Battery holding device and charge / discharge inspection method using the same

Abstract

A battery holding device that can accommodate an increase in current flow and can be made compact, and a charge / discharge inspection method using the same. [Solution] A battery holding device (10) for placing a thin secondary battery (11) in a charge / discharge inspection device that charges and discharges the thin secondary battery (11), comprising a support plate portion (12) having a surface (12a) that can abut against the wide surface (11c) of the thin secondary battery (11), and a pair of conductive portions (13) provided on the support plate portion (12) that can abut against a pair of electrode terminals (11b) that protrude to the sides around the thin secondary battery (11), the conductive portions (13) being rotatably provided relative to the support plate portion (12), so that the electrode terminals (11b) of the thin secondary battery (11) that are arranged with their wide surfaces (11c) abutting against the surface (12a) of the support plate portion (12) can be clamped by the support plate portion (12) and the conductive portions (13).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery holding device for placing a thin secondary battery in a charge / discharge inspection device, and a charge / discharge inspection method using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, for secondary batteries such as lithium-ion batteries, charge / discharge tests are conducted with multiple batteries lined up. This test requires a larger current than before, but this increases the impact of heat generation in the current path. Unless this is optimized, the safety of the secondary batteries and the equipment undergoing the test cannot be guaranteed.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a chuck mechanism of a charge / discharge test device that includes a chuck unit consisting of a chuck drive unit that can move toward a battery housing that houses a thin secondary battery, and a chuck operating unit that is spaced apart from the chuck drive unit toward the battery housing and is restricted from moving in the same direction; when the chuck unit moves toward the battery housing, the chuck drive unit operates the chuck member of the chuck operating unit whose movement in the same direction is restricted, thereby clamping the electrode terminals of the thin secondary battery.

[0004] In Patent Document 1, increasing the current flow requires increasing the size of the chuck member. However, when performing a charge / discharge test with multiple thin secondary batteries stacked in the thickness direction, as shown in Figure 6(a), using a large chuck member increases the spacing between adjacent thin secondary batteries in the thickness direction, resulting in an increase in the size of the equipment, and new issues arise, such as securing installation space and increased capital investment. While using a small chuck member allows for a narrower spacing between adjacent thin secondary batteries in the thickness direction, it also reduces the clamping force on the electrode terminals, which can increase the current flow, resulting in a temperature rise due to contact resistance in the current path, and may make the device unusable depending on the test conditions.

[0005] Patent Document 2 also discloses a battery holding spacer that is used when either the positive electrode terminal (tab) or the negative electrode terminal (negative electrode tab) of a thin secondary battery (a battery to be charged and discharged) is located on the side opposite the power supply terminal, and that includes a contact tip for contacting either electrode terminal of the thin secondary battery, a pseudo electrode terminal provided in a position corresponding to the power supply terminal, and a conductive member that provides electrical conductivity between the contact tip and the pseudo electrode terminal.

[0006] As shown in Figure 6(b), when a charge-discharge test is performed using this battery holding spacer with multiple thin secondary batteries stacked in the thickness direction, the current-carrying probe pins must be placed in a direction perpendicular to the wide surfaces of the thin secondary batteries because they need to be in direct contact with the wide surfaces of the electrode terminals. This requires the battery holding spacer to be sufficiently thick, which means that the spacing between adjacent thin secondary batteries in the thickness direction must be excessively wide. This results in larger equipment, which creates issues such as a need to secure installation space and increased capital investment. Furthermore, for example, the electrode terminals of laminate-type or pouch-type thin secondary batteries are generally thin and lack rigidity, so when a current-carrying probe pin is brought into direct contact with the electrode terminal, the electrode terminal itself is likely to deform and may also tilt in the thickness direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-22847 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-72831 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a battery holding device that can accommodate an increase in current flow and can be made compact, and a charge / discharge inspection method using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] After extensive investigation, the inventors discovered that by providing a pair of conductive parts that can abut against a pair of electrode terminals that protrude outward from the sides of the periphery of the thin secondary battery so that they can be rotated relative to the support plate part, and by allowing the electrode terminals of the thin secondary battery to be clamped between the support plate part and the conductive parts, it is possible to accommodate an increase in the current flow and to achieve a more compact design, which led to the completion of the present invention.

[0010] That is, the present invention is as follows. [1] A battery holding device for placing a thin secondary battery in a charge / discharge inspection device that charges and discharges the thin secondary battery, a support plate portion having a surface that can contact a wide surface of the thin secondary battery; a pair of current-carrying portions provided on the support plate portion and capable of contacting a pair of electrode terminals protruding laterally around the thin secondary battery; The battery holding device is characterized in that the conductive part is rotatably arranged relative to the support plate part, and the electrode terminal of the thin secondary battery, which is arranged with its wide surface abutting against the surface of the support plate part, can be clamped by the support plate part and the conductive part.

[0011] [2] The battery holding device according to [1] above, wherein the current-carrying section is provided with a connection section for a current-carrying probe pin of the charge / discharge inspection device. [3] The battery holding device according to [2] above, characterized in that the connection portion of the conductive part is provided on the side of the conductive part when the electrode terminal of the thin secondary battery is clamped.

[0012] [4] The battery holding device according to any one of [1] to [3] above, wherein the current-carrying portion is further provided so as to be movable in the thickness direction of the support plate portion.

[0013] [5] The battery holding device according to any one of [1] to [4] above, further comprising a stopper that limits the rotation of the current-carrying part relative to the support plate part.

[0014] [6] The battery holding device according to any one of the above [1] to [5], wherein the current-carrying parts are provided on both sides of the support plate part. [7] The battery holding device according to any one of the above [1] to [5], wherein the current-carrying portion is provided on only one side of the support plate portion.

[0015] [8] A charge / discharge inspection method using a battery holding device according to any one of [1] to [7] above, characterized in that a plurality of the battery holding devices holding the thin secondary batteries are stacked in the thickness direction of the thin secondary batteries, and each of the thin secondary batteries is charged and discharged.

[0016] [9] The charge / discharge inspection method according to [8], characterized in that the current-carrying probe pin of the charge / discharge inspection device is connected from the side to the connection portion of the current-carrying part provided on each of the plurality of battery holding devices.

[0017]

[10] The charge / discharge inspection method described in [9] above, characterized in that the clamping force by the support plate portion and the current-carrying portion against the electrode terminal of the thin secondary battery is adjusted by the pressing force of the current-carrying probe pin of the charge / discharge inspection device against the connection portion of the current-carrying portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The battery holding device and the charge / discharge inspection method using the same of the present invention can accommodate an increase in current flow and can be made compact. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a battery holding device according to an embodiment of the present invention is used; [Figure 2] 4 is a partially enlarged explanatory view showing the state in which the current-carrying portion of the battery holding device is in use. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the current-carrying portion of the battery holding device as viewed from below. [Figure 4] 10 is an explanatory diagram of a charge / discharge inspection method using the battery holding device. [Figure 5] 1A is a perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of battery holding devices are stacked in the charge / discharge inspection method, and FIG. 1B is a side view showing a state in which the plurality of battery holding devices are stacked. [Figure 6] 10(a) and 10(b) are explanatory diagrams of a conventional charge / discharge inspection method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The battery holding device of the present invention is a battery holding device for placing a thin secondary battery in a charge / discharge inspection device that charges and discharges the thin secondary battery, a support plate portion having a surface capable of contacting a wide surface of the thin secondary battery; and a pair of current-carrying portions provided on the support plate portion and capable of contacting a pair of electrode terminals protruding laterally around the thin secondary battery; The conductive part is rotatably arranged relative to the support plate part, and the electrode terminal of the thin secondary battery, which is arranged with its wide surface abutting against the surface of the support plate part, can be clamped by the support plate part and the conductive part.

[0021] A charge / discharge testing device to which the battery holding device of the present invention is applied is equipped with a charge / discharge power supply for charging / discharging, a battery holding device in which a thin secondary battery to be charged / discharged is placed, and a current-carrying probe pin for connecting the charge / discharge power supply and the thin secondary battery, and is a device that, for example, repeatedly charges and discharges the thin secondary battery to test its characteristics, etc., in order to check whether the thin secondary battery meets specified performance and characteristics.

[0022] In order to efficiently charge and discharge thin secondary batteries, charge and discharge inspection devices typically charge and discharge multiple thin secondary batteries at the same time while they are placed in a battery holding device.Specifically, for example, multiple thin secondary batteries are stacked (lined up) in the thickness direction, and charging and discharging are performed by contacting a pair of electrode terminals of each thin secondary battery with an electrical probe pin.

[0023] The thin secondary battery is not particularly limited as long as it is a thin plate-shaped battery, rather than a cylindrical or rectangular parallelepiped battery like a dry cell battery, and preferably has a thickness of, for example, 10 mm or less, more preferably 5 mm or less, and even more preferably 3 mm or less. Examples of such thin secondary batteries include lithium ion secondary batteries that charge and discharge by the movement of lithium ions between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and examples of their packaging include laminated and pouch types. These thin secondary batteries are provided with a pair of electrode terminals that protrude from the sides of the periphery, one on each side of the thin secondary battery, or two on only one side of the thin secondary battery.

[0024] By using the battery holding device of the present invention, the electrode terminals of a thin secondary battery, which is arranged with its wide surface abutting against the surface of the support plate portion, can be clamped between the support plate portion and the current-carrying portion, making it possible to accommodate increased current flow, while also achieving compactness and preventing deformation of the electrode terminals.

[0025] Each component of the battery holding device of the present invention will be described below. [Support plate part] The support plate is a member having a surface that can come into contact with the wide surface of the thin secondary battery (see FIG. 1).

[0026] The support plate portion is, for example, a plate-shaped member on which a thin secondary battery can be placed with the wide surface of the thin secondary battery in contact with one surface of the support plate portion, and it is preferable that the support plate portion has an area larger than the area of ​​the entire thin secondary battery so as to include the entire thin secondary battery including the wide surface (including the pair of electrode terminals).

[0027] Furthermore, since the support plate portion is a component that is placed between adjacent thin secondary batteries and functions as a spacer when multiple thin secondary batteries are stacked on top of each other, it is preferable that the support plate portion be constructed with a thickness and material that can perform this function, and the thickness is preferably thicker than that of the thin secondary battery, for example, and specifically, is preferably 12 mm or less, more preferably 10 mm or less, and even more preferably 8 mm or less. Furthermore, examples of the material include insulating materials such as plastics and ceramics.

[0028] It is preferable to provide a receiving seat on the peripheral edge of the support plate portion, which can be contacted by the surface opposite to the current-carrying surface of the electrode terminal (the surface that contacts the current-carrying portion), depending on the position of the electrode terminal of the thin secondary battery. Since the electrode terminal is thinner than the battery body of the thin secondary battery, for example, and a step occurs between the battery body and the electrode terminal, by providing this receiving seat on the side of the contact surface with the thin secondary battery, it is possible to prevent deformation such as bending of the electrode terminal when the thin secondary battery is placed on the support plate portion.

[0029] [Electrical part] The current-carrying portion is a pair of members that are provided on the support plate and can abut against a pair of electrode terminals that protrude laterally around the thin secondary battery, and is provided rotatably with respect to the support plate so that the electrode terminals of the thin secondary battery, which are arranged with their wide surfaces abutting against the surface of the support plate, can be clamped between the support plate and the current-carrying portion (see Figures 1 to 3). From an economical perspective, it is preferable that the pair of electrode terminals have the same configuration, but they may have different configurations as long as they can perform their function.

[0030] Here, when one electrode terminal is provided on each side of the thin secondary battery, both sides of the thin secondary battery can be fixed to the support plate portion by a pair of corresponding conductive parts provided on both sides. However, when the electrode terminal is provided on only one side of the thin secondary battery, the conductive part is provided on only one side (one side) of the support plate portion, so it is preferable to provide a locking part for locking the peripheral part of the thin secondary battery on the side (other side) where no conductive part is provided.

[0031] An example of a configuration in which the current-carrying unit is rotatable relative to the support plate is one in which the base of the current-carrying unit is supported (pivoted) on the support plate via a rotation shaft. The current-carrying unit can be rotated relative to the support plate not only by clamping the current-carrying unit by applying an external force, but also by maintaining the current-carrying unit in a free clamped state using, for example, an elastic member such as a spring. In the case of clamping the current-carrying unit by applying an external force, the current-carrying unit may be maintained in a free, unclamped state (i.e., the current-carrying unit is separated from the support plate) using, for example, an elastic member such as a spring.

[0032] The current-carrying portion preferably comprises a current-carrying portion main body that is rotatably provided with respect to the support plate portion, and terminal probe pins that are provided on the current-carrying portion main body and come into contact with the electrode terminals of the thin secondary battery. Here, the conductive body is not particularly limited as long as it is made of a conductive material, and examples include copper and copper alloys (brass, beryllium copper), and the material and surface treatment material can be selected appropriately depending on the conditions of use (such as the current value). Furthermore, the terminal probe pin is not particularly limited as long as it is made of a conductive material and is made of a material and shape that will not damage the electrode terminal when it comes into contact with the electrode terminal. Examples of the material include copper and copper alloy (brass), and examples of the shape include a polygonal cross section such as a triangular or rectangular cross section, a circular cross section, a semicircular cross section, a sphere, etc., and the material, shape and size (diameter, length, etc.), surface treatment material, number of attachments to the current-carrying body, etc. can be selected appropriately depending on the conditions of use (value of current flow, etc.).

[0033] It is preferable that the current-carrying portion is further provided so as to be movable relative to the support plate portion in the thickness direction thereof. When the current-carrying portion is journaled to the support plate portion as described above, an example of a mode in which the current-carrying portion is provided so as to be movable relative to the support plate portion is to form a long hole in the current-carrying portion or the support plate portion so that the current-carrying portion approaches or moves away from the support plate portion. This makes it possible to accommodate, for example, a plurality of types of thin secondary batteries with different thicknesses, and thickness changes of thin secondary batteries during charging and discharging.

[0034] It is preferable that the current-carrying portion is provided on the support plate portion so that it can be attached and detached, which makes it easy to replace the current-carrying portion even if it deteriorates over time, for example. Here, as described above, when the current-carrying part comprises a current-carrying part body and terminal probe pins, it is preferable that the terminal probe pins be provided so as to be attachable to and detachable from the current-carrying part body, which makes it easy to replace the terminal probe pins even if it is determined that their quality has deteriorated due to a decline in performance during equipment maintenance, and also makes it possible to change the number of attached terminal probe pins depending on the magnitude of the current flowing through them.

[0035] The current-carrying part is preferably provided with a connection part for connecting to a current-carrying probe pin of a charge / discharge testing device, which allows the current-carrying probe pin to come into contact with the electrode terminal of the thin secondary battery via the current-carrying part, thereby increasing the degree of freedom for connecting the current-carrying probe pin to the electrode terminal without being affected by, for example, the shape or position of the electrode terminal. In particular, it is preferable that the connection portion of the current-carrying part be provided on the side of the current-carrying part when the electrode terminal of the thin secondary battery is clamped. This allows the current-carrying probe pin to be connected to the current-carrying part without excessively widening the gap between adjacent thin secondary batteries, even when multiple battery holding devices holding thin secondary batteries are stacked in the thickness direction of the thin secondary batteries, minimizing the protrusion of the current-carrying probe pin in this thickness direction. Furthermore, the current-carrying probe pin does not need to have a special configuration, and for example, commercially available products can be used.

[0036] [Preferred embodiment] The battery holding device is preferably provided with a stopper that limits the rotation of the current-carrying portion relative to the support plate portion. The restraining portion is not particularly limited as long as it can restrict the rotational movement of the conductive portion relative to the support plate portion so that it does not occur excessively, and examples include a positioning member such as a plunger.When using a plunger, it is preferable to provide the plunger on either the conductive portion or the support plate portion, and to form one or more holes (recesses, grooves, etc.) on the other portion into which a ball, pin, etc. provided at the tip of the plunger can be inserted.

[0037] <Charge / Discharge Inspection Method of the Present Invention> The charge / discharge inspection method of the present invention is a charge / discharge inspection method using a battery holding device, and is characterized in that multiple battery holding devices holding thin secondary batteries are stacked in the thickness direction of the thin secondary batteries, and each thin secondary battery is charged and discharged.

[0038] Here, it is preferable that a current-carrying probe pin of the charge / discharge inspection device is connected from the side to a connection part of a current-carrying part provided in each of the plurality of battery holding devices. The connection of the current-carrying probe pin to the connection part of the current-carrying part may be performed individually for each of the plurality of battery holding devices before the plurality of battery holding devices are stacked, or may be performed all at once for each of the plurality of battery holding devices after the plurality of battery holding devices have been stacked.

[0039] Furthermore, when connecting the current-carrying part and the current-carrying probe pin, the current-carrying part and the current-carrying probe pin can be moved relatively, specifically, for example, by moving both the current-carrying part and the current-carrying probe pin in a direction that brings them closer together, by moving the current-carrying probe pin in a direction that brings it closer to the fixed (non-moving) current-carrying part, or by moving the current-carrying part in a direction that brings it closer to the fixed (non-moving) current-carrying probe pin. Note that the current-carrying part and the current-carrying probe pin can be separated by moving the current-carrying part and the current-carrying probe pin relatively in the direction opposite to the above-mentioned direction that brings them closer together.

[0040] In this way, by pressing the current-carrying probe pin against the connection part of the current-carrying part, a force is generated that presses the current-carrying surface of the current-carrying part against the electrode terminal of the thin secondary battery, so that the electrode terminal can be securely clamped. For example, there is no need to provide a separate drive mechanism for clamping the electrode terminal, which makes it possible to make the device more compact and reduce the number of parts, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0041] It is also preferable to adjust the clamping force of the support plate and the current-carrying part against the electrode terminal of the thin secondary battery by the pressing force of the current-carrying probe pin of the charge / discharge inspection device against the connection part of the current-carrying part. This eliminates the need to provide a separate adjustment mechanism for adjusting the clamping force of the electrode terminal, making it possible to make the device more compact and reduce the number of parts, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0042] Embodiments of the battery retention device of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a battery retention device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention in use, showing a state in which a thin secondary battery 11 is held in this battery retention device 10. The thin secondary battery 11 to be held in the battery retention device 10 is a battery having a thin plate-shaped battery body 11a and one electrode terminal 11b on each side of the battery body 11a. However, the configuration of the battery retention device is substantially the same even in the case of a battery having a pair of electrode terminals on only one side of the thin plate-shaped battery body. A detailed explanation is provided below.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 1, the battery holding device 10 is a device for placing a thin secondary battery 11 in a charge / discharge inspection device (not shown) that charges and discharges the thin secondary battery 11, and includes a rectangular support plate portion 12 and a pair of conductive portions 13 provided on opposing short sides (hereinafter referred to as both sides) of the support plate portion 12.

[0044] The support plate portion 12 has a surface 12a that can abut against the wide surface 11c of the thin secondary battery 11, and is configured so that when the thin secondary battery 11 is brought into contact with the surface 12a, its area is larger than the area of ​​the thin secondary battery 11. On both sides of the surface 12a of the support plate portion 12, there are attached receiving seats 12b on which electrode terminals 11b of the thin secondary batteries 11 can be placed.

[0045] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the pair of current-carrying parts 13 are rotatably provided with respect to the support plate part 12, and are members that can abut against a pair of electrode terminals 11b protruding laterally around the thin secondary battery 11, and include a current-carrying part main body 13a with an L-shaped cross section and terminal probe pins 13b provided on this current-carrying part main body 13a.

[0046] The base of the current-carrying body 13a is rotatably attached to a pair of attachment portions 12c protruding laterally from the support plate 12 so that the inner surface of the tip can face a receiving seat 12b attached to the surface 12a of the support plate 12. Specifically, the base of the current-carrying body 13a is disposed between the opposing attachment portions 12c of the support plate 12, and both axial ends (portions protruding to both sides of the base of the current-carrying body 13a) of a rotation shaft 13d inserted into an insertion hole 13c formed in the base of the current-carrying body 13a are attached to the pair of attachment portions 12c.

[0047] Here, as shown in Figure 3, the insertion hole 13c formed at the base of the conductive part main body 13a has an elongated hole shape, which allows the conductive part main body 13a not only to rotate relative to the support plate part 12 but also to move in its thickness direction. The current-carrying portion 13 can be rotated relative to the support plate portion 12 by applying a force from the outside.

[0048] A plurality of terminal probe pins 13b (10 in this example) are attached to the inner surface of the tip of each current-carrying body 13a so as to be able to face the receiving seat 12b attached to the support plate 12. Specifically, the terminal probe pins 13b are cylindrical with male threads formed on the base side, allowing them to be attached to and detached from the terminal probe pins 13b, and the tips of the terminal probe pins 13b are textured to form a sharp shape, ensuring reliable contact with the electrode terminals 11b of the thin secondary batteries 11.

[0049] 1 and 2, a pair of mounting portions 12c of the support plate portion 12 are each provided with a plunger 14 (stopping portion) that limits the rotational movement of the current-carrying portion 13 relative to the support plate portion 12. Specifically, the plunger 14 is attached to the mounting portion 12c of the support plate portion 12 on the side facing the current-carrying portion main body 13a of the current-carrying portion 13, and a ball or pin provided at the tip of the plunger 14 can abut against the opposing surface of the current-carrying portion main body 13a.

[0050] On the other hand, on the opposing surface of the current-carrying part main body 13a of the current-carrying part 13 that faces the plunger 14, two recesses 14a are formed at intervals into which the balls and pins of the plunger 14 can fit, and when the current-carrying part 13 rotates relative to the support plate part 12, the balls and pins of the plunger 14 fit into the recesses 14a, thereby suppressing or even preventing excessive rotation.

[0051] The current-carrying part 13 has a connection part (not shown) for connecting to the current-carrying probe pin 15 of the charge / discharge inspection device on the current-carrying part main body 13a. This connection part is provided on the side of the current-carrying part 13 when the electrode terminal 11b of the thin secondary battery 11 is clamped, so that the axis of the current-carrying probe pin 15 can be positioned within the broad surface 11c of the thin secondary battery 11 or within a plane parallel to it.

[0052] Next, embodiments of a charge / discharge inspection method using a battery holding device 10 of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Here, Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement process of a charge / discharge inspection method using a battery holding device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 5(a) is a perspective view showing a state in which multiple battery holding devices 10 are stacked in the charge / discharge inspection method, and Fig. 5(b) is a side view showing the state in which the multiple battery holding devices 10 are stacked.

[0053] First, as shown in the upper diagram of Figure 4, the battery holding device 10 is placed in a state where the current-carrying probe pins 15 are separated and the terminal probe pins 13b of the pair of current-carrying parts 13 are separated from the receiving seats 12b attached to the support plate part 12, and then the thin secondary battery 11 is placed in this battery holding device 10.

[0054] Next, as shown in the middle diagram of Fig. 4, the thin secondary battery 11 is placed on the surface 12a of the support plate portion 12 so that its wide surface 11c abuts against it. At this time, the pair of electrode terminals 11b of the thin secondary battery 11 are each placed on the receiving seats 12b.

[0055] Then, within the broad surface 11c of the thin secondary battery 11 or within a plane parallel thereto, the current-carrying probe pin 15 is brought closer from the side toward the connection portion of the current-carrying portion 13 in a direction perpendicular to the current-carrying portion 13, and the current-carrying probe pin 15 is connected to the connection portion of the current-carrying portion 13. As a result, one electrode terminal 11b of the thin secondary battery 11 is clamped between the support plate portion 12 and the current-carrying portion 13. The clamping force of the support plate portion 12 and the current-carrying portion 13 on the electrode terminal 11b can be adjusted by the pressing force of the current-carrying probe pin 15 against the connection portion of the current-carrying portion 13.

[0056] Subsequently, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 4, by performing the above operation on the other electrode terminal 11b of the thin secondary battery 11 in the same manner, the other electrode terminal 11b of the thin secondary battery 11 is clamped by the support plate portion 12 and the current-carrying portion 13, and the clamping force can be further adjusted. The electrode terminals 11b may be clamped by the support plate portion 12 and the current-carrying portion 13 one by one for each pair of electrode terminals 11b, or may be clamped by the support plate portion 12 and the current-carrying portion 13 simultaneously. As a result, the thin secondary battery 11 is placed in the battery holding device 10.

[0057] As described above, after the thin secondary battery 11 is placed in the battery holding device 10, the thin secondary battery 11 is charged and discharged based on a predetermined program. After charging and discharging of the thin secondary battery 11 is completed, the current-carrying probe pin 15 is pulled away from the connection part of the battery holding device 10, the clamping of the electrode terminal 11b of the thin secondary battery 11 by the support plate part 12 and the current-carrying part 13 is released, and the thin secondary battery 11 is removed from the battery holding device 10.

[0058] 5(a) and 5(b), it is preferable from the viewpoint of work efficiency to charge and discharge the thin secondary battery 11 by stacking multiple battery holding devices 10 each having a thin secondary battery 11 arranged thereon in the thickness direction of the thin secondary battery 11. In this case, the current-carrying probe pin 15 can be connected to the connection parts of multiple current-carrying parts 13 simultaneously after stacking multiple battery holding devices 10 each having a thin secondary battery 11 arranged thereon. In this way, when a plurality of battery holding devices 10 are stacked, the stacking state is released after charging and discharging is completed, and then the thin secondary batteries 11 are removed from the battery holding devices 10.

[0059] As described above, the battery holding device of the present invention and the charge / discharge inspection method using the same energize the electrode terminals of the thin secondary battery via the current-carrying portion, and therefore can easily accommodate increases in the current flow and can increase the degree of freedom in connecting the current-carrying probe pins, thereby enabling the device to be made more compact.

[0060] While the present invention has been described above with reference to one embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the above embodiment and includes other embodiments and modifications that are conceivable within the scope of the claims. For example, the battery holding device of the present invention and the charge / discharge inspection method using the same may be configured by combining some or all of the above-described embodiments and modifications, and are also within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0061] The battery holding device and the charge / discharge inspection method using the same of the present invention are industrially useful because they can accommodate an increase in current flow and can be made compact. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10: battery holder, 11: thin secondary battery, 11a: battery body, 11b: electrode terminal, 11c: wide surface, 12: support plate portion, 12a: surface, 12b: receiving seat, 12c: mounting portion, 13: current-carrying portion, 13a: current-carrying portion body, 13b: terminal probe pin, 13c: insertion hole, 13d: rotation shaft, 14: plunger, 14a: recess, 15: current-carrying probe pin

Claims

1. A battery holding device for placing a thin secondary battery in a charge / discharge inspection device that charges and discharges the thin secondary battery, a support plate portion having a surface that can contact a wide surface of the thin secondary battery; a pair of current-carrying portions provided on the support plate portion and capable of contacting a pair of electrode terminals protruding laterally around the thin secondary battery; the conductive part is provided rotatably with respect to the support plate part, and the electrode terminal of the thin secondary battery is arranged with its wide surface abutting against the surface of the support plate part, and can be clamped by the support plate part and the conductive part; a connection portion for a current-carrying probe pin of the charge / discharge inspection device is provided on the current-carrying portion, and the connection portion of the current-carrying portion is provided on a side of the current-carrying portion when the electrode terminal of the thin secondary battery is clamped.

2. 2. The battery holding device according to claim 1, wherein the conductive portion is further provided so as to be movable in a thickness direction relative to the support plate portion.

3. 2. The battery holding device according to claim 1, further comprising a stopper that limits the rotation of the current-carrying portion relative to the support plate portion.

4. 2. The battery holding device according to claim 1, wherein the conductive portion is provided on each side of the support plate portion.

5. 2. The battery holding device according to claim 1, wherein the conductive portion is provided on only one side of the support plate portion.

6. A charge / discharge inspection method in which a plurality of battery holding devices holding thin secondary batteries are stacked in the thickness direction of the thin secondary batteries, and each of the thin secondary batteries is charged / discharged by a charge / discharge inspection device, comprising: The battery holding device is a support plate portion having a surface that can contact a wide surface of the thin secondary battery; a pair of current-carrying portions provided on the support plate portion and capable of contacting a pair of electrode terminals protruding laterally around the thin secondary battery; The conductive part is provided rotatably with respect to the support plate part, and the electrode terminal of the thin secondary battery is arranged with its wide surface abutting against the surface of the support plate part, so that the battery holding device can be clamped by the support plate part and the conductive part. A charge / discharge inspection method characterized by the above.

7. 7. The charge / discharge inspection method according to claim 6, wherein a current-carrying probe pin of the charge / discharge inspection device is connected from a side to a connection portion of the current-carrying portion provided on each of the plurality of battery holding devices.

8. The charge / discharge inspection method according to claim 7, characterized in that the clamping force by the support plate portion and the current-carrying portion against the electrode terminal of the thin secondary battery is adjusted by the pressing force of the current-carrying probe pin of the charge / discharge inspection device against the connection portion of the current-carrying portion.

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