Battery testing system and battery testing method

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of batteries, and provides a battery testing system and a battery testing method. The battery testing system comprises a housing, a testing mechanism, and a control device. The testing mechanism comprises a support, a probe card and a probe array. The control device is configured to control the testing mechanism to sequentially move to a first test position and a second test position along a first direction, so that the probe array tests a plurality of battery cells in a first area in a battery at the first test position, and tests a plurality of battery cells in a second area in the battery at the second test position. The first test position and the second test position are spaced by a predetermined distance in the first direction, so that the first area and the second area overlap one another and comprise some identical battery cells. According to the battery testing system of the present application, the battery can be tested in areas, and the problems of high over-killing rate and the like caused by using a large probe card are mitigated.

Description

Battery testing system and battery testing method

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application is based on Chinese Patent Application No. 202410459409.3 entitled “Battery testing system and battery testing method” filed on April 17, 2024, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to the technical field of batteries, and in particular, to a battery testing system and a battery testing method. BACKGROUND

[0004] Energy saving and emission reduction are the key to the sustainable development of the automobile industry. Electric vehicles have become an important part of the sustainable development of the automobile industry due to their energy-saving and environmentally friendly advantages. For electric vehicles, battery technology is an important factor for their development.

[0005] Before being shipped, batteries need to be tested to evaluate their performance. In the related art, probes are used to make electrical contact with battery cells in a battery to test the performance of the battery. When testing large batteries containing a large number of battery cells, a large probe board is usually selected to meet the size requirements of the battery to be tested. However, the use of a large probe board usually brings the following problems: a large probe board is usually suitable for batteries of a specific size and shape and cannot adapt to the battery testing needs of different sizes and shapes; a large probe board usually needs to exert a large pressure on the surface of the battery to achieve good electrical contact, but excessive pressure or uneven pressure exertion can cause damage to the battery; a large probe board has a low insulation value due to a large number of parallel circuits, resulting in a high failure rate.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] The present application aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the background art. To this end, one object of the present application is to provide a battery testing system and a battery testing method to improve at least one of the many problems caused by using a large probe board to test a battery.

[0008] Embodiments of the first aspect of the present application provide a battery testing system. The battery testing system comprises: a housing, a first platform for carrying a battery to be tested is arranged in the housing; a testing mechanism movably arranged in the housing and capable of moving relative to the housing along a first direction, the first direction being parallel to an upper surface of the first platform, the testing mechanism comprising: a support movably arranged in the housing and capable of moving relative to the housing along a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the upper surface of the first platform; a probe board arranged at a bottom of the support; and a probe array arranged on a lower surface of the probe board, probes in the probe array being used to make electrical contact with corresponding battery cells in the battery for testing; and a control device configured to control the testing mechanism to move along the first direction to a first testing position and a second testing position in turn, so that the probe array tests a plurality of battery cells in a first region in the battery at the first testing position and tests a plurality of battery cells in a second region in the battery at the second testing position, wherein the first testing position and the second testing position are apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the first direction, so that the first region and the second region overlap and include partially same battery cells.

[0009] In the technical solution of the embodiments of the present application, by arranging the testing mechanism capable of moving along the first direction, the battery testing system of the present application can perform regional testing on the battery, effectively reducing the space occupied by the battery testing system, and improving the problems of high failure rate and low stability caused by using a large probe board. In addition, by overlapping the first region and the second region, errors and deviations in the testing process can be reduced, which helps to improve the accuracy of the testing and obtain more comprehensive and reliable battery performance data.

[0010] In some embodiments, the battery testing system further comprises: a first-piece testing device, the first-piece testing device comprising a switch and a first-piece testing circuit, wherein the control device is further configured to control the switch to electrically connect the first-piece testing circuit to the probe array to perform a point test on the testing mechanism. By arranging the first-piece testing device, the testing mechanism can be tested in the battery testing system to verify the performance of the testing mechanism. Compared with the way of using a jig to perform a class opening point test in the related art, both the test time is saved and the accuracy and reliability of the test results are improved.

[0011] In some embodiments, the battery testing system further comprises: an instrument cabinet connected to the housing for accommodating the first-piece testing device; and a dehumidifier configured to dehumidify the instrument cabinet to reduce the humidity in the instrument cabinet. By arranging the instrument cabinet and the dehumidifier, a safe, stable and suitable test environment can be provided for the instruments therein, which helps to improve the accuracy and reliability of the test results and prolong the service life of the test equipment.

[0012] In some embodiments, the battery testing system further comprises a side probe arranged at a side of the first platform and configured to be movable along a first direction to make electrical contact with the shell of the battery to cooperate with the probe array to test the insulation property between the battery cell and the shell of the battery. By arranging the side probe to cooperate with the probe array, the insulation property between the battery cell and the shell of the battery can be tested, and the possibility of injury to the operator due to the charged battery shell can be reduced.

[0013] In some embodiments, the top of the housing is provided with a guide extending along a first direction, and the testing mechanism further comprises a top plate movably connected to the guide to be movable along the first direction, and a guide rail assembly fixedly connected to a lower surface of the top plate and comprising at least one guide rail extending along a second direction, and the support is movably connected to the at least one guide rail to be movable along the second direction. By arranging the guide and the guide rail assembly, the testing mechanism can be moved and positioned in different directions to better meet different requirements of battery testing.

[0014] In some embodiments, the testing mechanism further comprises a first driving mechanism in transmission connection with the top plate to drive the testing mechanism to move along the first direction to the first testing position and the second testing position under the control of the control device. By arranging the first driving mechanism, the control device can accurately move the testing mechanism to the target position in the first direction.

[0015] In some embodiments, the testing mechanism further comprises a second driving mechanism in transmission connection with the support to drive the probe array to move along the second direction to make electrical contact with the corresponding battery cell in the battery under the control of the control device. By arranging the second driving mechanism, the control device can accurately move the testing mechanism to the target position in the second direction.

[0016] In some embodiments, the probe plate is detachably connected to the support. By detachably arranging the probe plate on the support of the testing mechanism, the difficulty of replacing the probe plate is reduced. In the case of needing to change the arrangement of the probe array, or in the case of failure or damage of the probe plate, the replacement can be conveniently performed.

[0017] In some embodiments, the testing mechanism further comprises a jacking mechanism arranged at the bottom of the first platform and configured to jack up the first platform to a predetermined height. By arranging the jacking mechanism, the first platform can be jacked up to a predetermined height according to the testing requirements, so that the distance and position between the battery and the testing mechanism during the testing process are accurate and adjustable.

[0018] Embodiments of the second aspect of the application provide a battery testing method applied to a battery testing system. The battery testing system comprises a housing, a first platform arranged in the housing for carrying a battery to be tested, and a testing mechanism movably arranged in the housing and capable of moving relative to the housing along a first direction parallel to an upper surface of the first platform. The testing mechanism comprises a support movably arranged in the housing and capable of moving relative to the housing along a second direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the first platform, a probe plate arranged at the bottom of the support, and a probe array arranged on the lower surface of the probe plate, the probes in the probe array being used to electrically contact corresponding battery cells in the battery for performance testing. The method comprises: controlling the testing mechanism to move to a first testing position along the first direction; controlling the support to lower along the second direction so that the probes in the probe array electrically contact the battery cells in a first region of the battery; testing the battery cells in the first region of the battery; controlling the support to rise along the second direction so that the probes in the probe array electrically disconnect the battery cells in the first region of the battery; controlling the testing mechanism to move to a second testing position along the first direction, wherein the first testing position and the second testing position are a predetermined distance apart in the first direction, so that the first region and the second region overlap and include some same battery cells; controlling the support to lower along the second direction so that the probes in the probe array electrically contact the battery cells in a second region of the battery; and testing the battery cells in the second region of the battery. The battery testing method according to the embodiments of the application can test the battery in a region-by-region manner, effectively reducing the space occupied by the battery testing system, and improving the problems of high failure rate and low stability caused by using a large probe plate. By overlapping the first region and the second region, errors and deviations in the testing process can be reduced, which helps to improve the accuracy of the test and obtain more comprehensive and reliable battery performance data.

[0019] In some embodiments, the battery testing system further comprises a first-piece testing device comprising a switch and a first-piece testing loop, and the method further comprises: in response to the battery testing system starting, controlling the switch to electrically connect the first-piece testing loop to the probe array to perform a point test on the testing mechanism. By using the first-piece testing device of the embodiments of the application to perform a point test on the testing mechanism, the test time is saved and the accuracy and reliability of the test results are improved.

[0020] In some embodiments, the battery testing system further comprises a side probe arranged at a side of the first platform and configured to be movable along a first direction to make electrical contact with the shell of the battery, and the method further comprises: in response to the probe array testing the battery cells in the first region of the battery at the first testing position or testing the battery cells in the second region of the battery at the second testing position, controlling the side probe to move along the first direction to make contact with the shell of the battery, so as to cooperate with the probe array to test the insulation property between the battery cells and the shell of the battery. By arranging the side probe to cooperate with the probe array, the insulation property between the battery cells and the shell of the battery can be tested, and the possibility of injury to the operator due to the electrification of the battery shell is reduced.

[0021] The above description is only a summary of the technical solutions of the present application. In order to enable the technical means of the present application to be more clearly understood, and to be implemented in accordance with the content of the description, and in order to enable the above and other purposes, characteristics and advantages of the present application to be more apparent and easy to understand, the following specific embodiments of the present application are described. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to same or similar functionalities throughout the several views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. It is to be understood that the drawings only depict some embodiments according to the present disclosure and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present application. In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required to be used in the embodiments of the present application will be briefly introduced as follows. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort based on the drawings.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a battery testing system according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0024] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a part of a battery testing system according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0025] FIG. 3 is a structural schematic diagram of a testing mechanism of a battery testing system according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0026] FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a battery testing method according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0027] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] 100 housing, 200 testing mechanism, 300 first-piece testing device, 400 instrument cabinet, 500 dehumidifier, 600 side probe, 700 guide, 800 jacking mechanism;

[0029] 110 first platform, Y first direction, Z second direction;

[0030] 210 bracket, 220 probe plate, 230 probe array, 240 top plate, 250 guide rail assembly, 260 first driving mechanism, 270 second driving mechanism;

[0031] 252 guide rail, 700a first guide, 700b second guide;

[0032] 212 lifting plate, 218 bracket bottom plate, 216 screw rod. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The embodiments of the technical scheme of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical scheme of the present application, and therefore only serve as examples, and cannot limit the protection scope of the present application.

[0034] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs; the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application; the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof in the specification and claims of the present application and the above description of drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0035] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the technical terms "first", "second", etc. are only used to distinguish different objects, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number, specific order or primary and secondary relationship of the indicated technical features. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the meaning of "a plurality of" is two or more, unless otherwise explicitly and specifically limited.

[0036] Reference herein to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment, nor is it necessarily independent or alternative embodiments to other embodiments. It is explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0037] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the term "and / or" is only a description of the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent the three cases of A alone, A and B together, and B alone. In addition, the character " / " in this paper generally represents a "or" relationship between the front and rear associated objects.

[0038] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the term "a plurality of" refers to two or more (including two), and similarly, "a plurality of groups" refers to two or more groups (including two groups), and "a plurality of pieces" refers to two or more pieces (including two pieces).

[0039] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the technical terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, which is only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present application and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the embodiments of the present application.

[0040] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the technical terms "mounting", "connection", "connection", "fixing" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or it can be integrated; it can be mechanically connected, or it can be electrically connected; it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium; it can be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0041] At present, from the development of market situation, the application of power battery is more and more extensive. The power battery is not only applied to the energy storage power supply system of hydropower, thermal power, wind power and solar power station, but also widely applied to electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, electric vehicles and other electric vehicles, military equipment, aerospace and other fields. With the continuous expansion of the application field of power battery, the demand of its market is also increasing.

[0042] As described above, in the related art, a large probe board is used to test a battery containing a large number of battery monomers. Using a large probe board usually brings the following problems: a large probe board is usually suitable for batteries of a specific size and shape, and cannot adapt to the battery testing needs of different sizes and shapes; a large probe board usually needs to exert a large pressure on the surface of the battery to achieve good electrical contact, but excessive pressure or uneven pressure may cause damage to the battery; a large probe board has a low insulation value due to a large number of parallel circuits, resulting in a high failure rate.

[0043] In view of this, embodiments of the present application propose the inventive concept of "sub-region testing", in which the control mechanism is moved in sequence to the first test position and the second test position in the first direction, so that the probe array tests the plurality of battery cells in the first region in the battery at the first test position, and tests the plurality of battery cells in the second region in the battery at the second test position. Due to sub-region testing, the size of the probe board can be reduced, effectively reducing the space occupied by the battery testing system, and improving the problems of high rejection rate or low stability caused by using a large probe board. In addition, embodiments of the present application further propose that the first test position and the second test position are separated by a predetermined distance in the first direction, so that the first region and the second region overlap and include some of the same battery cells. By providing appropriate redundancy, errors and deviations in the testing process are reduced, and more comprehensive and reliable battery performance data is obtained.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a battery testing system according to some embodiments of the present application, FIG. 2 shows a structural schematic diagram of a part of a battery testing system according to some embodiments of the present application, and FIG. 3 shows a structural schematic diagram of a testing mechanism of a battery testing system according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0045] Embodiments of the present application provide a battery testing system, which includes a housing 100, a testing mechanism 200, and a control device (not shown in the figure).

[0046] The housing 100 is provided with a first platform 110 for carrying a battery (not shown in the figure) to be tested.

[0047] The testing mechanism 200 is movably arranged in the housing 100 and can move relative to the housing 100 in a first direction Y, which is parallel to the upper surface of the first platform 110. The testing mechanism 200 includes a support 210, a probe board 220, and a probe array 230. The support 210 is movably arranged in the housing 100 and can move relative to the housing 100 in a second direction Z. The second direction Z is perpendicular to the upper surface of the first platform 110. The probe board 220 is arranged at the bottom of the support 210. The probe array 230 is arranged on the lower surface of the probe board 220, and the probes in the probe array 230 are used to make electrical contact with the corresponding battery cells in the battery for testing.

[0048] The control device is configured to control the test mechanism 200 to move to the first test position and the second test position in sequence along the first direction Y, so that the probe array 230 tests a plurality of battery cells in a first region in the battery at the first test position and tests a plurality of battery cells in a second region in the battery at the second test position. Wherein the first test position and the second test position are apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the first direction Y, so that the first region and the second region overlap and include some same battery cells.

[0049] In embodiments of the present application, the "battery" can refer to a battery module composed of a plurality of battery cells in series or in parallel or in hybrid connection, wherein the battery module can be, for example, a double-row module, a multi-row module. The battery test system according to the present application is particularly suitable for a multi-row module containing a larger number of battery cells.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the battery test system includes a housing 100, a test mechanism 200, and a control device. The housing 100 has a space for accommodating the test mechanism 200, the control device, and a first platform 110.

[0051] The test mechanism 200 is disposed above the first platform 110 and is movable relative to the housing 100 along a first direction Y. For illustrative purposes, only the case where the first direction Y is the length direction of the upper surface of the first platform 110 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It should be understood that depending on actual testing requirements, any other direction parallel to the upper surface of the first platform 110 as the first direction Y is possible, for example, the first direction Y is the width direction of the upper surface of the first platform 110.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 3, the test mechanism 200 can include a bracket 210, a probe plate 220, and a probe array 230. The bracket 210 can be, for example, a rack capable of carrying the probe plate 220 and the probe array 230 to move along a second direction Z, which is perpendicular to the upper surface of the first platform 110. The probe array 230 can include a plurality of probes, each of which is used to make electrical contact with a corresponding battery cell in the battery to be tested for testing.

[0053] In embodiments of the present application, the number of probes in the probe array 230 can be less than the number of battery cells in the battery to be tested, or the probe array 230 can be less than the size of the battery to be tested. For example, when testing a battery containing 5 rows of 12 columns of battery cells ((r1, r2, r3, r4, r5) x 12), a probe array with 3 x 12 probes can be used. The control device can first control the testing mechanism 200 to move to a first testing position, which can be, for example, above the first 3 rows of battery cells closer to the battery to be tested, and test a plurality of battery cells in a corresponding first region in the battery. The first region can be (r1, r2, r3) x 12, i.e., the first 3 rows of battery cells of the battery are tested first. After the test of the first region is completed, the control device controls the testing mechanism 200 to move to a second testing position, for example, to above the last 3 rows of battery cells closer to the battery to be tested along the first direction Y, and test a plurality of battery cells in a corresponding second region in the battery. The second region can be (r3, r4, r5) x 12, i.e., the last 3 rows of battery cells of the battery are tested. It should be understood that the "predetermined distance" can refer to the distance experienced by the testing mechanism 200 when moving from the first testing position to the second testing position along the first direction Y (e.g., the distance experienced when moving from above the first 3 rows of battery cells closer to the battery to be tested to above the last 3 rows of battery cells closer to the battery to be tested along the first direction Y). The distance can be predetermined so that partial battery cells are repeatedly tested (e.g., the 3rd row (r3) of battery cells is repeatedly tested) during the testing of the battery.

[0054] Although only the use of a probe array with fewer rows compared to the number of rows of battery cells to test a battery and achieve redundant testing is described in the examples, it should be understood that other ways of arranging and moving the probe array that enable testing of different regions of the battery by moving the probe array in the first direction Y are also possible and should not be construed as limiting.

[0055] In embodiments of the present application, the tests performed can include at least one of the following tests: a test of the voltage of the battery cells, a test of the insulation resistance between the battery cells, or a test of the voltage withstand performance of the battery cells.

[0056] In embodiments of the present application, examples of the control device include, but are not limited to, an industrial control computer. An industrial control computer is a general term for computers that detect and control production processes of electromechanical equipment, process equipment. The industrial control computer can be, for example, an IPC (PC bus industrial computer), a PLC (programmable control system), a DCS (distributed control system), an FCS (field bus system), or a CNC (numerical control system).

[0057] By setting the test mechanism capable of moving along the first direction, the battery test system of the present application can test the battery in a regional manner, effectively reducing the space occupied by the battery test system, and improving the problems of high rejection rate or low stability caused by using a large probe board. In addition, by overlapping the first region and the second region and repeatedly testing part of the battery monomers, the error and deviation in the test process can be reduced, which helps to improve the accuracy of the test and obtain more comprehensive and reliable battery performance data.

[0058] According to some embodiments of the present application, the battery test system further comprises a first-piece test device 300. The first-piece test device 300 comprises a switching switch (not shown in the figure) and a first-piece test loop (not shown in the figure). The control device is further configured to control the switching switch to electrically connect the first-piece test loop to the probe array 230 to perform a point inspection on the test mechanism 200.

[0059] In some embodiments, the "switching switch" may, for example, be a relay, which is used to switch different circuit connections during the test process. The "first-piece test loop" may contain a test circuit for detecting whether the test mechanism 200 can work normally.

[0060] In some embodiments, during the point inspection, the control device can control the first-piece test loop to send specific electrical signals to the probes in the probe array, which can simulate the electrical signals in the actual test process. The control device can also receive the signals collected by the probes in the probe array and determine whether the test mechanism 200 works normally by analyzing the collected signals.

[0061] By setting the first-piece test device, the test mechanism can be point inspected in the battery test system to verify the performance of the test mechanism. Compared with the way of using a jig to perform a point inspection in the related art, both the test time is saved and the accuracy and reliability of the test results are improved.

[0062] According to some embodiments of the present application, the battery test system further comprises an instrument cabinet 400 and a dehumidifier 500. The instrument cabinet 400 is connected to the shell 100 for accommodating the first-piece test device 300. The dehumidifier 500 is configured to dehumidify the instrument cabinet 400 to reduce the humidity in the instrument cabinet 400.

[0063] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 1, the instrument cabinet 400 may, for example, be arranged above the shell 100 for accommodating the first-piece test device 300.

[0064] The dehumidifier 500 is used to dehumidify the instrument cabinet 400 to reduce the humidity in the instrument cabinet 400. During the battery testing process, humidity is an important consideration, and high humidity can have a negative impact on the performance and reliability of the testing equipment. The dehumidifier 500 can keep the humidity in the instrument cabinet 400 within an acceptable range, thereby providing a dry environment for the instruments therein and reducing the interference of humidity on the test results.

[0065] By providing the instrument cabinet and the dehumidifier, a safe, stable, and suitable testing environment can be provided for the instruments therein, which helps to improve the accuracy and reliability of the test results and prolong the service life of the testing equipment.

[0066] According to some embodiments of the present application, the battery testing system further comprises a side probe 600. The side probe 600 is arranged at the side of the first platform 110 and is configured to be movable along the first direction Y to make electrical contact with the shell of the battery to cooperate with the probe array 230 to test the insulation property between the battery monomer and the shell of the battery.

[0067] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 1, the side probe 600 is arranged at the side of the first platform 110 and is configured to be movable along the first direction Y towards the battery to be tested located on the first platform 110. The side probe 600 may, for example, comprise a connecting plate connected with a telescopic mechanism (not shown in the figure) provided at the side of the first platform 110. The telescopic mechanism has a telescopic arm extendable along the first direction Y, and a control device can control the telescopic arm of the telescopic mechanism to extend along the first direction Y towards the battery in the platform, so that the side probe 600 can make electrical contact with the shell of the battery. It should be understood that the use of the telescopic mechanism to move the side probe 600 along the first direction Y is only illustrative, and in other embodiments, the side probe 600 can also be moved along the first direction Y to make electrical contact with the shell of the battery by other means, for example, by providing a guide to guide the movement of the side probe 600.

[0068] By making the side probe 600 make electrical contact with the shell of the battery and making the probes in the probe array 230 make electrical contact with the corresponding battery monomers in the battery, the battery testing system can determine, for example, the insulation resistance between the battery monomers in the battery and the shell of the battery.

[0069] By providing the side probe to cooperate with the probe array, the insulation property between the battery monomers and the shell of the battery can be tested, reducing the possibility of injury to the operator due to the electrification of the battery shell.

[0070] According to some embodiments of the present application, the top of the housing 100 is provided with a guide 700 extending along the first direction Y. The testing mechanism 200 further comprises a top plate 240 and a guide rail assembly 250. The top plate 240 is movably connected to the guide 700 so as to be movable along the first direction Y. The guide rail assembly 250 is fixedly connected to the lower surface of the top plate 240 and comprises at least one guide rail 252 extending along the second direction Z, and the bracket 210 is movably connected to the at least one guide rail so as to be movable along the second direction Z.

[0071] In some embodiments, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the top of the housing 100 is provided with a guide 700 extending along the first direction Y. Referring to FIG. 2, the number of guides can be two, i.e., a first guide 700a and a second guide 700b. The first guide 700a and the second guide 700b are movably connected to the two ends of the top plate 240 of the testing mechanism 200 respectively, so as to enable the top plate 240 and the testing mechanism 200 to move along the first direction Y, for example, to move to a first testing position and a second testing position.

[0072] The testing mechanism 200 further comprises a guide rail assembly 250 fixedly connected to the lower surface of the top plate 240. In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 3, the guide rail assembly 250 can comprise, for example, four guide rails 252, which can be sleeves, for example.

[0073] The provision of the guide and the guide rail assembly enables the testing mechanism to move and position in different directions, better meeting different requirements of battery testing.

[0074] According to some embodiments of the present application, the testing mechanism 200 further comprises a first driving mechanism 260. The first driving mechanism 260 is in transmission connection with the top plate 240 to drive the testing mechanism 200 to move to the first testing position and the second testing position along the first direction Y under the control of the control device.

[0075] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 2, the testing mechanism 200 further comprises a first driving mechanism 260. Depending on system requirements and actual conditions, the first driving mechanism 260 can adopt various transmission modes, such as electric drive, pneumatic drive or hydraulic drive, etc.

[0076] By providing the first driving mechanism, the control device can enable the testing mechanism to accurately move to the target position in the first direction.

[0077] According to some embodiments of the present application, the testing mechanism 200 further comprises a second driving mechanism 270. The second driving mechanism 270 is in transmission connection with the bracket 210 to drive the probe array 230 to move along the second direction Z to electrically contact the corresponding battery cell in the battery under the control of the control device.

[0078] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 3, the bracket 210 can include a lifting plate 212 and a bracket bottom plate 218 arranged in sequence along the second direction Z. The guide rail 252 can be, for example, a sleeve in which guide rods are arranged. Two ends of each guide rod are rigidly connected to the bottom surface of the lifting plate 212 and the top surface of the bracket bottom plate 218, respectively, so that the bracket 210 can move as a whole along the second direction Z. Taking the second driving mechanism 270 as an example, the output shaft of the motor is a lead screw 216, and the free end of the lead screw 216 is threadedly connected to the lifting plate 212. During the operation of the motor, the lead screw 216 is driven to rotate forward or reverse, and the relative movement between the lead screw 216 and the thread realizes the movement (e.g., rising and falling) of the lifting plate 212 along the second direction Z. The rising and falling of the lifting plate 212 will drive the bracket bottom plate 218 to rise and fall by the same amplitude. The bracket bottom plate 218 is fixedly connected with the probe plate 220, thereby driving the probe plate 220 to move. It should be understood that the motor, lead screw, and threaded connection in the present embodiment are only illustrative, and in other embodiments, the bracket 210 can also be driven to move by other means, for example, using a movable air cylinder to drive the bracket 210 to move.

[0079] By providing the second driving mechanism, the control device can accurately move the testing mechanism to the target position in the second direction.

[0080] According to some embodiments of the present application, the probe plate 220 is detachably connected to the bracket 210.

[0081] In some embodiments, the probe plate 220 is detachably mounted to the bracket 210 shown in FIG. 3. The mounting methods include but are not limited to clamping, plug-in, threaded mounting, etc. After mounting, it is necessary to ensure that the probe plate 220 does not shake laterally to avoid subsequent detection errors.

[0082] The detachable arrangement of the probe plate in the bracket of the testing mechanism reduces the difficulty of replacing the probe plate. In the case of changing the arrangement of the probe array or in the case of probe plate failure or damage, the probe plate can be conveniently replaced.

[0083] According to some embodiments of the present application, the battery testing system further includes a jacking mechanism 800. The jacking mechanism 800 is arranged at the bottom of the first platform 110 and is configured to jacking the first platform 110 to a predetermined height.

[0084] In some embodiments, the jacking mechanism 800 is arranged at the bottom of the first platform 110. The "predetermined height" can refer to the height of the first platform 110 that enables the use of the probe array 230 and the side probe 600 to test the battery placed thereon.

[0085] By setting the jacking mechanism, the first platform can be jacked to a predetermined height according to the test requirements, so that the distance and position between the battery and the test mechanism during the test are accurate and adjustable.

[0086] FIG. 4 shows a schematic flowchart of a battery test method 1000 according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0087] The embodiments of the present application provide a battery test method applied to a battery test system.

[0088] The battery test system includes a housing 100, a test mechanism 200, and a control device (not shown in the figure). The housing 100 is provided with a first platform 110 for carrying a battery to be tested. The test mechanism 200 is movably arranged in the housing 100 and can move relative to the housing 100 along a first direction Y, which is parallel to the upper surface of the first platform 110. The test mechanism 200 includes a support 210, a probe plate 220, and a probe array 230. The support 210 is movably arranged in the housing 100 and can move relative to the housing 100 along a second direction Z. The second direction Z is perpendicular to the upper surface of the first platform 110. The probe plate 220 is arranged at the bottom of the support 210. The probe array 230 is arranged on the lower surface of the probe plate 220, and the probes in the probe array 230 are used to make electrical contact with the corresponding battery cells in the battery for testing. The control device is configured to control the test mechanism 200 to move along the first direction Y to a first test position and a second test position in sequence, so that the probe array 230 tests a plurality of battery cells in a first region in the battery at the first test position, and tests a plurality of battery cells in a second region in the battery at the second test position.

[0089] The method 1000 includes:

[0090] S1010, controlling the test mechanism 200 to move along the first direction Y to the first test position;

[0091] S1020, controlling the support 210 to lower along the second direction Z, so that the probes in the probe array 230 make electrical contact with the battery cells in the first region in the battery;

[0092] S1030, testing the battery cells in the first region in the battery;

[0093] S1040, controlling the support 210 to rise along the second direction Z, so that the probes in the probe array 230 are disconnected from the electrical contact with the battery cells in the first region in the battery;

[0094] S1050, control the testing mechanism 200 to move to a second testing position along the first direction Y, wherein the first testing position and the second testing position are apart from each other by a predetermined distance along the first direction Y, so that the first region and the second region overlap and include partially same battery cells;

[0095] S1060, control the support 210 to lower along the second direction Z, so that the probes in the probe array 230 are in electrical contact with the battery cells in the second region in the battery; and

[0096] S1070, test the battery cells in the second region in the battery.

[0097] The battery testing method according to the embodiments of the present application can test the battery in a region-by-region manner, effectively reducing the space occupied by the battery testing system, and improving the problems of high failure rate and low stability caused by using a large probe plate. In addition, by overlapping the first region and the second region, the error and deviation in the testing process can be reduced, which helps to improve the accuracy of the test and obtain more comprehensive and reliable battery performance data.

[0098] According to some embodiments of the present application, the battery testing system further comprises a first-piece testing device 300. The first-piece testing device 300 comprises a switch and a first-piece testing circuit.

[0099] The method 1000 further comprises: in response to the battery testing system starting, controlling the switch to electrically connect the first-piece testing circuit to the probe array 230 to perform a point test on the testing mechanism 200.

[0100] By using the first-piece testing device according to the embodiments of the present application to perform a point test on the testing mechanism, the test time is saved and the accuracy and reliability of the test results are improved.

[0101] According to some embodiments of the present application, the battery testing system further comprises a side probe 600. The side probe 600 is arranged at the side of the first platform 110 and is configured to be movable along the first direction Y to be in electrical contact with the shell of the battery.

[0102] The method 100 further comprises: in response to the probe array 230 testing the battery cells in the first region in the battery at the first testing position or testing the battery cells in the second region in the battery at the second testing position, controlling the side probe 600 to move to contact the shell of the battery along the first direction Y, thereby cooperating with the probe array 230 to test the insulation property between the battery cells and the shell of the battery.

[0103] By setting the side probe to cooperate with the probe array, the insulation property between the battery cells and the shell of the battery can be tested, reducing the possibility of injury to the operator caused by the charged battery shell.

[0104] The battery testing system and the battery testing method will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0105] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the battery testing system includes a housing 100, a testing mechanism 200, and a control device.

[0106] The housing 100 is provided with a first platform 110 for carrying the battery to be tested. The testing mechanism 200 is arranged above the first platform 110 and is movable relative to the housing 100 along a first direction Y. The testing mechanism 200 can include a top plate 240, a bracket 210, a probe plate 220, a probe array 230, and a guide rail assembly 250. The top of the housing 100 is provided with a first guide 700a and a second guide 700b extending along the first direction Y, which are movably connected to both ends of the top plate 240 of the testing mechanism 200, respectively, so that the top plate 240 and the testing mechanism 200 can move along the first direction Y. The bracket 210 can include a lifting plate 212 and a bracket bottom plate 218 arranged in sequence along a second direction Z. The guide rail 252 can be a sleeve, for example, in which a guide rod is arranged. Both ends of each guide rod are rigidly connected to the bottom surface of the lifting plate 212 and the top surface of the bracket bottom plate 218, respectively, so that the bracket 210 can move as a whole along the second direction Z. The testing mechanism 200 further includes a second driving mechanism 270, which can be a motor. The output shaft of the motor is a lead screw 216, and the free end of the lead screw 216 is threadedly connected to the lifting plate 212. During operation of the motor, the lead screw 216 is driven to rotate forward or reverse, and the relative movement between the lead screw 216 and the thread realizes the movement (e.g., rising and falling) of the lifting plate 212 along the second direction Z. The rising and falling of the lifting plate 212 will drive the bracket bottom plate 218 to rise and fall by the same amplitude. The bracket bottom plate 218 is fixedly connected to the probe plate 220, thereby driving the probe plate 220 to move.

[0107] The control device is configured to control the testing mechanism 200 to move in sequence to a first testing position and a second testing position along the first direction Y, so that the probe array 230 tests a plurality of battery cells in a first region in the battery at the first testing position and tests a plurality of battery cells in a second region in the battery at the second testing position. The first testing position and the second testing position are a predetermined distance apart in the first direction Y, so that the first region and the second region overlap and include some of the same battery cells. By overlapping the first region and the second region, errors and deviations in the testing process can be reduced.

[0108] The battery test system further comprises a first-piece test device 300. The first-piece test device 300 comprises a switching switch and a first-piece test loop. The control device electrically connects the first-piece test loop to the probe array 230 by controlling the switching switch to perform a point inspection on the test mechanism 200. During the point inspection, the control device controls the first-piece test loop to send specific electrical signals to the contact points in the probe array, which can simulate the electrical signals in the actual test process, so as to determine whether the processing and measurement of the test mechanism to the signals are accurate and reliable. The first-piece test loop can test the contact performance, resistance, capacitance and inductance and other parameters of the probe to verify the performance of the test mechanism 200. Compared with the way of using a jig to perform a class-opening point inspection in the related art, the first-piece test device saves test time and improves the accuracy and reliability of test results.

[0109] Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, and not to limit them; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that: it can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent replacement to part or all of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and they should be covered in the scope of the claims and the specification of the present application. Especially, as long as there is no structural conflict, each technical feature mentioned in each embodiment can be combined in any way. The present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed in the text, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A battery testing system, comprising: a housing (100) having a first platform (110) disposed therein for carrying a battery to be tested; a testing mechanism (200) movably disposed in the housing (100) and movable relative to the housing (100) along a first direction (Y) parallel to an upper surface of the first platform (110), the testing mechanism (200) comprising: a bracket (210) movably disposed in the housing (100) and movable relative to the housing (100) along a second direction (Z) perpendicular to the upper surface of the first platform (110); a probe board (220) disposed at a bottom of the bracket (210); and a probe array (230) disposed on a lower surface of the probe board (220), probes in the probe array (230) being configured to make electrical contact with corresponding battery cells in the battery for testing; and a control device configured to control the testing mechanism (200) to move along the first direction (Y) to a first testing position and a second testing position in sequence, such that the probe array (230) tests a plurality of battery cells in a first region in the battery at the first testing position and tests a plurality of battery cells in a second region in the battery at the second testing position, wherein the first testing position and the second testing position are apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the first direction (Y) such that the first region and the second region overlap and include partially same battery cells.

2. The battery testing system of claim 1, wherein, further comprising: a first-piece testing device (300) comprising a switch and a first-piece testing circuit, wherein the control device is further configured to control the switch to electrically connect the first-piece testing circuit to the probe array (230) to perform a point test on the testing mechanism (200).

3. The battery testing system of claim 1 or 2, wherein, further comprising: an instrument cabinet (400) connected to the housing (100) for accommodating the first-piece testing device (300); and a dehumidifier (500) configured to dehumidify the instrument cabinet (400) to reduce humidity in the instrument cabinet (400). further comprising:

4. The battery testing system of any one of claims 1-3, wherein, a side probe (600) arranged at a side of the first platform (110) and configured to be movable along the first direction (Y) to make electrical contact with a shell of the battery to test insulation properties between the battery cells and the shell of the battery in cooperation with the probe array (230). a guide (700) disposed at a top of the housing (100) and extending along the first direction (Y), and the testing mechanism (200) further comprising:

5. The battery testing system of any one of claims 1-3, wherein, a top plate (240) movably connected to the guide (700) and movable along the first direction (Y); and a probe array (230) disposed on a lower surface of the probe board (220), probes in the probe array (230) being configured to make electrical contact with corresponding battery cells in the battery for testing; and a control device configured to control the testing mechanism (200) to move along the first direction (Y) to a first testing position and a second testing position in sequence, such that the probe array (230) tests a plurality of battery cells in a first region in the battery at the first testing position and tests a plurality of battery cells in a second region in the battery at the second testing position, wherein the first testing position and the second testing position are apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the first direction (Y) such that the first region and the second region overlap and include partially same battery cells. further comprising: a first-piece testing device (300) comprising a switch and a first-piece testing circuit, wherein the control device is further configured to control the switch to electrically connect the first-piece testing circuit to the probe array (230) to perform a point test on the testing mechanism (200). further comprising: an instrument cabinet (400) connected to the housing (100) for accommodating the first-piece testing device (300); and a dehumidifier (500) configured to dehumidify the instrument cabinet (400) to reduce humidity in the instrument cabinet (400). further comprising: a side probe (600) arranged at a side of the first platform (110) and configured to be movable along the first direction (Y) to make electrical contact with a shell of the battery to test insulation properties between the battery cells and the shell of the battery in cooperation with the probe array (230). a guide (700) disposed at a top of the housing (100) and extending along the first direction (Y), and the testing mechanism (200) further comprising: a top plate (240) movably connected to the guide (700) and movable along the first direction (Y); and A guide rail assembly (250) fixedly connected to a lower surface of the top plate (240) and comprising at least one guide rail (252) extending along the second direction (Z), the bracket (210) being movably connected to the at least one guide rail so as to be movable along the second direction (Z).

6. The battery testing system of any one of claims 1-5, wherein, The test mechanism (200) further comprises a first driving mechanism (260) drivingly connected to the top plate (240) to drive the test mechanism (200) to move along the first direction (Y) to the first test position and the second test position under control of the control device.

7. The battery testing system of any one of claims 1-5, wherein, The test mechanism (200) further comprises a second driving mechanism (270) drivingly connected to the bracket (210) to drive the probe array (230) to move along the second direction (Z) to make electrical contact with the corresponding battery cell in the battery under control of the control device.

8. The battery testing system of any one of claims 1-7, wherein, The probe plate (220) is detachably connected to the bracket (210).

9. The battery testing system of any one of claims 1-7, wherein, Further comprising: A jacking mechanism (800) arranged at a bottom of the first platform (110) and configured to jack up the first platform (110) to a predetermined height.

10. A battery testing method applied to a battery testing system, the battery testing system comprising: A housing (100) in which a first platform (110) for carrying a battery to be tested is arranged; A test mechanism (200) movably arranged in the housing (100) and movable relative to the housing (100) along a first direction (Y) parallel to an upper surface of the first platform (110), the test mechanism (200) comprising: a bracket (210) movably arranged in the housing (100) and movable relative to the housing (100) along a second direction (Z) perpendicular to the upper surface of the first platform (110); a probe plate (220) arranged at a bottom of the bracket (210); and a probe array (230) arranged on a lower surface of the probe plate (220), probes in the probe array (230) being used to make electrical contact with corresponding battery cells in the battery for performance testing, the method comprising: Controlling the test mechanism (200) to move along the first direction (Y) to a first test position; Controlling the bracket (210) to lower along the second direction (Z) so that the probes in the probe array (230) make electrical contact with battery cells in a first region of the battery; Testing the battery cells in the first region of the battery; Controlling the bracket (210) to rise along the second direction (Z) so that the probes in the probe array (230) are disconnected from electrical contact with the battery cells in the first region of the battery; controlling the test mechanism (200) to move in the first direction (Y) to a second test position, wherein the first test position and the second test position are a predetermined distance apart in the first direction (Y) such that the first region and the second region overlap and include partially the same battery cells; controlling the support (210) to lower in the second direction (Z) such that the probes in the probe array (230) are in electrical contact with battery cells in a second region in the battery; and testing the battery cells in the second region in the battery.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The battery test system further includes a first piece test device (300) including a switch and a first piece test loop, and the method further includes: in response to the battery test system starting, controlling the switch to electrically connect the first piece test loop to the probe array (230) to perform a first piece test on the test mechanism (200).

12. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein, The battery test system further includes a side probe (600) disposed at a side of the first platform (110) and configured to be movable in the first direction (Y) to make electrical contact with a housing of the battery, and the method further includes: in response to the probe array (230) testing battery cells in a first region in the battery at the first test position or testing battery cells in a second region in the battery at the second test position, controlling the side probe (600) to move in the first direction (Y) to contact the housing of the battery to cooperate with the probe array (230) to test an insulation property between the battery cells and the housing of the battery.

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