Battery connection device

Abstract

Provided is a battery connection device in which the durability and reliability of a portion to be electrically connected can be improved. The battery connection device comprises: a chamber body 11 for taking in / out a charging / discharging body 10 through an opening 11a; a door 12 provided in the chamber body 11 and opening / closing the opening 11a; an electrode portion 22 electrically connected to a charging / discharging body side terminal portion 21b of the charging / discharging body 10 housed in the chamber body 11; and an interlocking mechanism 23 configured to interlock with the opening / closing operation of the door 12 and moving the electrode portion 22 so as to contact with the charging / discharging body side terminal portion 21b by the closing operation of the door 12.

Description

Battery connecting device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery connecting device.

[0002] Vehicles such as hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and electric vehicles are equipped with a chargeable and dischargeable secondary battery as a driving battery. As a technology related to such driving batteries, there is a charge-discharge test system that tests driving batteries by connecting them in parallel as test batteries.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a thermostatic chamber in a charge-discharge test system, in which a test battery as a charge-discharge body is housed while being mounted on a tray. The thermostatic chamber has an opening for inserting and removing the tray. The opening is opened and closed by a door. The test battery mounted on the tray is electrically connected in a state inserted into the thermostatic chamber. Specifically, a charge-discharge test of the test battery is performed by inserting an edge terminal provided on the tray on which the battery is mounted into a connector on the charge-discharge power supply side.

[0004] Japanese Patent No. 5558504

[0005] In a charge-discharge test, repeated connector connection in the thermostatic chamber degrades the electrically connected portion. When the electrically connected portion degrades, there is a risk that electrical connection with the test battery cannot be achieved, making it impossible to perform the charge-discharge test. Degradation of the electrically connected portion caused by repeated connector connection is not limited to charge-discharge test systems. This applies to battery connecting devices that use connector connections under various environments.

[0006] A battery connecting device that solves the above problem comprises: a tank body configured such that a charge-discharge body can be put in and taken out through an opening; a door provided on the tank body for opening and closing the opening; an electrode portion electrically connected to a charge-discharge body side terminal portion of the charge-discharge body housed in the tank body; and an interlocking mechanism configured to interlock with the opening and closing operation of the door, and moving the electrode portion so as to abut against the charge-discharge body side terminal portion when the door is closed.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the durability and reliability of the electrically connected portion can be improved.

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the battery connection device of the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic side view showing the battery connection device of the first embodiment with a charge / discharge element inserted inside. Figure 3 is a schematic top view showing the battery connection device of the first embodiment with a charge / discharge element inserted inside. Figure 4 is a schematic front view showing the battery connection device of the first embodiment with a charge / discharge element inserted inside and the electrode probe in contact with the terminal portion on the charge / discharge element side. Figure 5 is a schematic side view showing the battery connection device of the first embodiment with a charge / discharge element inserted inside and the electrode probe in contact with the terminal portion on the charge / discharge element side. Figure 6 is a schematic side view showing the battery connection device of the second embodiment with the door open. Figure 7 is a schematic side view of the main part showing the battery connection device of the second embodiment with the door open. Figure 8 is a schematic side view of the main part showing the battery connection device of the second embodiment with the door closed.

[0009] Referring to Figures 1 to 8, a battery connection device used in the charge / discharge test system will be described. <First Embodiment> As shown in Figure 1, the charge / discharge test system is a system for performing charge / discharge tests on a charge / discharge unit 10 as a test battery. The charge / discharge unit 10 is a type of secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery, nickel-metal hydride battery, and all-solid-state battery (and other power storage devices including large-capacity capacitors such as electric double-layer batteries). The charge / discharge unit 10 has different charge / discharge characteristics in different environments such as low temperature and high temperature, and high humidity and low humidity. For this reason, the charge / discharge test is performed by placing the charge / discharge unit 10 in a constant temperature chamber 9 and reproducing various environments within the constant temperature chamber 9. Once the charge / discharge unit 10 is placed in the constant temperature chamber 9, it is electrically connected to the charge / discharge power supply unit and repeatedly charged and discharged. When the charge / discharge test is completed, the charge / discharge unit 10 is electrically disconnected from the charge / discharge power supply and removed from the constant temperature chamber 9. Then, the next charge / discharge unit 10 is placed in the constant temperature chamber 9.

[0010] <Battery Connection Device> The battery connection device 1 is applied to a constant temperature bath device. The battery connection device 1 comprises a tank body 11 having an opening 11a and a door 12 for opening and closing the opening 11a. The tank body 11 and the door 12 constitute a constant temperature bath 9. The tank body 11 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and an opening 11a is provided on the front for inserting and removing the charge / discharge body 10 to be tested. The opening 11a has, for example, a rectangular shape. The tank body 11 has an insulating structure. A test space 13 is provided inside the tank body 11.

[0011] The door 12 is configured to open and close the opening 11a. When the door 12 is closed, with the opening 11a closed, it seals the test space 13. The door 12 is in the open state when it is moved above the tank body 11. When the door is open, the charge / discharge element 10 to be tested is inserted and removed. The insertion and removal of the charge / discharge element 10 is performed automatically by a transport mechanism 8 that transports the charge / discharge element 10. When the door is closed, the charge / discharge test of the charge / discharge element 10 is performed in the test space 13.

[0012] The door 12 is supported by the tank body 11 by an opening and closing guide mechanism. The opening and closing guide mechanism includes a door vertical guide rail 14 that guides the vertical movement of the door 12, and a door straight guide rail 15 that guides the front-rear movement of the door 12. The door vertical guide rail 14 and the door straight guide rail 15 are connected in a series of rails and have an overall L-shape. The door vertical guide rail 14 and the door straight guide rail 15 are engaged with the guide projection 16 of the movable support plate 16a provided on the door 12.

[0013] When the door 12 is open, it is positioned at the upper position A of the door upper and lower guide rail 14. When the door 12 closes the opening 11a, the door 12 moves from the upper position A of the door upper and lower guide rail 14 to the lower position B (in the direction of arrow D1). The lower position B is also the rear position B, where the door 12 is separated from the opening 11a. After that, the door 12 is guided by the door straight guide rail 15 and moves straight from the rear position B to the front position C. At the front position C, the door 12 is in a state where it has closed the opening 11a.

[0014] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the tank body 11 is provided with a mounting plate 21 in the test space 13 on which the charge / discharge element 10 is mounted. The mounting plate 21 is attached, for example, to the bottom plate of the tank body 11. The mounting plate 21 comprises a mounting portion 21a and a charge / discharge element side terminal portion 21b. The mounting portion 21a is the area on which the charge / discharge element 10 is mounted. The charge / discharge element 10 mounted on the mounting portion 21a is positioned in the vertical direction (D2 direction) and the horizontal direction (direction perpendicular to the D2 direction). The mounting portion 21a comprises a positive electrode contact that contacts the positive electrode of the charge / discharge element 10 and a negative electrode contact that contacts the negative electrode. The charge / discharge element side terminal portion 21b comprises a positive electrode terminal region and a negative electrode terminal region. The positive electrode terminal region is electrically connected to the positive electrode contact through internal wiring. The negative electrode terminal region is electrically connected to the negative electrode contact through internal wiring. The positive terminal region and the negative terminal region are areas to which the electrode probe 22b is in contact.

[0015] Furthermore, the tank body 11 includes an electrode section 22 and an interlocking mechanism 23 in the test space 13. The electrode section 22 is configured to be electrically connectable to the charge / discharge body side terminal section 21b. As shown in Figure 4, the electrode section 22 includes a base section 22a, an electrode probe 22b, a shaft member 22c, and a biasing member 22d. The base section 22a, electrode probe 22b, shaft member 22c, and biasing member 22d of the electrode section 22 are mechanically connected.

[0016] Multiple electrical cables extend from the electrode probe 22b (not shown). These multiple electrical cables include a positive electrode cable, a negative electrode cable, and a control cable. The multiple electrical cables may be bundled together into a single cable. Such electrical cables extend to the outside of the tank body 11 so as not to interfere with the operation of the electrode section 22 or the interlocking mechanism 23.

[0017] The shaft member 22c is configured to be extendable and retractable relative to the base portion 22a. An electrode probe 22b is provided at the tip of the shaft member 22c. The electrode probe 22b is also provided with a holder 22g that holds a biasing member 22d. The biasing member 22d is, for example, a coil spring. The biasing member 22d is wound around the shaft member 22c and positioned between the base portion 22a and the holder 22g. The electrode probe 22b is elastically biased downward (in the direction of arrow D3) relative to the base portion 22a by the biasing force of the biasing member 22d.

[0018] The base portion 22a is configured to be movable linearly along the vertical direction. Upper and lower guide blocks 22e are provided on the base portion 22a. Upper and lower guide rails 22f extending in the vertical direction are provided on the side walls of the tank body 11. Upper and lower guide blocks 22e are movably provided on the upper and lower guide rails 22f.

[0019] The interlocking mechanism 23 is a link mechanism configured to synchronize the vertical movement of the electrode section 22 with the opening and closing operation of the door 12. The interlocking mechanism 23 moves the electrode probe 22b to contact the charge / discharge body side terminal section 21b when the door 12 is closed. The interlocking mechanism 23 includes an electrode arm 24 and an intermediate arm 25. The electrode arm 24 and the intermediate arm 25 are mechanically connected in the interlocking mechanism 23 as well. The electrode arm 24 and the base section 22a are also mechanically connected.

[0020] The electrode arm 24 is configured to move the electrode portion 22 in a direction toward or toward the charge / discharge body side terminal portion 21b. As an example, the electrode arm 24 is a straight rod-shaped member and has a first end and a second end.

[0021] The intermediate arm 25 is configured to move the electrode arm 24 in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the door 12. For example, the intermediate arm 25 is a straight rod-shaped member and has a first end and a second end.

[0022] The base portion 22a and the first end of the electrode arm 24 are rotatably supported by an axis. The first end of the intermediate arm 25 and the second end of the electrode arm 24 are also rotatably supported by an axis.

[0023] The second end of the intermediate arm 25 is closer to the door 12 than the first end. The second end is the operated part 25a that is pressed by the operating arm on the door 12 side. The operated part 25a is made of a ferromagnetic material such as a magnet, iron, or ferrite.

[0024] The intermediate arm 25 is configured to move linearly along the front-rear direction (in the direction of arrow D2 and the opposite direction of arrow D2). The intermediate arm 25 is provided with front and rear guide blocks 25b. The side wall of the tank body 11 is provided with front and rear guide rails 25c that extend in the front-rear direction. The front and rear guide blocks 25b are movably mounted on the front and rear guide rails 25c.

[0025] An operating arm 26 is provided on the inner surface of the door 12. The operating arm 26 is positioned perpendicular to the inner surface of the door 12. The operating arm 26 is configured to operate the intermediate arm 25. The operated portion 25a of the intermediate arm and the tip of the operating arm 26 form an operating portion 26a for operating the intermediate arm 25. The operating portion 26a is made of a ferromagnetic material such as a magnet, iron, or ferrite. When the door 12 is moving straight toward the opening 11a (in the direction of arrow D2), the operating arm 26 contacts the intermediate arm 25 and presses it. When the operating arm 26 is moving straight toward the opposite direction of arrow D2, it pulls the intermediate arm 25 by magnetic attraction.

[0026] <Operation of the First Embodiment> As shown in Figure 1, when inserting or removing the charge / discharge body 10 from the constant temperature bath 9, first the door 12 moves to the upper position A with the opening 11a open and is set to the open state. The door 12 is set to the open state automatically by, for example, an automatic door opening and closing mechanism 7. The automatic door opening and closing mechanism 7 is configured to open and close the door 12 according to an opening and closing guide mechanism.

[0027] Next, the charge / discharge unit 10 to be tested is automatically inserted into the test space 13 of the tank body 11 through the opening 11a by the transport mechanism 8, and then mounted on the mounting portion 21a of the mounting plate 21 (see Figure 2). Next, the door 12 moves to the closed state. Specifically, the door 12 is guided by the door upper and lower guide rails 14 to move from upper position A to lower position B (direction of arrow D1, see Figure 2), and then guided by the door straight-line guide rail 15 to move straight from rear position B to front position C (direction of arrow D2 (see Figure 1)). As a result, the door 12 closes the opening 11a so that the test space 13 becomes a sealed space (see Figure 1). The temperature and humidity of the test space 13 are then adjusted to the desired test environment.

[0028] When the door 12 moves straight from rear position B to front position C, guided by the door straight-line guide rail 15, the operating arm 26 provided on the inner surface of the door 12 also enters the tank body 11 through the opening 11a. The operating part 26a of the operating arm 26 faces the operated part 25a of the intermediate arm 25 and makes contact with the operated part 25a by magnetic attraction. The operating arm 26 then presses against the intermediate arm 25. As a result, the intermediate arm 25 moves forward (in the direction of arrow D2), with the front and rear guide blocks 25b guided by the front and rear guide rails 25c. In conjunction with this, the electrode arm 24 also rotates relative to the intermediate arm 25. As a result, the base 22a of the electrode part 22 descends (in the direction of arrow D3).

[0029] Then, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the electrode probe 22b comes into contact with the charge / discharge body side terminal portion 21b. At this time, the shaft member 22c retracts into the base portion 22a against the biasing force of the biasing member 22d. As a result, the electrode probe 22b is electrically connected to the charge / discharge body side terminal portion 21b with reduced contact pressure. After that, a charge / discharge test is performed.

[0030] When the charge / discharge test is complete, the door 12 moves in a straight line in the direction that opens the opening 11a, guided by the door straight guide rail 15 (in the opposite direction of arrow D2). At this time, the operating part 26a, which is magnetically attracted to the operated part 25a, pulls the intermediate arm 25. In conjunction with this, the electrode arm 24 also rotates and the base 22a rises. The electrode probe 22b then moves away from the charge / discharge body side terminal part 21b. When the front and rear guide blocks 25b reach the ends of the front and rear guide rails 25c, the operating part 26a moves away from the operated part 25a due to a pulling force that exceeds the magnetic attraction.

[0031] Subsequently, the door 12 is guided by the door straight guide rail 15 to its forward position, and then guided by the door vertical guide rail 14 to rise from the lower position to the upper position (in the direction of the reverse arrow D1). After this, the charge / discharge unit 10 that has completed the charge / discharge test is automatically removed from the mounting plate 21 by the transport mechanism 8 and transported outside the tank body 11 through the opening 11a. Then, the next charge / discharge unit 10 to be tested is inserted into the tank body 11 through the opening 11a.

[0032] <Effects of the First Embodiment> (1-1) The electrical connection between the electrode probe 22b and the charge / discharge body side terminal portion 21b is made by contact of the electrode probe 22b with the charge / discharge body side terminal portion 21b, unlike the insertion and removal of terminals such as in connector connections. Therefore, the durability and reliability of the electrically connected parts can be improved.

[0033] (1-2) The interlocking mechanism 23 is configured to be linked to the opening and closing operation of the door 12. As a result, the electrode probe 22b comes into contact with the charge / discharge body side terminal portion 21b when the door 12 is closed. Therefore, the electrode probe 22b can be efficiently brought into contact with the charge / discharge body side terminal portion 21b.

[0034] (1-3) The electrode probe 22b is elastically contacted with the charge / discharge body side terminal portion 21b by the biasing member 22d. This improves the durability of the electrically connected parts of the battery connection device 1.

[0035] (1-4) The door 12 is configured to move vertically relative to the opening 11a. When the door 12 is opened, the door 12 is positioned above the tank body 11. Therefore, the battery connection device 1 can effectively utilize the space above the tank body 11.

[0036] (1-5) Just before closing the opening 11a, the door 12 is guided by the door straight guide rail 15 and moves straight toward the opening 11a. With this configuration, the configuration of the interlocking mechanism 23 that brings the electrode probe 22b into contact with the charge / discharge body side terminal portion 21b in conjunction with the operation of the door 12 to close the opening 11a can be simplified.

[0037] (1-6) Just before the door 12 closes the opening 11a, the door 12 moves in a straight line toward the opening 11a. Therefore, the interlocking mechanism 23 can bring the operating arm 26 into contact with the intermediate arm 25 with a high degree of accuracy. Also, when the door 12 is in the open state, the intermediate arm 25 and the operating arm 26 are not in contact, which increases the degree of freedom of movement of the door 12.

[0038] (1-7) The operated portion 25a of the intermediate arm 25 and the operating portion 26a of the operating arm 26 are configured to be in contact by magnetic attraction. With this configuration, when the door 12 is opened, the operated portion 25a of the intermediate arm 25 and the operating portion 26a of the operating arm 26 can be kept in contact until they are separated.

[0039] (1-8) The main body 11 and the door 12 constitute a constant temperature chamber 9 used for charging and discharging tests of the charge / discharging element 10. Inside the constant temperature chamber 9, the test temperature and test humidity for charging and discharging tests fluctuate greatly. Even in such a fluctuating environment, the electrical connection between the electrode section 22 and the charge / discharging element side terminal section 21b is made by a simple contact. Therefore, the battery connection device 1 can improve the durability and reliability of the electrically connected portion between the electrode section 22 and the charge / discharging element side terminal section 21b.

[0040] <Second Embodiment> As shown in Figure 6, the constant temperature bath 9 of the second embodiment is composed of a door 32 which is a hinged door 12. The door 32 is rotatably supported by a hinge 33 on the vertical edge of the opening end of the opening 11a. The inner surface of the door 32 and the intermediate arm 25 of the interlocking mechanism 23 are connected by an operating link mechanism 34. In the second embodiment, the electrode section 22 and the interlocking mechanism 23 are the same as in the first embodiment, so details are omitted.

[0041] As shown in Figure 7, the operating link mechanism 34 includes a door lever 35, an intermediate lever 36, and an operating member 37. The door lever 35 is a straight, rod-shaped member and has a first end and a second end. The first end is the mounting end to the inner surface of the door 32 and is pivotally supported on the inner surface of the door 32 by an axis. The second end is pivotally supported on the intermediate lever 36 by an axis.

[0042] The intermediate lever 36 is a straight, rod-shaped member and has a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally supported by an axis on the second end of the door lever 35. The operating member 37 is a toggle clamp and has a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally supported by an axis on the second end of the intermediate arm 25. The second end is configured as a pressing portion 37a that presses against the operated portion 25a of the intermediate arm 25. The pressing portion 37a and the operated portion 25a are connected via a link member or the like. When the door 32 closes the opening 11a (see Figure 8), the pressing portion 37a receives the pressing force from the intermediate arm 25 and moves straight forward so as to protrude from the base of the operating member 37 in the direction of arrow D2. The pressing portion 37a then presses against the operated portion 25a. In the second embodiment, the operated portion 25a is connected to the pressing portion 37a via a link member or the like, so it does not need to be made of a ferromagnetic material.

[0043] <Operation of the Second Embodiment> As shown in FIG. 7, when the charge / discharge body 10 is taken in and out of the constant temperature tank 9, first, the door 12 is brought into an open state in which the opening 11a is opened. The operation link mechanism 34 is in a state of being moved in the direction opposite to arrow D2 via the door lever 35, the intermediate lever 36, and the operation member 37. Therefore, the electrode probe 22b is in a state of being raised in the direction opposite to arrow D2 (in the direction opposite to arrow D3). From this state, the charge / discharge body 10 to be tested is automatically inserted into the test space 13 of the tank body 11 through the opening 11a by the conveyance mechanism 8, and then mounted on the mounting portion 21a of the mounting plate 21 (see FIG. 6).

[0044] Next, the door 32 is rotated in the direction of arrow D4 via the hinge 33, and the opening 11a is closed (see FIG. 8). At this time, the first end of the door lever 35 rotates in the direction of arrow D11 relative to the inner surface of the door 32, the first end of the intermediate lever 36 rotates in the direction of arrow D12 relative to the second end of the door lever 35, and the operation member 37 rotates in the direction of arrow D13 relative to the second end of the intermediate lever 36. Thereby, the pressing portion 37a of the operation member 37 presses the operated portion 25a of the intermediate arm 25.

[0045] Then, the intermediate arm 25 advances with the front-rear guide block 25b guided by the front-rear guide rail 25c (in the direction of arrow D2). In conjunction with this, the electrode arm 24 also rotates relative to the intermediate arm 25. Thereby, the base portion 22a of the electrode portion 22 descends (in the direction of arrow D3) (see FIG. 5).

[0046] Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the electrode probe 22b is brought into contact with the charge / discharge body-side terminal portion 21b. At this time, the shaft member 22c contracts against the biasing force of the biasing member 22d. Thereby, the electrode probe 22b is electrically connected to the charge / discharge body-side terminal portion 21b in a state where the contact pressure is relieved. Thereafter, a charge / discharge test is performed.

[0047] When the charge / discharge test is completed, the door 12 is rotated in the direction opposite to arrow D4. Accordingly, the second end of the intermediate lever 36 rotates in the direction opposite to arrow D13 relative to the operating member 37, the second end of the door lever 35 rotates in the direction opposite to arrow D12 relative to the first end of the intermediate lever 36, and the first end of the door lever 35 rotates in the direction opposite to arrow D11 relative to the inner surface of the door 32. Accordingly, the intermediate arm 25 is pulled in the direction opposite to arrow D2. In conjunction with this movement, the electrode arm 24 also rotates, and the base 22a moves upward. Then, the electrode probe 22b separates from the charge / discharge body-side terminal portion 21b. When the front-rear guide block 25b reaches the end of the front-rear guide rail 25c, the pressing portion 37a is pulled back.

[0048] Thereafter, the charge / discharge body 10 that has completed the charge / discharge test is automatically removed from the mounting plate 21 by the conveying mechanism 8, and conveyed to the outside of the tank body 11 through the opening 11a. Then, the charge / discharge body 10 to be tested next is inserted into the tank body 11 through the opening 11a.

[0049] <Effects of Second Embodiment> In addition to the effects similar to those of (1-1) to (1-3), (1-5), (1-6), and (1-8) of the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0050] (2-1) Since the door 32 is configured to rotate in the direction of arrow D4 and the direction opposite to arrow D4 relative to the opening 11a, the space on the side where the door opens can be effectively utilized. (Modifications) The first embodiment and the second embodiment can be further modified and implemented as follows. The present embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within a technically consistent scope.

[0051] - In the first embodiment, the door 12 may not be automatically opened and closed by the automatic door opening / closing mechanism 7, but may be manually opened and closed. Further, the door 12 may allow a user to selectively switch between automatic and manual operation.

[0052] - In the second embodiment, the door 32 may not be automatically opened and closed by the automatic door opening / closing mechanism 7, but may be manually opened and closed. Further, the door 32 may allow a user to selectively switch between automatic and manual operation.

[0053] - The hinge 33 may be provided on the right vertical edge or on the left vertical edge when viewed from the direction of the opening 11a. - Unlike the first and second embodiments, the door 12 may be manually detachable from the tank body 11. In this case, the automatic door opening and closing mechanism 7 and the opening and closing guide mechanism (door upper and lower guide rail 14 and door straight guide rail 15) are omitted. In this case, it is preferable that the door moves straight toward the opening 11a just before closing the opening 11a.

[0054] In the second embodiment, the configuration that moves straight toward the opening 11a just before closing the opening 11a may be omitted. In this case, the inner surface of the door 32 is provided with an operating arm 26 perpendicular to the inner surface. The door 32, which is rotatably supported by the tank body 11 via a hinge 33, is configured such that the operating part 26a presses against the operated part 25a of the intermediate arm 25 while the opening 11a is closed. Furthermore, when the door 32 opens the opening 11a, the operating part 26a is pulled by magnetic attraction to the operated part 25a, causing the electrode probe 22b to move away from the charge / discharge body side terminal part 21b.

[0055] In the first and second embodiments, the configuration in which the electrode probe 22b elastically contacts the charge / discharge body side terminal portion 21b may be omitted. In this case, the electrode portion 22 only needs to have the electrode probe 22b fixed to the base portion 22a. With such a configuration, members such as the biasing member 22d can be omitted.

[0056] - The configuration of the interlocking mechanism 23, which links the vertical movement of the electrode probe 22b to the opening and closing of the doors 12 and 32, is not limited to the examples of the first and second embodiments. - The battery connection device 1 may be used in tanks other than the constant temperature bath 9.

[0057] 1...Battery connection device, 9...Constant temperature bath, 10...Charging and discharging unit, 11...Basin body, 11a...Opening, 12...Door, 13...Test space, 14...Door upper and lower guide rails, 15...Door straight guide rail, 16...Guide projection, 16a...Movement support plate, 21...Mounting plate, 21a...Mounting part, 21b...Charging and discharging unit side terminal part, 22...Electrode part, 22a...Base part, 22b...Electrode probe, 22c...Shaft member, 22d...Biasing member, 22 e... Upper and lower guide blocks, 22f... Upper and lower guide rails, 22g... Holder, 23... Interlocking mechanism, 24... Electrode arm, 25... Intermediate arm, 25a... Operated part, 25b... Front and rear guide blocks, 25c... Front and rear guide rails, 26... Operating arm, 26a... Operating part, 32... Door, 33... Hinge, 34... Operating link mechanism, 35... Door lever, 36... Intermediate lever, 37... Operating member, 37a... Pressing part.

Claims

1. A battery connection device comprising: a tank body configured to allow charging and discharging elements to be inserted and removed through an opening; a door provided on the tank body for opening and closing the opening; an electrode portion electrically connected to the charging and discharging element side terminal portion of the charging and discharging element housed in the tank body; and an interlocking mechanism configured to be linked to the opening and closing operation of the door, which moves the electrode portion so as to contact the charging and discharging element side terminal portion when the door is closed.

2. The battery connection device according to claim 1, wherein the interlocking mechanism comprises an electrode arm on which the electrode portion is provided and moves the electrode portion in a direction toward or toward the charge / discharge side terminal portion, and an intermediate arm mechanically connected to the electrode arm and moving the electrode arm in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the door.

3. The battery connection device according to claim 2, wherein the electrode portion comprises a base connected to the electrode arm, an electrode probe that contacts the charge / discharge body side terminal portion, a shaft member that supports the electrode probe and extends and retracts relative to the base portion to move the electrode probe closer to and further away from the charge / discharge body side terminal portion, and a biasing member that biases the electrode probe in a direction away from the base portion.

4. The battery connection device according to claim 1, wherein the door moves vertically relative to the opening to open and close the opening.

5. The battery connection device according to claim 1, wherein the door moves in either the left or right direction relative to the opening to open and close the opening.

6. The battery connection device according to claim 1, wherein the door moves straight toward the opening immediately before closing the opening.

7. The battery connection device according to claim 6, wherein the interlocking mechanism comprises an electrode arm having an electrode portion and moving the electrode portion in a direction toward or toward the charge / discharge body side terminal portion, and an intermediate arm mechanically connected to the electrode arm and moving the electrode arm in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the door, the door comprising an operating arm for operating the intermediate arm, and the operating arm contacts the intermediate arm and operates the intermediate arm when the door is moving straight toward the opening.

8. The battery connection device according to claim 7, wherein the end of the intermediate arm and the end of the operating arm are configured to be in contact by magnetic attraction.

9. The battery connection device according to claim 1, wherein the tank body and the door constitute a constant temperature tank.

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