Gas collection device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gas collecting device, and provides a gas collecting device capable of collecting gas at an appropriate concentration level for batteries having cases made of rigid materials of various specifications, particularly cylindrical batteries.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0090849, dated July 22, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the documents of this Korean Patent Application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a gas collecting device, and more particularly to a gas collecting device capable of collecting gas at an appropriate concentration level from batteries having cases made of rigid materials of various specifications, particularly from cylindrical batteries. [Background technology]

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

[0004] The reaction in the lithium secondary battery produces hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and C n H 2n-2 (n=2-5), C n H 2n (n=2-5), C n H 2n+2 A variety of gases are generated, including hydrocarbons (n=1-5) and other organic gases.

[0005] In addition, lithium secondary batteries degrade as a large amount of gas is generated due to electrolyte decomposition as a result of repeated charging and discharging, and this process varies depending on the battery design and usage. Therefore, analyzing the gas generated inside the battery and inferring the degradation mechanism of the battery is essential in the battery development process.

[0006] Therefore, it is very important to capture and accurately analyze the gases generated inside secondary batteries. Various gases are generated during the operation of lithium-ion batteries, and information on the composition and content of the generated gases can be useful for developing battery materials, optimizing battery manufacturing processes, and identifying the causes of battery failure. To achieve this, it is important to develop technology to capture the gases generated inside secondary batteries.

[0007] A method for capturing gas generated from a secondary battery includes placing the battery in a diffusion chamber with a sealed space formed therein, forming an opening in the battery case for gas discharge, diffusing the gas discharged through the opening into the diffusion chamber, and collecting the diffused gas in a separate gas collection container. To capture high-concentration gas, it is most desirable to have no clearance between the battery and the internal space of the diffusion chamber.

[0008] Recently, batteries are used in a wide range of industrial fields, and the performance required of batteries varies depending on the various battery application environments and conditions, and batteries are designed according to various specifications.

[0009] Conventionally, due to various battery designs, a separate diffusion chamber for gas collection was used depending on the battery size, which caused problems such as having to be newly manufactured or installed whenever the battery model changed.Furthermore, if there was no clearance between the battery and the internal space of the diffusion chamber, it was difficult to remove the battery from the diffusion chamber.

[0010] Furthermore, the concentration of the gas delivered to the analyzer or stored in the gas collection container varies greatly depending on the volume of the diffusion chamber, the size of the cell (analyte), the amount of gas generated, etc., which affects the analysis results. To solve this, a means is needed to adjust the concentration of the gas delivered to the analyzer or stored in the gas collection container to a concentration optimized for analysis. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] The present invention relates to a gas collection device, and aims to provide a gas collection device capable of collecting gas at an appropriate concentration level for batteries having cases made of rigid materials of various specifications, particularly cylindrical batteries.

[0012] The technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The gas collection device of the present invention includes an internal jig having a battery mounting groove formed on its upper surface into which a battery is inserted; an external housing that houses the internal jig so that the outer surface of the internal jig is in close contact with its inner surface; a gas exhaust pipe that is connected to the external housing and transmits gas generated in the battery to a gas collection pipe or gas analyzer installed outside the external housing; a punching unit that is located at the upper end of the external housing and forms perforated holes on the upper surface of the battery for gas exhaust; and a punching drive unit that provides driving force for the punching unit to move up and down. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The gas collecting device of the present invention improves the accuracy of gas collection and the convenience of analysts by automating gas collection and high-concentration gas dilution.

[0015] The gas trapping device of the present invention allows easy attachment, removal or replacement of the battery during gas trapping.

[0016] The gas collecting device of the present invention detects whether punching is complete or not based on the depth of the punching needle or the amount of pressure change, thereby preventing an internal short circuit in the battery, thereby improving stability during gas collection.

[0017] The gas collection device of the present invention can easily adjust the concentration of the gas to be collected depending on the target gas, situation, and conditions during gas collection. Specifically, the gas collection device of the present invention can selectively collect gases from high to low concentrations and can measure the degree of dilution or concentration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a gas collection device of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the AA section of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section BB of FIG. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views showing the operation of the punching unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the separation of the inner jig. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a block diagram showing a gas collection device of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a block diagram showing a gas collection method of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The gas collection device of the present invention includes an internal jig having a battery mounting groove formed on its upper surface into which a battery is inserted; an external housing that houses the internal jig so that the outer surface of the internal jig is in close contact with its inner surface; a gas exhaust pipe that is connected to the external housing and transmits gas generated in the battery to a gas collection pipe or gas analyzer installed outside the external housing; a punching unit that is located at the upper end of the external housing and forms perforated holes on the upper surface of the battery for gas exhaust; and a punching drive unit that provides driving force for the punching unit to move up and down.

[0020] In the gas collection device of the present invention, the punching unit includes: a punching needle that is inserted into the interior of the external housing through a needle insertion hole provided at the upper end of the external housing and whose lower end pierces the upper surface of the battery to form a punching hole in the upper surface of the battery; a punching rod whose lower end is connected to the upper end of the punching needle and which moves up and down by the punching drive unit; and a sealing cover that surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the punching rod and whose lower end is connected to the upper end of the external housing.

[0021] In the gas collection device of the present invention, the sealing cover is made of a bellows that is extended or contracted in the vertical direction, and the upper end of the sealing cover is connected to the moving member of the punching driving unit together with the upper end of the punching rod, and the lower end of the sealing cover covers the needle insertion hole and is connected to the upper end of the outer housing.

[0022] In the gas collection device of the present invention, the punching drive unit includes a moving member to which the upper end of the sealing cover and the upper end of the punching rod are fixed, a support member fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the outer housing, and a drive means fixed to the support member for moving the moving member in the vertical direction.

[0023] In the gas collection device of the present invention, the driving means includes a shaft extending in the vertical direction and having a screw thread on its outer surface, and a motor that rotates the shaft while supported by the support member, and the moving member is formed with a shaft insertion hole into which the shaft is inserted, and the inner surface of the shaft insertion hole is formed with a screw thread that engages with the screw thread of the shaft.

[0024] In the gas collection device of the present invention, the outer housing includes an upper housing in which the upper end of the inner jig is accommodated, and a lower housing in which the lower end of the inner jig is accommodated, the needle insertion hole is formed on the upper surface of the upper housing, and the punching portion covers the needle insertion hole on the outside of the upper housing and is attached to the upper surface of the upper housing.

[0025] In the gas collection device of the present invention, the internal jig includes an upper jig having a battery insertion hole into which the upper end of the battery is inserted, and a lower jig having a battery insertion groove on its upper surface into which the lower end of the battery is inserted, the battery insertion hole penetrating the upper jig in the vertical direction, an upper opening of the battery insertion hole facing the needle insertion hole inside the upper housing, and a lower opening of the battery insertion hole facing the entrance of the battery insertion groove.

[0026] In the gas collection device of the present invention, the gas exhaust pipe is connected to a side surface of the lower housing, the upper jig is formed with a first flow path for transferring gas discharged from the inside of the battery through the perforated holes and diffused into the inside of the upper housing to the inside of the lower housing, and the lower jig is formed with a second flow path for transferring the gas transferred through the first flow path to the gas exhaust pipe.

[0027] In the gas collection device of the present invention, the upper surface of the upper jig is spaced a certain distance from the ceiling surface inside the upper housing, the upper jig and the lower jig are columnar and extend in the vertical direction, the first flow path is a groove on the outer surface of the upper jig that connects from the upper end to the lower end of the upper jig, and the second flow path is a groove on the outer surface of the lower jig that connects from the upper end of the lower jig to a height where the gas exhaust pipe is connected to the lower housing.

[0028] In the gas collection device of the present invention, the upper jig and the lower jig are cylindrical and extend in the vertical direction, and a first connecting flow path consisting of a ring-shaped groove is formed along the outer circumferential surface at the lower end of the side of the upper jig or the upper end of the lower jig, and the lower end of the first flow path and the upper end of the second flow path are connected to the first connecting flow path.

[0029] In the gas collection device of the present invention, a second connection passage consisting of a ring-shaped groove is formed along the outer circumferential surface of the lower jig, and a lower end of the second passage is connected to the second connection passage, and the height of the second connection passage is the same as the height at which the gas discharge pipe is connected to the lower housing.

[0030] The gas collecting device of the present invention further includes a pressure sensor that measures the pressure inside the outer housing, and the punching drive unit operates based on the measurement value of the pressure sensor.

[0031] The gas collection device of the present invention further includes a manifold section connected to the gas exhaust pipe and transmitting the gas generated in the cell from the external housing; a dilution tank section connected to the manifold section to dilute the gas transmitted to the manifold section; a vacuum pump section connected to the manifold section to create a vacuum in the dilution tank section; and a gas transmission pipe connected to the manifold section and transmitting the gas to the gas collection pipe or the gas collection device; and the pressure sensor is connected to the manifold section.

[0032] The gas collection device of the present invention includes a first valve provided in the gas exhaust pipe for blocking or opening the flow of gas flowing through the gas exhaust pipe to the manifold section; a second valve for blocking or opening the flow path between the dilution tank section and the manifold section; a third valve for blocking or opening the flow path between the vacuum pump section and the manifold section; a fourth valve provided in the gas transmission pipe for blocking or opening the flow of gas flowing through the gas transmission pipe to the gas collection pipe or the gas collection device; a gas exhaust pipe connected to the manifold section for exhausting the gas transmitted to the manifold section to the outside; and a fifth valve provided in the gas exhaust pipe for blocking or opening the flow of gas exhausted to the outside through the gas exhaust pipe.

[0033] The gas collection method using the gas collection device of the present invention includes a vacuum forming step of forming a vacuum inside the outer housing and the dilution tank using the vacuum pump; a perforation hole forming step of forming the perforation holes in the battery using the punching unit; a pressure change value calculating step of calculating a pressure change value based on the measurement value of the pressure sensor; a needle retracting step of retracting the needle when the pressure change value is equal to or greater than a set value; and a gas collection step of opening the fourth valve and transmitting the gas to the gas collection tube or the gas analyzer.

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this description, the size and shape of components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience. Furthermore, terms specifically defined in consideration of the configuration and operation of the present invention may vary depending on the intentions or practices of users and operators. Definitions of such terms should be based on the overall content of this specification.

[0035] In describing the present invention, it should be noted that the orientations or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," "outer," "one side," and "other side" are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings or the orientations or positional relationships in which the product of the present invention is normally arranged when in use, and are merely for the purpose of explaining and simplifying the present invention. They do not present or imply that the displayed devices or elements must necessarily be configured or operated in a specific orientation, and should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a gas collecting device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the AA section of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the BB section of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation of punching unit 300. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the separation of internal jig 100. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing internal jig 100. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a gas collecting device of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a gas collecting method of the present invention.

[0037] The gas collecting device of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

[0038] The gas collection device of the present invention collects gases generated from the electrolyte, electrodes, etc. inside the battery 11. Specifically, when the battery 11 is charged or discharged or when a specific condition (temperature, etc.) is applied to the battery 11, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, C n H 2n-2 (n=2-5), C n H 2n (n=2-5), C n H 2n+2 A variety of gases are generated, such as hydrocarbons (n=1 to 5) and other organic gases. The gas collector of the present invention can collect such gases for quantitative and qualitative analysis.

[0039] The battery 11 from which gas is collected by the gas collection device of the present invention is a cylindrical battery. More specifically, it is a battery in which gas is generated inside the battery case due to charging / discharging or application of specific conditions (temperature, impact, vibration, etc.). The gas collection device of the present invention perforates one end of the battery 11 in which gas is generated inside the battery case to form a perforation hole, and collects the gas inside the battery case that is discharged through the perforation hole.

[0040] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the gas collection device of the present invention includes an inner jig 100 having a battery 11 mounting groove formed on its upper surface into which a battery 11 is inserted; an outer housing 200 that houses the inner jig 100 so that the outer surface of the inner jig 100 is in close contact with its inner surface; a gas discharge pipe 221 that is connected to the outer housing 200 and transmits gas generated in the battery 11 to a gas collection pipe 12 or a gas analyzer 13 installed outside the outer housing 200; a punching unit 300 that is located at the upper end of the outer housing 200 and forms perforations on the upper surface of the battery 11 to discharge gas; and a punching driver 400 that provides driving force for driving the punching unit 300 in the vertical direction.

[0041] The gas collection device of the present invention is provided with a plurality of internal jigs 100 having different inner diameters for various battery types 11, so that the volume of the space into which gas diffuses within the external housing 200 remains the same even if the battery 11 specifications change.

[0042] The gas collection device of the present invention is capable of forming precise and stable holes in the battery 11 because the punching unit 300 that forms the holes in the battery 11 is automatically operated by the punching driver 400. The gas collection device of the present invention forms holes in one end of the cylindrical battery 11 using the punching unit 300 and collects gas emitted from the battery 11 through the holes.

[0043] As described above, the cylindrical battery 11, which is the target of gas collection in the gas collection device of the present invention, the inner jig 100 and the outer housing 200 may also be cylindrical.

[0044] 1 to 3, the punching unit 300 includes a punching needle 310 that is inserted into the outer housing 200 through a needle insertion hole 211 provided at the upper end of the outer housing 200 and whose lower end punches the upper surface of the battery 11 to form a punching hole in the upper surface of the battery 11; a punching rod 320 whose lower end is connected to the upper end of the punching needle 310 and which is moved up and down by the punching driving unit 400; and a sealing cover 330 that surrounds the outer periphery of the punching rod 320 and whose lower end is connected to the upper end of the outer housing 200.

[0045] The punching needle 310 is a rigid member having a pointed lower end. The punching needle 310 is capable of linear movement in the up and down direction. When the punching needle 310 moves downward, the pointed lower end of the punching needle 310 is inserted into the upper end of the battery 11 to form a hole in the battery case.

[0046] The punching rod 320 has a lower end connected to an upper end of the punching needle 310 and moves up and down together with the punching needle 310. The punching rod 320 may be shaped like a rod extending up and down. The punching rod 320 may be made of a highly rigid, chemical-resistant material.

[0047] The sealing cover 330 is made of a bellows that is extended or contracted in the vertical direction, and an upper end of the sealing cover 330 is coupled to a moving member 410 of the punching driver 400 together with an upper end of the punching rod 320, and a lower end of the sealing cover 330 covers the needle insertion hole 211 and is coupled to an upper end of the outer housing 200. For example, the punching needle 310 may be cylindrical with a pointed lower end, and the punching rod 320 may be cylindrical with a larger diameter than the punching needle 310.

[0048] A needle insertion hole 211 penetrating the ceiling surface of the outer housing 200 is formed on the upper surface of the outer housing 200, and the punching needle 310 is inserted into the needle insertion hole 211. The punching needle 310 approaches the upper end of the battery 11 located inside the outer housing 200 through the needle insertion hole 211 to form a perforation hole.

[0049] A guide member 212 for guiding the vertical movement of the punching rod 320 may be provided on the upper surface of the outer housing 200. A rod guide hole 212a is provided in the guide member 212 in the vertical direction of the guide member 212, and the punching rod 320 is inserted into the rod guide hole 212a. The lower opening of the rod guide hole 212a may face the upper opening of the needle insertion hole 211. The outer diameter of the punching rod 320 may be the same as the inner diameter of the rod guide hole 212a.

[0050] A lower end of the sealing cover 330 may be coupled to an upper end of the guide member 212. More specifically, the lower end of the sealing cover 330 may cover an upper opening of the rod guide hole 212a and be coupled to the upper end of the guide member 212. The sealing cover 330 may prevent gases inside and outside the outer housing 200 from ventilating with each other through the rod guide hole 212a.

[0051] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the punching driving unit 400 includes a moving member 410 to which the upper end of the sealing cover 330 and the upper end of the punching rod 320 are fixed, a support member 420 fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the outer housing 200, and a driving means 430 fixed to the support member 420 to move the moving member 410 in the vertical direction.

[0052] The moving member 410 moves vertically by the driving force of the driving means, and more specifically, transmits the driving force of the driving means 430 to the punching needles 310. The punching needles 310 are fixed to the moving member 410 through the punching rod 320, and as the moving member 410 moves vertically, the punching needles 310 move vertically together with the moving member 410. The moving member 410 has a rod shape extending perpendicular to the vertical direction, and one end of the moving member 410 is connected to the punching rod 320 and the upper end of the sealing cover, and the other end is connected to the driving means 430. The moving member 410 may be provided with a guide means (not shown) supported by the outer housing 200 and guiding the vertical movement of the moving member 410. The moving member 410 moves while sliding vertically while in contact with the guide means.

[0053] The support member 420 is fixed to the outer housing 200. The support member 420 supports the driving means 430 and prevents the relative position of the driving means 430 with respect to the outer housing 200 from changing.

[0054] The distance between the moving member 410 and the support member 420 in the vertical direction is changed by the driving means 430, so that the punching needles can be moved closer to or farther away from the battery 11.

[0055] The driving means 430 includes a shaft 431 that extends in the vertical direction and has a screw thread on its outer circumferential surface, and a motor 432 that rotates the shaft 431 while being supported by the support member. The moving member 410 is formed with a shaft insertion hole 411 into which the shaft 431 is inserted, and the inner circumferential surface of the shaft insertion hole 411 is formed with a screw thread that engages with the screw thread of the shaft 431.

[0056] The shaft 431 extends vertically and rotates around its longitudinal axis, which is the vertical direction. The position of the shaft 431 relative to the support member 420 is fixed. The threads of the shaft 431 engage with the threads of the shaft insertion hole 411 provided in the moving member 410, so that when the shaft 431 rotates, the moving member 410 moves vertically. When the shaft 431 rotates, the moving member 410 is prevented from rotating together with the shaft 431 by the guide means.

[0057] The motor 432 provides a driving force for rotating the shaft 431. The gas collecting device of the present invention is capable of precise operation by switching from rotational motion to linear motion when moving the punching needle 310. A decrease in control of the insertion depth of the punching needle 310 can cause an electrode short circuit, resulting in an accident. The gas collecting device of the present invention prevents accidents and operates stably by precisely controlling the punching needle 310. The gas collecting device of the present invention can measure the vertical height of the punching needle 310 by sensing the amount of rotation of the shaft 431. For example, an encoder, a control unit, etc. can be connected to the motor 432 to measure and record the amount of rotation of the shaft 431.

[0058] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the outer housing 200 includes an upper housing 210 in which the upper end of the inner jig 100 is accommodated, and a lower housing 220 in which the lower end of the inner jig 100 is accommodated. The needle insertion hole 211 is formed on the upper surface of the upper housing 210, and the punching part 300 covers the needle insertion hole 211 on the outside of the upper housing 210 and is attached to the upper surface of the upper housing 210.

[0059] A space is provided inside the upper housing 210 with an open lower end, and a space is provided inside the lower housing 220 with an open upper end. The upper housing 210 and the lower housing 220 are joined together so that the lower end of the upper housing 210 and the upper end of the lower housing 220 come into contact with each other, and the two spaces form a single sealed space, in which the internal jig 100 is housed.

[0060] The upper housing 210 and the lower housing 220 may have a cylindrical shape extending vertically. In this case, a first ring-shaped protrusion 215 protruding in a diametric direction may be formed at a lower end of the outer circumferential surface of the upper housing 210, and a second ring-shaped protrusion 225 protruding in a diametric direction may be formed at an upper end of the outer circumferential surface of the lower housing 220.

[0061] The lower surface of the first protrusion 215 and the upper surface of the second protrusion 225 may be in close contact with each other to improve the airtightness of the sealed space formed by the combination of the upper housing 210 and the lower housing 220. A sealing member such as an O-ring or a gasket may be inserted between the first protrusion 215 and the second protrusion 225 to further improve the airtightness.

[0062] In order to secure the connection between the upper housing 210 and the lower housing 220, the first protrusion 215 is provided with a plurality of first fixing holes 215a, and the second protrusion 225 is provided with a plurality of second fixing holes 225a, and a fixing member (not shown) can be inserted into the first fixing holes 215a and the second fixing holes 225a simultaneously to secure the connection between the upper housing 210 and the lower housing 220. The fixing member is a bolt having a thread, and the inner surface of the first fixing hole 215a or the second fixing hole 225a is provided with a thread for screwing into the fixing member.

[0063] As another embodiment for securing the connection between the upper housing 210 and the lower housing 220, a connecting means (not shown) is provided that fixes one of the upper housing 210 and the lower housing 220 and presses the other unfixed side toward the fixed side, thereby securing the connection between the upper housing 210 and the lower housing 220. For example, the lower housing 220 is fixed to a support (not shown), and a pneumatic actuator is connected to the upper end of the upper housing 210 as the connecting means. The pneumatic actuator applies a downward force to the upper housing 210, and the lower end of the upper housing 210 is fixed in close contact with the upper end of the lower housing 220 by the force applied by the actuator.

[0064] The upper housing 210 and the lower housing 220 are made of SUS material.

[0065] The internal jig 100 includes an upper jig 110 having a battery insertion hole 111 into which the upper end of the battery 11 is inserted, and a lower jig 120 having a battery insertion groove 121 on its upper surface into which the lower end of the battery 11 is inserted. The battery insertion hole 111 penetrates the upper jig 110 in the vertical direction, and the upper opening of the battery insertion hole 111 faces the needle insertion hole 211 inside the upper housing 210, and the lower opening of the battery insertion hole 111 faces the entrance of the battery insertion groove 121.

[0066] The upper jig 110 and the lower jig 120 may have a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. The outer diameters of the upper jig 110 and the lower jig 120 are the same as the inner diameters of the upper housing 210 and the lower housing 220, so that the outer circumferential surface of the upper jig 110 and the inner circumferential surface of the upper housing 210 are in close contact with each other, and the outer circumferential surface of the lower jig 120 and the inner circumferential surface of the lower housing 220 are in close contact with each other.

[0067] 2 to 4, the vertical length of the upper jig 110 is longer than the vertical length of the internal space of the upper housing 210, and the vertical length of the lower jig 120 is shorter than the vertical length of the internal space of the lower housing 220. Therefore, the coupling portion between the upper jig 110 and the lower jig 120 may be located lower than the coupling portion between the upper housing 210 and the lower housing 220. Therefore, in the process of coupling the internal jig 100 to the external housing 200, the upper jig 110 and the lower jig 120 are simultaneously fixed to the lower housing 220, and then the upper housing 210 can be stably coupled to the upper end of the lower housing 220.

[0068] A battery insertion hole 111 is provided inside the upper jig 110 as a space for accommodating the battery 11. Therefore, the internal space of the upper jig 110 is a space with both an upper end and a lower end open. The upper opening of the battery insertion hole 111 allows the punching needle 310 to approach the upper end of the battery 11, and the lower opening of the battery insertion hole 111 aligns the space formed by the battery insertion hole 111 with the space formed by the battery insertion groove 121 into one space.

[0069] A battery insertion groove 121 is provided inside the lower jig 120 as a space for accommodating a battery 11. An opening of the battery insertion groove 121 is provided on the upper surface of the lower jig 120. Therefore, when the upper jig 110 and the lower jig 120 are combined so that the lower end of the upper jig 110 and the upper end of the lower jig 120 face each other, the space of the battery insertion hole 111 and the space of the battery insertion groove 121 are combined to form one space for accommodating one battery 11.

[0070] The upper jig 110 and the lower jig 120 are made of Teflon material.

[0071] A jig separating part 230 for separating the lower jig 120 from the lower housing 220 may be provided at the lower end of the lower housing 220 .

[0072] As shown in FIG. 5, the jig separating unit 230 includes a disk-shaped support plate 231 whose upper surface contacts the lower surface of the lower jig 120, a support rod 232 whose upper end is connected to the lower surface of the support plate 231 and whose lower end protrudes outside the lower housing 220 through a through-hole 223 formed in the bottom surface of the lower housing 220, and a pneumatic cylinder 233 connected to the lower end of the support rod 232 to move the support plate 231 and the support rod 232 up and down.

[0073] The support plate 231 may be disk-shaped having a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, and the support rod 232 may be rod-shaped extending in the vertical direction.

[0074] The diameter of the support plate 231 is formed larger than the outer diameter of the support rod 232, so that the support rod 232 can support the bottom surface of the lower jig 120 over a larger area than if it were in direct contact with the lower jig 120, thereby lifting the lower jig 120 upward.

[0075] The through holes 223 include a first through hole 223a having an upper opening positioned inside the lower housing 220 and a second through hole 223b having a lower opening positioned outside the lower housing 220, and the lower opening of the first through hole 223a is connected to the upper opening of the second through hole 223b. The inner diameter of the first through hole 223a may be greater than or equal to the diameter of the support plate 231, allowing the support plate 231 to be completely embedded in the bottom surface of the lower housing 220. The vertical length of the first through hole 223a may be greater than or equal to the thickness of the support plate 231. The inner diameter of the second through hole 223b may be equal to the outer diameter of the support rod 232, allowing the outer peripheral surface of the support rod 232 to be completely in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the second through hole 223b, improving the airtightness of the interior space of the outer housing 200.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 6, the gas exhaust pipe 221 is coupled to the side of the lower housing 220, and the upper jig 110 is formed with a first passage 115 for transferring gas discharged from the inside of the battery 11 through the perforated holes and diffused into the inside of the upper housing 210 to the inside of the lower housing 220, and the lower jig 120 is formed with a second passage 125 for transferring gas transferred through the first passage 115 to the gas exhaust pipe 221.

[0077] The upper surface of the upper jig 110 is spaced apart from the ceiling surface inside the upper housing 210 by a certain distance, and the upper jig 110 and the lower jig 120 are formed in a columnar shape extending in the vertical direction. The first flow path 115 is a groove on the outer surface of the upper jig 110 that connects from the upper end to the lower end of the upper jig 110, and the second flow path 125 is a groove on the outer surface of the lower jig 120 that connects from the upper end of the lower jig 120 to the height at which the gas exhaust pipe 221 is connected to the lower housing 220.

[0078] The upper jig 110 and the lower jig 120 are cylindrical and extend in the vertical direction. A first connection channel 117, which is a ring-shaped groove, is formed along the outer circumferential surface at the lower end of the side of the upper jig 110 or the upper end of the lower jig 120. The lower end of the first channel 115 and the upper end of the second channel 125 are connected to the first connection channel 117. By providing the first connection channel 117, even if the upper jig 110 and the lower jig 120 are not assembled so that the position of the lower end of the first channel 115 exactly matches the position of the upper end of the second channel 125, the gas in the first channel 115 flows to the second channel 125 through the first connection channel 117.

[0079] The lower jig 120 has a second connection passage 127 formed as a ring-shaped groove along its outer periphery, and the lower end of the second passage 125 is connected to the second connection passage 127. The height of the second connection passage 127 is the same as the height at which the gas exhaust pipe 221 is connected to the lower housing 220. By providing the second connection passage 127, even if the position at which the gas exhaust pipe 221 is connected to the lower housing 220 does not face the second passage 125, the gas in the second passage 125 can be delivered to the gas exhaust pipe 221 through the second connection passage 127.

[0080] The gas exhaust pipe 221 is made up of a tube, hose, or piping, and is used to transfer gas generated in the battery 11 to the gas collection pipe 12 or gas analyzer 13. The gas collection pipe 12 is a container with an airtight, sealed space formed therein for storing gas. The gas analyzer 13 is a device that receives the gas and analyzes the gas components, amount, etc. That is, the gas collection device of the present invention is used to directly transfer the gas generated in the battery 11 to the gas analyzer 13 or store the gas in the gas collection pipe 12 in order to qualitatively or quantitatively analyze the gas.

[0081] The gas collecting device of the present invention further includes a pressure sensor 570 for measuring the pressure inside the outer housing 200 , and the punching driving unit 400 operates based on the measurement value of the pressure sensor 570 .

[0082] In the gas collecting device of the present invention, the battery 11 to be collected is a battery 11 in which gas is generated inside. Therefore, when a hole is formed in the battery 11 by the punching needle 310, the gas inside the battery 11 is diffused into the outer housing 200 through the hole, thereby increasing the pressure in the inner space of the outer housing 200. The gas collecting device of the present invention detects this and recognizes the formation of a hole, and then raises the punching needle 310 to separate the punching needle 310 from the battery 11.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 7, the gas collecting device of the present invention further includes a manifold unit 500 connected to the gas exhaust pipe 221 to transfer the gas generated in the cell 11 from the outer housing 200; a dilution tank unit 520 connected to the manifold unit 500 to dilute the gas transferred to the manifold unit 500; a vacuum pump unit 530 connected to the manifold unit 500 to create a vacuum in the dilution tank unit 520; and a gas transfer pipe 540 connected to the manifold unit 500 to transfer the gas to the gas collecting pipe 12 or the gas collecting device; and the pressure sensor 570 is connected to the manifold unit 500.

[0084] The manifold portion 500 connects the flow paths to be connected.

[0085] The dilution tank unit 520 is a container having a sealed space formed therein. Specifically, the gas collecting device of the present invention uses the vacuum pump unit 530 to lower the internal pressure of the gas collecting tube 12 or the gas collecting device compared to the internal pressure of the outer housing 200, and transfers gas through gas diffusion due to the pressure difference. In this case, the dilution tank unit 520 is connected to a flow path connecting the outer housing 200 and the gas collecting tube 12 or the gas analyzer 13 via the manifold unit 500, and the space in which the gas diffuses during gas transfer is expanded through the dilution tank unit 520, thereby diluting high-concentration gas to a level suitable for gas analysis.

[0086] The gas collection device of the present invention is basically capable of collecting high concentration gases by filling the internal space of the external housing 200 through the internal jig 100, and the gas concentration can be adjusted to a level suitable for analysis through the dilution tank section 520. In other words, the gas collection device of the present invention has a high degree of freedom in adjusting the gas concentration.

[0087] Before the gas is exhausted from the outer housing 200, a vacuum may be created inside the dilution tank unit 520 using a vacuum pump.

[0088] The vacuum pump section 530 is used to create negative pressure in the gas collection tube 12, the gas analyzer 13, the dilution tank, and the like.

[0089] The gas transmission pipe 540 is a pipe for forming a flow path, and is used for gas transmission between the manifold portion and the gas collection pipe 12 or the gas analyzer 13 .

[0090] 7, the gas collecting device of the present invention includes a first valve 501 installed in the gas exhaust pipe 221 to block or open the flow of gas flowing through the gas exhaust pipe 221 to the manifold unit 500; a second valve 502 to block or open the flow path between the dilution tank unit 520 and the manifold unit 500; a third valve 503 to block or open the flow path between the vacuum pump unit 530 and the manifold unit 500; a fourth valve 504 installed in the gas transmission pipe 540 to block or open the flow of gas flowing through the gas transmission pipe 540 to the gas collecting pipe 12 or the gas collecting device; a gas exhaust pipe 550 connected to the manifold unit 500 to exhaust the gas delivered to the manifold unit 500 to the outside; and a fifth valve 505 installed in the gas exhaust pipe 550 to block or open the flow of gas to be exhausted to the outside through the gas exhaust pipe 550.

[0091] The first valve 501, the second valve 502, the third valve 503, the fourth valve 504, and the fifth valve 505 are electronic valves. The electronic valves are connected to a control unit and controlled through the control unit. The control unit is a computing device. A pressure sensor 570, a motor 432, an encoder, etc. are connected to the control unit, and the first valve 501, the second valve 502, the third valve 503, the fourth valve 504, and the fifth valve 505 are operated based on the pressure value or the operation value of the punching unit 300.

[0092] The gas exhaust pipe 550 has one end connected to the manifold unit 500 and the other end open to the atmosphere or connected to a scrubber, etc., and is used for temporarily releasing high pressure or in a purge mode. In this case, the fifth valve 505 also serves as a relief valve.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 8, the gas collecting method of the present invention includes a vacuum forming step of forming a vacuum inside the outer housing 200 and the dilution tank using the vacuum pump; a perforation hole forming step of forming the perforation hole in the battery 11 using the punching unit 300; a pressure change value calculating step of calculating a pressure change value based on the measurement value of the pressure sensor 570; a needle retracting step of retracting the needle when the pressure change value is equal to or greater than a set value; and a gas collecting step of opening the fourth valve 504 and transmitting the gas to the gas collecting tube 12 or the gas analyzer 13.

[0094] The gas collection method of the present invention may further include a step of mounting a battery 11 before the vacuum forming step.

[0095] In the battery 11 installation step, the battery 11 may be coupled to the internal jig 100 by inserting the upper end into the upper jig 110 and the lower end into the lower jig 120. At this time, the battery 11 may be coupled to the internal jig 100 such that the lower end of the upper jig 110 and the upper end of the lower jig 120 are in close contact with each other.

[0096] In the battery 11 installation step, the upper and lower parts of the internal jig 100 connected to the battery 11 are respectively covered with the upper housing 210 and the lower housing 220, and the upper and lower housings 210 and 220 are connected to each other so that the lower end of the upper housing 210 and the upper end of the upper housing 210 are closely attached to each other, and the internal jig 100 is housed inside the external housing 200.

[0097] In the vacuum forming step, the vacuum pump unit 530 may be operated to form a vacuum while the first valve 501, the second valve 502, and the third valve 503 are open. The fourth valve 504 may also be opened in the vacuum forming step, so that a vacuum may be formed in the gas collection tube 12 or the gas collection space provided in the gas analyzer 13. The fifth valve 505 is in a closed state.

[0098] In the hole forming step, the punching driver 400 may lower the punching needle 310 to form a hole in the battery 11. At this time, the second valve 502 and the third valve 503 are in a closed state.

[0099] In the pressure change value calculation step, the control unit receives the pressure measurement value from the pressure sensor 570 and can calculate the pressure change value over time.

[0100] During the gas collection stage, the fourth valve 504 is opened, and the second valve 502 can be opened if necessary to dilute the gas being collected.

[0101] More specifically, in the gas collecting device of the present invention, the dilution tank unit 520 and the second valve 502 are provided in pairs, and the gas flow between each of the dilution tank units 520 and the manifold unit 500 is independently opened or closed by the second valves 502. The gas collecting step includes a first collecting step in which the fourth valve 504 is opened while all of the second valves 502 are closed, and a second collecting step in which the pressure sensor 570 determines that the concentration is normal if the measured value is equal to or lower than a set pressure value after a first set time, and completes the collection. The method includes a first dilution stage in which some or all of the multiple second valves 502 are opened; a second dilution stage in which, if the measurement value of the pressure sensor 570 after a second set time is below the set pressure value, the concentration is determined to be normal and collection is completed; and if the measurement value is above the set pressure value, the concentration is determined to be high and the third valve 503 is opened while the fourth valve 504 is closed along with some of the multiple second valves 502 that were opened in the first dilution stage, to create a vacuum; and a second collection stage in which the third valve 503 is closed and the fourth valve and some or all of the multiple second valves 502 that were closed in the second dilution stage are opened.

[0102] The first set time and the second set time are determined in consideration of the speed at which the gas diffuses, and the set pressure is determined according to the specifications of a gas analyzer that analyzes the collected gas.

[0103] In the first dilution stage, the second dilution stage, and the second collection stage, selective opening or closing of the plurality of second valves 502 is determined taking into consideration the capacity of the dilution tank 520, the measurement value of the pressure sensor, etc.

[0104] After the gas collecting step, a purging step and a separation step may be further included.

[0105] In the purging step, the inside of the outer housing 200 can be purged by injecting a purge gas into the manifold unit 500 while the first valve 501 and the fifth valve 505 are open.

[0106] In the separation step, after the upper housing 210 and the upper jig 110 are separated from the battery 11, the jig separation unit 230 can be operated to remove the lower jig 120 from the lower housing 220.

[0107] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, they are merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and equivalent embodiments are possible. Therefore, the true technical scope of the present invention should be determined by the following claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0108] The gas collecting device of the present invention improves the accuracy of gas collection and the convenience of analysts by automating gas collection and high-concentration gas dilution.

[0109] The gas trapping device of the present invention allows easy attachment, removal or replacement of the battery during gas trapping.

[0110] The gas collecting device of the present invention detects whether punching is complete or not based on the depth of the punching needle or the amount of pressure change, thereby preventing an internal short circuit in the battery, thereby improving stability during gas collection.

[0111] The gas collection device of the present invention can easily adjust the concentration of the gas to be collected depending on the target gas, situation, and conditions during gas collection. Specifically, the gas collection device of the present invention can selectively collect gases from high to low concentrations and can measure the degree of dilution or concentration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 11:Battery 12: Gas collection tube 13: Gas analyzer 100: Internal jig 110: Upper jig 111: Battery insertion hole 115: First flow path 117: First connecting channel 120: Lower jig 121: Battery insertion groove 125: Second flow path 127: Second connecting channel 200: External housing 210: Upper housing 211: Needle insertion hole 212: Guide member 212a: Rod guide hole 215: 1st protrusion 215a: First fixed hole 220: Lower housing 221: Gas exhaust pipe 223:Through hole 223a: First through hole 223b: Second through hole 225:Second protrusion 225a: Second fixed hole 230: Jig separation section 231: Support plate 232: Support rod 233: Pneumatic cylinder 300: Punching section 310: Punching needle 320: Punching rod 330: Ceiling cover 400: Punching drive unit 410: Moving member 411: Shaft insertion hole 420: Support member 430: Driving means 431: Shaft 432: Motor 500: Manifold section 501: First Dialect 502: Second valve 503: Third valve 504: 4th valve 505: 5th valve 520: Dilution tank section 530: Vacuum pump section 540: Gas transmission tube 550: Gas exhaust pipe 570: Pressure sensor

Claims

1. an internal jig having a battery mounting groove formed on its upper surface into which the battery is inserted; an outer housing that accommodates the internal jig so that the outer peripheral surface of the internal jig is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer housing; a gas exhaust pipe connected to the outer housing for transmitting gas generated in the battery to a gas collection pipe or a gas analyzer provided outside the outer housing; a punching portion located at an upper end of the outer housing and forming a hole on the upper surface of the battery for gas discharge; a punching drive unit that provides a driving force for driving the punching unit in the vertical direction; Including, The outer housing includes: an upper housing in which the upper end of the internal jig is housed; a lower housing in which a lower end of the internal jig is housed, The internal jig is an upper jig having a battery insertion hole into which the upper end of the battery is inserted; a lower jig having a battery insertion groove formed on an upper surface thereof into which a lower end of the battery is inserted, the gas exhaust pipe is coupled to a side surface of the lower housing; a first flow passage for transferring gas discharged from the interior of the battery through the perforated holes and diffused into the interior of the upper housing to the interior of the lower housing; The lower jig is formed with a second passage for transferring the gas transferred through the first passage to the gas discharge pipe.

2. The punching portion is a punching needle inserted into the outer housing through a needle insertion hole formed in an upper end of the outer housing, the lower end of the punching needle piercing the upper surface of the battery to form a punching hole in the upper surface of the battery; a punching rod having a lower end connected to an upper end of the punching needle and moved up and down by the punching drive unit; 2. The gas collecting device according to claim 1, further comprising: a sealing cover that surrounds the outer periphery of the punching rod and has a lower end coupled to an upper end of the outer housing.

3. The sealing cover is made of a bellows that can be extended or contracted in the vertical direction. an upper end of the sealing cover is coupled to a moving member of the punching driving unit together with an upper end of the punching rod; The gas collecting device according to claim 2 , wherein a lower end of the sealing cover covers the needle insertion hole and is coupled to an upper end of the outer housing.

4. The punching drive unit is a moving member to which an upper end of the sealing cover and an upper end of the punching rod are fixed; a support member fixed to an outer peripheral surface of the outer housing; 3. The gas collecting device according to claim 2, further comprising: a driving means fixed to said support member for moving said moving member in the vertical direction.

5. The driving means a shaft extending in the vertical direction and having a screw thread on its outer circumferential surface; a motor that rotates the shaft while being supported by the support member, The moving member has a shaft insertion hole into which the shaft is inserted, The gas collecting device according to claim 4 , wherein the shaft insertion hole has an inner peripheral surface formed with a thread that engages with the thread of the shaft.

6. The needle insertion hole is formed on the top surface of the upper housing, The gas collecting device according to claim 2 , wherein the punching portion covers the needle insertion hole on the outside of the upper housing and is coupled to an upper surface of the upper housing.

7. The battery insertion hole penetrates the upper jig in the vertical direction, an upper opening of the battery insertion hole faces the needle insertion hole on the inside of the upper housing; The gas collecting device according to claim 6 , wherein a lower opening of the battery insertion hole faces an entrance of the battery insertion groove.

8. The upper surface of the upper jig is spaced apart from the ceiling surface inside the upper housing by a predetermined distance, The upper jig and the lower jig are formed in a columnar shape extending in the vertical direction, the first flow path is a groove extending from an upper end to a lower end of the upper jig on an outer surface of the upper jig, The gas collecting device of claim 7 , wherein the second flow path is a groove extending from an upper end of the lower jig to a height at which the gas discharge pipe is connected to the lower housing on an outer surface of the lower jig.

9. The upper jig and the lower jig are cylindrical and extend in the vertical direction, a first connecting channel formed of a ring-shaped groove along an outer circumferential surface at a lower end of a side surface of the upper jig or at an upper end of the lower jig; The gas collecting device according to claim 8 , wherein a lower end of the first flow path and an upper end of the second flow path are connected to the first connecting flow path.

10. The lower jig has a second connecting flow path formed of a ring-shaped groove along its outer circumferential surface, A lower end of the second flow path is connected to the second connection flow path, The gas collecting device of claim 9 , wherein the height of the second connecting passage is the same as the height at which the gas discharge pipe is connected to the lower housing.

11. a pressure sensor for measuring a pressure inside the outer housing; 11. The gas collecting device according to claim 1, wherein the punching drive unit operates based on a measurement value of the pressure sensor.

12. a manifold portion connected to the gas exhaust pipe to transfer gas generated in the battery from the outer housing; a dilution tank connected to the manifold for diluting the gas delivered to the manifold; a vacuum pump unit connected to the manifold unit for creating a vacuum in the dilution tank unit; a gas transmission tube connected to the manifold portion and transmitting the gas to the gas collecting tube or the gas analyzer; The gas collection device of claim 11 , wherein the pressure sensor is coupled to the manifold portion.

13. a first valve provided in the gas exhaust pipe for blocking or opening the flow of gas flowing through the gas exhaust pipe to the manifold section; a second valve that blocks or opens a flow path between the dilution tank unit and the manifold unit; a third valve that blocks or opens a flow path between the vacuum pump unit and the manifold unit; a fourth valve provided in the gas transmission pipe for blocking or opening the flow of gas flowing through the gas transmission pipe to the gas collection pipe or the gas analyzer; a gas exhaust pipe connected to the manifold unit to exhaust the gas delivered to the manifold unit to the outside; a fifth valve provided in the gas exhaust pipe for blocking or opening the flow of gas exhausted to the outside through the gas exhaust pipe; 13. The gas collection device of claim 12, comprising:

14. A gas collection method using the gas collection device according to claim 13, forming a vacuum inside the outer housing and the dilution tank through the vacuum pump; forming the holes in the battery using the punching unit; calculating a pressure change amount value based on the measurement value of the pressure sensor; a needle retraction step of retracting the needle when the pressure change value is equal to or greater than a set value; a gas collecting step of opening the fourth valve and transmitting the gas to the gas collecting tube or the gas analyzer; A gas collection method comprising:

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