Secondary battery aging device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a secondary battery aging device that ages secondary batteries contained in multiple cell trays, and includes a multi-tiered battery rack made up of multiple storage sections in which cell trays are stored, and a heat pump that transfers heat to each cell tray stored in the battery rack, wherein the heat pump transfers high-temperature heat to some of the multiple storage sections and low-temperature heat to other sections.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a secondary battery aging device that ages secondary batteries contained in a cell tray, and the secondary battery aging device of the present invention is characterized by efficiently aging the secondary batteries contained in the cell tray using a heat pump that generates high-temperature and low-temperature heat.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0104013, filed on August 9, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the documents of said Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference. [Background technology]

[0003] Generally, secondary batteries are classified into cylindrical batteries and prismatic batteries, in which an electrode assembly is housed in a cylindrical or prismatic metal can, and pouch-type batteries, in which an electrode assembly is housed in a pouch-type case made of an aluminum laminate sheet, depending on the shape of the battery case. The electrode assembly housed in the battery case is a power generating element that is capable of charging and discharging and includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator membrane interposed between the positive and negative electrodes. The electrode assembly is classified into a jelly roll type, in which a long sheet-like positive electrode and negative electrode coated with an active material are wound up with a separator membrane interposed between them, and a stack type, in which a number of positive electrodes and negative electrodes of a predetermined size are stacked sequentially with a separator membrane interposed between them.

[0004] Secondary batteries generally undergo an activation process after injecting electrolyte. In the activation process, an SEI film is formed through initial charging, and then metal foreign matter is quickly dissolved through high-temperature aging to prevent low-voltage defects.

[0005] The high-temperature aging is generally performed at a temperature of 60° C. or higher, and therefore must be performed in a space where the temperature is maintained constant.

[0006] Generally, a plurality of secondary batteries are transported to a battery rack while being housed in a cell tray, and aging is carried out in the battery rack while the secondary batteries are housed in the cell tray.

[0007] Meanwhile, a secondary battery that has been aged at a high temperature can be aged again at room temperature after cooling down, but this has the disadvantage of being a long cooling time under natural conditions and low process efficiency.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a battery rack with a structure that can efficiently age secondary batteries at high, low, and normal temperatures. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0026994 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an aging device capable of aging a secondary battery while minimizing heat loss.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an aging apparatus capable of simultaneously aging a plurality of secondary batteries at high, low and room temperatures to improve process efficiency.

[0012] Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood from the following description and become more apparent from the embodiments of the present invention, and it is easily understood that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof as set forth in the claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] According to the present invention, there is provided a secondary battery aging device for aging secondary batteries contained in a cell tray.

[0014] The secondary battery aging device includes a multi-tiered battery rack consisting of a plurality of storage sections in which cell trays are stored, and a heat pump that transfers heat to each cell tray stored in the battery rack, and is characterized in that the heat pump transfers high-temperature heat to some of the plurality of storage sections and low-temperature heat to other sections.

[0015] The storage unit may include a storage body designed to have one side open so that a cell tray can be inserted, and an opening / closing door coupled to the storage body so that the opening can be opened and closed.

[0016] The receiving section may further include a support rib coupled to an inner surface of the receiving body at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the bottom to support a lower portion of the cell tray received in the receiving body.

[0017] The storage unit may further include a duct having both ends connected to a rear end of the storage body, and a ventilation fan provided in the duct and rotating to induce air circulation in the interior space of the storage body.

[0018] The storage unit may include a heat exchange coil provided on at least one of a ceiling and a bottom of the storage body to dissipate heat into the interior space of the storage body.

[0019] A fluid that dissipates heat into the storage body can flow through the heat exchange coil.

[0020] The heat pump includes a circulation pipe, a refrigerant circulating in one direction within the circulation pipe, and a state change unit connected to the circulation pipe and compressing or expanding the refrigerant, and can perform heat exchange between the refrigerant, which changes phase due to the compression and expansion, and the fluid.

[0021] The state conversion unit may include a compression unit connected to the circulation pipe to compress the refrigerant flowing in, and an expansion unit connected to the circulation pipe to expand the refrigerant flowing in.

[0022] The circulation pipe includes a phase change section where a phase change of the refrigerant occurs, and the phase change section can include a condensation section that condenses the refrigerant that has been brought to a high temperature and high pressure state by the compression unit between the compression unit and the expansion unit, and an evaporation section that evaporates the refrigerant that has been brought to a low temperature and low pressure state by the expansion unit between the compression unit and the expansion unit.

[0023] The storage section includes a fluid pipe connected at both ends to communicate with the heat exchange coil, the fluid pipe including a heat transfer section located adjacent to the phase change section of the circulation pipe, and the fluid in the fluid pipe can exchange heat with the refrigerant at the heat transfer section.

[0024] The refrigerant is condensed in the condenser and dissipates heat to the fluid, and can absorb heat from the fluid and evaporate in the evaporator.

[0025] The fluid pipe may include a main pipe including a heat transfer portion, and a plurality of sub-pipes branching from the main pipe and connected to the heat exchange coil.

[0026] The battery rack may be divided into a high-temperature aging unit configured as a storage unit to which high-temperature heat is transferred from the heat pump, and a low-temperature aging unit configured as a storage unit to which low-temperature heat is transferred from the heat pump.

[0027] The storage section of the high-temperature aging section can provide a high-temperature environment for the cell trays stored therein, and the storage section of the low-temperature aging section can provide a low-temperature environment for the cell trays stored therein.

[0028] The high-temperature aging portion may be located above the low-temperature aging portion.

[0029] The battery rack may further include a room temperature aging unit that provides a room temperature environment of 20°C to 25°C to the housed cell trays.

[0030] The one heat pump may be connected to a pair of storage units included in the high-temperature aging unit and the low-temperature aging unit, respectively.

[0031] The one heat pump may be connected to all the storage units included in the high-temperature aging unit and the low-temperature aging unit.

[0032] The high-temperature aging section can maintain a temperature of 30°C to 80°C, and the low-temperature aging section can maintain a temperature of 10°C to 26°C. [Effects of the Invention]

[0033] According to the secondary battery aging device of the present invention, the secondary battery can be aged efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a battery rack included in a secondary battery aging device of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B show a front view and a side cross-sectional view of a battery rack according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This shows one of the storage sections of the battery rack in Figure 2. [Figure 4] 1 shows one of the storage units included in the secondary battery aging device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and a heat exchange coil included in the storage unit. [Figure 5] 1 shows a fluid tubing structure coupled with a heat exchange coil. [Figure 6] This shows a storage area that uses a duct and a ventilation fan. [Figure 7] 10 is a simplified diagram showing the connection relationship between the heat pump and the storage section. [Figure 8]The figure shows a storage compartment and a heat pump connected thereto that provide a high temperature environment inside the storage body. [Figure 9] 1 shows a storage compartment and a heat pump connected thereto that provides a low-temperature environment inside the storage body. [Figure 10] The heat exchange coil portion hidden in the storage body of the battery rack including the storage unit in Figure 2 is shown by hidden lines. [Figure 11] 10 shows a storage section included in a secondary battery aging device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 10 shows a storage section included in a secondary battery aging device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 10 shows a storage section included in a secondary battery aging device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before that, the terms and words used in the specification and claims are not to be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but are to be construed as meanings and concepts that are consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of the terms in order to best describe his own invention.

[0036] Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of this application.

[0037] Furthermore, in the description of the present invention, if it is determined that a specific description of related publicly known configurations or functions may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted.

[0038] The embodiments of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, and therefore the shapes and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or shown in a schematic manner for clearer explanation. Therefore, the sizes and proportions of each component do not completely reflect the actual sizes and proportions.

[0039] The present invention relates to a secondary battery aging device that ages secondary batteries contained in a cell tray T, and the secondary battery aging device of the present invention is characterized by using a heat pump 200 that generates high-temperature and low-temperature heat to efficiently age the secondary batteries contained in the cell tray T.

[0040] FIG. 1 relates to a secondary battery aging device of the present invention, FIGS. 2 to 10 relate to a secondary battery aging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11 relates to a secondary battery aging device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 12 relates to a secondary battery aging device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 relates to a secondary battery aging device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the secondary battery aging device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. For reference, the directions of front and back, up and down, left and right, and the like used in the following description to specify relative positions are intended to facilitate understanding of the invention, and unless otherwise specified, are based on the directions shown in the drawings.

[0042] The secondary battery aging device of the present invention includes a battery rack 100 made up of a plurality of storage sections 110 in which cell trays T are stored.

[0043] The cell tray T is used as a tool for transporting a plurality of secondary batteries, and the secondary batteries accommodated in the cell tray T can be aged while being accommodated inside the cell tray T.

[0044] The aging may be carried out at high or low temperatures, or at room temperature.

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a battery rack 100 included in the secondary battery aging device of the present invention.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 1, the battery rack 100 is configured in multiple stages with a plurality of storage sections 110 stacked on top of each other.

[0047] The secondary battery aging device includes at least one battery rack 100.

[0048] Each cell tray T can be stored in each storage section 110 by a stacker crane S.

[0049] Guide rails G may be provided between the battery racks 100, and the stacker crane S may be slidably coupled to the guide rails G and transport the cell trays T to the desired area while moving along the guide rails G.

[0050] The stacker crane S may include a carriage C that supports the lower part of the cell tray T and moves up and down, and operates the carriage C to transport the cell tray T to the storage section 110 located on each level of the battery rack 100.

[0051] (First embodiment) FIG. 2 shows a front view and a side cross-section of a battery rack 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 shows one of the storage sections 110 of the battery rack 100 of FIG. 2.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the storage section 110 includes a storage body 111 designed to have one side open so that the cell tray T can be inserted.

[0053] 2, each stage of the battery rack 100 is composed of a row of storage bodies 111. The cell trays T are inserted through openings Op of the storage bodies 111 and are aged inside the storage bodies 111.

[0054] Since the cell tray T accommodates a plurality of secondary batteries, it is preferable that heat is transferred uniformly and evenly to all the accommodated secondary batteries while they are aging due to external heat.

[0055] However, in the case of the cell tray T seated so as to be in contact with the bottom of the storage body 111, a phenomenon may occur in which heat transfer to the lower part is reduced.

[0056] To solve the above problem, the secondary battery aging device of the present invention may further include a support rib 112 .

[0057] The support rib 112 serves to support the lower portion of the cell tray T so that the cell tray T inserted into the storage body 111 is spaced apart from the bottom of the storage body 111 .

[0058] The support ribs 112 are respectively coupled to both sides of the interior of the storage body 111 at positions spaced a predetermined distance from the bottom of the storage body 111, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, to support the lower part of the cell tray T.

[0059] Therefore, the cell tray T is supported by the support ribs 112 and can be slid and inserted into the storage body 111, and the inserted cell tray T is positioned at a predetermined distance from the bottom of the storage body 111.

[0060] The storage unit 110 further includes an opening / closing door 113 coupled to the storage body 111 so that the opening Op can be opened or closed.

[0061] The door 113 serves to isolate the internal space of the storage body 111 into which the cell tray T is inserted from the outside.

[0062] The opening and closing door 113 is manufactured to have a width that can at least completely cover the opening Op, and is coupled to the storage body 111 so as to move up and down toward the opening Op.

[0063] That is, before the cell tray T is inserted, the opening / closing door 113 rises above the opening Op of the storage body 111 so as to open the opening Op. Conversely, the opening / closing door 113 can descend toward the opening Op so as to close the opening Op after the cell tray T is inserted.

[0064] The opening and closing door 113 may move in a sliding manner as shown in FIG. 3, or may move in a folding manner.

[0065] The storage section 110 included in the secondary battery aging device of the present invention includes a heat exchange coil 114 for dissipating heat.

[0066] FIG. 4 shows one of the storage sections 110 included in the secondary battery aging device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and a heat exchange coil 114 included in the storage section 110. As shown in FIG.

[0067] The storage unit 110 included in the secondary battery aging device according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes the heat exchange coil 114 at the bottom of the storage body 111. More specifically, the heat exchange coil 114 is located between the support rib 112 and the bottom of the storage body 111, as shown in FIG.

[0068] The heat exchange coil 114 has a hollow interior, through which a fluid f1 flows.

[0069] The fluid f1 dissipates heat into the inside of the storage body 111 while moving inside the heat exchange coil 114. That is, the heat exchange coil 114 serves as a medium that allows the heat of the fluid f1 to be transferred into the storage body 111.

[0070] The heat transferred from the fluid f1 by the heat exchange coil 114 is dissipated evenly inside the storage body 111.

[0071] When the transferred heat is at a low temperature lower than room temperature, the heat exchange coil 114 can cool the cell trays T stored in the storage body 111. Conversely, when the transferred heat is at a high temperature higher than room temperature, the heat exchange coil 114 can heat the cell trays T stored in the storage body 111.

[0072] The heat exchange coil 114 may have a shape in which a tube is bent in a zigzag shape as shown in Fig. 4. However, the heat exchange coil 114 is not limited to the shape shown in the figure, and any shape that can effectively dissipate heat uniformly inside the storage body 111 can be applied.

[0073] The housing 110 includes a fluid conduit 115 that is fluidly coupled to the heat exchange coil 114 .

[0074] FIG. 5 shows the structure of a fluid pipe 115 coupled to a heat exchange coil 114 .

[0075] 5, both ends of the fluid pipe 115 are connected to the heat exchange coils 114. Therefore, the fluid f1 transfers thermal energy while moving through the fluid pipe 115, and dissipates the transferred heat from the heat exchange coils 114.

[0076] The fluid pipe 115 may include a heat transfer part Pt, and the fluid f1 may perform heat exchange by absorbing external heat or discharging heat to the outside at the heat transfer part Pt. That is, the fluid f1 circulating through the fluid pipe 115 and the heat exchange coil 114 exchanges heat while moving through the heat transfer part Pt and the heat exchange coil 114.

[0077] In the battery rack 100 of the present invention, when the opening / closing door 113 provided at the opening Op is closed, air circulation is not possible, and unevenly heated air may stagnate in one place. In other words, the stagnation of air may result in uneven heat transfer to the multiple secondary batteries stored in the cell tray T.

[0078] Therefore, the storage unit 110 of the present invention may further include a ventilation fan 117 that induces air circulation so that the heat dissipated by the heat exchange coil 114 can be uniformly transferred to all areas inside the storage body 111.

[0079] Specifically, the storage section 110 further includes a duct 116 coupled to the storage body 111 and a ventilation fan 117 provided in the duct 116 .

[0080] FIG. 6 shows a storage section 110 to which a duct 116 and a ventilation fan 117 are applied.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 6, both ends of the duct 116 are connected to the rear end of the receiving body 111, and a ventilation fan 117 is rotatably installed inside the duct 116.

[0082] The ventilation fan 117 rotates to generate air along the extension direction of the duct 116 .

[0083] By the ventilation fan 117, one of the ducts 116 sucks air inside the storage body 111, and the other exhausts the sucked air back into the storage body 111.

[0084] The duct 116 and the ventilation fan 117 guide the airflow into the storage body 111 in the above-described manner.

[0085] The ventilation fan 117 mixes the air above and below the storage body 111 so that the heat generated by the heat exchange coil 114 does not stagnate in one place.

[0086] The secondary battery aging device of the present invention includes the battery rack 100 and a heat pump 200 that transfers heat to each cell tray T housed in the battery rack 100.

[0087] The cell trays T accommodated in each accommodation unit 110 of the battery rack 100 can be heated or cooled by a heat pump 200 connected to the battery rack 100 .

[0088] The heat pump 200 is characterized in that it transfers high-temperature heat to some of the plurality of storage sections 110 and transfers low-temperature heat to other sections at the same time.

[0089] The heat pump 200 transfers high and low temperatures to the outside using the phase change energy of the refrigerant f2, which changes depending on the compression and expansion of the refrigerant f2. More specifically, the heat pump 200 exchanges heat between the refrigerant f2, which changes phase depending on the compression and expansion, and the fluid f1 circulating through the fluid pipe 115.

[0090] In the secondary battery aging device of the present invention, the heat pump 200 transfers high-temperature heat to the heat exchange coil 114 included in one of the storage sections 110, and simultaneously transfers low-temperature heat to the heat exchange coil 114 included in the other storage section 110.

[0091] Specifically, the heat pump 200 includes a circulation pipe, a refrigerant f2 circulating in one direction within the circulation pipe, and a state conversion unit 220 connected to the circulation pipe to compress or expand the refrigerant f2.

[0092] In the secondary battery aging device of the present invention, one heat pump 200 is connected to two storage units 110 to transfer heat to the storage units 110 .

[0093] FIG. 7 shows a simplified diagram of the connection between the heat pump 200 and the storage section 110. As shown in FIG.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 7, the heat pump 200 includes a circulation pipe through which a refrigerant f2 flows, and two state change units 220 that operate in different ways are located on the circulation pipe.

[0095] The state conversion unit 220 includes a compression unit 221 connected to the circulation pipe to compress the refrigerant f2 flowing in, and an expansion unit 222 connected to the circulation pipe to expand the refrigerant f2 flowing in.

[0096] The circulation pipe includes a phase change section 210a where a phase change of the refrigerant f2 occurs.

[0097] The phase change section 210a includes a condensation section 210a1 that condenses the refrigerant f2 that has been brought to a high-temperature and high-pressure state by one of the state change units 220 between the two state change units 220, and an evaporation section 210a2 that evaporates the refrigerant f2 that has been brought to a low-temperature and low-pressure state by the other state change unit 220.

[0098] The refrigerant f2 is condensed in the condenser 210a1, dissipates heat to the fluid f1, and absorbs the heat of the fluid f1 in the vaporizer 210a2 to be vaporized.

[0099] 7, the fluid pipe 115 included in the storage unit 110 is arranged so that the heat transfer section Pt is adjacent to the phase change section 210a of the circulation pipe. Therefore, the refrigerant f2 that changes state in the phase change section 210a can exchange heat with the fluid f1 flowing through the heat transfer section Pt.

[0100] FIG. 8 shows a storage unit 110 that provides a high-temperature environment inside a storage body 111 and a heat pump 200 connected thereto.

[0101] The storage section 110 of FIG. 8 is arranged so that the heat transfer section Pt of the fluid pipe 115 is adjacent to the condenser section 210a1 of the heat pump 200.

[0102] The refrigerant f2 moving through the circulation pipe preferably moves in only one direction. Specifically, the refrigerant f2 circulates while moving sequentially through the compression unit 221, the condensation section 210a1, the expansion unit 222, and the evaporation section 210a2.

[0103] In the case of FIG. 8, the refrigerant f2 moving through the circulation pipe circulates in the compression unit 221 toward the condenser section 210a1.

[0104] The refrigerant f2 moves to the condenser section 210a1 while maintaining a high temperature and high pressure state by the compression unit 221, and transfers high temperature thermal energy to the fluid f1 in the heat transfer section Pt adjacent to the condenser section 210a1, causing it to condense.

[0105] The fluid f1, to which high-temperature thermal energy has been transferred in the heat transfer portion Pt, then passes through the fluid pipe 115 and the heat exchange coil 114 to release the high-temperature heat into the storage body 111.

[0106] FIG. 9 shows a storage unit 110 that provides a low-temperature environment inside a storage body 111 and a heat pump 200 connected thereto.

[0107] The storage section 110 of FIG. 9 is disposed so that the heat transfer section Pt of the fluid pipe 115 is adjacent to the evaporation section 210a2 of the heat pump 200.

[0108] In the case of FIG. 9, the refrigerant f2 moving through the circulation pipe circulates in the expansion unit 222 in the direction of the vaporization section 210a2.

[0109] The expansion unit 222 moves the refrigerant f2 to the vaporizer 210a2 while maintaining a low temperature and low pressure state, and vaporizes it by absorbing thermal energy from the fluid f1 in the heat transfer unit Pt adjacent to the vaporizer 210a2. The fluid f1, having absorbed the thermal energy, moves again through the fluid pipe 115 in a cooled state and releases low-temperature heat into the storage body 111 through the heat exchange coil 114.

[0110] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the heat pump 200 of the present invention transfers high-temperature thermal energy to one of the storage sections 110 to heat the secondary battery each time the refrigerant f2 circulates through the circulation pipe, and transfers low-temperature thermal energy to the other of the storage sections 110 to cool the secondary battery.

[0111] The battery rack 100 of the present invention can be divided into a high-temperature aging section 100a and a low-temperature aging section 100b.

[0112] Specifically, the battery rack 100 is divided into a high-temperature aging section 100a consisting of a storage section 110 to which high-temperature heat is transferred from the heat pump 200, and a low-temperature aging section 100b consisting of a storage section 110 to which low-temperature heat is transferred from the heat pump 200.

[0113] That is, the storage section 110 of the high-temperature aging section 100a provides a high-temperature environment to the cell trays T stored therein, and the storage section 110 of the low-temperature aging section 100b provides a low-temperature environment to the cell trays T stored therein.

[0114] Preferably, the high-temperature aging section 100a is maintained at 30°C to 80°C, and the low-temperature aging section 100b is maintained at 10°C to 26°C.

[0115] FIG. 10 shows, by hidden lines, the heat exchange coil 114 hidden in the storage body 111 of the battery rack 100 including the storage section 110 of FIG.

[0116] The fluid pipes 115 of the storage section 110 included in the high-temperature aging section 100 a are all disposed adjacent to the condenser section 210 a 1 of the heat pump 200 .

[0117] Furthermore, the fluid pipes 115 of the storage section 110 included in the low-temperature aging section 100b are all disposed adjacent to the evaporation section 210a2 of the heat pump 200.

[0118] Since heated air has a lower density than cooled air, for efficient placement, the high temperature aging section 100a is located above the low temperature aging section 100b as shown in FIG.

[0119] The battery rack 100 included in the secondary battery aging device of the present invention may further include a room temperature aging unit 100c that provides a room temperature environment of 20°C to 25°C to the stored cell trays T.

[0120] The room temperature aging section 100c does not transfer any external heat to the cell tray T, allowing the secondary batteries housed in the cell tray T to age in a natural state.

[0121] Therefore, the storage section 110 included in the room-temperature aging section 100c does not include a heat exchange coil 114 as shown in FIG.

[0122] The room temperature aging section 100c may be located between the high temperature aging section 100a and the low temperature aging section 100b, or may be located below the low temperature aging section 100b as shown in the figure.

[0123] (Second embodiment) The heat exchange coil 114 can also be provided on the ceiling of the storage body 111.

[0124] FIG. 11 shows a storage section 110 included in a secondary battery aging device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a heat exchange coil 114 is provided on the ceiling of a storage body 111.

[0125] (Third embodiment) The secondary battery aging device of the third embodiment of the present invention applies both the storage section 110 structures of the secondary battery aging devices of the first and second embodiments, and heat exchange coils 114 are provided on the ceiling and bottom of the storage body 111, respectively.

[0126] FIG. 12 shows a storage unit 110 included in a secondary battery aging device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The storage unit 110 including the double-installed heat exchange coil 114 as described above can stably provide a high-temperature environment or a low-temperature environment to the secondary battery in a shorter time.

[0127] (Fourth embodiment) The secondary battery aging device of the present invention can transfer high and low temperature heat to more storage units 110 using one heat pump 200. For example, one heat pump 200 can be connected to all storage units 110 included in the high temperature aging unit 100a and the low temperature aging unit 100b.

[0128] FIG. 13 is a simplified diagram showing a secondary battery aging device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0129] The fluid pipe 115 included in the secondary battery aging device according to the fourth embodiment may be composed of a main pipe 115a including a heat transfer section Pt and a plurality of sub-pipes 115b branching from the main pipe 115a and connected to the heat exchange coil 114.

[0130] The fluid f1, which is heated in the heat transfer section Pt and contains high-temperature thermal energy, travels through the main pipe 115a disposed adjacent to the condenser section 210a1. The high-temperature fluid f1 flowing through the main pipe 115a is then branched by the sub-pipes 115b and travels to the heat exchange coils 114 of the storage sections 110 included in the high-temperature aging section 100a.

[0131] The fluid f1, which is cooled in the heat transfer unit Pt and contains low-temperature thermal energy, travels through the main pipe 115a disposed adjacent to the vaporization unit 210a2. The low-temperature fluid f1 flowing through the main pipe 115a is then branched by the sub-pipes 115b and travels to the heat exchange coils 114 of the storage units 110 included in the low-temperature aging unit 100b.

[0132] That is, the secondary battery aging device according to the fourth embodiment can use one heat pump 200 to more efficiently provide a plurality of aging environments.

[0133] The present invention has been described in more detail above through the drawings and embodiments, etc. However, the configurations shown in the drawings or embodiments in this specification are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention, and therefore, there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of filing this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0134] 100: Battery rack 100a: High temperature aging part 100b: Low temperature aging section 100c: Room temperature aging section 110: Storage area 111: Storage unit 112: Support rib 113: Opening and closing door 114: Heat exchange coil 115:Fluid tube 115a: Main tube 115b: Sub-tube 116: Duct 117: Ventilation fan 200: Heat pump 210: Circulation pipe 210a: Phase transition region 210a1: Condenser section 210a2: Vaporization section 220: State transformation unit 221: Compression unit 222: Expansion unit Op: Opening Pt: Thermal transition zone T: Cell tray G: Guide rail S: Stacker crane C: Carriage f1: fluid f2: refrigerant

Claims

1. The present invention relates to a secondary battery aging device for aging secondary batteries contained in a plurality of cell trays, a multi-tiered battery rack consisting of multiple storage compartments for storing cell trays; a heat pump that transfers heat to each cell tray housed in the battery rack; The heat pump transfers high-temperature heat to some of the plurality of storage sections and low-temperature heat to other parts of the plurality of storage sections.

2. The storage section is a storage body designed to have one side open so that a cell tray can be inserted; The secondary battery aging device according to claim 1 , further comprising: an opening / closing door coupled to the storage body so as to open and close the open portion of the storage body.

3. The storage section is 3. The secondary battery aging device according to claim 2, further comprising a support rib coupled to an inner surface of the housing body at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the bottom so as to support a lower portion of the cell tray housed in the housing body.

4. The storage section is a duct having both ends connected to the rear end of the storage body; The secondary battery aging device according to claim 2 , further comprising: a ventilation fan provided in the duct and rotating to induce air circulation in the interior space of the storage body.

5. The storage section is The secondary battery aging device according to claim 2 , further comprising a heat exchange coil provided on at least one of a ceiling and a bottom of the storage body to dissipate heat into the interior space of the storage body.

6. The secondary battery aging device according to claim 5 , wherein a fluid that dissipates heat into the storage body flows through the heat exchange coil.

7. The heat pump comprises: Circulatory tubes and a refrigerant circulating in one direction within the circulation pipe; a state change unit connected to the circulation pipe to compress or expand the refrigerant, The secondary battery aging device according to claim 6 , wherein the refrigerant undergoes a phase change due to the compression and expansion and exchanges heat with the fluid.

8. The state transformation unit a compression unit connected to the circulation pipe to compress the refrigerant flowing therein; The secondary battery aging device according to claim 7 , further comprising: an expansion unit connected to the circulation pipe to expand the refrigerant flowing thereinto.

9. the circulation pipe includes a phase change section where a phase change of the refrigerant occurs, The phase transition portion is 9. The secondary battery aging device according to claim 8, further comprising: a condensation section that condenses the refrigerant brought to a high temperature and high pressure state by the compression unit between the compression unit and the expansion unit; and an evaporation section that evaporates the refrigerant brought to a low temperature and low pressure state by the expansion unit between the compression unit and the expansion unit.

10. the housing includes a fluid pipe connected at both ends to communicate with the heat exchange coil; the fluid pipe includes a heat transfer section located adjacent to the phase transfer section of the circulation pipe; The secondary battery aging device according to claim 9 , wherein the fluid in the fluid pipe exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the heat transfer section.

11. The secondary battery aging device according to claim 10 , wherein the refrigerant is condensed in the condenser and dissipates heat into the fluid, and absorbs heat from the fluid in the vaporizer and vaporizes.

12. The fluid pipe includes a main pipe including the heat transfer portion; The secondary battery aging device according to claim 10 , further comprising: a plurality of sub-pipes branching from the main pipe and connected to the heat exchange coil.

13. The battery rack is a high-temperature aging section including a storage section to which high-temperature heat is transferred from the heat pump; 2. The secondary battery aging device according to claim 1, further comprising: a low-temperature aging section configured as a storage section to which low-temperature heat is transferred from the heat pump.

14. the storage section of the high-temperature aging section provides a high-temperature environment for the cell trays stored therein; The secondary battery aging device according to claim 13 , wherein the storage section of the low-temperature aging unit provides a low-temperature environment for the cell tray stored therein.

15. The secondary battery aging device according to claim 13 , wherein the high-temperature aging section is located above the low-temperature aging section.

16. The secondary battery aging device according to claim 13, wherein the battery rack further includes a room temperature aging unit that provides a room temperature environment of 20°C to 25°C to the stored cell trays.

17. The secondary battery aging device according to claim 13 , wherein the heat pump is connected to a pair of the storage units included in the high-temperature aging unit and the low-temperature aging unit, respectively.

18. The secondary battery aging device of claim 13 , wherein the heat pump is connected to a whole storage unit included in the high-temperature aging unit and the low-temperature aging unit.

19. 14. The secondary battery aging device according to claim 13, wherein the high-temperature aging section maintains a temperature of 30°C to 80°C, and the low-temperature aging section maintains a temperature of 10°C to 26°C.

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