Charge and Discharge Inspection Equipment

Abstract

To provide a charge-discharge inspection facility capable of enhancing the reliability of various types of processing such as calibration compared to the prior art.SOLUTION: The charge-discharge inspection facility comprises: a plurality of battery units, each of which has a plurality of secondary batteries to be inspected and is transported to a predetermined position by a transport device 13; a plurality of charge-discharge devices 11, each of which charges / discharges the secondary batteries of the battery units disposed at the predetermined position; and a processing device 12 which is transported by the transport device 13 and is disposed in place of the battery units to perform preset processing. Connection terminals 17 of the charge-discharge devices 11 are divided into charge-discharge terminals 18, 19 which are connected to the respective secondary batteries, and processing terminals 20, 21 which are connected to the processing unit 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to charging and discharging inspection equipment for secondary batteries.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, rechargeable secondary batteries such as lithium-ion batteries and nickel-metal hydride batteries have been widely used in electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and other electrical products. In the manufacture of these batteries, similar to conventional rechargeable batteries, the manufactured batteries are subjected to a charge and discharge test to inspect whether the batteries meet predetermined performance and characteristics before shipment. The charge and discharge test can be performed using charging and discharging inspection equipment (charging and discharging inspection system) for secondary batteries. For example, the charging and discharging inspection system described in Patent Document 1 includes a charging and discharging device (battery inspection unit) that accommodates a plurality of secondary batteries and performs a charge and discharge inspection, and a calibration device that is arranged in place of the secondary battery and calibrates the charging and discharging device. The charging and discharging device includes a plurality of charging and discharging terminals (contacts) for supplying power from a power source (charging and discharging power source) to each secondary battery, and the calibration device includes a contact (connection terminal) for connecting to the charging and discharging terminals in place of the secondary battery. The calibration device is transported to the charging and discharging device by a transport device and positioned at a transport position where the contacts can be connected to the charging and discharging terminals.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, since the charging / discharging terminals of the charging / discharging device are worn at the contact portions with the secondary battery due to long-term use, when calibrating by connecting the worn charging / discharging terminals to the contacts of the calibration device, calibration may be performed in a state where poor contact occurs, and the reliability of calibration is impaired. This poor contact occurs not only in the calibration device but also when connecting various processing devices that perform preset processing to the charging / discharging terminals. Note that poor contact can be avoided by detecting the wear condition (deterioration condition) of the charging / discharging terminals. However, since a plurality (many) of charging / discharging terminals are provided in the charging / discharging device, it is not easy.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a charging / discharging inspection facility capable of improving the reliability of various processes such as calibration more than before.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The charging / discharging inspection facility according to the present invention that meets the above object includes a plurality of battery units each having a plurality of secondary batteries to be inspected and transported to a predetermined position by a transport device, a plurality of charging / discharging devices each performing charging and discharging of the secondary batteries of the battery units arranged at the predetermined positions, and a processing device that is transported by the transport device and arranged in place of the battery unit to perform preset processing. The connection terminals of the charging / discharging device are divided into charging / discharging terminals connected to the respective secondary batteries and processing terminals connected to the processing device. 、 A switching circuit for switching power supply to the secondary battery and power supply to the processing device is provided at a connection portion between a wiring connecting the charging / discharging terminal to the charging / discharging power supply of the charging / discharging device and a wiring connected to the processing terminal. are. The switching circuit may be a relay circuit.

[0007] In the charging / discharging inspection facility according to the present invention, the processing device is a calibration device that calibrates each of the charging / discharging devices, and the processing terminal is a calibration terminal, and it is preferable that the calibration terminal is connected to the calibration device. Here, the calibration device is provided with a deterioration diagnosis terminal for connecting to the charge and discharge terminal, and it is preferable to measure the degree of deterioration of the charge and discharge terminal by flowing a current from the charge and discharge device to the load to which the deterioration diagnosis terminal is connected.

[0008] In the charge and discharge inspection facility according to the present invention, the processing device is a diagnostic device for measuring the degree of deterioration of the charge and discharge terminal. The diagnostic device is provided with a deterioration diagnosis terminal for connecting to the charge and discharge terminal, and it is preferable to measure the degree of deterioration of the charge and discharge terminal by flowing a current from the charge and discharge device to the load to which the deterioration diagnosis terminal is connected.

[0009] In the charge and discharge inspection facility according to the present invention, it is preferable that an element for measuring the temperature of the deterioration diagnosis terminal is attached and fixed to the deterioration diagnosis terminal.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] In the charge and discharge inspection facility according to the present invention, the connection terminal of the charge and discharge device is divided into a charge and discharge terminal connected to each secondary battery and a processing terminal connected to a processing device that performs a preset process. Therefore, for example, when the processing device is a calibration device, without contacting the worn charge and discharge terminal with the calibration device (processing device) as in the prior art, by connecting the calibration terminal (processing terminal) to the calibration device, calibration (various processes) of the charge and discharge device (charge and discharge power source) by the calibration device can be implemented. Therefore, the reliability of various processes such as calibration can be improved compared to the prior art.

[0011] Also, when the calibration device is provided with a deterioration diagnosis terminal for connecting to the charge and discharge terminal, after calibrating the charge and discharge device, continue to flow a current from the charge and discharge device to the load through the deterioration diagnosis terminal, measure the voltage across the charge and discharge terminal, and calculate the resistance to grasp the deterioration status of the charge and discharge terminal (the recommended replacement timing of the charge and discharge terminal can be grasped). For this reason, when using a diagnostic device (a device without a calibration function) provided with a deterioration diagnosis terminal as the processing device, the reliability when examining the deterioration status of the charge and discharge terminal can be improved. Here, when an element for measuring temperature is attached and fixed to the deterioration diagnosis terminal, by measuring the heat generation temperature of the deterioration diagnosis terminal, the deterioration status of the charge / discharge terminal can be grasped (the recommended replacement timing of the charge / discharge terminal can be grasped). Note that the deterioration status of the charge / discharge terminal can be grasped by using either one or both of the above-described calculation of resistance and measurement of heat generation temperature.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Subsequently, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments embodying the present invention will be described to facilitate understanding of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a charge / discharge inspection (test) facility 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of battery units (not shown) each having a plurality of secondary batteries to be inspected, a plurality of charge / discharge devices 11 each performing charge / discharge of the secondary batteries of the battery units, a calibration device (an example of a processing device that performs preset processing) 12 for calibrating each charge / discharge device 11, and a transport device 13 for transporting the battery units and the calibration device 12 to predetermined positions (positions where charge / discharge or calibration can be performed within an inspection shelf 15 described later). Note that the battery unit has a battery tray and a plurality of secondary batteries arranged (set, mounted) side by side on the battery tray. The following will be described in detail.

[0014] The charge / discharge inspection facility 10 includes a plurality (here, two) of inspection stands 14. On the inspection stand 14, a plurality of inspection shelves 15 capable of accommodating battery units are provided in the vertical (height) direction and the horizontal (width) direction, and two inspection stands 14 are arranged opposite to each other with an interval such that the inspection shelves 15 face each other. On each inspection shelf 15, a charging and discharging device 11 provided with a plurality of connection terminals 17 connected to a charging and discharging power supply (power supply) 16 is installed. The connection terminals 17 are divided into a plurality of pairs of charging and discharging terminals 18 and 19 connected to each secondary battery and a plurality of pairs of calibration terminals (an example of processing terminals) 20 and 21 connected to the calibration device 12. The number of charging and discharging devices 11 is the same as the number of inspection shelves 15. The charging and discharging power supply 16 is for supplying power to the secondary battery, has a function of measuring current and voltage, and can be installed, for example, in the inspection shelf 15 and / or at a location different from the inspection shelf 15.

[0015] The charging and discharging terminals 18 and 19 are a pair that can contact the positive and negative electrodes of the secondary battery, and are attached above a plurality of secondary batteries arranged side by side in the battery tray corresponding to the arrangement positions of the respective secondary batteries (so as to overlap in plan view). The charging and discharging terminals 18 and 19 are connected to a plurality of channels of the charging and discharging power supply 16 via wirings 22 and 23. The calibration terminals 20 and 21 can contact the pin-shaped contacts 24 and 25 of the positive and negative electrodes of the calibration device 12 arranged on the inspection shelf 15 instead of the battery unit (battery tray). The calibration terminals 20 and 21 are connected to wirings 26 and 27 connected to the above-mentioned wirings 22 and 23, and are independently attached at positions different from the pair of charging and discharging terminals 18 and 19 in plan view above the calibration device 12. Thus, each of the pair of calibration terminals 20 and 21 is electrically conductive to the charging and discharging terminals 18 and 19.

[0016] The calibration device 12 is formed in a size that can be accommodated in the inspection shelf 15. The plurality of contacts 24 and 25 provided in the calibration device 12 are provided corresponding to the arrangement positions of the plurality of calibration terminals 20 and 21 (so as to overlap in a plan view when housed in the inspection shelf 15). Note that since the contacts 24 and 25 are provided on the protruding portion (step portion) 29 provided on the upper part of the casing 28 of the calibration device 12 in a state of protruding upward, the charging / discharging terminals 18 and 19 can be brought into contact with the calibration terminals 20 and 21 of the calibration device 12 without bringing the charging / discharging terminals 18 and 19 into contact with the calibration device 12. The number of the contacts 24 and 25 and the arrangement interval (pitch) of the plurality of pairs of contacts 24 and 25 are the same as the number of the calibration terminals 20 and 21 provided in the charging / discharging device 11 and the arrangement interval of the plurality of pairs of calibration terminals 20 and 21, but may be different as follows.

[0017] For example, the plurality of contacts provided in the calibration device may be arranged in an arrangement that conforms to a part of the arrangement of the plurality of calibration terminals provided in the charging / discharging device. That is, the number of contacts may be smaller than the number of calibration terminals. In this case, by reconnecting the contacts from the calibrated calibration terminals to the uncalibrated calibration terminals, calibration can be completed for all the calibration terminals. Also, a part of the plurality of contacts may be arranged in an arrangement that conforms to the arrangement of the plurality of calibration terminals. That is, the number of contacts may be larger than the number of calibration terminals. In this case, the calibration device may be configured to include a large number of contacts arranged at various intervals and to be capable of corresponding to calibration terminals with various arrangement intervals.

[0018] A switching circuit (not shown) for switching the power supply to the secondary battery and the power supply to the calibration device 12 is provided at the connection portions of the wirings 22 and 23 and the wirings 26 and 27 described above. Note that a relay circuit may be provided at the above-described connection portion for noise countermeasures and insulation protection to switch the power supply to the secondary battery and the power supply to the calibration device 12. In addition, in the charge and discharge inspection equipment 10, the contacts 24 and 25 of the calibration device 12 are pin-shaped and can contact the flat calibration terminals 20 and 21 provided on the charge and discharge device 11. However, as shown in the charge and discharge device 11a and the calibration device (an example of a processing device) 12a in FIG. 3, pin-shaped calibration terminals (an example of processing terminals) 20a and 21a can be attached to the charge and discharge device 11a so that they can contact the flat contacts 24a and 25a of the calibration device 12a.

[0019] Furthermore, instead of the calibration device 12, the calibration device (an example of a processing device) 12b shown in FIG. 4 can also be used. The calibration device 12b includes deterioration diagnosis terminals 30 and 31 for connecting to the charge and discharge terminals 18 and 19 (it has a plurality of pairs of the pair of contacts 24 and 25 and the pair of deterioration diagnosis terminals 30 and 31 respectively). These deterioration diagnosis terminals 30 and 31 are connected to a load (reference load). Thereby, by flowing a current I from the charge and discharge power supply 16 to the load using the charge and discharge terminals 18 and 19 and the deterioration diagnosis terminals 30 and 31, the voltages (V1, V2) across each of the charge and discharge terminals 18 and 19 can be measured by the voltmeters connected to the contact 24 and the deterioration diagnosis terminal 30 and the voltmeters connected to the contact 25 and the deterioration diagnosis terminal 31. By calculating the resistance using this voltage and the current flowing from the charge and discharge power supply 16, the deterioration status of the charge and discharge terminals 18 and 19 can be grasped (the degree of deterioration can be measured (detected)).

[0020] In addition, the calibration device 12b includes elements 32 and 33 for measuring temperature, and these elements 32 and 33 are respectively attached and fixed to the back side (inside the calibration device 12b) of the deterioration diagnosis terminals 30 and 31. Thereby, by flowing a current from the charge and discharge power supply 16 to the load using the charge and discharge terminals 18 and 19 and the deterioration diagnosis terminals 30 and 31, the heat generation temperature of the deterioration diagnosis terminals 30 and 31 can be measured, and the deterioration status of the charge and discharge terminals 18 and 19 can be grasped (the degree of deterioration can be measured (detected)). Note that the deterioration status of the charge and discharge terminals can be grasped by using either one or both of the above-described resistance calculation and heat generation temperature measurement. For example, when the calculated resistance value is equal to or greater than a preset value, or when the measured heat generation temperature is equal to or greater than a preset value, it is determined that the charge and discharge terminal 18 and / or the charge and discharge terminal 19 has deteriorated and can be replaced.

[0021] The contact between the calibration terminals 20 and 21 provided in the charge and discharge device 11 and the contacts 24 and 25 provided in the calibration device 12 can be implemented by raising the calibration device 12 with respect to the calibration terminals 20 and 21. However, the calibration terminals 20 and 21 (charge and discharge device 11) may be lowered with respect to the calibration device 12, or a combination of raising and lowering may be used. Similarly, the contact between the charge and discharge terminals 18 and 19 provided in the charge and discharge device 11 and the positive and negative electrodes of the secondary battery can be implemented by raising the battery unit (battery tray in which the secondary battery is housed) with respect to the charge and discharge terminals 18 and 19. However, the charge and discharge terminals 18 and 19 (charge and discharge device 11) may be lowered with respect to the battery unit, or a combination of raising and lowering may be used. Each lifting and lowering can be implemented by a lifting mechanism (lifting means) attached inside the inspection shelf 15.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the transport device 13 is installed between two inspection gantries 14 arranged opposite to each other, and is an automatic transport device (for example, a stacker crane) for transporting the calibration device 12 or the battery unit from an external storage location into each inspection shelf 15. This transport device is configured to be able to linearly transport the calibration device 12 or the battery unit in the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, respectively. Specifically, the transport device 13 has a fork portion that supports the calibration device 12 or the battery unit (battery tray) from below. By moving this fork portion up and down and back and forth, the calibration device 12 or the battery unit can be transported to a desired inspection shelf 15 and positioned with respect to the charge and discharge device 11.

[0023] Note that the above charging and discharging device 11 (charging and discharging device 11a), calibration device 12 (calibration devices 12a and 12b), and transfer device 13 are electrically connected to a control unit (for example, a management personal computer) (not shown) provided in the charging and discharging inspection facility 10 by wire and / or wirelessly. Therefore, the operations of the respective devices are controlled by the control unit and are performed based on commands from the control unit. The commands from this control unit are automatically performed using a preset program input to the control unit, but they may also be performed manually. Thereby, the calibration device 12 can perform the transfer and positioning of the battery unit, the charging and discharging inspection of the secondary battery, and the calibration of the charging and discharging device 11.

[0024] Subsequently, a method for charging and discharging inspection of a secondary battery and a method for calibrating (maintaining) the charging and discharging device 11 (charging and discharging power supply 16) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. For the charging and discharging inspection of the secondary battery, first, a battery unit in which a plurality of secondary batteries are set in a battery tray is transported by the transfer device 13 from an external storage location to a preset inspection shelf 15. At this time, the charging and discharging terminals 18 and 19 provided in the charging and discharging device 11 in the inspection shelf 15 are positioned so as to be located above (so as to be connectable to) the plurality of secondary batteries. Then, the secondary battery (battery tray) is raised with respect to the charging and discharging terminals 18 and 19, and after the positive and negative electrodes of the secondary battery are brought into contact (abutted) with the charging and discharging terminals 18 and 19, a charging and discharging inspection of the secondary battery is performed based on a preset charging and discharging program.

[0025] In addition, since the charge-discharge power supply 16 used for a preset period requires calibration by the calibration device 12, instead of the above-described battery unit (secondary battery), the calibration device 12 is transported by the transport device 13 from an external storage location to a preset inspection shelf 15. At this time, the calibration terminals 20 and 21 provided on the charge-discharge device 11 in the inspection shelf 15 are positioned so as to be above the contacts 24 and 25 of the calibration device 12 (so that they can be connected), and the calibration device 12 is positioned. Note that the calibration device 12 is, for example, one unit, but may be two or more units according to the scale of the charge-discharge inspection facility. In the case of a plurality of units, a plurality of charge-discharge devices 11 can be calibrated simultaneously. Then, the calibration device 12 is raised with respect to the calibration terminals 20 and 21, and after the contacts 24 and 25 of the calibration device 12 are brought into contact (abutted) with the calibration terminals 20 and 21, the charge-discharge power supply 16 is calibrated based on a preset calibration program (that is, a calibration process is performed).

[0026] After the above-described charge-discharge inspection of the secondary battery is completed, the battery unit is lowered, the charge-discharge terminals 18 and 19 and the positive and negative electrodes of the secondary battery are brought into a non-contact state, and the battery unit is transported to a predetermined location by the transport device 13. Similarly, for the above-described calibration device 12, after the calibration of the charge-discharge power supply 16 is completed, the calibration device 12 is lowered, the calibration terminals 20 and 21 and the contacts 24 and 25 of the calibration device 12 are brought into a non-contact state, and the calibration device 12 is transported to a predetermined location by the transport device 13. The above-described charge-discharge inspection of the secondary battery and the calibration of the charge-discharge power supply 16 are performed in parallel. That is, when the calibration process is being executed in a charge-discharge device having the calibration device 12, the charge-discharge inspection of the secondary battery is being executed in another charge-discharge device.

[0027] In this way, for the calibration of the charge-discharge power supply 16, instead of using the charge-discharge terminals 18 and 19 for performing the charge-discharge inspection of the secondary battery, the calibration terminals 20 and 21 provided separately and independently from the charge-discharge terminals 18 and 19 are used, so that it is possible to prevent the contacts 24 and 25 of the calibration device 12 from contacting the charge-discharge terminals 18 and 19 during the calibration process. Therefore, since the influence due to the wear of the charge-discharge terminals 18 and 19 is eliminated, the reliability of calibration can be improved as compared with the prior art.

[0028] When calibrating the charge and discharge power supply 16 (charge and discharge device) using the calibration device 12b shown in FIG. 4, after performing the calibration of the charge and discharge power supply 16 described above, the calibration circuit and the deterioration diagnosis circuit provided in the calibration device 12b are switched by an internal circuit. In the calibration device 12b, with the contacts 24 and 25 respectively in contact with the calibration terminals 20 and 21 provided on the charge and discharge device 11, and the deterioration diagnosis terminals 30 and 31 also respectively in contact with the charge and discharge terminals 18 and 19 of the charge and discharge device 11, by passing a current from the charge and discharge power supply 16 to the load through the deterioration diagnosis terminals 30 and 31, the voltages across both ends of the charge and discharge terminal 18 and across both ends of the charge and discharge terminal 19 can be measured respectively to calculate the resistance. At this time, the heating temperatures of the deterioration diagnosis terminals 30 and 31 can be measured by the elements 32 and 33 respectively attached and fixed to the deterioration diagnosis terminals 30 and 31.

[0029] By using either one or both of the above-described calculation of the resistance and measurement of the heating temperature, the deterioration status (degree of deterioration) of the charge and discharge terminals 18 and 19 can be grasped (the recommended replacement timing of the charge and discharge terminals 18 and 19 can be grasped). For example, when the calculated resistance value becomes equal to or greater than a pre-set value, and / or when the measured heating temperature becomes equal to or greater than a pre-set value, it can be determined that the charge and discharge terminal 18 and / or the charge and discharge terminal 19 has deteriorated and can be replaced. Therefore, the reliability of calibration can be improved compared to the prior art, and the deterioration status of the charge and discharge terminals 18 and 19 can also be grasped.

[0030] As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiments at all, and includes other embodiments and variations conceivable within the scope of the matters described in the claims. For example, when configuring the charge and discharge inspection equipment of the present invention by combining part or all of the above-described respective embodiments and variations, it is also included in the scope of rights of the present invention. In the above embodiment, the case where a calibration device having calibration terminals (when not provided with degradation diagnosis terminals or when provided with them) is used as a processing device for performing preset processing has been described. However, instead of this calibration device or together with this calibration device, for example, a diagnostic device (i.e., a device without a calibration function) for measuring the degradation degree of charge and discharge terminals can also be used as a processing device. This diagnostic device is provided with degradation diagnosis terminals for connecting to the charge and discharge terminals, and measures the degradation degree of the charge and discharge terminals by flowing a current from a charge and discharge device to a load to which the degradation diagnosis terminals are connected. Here, when the charge and discharge inspection facility has both a calibration device and a diagnostic device, the charge and discharge inspection of the secondary battery, the calibration of the charge and discharge power supply of the charge and discharge device, and the measurement of the degradation degree of the charge and discharge terminals are performed in parallel. This diagnostic device may be one unit, or may be two or more units. In the case of a plurality of units, the degradation degree of the charge and discharge terminals can be measured simultaneously with a plurality of charge and discharge devices.

[0031] Also, in the above embodiment, the degradation status of the charge and discharge terminals was grasped using either or both of the calculation of resistance and the measurement of the heat generation temperature. However, for example, charge and discharge terminals used for high-current secondary batteries are difficult to measure with low resistance, so it is preferable to grasp them by measuring the heat generation temperature. And in the above embodiment, the case where both the charge and discharge terminals and the calibration terminals provided in the charge and discharge device are arranged downward has been described. However, the calibration terminals may be provided independently of the charge and discharge terminals in the charge and discharge device. For example, both the charge and discharge terminals and the calibration terminals can be arranged upward, or can be arranged below and above the charge and discharge device respectively (specifically, the charge and discharge terminals can be directed downward (or upward) and the calibration terminals can be directed upward (or downward) respectively). Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the case where two inspection stands are used has been described, but one inspection stand may be used, or two or more inspection stands may be used. Note that the arrangement of the inspection stands can be changed as appropriate.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0032] 10: Charge and discharge inspection equipment, 11, 11a: Charge and discharge device, 12, 12a, 12b: Calibration device (processing device), 13: Conveyor device, 14: Inspection stand, 15: Inspection shelf, 16: Charge and discharge power supply, 17: Connection terminal, 18, 19: Charge and discharge terminal, 20, 20a, 21, 21a: Calibration terminal (processing terminal), 22, 23: Wiring, 24, 24a, 25, 25a: Contact, 26, 27: Wiring, 28: Casing, 29: Protrusion, 30, 31: Deterioration diagnosis terminal, 32, 33: Element

Claims

1. A plurality of battery units each having a plurality of secondary batteries to be inspected and transported to a predetermined position by a transport device; A plurality of charge / discharge devices each for charging and discharging the secondary batteries of the battery units arranged at the predetermined position; A processing device that is transported by the transport device, arranged in place of the battery unit, and performs a preset process, and The connection terminals of the charge / discharge device are divided into charge / discharge terminals connected to the respective secondary batteries and processing terminals connected to the processing device. A charge / discharge inspection facility, characterized in that a switching circuit for switching power supply to the secondary battery and power supply to the processing device is provided at a connection portion between a wiring connecting the charge / discharge terminal to the charge / discharge power supply of the charge / discharge device and a wiring connected to the processing terminal.

2. The charge / discharge inspection facility according to claim 1, wherein the switching circuit is a relay circuit.

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