Power supply integrated secondary battery charging and discharging device

Abstract

A secondary battery charging and discharging device with an integrated power supply is disclosed, which performs charging and discharging for the activation or testing of a secondary battery. The secondary battery charging and discharging device with an integrated power supply according to the present invention comprises a jig portion configured to accommodate a plurality of secondary batteries, a rail portion disposed on the upper part of the jig portion, and a power supply portion equipped with a power unit for charging and discharging the secondary battery and a charging and discharging probe electrically connected to the power unit, wherein the power supply portion is coupled to the jig portion via the rail portion so as to be inserted into and withdrawn in a sliding manner.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a secondary battery charging and discharging device, and more particularly to a secondary battery charging and discharging device with an integrated power unit, wherein a power unit that performs a power conversion function for charging and discharging a secondary battery is configured integrally so that it can be inserted into and withdrawn from a jig unit for mounting and fixing the secondary battery in a sliding manner. Background Technology

[0002] The manufacturing process for secondary batteries includes a charge-discharge process. As a critical step that determines the performance and lifespan of a battery, the charge-discharge process plays a vital role in facilitating initial activation and optimizing performance. Generally referred to as the formation process, it focuses on optimizing the reaction of active materials within the cell and forming a stable structure.

[0003] In particular, in high-performance batteries such as lithium-ion batteries, a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer is formed through the charge-discharge process, which is essential for protecting the electrode surface, suppressing the decomposition of the electrolyte, and ensuring the long-term stability of the battery. The quality of the SEI layer directly affects the initial capacity and charge-discharge efficiency of the battery. Therefore, the charge-discharge process serves as a criterion for evaluating the initial performance of a secondary battery and determining whether it is defective.

[0004] The conditions of the charging and discharging process must be strictly managed as they significantly impact the performance and lifespan of the battery. For example, since the heat generated during charging and discharging can affect the rate and uniformity of chemical reactions within the cell, the temperature during the process is strictly controlled. Furthermore, the magnitude of the current and voltage used during charging and discharging, as well as the charging and discharging rates, must be optimized according to the characteristics and application of each battery.

[0005] Failure to manage these conditions can lead to battery performance degradation, shortened lifespan, or even safety issues. In particular, if temperature and current conditions are not properly controlled, excessive internal heat generation poses a risk of cell damage or thermal runaway. Therefore, real-time monitoring and control systems during the manufacturing process are essential for ensuring the safety and reliability of the battery.

[0006] Charge-discharge devices used in the secondary battery manufacturing process are designed for mass production and are equipped with the capability to process multiple cells (secondary batteries) simultaneously. These devices evaluate the quality of each cell by recording and analyzing charge-discharge data in real time. The data collection and analysis system measures the capacity, voltage, and internal resistance of each cell to support the automatic identification of cells that do not meet standards.

[0007] However, conventional charge / discharge devices used in secondary battery manufacturing processes have a structure in which the power supply unit, which performs power conversion for charging and discharging, is equipped with a charge / discharge probe and is separated from the jig unit where the secondary battery is mounted and fixed, and is electrically connected via a separate cable. This structure requires securing a separate space for the power supply unit and has the problem of increasing the overall installation area of ​​the equipment.

[0008] Furthermore, the numerous cables connecting the power supply and the jig unit reduce the device's maintainability and make cable management and maintenance complex. In addition, there is a problem of rising equipment costs as the overall size of the equipment increases and design and manufacturing costs rise. Moreover, the overall efficiency of the equipment is reduced due to increased power loss during the process of transmitting converted power to the jig unit through long cables.

[0009] Meanwhile, secondary batteries are composed of various types, and the spacing between a pair of electrodes (+ and - electrodes) varies depending on the type. However, conventional charging and discharging devices are designed and manufactured to match the electrode spacing of individual secondary batteries, or require components to be replaced to match that spacing; consequently, there are issues such as increased manufacturing and operating costs and reduced process efficiency. Prior art literature

[0010] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0134431 (Publication Date Dec. 10, 2013) The problem to be solved

[0011] The technical problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a secondary battery charging and discharging device with an integrated power supply that improves the maintainability of the secondary battery charging and discharging device, provides convenience for cable management and maintenance, achieves miniaturization of the charging and discharging device, and minimizes power loss.

[0012] Another technical problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a power supply unit integrated charging and discharging device having structural flexibility that can flexibly respond to various electrode spacings different for each secondary battery type with a single device. means of solving the problem

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention as a means of solving the problem, a secondary battery charging and discharging device integrated with a power supply unit is provided, comprising a jig portion configured to accommodate a plurality of secondary batteries for activation or testing of a secondary battery, a rail portion disposed on the upper part of the jig portion, a power unit for charging and discharging the secondary battery, and a power supply portion having a charging and discharging probe electrically connected to the power unit, wherein the power supply portion is coupled to the jig portion in a sliding manner so as to be inserted into and withdrawn from the jig portion through the rail portion.

[0014] In a secondary battery charging and discharging device according to the present invention, the jig portion comprises a lower base frame, an upper fixed frame spaced apart from the lower base frame, a lifting frame movably disposed between the lower base frame and the upper fixed frame, a battery tray supported by the lifting frame and having a plurality of secondary batteries mounted thereon, and a lifting drive unit for driving the lifting frame up and down, and the rail portion may be disposed on the upper fixed frame.

[0015] In the secondary battery charging and discharging device according to the present invention, the lower base frame and the upper fixed frame may be connected by two or more lifting guide shafts, and when the lifting drive unit operates, the lifting frame may be configured to move up and down between the lower base frame and the upper fixed frame along the lifting guide shafts.

[0016] In the secondary battery charging and discharging device according to the present invention, the rail portion may be configured to include at least two rail fixing members installed upright at a distance from each other on the upper fixed frame of the jig portion, and a rail unit arranged to face the adjacent rail fixing members to guide the power supply unit to be inserted and withdrawn horizontally in a sliding manner relative to the jig portion.

[0017] Here, the rail unit may be configured to include a side rail member having a plurality of rotating elements that guide and support the horizontal movement of the power supply unit while rotating, and an upper fixing member having a plurality of rotating elements that covers the side portion of the power tray included in the power supply unit from above to restrict movement other than a predetermined horizontal movement.

[0018] In the secondary battery charging and discharging device according to the present invention, the rail portion may also further include a lock member installed on the upper fixing member and fixed so that the power supply portion does not move at a desired position.

[0019] In the secondary battery charging and discharging device according to the present invention, the power supply unit further includes a plate-shaped power tray that is arranged to face the secondary battery mounted on the jig unit and is capable of sliding horizontally along the rail unit, and the charging and discharging probe is arranged on a first surface of the power tray facing the secondary battery and is configured to form pairs of two probes corresponding to each secondary battery, and the power unit can be mounted on a second surface of the power tray located opposite the first surface.

[0020] Here, the power unit may be equipped with a plurality of charge / discharge boards, each corresponding to one pair of charge / discharge probes to perform power supply.

[0021] In a secondary battery charging and discharging device according to the present invention, the power unit preferably comprises a unit frame, a plurality of lower fixing members spaced apart at the lower end of the unit frame, an upper fixing member spaced at the upper end of the unit frame corresponding to each of the lower fixing members, and a plurality of charging and discharging boards mounted to be inserted into and withdrawn from the unit frame in a sliding manner through the upper fixing member and the lower fixing member forming a pair corresponding to each other.

[0022] Here, a slot for sliding the charge / discharge board is formed in each lower fixing member, and a slot corresponding to the slot of the lower fixing member may be formed in each upper fixing member.

[0023] In the secondary battery charging and discharging device according to the present invention, the power unit may further include a main board disposed on one side of the unit frame and electrically connected to the plurality of charging and discharging boards simultaneously, and a plurality of cooling fans installed on the upper part of the unit frame and supplying cooling air toward the charging and discharging boards.

[0024] In the secondary battery charging and discharging device according to the present invention, each charging and discharging board may be provided with a pair of output terminals.

[0025] Here, one of the pair of output terminals is electrically connected to one of the two charge / discharge probes corresponding to each charge / discharge board through a first charge / discharge cable, and the other one can be electrically connected to the other of the two charge / discharge probes through a second charge / discharge cable.

[0026] In the secondary battery charging and discharging device according to the present invention, the charging and discharging probes may be configured in multiple pairs so that two probes are paired and correspond to each secondary battery, and the spacing between the two charging and discharging probes of each pair may be configured to be automatically adjusted simultaneously according to different electrode spacings for each secondary battery type.

[0027] The secondary battery charging and discharging device according to the present invention may further include a spacing adjustment unit that automatically adjusts the spacing between paired charging and discharging probes by synchronizing them.

[0028] Here, the gap adjustment unit may include a first movable block and a second movable block configured to move in a direction closer to or further apart from each other along a linear guide installed on the first surface of a power tray constituting the power supply unit, and a gap adjustment driving unit driven to move the first movable block and the second movable block simultaneously toward each other or in opposite directions.

[0029] In the secondary battery charging and discharging device according to the present invention, a plurality of first charging and discharging probes may be arranged in a row at regular intervals in the first movable block, and a plurality of second charging and discharging probes may be installed in the second movable block to form pairs corresponding to each of the first charging and discharging probes.

[0030] In a secondary battery charging and discharging device according to the present invention, the gap adjustment driving unit may be configured to include an actuator that generates rotational force for gap adjustment, a rotating shaft that rotates by means of the actuator, a gap adjustment shaft that is arranged perpendicularly to the rotating shaft and rotates in conjunction with the rotational movement of the rotating shaft through a power transmission element, and a motion conversion element installed in each of the first movable block and the second movable block to convert the rotational movement of the gap adjustment shaft into linear movement.

[0031] Here, the gap adjustment shaft has a left-hand thread formed on one side and a right-hand thread formed on the other side based on the center point intersecting the rotation shaft, and the motion conversion element may be a nut that is screw-coupled with the thread of the gap adjustment shaft. Effects of the invention

[0032] According to the secondary battery charging and discharging device with an integrated power supply unit of the present invention, the power supply unit, which performs a power conversion function for charging and discharging the secondary battery, is installed in an integrated structure with the jig unit for mounting and fixing the secondary battery, thereby eliminating the need to secure space for a separate power supply unit. In addition, compared to conventional configurations where the power supply unit is separated, the installation area of ​​the device can be significantly reduced, thereby effectively achieving miniaturization of the charging and discharging device.

[0033] Furthermore, since the power supply unit is connected to the jig in a sliding manner, it offers the advantage of easy maintenance. Additionally, because the power supply unit is located in the jig, the length of the charging and discharging cables electrically connecting them is shortened, making cable management easier and improving maintenance convenience. Moreover, the reduced cable length leads to decreased power loss, which in turn improves power efficiency.

[0034] In addition, by applying a configuration in which the spacing of the charge / discharge probes is automatically adjusted to match the different electrode spacings of each secondary battery type, compared to conventional configurations where equipment must be designed and manufactured to match the electrode spacing of individual secondary batteries or components must be replaced accordingly, a single device can flexibly respond to secondary battery types with various electrode spacings, thereby significantly improving process efficiency and the convenience of equipment operation. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a secondary battery charging and discharging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the secondary battery charging and discharging device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a side view (left side view) of the secondary battery charging and discharging device of FIG. 1. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the power supply unit being inserted and withdrawn in a sliding manner relative to the jig part. FIG. 5 is a drawing showing the jig portion extracted from the secondary battery charging and discharging device shown in FIG. 1 to 3. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the rail portion of a secondary battery charging and discharging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 7 to 9 are drawings showing the power supply unit extracted from the secondary battery charging and discharging device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, FIG. 7 is a front view of the power supply unit, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are partial enlarged perspective views of the power supply unit viewed from different angles. Figure 10 is an enlarged view of the main part of the power unit to show the combined state of the charge / discharge board. FIG. 11 is a drawing showing a preferred embodiment of a spacing adjustment unit that automatically adjusts the spacing between paired charge / discharge probes by synchronizing them. FIG. 12 is a detailed view of the main part of the present invention, enlarged from section 'A' in FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is an operational state diagram of the present invention showing the process of adjusting the spacing of a pair of charge / discharge probes according to the driving of the spacing adjustment unit shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0036] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0037] The embodiments are provided to more fully explain the invention to those skilled in the art, and the following embodiments may be modified in various different forms, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the disclosure more faithful and complete and to fully convey the spirit of the invention.

[0038] The terms used herein are for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Additionally, the singular form in this specification may include the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0039] In this application, terms such as "comprising," "having," and "having" are intended to specify the existence of features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof of the invention, and should be understood as not excluding in advance the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0040] And, unless there are special circumstances, the fact that a component is "in front," "rear," "upper," or "lower" of another component includes not only being placed in direct contact with the other component at the "front," "rear," "upper," or "lower" of it, but also cases where another component is placed in between. Furthermore, the fact that a component is "connected" to another component includes not only being directly connected to each other, but also being indirectly connected to each other, unless there are special circumstances.

[0041] The drawings are intended solely to facilitate an understanding of the concept of the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Furthermore, it should be noted that relative thicknesses, lengths, or sizes in the drawings may be exaggerated for convenience and clarity of explanation.

[0042] The secondary battery charging and discharging device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device used in the charging and discharging process during the secondary battery manufacturing process. The secondary battery charging and discharging device according to the embodiment is designed to be suitable for mass production and is configured to perform charging and discharging on multiple secondary batteries simultaneously. In particular, a power supply unit that performs a power conversion function for charging and discharging secondary batteries is installed in an integrated structure with a jig unit for mounting and fixing secondary batteries, and is configured to flexibly respond to different electrode spacings for each secondary battery type with a single charging and discharging device.

[0043] For reference, the charging and discharging process of a secondary battery is a critical step that determines the battery's performance and lifespan, playing a vital role in promoting initial activation and optimizing performance. This process, also commonly referred to as the formation process, is important for optimizing the reaction of active materials within the cell and forming a stable structure.

[0044] We will examine in detail the secondary battery charging and discharging device according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a secondary battery charging and discharging device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the secondary battery charging and discharging device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a side view (left side view). FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the power supply unit being inserted and withdrawn in a sliding manner relative to the jig part. With reference to these drawings, we will first examine the overall configuration of the secondary battery charging and discharging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a secondary battery charging and discharging device (1) according to an embodiment is a device that performs charging and discharging for the activation or testing of a secondary battery, and includes a jig part (10), a rail part (20), and a power supply part (30). The jig part (10) may be configured to accommodate a plurality of secondary batteries (2) simultaneously. A rail part (20) is disposed on the upper part of the jig part (10), and a power supply part (30) may be integrally formed with the jig part (10) through the rail part (20).

[0047] The jig unit (10) may be configured to simultaneously mount and fix multiple secondary batteries (2). The jig unit (10) may also be configured to move multiple secondary batteries (2) from a predetermined loading / unloading position to a charging / discharging position, or vice versa. The power supply unit (30) is for performing charging and discharging of the secondary batteries (2) fixed at the charging / discharging position and may be equipped with various charging and discharging elements, including a power unit (32) and charging / discharging probes (36a, 36b).

[0048] Loading / unloading of the secondary battery to the jig section (10) can be performed using a dedicated loading / unloading robot or by manual labor, and the power supply section (30) can be connected to the jig section (10) so as to be inserted and withdrawn in a sliding manner through the rail section (20) positioned on the upper part of the jig section (10) (see FIG. 4). As a result, the secondary battery charging / discharging device (2) according to the embodiment can perform maintenance or parts replacement work on the power supply section (30), which includes the power unit (32) and charging / discharging probes (36a, 36b), very efficiently.

[0049] Let us examine the configuration of the secondary battery charging and discharging device according to the embodiment in more detail, part by part.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing the jig portion extracted from the secondary battery charging and discharging device shown in FIG. 1 to 3 above, and we will examine the configuration of the jig portion in detail with reference to this.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 5, the jig portion (10) includes a lower base frame (12) and an upper fixed frame (16) spaced apart from each other. A lifting frame (14) is positioned so as to be movable between the two frames (12, 16), and a battery tray (15) for simultaneously mounting and fixing a plurality of secondary batteries (2) can be seated and fixed on the lifting frame (14). For example, to perform the loading / unloading operation of the secondary batteries more efficiently, the battery tray (15) can be configured to be detachable from the lifting frame (14).

[0052] The lifting frame (14) can be driven to be raised and lowered in the vertical direction in the drawing by the lifting drive unit (18). Accordingly, a plurality of secondary batteries (2) are loaded onto the battery tray (15) at a predetermined initial loading position, and then can be moved to a predetermined charging and discharging position according to the upward movement of the lifting frame (14) driven by the lifting drive unit (18). Additionally, when the charging and discharging process is completed, they can be moved to a predetermined unloading position (or initial loading position) according to the downward movement of the lifting frame (14).

[0053] In the embodiment, the lower base frame (12) and the upper fixed frame (16) can be interconnected through a lifting guide shaft (13) that is vertically arranged in the drawing. The lifting guide shaft (13) may be formed in multiple numbers. A tubular lifting member (17) is mounted on each lifting guide shaft (13) so as to be slidably movable along the corresponding lifting guide shaft (13), and a lifting frame (14) can be connected to the lifting guide shaft (13) so as to be movable via the lifting member (17).

[0054] According to this, when the lifting drive unit (18) is driven according to a set control sequence, the lifting frame (14) can be safely and stably moved up and down along a lifting path determined by the lifting guide shaft (13). As a result, a plurality of secondary batteries (2) can be stably moved from a loading position to a charging / discharging position or in the opposite direction without shaking, and the accuracy and reliability of the charging / discharging process can be improved.

[0055] The lifting drive unit (18) may be a motor-based drive system including, for example, a motor (180) that generates rotational force, a power transmission shaft (182) that rotates by the rotational force of the motor (180), and a conversion element (184), such as a lead screw, a ball screw, or a cam, that converts the rotational motion of the power transmission shaft (182) into linear motion. Of course, it is not limited thereto, and a cylinder drive system including a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder may also be applied.

[0056] That is, the driving method of the lifting drive unit (18) applied in the embodiment can be appropriately selected from known lifting drive mechanisms depending on the design purpose or usage environment of the secondary battery charging / discharging device. More specifically, each method can be configured to exhibit optimal performance by considering the ease of control, operational efficiency, movement accuracy, speed, and ease of maintenance of the lifting drive unit (18).

[0057] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the rail portion of a secondary battery charging and discharging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 6, the rail section (20) may be positioned on the upper part of the jig section (10). Preferably, the rail section (20) may be positioned on the upper fixed frame (16) of the jig section (10) to guide the sliding insertion and withdrawal of the power supply section (30) to the jig section (10). As an example, the rail section (20) may include a pair of rail fixing members (22) and a rail unit (24) positioned opposite each rail fixing member (22) to guide the insertion and withdrawal of the power supply section (30).

[0059] The rail fixing member (22) may be composed of at least two structures installed upright at a distance from each other on the upper fixing frame (16) of the jig part (10). The rail unit (24) may be positioned to face each other on each of the adjacent rail fixing members (22) and may serve to guide the power supply unit (30) so that it can be stably inserted and withdrawn horizontally without shaking in a sliding manner relative to the jig part (10).

[0060] The rail unit (24) may include a side rail member (26) and an upper fixing member (28). The side rail member (26) may be equipped with a plurality of rotating elements (b1), such as bearings, that rotate while fixed to precisely guide and support the horizontal movement (direction of the arrow in the drawing) of the power supply unit (30), and the upper fixing member (28) serves to cover a portion of the side of the power tray (34) included in the power supply unit (30) from above to restrict movement other than a predetermined horizontal movement.

[0061] A plurality of rotating elements (b2) may be provided on the upper fixing member (28) to rotate while fixed and precisely guide the movement of the power tray (34). Additionally, a locking member (29) may be installed on the upper fixing member (28) to stably fix the power supply unit (30), which is inserted and withdrawn in a sliding manner, at a desired position. The locking member (29) may have a structure such as an index plunger, for example. Of course, it can be changed to various other forms depending on the design purpose or usage environment of the device.

[0062] For reference, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate an example configuration in which three power supply units (30) having the same configuration are installed to be inserted into and withdrawn from one jig unit (10) through three pairs of rail units (20). However, it should be noted that the number of power supply units (30) is not limited to three, and the number of power supply units (30) can be flexibly adjusted according to device requirements, processing capacity, usage environment, etc.

[0063] FIGS. 7 to 9 are drawings illustrating the power supply unit extracted from the secondary battery charging and discharging device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 above, where FIG. 7 is a front view of the power supply unit, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are enlarged perspective views of the power supply unit viewed from different angles.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 7 through 9, the power supply unit (30) includes a plate-shaped power tray (34) having a rectangular planar shape. The power tray (34) may be configured to be movable in a horizontal direction along the aforementioned rail unit (20). A plurality of pairs of charge / discharge probes (36a, 36b) are arranged on the first surface (340, the lower surface of the power tray in the drawing) of the power tray (34) facing the secondary battery (2), and a power unit (32) may be mounted on the opposite second surface (342, the upper surface of the power tray in the drawing).

[0065] The charge / discharge probes (36a, 36b) may be arranged in multiple pairs on the first surface (340) so that they correspond to each secondary battery (2) in pairs. Additionally, the power unit (32) may be equipped with multiple charge / discharge boards (320) that correspond to each pair of charge / discharge probes (36a, 36b) and independently perform power supply. As a result, individual charge / discharge control for each secondary battery (2) can be performed, and during maintenance, only the charge / discharge boards (320) can be individually replaced or upgraded.

[0066] Each charge / discharge board (320) constituting the power unit (32) may be provided with a pair of output terminals ((+) terminal and (-) terminal). One of the pair of output terminals (321a, 321b) may be electrically connected to one of the two charge / discharge probes (36a, 36b) corresponding to each charge / discharge board (320) via a first charge / discharge cable (322a). Additionally, the other output terminal may be electrically connected to the other of the two charge / discharge probes (36a, 36b) via a second charge / discharge cable (322b).

[0067] Figure 10 is an enlarged view of the main part of the power unit to show the combined state of the charge / discharge board.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 8, the power unit (32) includes a unit frame (324) and a plurality of lower fixing members (326) spaced apart from each other at the lower end of the unit frame (324). The power unit (32) also includes an upper fixing member (327) positioned at the upper end of the unit frame (324) corresponding to each of the lower fixing members (326), and a plurality of the charge / discharge boards (320) mounted and fixed to the unit frame (324) through the upper fixing members (327) and lower fixing members (326) that correspond to each other and form a pair.

[0069] In each lower fixing member (326), slots (s) for sliding in and out of the charge / discharge board (320) may be continuously formed along the length of the lower fixing member (326), and corresponding slots (s) may also be formed in each upper fixing member (327). Accordingly, each charge / discharge board (320) can be detachably mounted to the unit frame (324) by a side sliding in and out method as shown in FIG. 8 by means of a pair of corresponding lower and upper fixing members (326, 327).

[0070] According to this configuration, only the charge / discharge boards requiring maintenance can be easily and individually removed. This ensures ease of replacement or upgrade of the charge / discharge boards (320), and consequently, significantly improves the efficiency of maintenance work. In addition, as the replacement or upgrade of the charge / discharge boards is easy, maintenance time is shortened, and there is an advantage in that a quick response is possible in the event of a defect.

[0071] In an embodiment, the power unit (32) may include a main board (328) and a cooling fan (329) (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 8). The main board (328) may be placed on one side of the unit frame (324) and may be provided with a plurality of connectors (not shown) so that a plurality of charge / discharge boards (320) are electrically connected simultaneously. A plurality of cooling fans (329) may be installed on the upper part of the unit frame (324) and configured to efficiently supply cooling air toward the plurality of charge / discharge boards (320).

[0072] As mentioned, the charge / discharge probes (36a, 36b) can be configured in multiple corresponding pairs, with two pairs for each secondary battery (2). The secondary battery (2) includes a (+) terminal and a (-) terminal for charging and discharging, and the distance between the two terminals varies depending on the secondary battery type or design specifications. Therefore, in order to handle various types of secondary batteries with a single charge / discharge device, a technical mechanism capable of flexibly responding to different electrode spacings is required.

[0073] The secondary battery charging / discharging device (1) according to the embodiment may be equipped with a mechanism in which the distance between two charging / discharging probes (36a, 36b) of each charging / discharging probe pair is automatically adjusted according to different electrode spacings for each secondary battery type. More specifically, it may include a spacing adjustment unit (40) that automatically adjusts the distance between the paired charging / discharging probes (36a, 36b) by synchronizing them. The spacing adjustment unit (40) may be configured to flexibly respond to various secondary battery types.

[0074] A preferred embodiment of the gap adjustment part will be examined in detail below with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13.

[0075] FIG. 11 is a drawing showing a preferred embodiment of a spacing adjustment unit that automatically adjusts the spacing between pairs of charging and discharging probes by synchronizing them, and illustrates a mechanism for simultaneously adjusting the spacing of each pair of charging and discharging probes constituting three power supply units using a single actuator (e.g., a stepper motor). In addition, FIG. 12 is a detailed view of the main part of the present invention, showing an enlarged view of section 'A' in FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 is an operational state diagram showing the process of adjusting the spacing of the pairs of charging and discharging probes according to the driving of the spacing adjustment unit.

[0076] Referring to FIGS. 11 to 13, a spacing adjustment unit (40) according to an embodiment as a preferred example includes a first movable block (42a) and a second movable block (42b) provided in each power supply unit (30, each power supply unit configured in three rows in the drawing), and a spacing adjustment driving unit (44) driven to move the first movable block (42a) and the second movable block (42b) provided in each power supply unit (30) simultaneously toward each other or in opposite directions.

[0077] The first movable block (42a) and the second movable block (42b) can be positioned to be movable in a specific direction (left and right direction based on FIG. 13) via a linear guide (41) on the first surface (340) of the power tray (34) constituting each power supply unit (30). More specifically, the first movable block (42a) and the second movable block (42b) can be mounted to be movable in a direction closer to or further away from each other along the linear guide (41) installed on the first surface (340) of the power tray (34) constituting each power supply unit (30).

[0078] In the embodiment, a plurality of first charge / discharge probes (36a) may be arranged at regular intervals along a direction that intersects perpendicularly with the specific direction (length direction of the power supply unit (30) shown in FIG. 11) in the first movable block (42a). Symmetrically, a plurality of second charge / discharge probes (36b) may be arranged oppositely in the second movable block (42b) to form pairs corresponding one-to-one with each first charge / discharge probe (36a) of the first movable block (42a).

[0079] According to this configuration, when the spacing adjustment unit (40) is driven, the first movable block (42a) and the second movable block (42b) move simultaneously along the linear guide (41) in a direction that moves away from or closer to each other, and accordingly, the spacing of each charge / discharge probe pair (36a, 36b) can be adjusted to match the different electrode spacings for each secondary battery type. That is, the spacing of each charge / discharge probe pair (36a, 36b) can be flexibly adjusted to match the electrode spacing of various secondary batteries for each type.

[0080] The gap adjustment drive unit (44) includes an actuator (440), a rotation axis (442), a gap adjustment axis (444), and a motion conversion element (446). The actuator (440) can generate rotational force for gap adjustment. The actuator (440) may be, for example, a stepper motor. The rotation axis (442) receives the rotational force generated by the actuator (440) and performs rotational motion, and the gap adjustment axis (444) may be configured to be arranged perpendicularly to the rotation axis (442) and to perform rotational motion in conjunction with the rotational motion of the rotation axis (442).

[0081] The gap adjustment shaft (444) can be connected to the rotation shaft (442) to transmit power via a power transmission element (447) in the middle. The power transmission element (447) may be, for example, a worm gear consisting of a worm and a worm wheel, but is not limited thereto. Additionally, each of the first movable block (42a) and the second movable block (42b) may be equipped with a motion conversion element (446) that converts the rotational motion of the gap adjustment shaft (444) generated by the rotation shaft (442) into linear motion.

[0082] For example, the gap adjustment shaft (444) may be configured with screw threads formed on both sides with opposite directions relative to the center point intersecting the rotation shaft (442). For example, the gap adjustment shaft (444) may have a left-hand screw thread formed on one side relative to the center point and a right-hand screw thread formed on the opposite side. In this case, the motion conversion element (446) may be a nut-shaped block that is screw-coupled with the screw threads of the gap adjustment shaft (444).

[0083] According to this configuration, as shown in FIG. 13, when the gap adjustment shaft (444) rotates, the first movable block (42a) and the second movable block (42b) move simultaneously in a direction of moving closer to or further apart from each other (see arrow direction in FIG. 13), and as a result, precise gap adjustment of each charge / discharge probe pair (36a, 36b) can be achieved to match the different electrode gaps for each secondary battery type.

[0084] The spacing adjustment unit (40) can be configured to move the first movable block (42a) and the second movable block (42b) placed in each power supply unit (30) simultaneously at the same interval using a single actuator (440). This can be implemented through a mechanism in which, as shown in the example of FIG. 11, a rotation axis (442) is placed on each power supply unit (30) side, one of these rotation axis (442) is directly connected to the actuator (440), and the remaining rotation axis (442-1, 442-2) are connected to the rotation axis (442) connected to the actuator (440) via an intermediate axis (448) and a gearbox (449).

[0085] Of course, the configuration is not limited to moving the first and second movable blocks, which are positioned in all power supply units, simultaneously at equal intervals using a single actuator. While this mechanism is effective in terms of power efficiency because it transmits the power of a single actuator to the charge / discharge probe pairs of all power supply units, actuators may also be connected independently to each rotating shaft positioned on the power supply side in some cases.

[0086] By connecting actuators independently to each rotation axis in this manner, the spacing between pairs of charge / discharge probes can be adjusted individually for each power supply. In this case, charging and discharging processes for various types of secondary batteries can be performed in a single process using a single device. This configuration can be useful when flexible spacing adjustment is required depending on specific secondary battery types or process conditions.

[0087] Conventional charge / discharge devices used in secondary battery manufacturing processes have a structure in which a power supply unit, which performs power conversion for charging and discharging, is equipped with a charge / discharge probe and is separated from a jig unit on which the secondary battery is mounted and fixed, and is electrically connected via a separate cable. This structure requires securing a separate space for the power supply unit, which leads to the problem of increasing the overall installation area of ​​the equipment.

[0088] In the secondary battery charging and discharging device according to the embodiment, the power supply unit, which performs a power conversion function, is configured as an integrated structure with the jig unit for mounting and fixing the secondary battery. As a result, there is no need to secure space for separately arranging the power supply unit, and the installation area of ​​the device can be significantly reduced compared to conventional separate configurations. This provides the advantage of effectively achieving miniaturization of the charging and discharging device.

[0089] In addition, the power supply unit is designed to be connected to the jig in a sliding manner, making maintenance easy. Since the power supply unit is configured in the jig, the length of the charging and discharging cables electrically connecting them is shortened, making cable management easier and improving maintenance convenience. Furthermore, there is an additional advantage in that power efficiency is improved by reducing power loss due to the shortened charging and discharging cable length.

[0090] The secondary battery charging and discharging device according to the embodiment also has a configuration capable of automatically adjusting the spacing of the charging and discharging probes to match the electrode spacing of each secondary battery type. This eliminates the cumbersome process of designing and manufacturing equipment to match the electrode spacing of individual secondary batteries or replacing parts to match the corresponding electrode spacing, as in conventional technology, and provides the effect of being able to flexibly respond to secondary battery types with various electrode spacings with a single device.

[0091] The above description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical concept of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to make various modifications and variations within the scope of the essential characteristics of the present invention.

[0092] Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in this invention are intended to illustrate, not limit, the technical concept of the invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of this invention shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of this invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0093] 1: Secondary battery charging and discharging device 2: Secondary battery 10 : Zigbu 12: Lower base frame 13: Elevator guide shaft 14: Lifting frame 15: Battery tray 16: Upper fixed frame 18: Lifting drive unit 20: Rail section 22: Rail holder 24: Rail Unit 26: Side rail 28: Upper fixing bracket 29: Absence of Lock 30: Jeonwon-eobu 32: Power Unit 34: Power Tray 36a, 36b: Charge / Discharge Probes 40: Spacing adjustment part 41: Linear guide 42a: 1st movable block 42b: 2nd movable block 44: Spacing adjustment drive unit 180: Motor 182: Power transmission shaft 184: Transformation element 320: Charge / Discharge Board 321a, 321b: Output terminals of the charge / discharge board 322a: First charging cable 322b: Second charging cable 324: Unit Frame 326: Lower fixing member 327: Upper fixing member 328: Main board 329: Cooling fan 440: Actuator 442, 442-1, 442-2: Rotation axis 444: Spacing adjustment axis 446: Motor Transition Element 447: Power transmission elements 448: Intermediate axis 449: Gearbox b1, b2: rotation elements s: slot

Claims

Claim 1 A secondary battery charging and discharging device with an integrated power supply, comprising: a jig portion configured to accommodate a plurality of secondary batteries for the activation or testing of a secondary battery; a rail portion disposed on the upper part of the jig portion; and a power supply portion having a power unit for charging and discharging the secondary battery and a charging and discharging probe electrically connected to the power unit, wherein the power supply portion is coupled to the jig portion so as to be inserted and withdrawn in a sliding manner through the rail portion. Claim 2 In claim 1, the jig part comprises: a lower base frame; an upper fixed frame spaced apart from the lower base frame; a lifting frame movably disposed between the lower base frame and the upper fixed frame; a battery tray supported by the lifting frame and having a plurality of secondary batteries mounted thereon; and a lifting drive unit for driving the lifting frame up and down; wherein the lower base frame and the upper fixed frame are connected by two or more lifting guide axes, and when the lifting drive unit operates, the lifting frame moves up and down between the lower base frame and the upper fixed frame along the lifting guide axes, thereby forming a secondary battery charging and discharging device with an integrated power supply unit. Claim 3 In claim 1, the rail unit comprises: at least two rail fixing members installed upright at a distance from each other on the upper fixed frame of the jig unit; and a rail unit arranged to face the adjacent rail fixing members to guide the power supply unit to slide horizontally inward and outward relative to the jig unit; wherein the rail unit comprises: a side rail member having a plurality of rotating elements that guide and support the horizontal movement of the power supply unit while rotating; and an upper fixing member having a plurality of rotating elements that covers the side portion of the power tray included in the power supply unit from above to restrict movement other than a predetermined horizontal movement; a power supply unit integrated secondary battery charging and discharging device. Claim 4 In claim 3, the rail portion further comprises a lock member installed on the upper fixing bracket and fixing the power supply portion so as not to move at a desired position; a power supply portion integrated secondary battery charging and discharging device. Claim 5 The power supply unit according to claim 1 further comprises a plate-shaped power tray that is arranged to face a secondary battery mounted on the jig unit and is capable of sliding horizontally along the rail unit; the charge / discharge probes are arranged on a first surface of the power tray facing the secondary battery and are configured to form pairs of two probes corresponding to each secondary battery; the power unit is mounted on a second surface of the power tray located opposite the first surface; and the power unit comprises a plurality of charge / discharge boards that correspond to each pair of charge / discharge probes and perform power supply. Claim 6 In claim 1, the power unit comprises: a unit frame; a plurality of lower fixing members spaced apart at the lower end of the unit frame; an upper fixing member spaced apart at the upper end of the unit frame corresponding to each of the lower fixing members; and a plurality of charge / discharge boards mounted so as to be inserted into and removed from the unit frame in a sliding manner through the upper fixing member and the lower fixing member that correspond to each other and form a pair; wherein a slot for sliding insertion and removal of the charge / discharge board is formed in each lower fixing member, and a slot corresponding to the slot of the lower fixing member is formed in each upper fixing member, thereby forming a secondary battery charge / discharge device with an integrated power supply unit. Claim 7 A secondary battery charging and discharging device with an integrated power supply unit according to claim 1, wherein the charging and discharging probes are configured in multiple pairs so that they correspond to two pairs per secondary battery, and the spacing between the two charging and discharging probes of each pair is configured to be automatically adjusted simultaneously according to different electrode spacings for each secondary battery type. Claim 8 A secondary battery charging / discharging device with an integrated power supply unit, further comprising: a spacing adjustment unit that automatically adjusts the spacing between paired charging / discharging probes by synchronizing them in claim 7. Claim 9 In claim 8, the spacing adjustment unit comprises: a first movable block and a second movable block configured to move in a direction closer to or further apart from each other along a linear guide installed on a first surface of a power tray constituting the power supply unit; and a spacing adjustment driving unit driven to move the first movable block and the second movable block simultaneously toward each other or in opposite directions; wherein a plurality of first charge / discharge probes are arranged in a line at a certain interval on the first movable block, and a plurality of second charge / discharge probes are installed on the second movable block to form pairs corresponding to each of the first charge / discharge probes, thereby forming a power supply unit integrated secondary battery charge / discharge device. Claim 10 In claim 9, the gap adjustment drive unit comprises: an actuator that generates rotational force for gap adjustment; a rotation shaft that rotates by the actuator; a gap adjustment shaft that is arranged perpendicularly to the rotation shaft and rotates in conjunction with the rotational movement of the rotation shaft through a power transmission element; and a motion conversion element installed in each of the first movable block and the second movable block to convert the rotational movement of the gap adjustment shaft into linear movement; a secondary battery charging and discharging device with an integrated power supply unit.

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