Calibration device and calibration method for charge / discharge testing device

Abstract

A calibration device and a calibration method for a charge / discharge inspection device are provided that can quickly calibrate the currents of a plurality of inspection power supplies connected in parallel without using shunt resistors. [Solution] The calibration device 100 has a positive electrode side connection part 20 and a negative electrode side connection part 30 that connect to the positive electrode side / negative electrode side of each of multiple inspection power supplies 11 to 14 connected in parallel, a bidirectional power supply 40 that operates as a power supply or electronic load for the inspection power supplies 11 to 14, a current measurement means 50 that measures the current value of the positive electrode side connection part 20 or the negative electrode side connection part 30, and a controller 16, and calculates a correction value for the inspection power supplies 11 to 14 based on the current value measured by the ammeter amm of each of the inspection power supplies 11 to 14 when the inspection power supplies 11 to 14 are stopped, and the current value measured by the ammeter amm and the current value measured by the current measurement means 50 when the inspection power supplies 11 to 14 are in a powered state.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a calibration device and method for calibrating current measurements by ammeters provided in each testing power supply in a charge / discharge testing device that has multiple testing power supplies arranged in parallel to conduct testing by passing a testing current through a secondary battery. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a charge / discharge inspection device that is equipped with a plurality of inspection power supplies and inspects a plurality of secondary batteries by controlling the charging and discharging of each of the inspection power supplies. Also, there is known a method for calibrating such a charge / discharge inspection device, for example, as described in Patent Document 1.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a method for calibrating a charge / discharge test device used to test a secondary battery having multiple channels. The calibration jig used in this calibration method has a positive electrode connection portion (positive electrode bus bar), a negative electrode connection portion (negative electrode bus bar), and a shunt resistor connected to the positive electrode bus bar and the negative electrode bus bar. Meanwhile, the charge / discharge test device has a high-precision voltmeter (digital multimeter) that measures the voltage across the shunt resistor with high precision, a pair of probes connected to the positive electrode bus bar and the negative electrode bus bar provided for each channel, an ammeter, and a voltmeter.

[0004] The calibration method includes the steps of passing a constant current through a shunt resistor from a specified channel, measuring the voltage (Vr) across the shunt resistor using a digital multimeter, measuring the voltage (Vm) across the shunt resistor using a voltmeter on the specified channel, comparing the voltages across the shunt resistor and the voltages across the shunt resistor, and comparing the current value (Ir) flowing through the shunt resistor with the constant current (Im). The current value (Ir) is a value calculated by dividing the resistance value of the resistance at both ends of the shunt resistor measured with a digital multimeter by the resistance value of the shunt resistor when current is flowing from a certain channel, and the constant current (Im) is a current value measured with an ammeter.

[0005] The calibration method described in Patent Document 1 uses such a configuration to calibrate an ammeter by comparing the current value (Ir) measured by the digital multimeter with the constant current (Im) measured using an ammeter. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6365431 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the calibration method described in Patent Document 1, when it comes to measuring the current of each channel, calibration is performed by passing a constant current through a shunt resistor, measuring the voltage across the shunt resistor, calculating the current value from a predetermined resistance value, and comparing that current value with the current value measured in each channel. As a result, there is a risk that measurement errors will occur due to voltage drops, and if the current value to be calibrated becomes large, measurement accuracy will deteriorate due to temperature rise of the shunt resistor (resistance value changes greatly due to temperature).

[0008] Furthermore, when current calibration is performed for each channel, the calibration takes time, and there is a need to reduce the calibration time.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a calibration device and calibration method for a charge / discharge testing device that can quickly calibrate the current of multiple testing power supplies connected in parallel without using shunt resistors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The calibration device for a charge / discharge test device according to the present invention is a calibration device for calibrating a current measured by an ammeter provided in each test power supply of a charge / discharge test device having multiple test power supplies each equipped with a power supply unit for charging and discharging a secondary battery, and includes a positive-side connector connected to the positive terminal of each of the multiple test power supplies, a negative-side connector connected to the negative terminal of each of the multiple test power supplies, a current control means connected to the positive-side connector and the negative-side connector and causing the test power supplies to operate as a power supply or an electronic load, a current measurement means connected to the positive-side connector and measuring a current value at the positive-side connector or to the negative-side connector and measuring a current value at the negative-side connector, and a controller connected to the multiple test power supplies, the current control means, and the current measurement means. In particular, the calibration device performs calibration based on a current value measured by the ammeter when the power supply unit of the test power supply is stopped, and a current value measured by the ammeter and a current value measured by the current measurement means when a predetermined current is passed through the test power supplies.

[0011] This reduces the number of current measurements required during current calibration. Specifically, the first current measurement can be performed simultaneously on all channels in one go, and the second current measurement requires the same number of measurements as 1 point x number of channels, so calibration can be completed in approximately the same time as 1 point x number of channels.

[0012] In addition, the calibration device for the charge / discharge testing device according to the present invention uses, instead of a current control means, a current control means that connects one of a plurality of testing power supplies to the positive terminal and the negative terminal, and operates it as a power supply or electronic load for the other testing power supplies.

[0013] This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the size of the entire system.

[0014] In addition, by setting the ammeter measurement value to 0 A when the power supply unit for the test power supply is stopped, the first current measurement itself can be omitted, and calibration can be completed in a calibration time of 1 point x number of channels.

[0015] Furthermore, the calibration device for the charge / discharge inspection device according to the present invention has a voltage measurement means connected to the positive electrode side connection portion and the negative electrode side connection portion to measure the voltage, and the controller is also connected to the voltage measurement means, and when calibrating the voltage measured by a voltmeter provided in the inspection power supply, the controller is also connected to the voltage measurement means, and the power supply portions of all the inspection power supplies are set in an open state, a predetermined voltage is applied to the positive electrode side connection portion and the negative electrode side connection portion, and the voltmeter and the voltage measurement means measure the values ​​of the voltages applied to the positive electrode side connection portion and the negative electrode side connection portion, respectively, and performs calibration based on the values ​​obtained.

[0016] On the other hand, a method for calibrating a charge / discharge test device according to the present invention is a method for calibrating, using a calibration device, currents measured by ammeters provided in each test power supply of a charge / discharge test device having a plurality of test power supplies each having a power supply unit for charging and discharging a secondary battery. The calibration device includes a positive-side connection portion connected to the positive terminal of each of the plurality of test power supplies, a negative-side connection portion connected to the negative terminal of each of the plurality of test power supplies, a current control means connected to the positive-side connection portion and the negative-side connection portion to operate the test power supplies as a power source or an electronic load, a current measurement means connected to the positive-side connection portion to measure the current value at the positive-side connection portion or the negative-side connection portion to measure the current value at the negative-side connection portion, and a controller connected to the plurality of test power supplies, the current control means, and the current measurement means. Calibration is performed through the following steps: a step of stopping the power supply units of all test power supplies and measuring the current with an ammeter; a step of operating any one of the power supplies under test as a power supply or an electronic load by the current control means, measuring the current with the ammeter of the power supply under test, and measuring the current value with the current measurement means; A step of calculating a correction value for the power supply for inspection from the measured current value; A step of switching on the test power supply to measure the current.

[0017] In this case, instead of the current control means, one of the multiple inspection power supplies may be connected to the positive terminal and negative terminal, and used as a current control means to operate the other inspection power supplies as a power source or electronic load.

[0018] Furthermore, in the step of stopping the power supply units of the multiple charge / discharge power supplies and measuring the current with an ammeter, it is preferable to set the current value measured by the ammeter to 0 A instead of measuring the current value with the ammeter.

[0019] Furthermore, the method for calibrating a charge / discharge testing device according to the present invention is characterized in that it has a voltage measuring means that is connected to the positive electrode side connection portion and the negative electrode side connection portion to measure voltage, and includes the steps of placing the power supply portions in all of the testing power supplies in an open state, applying a predetermined voltage to the positive electrode side connection portion and the negative electrode side connection portion, measuring the voltage with a voltmeter provided in the testing power supply and measuring the voltage with the voltage measuring means, and calibrating the voltage measured by the voltmeter based on the voltage measurement results of the voltmeter and the voltage measuring means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the calibration device and calibration method for a charge / discharge testing device of the present invention, the current calibration of a plurality of testing power supplies connected in parallel can be performed quickly without using shunt resistors. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic block diagram of a calibration device for a charge / discharge inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic flow diagram of a calibration method for a charge / discharge inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a calibration device for a charge / discharge inspection device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a calibration device for a charge / discharge inspection device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a calibration device for a charge / discharge inspection device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic flow diagram of a method for calibrating the voltage of a charge / discharge inspection device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7]FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a calibration device for a charge / discharge inspection device according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The following describes in detail an embodiment of the present invention. However, the description of each component described below is an example (representative example) of an embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following content unless the gist of the present invention is changed.

[0023] [Charge / discharge test equipment and calibration equipment for charge / discharge test equipment] (First embodiment) The configurations of a charge / discharge inspection device 10 and a calibration device 100 for the charge / discharge inspection device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0024] The charge / discharge testing device 10 includes multiple test power sources 11-14, each of which is detachably connected to a secondary battery (not shown). In this embodiment, there are four test power sources 11-14. Each test power source 11-14 is connected to a controller 15 via a power supply communication bus or the like, and the controller 15 is connected to a personal computer 16. The controller 15 mediates data exchanged between the test power sources 11-14 and the personal computer 16, and performs various data processing, abnormality determination, voltage calibration processing such as obtaining voltage measurements and calculating correction values ​​(described below), and the like. The personal computer 16 manages various data. In this embodiment, the controller 15 is described as being provided separately from the personal computer 16, but the controller 15 does not necessarily have to be separate from the personal computer 16. For example, the personal computer 16 may function as the controller 15. In this case, the controller 15 in FIG. 1 may be considered to be the personal computer.

[0025] In this embodiment, the inspection power supplies 11 to 14 are bidirectional DC-DC converters. Contains More specifically, the bidirectional DC-DC converter includes a converter unit, a detector, a PWM output control circuit, a CPU, etc. It may also include other components. Examples of the control method for the inspection power supplies 11 to 14 include digital control and PI control. Digital control is preferable as the control method for the inspection power supplies 11 to 14. Examples of the modulation method include pulse width modulation (PWM), frequency modulation (PFM), and phase modulation (PM). The converter section of the bidirectional DC-DC converter is configured using, for example, a switching element configured by a semiconductor element and a smoothing circuit (inductor and / or capacitor). The detector of the bidirectional DC-DC converter includes a voltmeter that detects voltage and an ammeter that detects current. As the voltmeter, for example, an operational amplifier such as an operational amplifier or a gain amplifier can be used, and as the ammeter, for example, a shunt resistor or a current sensor can be used. The PWM output control circuit of the bidirectional DC-DC converter is a circuit that performs feedback control to keep the voltage value and / or current value detected by the detector constant. The CPU of the bidirectional DC-DC converter is a microcontroller (MCU) that operates the test power supplies 11 to 14, and has functions such as measuring and controlling the voltage and current within the test power supplies 11 to 14, and communicating with the controller 15.

[0026] In the block diagram of Figure 1, the converter section of the bidirectional DC-DC converter is represented as the converter section conv, the PWM output control circuit of the bidirectional DC-DC converter and the CPU are represented as the test control section cont, the ammeter of the detector of the bidirectional DC-DC converter is represented as the ammeter amm, and the AD converter included in the detector of the bidirectional DC-DC converter is represented as the AD converter ad. Contains Furthermore, although the ammeter amm is provided on the positive wiring of the converter section conv, the ammeter amm may be provided on the negative wiring of the converter section conv.

[0027] As will be described later, when the calibration device 100 of the charge / discharge testing device 10 calibrates the test power supplies 11-14, the switching elements included in the converter unit conv may be put into a stopped state. This state is referred to as the test power supplies 11-14 being "stopped." When the test power supplies 11-14 connected in parallel are stopped, leakage current (on the order of several hundred micro-amperes to several milli-amperes) may flow through each test power supply 11-14. For this reason, in this embodiment, a cutoff switch switch is provided on the positive electrode wiring of each test power supply 11-14. When an ammeter amm is provided on the negative electrode wiring, a cutoff switch switch is also provided on the negative electrode wiring.

[0028] When a charge / discharge inspection of a secondary battery is performed using the charge / discharge inspection device 10, the secondary batteries (not shown) are connected to the inspection power supplies 11 to 14, respectively, and a command is sent from the controller 15 to the inspection control unit cont. The inspection control unit cont operates the converter unit conv based on the received command to perform a charge / discharge inspection of the secondary battery.

[0029] The calibration device 100 of the charge / discharge inspection device 10 is a calibration device that calibrates the current measured by the ammeter amm of each of the inspection power supplies 11-14. In this embodiment, the calibration device 100 includes a positive-side connector 20 that connects to the positive wiring of each of the inspection power supplies 11-14, a negative-side connector 30 that connects to the negative wiring of each of the inspection power supplies 11-14, a current control means connected to the positive-side connector 20 and the negative-side connector 30 to operate the inspection power supplies 11-14 as power supplies or electronic loads, a current measurement means 50 connected to the positive-side connector 20 to measure the current flowing through the positive-side connector 20, and a controller 15 connected to the multiple inspection power supplies 11-14, the bidirectional power supply 40, and the current measurement means 50. Here, the controller 15 is a part of the charge / discharge inspection device 10 and is also used as the calibration device 100. Specifically, the current control means is the bidirectional power supply 40.

[0030] In the charge / discharge inspection device 10, current measurements by the ammeters amm provided in each of the inspection power supplies 11-14 are calibrated at predetermined timings, and calibration is performed by attaching a calibration device 100 to the charge / discharge inspection device 10. In the calibration device 100 attached to the charge / discharge inspection device 10, the controller 15 calibrates the current measurements by the ammeters amm of the inspection power supplies 11-14 by mutually communicating with the inspection control units cont of each of the inspection power supplies 11-14.

[0031] To calibrate the current measurements in the inspection power supplies 11 to 14, current is passed through the positive terminal connection part 20 and the negative terminal connection part 30 by the bidirectional power supply 40, which is a current control means, and the current is measured by the ammeter amm provided in each of the inspection power supplies 11 to 14, and also by the current measurement means 50.The need for calibration is determined from these current values, and if calibration is necessary, a correction value in the inspection power supplies 11 to 14 is calculated, and the inspection power supplies 11 to 14 are calibrated based on this correction value.

[0032] In this embodiment, since an ammeter amm is provided on the positive wiring of the converter section conv of each of the inspection power supplies 11 to 14, the current measuring means 50 is connected to the positive side connection section 20 to measure the current flowing through the positive side connection section 20, but if an ammeter amm is provided on the negative wiring of the converter section conv, the current measuring means 50 is connected to the negative side connection section 30 to measure the current flowing through the negative side connection section 30.

[0033] The charge / discharge inspection device 10 of this embodiment has four inspection power supplies 11 to 14, and the following description will be given assuming that these inspection power supplies 11 to 14 are the objects of calibration. Generally, each of the inspection power supplies 11 to 14 may be called a "channel," and the inspection power supplies 11 to 14 may be collectively called "all channels."

[0034] The controller 15 of the charge / discharge inspection device 10 is connected to the inspection control units cont of the inspection power supplies 11 to 14 via a power supply communication bus or the like, and mediates data sent and received between the inspection power supplies 11 to 14 and the personal computer 16, processing various data, determining abnormalities, obtaining voltage measurements, and performing voltage calibration processing such as calculating correction values. The personal computer 16 manages various data.

[0035] The functions realized by the controller 15 and the personal computer 16 can be arbitrarily modified in design. For example, it is more efficient to perform the calculation of the correction value in the controller 15 because this eliminates the need for communication between the controller 15 and the personal computer 16, but it may also be performed in the personal computer 16.

[0036] The positive electrode side connection portion 20 and the negative electrode side connection portion 30 of the calibration device 100 of this embodiment are conductors that connect to the positive and negative wiring and negative wiring of the testing power supplies 11 to 14, and are bus bars in this embodiment. By making the positive electrode side connection portion 20 and the negative electrode side connection portion 30 bus bars on which multiple probe connection portions are formed, it becomes easy to connect the probes of each channel. Of course, the positive electrode side connection portion 20 and the negative electrode side connection portion 30 are not limited to the example shown, and may be configured as, for example, a conductive pattern provided on an appropriate substrate, as long as they can connect the positive and negative electrodes of each testing power supply 11 to 14 in parallel.

[0037] The bidirectional power supply 40, which is a current control means, is connected to the positive electrode side connection part 20 and the negative electrode side connection part 30, and in this embodiment, it is operated as a power supply or an electronic load to the inspection power supplies 11 to 14 via the positive electrode side connection part 20 and the negative electrode side connection part 30 to apply a predetermined current.

[0038] The bidirectional power supply 40 has a communication function, receives operation start commands and operation stop commands, etc., including current setting values ​​from a higher-level device (such as the controller 15), and sinks or sources (takes in or discharges) current from each channel based on the setting values. In this embodiment, the operation start commands and operation stop commands transmitted from the higher-level device (such as the controller 15) are simply referred to as "current commands." Note that in this embodiment, the bidirectional power supply 40 is a bidirectional DC-DC converter. The bidirectional power supply 40 may be a power supply or an electronic load, but a bidirectional power supply is more preferable because it allows accuracy confirmation and current calibration in both charging and discharging.

[0039] In this embodiment, the current measurement means 50 is composed of a current sensor 51 and a measuring instrument 52. The measuring instrument 52 is connected to the current sensor 51 and has a current measurement function of measuring the value of the current sensor 51 as a current value, and a communication function of communicating with the controller 15, etc. In this embodiment, the measuring instrument 52 is a DMM (Digital Multimeter).

[0040] The current measuring means 50 acquires a current value to be compared with the current value measured by each of the ammeters amm of the multiple inspection power supplies 11 to 14, and is not limited to the configuration exemplified in this embodiment as long as it can achieve its purpose.

[0041] [Calibration method for charge / discharge testing equipment] A calibration method from the start to the end of calibration by the calibration device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The calibration method according to the embodiment of the present invention is a two-point calibration in which current values ​​are measured at two points. In the calibration device 100 of this embodiment, calibration is performed as a calibration routine.

[0042] First, the calibration device 100 executes a calibration routine to calibrate the power supply units of all the test power supplies 11 to 14. Included in The converter unit conv is stopped in an open state (step S11). The open state of the converter unit conv means that: Included in the power supplyIn this state, the converter unit conv does not output any charge / discharge power, and all of the switching elements constituting the converter unit conv are in an open state (off state). Here, the cutoff switch switch is also in an open state (off state).

[0043] Next, the calibration device 100 measures the current value determined from the output signal of the ammeter amm of each of the test power supplies 11 to 14 (step S12). The current value determined from the output signal of the ammeter amm of each of the test power supplies 11 to 14 is the value of the current output via the AD converter ad and the test control unit cont.

[0044] At this time, the test power supplies 11-14 to be calibrated are in an open state (stopped), so current measurements can be taken simultaneously and in parallel for all of the test power supplies 11-14. This current measurement is the first current measurement. Furthermore, if the test power supplies 11-14 are in an open state (stopped) and the current measurement means 50 measures the current value at the positive electrode side connector 20, it is possible to detect the offset error of the current sensor 51. Therefore, the value (current value) of the current sensor 51 can be measured by the measuring instrument 52 to identify the effect of the offset error of the current sensor 51, and this can be used to identify the correction value, which will be described later.

[0045] After measuring the current value at the first point, the calibration device 100 transmits a current command for measuring the current value at the second point from the controller 15 to the test power supplies 11 to 14, and sets the test power supplies 11 to 14 to a predetermined energized state (step S13).

[0046] The calibration device 100 initializes the index n, which designates one of the test power supplies 11 to 14, by setting it to "n=0" (step S14), and then performs an increment process to set it to "n=n+1" (step S15). In this case, "n=1".

[0047] Next, in the calibration device 100, the cut-off switch switch connected to the power supply unit of the nth, i.e., the first, testing power supply 11 and the positive wiring of the first testing power supply 11 is turned on, and the converter unit conv, which is the power supply unit of the first testing power supply 11, is brought into a power-on state with a predetermined current (step S16).

[0048] Then, after a stabilization time (approximately 1 to 10 seconds) has elapsed (step S17), the current value of the first testing power supply 11 is measured using the output signal of the ammeter amm of the first testing power supply 11. This current value measurement is the second current value measurement. Furthermore, the current value of the positive electrode side connecting part 20 is measured by the current measuring means 50 (step S18).

[0049] The controller 15 of the calibration device 100 determines the need for calibration in the current measurement of the testing power supply 11 based on the current value of the testing power supply 11 at the first point, the current value of the testing power supply 11 at the second point, and the current value measured by the current measuring means 50 at the second point (step S19).

[0050] When the controller 15 of the calibration device 100 determines that calibration is required for the measurement of the current of the testing power supply 11 (step S19: YES), it calculates a correction value based on the current value of the testing power supply 11 at the first point, the current value of the testing power supply 11 at the second point, and the current value measured by the current measuring means 50 at the second point (step S20). When determining whether to perform calibration, for example, if the output accuracy of the charging / discharging power supply is 1% of full scale, it is desirable to set the specified error range to within about 0.5%.

[0051] The controller 15 of the calibration device 100 calibrates the first testing power supply 11 based on the correction value obtained in step S20 (step S21). After the calibration is completed, the calibration device 100 stops the power supply unit of the first testing power supply 11 that was energized in step S16 (step S22). The controller 15 also turns off the cutoff switch connected to the positive wiring of the first testing power supply 11.

[0052] If it is determined in step S19 that calibration is not necessary (step S19: NO), the process jumps to step S22, where the power supply unit of the first inspection power supply 11 that was energized in step S16 is turned off (step S22), and the cut-off switch connected to the positive wiring of the first inspection power supply 11 is turned off.

[0053] Next, the calibration device 100 determines whether calibration has been completed in step S23, i.e., whether calibration has been completed for all of the test power supplies 11 to 14. If there is still a test power supply 11 that has not been calibrated, the calibration device 100 returns to step S15 to measure and calibrate the current values ​​of the other test power supplies.

[0054] If it is determined in step S23 that calibration has been performed for all of the test power supplies 11 to 14, the calibration routine is terminated.

[0055] In this way, the calibration method according to this embodiment can calibrate the current to be calibrated without using a shunt resistor, so there is no risk of measurement errors occurring due to voltage drops caused by the shunt resistor, or deterioration in measurement accuracy due to temperature increases.

[0056] Furthermore, in the calibration method according to this embodiment, the first point of the two-point calibration is obtained by simultaneously measuring the currents of all channels while the charge / discharge testing device 10 (test power supplies 11 to 14) is stopped (before operation), so calibration can be completed in a calibration time of 1 point x number of channels. Therefore, it is possible to speed up current calibration (shorten the calibration time).

[0057] In contrast, in conventional technologies such as the calibration method described in Patent Document 1, current calibration is performed for each channel, which requires processing for 2 points (first point, second point) x the number of channels, and the more channels there are, the longer the calibration takes. Therefore, the greater the number of channels, the more effective the calibration device and calibration method according to this embodiment.

[0058] In the calibration method according to this embodiment, the first point of the two-point calibration is measured and obtained when the power supplies for testing 11-14 are stopped (before operation), but it is also possible to send a power supply command with a current setting value of 0 A from the controller 15 to the power supplies for testing 11-14 to put them into a stopped state. In this case, by making the controller 15, the power supplies for testing 11-14, and the interfaces connecting them digital compatible, no deviation occurs in the current setting value (0 A), and it is possible to measure the current of the power supplies for testing 11-14 when they are stopped (0 A) even in an open state without charging / discharging the power supplies for testing 11-14.

[0059] Alternatively, since the measurement value of the current measurement means 50 indicates approximately 0 A when the power supplies for testing 11 to 14 are stopped, the current value of the power supplies for testing 11 to 14 may be assumed to be 0 A in advance and set to 0 A without measurement, instead of measuring the current value with the current measurement means 50. This makes it possible to further reduce the number of times the current is measured during current calibration.

[0060] (Second embodiment) The configuration of a calibration device 101 of a charge / discharge testing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Note that the configuration of this calibration device 101 will be described using only a schematic block diagram, with a block diagram omitted.

[0061] In the calibration device 101 of this embodiment, the bidirectional power supply 40 and the measuring instrument 52 are connected to a power supply communication bus or the like that connects the controller 15 and the test power supplies 11 to 14. With this configuration, the calibration device 101 can obtain the same effects as the calibration device 100 and can operate more synchronously.

[0062] (Third embodiment) The configuration of a calibration device 102 of a charge / discharge testing device according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Note that the configuration of this calibration device 102 will also be described using only a schematic block diagram, with the description of a block diagram omitted.

[0063] In the calibration device 102 of this embodiment, instead of the bidirectional power supply 40 which is the power supply control means, the power supply 14 which is one of the plurality of power supplies for testing 11 to 14 is used as the power supply or electronic load for the other power supplies for testing.

[0064] In particular, in this embodiment, a positive electrode side connection portion 21 for the inspection power supply 14, which serves as a current control means, is separately provided, making it possible to supply a predetermined amount of power to the positive electrode side connection portions 20, 21 and the negative electrode side connection portion 30, and a current sensor 51 of the current measurement means 50 is provided between the positive electrode side connection portions 20, 21.

[0065] By sending a command from a higher-level device such as the controller 15 or the personal computer 16, the inspection power supply 14 is made to operate as an equivalent to the bidirectional power supply 40 in the calibration device 100 of the first embodiment or the calibration device 101 of the second embodiment.

[0066] With this configuration, the calibration device 102 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects as the calibration device 100 of the first embodiment, and can also suppress an increase in the size of the entire system. Of course, any one of the other inspection power supplies 11 to 13 may be operated as the bidirectional power supply 40.

[0067] The test power supply 14 operated as the bidirectional power supply 40 is also subject to calibration.

[0068] Regarding the calibration of the inspection power supply 14 operated as the bidirectional power supply 40, the first point of calibration can be the current value measured while the inspection power supply 14 is stopped (before operation), as in the case of the charge / discharge inspection devices 11 to 13. In this case, the current value in this case may be set to 0 A and a correction value may be calculated.

[0069] In addition, when the test power supply 14 operated as the bidirectional power supply 40 is to be calibrated, since there are no other bidirectional power supplies 40, the calibration will be performed using one of the other test power supplies 11 to 13 that have been calibrated as the bidirectional power supply 40.

[0070] In this case, the polarity of the current sensor 51 relative to the test power supply 14 will change, but since the wiring of the calibration device 102 is known, the polarity can be adjusted without changing the configuration by, for example, multiplying the current value acquired by the current measurement means 50 by a value of -1.

[0071] (Fourth embodiment) The configuration of a calibration device 100' for a charge / discharge testing device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Note that the configuration of this calibration device 100' will also be described using only a schematic block diagram, with a block diagram omitted.

[0072] The calibration device 100' of this embodiment has the same configuration as the calibration device 100 of the charge / discharge inspection device 10 according to the first embodiment, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0073] The calibration device 100' of this embodiment includes a measuring instrument 60 connected to the positive electrode side connection part 20 and the negative electrode side connection part 30, and the bidirectional power supply 40 is made to function as a voltage generating means that simultaneously applies a predetermined voltage to a plurality of inspection power supplies 11 to 14 connected in parallel via the positive electrode side connection part 20 and the negative electrode side connection part 30, thereby enabling the calibration device 100' to also calibrate the voltage of the charge / discharge inspection device 10. In this embodiment, the measuring instrument 60 is a DMM (Digital Multimeter).

[0074] Each of the inspection power sources 11 to 14 originally has a built-in voltmeter volt, which is connected to the positive electrode side connector 20 and the negative electrode side connector 30.

[0075] When current calibration is performed with this calibration device 100', it is the same as the calibration device 100 of the first embodiment described above, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0076] Voltage calibration using this calibration device 100' will be described with reference to FIG.

[0077] First, the calibration device 100' executes a voltage calibration routine to set the converter units conv of all of the test power supplies 11 to 14 of the charge / discharge test device 10 in an open state (step S31). The open state of the converter units conv means that the converter units conv do not output as charge / discharge power supplies, and all switching elements constituting the converter units conv are in an open state (off state). Here, the cutoff switch switch is also in an open state (off state).

[0078] Next, the calibration device 100' transmits a voltage generation command at the first point from the higher-level side (in this description, the controller 15) to the bidirectional power supply 40 (step S32).

[0079] The bidirectional power supply 40 simultaneously applies a predetermined voltage based on the set value received from the controller 15 to the inspection power supplies 11 to 14 based on the voltage generation command.

[0080] Then, after a stabilization time (about 1 to 10 seconds) has elapsed (step S33), calibration device 100' measures the voltage values ​​determined from the output signals of voltmeters volt of test power supplies 11 to 14 and the voltage values ​​of measuring instrument 60 (step S34). The voltage values ​​determined from the output signals of voltmeters volt of test power supplies 11 to 14 are voltage values ​​output via AD converters ad and test control unit cont.

[0081] At this time, the converter unit conv, which is the power supply unit of the test power supplies 11 to 14 to be calibrated, is in an open state, and almost no current flows through the converter unit conv (several hundred micro-A to several milli-A), so none of the test power supplies 11 to 14 are affected by voltage drop, and more accurate voltage measurements can be made than with conventional technology.

[0082] Next, the calibration device 100' transmits a voltage generation command at a second point from the controller 15 to the bidirectional power supply 40 (step S35).

[0083] Based on the voltage generation command, the bidirectional power supply 40 simultaneously applies predetermined voltages to the inspection power supplies 11 to 14 based on the set values ​​received from the controller 15. The voltage of the second bidirectional power supply 40 is set to a voltage value different from the voltage of the first bidirectional power supply 40.

[0084] After that, after another stabilization time (approximately 1 to 10 seconds) has elapsed (step S36), the calibration device 100' measures the voltage values ​​identified from the output signals of the voltmeters volt of the test power supplies 11 to 14 and the voltage values ​​of the measuring instrument 60 (step S37).

[0085] Even in this case, the converter unit conv, which is the power supply unit of the test power supplies 11 to 14 to be calibrated, is in an open state, and almost no current flows through the converter unit conv (several hundred micro-amperes to several milli-amperes), so that none of the test power supplies 11 to 14 are affected by the voltage drop, and more accurate voltage measurements can be made than with conventional technology.

[0086] Next, calibration device 100' determines whether calibration is necessary based on the measurement results at the first point and the measurement results at the second point (step S38). The determination of whether calibration is necessary is made for each of power supplies under test 11-14 using a first difference between the voltage value of power supplies under test 11-14 measured at the first point and the voltage value of measuring instrument 50, or a second difference between the voltage value of power supplies under test 11-14 measured at the second point and the voltage value of measuring instrument 50, or both.

[0087] If the magnitude of the first difference and / or the second difference exceeds a preset threshold (step S38: YES), the calibration device 100' calculates a correction value using the first measurement result and / or the second measurement result (step S39) and calibrates the predetermined test power supplies 11 to 14 (step S40). Thereafter, the calibration device 100' ends the voltage calibration routine.

[0088] If the magnitude of the first difference and / or the second difference does not exceed the preset threshold (step S38: NO), the calibration device 100' ends the voltage calibration routine.

[0089] As described above, the calibration method according to this embodiment is a two-point calibration, and in the case of two-point calibration, calibration can be completed by measuring two points (first point, second point)×1 time.

[0090] In particular, in the calibration method according to this embodiment, the converter unit conv, which is the power supply unit of each of the testing power supplies 11 to 14, is in an open state, so that almost no current flows through the converter unit conv, and accurate voltage measurement can be performed without being affected by voltage drop in any of the testing power supplies 11 to 14.

[0091] Furthermore, the voltage applied to the positive electrode side connection part 20 and the negative electrode side connection part 30 by the bidirectional power supply 40 can be measured simultaneously from any of the inspection power supplies 11 to 14, making it possible to perform simultaneous measurement and simultaneous calibration for all channels, thereby speeding up voltage calibration and shortening the calibration time.

[0092] In this way, the calibration device 100' can perform not only current calibration but also voltage calibration.

[0093] The present embodiment described above is merely an example, and the design of each component can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0094] For example, the function of calculating and storing the correction value can be provided in any device other than the controller 15 or the PC 16. Also, the wiring configuration for connecting the devices can be appropriately configured using known technology. The set value for the power supply command can also be any value.

[0095] (Fifth embodiment) The configuration of a calibration device 103 of a charge / discharge testing device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Note that the configuration of this calibration device 103 will also be described using only a schematic block diagram, with the description of a configuration diagram omitted.

[0096] In the calibration device 103 of this embodiment, instead of the bidirectional power supply 40 which is the current control means, the inspection power supply 14, which is one of the plurality of inspection power supplies 11 to 14, serves as the current control means and also as the voltage generation means for operating the inspection power supply 14 as a power supply or electronic load for the other inspection power supplies.

[0097] In particular, in this embodiment, a positive electrode side connection portion 21 for the inspection power source 14, which serves as the current control means, is separately provided, making it possible to supply a predetermined amount of power to the positive electrode side connection portions 20, 21 and the negative electrode side connection portion 30, and a current sensor 51 is provided between the positive electrode side connection portions 20, 21. The positive electrode side connection portion 20 and the positive electrode side connection portion 21 are connected via internal wiring of the current sensor 51, making it possible to apply a voltage to the other inspection power sources 11 to 13 when the inspection power source 14 serves as the voltage generating means. Alternatively, it is possible to apply a voltage to the other inspection power sources 12 to 14 when the inspection power source 11 serves as the voltage generating means.

[0098] By sending a command from a higher-level device such as the controller 15 or the personal computer 16, the inspection power supply 14 is made to operate as a device equivalent to the bidirectional power supply 40 in the calibration device 100 of the first embodiment or the calibration device 101 of the second embodiment, and as a voltage generating means.

[0099] The current sensor 51 is connected to the controller 15 via a digital multimeter 70, which is also connected to the positive electrode side connector 20 and the negative electrode side connector 30, and serves as a voltage measuring means for measuring the voltages at the positive electrode side connector 20 and the negative electrode side connector 30. Therefore, when the inspection power supply 14 is operated as a voltage generating means, it is possible to calibrate the voltages measured by the voltmeters built into each of the inspection power supplies 11 to 14, as in the calibration device 100' of the fourth embodiment.

[0100] In particular, in this embodiment, by also measuring the voltages of the positive electrode side connection part 20 and the negative electrode side connection part 30 using the digital multimeter 70 connected to the current sensor 51, current calibration and voltage calibration can be performed continuously without performing circuit switching operations, etc.

[0101] With such a configuration, the calibration device 103 of this embodiment can obtain the same effects as the calibration device 100 of the first embodiment, while suppressing an increase in the size of the entire system and also being capable of performing voltage calibration.

[0102] Regarding the calibration of the inspection power supply 14 operated as the bidirectional power supply 40, the first point of calibration can be the current value measured while the inspection power supply 14 is stopped (before operation), as in the case of the charge / discharge inspection devices 11 to 13. In this case, the current value in this case can be set to 0 A to calculate the correction value.

[0103] Furthermore, when the test power supply 14 operated as the bidirectional power supply 40 is to be calibrated, since there are no other bidirectional power supplies 40, the calibration will be performed using one of the other test power supplies 11 to 13 that have been calibrated as the bidirectional power supply 40.

[0104] In this case, the polarity of the current sensor 51 relative to the test power supply 14 will change, but since the wiring of the calibration device 103 is known, the polarity can be adjusted without changing the configuration by, for example, multiplying the current value obtained by the current measurement means 50 by a value of -1. [Industrial Applicability]

[0105] The present invention provides a calibration device and calibration method for a charge / discharge testing device that can quickly calibrate the current of multiple testing power supplies connected in parallel without using shunt resistors, and the greater the number of channels, the more effective the device and method are, making it industrially useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 10. Charging and discharging inspection equipment 11, 12, 13, 14 Inspection power supply 15 Controller 16 PC 20 Positive electrode connection 21 Positive electrode connection part 30 Negative electrode connection part 40 bidirectional power supply 50 Current measurement means 51 Current Sensor 52 Measuring Instruments 60 Measuring Instruments 70 Digital multimeter 100,101,102,103 Calibration device conv Converter section cont Inspection control section ad AD converter amm ammeter volt voltmeter switch open switch

Claims

1. A calibration device that calibrates the current measured by an ammeter installed in a charge / discharge inspection device that has a power supply unit that charges and discharges a secondary battery and has multiple inspection power supplies each including a converter unit. a positive electrode side connection portion that connects to the positive electrode sides of each of the plurality of inspection power sources; a negative electrode side connection portion that connects to the negative electrode sides of each of the plurality of inspection power sources; a current control means connected to the positive electrode side connection portion and the negative electrode side connection portion, and causing the power supply for inspection to operate as a power supply or an electronic load; a current measuring means connected to the positive electrode side connection part to measure a current value of the positive electrode side connection part, or connected to the negative electrode side connection part to measure a current value of the negative electrode side connection part; a controller connected to the plurality of inspection power supplies, the current control means, and the current measurement means; A calibration device for a charge / discharge inspection device that performs calibration based on the current value measured by the ammeter while the converter unit included in the power supply unit of the inspection power supply is stopped, the current value measured by the ammeter when a predetermined current is passed through the converter unit included in the inspection power supply, and the current value measured by the current measuring means.

2. 2. A calibration device for a charge / discharge inspection device according to claim 1, wherein, instead of the current control means, one of the plurality of inspection power supplies is connected to the positive electrode side connection portion and the negative electrode side connection portion, and the current control means operates the other inspection power supplies as a power source or an electronic load.

3. 3. The calibration device for a charge / discharge inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the measurement value of said ammeter is set to 0 A when said power supply unit of said inspection power supply is stopped.

4. a voltage measuring means connected to the positive electrode side connection portion and the negative electrode side connection portion to measure voltage; 3. The calibration device for a charge / discharge inspection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller is also connected to the voltage measurement means, and when calibrating the voltage measured by the voltmeter provided in the inspection power supply, the controller places the converter units included in the power supply units of all of the inspection power supplies in an open state, applies a predetermined voltage to the positive electrode side connection unit and the negative electrode side connection unit, and calibrates the voltage based on the values ​​obtained by measuring the values ​​of the voltage applied to the positive electrode side connection unit and the negative electrode side connection unit using the voltmeter and the voltage measurement means.

5. A method for calibrating, by a calibration device, a current measured by an ammeter provided in each of a plurality of testing power supplies of a charge / discharge testing device, the plurality of testing power supplies including a power supply unit that charges and discharges a secondary battery, each of the plurality of testing power supplies including a converter unit, The calibration device a positive electrode side connection portion that connects to the positive electrode sides of each of the plurality of inspection power sources; a negative electrode side connection portion that connects to the negative electrode sides of each of the plurality of inspection power sources; a current control means connected to the positive electrode side connection portion and the negative electrode side connection portion, and causing the power supply for inspection to operate as a power supply or an electronic load; a current measuring means connected to the positive electrode side connection part to measure a current value of the positive electrode side connection part, or connected to the negative electrode side connection part to measure a current value of the negative electrode side connection part; a controller connected to the plurality of inspection power supplies, the current control means, and the current measurement means; a step of stopping the converter units included in the power supply units of all the inspection power supplies and measuring the current with the ammeter; a step of causing one of the power supplies for inspection to operate as the power supply or the electronic load by the current control means, measuring a current with the ammeter, and measuring a current value with the current measurement means; calculating a correction value for the power supply for inspection from the measured current value; switching the test power supply to measure current; A method for calibrating a charge / discharge inspection device having the above-mentioned features.

6. 6. A method for calibrating a charge / discharge inspection device according to claim 5, wherein instead of the current control means, one of the plurality of inspection power supplies is connected to the positive electrode side connection portion and the negative electrode side connection portion, and the current control means operates as a power supply or an electronic load for the other inspection power supplies.

7. 7. The method for calibrating a charge / discharge testing device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein in the step of stopping the converter units included in the power supply units of all of the testing power supplies and measuring the current with the ammeter, instead of measuring the current value with the ammeter, the value of the current measured by the ammeter is set to 0 A.

8. a voltage measuring means connected to the positive electrode side connection portion and the negative electrode side connection portion to measure voltage; placing the converter units included in the power supply units in all of the test power supplies in an open state; applying a predetermined voltage to the positive electrode side connection portion and the negative electrode side connection portion; measuring the voltage with a voltmeter provided in the inspection power supply and measuring the voltage with the voltage measuring means; calibrating the voltage measured by the voltmeter based on the voltage measurement result; 7. The method for calibrating a charge / discharge inspection device according to claim 5, further comprising:

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