Charge / Discharge Inspection System

Abstract

To provide a charge / discharge inspection system that does not have a complicated configuration and can easily perform maintenance such as cleaning the tip of a probe and replacing a defective probe. The charge / discharge inspection system includes a battery inspection unit (50) of the charge / discharge inspection device, a tray (10) that can accommodate a probe unit (20), a charge / discharge power supply unit, and an integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit in its accommodation section, and that accommodates and transports any one of these and is placed in the battery inspection unit (50), and a transport device that transports the tray (10) from the battery inspection unit (50) to another location or transports the tray (10) from another location to the battery inspection unit (50).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charge-discharge inspection system having a tray capable of transporting a probe unit or the like.

Background Art

[0002] Since the voltage of the minimum unit (single cell) of the battery constituting the secondary battery is low, the secondary battery is often used by packing cells with similar characteristics. Therefore, for the device side for manufacturing such a secondary battery, accuracy, environment, etc. for manufacturing cells with similar characteristics are also required. Also, for this reason, high-precision measurement is required in the charge-discharge inspection system for testing secondary batteries, and maintenance such as cleaning the tip of the probe and replacing defective probes is necessary to avoid contact failure.

[0003] However, the attachment / detachment work and replacement work of the probe unit of the charge-discharge inspection system performed for maintenance are often carried out manually. And when stacking a large number of battery inspection units for performing charge-discharge inspection, it becomes work at a high place. In addition, due to the increase in size accompanying the increase in the capacity of secondary batteries, the size and weight of the device are also increasing. Therefore, in the maintenance of the probe unit, separate facilities and dedicated jigs are required to ensure the safety of the operator.

[0004] As technologies related to cleaning of such probes and replacement of probe units based on such a background, for example, those described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are available. Patent Document 1 describes a probe cleaning device aimed at realizing the efficiency of the cleaning work of the probes of a charge-discharge inspection device. More specifically, a probe cleaning device 1 including a cleaning brush facing the probes 211 and 221 of the charge-discharge inspection device 2 and a drive mechanism 15 for driving the cleaning brush is carried into the charge-discharge inspection device 2, and the drive mechanism 15 drives the cleaning brush, thereby cleaning the deposits on the tip portions of the probes 211 and 221 without manual labor (paragraph 0031 of the specification, FIG. 1).

[0005] Meanwhile, Patent Document 2 describes a charge / discharge inspection system and a detachable unit aimed at reducing the load on the transport device when replacing the probe unit. More specifically, the charge / discharge inspection system is described to include a charge / discharge inspection device for charging and discharging a secondary battery for inspection, a transport device for transporting the secondary battery to the charge / discharge inspection device, and a detachable unit 80 for attaching and detaching the probe unit 46. Furthermore, the detachable unit 80 is described to include a moving mechanism 84 for moving the probe unit 46 to attach and detach it to the inspection unit, and a reaction force transmission means for transmitting the reaction force generated during attachment and detachment to a receiving part of the inspection unit (abstract, Figure 4). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6055806 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6144074 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, when the probe cleaning device described in Patent Document 1 is used to clean inside a battery inspection unit, the wind generated by the operation of the cleaning brush may scatter fine foreign matter, potentially leading to poor contact or short circuits.

[0008] Furthermore, the charge / discharge inspection system described in Patent Document 2 requires a separate mechanism (attachment / detachment unit) for inserting and removing the probe unit, and since the attachment / detachment unit is attached to the transport device, there is a risk that the transport device will become more complex and heavier.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a charge / discharge inspection system that does not have a complex configuration and can easily perform maintenance such as cleaning the tip of the probe and replacing defective probes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The charge / discharge inspection system according to the present invention comprises a battery inspection unit of a charge / discharge inspection device, The housing section can accommodate a probe unit, a charge / discharge power supply unit, and an integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit, and a tray is used to transport one of these and to place it inside the battery inspection unit. The system includes a transport device for transporting trays from the battery inspection unit to another location, or for transporting trays from another location to the battery inspection unit.

[0011] As a result, the tray contains a probe unit, a charge / discharge power supply unit, or an integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit, and the tray is transported by a transport device, allowing these to be transported from the battery inspection unit to another location, or from another location to the battery inspection unit.

[0012] Furthermore, it is desirable that the tray comprises a plurality of tray separators that divide the storage area, and guide sections that support the probe unit or integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit housed in the storage area, and guide sections that support these probes so as not to come into contact with the inside of the storage area.

[0013] Furthermore, it is desirable that the storage section be capable of accommodating secondary batteries to be inspected, and that the tray be used to transport the secondary batteries to be inspected and is placed inside the battery inspection unit. In addition, it is desirable that the housing section be capable of housing a lifting mechanism capable of raising and lowering a probe unit, a charge / discharge power supply unit, or a probe unit with an integrated charge / discharge power supply.

[0014] Furthermore, it is desirable that the charge / discharge inspection system is configured to have a tray-side fixing mechanism for fixing the probe unit, charge / discharge power supply unit, or integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit housed in the tray's housing section when the tray is transported by a transport device, when the tray is placed on the lifting plate of the battery inspection unit and moves up or down, or when a probe unit, charge / discharge power supply unit, or integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit is housed in the tray.

[0015] Furthermore, it is desirable that the charge / discharge inspection system be configured such that the battery inspection unit has a battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanism for fixing the probe unit or charge / discharge power supply unit, or integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit, which has been transported in a tray, into the battery inspection unit.

[0016] In addition, the charge / discharge inspection system includes a lifting mechanism that raises a tray placed on a lifting plate of the battery inspection unit, and connects the probe unit or charge / discharge power supply unit, or integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit, housed in the tray, to a connection part provided on the battery inspection unit side. Alternatively, it is desirable to have a configuration that includes a lifting mechanism that lowers the suspension plate of the battery inspection unit to connect the probe unit or charge / discharge power supply unit, or integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit, housed in a tray placed inside the battery inspection unit, with a connection part provided on the battery inspection unit side. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The charge / discharge inspection system according to the present invention, with this configuration, allows the probe unit and other components to be transported together in a tray by a transport device, so that they can be transported from the battery inspection unit to another location or from another location to the battery inspection unit. This eliminates the need for complex configurations such as attachment / detachment unit mechanisms, and makes it easy to perform maintenance such as cleaning and replacing probes in the probe unit and other components that have been removed and transported.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing a tray according to an embodiment of the present invention, (A) is a schematic front view, (B) is a partially cut-away sectional view taken along line A-A in (A), and (C) is a partially cut-away sectional view taken along line B-B in (B). [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing a state in which a tray according to an embodiment of the present invention houses a probe unit, (A) is a partially cut-away sectional view taken along line B-B similar to FIG. 1(C) in that state, and (B) is a partially cut-away sectional view taken along line A-A similar to FIG. 1(B) in that state. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing a state in which a tray according to an embodiment of the present invention houses a charge / discharge power supply integrated probe unit, (A) is a partially cut-away sectional view taken along line B-B similar to FIG. 1(C) in that state, and (B) is a partially cut-away sectional view taken along line A-A similar to FIG. 1(B) in that state. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing a state in which a tray according to an embodiment of the present invention houses a secondary battery, (A) is a partially cut-away sectional view taken along line B-B similar to FIG. 1(C) in that state, and (B) is a partially cut-away sectional view taken along line A-A similar to FIG. 1(B) in that state. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing a flow in which a tray according to an embodiment of the present invention transports a probe unit to a battery inspection unit. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing a flow in which a tray according to an embodiment of the present invention transports a charge / discharge power supply integrated probe unit to a battery inspection unit. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of a tray-side fixing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, (A) shows the locked state, and (B) shows the unlocked state. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of a battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, (A) shows the locked state, and (B) shows the unlocked state. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an example of a tray-side fixing mechanism and a battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10]This figure shows an example of a tray-side fixing mechanism and a battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of a maintenance station according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below, but the description of the constituent elements described below is just one example (representative example) of the embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following unless its gist is changed. In addition, in this description, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings for configurations that have already been described, and their detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0020] [Charge / Discharge Testing System] An embodiment of the present invention comprises a battery inspection unit of a charge / discharge inspection device, a tray 10 (see Figure 1), a transport device, and a maintenance station.

[0021] [Battery inspection unit] A charge / discharge testing device is a device that performs charge and discharge testing on secondary batteries. The charge / discharge testing device includes a battery testing unit having a power supply (charge / discharge power supply unit) and connection parts, which will be described later. The charge / discharge testing device also includes a probe unit having a probe for supplying power from the power supply (charge / discharge power supply unit) to the secondary battery to be tested, and an integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit in which the charge / discharge power supply and the probe unit are integrated.

[0022] [Tray] In this embodiment, tray 10 has a rectangular shape with a height H: 150 mm, a depth D: 200 mm, and a width W: 450 mm (see Figure 1), but the shape and size of the tray are not limited to this. Furthermore, the tray 10 has a recessed area in the center (storage section 11) where probe units, charge / discharge power supply units, and integrated charge / discharge power supply probe units can be accommodated. The shape and size of the storage section 11 can be appropriately modified depending on the probe units to be accommodated.

[0023] The tray 10 includes a plurality of tray separators 12 that divide the storage area 11, and a guide section 13 that supports the probe unit or the charge / discharge power supply integrated probe unit placed on the storage area 11. In this embodiment, nine flat tray separators 12 are arranged at equal intervals on the tray 10, and the storage area 11 is divided into eight spaces S (see Figure 1(C)).

[0024] In this embodiment, four columnar guide sections 13 (13a, 13b, 13c; the remaining one is not shown) are provided near the outer frame of the tray 10. The upper end 13T of each guide section 13 has a recess, and the probe holding plate of the probe unit engages with this recess, thereby supporting the probe unit and determining its position within the housing section 11. The guide sections 13 are for supporting the probe unit or the probe of the integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit so that it does not come into contact with the housing section 11. In this embodiment, the upper ends 13T of each of the four guide sections 13 engage with the respective parts of the probe unit, etc., to ensure stable support and positioning. However, as long as this can be achieved, there are no restrictions on the shape, number, or position of the guide sections. Furthermore, by making the height of the tray separator 12 the same as the height of the recess at the upper end 13T of the guide portion 13, the guide portion 13 and the tray separator 12 can support the probe unit and the like.

[0025] (Probe unit) Figure 2 shows the tray 10 in a state where it contains the probe unit 20. The probe unit 20 includes a probe holding plate 21, probes 22, a wiring section 23, a connection section 24, and an electrical component housing section 25. In this embodiment, the probe unit 20 has eight probes 22 held on the probe holding plate 23.

[0026] Specifically, the probe unit 20 is housed in the housing section 11, with the probe holding plate 21 supported by the guide section 13 (13T), etc. Furthermore, each probe 22 of the probe unit 20 is housed in its own space S so as not to come into contact with the inside of the housing section 11 (see Figure 2(A)).

[0027] (Integrated charging / discharging power supply probe unit) On the other hand, Figure 3 shows the tray 10 in a state where it houses the charge / discharge power supply integrated probe unit 30. The integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit 30 includes a charge / discharge power supply unit 32 having a probe holding plate 21, a probe 22, a wiring section 23, and multiple power supply sections 31, and a connection section 33. The connection section 33 of the integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit 30 consists of a power supply section (DC power supply section) and a communication section for sending and receiving input / output signals, etc. In Figure 3, the description of the casing (outer frame) 34 of the integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit 30 is partially omitted, and there are no particular restrictions as long as it can be housed in the tray 10 and connected to the battery inspection unit.

[0028] In this embodiment, the integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit 30, like the probe unit 20, has eight probes 22 held on a probe holding plate 23. The charge / discharge power supply unit 32 is composed of eight power supply units 31, and each power supply unit 31 is connected to each probe 22 by a wiring unit 23. Furthermore, in the charge / discharge power supply unit 32, each power supply unit 31 is connected to a single board (base board) with connectors and integrated, and these are further unitized by a casing that houses them. Therefore, in the integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit 30, the probe holding plate 21 is supported by the guide portion 13 (13T) and the like and housed in the housing portion 11, and each probe 22 of the integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit 30 is housed in its respective space S so as not to come into contact with the inside of the housing portion 11 (see Figure 3(A)).

[0029] (Secondary battery) Furthermore, Figure 4 shows the tray 10 in a state where it contains the secondary battery 40. As mentioned above, since the tray 10 is equipped with multiple tray separators 12, the storage section 11 is divided into multiple spaces S (see Figure 1(C)). Therefore, the tray 10 can accommodate the secondary batteries 40 to be inspected in each of these spaces S.

[0030] (Charging and discharging power supply unit) In addition, although not shown in the diagram, the tray 10 can also accommodate a charge / discharge power supply unit 32 in the housing section 11. In this case, the wiring section 23 is disconnected from each power supply unit 31, and the charge / discharge power supply unit 32 is housed in the housing section 11 with its casing supported by the guide section 13 of the tray 10.

[0031] Therefore, the tray 10 can accommodate the probe unit, the charge / discharge power supply unit, the charge / discharge power supply integrated probe unit, and the secondary battery to be inspected. As will be described later, the tray 10 can be transported by a transport device, allowing these to be transported from the battery inspection unit to another location, or from another location to the battery inspection unit.

[0032] (Elevator) Furthermore, the tray 10 can also accommodate a lifting mechanism (not shown) in the storage section 11. The lifting mechanism is capable of raising and lowering probe units, charge / discharge power supply units, and integrated charge / discharge power supply probe units. For example, an electric actuator from IAI Corporation can be used for the lifting mechanism. This allows for the attachment and detachment of probe units, charge / discharge power supply units, and integrated charge / discharge power supply probe units to battery inspection units that do not have a lifting mechanism, or to stockers used as dedicated shelves (storage shelves) for probe units and power supply units. In other words, since there is no need to install a dedicated lifting mechanism in battery inspection units or other equipment that do not have one, the costs associated with installing a lifting mechanism and the costs associated with maintaining (repairing, replacing) the lifting mechanism can be reduced.

[0033] [Operational flow in the charge / discharge testing system] Next, with reference to Figures 5 and 6, the operational flow of the charge / discharge inspection system according to this embodiment will be explained. (Probe unit) Figure 5 shows the flow of the tray 10 transporting the probe unit 20 to the battery inspection unit 50. In this embodiment, the battery inspection unit 50 has a suspension plate 52 that is suspended from the top plate 51, and the suspension plate 52 is provided with a battery inspection unit side connection part 54 and a probe unit fixing mechanism 55. The battery inspection unit 50 also has a lifting plate 53 on which the tray 10 is placed and which is raised or lowered by a lifting mechanism (not shown).

[0034] First, let's assume that the battery inspection unit 50 is in a state where the probe unit is not connected, for example, because the tip of the probe has been cleaned or a faulty probe has been replaced (removed).

[0035] As mentioned above, since the tray 10 can accommodate the probe unit 20 (see Figure 2), cleaned probe units and new probe units are placed in the tray 10 and then transported to the battery inspection unit 50 of the charge / discharge inspection device by a transport device such as a stacker crane or an AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle). Then, when the tray 10 is transported to the battery inspection unit 50, it is placed on the lifting plate 53 of the battery inspection unit 50 by known methods such as forking or push-pull (see Figure 5(A)).

[0036] Subsequently, the lifting mechanism raises the lifting plate 53 with the tray 10 placed on it. Since the tray 10, which has been transported, also rises while containing the probe unit 20, the lifting mechanism raises the lifting plate 53 until the connection part 24 of the probe unit 20 and the battery inspection unit side connection part 54 of the battery inspection unit 50 are connected (see Figure 5(B)).

[0037] When the probe unit 20 (tray 10) is raised until the connection part 24 of the probe unit 20 and the battery inspection unit side connection part 54 of the battery inspection unit 50 are connected, the probe unit 20 is fixed to the battery inspection unit 50 by the probe unit fixing mechanism 55 of the battery inspection unit 50.

[0038] In this embodiment, the probe unit fixing mechanism 55 consists of fixing mechanisms (55a, 55b) provided at both ends (left and right) of the suspension plate 52, and is a mechanism that fixes the probe unit 20 from the left and right and supports it above the battery inspection unit 50. However, it is not limited to this, as long as the probe unit 20 can be fixed in a specific position.

[0039] Then, the lifting plate 53 is lowered by the lifting mechanism, separating the tray 10 from the probe unit 20 (see Figure 5(C)). The tray 10, which is placed on the lifting plate 53, is then transferred back onto the transport device using a known method such as forking or push-pull, and transported to a designated location.

[0040] (Integrated charging / discharging power supply probe unit) On the other hand, Figure 6 shows the flow of the tray 10 transporting the integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit 30 to the battery inspection unit 50. When the integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit 30 is connected, the battery inspection unit side connection part 54 of the battery inspection unit 50 is configured for connection of the integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit.

[0041] First, as with the probe unit, the battery inspection unit 50 is assumed to be in a state where the integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit is not connected, because the probe tip has been cleaned or a faulty probe has been replaced (removed).

[0042] Since tray 10 can accommodate the charge / discharge power supply integrated probe unit 30 (see Figure 3), after cleaned or new units are placed inside, it is transported to the battery inspection unit 50 by a transport device. Then, when the tray 10 is transported to the battery inspection unit 50, it is placed on the lifting plate 53 of the battery inspection unit 50 (see Figure 6(A)).

[0043] Subsequently, the lifting mechanism raises the lifting plate 53 until the connection part 33 of the charge / discharge power supply integrated probe unit 30 and the battery inspection unit side connection part 54 of the battery inspection unit 50 are connected (see Figure 6(B)).

[0044] When the connection portion 33 of the integrated charge / discharge power probe unit 30 is connected to the battery inspection unit side connection portion 54 of the battery inspection unit 50, the integrated charge / discharge power probe unit 30 is fixed to the battery inspection unit 50 by the probe unit fixing mechanism 55 of the battery inspection unit 50. In this embodiment, the probe unit fixing mechanism 55 is configured to engage with and fix the casing (outer frame) 34 of the integrated charge / discharge power probe unit 30, but it is not limited to this configuration as long as it can fix the integrated charge / discharge power probe unit 30 in a specific position.

[0045] Then, the lifting plate 53 is lowered by the lifting mechanism, separating the tray 10 from the integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit 30 (see Figure 6(C)). The tray 10, which is placed on the lifting plate 53, is transferred to the transport device and used for the next operation.

[0046] Of course, in contrast to the transport and connection of the probe unit 20 and the power supply integrated probe unit 30 to the battery inspection unit 50 as explained with reference to Figures 5 and 6, it is also possible to remove the probe unit 20 and the power supply integrated probe unit 30 connected to the battery inspection unit 50, place them in the tray 10, and transport them away from the battery inspection unit 50 to another location.

[0047] For example, if the object to be transported by tray 10 is a probe unit 20, the empty tray 10 is placed on the lifting plate 53 (see Figure 5(C)). Then, the lifting mechanism raises the lifting plate 53 and places the probe unit 20 into tray 10 (see Figure 5(B)). After that, the connection between the battery inspection unit side connection part 54 and the connection part 24 is disconnected (inserting and removing the probe unit from the battery inspection unit), and the lifting mechanism lowers the lifting plate 53 to transport the tray 10 containing the probe unit 20 to another location (see Figure 5(A)).

[0048] Thus, when replacing the probe unit of a battery inspection unit, a mechanism for inserting and removing the probe unit from the battery inspection unit is required in addition to the transport tray for transporting the probe unit. However, the charge / discharge inspection system according to the present invention allows for inserting and removing the probe unit from the battery inspection unit, or connecting the probe unit to the battery inspection unit, using only the tray 10.

[0049] Furthermore, in the embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 6, the lifting mechanism raises or lowers the lifting plate 53, but instead of the lifting plate 53, the suspension plate 52 of the battery inspection unit 50 may be raised or lowered. In this case, for example, taking the probe unit 20 shown in Figure 5 as an example, the lifting mechanism lowers the suspension plate 52 until the battery inspection unit side connection part 54 and the connection part 24 of the probe unit 20 housed in the tray 10 placed on the lifting plate 53 are connected.

[0050] In the embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 6, a probe unit 20 and a power supply integrated probe unit 30 are given as examples. However, by raising and lowering the lifting plate 53 and the suspension plate 52 using a lifting mechanism, the charge / discharge power supply unit 32, including the connection part 33, can also be connected to the battery inspection unit side connection part 54.

[0051] [Fixing mechanism] To improve safety in such operational flows, it is desirable that the charge / discharge inspection system be equipped with a fixing mechanism. (Tray-side fixing mechanism) Figure 7 shows an example of the tray-side fixing mechanism 60. In this embodiment, the tray-side fixing mechanism 60 (60a, 60b) is provided on the tray 10 (guide sections 13a, 13b), and consists of a locking section 61 (61a, 61b) and an operating section 62 (62a, 62b).

[0052] As shown in Figure 7(A), when locked, the locking portion 61 (61a, 61b) engages with the probe holding plate 21 of the integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit 30, thereby fixing the integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit 30 to the tray 10. The probe unit 20 can be fixed in the same manner. This ensures that when the tray 10 is transported by the transport device, or when the tray 10 is placed on the lifting plate 53 of the battery inspection unit 50 and moves up or down, the probe unit 20 and the integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit 30 housed in the storage section 11 of the tray 10 can be securely fixed to the tray 10.

[0053] As shown in Figure 7(B), when unlocking, the locking portion 61(61a,61b) can be released by the operating portion 62(62a,62b). For example, by rotating the operating portion 62(62a,62b) around a pivot point (see the arrow in Figure 7(A)) and applying force to a part of the locking portion 61(61a,61b), the portion where the probe holding plate 21 and the locking portion 61(61a,61b) are engaged can be separated (see the arrow in Figure 7(B)).

[0054] In this embodiment, the tray-side fixing mechanism 60 is composed of a locking portion 61 and an operating portion 62. However, as such a fixing mechanism, known technologies such as an auto latch in which one member engages with another, or a pin unit / anti-back unit can be used on the tray 10 side or on the battery inspection unit 50 side.

[0055] Furthermore, the tray-side fixing mechanism 60 can similarly fix the probe unit 20 to the tray 10 by engaging the locking portion 61 with the probe holding plate 21 of the probe unit 20. The tray-side fixing mechanism 60 can also be used to fix the charge / discharge power supply unit 32 to the tray 10. In this case, instead of the probe holding plate 21, any part that the locking portion 61 of the tray-side fixing mechanism 60 can firmly engage with, such as the casing (outer frame) of the charge / discharge power supply unit 32, is sufficient. Of course, the locking portion 61 of the tray-side fixing mechanism 60 can also be engaged with parts of the probe unit 20 and the integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit 30 other than the probe holding plate 21.

[0056] (Battery inspection unit side fixing mechanism) On the other hand, Figure 8 shows an example of the battery inspection unit side fixing mechanism 70. In this embodiment, the battery inspection unit side fixing mechanism 70 (70a, 70b) is provided across the battery inspection unit 50 side (probe unit fixing mechanism 55a, 55b) and the tray 10 side, and consists of a locking part 71 (71a, 71b) and an operating part 72 (72a, 72b).

[0057] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8(A), when locked, the locking portions 71 (71a, 71b) provided on the probe unit fixing mechanisms 55a, 55b, respectively, engage with the probe holding plate 21 of the integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit 30, thereby fixing the integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit 30 to the battery inspection unit 50. The probe unit 20 can be fixed in the same manner.

[0058] When unlocking, the operating parts 72 (72a, 72b) provided on the tray 10 (guide parts 13a, 13b) rotate around a pivot point (see arrow in Figure 8(A)), and by applying force to a part of the locking part 71 (71a, 71b), the part in which the probe holding plate 21 and the locking part 71 (71a, 71b) are engaged can be separated (see arrow in Figure 8(B)).

[0059] Furthermore, the battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanism 70, like the tray-side fixing mechanism 60, can also fix the probe unit 20 and the charge / discharge power supply unit 32 to the battery inspection unit 50. The portion that engages with the locking portion 71 of the battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanism 70 is not limited to the probe holding plate 21. In addition, the battery inspection unit 50 may be configured to have an operating portion 72, and known technologies can be used as fixing mechanisms on the tray 10 side and the battery inspection unit 50 side, similar to the tray-side fixing mechanism 60.

[0060] (Tray-side fixing mechanism and battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanism) Figures 9 and 10 show examples of a tray-side fixing mechanism 81 and a battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanism 82, which consist only of locking parts. As shown in Figure 9, the tray-side fixing mechanism 81 has a pivot point 811, which is movably attached to, for example, the tray 10.

[0061] Furthermore, the tip 812 of the tray-side fixing mechanism 81 is tapered, and a part of the tip 812 has an engaging portion 813 formed therein that engages with the probe holding plate 21. On the other hand, the battery inspection unit side fixing mechanism 82 consists of a pivot point 821, a tip 822, and an engaging portion 823, which have the same functions as those of the tray side fixing mechanism 81. The battery inspection unit side fixing mechanism 82, for example, has its pivot point 821 movably attached to a support member 521 extending from the suspension plate 52.

[0062] Referring to Figure 9, these operations are explained as follows: Figure 9 shows the procedure in which the probe unit (probe holding plate 21), which is initially fixed by the battery inspection unit side fixing mechanism 82, is then fixed to the tray by the tray side fixing mechanism 81. Here, the tip of the mechanism to be fixed next (the tip 812 of the tray-side fixing mechanism 81 in the example shown in Figure 9) is located inward (towards the probe holding plate 21) than the tip of the mechanism that is initially fixed (the tip 822 of the battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanism 82 in the example shown in Figure 9) (see the dashed line frame in Figure 9(A)).

[0063] From this state, raising the tray-side fixing mechanism 81 causes the tip 812 of the tray-side fixing mechanism 81 to come into contact with the inside of the tip 822 of the battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanism 82 (see Figure 9(B)), and as it rises, it pushes the tip 822 of the battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanism 82 outwards (see Figure 9(C)).

[0064] Then, by raising the tray-side fixing mechanism 81 until the engaging portion 813 of the tray-side fixing mechanism 81 engages with the probe holding plate 21, the fixing of the battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanism 82 is released, and the probe unit is fixed to the tray by the tray-side fixing mechanism 81 (see Figure 9(D)).

[0065] Figure 10 also shows the procedure in which the probe unit (probe holding plate 21), which is initially fixed by the tray-side fixing mechanism 81, is then fixed inside the battery inspection unit by the battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanism 82. In this case, the tip of the mechanism to be fixed next (the tip 822 of the battery inspection unit side fixing mechanism 82 in the example shown in Figure 10) is located inward from the tip of the mechanism that was initially fixed (the tip 812 of the tray side fixing mechanism 81 in the example shown in Figure 10) (see the dashed line frame in Figure 10(A)).

[0066] By raising the tray from this state, the tray-side fixing mechanism 81 and the probe unit housed in the tray rise, and the tip 822 of the battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanism 82 comes into contact with the inside of the tip 812 of the tray-side fixing mechanism 81 (see Figure 10(B)), and the tip 812 of the tray-side fixing mechanism 81 is pushed outward as it rises (see Figure 10(C)).

[0067] Then, by raising the tray (the probe unit housed in the tray) until the engaging portion 823 of the battery inspection unit side fixing mechanism 82 engages with the probe holding plate 21, the fixing of the tray side fixing mechanism 81 is released, and the probe unit is fixed inside the battery inspection unit by the battery inspection unit side fixing mechanism 82 (see Figure 10(D)).

[0068] Although not shown in the diagram, multiple tray-side fixing mechanisms 81 and battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanisms 82 are provided, such as tray-side fixing mechanisms 60a, 60b and battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanisms 70a, 70b. Furthermore, there are no restrictions on where these are provided, and the parts that engage with the engaging portion 813 of the tray-side fixing mechanism 81 and the engaging portion 823 of the battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanism 82 are not limited to the probe holding plate 21. The positional relationship between the tip 812 of the tray-side fixing mechanism 81 and the tip 822 of the battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanism 82 can be adjusted, for example, by determining the position in which the tray 10 is placed on the lifting plate 53 (see Figures 5 and 6).

[0069] (Maintenance Station) The tray 10 containing the probe unit 20 and the power supply integrated probe unit 30 removed from the battery inspection unit 50 can be transported to the maintenance station. The maintenance station is equipped to clean or replace the probe 22 of the transported probe unit 20. The maintenance station is also equipped to perform automatic calibration and replacement of the power supply unit 31 of the transported power supply integrated probe unit 30.

[0070] In this case, for example, the power supply unit 31 can be automatically calibrated by lifting the power supply unit 30, which has been transported into the maintenance station 90 along with the tray 10, using a lifting mechanism, then holding only the power supply unit 30 and sliding it, and connecting it to the calibration jig 92 placed on the calibrator mounting stand 91 (see Figure 11).

[0071] Thus, with the charge / discharge inspection system according to the present invention, the probe unit 20 and other components can be easily transported to the maintenance station 90 using the tray 10, making it possible to easily perform time-consuming and safety-critical maintenance such as cleaning and replacing the probe 22.

[0072] The charge / discharge inspection system described above is an example of the charge / discharge inspection system of the present invention, and the configuration of the present invention is not limited to that example, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the configuration of the tray separator 12 and guide section 13 provided on the tray 10 can be appropriately redesigned to suit the type and size of the probe unit 20, charge / discharge power supply unit 32, charge / discharge power supply integrated probe unit 30, or secondary battery 40 to be tested. [Industrial applicability]

[0073] This invention is industrially useful because it is a charge / discharge inspection system that does not have a complex configuration and can easily perform maintenance such as cleaning the probe tip, replacing defective probes, and calibrating the power supply, and can be used in a variety of situations. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 10 trays 11. Storage Unit 12 Tray Separators 13, 13a, 13b, 13c Guide section 13T, 13Ta, 13Tb, 13Tc Upper end of the guide section 20 probe units 21 Probe holding plate 22 probes 23 Wiring section 24 Probe unit side connection 25 Electrical component housing 30 Power supply integrated probe unit 31 Power supply section 32 Charge / Discharge Power Unit 33 Power supply integrated probe unit side connection section 34 Casing (outer frame) 40 Secondary battery 50 Battery Inspection Unit 51 Top plate 52 Hanging Plate 521 Support member for suspension plate 53 Lifting Plate 54 Battery inspection unit side connection 55, 55a, 55b Probe unit fixing mechanism 60, 60a, 60b Tray-side fixing mechanism 61, 61a, 61b Locking part of tray-side fixing mechanism 62, 62a, 62b Operating section of tray-side fixing mechanism 70, 70a, 70b Battery inspection unit side fixing mechanism 71, 71a, 71b Locking part of the fixing mechanism on the battery inspection unit side 72, 72a, 72b Operating section of the battery inspection unit side fixing mechanism 81 Tray-side fixing mechanism 811 Pivot point of tray-side fixing mechanism 812 Tip of tray-side fixing mechanism 813 Engaging part of tray-side fixing mechanism 82 Battery inspection unit side fixing mechanism 821 Pivot point of the fixing mechanism on the battery inspection unit side 822 Tip of the fixing mechanism on the battery inspection unit side 823 Engaging portion of the fixing mechanism on the battery inspection unit side 90 Maintenance Station 91 Calibrator mounting stand 92 Calibration jig

Claims

1. A battery inspection unit of a charge and discharge inspection device, A tray having a storage section, into which a probe unit, a charge and discharge power supply unit, and a charge and discharge power supply integrated probe unit can be stored from above, and which is transported in a state of storing any one of these and placed in the battery inspection unit, A transport device that transports the tray from the battery inspection unit to another location or transports the tray from another location to the battery inspection unit, A charge and discharge inspection system having the above.

2. The tray is A plurality of tray separators that divide the storage area of the storage section, A guide section that supports the probe unit or the charge and discharge power supply integrated probe unit stored in the storage section, and that supports these probes so as not to contact within the storage section, The charge and discharge inspection system according to claim 1, comprising the above.

3. The storage section can further store a secondary battery to be inspected, The charge and discharge inspection system according to claim 2, wherein the tray is transported in a state of storing a secondary battery to be inspected and placed in the battery inspection unit.

4. The charge and discharge inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the storage section can further store an elevator capable of raising and lowering a probe unit, a charge and discharge power supply unit, or a charge and discharge power supply integrated probe unit.

5. When the tray is transported by the transport device, or when the tray is placed on the lifting plate of the battery inspection unit and lifted or lowered, or when a probe unit, a charge and discharge power supply unit, or a charge and discharge power supply integrated probe unit is stored in the tray, a tray-side fixing mechanism for fixing the probe unit, the charge and discharge power supply unit, or the charge and discharge power supply integrated probe unit stored in the storage section of the tray to the tray is provided. The charge and discharge inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The charge and discharge inspection system according to claim 5, wherein the battery inspection unit is provided with a battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanism for fixing the probe unit, the charge and discharge power supply unit, or the charge and discharge power supply integrated probe unit stored and transported in the tray within the battery inspection unit.

7. A lifting mechanism that raises the tray placed on the lifting plate of the battery inspection unit and connects the probe unit or the charge and discharge power supply unit, or the integrated charge and discharge power supply probe unit accommodated in the tray to the connection part provided on the battery inspection unit side. Or, a lifting mechanism that lowers the suspension plate of the battery inspection unit and connects the probe unit or the charge and discharge power supply unit, or the integrated charge and discharge power supply probe unit accommodated in the tray placed in the battery inspection unit to the connection part provided on the battery inspection unit side. The charge and discharge inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, having the above.

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