Mobile waste battery diagnosis system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile waste battery diagnosis system comprising: a transfer vehicle for transferring a waste battery to be processed to a battery processing facility for processing the waste battery, the transfer vehicle having a loading space provided therein to receive the waste battery therein; and a battery diagnosis unit installed in the transport vehicle to diagnose a state of the battery received in the loading space. In the mobile waste battery diagnosis system according to the present invention, a diagnosis means capable of diagnosing a state of a battery is provided inside a loading box of the transfer vehicle, and it is thus possible to diagnose a waste battery even while transporting the waste battery to the processing facility.

Description

Mobile waste battery diagnostic system

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile waste battery diagnosis system, and more particularly, to a mobile waste battery diagnosis system capable of diagnosing the condition of a waste battery while it is being transported to a treatment facility.

[0002] In general, secondary batteries can be used as a single battery module by joining multiple unit secondary battery cells in environments requiring high capacity, such as electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and uninterruptible power supplies, and in some cases, multiple battery modules can be joined to use.

[0003] When using multiple battery modules together, problems such as overheating of the battery modules due to abnormal behavior such as overcurrent and overvoltage may occur, which may cause fire in the battery modules.

[0004] Spent batteries from devices such as electric vehicles that have reached the end of their useful life are collected by workers and transported to a battery processing facility via a transport vehicle. At the facility, workers unload the batteries from the transport vehicle and connect a diagnostic device to them to diagnose their condition. Therefore, transporting and diagnosing these batteries is cumbersome and relatively time-consuming.

[0005] The present invention was created to improve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a mobile waste battery diagnosis system capable of diagnosing the condition of a waste battery while it is being transported to a battery processing facility.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a mobile waste battery diagnosis system according to the present invention transports waste batteries to be processed to a battery processing facility for processing waste batteries, and comprises a transport vehicle having a loading space provided to accommodate the waste batteries, and a battery diagnosis unit installed in the transport vehicle to diagnose the status of the batteries accommodated in the loading space.

[0007] The above battery diagnosis unit comprises a connection module connected to a waste battery accommodated in the loading space, a power conversion unit connected to the connection module to discharge and charge the waste battery, and a diagnosis module that controls the power conversion unit to discharge and charge the waste battery, and measures the operating status of the waste battery during discharge and charge of the waste battery to diagnose the waste battery.

[0008] The above transport vehicle is provided with a loading unit having a loading space formed inside and an opening formed on one side to allow the waste batteries to be loaded into the loading space, an opening / closing door installed in the loading unit to open / close the opening, and a vehicle unit installed in the loading unit to tow the loading unit to the battery processing facility.

[0009] Meanwhile, the mobile waste battery diagnosis system according to the present invention may further include a storage member provided inside the loading box and having a storage space for storing the waste battery, a restraint unit for restraining the storage member to the loading box, a forced transfer unit installed in the loading box so as to forcibly transfer the storage member to the outside of the loading box through the opening, a fire detection module for detecting a fire occurring in a waste battery stored in the storage member, and a fire extinguishing control module for operating the opening / closing door so as to open the opening when the fire detection module detects a fire in the waste battery, and operating the forced transfer unit so that the storage member is discharged to the outside of the loading box.

[0010] The above-mentioned forced transport unit comprises a transport plate installed on the floor surface of the loading space so as to be slidable in a direction adjacent to or away from the opening so as to interfere with the storage member, and an actuator that moves the transport plate toward the opening so that the storage member can be transported to the outside of the loading box through the opening when a fire occurs in the waste battery.

[0011] In addition, the mobile waste battery diagnosis system according to the present invention may further include a spray nozzle installed on the transfer plate to spray the fire extinguishing agent toward the storage member, a fire extinguishing agent supply unit to supply the fire extinguishing agent to the spray nozzle so that the fire extinguishing agent is sprayed from the spray nozzle, and a fire extinguishing control module that operates the fire extinguishing agent supply unit so that the fire extinguishing agent is sprayed to the storage member that is forcibly transported outside the loading box when the fire detection module detects a fire in the waste battery.

[0012] The mobile waste battery diagnosis system according to the present invention has the advantage of being able to diagnose waste batteries even while transporting them to a processing facility, since a diagnostic means capable of diagnosing the condition of the battery is provided inside the loading compartment of a transport vehicle.

[0013] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of a mobile waste battery diagnosis system according to the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the mobile waste battery diagnosis system of Figure 1.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a mobile waste battery diagnosis system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4 is a block diagram of the mobile waste battery diagnosis system of Figure 3.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mobile waste battery diagnosis system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Hereinafter, a mobile waste battery diagnosis system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The present invention may be modified in various ways and may take various forms, and thus specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to a specific disclosed form, but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. In describing each drawing, similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar components. In the attached drawings, the dimensions of structures are shown larger than actual size to ensure clarity of the present invention.

[0019] While terms like "first" and "second" may be used to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first component could be referred to as a "second component," and similarly, a second component could also be referred to as a "first component."

[0020] The terminology used in this application is only used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, it should be understood that the terms "comprise" or "have" indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0021] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0022] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate a mobile waste battery diagnosis system (100) according to the present invention.

[0023] Referring to the drawing, the mobile waste battery diagnosis system (100) transports waste batteries (10) to be processed to a battery treatment facility for processing waste batteries (10), and includes a transport vehicle (200) having a loading space (214) for accommodating the waste batteries (10), and a battery diagnosis unit (300) installed in the transport vehicle (200) for diagnosing the condition of the batteries accommodated in the loading space (214). Here, the battery treatment facility may be a disposal facility for disposing of waste batteries (10) or a recycling facility for recycling waste batteries (10).

[0024] A transport vehicle (200) is provided with a loading space (214) formed inside, a loading box (211) having an opening (215) formed on one side to allow the waste battery (10) to be introduced into the loading space (214), a loading unit (210) provided with an opening / closing door (212) installed in the loading box (211) to open / close the opening (215), and a vehicle unit (220) installed in the loading unit (210) to tow the loading unit (210) to the battery processing facility.

[0025] The above vehicle unit (220) is a means of transportation that runs by the operation of a worker, and includes a vehicle body (221) provided with a loading space (214) for installing a loading box (211) at the rear, a driving unit installed in the vehicle body (221) to move the vehicle body (221), a steering unit installed in the vehicle body (221) to change the moving direction of the vehicle body (221), and an operating unit installed in the vehicle body (221) adjacent to the driver's seat so that a worker seated in the driver's seat can operate the driving unit and the steering unit. Meanwhile, the vehicle unit (220) is not limited thereto, and any means of transportation that has a loading box (211) installed therein or that can be towed and moved to a battery processing facility can be applied.

[0026] The loading box (211) is installed at the rear of the vehicle body (221) of the vehicle unit (220) and is formed as a square structure with a loading space (214) provided inside. An opening (215) is formed at the rear of the loading box (211). An opening / closing door (212) is formed to have an area corresponding to the opening (215) and is installed on the loading box (211) so that one end can rotate to open and close the opening (215). A handle (not shown) may be provided on one side of the opening / closing door (212) so that a worker can grip it. In addition, a locking device (not shown) may be installed on the opening / closing door (212) so that it can be fixed to the loading box (211) while the opening (215) is closed. In addition, the loading unit (210) may be installed with a rotation device so that the opening / closing door (212) can rotate. Although not shown in the drawing, the rotary device may be equipped with a rotary motor that is installed on the rotary axis of the opening / closing door (212) and rotates the opening / closing door (212).

[0027] Meanwhile, inside the loading box (211), a storage member (213) is installed, which is provided inside the loading box (211) and has a storage space for storing the waste battery (10). It is preferable that the storage member (213) is formed with a plurality of storage spaces spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

[0028] The battery diagnosis unit (300) comprises a connection module (310) connected to a spent battery (10) accommodated in the loading space (214), a power conversion unit (320) connected to the connection module (310) to discharge and charge the spent battery (10), and a diagnosis module (330) that controls the power conversion unit to discharge and charge the spent battery (10), and measures the operating status of the spent battery (10) during discharge and charge of the spent battery (10) to diagnose the spent battery (10).

[0029] The connection module (310) is provided with a plurality of connection terminals so that a plurality of waste batteries (10) housed inside the loading box (211) can be connected. Meanwhile, the connection module (310) may be provided with a communication connection cable (not shown) so that it can be connected to the diagnostic module (330) to perform data communication.

[0030] The power conversion unit (320) is equipped with a diagnostic battery (331) and charges or discharges a used battery (10) connected to a connection module (310) using the diagnostic battery (331). The power conversion unit (320) is controlled by the diagnostic module (330), and a power conversion device (PCS: Power Conditioning System) equipped in an energy storage system can be applied. Meanwhile, the power conversion unit (320) is not limited thereto, and any means that can induce a change in the external impedance of the used battery (10) connected to the connection module (310) can be applied.

[0031] The diagnostic module (330) measures the voltage, current, internal resistance changes, etc. of the battery during discharge and charging when the battery is discharged and charged by the power conversion unit (320). Then, the diagnostic module (330) diagnoses the status, such as the maximum discharge output and maximum charge output, of the waste battery (10) connected to the connection module (310) based on the measured values. Meanwhile, the diagnostic module (330) transmits information on the status of the diagnosed waste battery (10) to the manager of the battery processing facility or the management server.

[0032] The mobile waste battery diagnosis system (100) according to the present invention configured as described above has a diagnostic means for diagnosing the state of the battery provided inside the loading box (211) of the transport vehicle, so it has the advantage of being able to diagnose the waste battery (10) even while transporting the waste battery (10) to a processing facility.

[0033] Meanwhile, FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a mobile waste battery diagnostic system (400) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Elements that have the same function as those in the previously illustrated drawings are indicated with the same reference numerals.

[0035] Referring to the drawing, the mobile waste battery diagnosis system (400) comprises a restraint unit that restrains the storage member (213) to the loading box (211), a forced transfer unit (410) installed in the loading box (211) so as to forcibly transfer the storage member (213) to the outside of the loading box (211) through the opening (215), a fire detection module (420) that detects a fire occurring in a waste battery (10) stored in the storage member (213), and a fire extinguishing control module (430) that operates the opening / closing door (212) to open the opening (215) when a fire in the waste battery (10) is detected by the fire detection module (420), and operates the forced transfer unit (410) so that the storage member (213) is discharged to the outside of the loading box (211). Here, the storage member (213) is preferably formed of a metallic material such as iron having a predetermined magnetic property, and is preferably installed inside the loading box (211) so that it can be moved by a forced transfer unit (410).

[0036] Although not shown in the drawing, the restraint unit is installed on the inner surface of the loading box (211) so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the storage member (213), and is provided with a plurality of electromagnets that are magnetized when current is applied and are magnetically coupled to the corresponding storage member (213). Since the electromagnets are conventionally used electromagnets that are magnetized when current is applied, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0037] Meanwhile, the restraint unit is not limited to this, and any restraint means that can restrain or release the restraint state of the storage member (213) for the corresponding loading box (211) can be applied.

[0038] The forced transfer unit (410) is provided with a transfer plate (411) that is installed on the bottom surface of the loading space (214) so ​​as to be slidable in a direction adjacent to or away from the opening (215) so as to be able to interfere with the storage member (213), and an actuator (412) that moves the transfer plate (411) toward the opening (215) so that the storage member (213) can be transferred to the outside of the loading box (211) through the opening (215) when a fire occurs in the waste battery (10).

[0039] The above-described transfer plate (411) is installed so as to be able to slide forward and backward on the floor surface of the loading space (214). At this time, it is preferable that the transfer plate (411) be installed so as to slide from the front end of the loading box (211) to the opening (215). In addition, the transfer plate (411) further has a protruding member (413) at the rear end that protrudes upward so as to be able to interfere with the storage member (213). It is preferable that the above-described transfer plate (411) be set at a position spaced forward from the opening (215) so that the protruding member (413) comes into contact with the front of the storage member (213) restrained by the restraining unit.

[0040] The actuator (412) is installed at the rear end on the transfer plate (411), and the front end is installed inside the loading box (211). An expansion means such as a hydraulic cylinder or screw jack that can expand in the forward and backward direction is applied. The actuator (412) is not limited thereto, and any movement means that can move the transfer plate (411) in the forward and backward direction can be applied.

[0041] The fire detection module (420), although not shown in the drawing, is provided with a temperature sensor installed in the loading box (211) to measure the temperature inside the loading box (211), a gas sensor installed inside the loading box (211) to detect carbon monoxide, hydrogen gas or ethylene gas inside the loading box (211), and a fire determination unit that determines whether a fire has occurred in the waste battery (10) inside the loading box (211) based on information measured by the temperature sensor and the gas sensor. Here, the fire determination unit can determine that a fire has occurred in the waste battery (10) if the temperature inside the loading box (211) measured by the temperature sensor is higher than a preset reference temperature. In addition, the fire determination unit determines that a fire has occurred in the waste battery (10) if the concentration of carbon monoxide, hydrogen gas or ethylene gas inside the loading box (211) is higher than a preset reference concentration based on measurement information provided by the gas sensor. Here, the fire judgment unit transmits judgment information to the fire control module (430).

[0042] Meanwhile, the fire detection module (420) is not limited to this, and any fire detection means that can detect a fire in a waste battery (10) stored in a loading box (211) can be applied.

[0043] When the fire detection module (420) determines that a fire has broken out in the waste battery (10), the fire control module (430) first operates the opening / closing door (212) so that the opening / closing door (215) of the loading box (211) opens. That is, the fire control module (430) operates the rotation device installed in the opening / closing door (212) so that the opening / closing door (212) rotates. Next, the fire control module (430) controls the moving unit so that the restraint state of the storage member (213) with respect to the loading box (211) is released. Then, when the restraint state of the storage member (213) with respect to the loading box (211) is released, the fire control module (430) operates the forced transfer unit (410) so that the storage member (213) is transferred to the outside of the loading box (211) through the opening / closing door (215). At this time, the fire control module (430) operates the actuator (412) so that the transfer plate (411) moves toward the opening (215). The storage member (213) is forcibly transferred to the outside of the loading box (211) by the transfer plate (411). Since the spent battery (10) in which a fire has occurred is transferred to the outside of the loading box (211) by the forced transfer unit (410), a fire in the transport vehicle (200) is prevented from occurring.

[0044] Meanwhile, FIG. 5 illustrates a mobile waste battery diagnosis system (500) according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Referring to the drawing, the above-mentioned mobile waste battery diagnosis system (500) further includes a fire extinguishing agent spraying unit (510) that sprays fire extinguishing agent onto a storage member (213) that is forcibly transported to the outside of a loading box (211) by a forced transport unit (410).

[0046] The above-mentioned extinguishing agent spraying unit (510) is provided with a spray nozzle (511) installed on the transfer plate (411) to spray extinguishing agent toward the opening (215), a extinguishing agent supply unit that supplies extinguishing agent to the spray nozzle (511) so that the extinguishing agent is sprayed from the spray nozzle (511), and a spray control module (not shown) that operates the extinguishing agent supply unit so that the extinguishing agent is sprayed to the storage member (213) that is forcibly transported outside the loading box (211) when a fire in the waste battery (10) is detected by the fire detection module (420).

[0047] The injection nozzle (511) is installed at the upper end of the protruding member (413) of the transfer plate (411), and an injection hole is formed at the rear end through which the extinguishing agent is injected. A plurality of the injection nozzles (511) are installed spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction.

[0048] Although not shown in the drawing, the extinguishing agent supply unit has a extinguishing agent tank installed on a transport vehicle (200) that holds a large amount of extinguishing agent inside, a extinguishing agent supply pipe having both ends connected to the extinguishing agent tank and the spray nozzle (511), and a supply pump installed on the extinguishing agent supply pipe to pump the extinguishing agent contained in the extinguishing agent tank to the spray nozzle (511). Meanwhile, the extinguishing agent supply unit is not limited to this, and any supply means that can supply extinguishing agent to the spray nozzle (511) can be applied.

[0049] When a fire in a spent battery (10) is detected by the fire detection module (420), the fire control module (430) operates the supply pump to spray the extinguishing agent onto the storage member (213) being transported by the forced transport unit (410). Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawing, the extinguishing agent spraying unit (510) may further include an auxiliary nozzle that sprays the extinguishing agent onto the contact surface of the protruding member (413) that comes into contact with the storage member (213). The auxiliary nozzle is connected to the extinguishing agent supply pipe of the extinguishing agent supply unit and receives the extinguishing agent. The above-described auxiliary nozzle sprays the extinguishing agent onto the contact surface of the protruding member (413) when a fire occurs in the spent battery (10), thereby preventing the fire from spreading to the protruding member (413).

[0050] The above-described extinguishing agent spray unit (510) sprays extinguishing agent onto the storage member (213) being transported when a fire occurs in the waste battery (10), thereby preventing the fire from spreading to the loading box (211) during the transport process of the storage member (213).

[0051] The description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, but is to be construed in the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A transport vehicle equipped with a loading space to accommodate the waste batteries, which transports the waste batteries to a battery processing facility for processing the waste batteries; and Equipped with a battery diagnosis unit installed in the above transport vehicle and diagnosing the status of the battery accommodated in the corresponding loading space; Mobile waste battery diagnostic system.

2. In paragraph 1, The above battery diagnostic unit A connection module connected to a waste battery accommodated in the above loading space; A power conversion unit connected to the above connection module to discharge and charge the corresponding waste battery; and A diagnostic module that controls the power conversion unit to discharge and charge the waste battery, and measures the operating status of the waste battery during discharge and charging of the waste battery to diagnose the waste battery; Mobile waste battery diagnostic system.

3. In paragraph 1 or 2, The above transport vehicle A loading unit having a loading space formed inside, a loading box having an opening formed on one side to allow the waste battery to be introduced into the loading space, and an opening / closing door installed in the loading box to open / close the opening; and A vehicle unit installed on the above loading unit and towing the loading unit to the battery processing facility; Mobile waste battery diagnostic system.

4. In paragraph 3, A storage member provided inside the above loading box and having a storage space for storing the waste batteries; A restraint unit that restrains the above storage member to the loading box; A forced transfer unit installed in the loading box so as to forcibly transfer the storage member to the outside of the loading box through the opening; A fire detection module that detects a fire occurring in a waste battery stored in the above storage member; Further comprising a fire extinguishing control module that operates the opening / closing door to open the opening when the fire detection module detects a fire in the waste battery, and operates the forced conveyance unit to discharge the storage member to the outside of the loading box; Mobile waste battery diagnostic system.

5. In paragraph 4, The above forced transfer unit A transfer plate that is installed on the floor surface of the loading space so as to be able to slide in a direction adjacent to or away from the opening so as to interfere with the storage member; and An actuator is provided to move the transfer plate toward the opening so that the storage member can be transferred to the outside of the loading box through the opening when a fire occurs in the waste battery. Mobile waste battery diagnostic system.

6. In paragraph 5, A spray nozzle installed on the above transfer plate and spraying the extinguishing agent toward the storage member; A fire extinguishing agent supply unit that supplies fire extinguishing agent to the spray nozzle so that the fire extinguishing agent is sprayed from the spray nozzle; and Further comprising a fire control module that operates the fire extinguishing agent supply unit to spray the fire extinguishing agent to the storage member that is forcibly transported outside the loading box when a fire in the waste battery is detected by the fire detection module; Mobile waste battery diagnostic system.

Images