Charge / discharge inspection system

Abstract

Provided is a charge / discharge inspection system which does not have a complicated structure and by which maintenance, such as cleaning of a tip of a probe or replacement of a defective probe, can be achieved with ease.　This charge / discharge inspection system comprises: a battery inspection unit 50 of a charge / discharge inspection device; a tray 10 that can accommodate, in an accommodation unit, a probe unit 20, a charge / discharge power supply unit, and a charge / discharge power supply integrated probe unit, that accommodates any one of the foregoing and is conveyed, and that is placed in the battery inspection unit 50; and a conveyance device that conveys the tray 10 from the battery inspection unit 50 to another location, or conveys the tray 10 from another location to the battery inspection unit 50.

Description

Charge / Discharge Inspection System

[0001] The present invention relates to a charge / discharge inspection system having a tray capable of transporting probe units and the like.

[0002] Because the voltage of the smallest unit (single cell) that makes up a secondary battery is low, secondary batteries are often packed with cells with similar characteristics. Therefore, the equipment that manufactures these secondary batteries must also have the precision and environment necessary to manufacture cells with similar characteristics. This also requires highly accurate measurements from charge / discharge testing systems that test secondary batteries, and maintenance such as cleaning the probe tips and replacing defective probes is necessary to avoid poor contact.

[0003] However, the attachment, detachment, and replacement of probe units in charge-discharge testing systems during maintenance are often done manually. Furthermore, stacking multiple battery testing units that perform charge-discharge testing requires work at high altitudes. Furthermore, as secondary batteries become larger in capacity, the equipment is also becoming larger and heavier. Therefore, probe unit maintenance requires additional equipment and dedicated jigs to ensure worker safety.

[0004] Technologies relating to probe cleaning and probe unit replacement that take such background into consideration are described, for example, in Patent Documents 1 and 2. Patent Document 1 describes a probe cleaning device intended to improve the efficiency of probe cleaning work for a charge / discharge inspection device. More specifically, it describes a method in which 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 cleaning brush is driven by the drive mechanism 15, thereby cleaning deposits on the tips of the probes 211 and 221 without manual intervention (paragraph 0031 of the specification, FIG. 1).

[0005] Meanwhile, Patent Document 2 describes a charge / discharge inspection system and a detachable unit that aim to reduce the load on a transport device when replacing a probe unit. More specifically, the charge / discharge inspection system is described as including 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. The detachable unit 80 is also described as including 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 a reaction force generated during attachment and detachment to a receiving portion of the inspection unit (abstract, Figure 4).

[0006] Patent No. 6055806 Patent No. 6144074

[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 driving the cleaning brush can cause small foreign objects to fly around, which could lead to poor contact or short-circuit accidents.

[0008] In addition, the charge / discharge inspection system described in Patent Document 2 requires a separate mechanism (detachable unit) for inserting and removing the probe unit, and since the detachable unit is attached to the conveying device, there is a risk that the conveying device will become complicated and heavy.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a charge / discharge inspection system that does not have a complex configuration and that allows for easy maintenance such as cleaning the tips of the probes and replacing defective probes.

[0010] The charge / discharge inspection system according to the present invention comprises: a battery inspection unit of a charge / discharge inspection device; a tray capable of accommodating a probe unit, a charge / discharge power supply unit, and an integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit in an accommodation section, the tray accommodating any one of these and being transported and placed in the battery inspection unit; and 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.

[0011] This allows the tray to contain a probe unit, a charge / discharge power supply unit, or an integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit, and by transporting the tray together using a transport device, these can 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 be configured to include a plurality of tray separators that divide the storage area, and a guide portion that supports the probe unit or the probe unit with integrated charge / discharge power supply stored in the storage area, and that supports these probes so that they do not come into contact with the inside of the storage area.

[0013] It is desirable that the storage section be further capable of storing the secondary battery to be inspected, that the tray be transported while storing the secondary battery to be inspected, and that the tray be placed in the battery inspection unit. In addition, it is desirable that the storage section be further capable of storing an elevator capable of raising and lowering the probe unit, the charge / discharge power supply unit, or the charge / discharge power supply integrated probe unit.

[0014] Furthermore, it is desirable that the charge / discharge inspection system be configured with a tray-side fixing mechanism for fixing the probe unit, charge / discharge power supply unit, or charge / discharge power supply integrated probe unit accommodated in the tray's accommodation section to the tray when the tray is transported by the transport device, when the tray is placed on the lifting plate of the battery inspection unit and raised or lowered, or when the probe unit, charge / discharge power supply unit, or charge / discharge power supply integrated probe unit is accommodated in the tray.

[0015] Furthermore, it is desirable that the charge / discharge inspection system be configured so that the battery inspection unit is provided with a battery inspection unit side fixing mechanism for fixing the probe unit, charge / discharge power supply unit, or integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit that is contained in a tray and transported within the battery inspection unit.

[0016] In addition, it is desirable that the charge / discharge inspection system be configured to have a lifting mechanism that raises the tray placed on the lifting plate of the battery inspection unit and connects the probe unit, 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, or a lifting mechanism that lowers the hanging plate of the battery inspection unit and connects the probe unit, charge / discharge power supply unit, or integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit housed in the tray placed in the battery inspection unit to a connection part provided on the battery inspection unit side.

[0017] With this configuration, the charge / discharge inspection system of the present invention allows probe units and other items stored in trays to be transported by a transport device, allowing them to be transported from the battery inspection unit to another location, or from another location to the battery inspection unit.This does not require a complex configuration such as a detachable unit mechanism, and makes it easy to perform maintenance such as cleaning and replacing probes in detached and transported probe units.

[0018] 1(C) is a diagram showing a tray according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a schematic front view, (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in (A), and (C) is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in (B). It is a diagram showing a state in which a tray according to an embodiment of the present invention accommodates a probe unit, where (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in (A), similar to FIG. 1(C), and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in (B), similar to FIG. 1(B). It is a diagram showing a state in which a tray according to an embodiment of the present invention accommodates a probe unit with an integrated charge / discharge power supply, where (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in (C), similar to FIG. 1(C), and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in (B), similar to FIG. 1(B). It is a diagram showing a state in which a tray according to an embodiment of the present invention accommodates a secondary battery, where (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in (C), similar to FIG. 1(C), and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in (B), similar to FIG. 1(B). 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. FIG. 1 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. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a tray-side fixing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a diagram showing a locked state and (B) is a diagram showing an unlocked state. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a diagram showing a locked state and (B) is a diagram showing an unlocked state. FIG. 4 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. FIG. 5 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. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a maintenance station according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] While the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below, the explanation of the components described below is one example (typical example) of the embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following content unless the gist of the present invention is changed. Furthermore, in this explanation, components that have already been described will be given the same reference numerals in the drawings, and detailed explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0020] [Charge / Discharge Inspection System] A charge / discharge inspection system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery inspection unit of a charge / discharge inspection device, a tray 10 (see FIG. 1), a transport device, and a maintenance station.

[0021] [Battery Inspection Unit] The charge / discharge inspection device is a device that performs charge / discharge inspections on secondary batteries. The charge / discharge inspection device is equipped with a battery inspection unit that has a power supply (charge / discharge power supply unit) and a connection section, which will be described later. The charge / discharge inspection device also includes a probe unit that has a probe for supplying power from the power supply (charge / discharge power supply unit) to the secondary battery under inspection, and an integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit that integrates the charge / discharge power supply and probe unit.

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

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

[0024] In this embodiment, four pillar-shaped guide portions 13 (13a, 13b, 13c; the remaining one is not shown) are provided near the outer frame of the tray 10. The upper ends 13T of the guide portions 13 have recesses, and a probe holding plate or the like of a probe unit engages with these recesses to support the probe unit and determine its position within the accommodation portion 11. The guide portions 13 support the probe unit or the probes of the integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit so that they do not come into contact with the interior of the accommodation portion 11. In this embodiment, the upper ends 13T of the four guide portions 13 engage with respective parts of the probe unit or the like to stably support and position them. However, as long as this can be achieved, there are no limitations on the shape, number, or location of the guide portions. Furthermore, by making the height of the tray separator 12 the same as the height of the recesses at the upper ends 13T of the guide portions 13, the probe unit or the like can be supported by the guide portions 13 and the tray separator 12.

[0025] 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the tray 10 accommodates 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 accommodating section 25. In this embodiment, the probe unit 20 has eight probes 22 held by the probe holding plate 23.

[0026] Specifically, the probe unit 20 is accommodated in the accommodation 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 accommodated in each space S so that they do not come into contact with the interior of the accommodation section 11 (see FIG. 2A).

[0027] (Charge-Discharge Power Supply Integrated Probe Unit) Meanwhile, Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the tray 10 accommodates a charge-discharge power supply integrated probe unit 30. The charge-discharge power supply integrated probe unit 30 includes a charge-discharge power supply unit 32 having a probe holding plate 21, probes 22, wiring section 23, and multiple power supply sections 31, and a connection section 33. The connection section 33 of the charge-discharge power supply integrated probe unit 30 is composed of a power supply section (DC power supply section) and a communication section for transmitting and receiving input / output signals, etc. Note that in Fig. 3, the casing (outer frame) 34 of the charge-discharge power supply integrated probe unit 30 is partially omitted, and there are no particular limitations on the shape as long as it can be accommodated in the tray 10 and can be connected to a battery testing unit.

[0028] In this embodiment, the charge / discharge power supply integrated probe unit 30 has eight probes 22 held by a probe holding plate 23, similar to the probe unit 20. 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. The charge / discharge power supply unit 32 is also configured such that each power supply unit 31 is connected to a single board (base substrate) via a connector and integrated into a single board, and further unitized by a casing that houses these. Thus, in the charge / discharge power supply integrated probe unit 30, the probe holding plate 21 is supported by the guide unit 13 (13T) and housed in the housing unit 11, and each probe 22 of the charge / discharge power supply integrated probe unit 30 is housed in each space S so that they do not come into contact with the inside of the housing unit 11 (see FIG. 3A ).

[0029] 4 is a diagram showing the tray 10 accommodating secondary batteries 40. As described above, the tray 10 is provided with a plurality of tray separators 12, and therefore the accommodating section 11 is divided into a plurality of spaces S (see FIG. 1C). Therefore, the tray 10 can accommodate a secondary battery 40 to be inspected in each of these spaces S.

[0030] (Charge / Discharge Power Supply Unit) Although not shown, the tray 10 can also accommodate a charge / discharge power supply unit 32 in the accommodation section 11. In this case, the wiring section 23 is separated from each power supply section 31, and the charge / discharge power supply unit 32 is accommodated in the accommodation section 11 with its casing supported by the guide section 13 of the tray 10.

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

[0032] (Elevator) The tray 10 can also accommodate an elevator (not shown) in the accommodation section 11. The elevator is capable of raising and lowering a probe unit, a charge / discharge power supply unit, an integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit, etc. For example, an electric actuator from IAI Corporation can be used for the elevator. This allows the probe unit, a charge / discharge power supply unit, an integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit, etc. to be attached to or detached from a battery inspection unit that does not have an elevator mechanism, or a stocker that is used as a dedicated shelf (storage shelf) for the probe unit or power supply unit. In other words, there is no need to provide a dedicated elevator mechanism for a battery inspection unit that does not have an elevator mechanism, which can reduce the costs of providing the elevator mechanism and the costs of maintaining (repairing, replacing) the elevator mechanism.

[0033] [Operation Flow in Charge / Discharge Inspection System] Next, the operation flow in the charge / discharge inspection system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. (Probe Unit) Figure 5 is a diagram showing the flow in which the tray 10 transports the probe unit 20 to the battery inspection unit 50. In this embodiment, the battery inspection unit 50 has a hanging plate 52 suspended from a top plate 51, and the hanging plate 52 is provided with a battery inspection unit side connection portion 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, it is assumed that the battery inspection unit 50 is in a state where no probe unit is connected, for example, because the tip of the probe has been cleaned or a defective probe has been replaced (removed).

[0035] As described above, the tray 10 can accommodate the probe units 20 (see FIG. 2), and after a cleaned probe unit or a new probe unit is accommodated on the tray 10, it is 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, once 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 a known method such as forking or push-pull (see FIG. 5(A)).

[0036] Thereafter, the lifting mechanism raises the lifting plate 53 with the tray 10 placed thereon. Since the placed tray 10 also rises while accommodating the transported probe unit 20, the lifting mechanism raises the lifting plate 53 until the connection portion 24 of the probe unit 20 and the battery inspection unit side connection portion 54 of the battery inspection unit 50 are connected (see FIG. 5B).

[0037] When the probe unit 20 (tray 10) is raised until the connection portion 24 of the probe unit 20 and the battery inspection unit side connection portion 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 is a fixing mechanism (55a, 55b) provided at each end (left and right) of the hanging 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, but is not limited to this as long as it can fix the probe unit 20 in a specific position.

[0039] Then, the lifting mechanism lowers the lifting plate 53, thereby separating the tray 10 from the probe unit 20 (see FIG. 5C). The tray 10 placed on the lifting plate 53 is transferred to the transport device again by a known method such as forking or push-pull, and transported to a predetermined location.

[0040] 6 is a diagram showing a flow in which the tray 10 transports the probe unit 30 with an integrated charge / discharge power supply to the battery inspection unit 50. When the probe unit 30 with an integrated charge / discharge power supply is connected, the battery inspection unit-side connection section 54 of the battery inspection unit 50 has a connection configuration for the probe unit with an integrated charge / discharge power supply.

[0041] First, as in the case of the probe unit, the tip of the probe has been cleaned or a defective probe has been replaced (removed), so the battery inspection unit 50 is in a state where the integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit is not connected.

[0042] The tray 10 can accommodate the charge / discharge power supply integrated probe unit 30 (see FIG. 3), and after a cleaned or new one is accommodated, the tray 10 is transported by a transport device to the battery inspection unit 50. Then, when the tray 10 is transported to the battery inspection unit 50, it is placed on the lift plate 53 of the battery inspection unit 50 (see FIG. 6(A)).

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

[0044] When 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, the charge / discharge power supply integrated 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 charge / discharge power supply integrated probe unit 30, but is not limited to this as long as it can fix the charge / discharge power supply integrated probe unit 30 in a specific position.

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

[0046] Of course, contrary to the transport and connection of the probe unit 20 and the power supply integrated probe unit 30 to the battery inspection unit 50 described with reference to Figures 5 and 6, the probe unit 20 and the power supply integrated probe unit 30 connected to the battery inspection unit 50 can be removed, stored in the tray 10, and transported from the battery inspection unit 50 to another location.

[0047] For example, when the object to be transported by the tray 10 is a probe unit 20, the empty tray 10 is placed on the lift plate 53 (see FIG. 5C). Then, the lift plate 53 is raised by the lift mechanism, and the probe unit 20 is accommodated in the tray 10 (see FIG. 5B). Then, the connection between the battery inspection unit side connection part 54 and the connection part 24 is cut (the probe unit is inserted or removed from the battery inspection unit), the lift plate 53 is lowered by the lift mechanism, and the tray 10 with the probe unit 20 accommodated therein is transported to another location (see FIG. 5A).

[0048] In this way, when replacing the probe unit of the 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 of the present invention can insert and remove the probe unit from the battery inspection unit or connect the probe unit to the battery inspection unit using only tray 10.

[0049] 5 and 6, the lifting mechanism raises or lowers the lifting plate 53, but the lifting mechanism may raise or lower the hanging plate 52 of the battery inspection unit 50 instead of the lifting plate 53. In this case, taking the probe unit 20 shown in FIG. 5 as an example, the lifting mechanism lowers the hanging plate 52 until the battery inspection unit-side connection portion 54 and the connection portion 24 of the probe unit 20 housed in the tray 10 placed on the lifting plate 53 are connected.

[0050] In the embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, the probe unit 20 and the power supply integrated probe unit 30 are taken as examples, but 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 by raising and lowering the lifting plate 53 and the hanging plate 52 using the lifting mechanism.

[0051] [Fixing Mechanism] In order to improve safety in such an operation flow, it is desirable that the charge / discharge inspection system be provided with a fixing mechanism. (Tray Side Fixing Mechanism) Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of a tray side fixing mechanism 60. In this embodiment, the tray side fixing mechanisms 60 (60a, 60b) are provided on the tray 10 (guide portions 13a, 13b), respectively, and are composed of locking portions 61 (61a, 61b) and operating portions 62 (62a, 62b).

[0052] 7A, when locked, the locking portions 61 (61a, 61b) engage with the probe holding plate 21 of the probe unit 30 with integrated charge / discharge power supply, so that the probe unit 30 with integrated charge / discharge power supply is fixed to the tray 10. The probe unit 20 can also be fixed in the same manner. As a result, 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 moved up or down, the probe unit 20 and the probe unit 30 with integrated charge / discharge power supply accommodated in the accommodation portion 11 of the tray 10 can be firmly fixed to the tray 10.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 7(B) , when unlocking, the engagement of the locking portions 61 (61a, 61b) can be released by the operating portions 62 (62a, 62b). For example, by rotating the operating portions 62 (62a, 62b) around a fulcrum (see the arrows in Fig. 7(A) ) and applying force to parts of the locking portions 61 (61a, 61b), the engaged parts of the probe holding plate 21 and the locking portions 61 (61a, 61b) can be separated (see the arrows in Fig. 7(B) ).

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

[0055] Similarly, the tray-side fixing mechanism 60 can fix the probe unit 20 to the tray 10 by engaging the locking portions 61 with the probe holding plate 21 of the probe unit 20. The tray-side fixing mechanism 60 can also fix the charge / discharge power supply unit 32 to the tray 10. In this case, it is sufficient if there is a portion with which the locking portions 61 of the tray-side fixing mechanism 60 can firmly engage, such as a casing (outer frame) of the charge / discharge power supply unit 32, instead of the probe holding plate 21. Of course, the locking portions 61 of the tray-side fixing mechanism 60 can also be engaged with a portion other than the probe holding plate 21 of the probe unit 20 or the charge / discharge power supply integrated probe unit 30.

[0056] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a battery inspection unit side fixing mechanism 70. In this embodiment, the battery inspection unit side fixing mechanisms 70 (70a, 70b) are provided across the battery inspection unit 50 side (probe unit fixing mechanisms 55a, 55b) and the tray 10 side, respectively, and are composed of locking portions 71 (71a, 71b) and operating portions 72 (72a, 72b).

[0057] 8A, in the locked state, the locking portions 71 (71a, 71b) provided on the probe unit fixing mechanisms 55a, 55b are engaged with the probe holding plate 21 of the charge / discharge power supply integrated probe unit 30, so that the charge / discharge power supply integrated probe unit 30 is fixed to the battery inspection unit 50. The probe unit 20 can also be fixed in the same manner.

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

[0059] Similarly to the tray-side fixing mechanism 60, the battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanism 70 can also fix the probe unit 20 and the charge / discharge power supply unit 32 to the battery inspection unit 50. The part 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 operating portion 72 may be provided on the battery inspection unit 50 side, and known fixing mechanisms can be used on the tray 10 side and the battery inspection unit 50 side, similar to the tray-side fixing mechanism 60.

[0060] 9 and 10 are diagrams showing examples of a tray-side fixing mechanism 81 and a battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanism 82, each of which is composed only of a locking portion. As shown in Fig. 9, the tray-side fixing mechanism 81 has a fulcrum portion 811, which is movably attached to, for example, the tray 10.

[0061] The tray-side fixing mechanism 81 has a tapered tip 812, and a part of the tip 812 is formed with an engaging portion 813 shaped to engage with the probe holding plate 21. On the other hand, the battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanism 82 is made up of a fulcrum portion 821, a tip portion 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 has a fulcrum portion 821 movably attached to a support member 521 extending from the suspension plate 52, for example.

[0062] These operations will be explained with reference to Fig. 9, which shows the procedure in which the probe unit (probe holding plate 21), which is first 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 (tip 812 of the tray-side fixing mechanism 81 in the example shown in Fig. 9) is located more inward (towards the probe holding plate 21) than the tip of the mechanism that was initially fixed (tip 822 of the battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanism 82 in the example shown in Fig. 9) (see the dashed frame in Fig. 9(A)).

[0063] By raising the tray side fixing mechanism 81 from this state, the tip 812 of the tray side fixing mechanism 81 comes into contact with the inside of the tip 822 of the battery inspection unit side fixing mechanism 82 (see Figure 9 (B)), and then rises while pushing the tip 822 of the battery inspection unit side fixing mechanism 82 outward (see Figure 9 (C)).

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

[0065] 10 is a diagram showing a procedure in which the probe unit (probe holding plate 21) is first fixed by the tray-side fixing mechanism 81, and then fixed in 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 (tip 822 of the battery inspection unit-side fixing mechanism 82 in the example shown in FIG. 10) is located more inward than the tip of the mechanism that was initially fixed (tip 812 of the tray-side fixing mechanism 81 in the example shown in FIG. 10) (see the dashed frame in FIG. 10A).

[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 rises while being pushed outward (see Figure 10(C)).

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

[0068] Although not shown, a plurality of tray-side fixing mechanisms 81 and battery testing unit-side fixing mechanisms 82 may be provided, such as tray-side fixing mechanisms 60a and 60b and battery testing unit-side fixing mechanisms 70a and 70b. Furthermore, there are no limitations on the locations where these mechanisms may be provided, and the portions that engage with the engaging portions 813 of the tray-side fixing mechanism 81 and the engaging portions 823 of the battery testing 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 testing unit-side fixing mechanism 82 can be adjusted, for example, by the position where the tray 10 is placed on the lift-up plate 53 (see FIGS. 5 and 6 ).

[0069] (Maintenance Station) The tray 10 containing the probe unit 20 or 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 a facility where the probes 22 of the transported probe unit 20 can be cleaned or replaced. The maintenance station is also a facility where the power supply unit 31 of the transported power supply integrated probe unit 30 can be automatically calibrated or replaced.

[0070] In this case, for example, the power supply integrated probe unit 30 is transported together with the tray 10 into the maintenance station 90, and then the tray 10 is raised by a lifting mechanism. After that, the power supply integrated probe unit 30 alone is held and slid, and connected to a calibration jig 92 placed on a calibrator mounting stand 91, thereby enabling automatic calibration of the power supply section 31 (see FIG. 11).

[0071] In this way, according to the charge / discharge inspection system of the present invention, the probe unit 20 and the like can be easily transported to the maintenance station 90 using the tray 10, making it easy to perform time-consuming maintenance that requires safety, 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 the example provided without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the configuration of the tray separator 12 and guide portion 13 provided on the tray 10 can be appropriately modified in design to suit the type and size of the probe unit 20, charge / discharge power supply unit 32, integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit 30, or secondary battery 40 to be inspected, etc., to be accommodated.

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

[0074] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Tray 11 Storage section 12 Tray separator 13, 13a, 13b, 13c Guide section 13T, 13Ta, 13Tb, 13Tc Upper end of guide section 20 Probe unit 21 Probe holding plate 22 Probe 23 Wiring section 24 Probe unit side connection section 25 Electrical equipment storage section 30 Power supply integrated probe unit 31 Power supply section 32 Charging / discharging power supply 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 Hanging plate support member 53 Lifting plate 54 Battery inspection unit side connection section 55, 55a, 55b Probe unit fixing mechanism 60, 60a, 60b Tray side fixing mechanism 61, 61a, 61b Locking portion 62, 62a, 62b of tray side fixing mechanism Operating portion 70, 70a, 70b Battery inspection unit side fixing mechanism 71, 71a, 71b Locking portion 72, 72a, 72b of battery inspection unit side fixing mechanism Operating portion 81 Tray side fixing mechanism 811 Fulcrum portion of tray side fixing mechanism 812 Tip portion of tray side fixing mechanism 813 Engaging portion of tray side fixing mechanism 82 Battery inspection unit side fixing mechanism 821 Fulcrum portion of battery inspection unit side fixing mechanism 822 Tip portion of battery inspection unit side fixing mechanism 823 Engaging portion of battery inspection unit side fixing mechanism 90 Maintenance station 91 Calibrator mounting stand 92 Calibration jig

Claims

1. A charge / discharge inspection system comprising: a battery inspection unit of a charge / discharge inspection device; a tray capable of accommodating a probe unit, a charge / discharge power supply unit, and an integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit in an accommodation section, the tray accommodating any one of these and being transported and placed within the battery inspection unit; and a transport device for transporting the tray from the battery inspection unit to another location or for transporting the tray from another location to the battery inspection unit.

2. A charge / discharge inspection system as described in claim 1, wherein the tray comprises: a plurality of tray separators which divide the storage area; and a guide section which supports a probe unit or a probe unit with integrated charge / discharge power supply housed in the storage area, the guide section supporting the probes so that they do not come into contact with the interior of the storage area.

3. A charge / discharge inspection system as described in claim 2, wherein the storage section is further capable of storing a secondary battery to be inspected, and the tray is transported while storing the secondary battery to be inspected, and is placed in the battery inspection unit.

4. A charge / discharge inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the accommodation section is further capable of accommodating an elevator 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.

5. A charge / discharge inspection system as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a tray side fixing mechanism for fixing a probe unit, a charge / discharge power supply unit, or an integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit accommodated in the accommodation section of the tray to the tray 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 raised or lowered, or when a probe unit, a charge / discharge power supply unit, or an integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit is accommodated in the tray.

6. A charge / discharge inspection system as described in claim 5, wherein the battery inspection unit is provided with a battery inspection unit side fixing mechanism for fixing the probe unit, charge / discharge power supply unit, or integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit contained in the tray and transported thereto, within the battery inspection unit.

7. A charge / discharge inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: a lifting mechanism which raises the tray placed on the lifting plate of the battery inspection unit, and connects a probe unit, a charge / discharge power supply unit, or an integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit housed in the tray to a connection part provided on the battery inspection unit; or a lifting mechanism which lowers the hanging plate of the battery inspection unit, and connects a probe unit, a charge / discharge power supply unit, or an integrated charge / discharge power supply probe unit housed in a tray placed in the battery inspection unit to a connection part provided on the battery inspection unit.

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