas diffused into the gas diffusion space, a dilution chamber for diluting the gas stored in the gas collection container, and a vacuum pump.

[0072] As described above, the embodiments according to the present invention have been explained, but these are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent range of embodiments are possible therefrom. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention must be determined by the scope of the claims.

Industrial Applicability

[0073] The gas analyzer of the present invention is an automated system capable of collecting and analyzing the gases generated by secondary batteries while minimizing the intervention of analysts.

[0074] The gas analyzer of the present invention can independently perform gas collection and analysis on a plurality of secondary batteries only with the initial settings of the analyst.

[0075] The gas analyzer of the present invention can perform continuous analysis without the analyst waiting in the vicinity of the gas analyzer.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0076] 11: Battery to be analyzed 100: Jig part 110: Battery accommodation groove 120: Gripper insertion groove 121: First gripper insertion groove 122: Second gripper insertion groove 130: Gas discharge groove 200: Gas diffusion chamber 210: Chamber body part 211: Jig part accommodation groove 212: Sealing member insertion groove 220: Chamber cover part 221: Punching part 290: Gas transmission flow path 300: Supply battery storage unit 310: Supply Battery Storage Section 311: Battery Discharge Port 312: First Gripper Contact Hole 320: Supply Battery Ascending Section 400: Recovered Battery Storage Unit 410: Recovered Battery Storage Section 411: Battery Recovery Port 412: Second Gripper Contact Hole 420: Recovered Battery Descending Section 500: Battery Transfer Unit 510: Gripper Section 511: Gripping Member 511a: First Protrusion 511b: Second Protrusion 512: Gripper Actuator 513: Gripper Body Member 520: Lifting and Lowering Drive Section 521: Lifting and Lowering Moving Member 522: Lifting and Lowering Guide Member 530: First Drive Section 531: First Moving Member 532: First Guide Member

Claims

1. A jig part on which a battery to be analyzed is mounted, A gas diffusion chamber provided with a gas diffusion space in which the jig part is housed inside, A supply battery storage unit provided with a supply battery storage space for storing the jig part for supplying to the gas diffusion space, A recovery battery storage unit provided with a recovery battery storage space for storing the jig part recovered from the gas diffusion space, A battery moving unit for moving the jig part from the recovery battery storage space to the gas diffusion space or moving the jig part housed in the gas diffusion space to the recovery battery storage space, A gas analysis unit for analyzing the gas transmitted from the gas diffusion space, A gas transmission flow path connecting the gas diffusion space and the gas analysis unit, A gas analysis apparatus comprising the above.

2. The gas analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a battery accommodation groove for mounting the battery to be analyzed is formed on the upper surface of the jig part.

3. The battery moving unit A gripper part for gripping the jig part, A lifting drive part for linearly moving the gripper part in the vertical direction, A first drive part for moving the gripper part in a first direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and includes the gas analysis apparatus according to claim 1.

4. When the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the first direction is defined as the second direction, The gripper part includes a pair of gripper members that contact both side surfaces of the jig part formed in a plane perpendicular to the second direction and grip the jig part, and the gas analysis apparatus according to claim 3.

5. A pair of gripper insertion groove parts are formed in the jig part, Each of the pair of gripper insertion groove parts is located on each of the both side surfaces of the jig part formed in a plane perpendicular to the second direction, and the gas analysis apparatus according to claim 4.

6. Each of the pair of gripper insertion groove parts A first gripper insertion groove formed in a long groove shape, A second gripper insertion groove formed at a certain distance from the first gripper insertion groove, and each includes the gas analysis apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The pair of gripper members are formed with a first protrusion for insertion into the first gripper insertion groove and a second protrusion for insertion into the second gripper insertion groove, and the gas analysis apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The gripper part further includes a grip actuator that provides a driving force for adjusting the distance between the pair of grip members, and a gripper body member to which the grip actuator and the pair of grip members are coupled. The first driving part includes a first moving member that linearly moves in the first direction, and a first guiding member that guides the movement of the first moving member. The lifting driving part includes a lifting guiding member coupled to the first moving member, and a lifting moving member that linearly moves in the vertical direction along the lifting guiding member. The gas analysis device according to claim 4, wherein the gripper body member is fixed to the lifting moving member.

9. The supply battery storage unit includes a supply battery storage part that extends in the vertical direction and has a supply battery storage space provided therein, and a supply battery lifting part that raises the jig part in the supply battery storage space. A battery discharge port is formed at the upper end of the supply battery storage part. The gas analysis device according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein a first gripper contact hole is formed on each of both side surfaces of the supply battery storage part so as to be in direct contact with each of both side surfaces of the jig part formed in a plane perpendicular to the second direction by the pair of grip members.

10. The recovered battery storage unit includes a recovered battery storage part that extends in the vertical direction and has a recovered battery storage space provided therein, and a recovered battery lowering part that lowers the jig part in the recovered battery storage space. A battery recovery port is formed at the upper end of the recovered battery storage part. The gas analysis device according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein a second gripper contact hole is formed on each of both side surfaces of the recovered battery storage part so as to be in direct contact with each of both side surfaces of the jig part formed in a plane perpendicular to the second direction by the pair of grip members.

11. The gas diffusion chamber is located at a certain distance from the supply battery storage unit and the recovered battery storage unit in the first direction. The gas diffusion chamber includes a chamber body part having a jig part accommodation groove formed as the gas diffusion space on the upper surface, and a chamber cover part that covers the upper surface of the chamber body part to make the gas diffusion space a sealed space. The gas analysis device according to claim 3, wherein the chamber cover part is slid in the second direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the first direction to open or seal the gas diffusion space.

12. On the upper surface of the chamber cover portion, a punching portion for punching the battery to be analyzed is provided. The punching needle of the punching portion is inserted into the gas diffusion space through the through hole of the chamber cover portion to punch the battery to be analyzed. The gas analysis device according to claim 11.

13. The gas transmission flow path is connected to the chamber body portion. The gas analysis device according to claim 11.

14. A manifold is provided in the gas transmission flow path. The gas transmitted to the gas analysis unit through the gas transmission flow path in the gas diffusion space is injected into the gas analysis unit after waiting in the manifold for a certain period of time. The gas analysis device according to claim 13.

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