Series connection device and battery charging / discharging system including the same

Abstract

A series connection device and a battery charging / discharging system including the same are provided. The series connection device includes a connector group including first to m connector modules and a wiring bundle. The first connector of the first connector module is connected to a first power terminal. The second connector of the m connector module is connected to a second power terminal. The second connector of the j connector module (where j is a natural number less than m) is connected to the first connector of the (j+1) connector module via the wiring bundle. If the i-th cell slot (where i is a natural number less than or equal to m) is empty, the first connector of the i-th connector module is connected to the second connector of the i-th connector module via the wiring bundle. If the i-th cell slot is occupied, the first connector of the i-th connector module is connected to the first electrode terminal of the battery cell located in the i-th cell slot, and the second connector of the i-th connector module is connected to the second electrode terminal of the battery cell.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0089289 filed on 10 July 2023 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0088480 filed on 4 July 2024, and all contents disclosed in the specifications and drawings of said applications are incorporated into this application. [Background technology]

[0003] In recent years, demand for portable electronic products such as laptop computers, video cameras, and mobile phones has increased dramatically, and with the full-scale development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, and satellites, research on high-performance batteries capable of repeated charging and discharging has become very active.

[0004] Currently, commercially available batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium batteries. Among these, lithium batteries are attracting attention because they exhibit almost no memory effect compared to nickel-based batteries, allowing for flexible charging and discharging, extremely low self-discharge rates, and high energy density.

[0005] Battery cells must undergo an activation (formation) process after manufacturing before being shipped. The battery activation process is broadly classified into an aging process and a charge / discharge process. In the aging process, the battery cells are stored for a predetermined period in an environment with predetermined temperature, humidity, etc., so that the electrolyte injected into the battery cells can be stabilized. In the charge / discharge process, the battery cells are charged and discharged at least once each according to a predetermined schedule, which forms a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) on the negative electrode surface, and the performance of the battery cell is realized.

[0006] On the other hand, such battery cell activation processes require an efficient and stable battery charging and discharging system, and much research is underway to achieve this. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The present invention was devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a device that provides a series charge / discharge path to a battery cell located in an occupied cell slot, and a battery charge / discharge system including the device, by utilizing the physical connection state which changes depending on whether each of the multiple cell slots provided in the cell holder is empty or occupied, without requiring a large number of voltage sensors and a large number of FETs that require control using electrical signals.

[0008] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be understood from the following description and will be further clarified by embodiments of the invention. It will also be readily apparent that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be achieved by the means and combinations thereof described in the claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A series connection device according to one aspect of the present invention includes first to m connector modules provided in a one-to-one correspondence with first to m cell slots (m is a natural number of 2 or more) provided in a cell holder, each of the first to m connector modules includes a connector group including a first connector and a second connector, and a wiring bundle electrically connected to the first to m connector modules. The first connector of the first connector module is electrically connected to a first power terminal of the charge / discharge unit. The second connector of the m connector module is electrically connected to a second power terminal of the charge / discharge unit. The second connector of the j connector module (j is a natural number less than m) is electrically connected to the first connector of the (j+1) connector module via the wiring bundle. When the i cell slot (i is a natural number less than or equal to m) is empty and no battery cell is placed in the slot, the first connector of the i connector module is configured to be electrically connected to the second connector of the i connector module via the wiring bundle. When the i-cell slot is occupied by a battery cell, the first connector of the i-connector module is electrically connected to the first electrode terminal of the battery cell placed in the i-cell slot, and the second connector of the i-connector module is electrically connected to the second electrode terminal of the battery cell placed in the i-cell slot.

[0010] The first connector of the i-connector module may include: a first body portion having a first internal space; a first wire connection portion having one end inserted into the first internal space and the other end exposed to the outside of the first body portion; a first cell connection portion having one end exposed to the outside of the first body portion toward the cell holder and the other end inserted into the first internal space; a first elastic portion disposed in the first internal space so as to be located between the first wire connection portion and the first cell connection portion; a first movable contact coupled to the first elastic portion so as to be movable along the axial direction of the first internal space in response to deformation of the first elastic portion; and a first fixed contact having one end fixed in a predetermined area of ​​the first internal space and the other end exposed to the outside of the first body portion. The first body portion may be non-conductive. The first cell connection portion, the first fixed contact, the first elastic portion, and the first movable contact may be conductors.

[0011] The other end of the first wire connection portion of the first connector of the first connector module may be connected to the first power terminal of the charge / discharge unit. The other end of the first wire connection portion of the second connector of the j connector module may be connected via the wiring bundle to the other end of the first wire connection portion of the first connector of the (j+1) connector module.

[0012] When the j-cell slot is empty, the first movable contact of the first connector of the j-connector module is physically contacted by the first elastic portion and electrically connected to the first fixed contact of the first connector of the j-connector module, and the first fixed contact of the first connector of the j-connector module may be electrically connected to the first wire connection portion of the first connector of the (j+1)-connector module via the wiring bundle.

[0013] When the m-cell slot is empty, the first movable contact of the first connector of the m-connector module is physically contacted by the first elastic portion and electrically connected to the first fixed contact of the first connector of the m-connector module, and the first fixed contact of the first connector of the m-connector module may be electrically connected to the second power terminal of the charge / discharge unit via the wiring bundle.

[0014] When the i-cell slot is occupied, the first cell connection portion of the first connector of the i-connector module may be configured to physically contact the first electrode terminal of the battery cell placed in the i-cell slot and be electrically connected to the first electrode terminal of the battery cell, and the first movable contact of the first connector of the i-connector module may be configured to physically separate from the first fixed contact in accordance with the deformation of the first elastic portion and be electrically isolated from the first fixed contact of the first connector of the i-connector module.

[0015] The second connector of the i-connector module may include a second body portion in which a second internal space is formed; a second wire connection portion in which one end is inserted into the second internal space and the other end is exposed to the outside of the second body portion; a second cell connection portion in which one end is exposed to the outside of the second body portion toward the cell holder and the other end is inserted into the second internal space; and a second elastic portion disposed in the second internal space so as to be located between the second wire connection portion and the second cell connection portion. The second body portion may be made of a non-conductive material. The second wire connection portion, the second cell connection portion and the second elastic portion may be made of a conductor.

[0016] The second wire connection portion of the second connector of the j connector module may be connected via the wiring bundle to the first fixed contact of the first connector of the j connector module and the first wire connection portion of the first connector of the (j+1) connector module. The second wire connection portion of the second connector of the m connector module may be connected via the wiring bundle to the first fixed contact of the first connector of the m connector module and the second power terminal of the charge / discharge section.

[0017] When the i-cell slot is occupied, the second cell connection portion of the second connector of the i-connector module may be configured to physically contact the second electrode terminal of the battery cell located in the i-cell slot and to be electrically connected to the second electrode terminal of the battery cell located in the i-cell slot.

[0018] The wiring bundle may include first to m-th bypass wires and first to (m-1)-th cell connection wires. The i-th bypass wire may electrically connect the first wire connection portion of the first connector of the i-connector module and the second wire connection portion of the second connector of the i-connector module. The i-th cell connection wire may electrically connect the second wire connection portion of the second connector of the i-connector module and the first wire connection portion of the first connector of the (i+1)-connector module.

[0019] A series connection device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of connector modules that correspond one-to-one to a plurality of cell slots contained in a cell holder. Each of the plurality of connector modules includes a connector group including a first connector and a second connector. Of the plurality of connector modules, the first and second connectors of each connector module corresponding to an empty cell slot in which no battery cells are inserted are configured to automatically connect electrically to each other to form a bypass path. Of the plurality of connector modules, the first and second connectors of each connector module corresponding to an occupied cell slot in which a battery cell is inserted are configured to connect individually to the first and second electrodes of the battery cell inserted in the occupied cell slot to provide a series charge-discharge path.

[0020] The first connector includes a first body portion, a first wire connection portion, a first cell connection portion, a first elastic portion, a first movable contact, and a first fixed contact. The first body portion is made of an insulator, has a cylindrical shape with both ends in the Z-axis direction open, and has a first internal space.

[0021] The first wire connection portion is partially located in the first internal space of the first body portion, and the remainder protrudes to the outside through one end of the first body portion, while the first cell connection portion is partially located in the first internal space of the first body portion, and the remainder is exposed to the outside of the first body portion toward a specific cell slot of the cell holder below.

[0022] The first elastic portion is located between the other end of the first wire connector and the other end of the first cell connector, and is arranged in the first internal space of the first body portion such that the other end of the first wire connector and the other end of the first cell connector are electrically connected. The first movable contact is fixedly coupled to a predetermined portion of the first elastic portion, and the first movable contact reciprocates along the Z-axis direction in response to deformation of the first elastic portion in the Z-axis direction.

[0023] The first fixed contact is made of a conductor, with one end fixed in a predetermined area of ​​the first internal space and the other end exposed to the outside of the first body portion, and a bypass wire is connected to the first wire connection portion that protrudes to the outside of the first body portion, and the first movable contact is connected to the first fixed contact at the predetermined portion, and as the first elastic portion deforms in the Z-axis direction with the movement of the first cell connection portion in the Z-axis direction, the first movable contact also reciprocates in the Z-axis direction and separates from the first fixed contact.

[0024] Another aspect of the present invention includes a battery charging and discharging system that includes the series connection device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, a series charge / discharge path can be provided for a battery cell located in an occupied cell slot by utilizing the physical connection state which changes depending on whether each of the plurality of cell slots provided in the cell holder is empty or occupied.

[0026] In other words, because it does not require numerous voltage sensors and field-effect transistors (FETs) that require control using electrical signals, the overall circuit configuration is simplified, the volume and weight can be reduced, and the costs of manufacturing, repair, and maintenance are also reduced.

[0027] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the claims.

[0028] The following drawings accompanying this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention described later, are intended to further illustrate the technical idea of ​​the present invention; therefore, the present invention shall not be construed as being limited only to what is shown in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0029] [Figure 1] This figure illustrates the configuration of a battery charging and discharging system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2a] This figure illustrates the structure of the cell holder shown in Figure 1. [Figure 2b] Figure 2a is an illustrative diagram showing the state in which a battery cell is inserted into the cell slot of the cell holder. [Figure 3] This figure is referenced to illustrate the configuration of the series connection device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4a] This figure illustrates the external appearance of the first connector of the connector module shown in Figure 3. [Figure 4b] This figure illustrates the internal structure of the first connector shown in Figure 4a in the charge / discharge standby mode. [Figure 4c] This figure illustrates the internal structure of the first connector shown in Figure 4a during the charge / discharge operation mode. [Figure 5a] This figure illustrates the external appearance of the second connector of the connector module shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5b] This figure illustrates the internal structure of the second connector shown in Figure 5a during the charge / discharge standby mode. [Figure 5c] This figure illustrates the internal structure of the second connector shown in Figure 5a during the charge / discharge operation mode. [Figure 6] This diagram is referenced to illustrate an example of a series charge-discharge path provided by the connecting board, depending on the cell-loading state of the cell holder. [Figure 7] This diagram is referenced to illustrate other examples of series charge-discharge paths provided by the charge-discharge board, depending on the cell-loading state of the cell holder. [Figure 8] This diagram is referenced to illustrate yet another example of the series charge-discharge path provided by the charge-discharge board, depending on the cell-loading state of the cell holder. [Figure 9] This flowchart illustrates a battery charge / discharge control method according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This diagram schematically shows the configuration of a conventional battery charging and discharging system.

[0030] In some of the attached drawings, corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Those skilled in the art should understand that these drawings are intended to provide a simplified representation of each component and do not necessarily faithfully reflect dimensional ratios. For example, the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated compared to others in order to facilitate understanding of various embodiments. Furthermore, known technical elements that are useful or essential in commercially viable embodiments may be omitted from the illustrations or descriptions so as not to impair the spirit of the various embodiments of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0031] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used in this specification and in the claims shall not be interpreted to be limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but rather in a sense and concept consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that inventors may appropriately define the concepts of terms themselves in order to best describe the invention.

[0032] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the drawings represent only preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the present invention. It should be understood that there are various equivalent and modified embodiments that can be substituted for these at the time of filing this application.

[0033] Terms including ordinal numbers such as "1st" and "2nd" are used to distinguish one of the various components from the others, and such terms do not limit the components.

[0034] Throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a certain component, this means, unless otherwise specified, that it may include other components rather than excluding them. Furthermore, terms such as "control unit" as used in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and can be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0035] Furthermore, when a part of the specification is described as being "connected" to another part, this includes not only cases where the parts are "directly connected," but also cases where they are "indirectly connected" with other elements in between.

[0036] Because battery cells are manufactured in large quantities, in order to improve the efficiency of the charging and discharging processes during the activation (formation) process, it is necessary to connect several to several hundred battery cells in series and charge and discharge them simultaneously.

[0037] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a conventional battery charging and discharging system used in the battery activation process.

[0038] Referring to Figure 10, the battery charging / discharging system 1000 consists of multiple battery cells BC1~BC arranged in the cell holder CH. m The system is configured to charge and discharge (where m is a natural number greater than or equal to 2), and includes a charge / discharge unit 1100 and multiple voltage sensors VS1~VS m Multiple switching circuits SC1~SC m and controller 1200. When i is a natural number less than or equal to m, voltage sensor VS i and switching circuit SC i is battery cell BC i It is provided for use with switching circuits SC i This includes the first FET (SW1) and the second FET (SW2). Switching circuit SC i In this configuration, neither the first FET (SW1) nor the second FET (SW2) is controlled to be ON at the same time.

[0039] Battery cell BC i When it is properly inserted into the i-th cell slot provided in the cell holder CH, the battery cell BC i The cell voltage, which is the voltage applied across both ends of, is detected by the voltage sensor VS i and the controller 1200 can identify that the battery cell BC i is in a occupied state where it is properly inserted into the i-th cell slot in response to the voltage value collected from the voltage sensor VS i being within a predetermined voltage range. When it is identified that the battery cell BC i is properly inserted into the i-th cell slot, the controller 1200 controls the first FET (SW1) of the switching circuit SC i to the on state and the second FET (SW2) to the off state.

[0040] On the other hand, when no battery cell is inserted into the i-th cell slot provided in the cell holder CH, that is, when the battery cell BC i is not arranged in the cell holder CH, the voltage value measured by the voltage sensor VS i is out of the voltage range, and accordingly, the controller 1200 can identify that the i-th cell slot is in an empty state. When it is identified that the battery cell BC i is not inserted into the i-th cell slot, the controller 1200 controls the first FET (SW1) of the switching circuit SC i to the off state and the second FET (SW2) to the on state.

[0041] Thereby, even when some of the plurality of battery cells BC1 to BC m in the cell holder CH are not inserted, the battery cells inserted into the cell holder CH are connected in series by the plurality of switching circuits SC1 to SC m . The series connection body of the battery cells is electrically connected between the first power terminal (+) and the second power terminal (-) of the charge and discharge unit 1100 and can be charged and discharged.

[0042] For example, multiple battery cells BC1~BC m If only battery cell BC2 is not connected to cell holder CH, then multiple switching circuits SC1~SC m Of the m second FETs (SW2), only the second FET (SW2) of switching circuit SC2 is controlled to be ON, and multiple switching circuits SC1~SC m Of these, the first switching circuit SC1 and the third to mth switching circuits SC3~SC m The first FET (SW1) is controlled to be in the ON state. As a result, multiple battery cells BC1~BC m Of these, the remaining battery cells BC1, BC3~BC2 are excluded. m A series connection is formed. From this perspective, the first FET (SW1) is provided for connecting the two battery cells, and the second FET (SW2) is provided as a bypass to replace the uncharged battery cell.

[0043] However, in the conventional battery charging and discharging system described above, multiple voltage sensors VS1~VS m and multiple switching circuits SC1~SC m Because this is essential, the overall circuit structure becomes complex, increasing volume and weight, which leads to problems such as higher manufacturing, repair, and maintenance costs.

[0044] Furthermore, the process involves identifying whether a battery cell is connected or not for each cell slot of the cell holder CH by measuring the voltage, and then, based on the result, multiple switching circuits SC1~SC m Because it is necessary to go through a process of individually controlling each component, there are constraints such as the fact that it takes a long time, for example, for the battery cells in cell holder CH to actually start charging and discharging.

[0045] Furthermore, the voltage sensor VS, the first FET (SW1), and the second FET (SW2) are electronic components and need to be electrically controlled by the controller 1200, but due to the characteristics of electronic components, there is a high possibility of operational errors.

[0046] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a battery charging and discharging system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Referring to Figure 1, the battery charging and discharging system 10 is provided for the battery activation process and includes a charging and discharging device 100 and a series connection device 200. The battery charging and discharging system 10 may further include a lifting device 300.

[0048] The charge / discharge device 100 has multiple battery cells BC1 to BC m To ensure that the battery cells perform at their proper level, multiple battery cells BC1~BC are charged and discharged according to a predetermined schedule. m It is provided to perform charge-discharge cycles on the device.

[0049] The charge / discharge device 100 has a charging function, a discharging function and a pause function, and selectively executes one of the charging function, discharging function and pause function according to the charge / discharge schedule, and based on the control parameters (e.g., charging voltage, charging current, discharging voltage, discharging current, etc.) set in advance for each charge / discharge stage, it charges multiple battery cells BC1~BC m It is configured to charge and discharge. Here, the type of battery cell BC is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of repeated charging and discharging, such as a lithium-ion cell. The battery cell BC is connected to the connector CN described later. A 5CN B The battery cell BC may be a cylindrical cell in which the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal are exposed in the same direction to facilitate physical contact. On the other hand, the battery cell BC may be configured in which the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal are not exposed in the same direction, in which case the connector that contacts the battery cell BC may be modified to an appropriate structure in order to achieve physical contact and separation from the exposed electrode terminals of the battery cell BC.

[0050] The charging and discharging device 100 includes a charger / discharger 110 and a charge / discharging controller 120.

[0051] The charger / discharger 110 includes a power supply unit 111 and a charge / discharge unit 112.

[0052] In one embodiment, the power supply unit 111 is configured to convert power supplied from an AC power source and / or a DC power source into DC having a predetermined voltage level that conforms to the input specifications of the charge / discharge unit 112. Either one or both of known AC-DC converters and DC-DC converters can be used as the power supply unit 111.

[0053] The charge / discharge unit 112 has a pair of charge / discharge terminals, namely first and second power terminals (+, -), which are connected to the positive and negative terminals of the battery cell BC, respectively, and can charge or discharge the battery cell BC according to commands from the charge / discharge controller 120. In one embodiment, one or a combination of one or two of known DC-DC converters, constant current circuits, and constant voltage circuits can be used as the charge / discharge unit 112.

[0054] The charge / discharge controller 120 pre-stores a program capable of executing a charge / discharge schedule in, for example, a memory 124 mounted inside it. In response to user input, the charge / discharge controller 120 causes the processor (CPU) 122 to execute the program stored in the memory 124 according to the charge / discharge schedule, thereby advancing the charge / discharge cycle and controlling the charge / discharge unit 110 to sequentially execute each charge / discharge stage of the charge / discharge cycle according to a predetermined sequence.

[0055] A charge-discharge cycle can be defined as a sequential flow of, for example, a primary charge stage (e.g., constant current (CC)-constant voltage (CV) charging), a primary rest stage, a discharge stage (e.g., constant current (CC) discharge), a secondary rest stage, and a secondary charge stage (e.g., CC-CV charging). Since charge-discharge cycles for battery activation are widely known, a detailed explanation will be omitted. In the primary rest stage, the rest function of the charge-discharge unit 112 may be activated during a predetermined first rest period, and in the secondary rest stage, the rest function of the charge-discharge unit 112 may be activated during a predetermined second rest period.

[0056] The series connection device 200 is configured to electrically connect the battery cells BC placed in the cell holder CH to form a series connection of battery cells BC, and to electrically connect the series connection to the charger / discharger 110.

[0057] The lifting device 300 includes at least one of a first lifting section 310 and a second lifting section 320.

[0058] In one embodiment, when the series connection device 200 is mounted or coupled to the first lifting unit 310, the first lifting unit 310 can adjust the distance between the cell holder CH and the series connection device 200 by raising and lowering the series connection device 200 along a predetermined direction (Z-axis).

[0059] Furthermore, when the cell holder CH is attached to or connected to the second lifting unit 320, the second lifting unit 320 can change the contact state between the cell holder CH and the series connection device 200 by raising and lowering the cell holder CH along a predetermined direction (Z-axis).

[0060] Figure 2a is an illustrative diagram showing the structure of the cell holder CH shown in Figure 1, and Figure 2b is an illustrative diagram showing the state in which a battery cell is inserted into the cell slot of the cell holder shown in Figure 2a.

[0061] Referring to Figures 2a and 2b, the cell holder CH includes a support body HB and multiple cell slots CS.

[0062] Multiple cell slots CS may be recesses or openings formed in the support body HB so that some of the battery cells BC can be housed and supported.

[0063] For ease of understanding, Figure 2a illustrates a cell holder CH in which a total of 12 cell slots CS are arranged in 2 rows and 6 columns, according to one embodiment. Since one battery cell BC can be inserted into each cell slot CS, a maximum of 12 battery cells BC can be arranged in the cell holder CH shown in Figures 2a and 2b for series connection by the series connection device 200.

[0064] In this regard, the task of placing (inserting) battery cells BC into cell slots CS may be performed manually by an operator or automatically by a robot or the like. Due to operator error or robot malfunction, it is possible that at least one of the cell slots CS may not have a battery cell BC inserted, and the cell holder CH may be transported to the battery charging / discharging system 10. Figure 2b shows an example in which only one of the 12 cell slots CS of the cell holder CH is empty, while the remaining 11 cell slots CS are occupied.

[0065] Referring to Figures 1, 2a, and 2b, the first lifting section 310 and the second lifting section 320 of the lifting device 300 are arranged facing each other along the Z-axis direction. In one embodiment, the cell holder CH is connected to the lower part of the support surface provided on the first lifting section 310, and the series connection device 200 is connected to the upper part of the support surface provided on the second lifting section 320. On the other hand, the positions of the first lifting section 310 and the second lifting section 320 of the lifting device 300 can be changed as needed or depending on the situation.

[0066] Furthermore, the lifting device 300 may include only one of the first lifting section 310 and the second lifting section 320. For example, if it includes only the first lifting section 310, the cell holder CH can be positioned in a predetermined area below the first lifting section 310. Also, if it includes only the second lifting section 320, the series connection device 200 can be positioned in a predetermined area above the second lifting section 320.

[0067] The charge / discharge controller 120 operates in either a charge / discharge standby mode or a charge / discharge execution mode, and can control the lifting device 300 accordingly. In one embodiment, the lifting operations of the first lifting section 310 and the second lifting section 320 of the lifting device 300 can be achieved by, for example, a piston or a stepper motor.

[0068] If the lifting device 300 includes both a first lifting section 310 and a second lifting section 320, in the charge / discharge standby mode, the first lifting section 310 raises the series connection device 200 and the second lifting section 320 lowers the cell holder CH so that the cell holder CH and the series connection device 200 are spaced apart from each other along the Z-axis. In the charge / discharge execution mode, the first lifting section 310 lowers the series connection device 200 and the second lifting section 320 raises the cell holder CH so that the cell holder CH and the series connection device 200 are in physical contact with each other. In one embodiment, the lifting amounts of the first lifting section 310 and the second lifting section 320 in the charge / discharge standby mode and the charge / discharge execution mode are pre-programmed. However, the lifting amounts of the first lifting section 310 and the second lifting section 320 may also be adjusted, for example, according to user input.

[0069] If the lifting device 300 includes only the first lifting section 310 of the first and second lifting sections 320, in the charge / discharge standby mode, the first lifting section 310 raises the series connection device 200 so that the cell holder CH and the series connection device 200 are separated from each other along the Z-axis direction. In the charge / discharge execution mode, the first lifting section 310 lowers the series connection device 200 so that the cell holder CH and the series connection device 200 are in physical contact with each other. The amount of lifting of the first lifting section 310 in the charge / discharge standby mode and the charge / discharge execution mode is pre-programmed. However, it is not limited to this, and the amount of lifting of the first lifting section 310 may also be adjusted, for example, according to user input.

[0070] If the lifting device 300 includes only the second lifting section 320 of the first lifting section 310 and the second lifting section 320, in the charge / discharge standby mode, the second lifting section 320 lowers the cell holder CH so that the cell holder CH and the series connection device 200 are separated from each other along the Z-axis direction. In the charge / discharge execution mode, the second lifting section 320 raises the cell holder CH so that the cell holder CH and the series connection device 200 are in physical contact with each other. The amount of lifting of the second lifting section 320 in the charge / discharge standby mode and the charge / discharge execution mode is pre-programmed. However, it is not limited to this, and the amount of lifting of the second lifting section 320 may be adjusted, for example, according to user input.

[0071] Figure 3 is a diagram referenced to illustrate the configuration of the series connection device 200 shown in Figure 1. In Figure 3, it is assumed that m = 5 according to one embodiment.

[0072] Referring to Figure 3, the series connection device 200 includes a connector group 210 and a wiring bundle 220.

[0073] Connector group 210 consists of connector modules CM1 to CM1, from the 1st to the mth. mThis includes. In one embodiment, the number of connector modules CM included in the connector group 210 may be the same as the number of cell slots CS provided in the cell holder CH. The first to mth connector modules CM1 to CM m Each of these is the first connector CN A and the second connector CN B Includes.

[0074] The wiring bundle 220 consists of connector modules CM1 to CM1 from the 1st to the mth. m Each of the predetermined parts is fixedly connected, and the first to m connector modules CM1 to CM m It is provided to support the first to m connector modules CM1~CM via the multiple electrical wires provided therein. m It is configured to mediate the electrical connection between them.

[0075] The wiring bundle 220 consists of the first to (m-1) cell connection wires CW1 to CW1 for connecting cells. m-1 And the bypass wires PW1 to PW from the 1st to the mth m The wiring bundle 220 may further include a first main wire MW1 and a second main wire MW2 for connection to the charge / discharge section 112 of the charge / discharge device 100.

[0076] Let j be a natural number less than m, and let i be a natural number less than or equal to m.

[0077] In one embodiment, cell connection wire CW j This is a connector module CM j Second connector CN B The second wire connection portion 61 (shown in Figures 5a, 5b, and 5c) is connected to the adjacent connector module, connector module CM. j+1 First connector CN A It is electrically connected to the first wire connection part 51 (shown in Figures 4a, 4b, and 4c).

[0078] Bypass wire PW i This is a connector module CMi First connector CN A The first wire connection part 51 and the second connector CN B The second wire connection part 61 is electrically connected to it.

[0079] The first main wire MW1 connects to the first connector CN of the connector module CM1. A This is electrically connected to the first power terminal (+) of the charging / discharging unit 112.

[0080] The second main wire MW2 is connected to the connector module CM. m Second connector CN B This is electrically connected to the second power terminal (-) of the charging / discharging unit 112.

[0081] The series connection device 200 may further include a connector holder 230. In one embodiment, the connector holder 230 may have 2 m through holes. First to m connector modules CM1 to CM m Each of the first connectors CN A and the second connector CN B These can be inserted into 2 through holes provided in the connector holder 230. This allows all connectors of the connector group 210 to be stably supported by the connector holder 230.

[0082] In one embodiment, the connector holder 230 may be mechanically coupled to the first lifting unit 310. That is, the first lifting unit 310 can raise and lower the connector holder 230 along the Z-axis, thereby allowing each connector of the connector group 210 and each battery cell of the cell holder CH to be physically contacted or separated.

[0083] On the other hand, Figure 3 illustrates a configuration in which the connector holder 230 supports the sides of each connector, but this should be understood as just one example. For example, the connector holder 230 may be located above each connector along its Z-axis, and the Z-axis end of each connector may be fitted into the connector holder 230, bolted together, or bonded together with adhesive.

[0084] Furthermore, the connector holder 230 may have a separate internal space for accommodating the wiring bundle 220.

[0085] Figure 4a is an example of the external appearance of the first connector of the connector module shown in Figure 3 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 4b is an example of the internal structure of the first connector shown in Figure 4a in the charge / discharge standby mode, and Figure 4c is an example of the internal structure of the first connector shown in Figure 4a in the charge / discharge execution mode. For convenience of explanation, the first connector CN shown in Figures 4a to 4c A This is a connector module CM i Let's assume it belongs to [this category].

[0086] Referring to Figures 3, 4a, and 4b, the first connector CN A This includes a first body portion 50, a first wire connection portion 51, a first cell connection portion 52, a first elastic portion 53, a first movable contact 54, and a first fixed contact 55.

[0087] In one embodiment, the first body portion 50 is made of an insulator, has a cylindrical shape with both ends in the Z-axis direction open, and has a first internal space.

[0088] The first wire connector 51 is made of a conductor, with a portion located in the first internal space of the first body 50 and the remainder protruding to the outside through one end of the first body 50. For example, one end of the first wire connector 51 is inserted into the first internal space, and the other end is exposed to the outside of the first body 50.

[0089] The first connector CN shown in Figure 4a A If it belongs to the first connector module CM1 (i.e., i=1), the first main wire MW1 is connected to the portion of the first wire connection part 51 that protrudes outside the first body part 50, and through this, it is electrically connected to, for example, the first power terminal (+) of the charge / discharge unit 112.

[0090] On the other hand, the first connector CN shown in Figure 4a AThis is the second to the m connector module CM2~CM m If it belongs to any of the above (i.e., i=2~m), the first wire connection portion 51 protruding from the outside of the first body portion 50 has a cell connection wire CW i-1 The connection is established.

[0091] The first cell connector 52 is made of a conductor, with a portion of it located in the first internal space of the first body 50, and the remainder protruding downwards to the outside of the first body 50. That is, one end of the first cell connector 52 is exposed to the outside of the first body 50 toward a specific cell slot CS of the cell holder CH, and the other end is inserted into the first internal space of the first body 50. Battery cell BC is inserted into the specific cell slot CS. i When arranged, in charge / discharge mode, one end of the first cell connection part 52 is connected to battery cell BC i With the first electrode terminal of the battery cell BC in contact, i As a result of being pressurized in the Z-axis direction, the externally exposed portion of the first cell connection portion 52 moves inward into the first internal space of the first body portion 50.

[0092] The first elastic portion 53 is located between the other end of the first wire connector 51 and the other end of the first cell connector 52, and is positioned in the first internal space of the first body portion 50 so that the other end of the first wire connector 51 and the other end of the first cell connector 52 are electrically connected. For this purpose, both ends of the first elastic portion 53 are in contact with one end each of the first wire connector 51 and the first cell connector 52 at one point each. In Figure 4b, the first elastic portion 53 is shown as a spring, but any medium with elasticity above a predetermined level other than a spring may be used.

[0093] Referring to Figure 4b, the first movable contact 54 is fixedly coupled to a predetermined portion of the first elastic portion 53. As a result, the first movable contact 54 can reciprocate along the Z-axis direction in accordance with the deformation of the first elastic portion 53 in the Z-axis direction.

[0094] The first fixed contact 55 is made of a conductor, with one end fixed in a predetermined area of ​​the first internal space and the other end exposed to the outside of the first body portion 50. The portion of the first wire connection portion 51 that protrudes to the outside of the first body portion 50 is connected to a bypass wire PW i The connection is established.

[0095] In charge / discharge standby mode, or in cell slot CS, battery cell BC i When not in operation, the first cell connection part 52 and battery cell BC i These are spaced apart from each other. In this case, since no upward pressing force along the Z-axis acts on the first cell connection part 52, the first elastic part 53 does not contract, and as shown in Figure 4b, the first movable contact 54 and the first fixed contact 55 come into direct contact within the first internal space. As a result, the first movable contact 54 and the first fixed contact 55 are electrically connected.

[0096] Referring to Figure 4c, in the charge / discharge mode, the first cell connection part 52 is connected to battery cell BC i The first electrode terminal (for example, the positive terminal shown as protruding in the figure) comes into direct contact with the first cell connection part 52, thereby moving the first cell connection part 52 upward along the Z-axis from its original position. In this case, the first elastic part 53 also contracts in the Z-axis direction, so the first movable contact 54 also moves upward along the Z-axis, and as shown in Figure 4c, the first movable contact 54 is separated from the first fixed contact 55. As a result, the first movable contact 54 and the bypass wire PW i It is electrically isolated from the first fixed contact 55 to which it is connected.

[0097] The first body portion 50 is non-conductive, while the first wire connection portion 51, the first cell connection portion 52, the first elastic portion 53, the first movable contact 54, and the first fixed contact 55 are conductive.

[0098] Referring to Figures 3, 4a, 4b, and 4c, in charge / discharge standby mode, two wires (MW1, CW i-1 Either of the following: the first wire connection part 51, the first elastic part 53, the first movable contact 54, the first fixed contact 55, and the bypass wire PW iA series connection is formed. That is, in the charge / discharge standby mode, the first movable contact 54 and the first fixed contact 55 make direct contact in the first internal space, and as a result the first movable contact 54 and the first fixed contact 55 are electrically connected, so together with the connection structure described later, a bypass path is formed.

[0099] Furthermore, even in charge / discharge mode, if the battery cell BC is not connected, a series connection is formed, similar to the charge / discharge standby mode. For example, in this series connection, the first connector CN A Battery cells BC that have not yet been installed i It functions as a bypass route, allowing charge and discharge current to flow to other battery cells even when battery cell BC is not connected.

[0100] In the charge / discharge mode, the first movable contact 54 is separated from the first fixed contact 55, thereby separating the first movable contact 54 from the bypass wire PW i It is electrically isolated from the first fixed contact 55 that is connected to it. As a result, the two wires (MW1, CW i-1 ) one of the first wire connection part 51, the first elastic part 53, the first cell connection part 52 and the battery cell BC i A series connection is formed of the first electrode terminals of the battery cell BC, and via this series connection, i Charge and discharge current flows through it. According to one embodiment, in the charge and discharge mode, bypass wire PW i This creates an open circuit state, which in turn bypasses the PW i The flow of charge and discharge current through this is interrupted.

[0101] Figure 5a is an example of the external appearance of the second connector of the connector module shown in Figure 3, Figure 5b is an example of the internal structure of the second connector shown in Figure 5a in the charge / discharge standby mode, and Figure 5c is an example of the internal structure of the second connector shown in Figure 5a in the charge / discharge execution mode. In one embodiment, the second connector CN shown in Figures 5a to 5c Bis a Pogo Pin connector and is the first connector CN shown in FIGS. 4a to 4c A and belongs to the same connector module CM i Assume it is a connector.

[0102] Referring to FIGS. 3, 5a and 5b, the second connector CN B includes a second body portion 60 formed of an insulator, a second wire connection portion 61 formed of a conductor, a second cell connection portion 62 formed of a conductor, and a second elastic portion 63 also formed of a conductor.

[0103] In one embodiment, the second body portion 60, like the first body portion 50, has a cylindrical shape with both ends open in the Z-axis direction and has a second internal space.

[0104] A part of the second wire connection portion 61 is located in the second internal space of the second body portion 60, and the remaining part protrudes outside through one end of the second body portion 60.

[0105] When the second connector CN shown in FIG. 5a B is a connector belonging to the m-th connector module CM m (that is, i = m), a bypass wire PW m and the second main wire MW2 are connected to the portion of the second wire connection portion 61 protruding outside the second body portion 60.

[0106] When the second connector CN shown in FIG. 5a B is a connector belonging to any of the first to (m - 1)-th connector modules CM1 to CM<{ m-1 (that is, i = 1 to m - 1), a bypass wire PW i and a cell connection wire CW i are connected to the second wire connection portion 61 protruding outside the second body portion 60.

[0107] A part of the second cell connection portion 62 is located in the second internal space of the second body portion 60, and the remaining part protrudes outside through the other end of the second body portion 60.

[0108] The second elastic part 63 is arranged between the second wire connection part 61 and the second cell connection part 62 in the second internal space of the second body part 60. In one embodiment, both ends of the second elastic part 63 are respectively connected to one end of each of the second wire connection part 61 and the second cell connection part 62, and the second wire connection part 61 and the second cell connection part 62 are electrically connected. Although the second elastic part 63 is shown as a spring in Fig. 5b, any medium having an elasticity above a predetermined level other than a spring may be used.

[0109] In the charge / discharge execution mode, as shown in Fig. 5c, when the battery cell BC i is inserted into the cell slot CS i of the cell holder CH, the second cell connection part 62 directly contacts the second electrode terminal of the battery cell BC i (for example, the negative electrode terminal located adjacent to the positive electrode terminal protruding in the figure). Thereby, the charge / discharge current flows through a series connection body including any one of the second electrode terminal of the battery cell BC i , the second cell connection part 62, the second elastic part 63, the second wire connection part 61 and the two wires CW i , MW2.

[0110] On the other hand, in the charge / discharge execution mode, different from Fig. 5c, when the battery cell BC i is not inserted into the cell slot CS i of the cell holder CH, the charge / discharge current flows through a series connection body including any one of the bypass wire PW i , the second wire connection part 61 and the two wires CW i , MW2, and a bypass path is formed to replace the uninserted battery cell BC N together with the aforementioned first connector CA. i

[0111] Hereinafter, when explaining the present invention with reference to Figs. 6 to 8, it is assumed that m = 5.

[0112] Figure 6 is a diagram referenced to illustrate an example of a series charge / discharge path provided by a connector group depending on the cell loading state in the cell holder CH. Figure 6 illustrates a series charge / discharge path in progress during a charge / discharge operation mode, with battery cells BC1 to BC5 placed in all m (m=5) cell slots CS provided in the cell holder CH.

[0113] Referring to Figure 6, since all m cell slots CS are occupied by battery cells BC1 to BC5, all battery cells BC1 to BC5 are electrically connected in series through the series charge / discharge path provided by the series connection device 200. (I in Figure 6) CH1 This indicates the charging current (or its path).

[0114] For example, the charge / discharge current is measured by the first main wire MW1 and the first connector CN of the first connector module CM1. A Battery cell BC1, first connector module CM1, second connector CN B It also flows through the cell connection wire CW1.

[0115] First, the first main wire MW1 and the first connector CN of the first connector module CM1. A The charging current supplied via passes through the first and second electrode terminals of the battery cell BC1 and the second connector CN of the first connector module CM1. B The current flows to the second connector CN of the first connector module CM1 via the cell connection wire CW1. B From the second connector module CM2 to the first connector CN A The current flows in this direction. Thus, when all m cell slots CS are occupied by battery cells BC1 to BC5, all bypass wires PW1 to PW5 of the series connection device 200 remain in an open circuit state. The discharge current flows in the opposite direction to the charging current described above.

[0116] The flow of charge and discharge current due to the connection relationship between the first connector module CM1 and the battery cell BC1 is similarly applied to the second connector module CM2 through the fifth connector module CM5 and the battery cells BC2 to BC5. As a result, the charge and discharge current supplied by the charge and discharge unit 112 passes sequentially through the battery cells BC1 to BC5, and charging and discharging occur in each of these battery cells BC1 to BC5.

[0117] Figure 7 is a diagram referenced to illustrate another example of a series charge-discharge path provided by the charge-discharge board, depending on the cell-loading state of the cell holder CH.

[0118] According to one embodiment, Figure 7 illustrates a series charge-discharge path in progress during a charge-discharge operation, where the first, second, fourth, and fifth battery cells BC1, BC2, BC4, and BC5 are normally positioned in the cell holder CH, while the third battery cell BC3 is not connected. (Reference numeral I in Figure 7) CH2 This indicates the charging current (or its path).

[0119] Referring to Figure 7, even if battery cell BC3 is not connected, the normally connected battery cells BC1, BC2, BC4, and BC5 are electrically connected in series via the series charge / discharge path provided by the series connection device 200. For example, even if battery cell BC3 is not connected, the series connection device 200 automatically forms a bypass path that replaces battery cell BC3 and provides a charge / discharge path. This allows the second electrode terminal of battery cell BC2 and the first electrode terminal of battery cell BC4 to be electrically connected, enabling the flow of charge / discharge current and allowing charging and discharging of the normally connected battery cells BC1, BC2, BC4, and BC5. For example, the charging current flows through battery cells BC1 and BC2 to the cell connection wire CW2. Subsequently, as shown by the curved arrow in the third connector module CM3 section of Figure 7, the cell connection wire CW2 connects to the first connector CN of the third connector module CM3. AIt is connected to bypass wire PW3 via [a specific wire], and bypass wire PW3 is connected to cell connection wire CW3. Therefore, even when battery cell BC3 is not plugged in, a bypass path is formed to replace battery cell BC3, allowing charging current to flow from the second electrode terminal of battery cell BC2 to the first electrode terminal of battery cell BC4. The discharge current flows in the opposite direction to the aforementioned charging current.

[0120] In this way, the charge / discharge current supplied by the charge / discharge unit 112 passes sequentially through the battery cells BC1, BC2, BC4, and BC5, and charging and discharging occur in each of these battery cells BC1, BC2, BC4, and BC5.

[0121] Figure 8 is a diagram referenced to illustrate yet another example of the series charge-discharge path provided by the charge-discharge board, depending on the state in which the battery cell BC is inserted into the cell holder CH.

[0122] Figure 8 shows that the first, second, and fifth battery cells BC1, BC2, and BC5 are properly positioned in the cell holder CH, while the two electrically adjacent third and fourth battery cells BC 3、 This illustrates a series charge-discharge path in which the charge-discharge mode is in progress when BC4 is not engaged. (Symbol I in Figure 8) CH3 This indicates the charging current (or its path).

[0123] Referring to Figure 8, the third and fourth battery cells BC 3、 Even if BC4 is not connected, the normally connected battery cells BC1, BC2, and BC5 are automatically electrically connected in series via the series charge / discharge path provided by the series connection device 200. That is, the series connection device 200 connects two battery cells BC 3、 The system automatically provides a charge / discharge path that bypasses BC4, thereby electrically connecting the second electrode terminal of battery cell BC2 and the first electrode terminal of battery cell BC5. This allows charge / discharge current to flow through the series connection device 200 to properly powered-on battery cells BC1, BC2, and BC5.

[0124] For example, as previously mentioned with reference to Figure 7, the charging current flows through battery cells BC1 and BC2 to the cell connection wire CW2. Also, as indicated by the curved arrow in the figure, the cell connection wire CW2 connects to the first connector CN of the third connector module CM3. A Bypass wire PW3, cell connection wire CW3, 4th connector module CM4, 1st connector CN A , via bypass wire PW4 and cell connection wire CW4, the first connector CN of the fifth connector module CM5 A They are electrically and automatically connected. Therefore, two electrically adjacent battery cells BC 3、 Even when BC4 is not connected, charging current can flow from the second electrode terminal of the normally connected battery cell BC2 to the first electrode terminal of battery cell BC5. The discharge current flows in the opposite direction to the charging current.

[0125] As a result, as explained in Figure 7, the uninserted battery cell BC 3、 Even if BC4 is present, bypass paths to the uncharged battery cells BC3 and BC4 are automatically formed without the need for a separate verification device, such as a complex control device including a voltage sensor and a switching circuit. The charge / discharge current supplied by the charge / discharge unit 112 passes sequentially through the normally charged battery cells BC1, BC2, and BC5, and charging and discharging are performed in each of these battery cells BC1, BC2, and BC5.

[0126] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary battery charge / discharge control method according to another embodiment of the present invention. According to one embodiment, the charge / discharge control method shown in Figure 9 can be executed at the start of the charge / discharge execution mode. It is assumed that the operation of the charge / discharge unit 112 is stopped at the start of the charge / discharge execution mode.

[0127] Referring to Figures 1 to 9, in step S910, the charge / discharge controller 120 measures the series connection voltage, which is the voltage between the first main wire MW1 and the second main wire MW2. The series connection voltage is the voltage across the series circuit of the battery cells located in the occupied cell slots CS of the cell holder CH, and has a positive correlation with the number of battery cells BC loaded into the cell holder CH.

[0128] In step S920, the charge / discharge controller 120 determines the charge limit voltage and discharge limit voltage for the charge / discharge cycle based on the series connection voltage measured in step S920.

[0129] In one embodiment, the charge / discharge controller 120 estimates the number of battery cells BC loaded into the cell holder CH by dividing the series connection voltage by a predetermined reference cell voltage. Next, the charge / discharge controller 120 obtains the charge limit voltage corresponding to the estimated number of battery cells BC from a first lookup table defined in the memory 124, which defines the charge limit voltage corresponding to the number of cells. The charge / discharge controller 120 also obtains the discharge limit voltage corresponding to the estimated number of battery cells BC from a second lookup table defined in the memory 124, which defines the discharge limit voltage corresponding to the number of cells. Note that the charge limit voltage and discharge limit voltage may be obtained not based on their respective lookup tables, but by other methods such as wired or wireless user input.

[0130] In step S930, the charge / discharge controller 120 controls the charge / discharge unit 112 according to the charge / discharge schedule set in the charge limit voltage and discharge limit voltage determined in step S920. In one embodiment, the charge / discharge schedule may be pre-stored in the memory 124, or it may be input from an external source using wired or wireless communication.

[0131] More specifically, when the charge-discharge cycle proceeds according to the charge-discharge schedule, the charge limit voltage and discharge limit voltage set in step S920 are used. For example, as described above, when the battery activation process proceeds in the order of primary charge stage, primary pause stage, discharge stage, secondary pause stage, and secondary charge stage, the charge-discharge controller 120 stops the charging function and activates the pause function of the charge-discharge unit 112 in response to the series connection voltage reaching the charge limit voltage in each stage of the primary charge stage and secondary pause stage. Also, in the discharge stage, the charge-discharge controller 120 stops the discharge function and activates the pause function of the charge-discharge unit 112 in response to the series connection voltage reaching the discharge limit voltage.

[0132] The embodiments of the present invention described above are not limited to devices and methods, but can also be realized by a program that implements the functions corresponding to the configuration of the embodiments of the present invention, or by a recording medium on which such a program is recorded. Such implementation can be easily achieved by experts in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, based on the above-described embodiments.

[0133] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto, and that various modifications and variations can be made by persons with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains, within the equivalent scope of the technical concept of the present invention and the appended claims.

[0134] Furthermore, the present invention described above can be modified, altered, and changed in various ways by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs, without departing from the technical spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is not limited by the embodiments described above and the accompanying drawings, but can be constructed by selectively combining all or part of each embodiment.

Claims

1. It includes first to m connector modules provided in a one-to-one correspondence to first to m cell slots (where m is a natural number of 2 or more) provided in a cell holder, and each of the first to m connector modules includes a connector group including a first connector and a second connector, A bundle of wires electrically connected to the first to m connector modules, Includes, The first connector of the first connector module is electrically connected to the first power terminal of the charge / discharge unit. The second connector of the m connector module is electrically connected to the second power terminal of the charging / discharging unit. The second connector of the j-th connector module (where j is a natural number less than m) is electrically connected to the first connector of the (j+1)-th connector module via the wiring bundle. When the i-th cell slot (where i is a natural number less than or equal to m) is empty and no battery cell is placed in that slot, the first connector of the i-th connector module is configured to be electrically connected to the second connector of the i-th connector module via the wiring bundle. A series connection device configured such that, when the i-cell slot is occupied by a battery cell, the first connector of the i-connector module is electrically connected to the first electrode terminal of the battery cell placed in the i-cell slot, and the second connector of the i-connector module is electrically connected to the second electrode terminal of the battery cell placed in the i-cell slot.

2. The first connector of the i-connector module is A first body section having a first internal space, A first wire connection portion, one end of which is inserted into the first internal space and the other end of which is exposed to the outside of the first body portion, A first cell connection portion, with one end exposed to the outside of the first body portion toward the cell holder and the other end inserted into the first internal space, A first elastic portion is disposed in the first internal space so as to be located between the first wire connection portion and the first cell connection portion, A first movable contact is coupled to the first elastic portion so as to be movable along the axial direction of the first internal space in accordance with the deformation of the first elastic portion, A first fixed contact, one end of which is fixed in a predetermined area of ​​the first internal space and the other end of which is exposed to the outside of the first body portion, Includes, The first body portion is made of a non-conductive material. The series connection device according to claim 1, wherein the first cell connection portion, the first fixed contact, the first elastic portion, and the first movable contact are conductors.

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

4. If the j-cell slot is empty, The first movable contact of the first connector of the j connector module is physically contacted by the first elastic portion and is configured to be electrically connected to the first fixed contact of the first connector of the j connector module. The first fixed contact of the first connector of the j connector module is configured to be electrically connected to the first wire connection portion of the first connector of the (j+1) connector module via the wiring bundle. If the m-cell slot is empty, The first movable contact of the first connector of the m connector module is physically contacted by the first elastic portion and is configured to be electrically connected to the first fixed contact of the first connector of the m connector module. The series connection device according to claim 2, wherein the first fixed contact of the first connector of the m connector module is configured to be electrically connected to the second power terminal of the charging / discharging unit via the wiring bundle.

5. If the i-cell slot is in the occupied state, The first cell connection portion of the first connector of the i-connector module is configured to physically contact the first electrode terminal of the battery cell arranged in the i-cell slot and to be electrically connected to the first electrode terminal of the battery cell. The series connection device according to claim 2, wherein the first movable contact of the first connector of the i-connector module is configured to be physically separated from the first fixed contact in accordance with the deformation of the first elastic part and to be electrically isolated from the first fixed contact of the first connector of the i-connector module.

6. The specified second connector of the specified i connector module is A second body portion in which a second internal space is formed, A second wire connection portion, one end of which is inserted into the second internal space and the other end of which is exposed to the outside of the second body portion, A second cell connection portion, one end of which is exposed to the outside of the second body portion toward the cell holder, and the other end of which is inserted into the second internal space, A second elastic portion is disposed in the second internal space so as to be located between the second wire connection portion and the second cell connection portion, Includes, The second body portion is made of a non-conductive material. The series connection device according to claim 2, wherein the second wire connection portion, the second cell connection portion, and the second elastic portion are conductors.

7. The second wire connection portion of the second connector of the j connector module is connected via the wiring bundle to the first fixed contact of the first connector of the j connector module and the first wire connection portion of the first connector of the (j+1) connector module. The series connection device according to claim 6, wherein the second wire connection portion of the second connector of the m connector module is connected via the wiring bundle to the first fixed contact of the first connector of the m connector module and the second power terminal of the charge / discharge unit.

8. If the i-cell slot is in the occupied state, The series connection device according to claim 6, wherein the second cell connection portion of the second connector of the i-connector module is in physical contact with the second electrode terminal of the battery cell arranged in the i-cell slot and is electrically connected to the second electrode terminal of the battery cell arranged in the i-cell slot.

9. The aforementioned wiring bundle is Bypass wires numbered 1 through m, Includes, first to (m-1) cell connecting wires, The i-th bypass wire is, The first wire connection portion of the first connector of the i-connector module and the second wire connection portion of the second connector of the i-connector module are electrically connected. The i-cell connection wire is, The series connection device according to claim 6, wherein the second wire connection portion of the second connector of the i connector module and the first wire connection portion of the first connector of the (i+1) connector module are electrically connected.

10. A battery charging and discharging system including the series connection device described in claim 1.

11. Includes multiple connector modules that correspond one-to-one with multiple cell slots contained in the cell holder, Each of the plurality of connector modules includes a connector group including a first connector and a second connector, Among the plurality of connector modules, the first and second connectors of each connector module corresponding to an empty cell slot in which no battery cells are inserted are automatically electrically connected to each other to form a bypass path. A series connection device in which, among the plurality of connector modules, the first and second connectors of each connector module corresponding to a cell slot in which a battery cell is inserted are individually connected to the first and second electrodes of the battery cell inserted in the cell slot in which the battery cell is inserted, thereby providing a series charge-discharge path.

12. The first connector includes a first body portion, a first wire connection portion, a first cell connection portion, a first elastic portion, a first movable contact, and a first fixed contact. The series connection device according to claim 11, wherein the first body portion is made of an insulator, has a cylindrical shape with both ends in the Z-axis direction open, and has a first internal space.

13. The first wire connection portion is partially located in the first internal space of the first body portion, and the remainder protrudes to the outside through one end of the first body portion. The series connection device according to claim 12, wherein a portion of the first cell connection portion is located in the first internal space of the first body portion, and the remainder is exposed to the outside of the first body portion toward a specific cell slot of the cell holder below.

14. The first elastic portion is located between the other end of the first wire connection portion and the other end of the first cell connection portion, and is arranged in the first internal space of the first body portion such that the other end of the first wire connection portion and the other end of the first cell connection portion are electrically connected. The series connection device according to claim 13, wherein the first movable contact is fixedly coupled to a predetermined portion of the first elastic portion, and the first movable contact reciprocates along the Z-axis direction in accordance with the deformation of the first elastic portion in the Z-axis direction.

15. The series connection device according to claim 14, wherein the first fixed contact is formed of a conductor, one end of which is fixed in a predetermined area of ​​the first internal space, and the other end of which is exposed to the outside of the first body portion, and a bypass wire is connected to the first wire connection portion that protrudes to the outside of the first body portion.

16. The series connection device according to claim 15, wherein the first movable contact is connected to the first fixed contact at a predetermined portion, and as the first elastic portion deforms in the Z-axis direction with the movement of the first cell connection portion in the Z-axis direction, the first movable contact also reciprocates in the Z-axis direction and is separated from the first fixed contact.

17. A battery charging and discharging system including the series connection device described in claim 11.

Images