Patent Description:
The present invention provides a jig for charging and discharging a battery cell to which a new power supply scheme has been applied, and a system for charging and discharging a battery cell including the jig.

In recent years, as the price of energy sources increases due to the depletion of fossil fuels and the interest of environmental pollution is amplified, the demand for environmentally friendly alternative energy sources has become an indispensable factor for future life. As such, various researches on power generation technologies such as nuclear power, solar power, wind power, and tidal power have been continued, and electric power storage devices for more efficient use of such generated energy have also been attracting much attention.

In particular, with the development of technology and demand for mobile devices, the demand for batteries as energy sources is rapidly increasing, and accordingly, a lot of researches on batteries capable of meeting various demands have been conducted.

Typically, in terms of the shape of the battery, there is a high demand for a prismatic secondary battery and a pouch-type secondary battery that can be applied to products such as mobile phones with a small thickness. In terms of materials, there is a high demand for lithium secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries and lithium ion polymer batteries having advantages such as high energy density, discharge voltage, and output stability.

A secondary battery is manufactured by accommodating an electrode assembly in a battery case and injecting electrolyte, followed by a battery activation step. At this time, the battery activation step includes the process of charging and discharging the secondary battery in the conditions necessary for activation after mounting the secondary battery in a cell jig. Such a cell jig is mainly used to charge or discharge the secondary battery in the battery activation step, as well as used for performance evaluation purposes of the secondary battery.

<FIG> is a photograph showing a power terminal which connects an external power source to a conventional jig for charging and discharging a battery cell, and <FIG> is a schematic diagram showing a structure of fastening a power terminal which connects an external power source to a socket fastening unit in a conventional jig for charging and discharging a battery cell. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a conventional jig <NUM> for charging and discharging a battery cell includes a battery cell <NUM> fixed at the jig <NUM> and first and second terminal portions <NUM> and <NUM> electrically connected to first and second electrode leads of the battery cell <NUM>. Further, the first and second terminal portions <NUM> and <NUM> are electrically connected to a power supply unit. Specifically, a first power terminal <NUM> of the power supply unit is connected to the first terminal portion <NUM> of the jig <NUM>, and a second power terminal <NUM> of the power supply unit is connected to the second terminal portion <NUM> of the jig <NUM>. In this case, the power supply unit is electrically connected to one jig <NUM>. Further, if the standard of the battery cell <NUM> housed in the jig <NUM> is changed, there is a problem that the power supply unit should be replaced.

Hence, there is a need for a new charge and discharge technology that can efficiently charge and discharge battery cells <NUM> without replacement of a power supply unit even in the case that the standard of the battery cell <NUM> is changed or a plurality of battery cells <NUM> should be simultaneously charged and discharged.

<CIT> describes a clamp for testing a square module cell. The clamp comprises a base plate, two side clamp plates, an upper clamp plate and explosion-proof glass panels. The side clamp plates are vertically fixed on the upper surface of the base plate and are parallel to each other. Two ends of the upper clamp plate are detachably fixed on the upper surfaces of the side clamp plates. The base plate, the side clamp plates and the upper clamp plate form a frame body together. The explosion-proof glass panels are fixed on openings in two sides of the frame body. A to-be-detected cell is arranged in the frame body. Positive and negative electrodes of the to-be-detected cell are connected with threaded columns. Multiple first through holes matched with the threaded columns are arranged in the upper clamp plate. The threaded columns are vertically arranged and penetrate through the first through holes. The threaded columns can be connected with each other through a connection sheet.

In order to solve the above problems of the prior art, the present invention provides a jig for charging and discharging a battery cell to which a new power supply scheme has been applied, and a system for charging and discharging a battery cell including the jig.

The present invention provides a jig according to claim <NUM> and a system according to claim <NUM>.

In one example, at least one of the connection sockets is a socket for serial connection and at least one of the connection sockets is a socket for parallel connection.

In a specific example, the socket for serial connection is electrically connected to another battery cell in series or is electrically connected to a power supply unit, and the socket for parallel connection is electrically connected to anther battery cell in parallel.

In another specific example, the socket fastening unit includes a number of p sockets for serial connection and a number of q sockets for parallel connection as the connection sockets. Herein, the p is a positive integer between <NUM> and <NUM>, and the q is a positive integer between <NUM> and <NUM>.

In another example, the one end of the socket fastening unit is fastened to the first terminal portion of the battery cell fixed at the fixing unit. Further, connection sockets formed at the other end of the socket fastening unit include one or more sockets for serial connection and one or more sockets for parallel connection, which satisfy at least one of:.

According to the present invention, at least one electrical connection pin is formed at the one end of the socket fastening unit, and at least one groove for accommodating the electrical connection pin is formed at the other end of the socket fastening unit.

In a specific example, the fixing unit presses two surfaces of the battery cell through a pressing plate, and the first and second terminal portions are electrically connected to first and second electrode leads, respectively, in a state that the first and second electrode leads of the battery cell are fixed.

In another specific example, the fixing unit presses two surfaces of the battery cell through a pressing plate, and further includes at least one of: a pressure sensor which measures pressure of the battery cell; and a temperature sensor which measures a temperature of the battery cell.

Further, the present invention provides a system for charging and discharging a battery cell, which includes the above-described jig for charging and discharging a battery cell. In one example, the system includes: a number of n jigs for charging and discharging a battery cell; and a power supply unit. Herein, the n is a positive integer equal to or greater than <NUM>.

In one example, the number of n jigs are arranged in series or in parallel in a state that has accommodated battery cells.

In a specific example, the power supply unit is a single power source, and the number of n jigs are electrically connected to each other in at least one of a serial connection scheme and a parallel connection scheme in a state that has accommodated battery cells.

In another specific example, a power connection line, which is fastened to a connection socket formed at a socket fastening unit of each jig, is switched to satisfy a rated voltage condition of the battery cell.

A jig for charging and discharging a battery cell according to the present invention, and a system for charging and discharging a battery cell including the jig allow battery cell of various standards to be charged and discharged by changing electric connection schemes according to the rated voltage of the battery cell.

As the inventive concept allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific form disclosed, and it should be understood to include all changes, equivalents, and substitutes included in the scope of the present invention.

The present invention provides a jig for charging and discharging a battery cell. In one example, a jig for charging and discharging a battery cell includes: a fixing unit which fixes a battery cell; first and second terminal portions which are electrically connected to first and second electrode leads of the fixed battery cell, respectively; and a socket fastening unit which has one end fastened to the first terminal portion or the second terminal portion, and the other end having two or more connection sockets to be electrically connected to an external side.

The jig for charging and discharging a battery cell according to the present invention includes a socket fastening unit for connecting the jig to an external power source, and the socket fastening unit may implement various electric connections. For example, the socket fastening unit has a structure in which a plurality of connection lines can be fastened in a multi-tap scheme. As such, even if the battery cell standard is changed, the jig for charging and discharging a battery cell according to the present invention can derive charge and discharge conditions which satisfy the changed battery cell standard. In some cases, the jig for charging and discharging a battery cell can simultaneously charge and discharge battery cells of different standards.

In one embodiment, the socket fastening unit has a plurality of connection sockets. Specifically, at least one of the connection sockets is a socket for serial connection and at least one of the connection sockets is a socket for parallel connection. For example, the socket for serial connection is electrically connected to another battery cell in series or is electrically connected to a power supply unit, and the socket for parallel connection is electrically connected to anther battery cell in parallel. The socket for serial connection may be electrically connected to another battery cell in series and may be electrically connected to the power supply unit if necessary. Further, the socket for parallel connection may be electrically connected to another battery cell in parallel. It may be changed according to the standard of the battery cell, but for example, when the voltage applied to the power supply unit is the same as the charge and discharge voltage of the battery cell, direct electric connection is made with the power supply unit through the socket for serial connection. Further, electric serial connection is made with the terminal portion of another adjacent jig so that the same voltage may be applied to the battery cell accommodated in an adjacent jig. In another example, when the voltage applied to the power supply unit is different from the charge and discharge voltage of the battery cell, electric connection is made with the power supply unit through the socket for parallel connection, and electric parallel connection is made with the terminal portion of another adjacent jig. Through this, the charge and discharge voltage required in the battery cell is made to fit the voltage applied from the power supply unit.

In a specific example, in the jig for charging and discharging a battery cell according to the present invention, the socket fastening unit includes a number of p sockets for serial connection and a number of q sockets for parallel connection as the connection sockets. Herein, the p is a positive integer between <NUM> and <NUM>, and the q is a positive integer between <NUM> and <NUM>. Specifically, the connection sockets of the socket fastening unit include <NUM> to <NUM> sockets for serial connection and <NUM> to <NUM> sockets for parallel connection. More specifically, the connection sockets of the socket fastening unit include <NUM> sockets for serial connection and <NUM> sockets for parallel connection. For example, the socket fastening unit includes <NUM> connection sockets which are arranged in a <NUM> x <NUM> form. <NUM> connection sockets at the upper end of the socket fastening unit are sockets for serial connection, and <NUM> connection sockets at the lower end of the socket fastening unit are sockets for parallel connection. Through this, a plurality of jigs are electrically connected in series/in parallel so that the charge and discharge standard of the battery cell correspond to the voltage applied from the power supply unit.

In one embodiment, in a jig for charging and discharging a battery cell according to the present invention, the one end of the socket fastening unit is fastened to the first terminal portion of the battery cell fixed at the fixing unit, and connection sockets formed at the other end of the socket fastening unit include one or more sockets for serial connection and one or more sockets for parallel connection, which satisfy at least one of: (<NUM>) a condition that at least one of the sockets for serial connection is electrically connected to a power supply unit; (<NUM>) a condition that at least one of the sockets for serial connection is electrically connected to a second terminal portion of another battery cell adjacent to the battery cell; and (<NUM>) a condition that at least one of the sockets for parallel connection is electrically connected to a first terminal portion of another battery cell adjacent to the battery cell.

For example, the power applied from the power supply unit is 9V, the charge and discharge standard of the battery cell is <NUM>. 5V, and <NUM> battery cells are simultaneously charged and discharged. In this case, the first connection socket is fastened to (+) terminal of the power supply unit. At this time, the second connection socket of the first jig is electrically connected to the second jig in series. Through this, <NUM>. 5V voltage is applied to the battery cell of the first jig and the second jig, respectively. The third connection socket of the first jig is electrically connected to other <NUM> jigs in parallel, and are sequentially, electrically connected to further other <NUM> jigs through the second jig connection sockets. Further, one of the second jig connection sockets is fastened to (-) terminal of the power supply unit. Through this process, <NUM>. 5V power is applied to all of <NUM> battery cells.

Specifically, in a system in which a plurality of jigs for charging and discharging a battery cell described above are assembled, in one or more jigs, the socket fastening unit satisfies two or three of the above conditions. In some cases, in one or more other jigs, the socket fastening unit satisfies one of the above conditions.

In a specific example, in a jig for charging and discharging a battery cell according to the present invention, at least one electrical connection pin is formed at the one end of the socket fastening unit, and at least one groove for accommodating the electrical connection pin is formed at the other end of the socket fastening unit. In the present invention, the specific shape of the socket formed in the socket fastening unit is not particularly limited. According to the present invention, at one end of the socket fastening unit, a connection pin is protruded to be inserted into a jig terminal to thereby be electrically connected, and at the other end of the socket fastening unit, a plurality of connection sockets are formed, and each of the connection sockets has a groove for accommodating a connection pin for electric connection. In some cases, a fastening by a screw may be added in a state that the connection pin has been inserted.

In another embodiment, the jig for charging and discharging a battery cell fixes a battery cell using a fixing unit, and the fixing unit presses both surfaces of the battery cell using a pressing plate. In this case, the first and second terminal portions may be electrically connected to first and second electrode leads, respectively, in a state that the first and second electrode leads of the battery cell are fixed.

The jig for charging and discharging a battery cell according to the present invention may selectively fix only the electrode lead portion without a separate pressing plate. However, when applied to the activation process of the battery cell, it is advantageous to press both surfaces of the battery cell using a pressing plate in order to smoothly discharge gas trapped in the battery cell. The pressing plate includes first and second pressing plates facing each other, and the battery cell may be charged/discharged and pressed in a state that the battery cell is interposed between the first and second pressing plates.

In another example, the fixing unit presses two surfaces of the battery cell through a pressing plate, and further includes at least one of: a pressure sensor which measures pressure of the battery cell; and a temperature sensor which measures a temperature of the battery cell. According to a jig for charging and discharging a battery cell of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether a battery cell is defective by examining the swelling degree of the battery charging and discharging system using a pressure sensor and determine a heated degree of the battery cell using a temperature sensor.

Further, the present invention provides a system for charging and discharging a battery cell, which includes the above-described jig for charging and discharging a battery cell. In one example, the system includes: a number of n jigs for charging and discharging a battery cell; and a power supply unit. Herein, the n is a positive integer equal to or greater than <NUM>. The number n of the jigs for charging and discharging a battery cell corresponds to the number of battery cells to be charged and discharged at a time. For example, the number of the jig for charging and discharging a battery cell is in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>, <NUM> to <NUM>, or <NUM> to <NUM>. For example, one battery module is formed by combining <NUM> battery cells, and when the battery cells accommodated in the battery module are charged and discharged at a time, <NUM> jigs for charging and discharging a battery cell are applied to charge and discharge the battery cells.

Further, when the number of n jigs for charging and discharging a battery cell charge and discharge battery cells in a state that has accommodated the battery cells, respectively, the jigs for charging and discharging a battery cell may be arranged in series and/or in parallel in order to allow the voltage of the power applied from the power supply unit to correspond to the rated voltage of the battery cell.

In a specific example, the power supply unit is a single power source, and the number of n jigs are electrically connected to each other in at least one of a serial connection scheme and a parallel connection scheme in a state that has accommodated battery cells. For example, battery cells accommodated in <NUM> battery cell jigs may be simultaneously charged and discharged using a single power supply unit.

When a plurality of battery cells are simultaneously charged and discharged, the power connection line, which is fastened to the connection socket formed at the socket fastening unit of each battery cell jig, may be switched to satisfy the rated voltage condition of the battery cell. For example, when the rated voltage of the battery cell is small, it is possible to adjust the connection relation to correspond to the applied voltage of the power supply unit by increasing the number of battery cells connected in series.

Although preferred examples of the present invention will be described with reference to drawings, it can be understood that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram showing a structure of fastening a power terminal which connects an external power source to a socket fastening unit in a jig for charging and discharging a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to <FIG>, the jig <NUM> for charging and discharging a battery cell according to the present invention includes a battery cell <NUM> accommodated in a fixing unit, and first and second terminal portions <NUM> and <NUM> which are electrically connected to first and second electrode leads. Further, the first and second socket fastening units <NUM> and <NUM> are fastened to the first and second terminal portions <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. <NUM> connection sockets are formed in the first socket fastening unit <NUM>, and first and second connection terminals <NUM> and <NUM> are fastened to each connection socket. The first connection terminal <NUM> is electrically connected to (+) terminal of the power supply unit, and the second connection terminal <NUM> is electrically connected to another jig in parallel. Further, <NUM> connection sockets are formed in the second socket fastening unit <NUM>, and third and fourth connection terminals <NUM> and <NUM> are fastened to each connection socket. The third connection terminal <NUM> is electrically connected to (-) terminal of the power supply unit, and the fourth connection terminal <NUM> is electrically connected to another jig in parallel.

Claim 1:
A jig (<NUM>) for charging and discharging a battery cell (<NUM>), the jig (<NUM>) comprising:
a fixing unit which fixes the battery cell (<NUM>);
first and second terminal portions (<NUM>; <NUM>) which are electrically connected to first and second electrode leads of the fixed battery cell (<NUM>), respectively; and
a socket fastening unit (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) which has one end fastened to the first terminal portion (<NUM>) or the second terminal portion (<NUM>), and the other end having two or more connection sockets (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) to be electrically connected to an external side,
wherein at least one electrical connection pin is formed at the one end of the socket fastening unit (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>), and
wherein at least one groove for accommodating the electrical connection pin is formed at the other end of the socket fastening unit (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>).