Patent ID: 12261316

BEST MODE

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to the description, it should be understood that the terms used in the specification and the appended claims should not be construed as limited to general and dictionary meanings, but interpreted based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to technical aspects of the present disclosure on the basis of the principle that the inventor is allowed to define terms appropriately for the best explanation. Therefore, the description proposed herein is just a preferable example for the purpose of illustrations only, not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, so it should be understood that other equivalents and modifications could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

In the drawings, the size of each element or a specific part of the element may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for convenience and clarity of a description. Thus, the size of each element does not entirely reflect the actual size of the element. A detailed description of well-known functions or elements associated with the present disclosure will be omitted if it unnecessarily obscures the subject matter of the present disclosure.

The term, ‘coupling’ or ‘connecting’ as used herein, may refer not only to a case where one member and another member are directly combined or directly connected but also a case where one member is indirectly combined with another member via a connecting member or is indirectly connected.

FIG.1is a schematic perspective view showing a battery cell that is transported by a battery transporting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG.2is a perspective view showing the battery transporting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure entirely,FIG.3is a perspective view showing a pair of electrode lead support members and a cell support member ofFIG.2from which a protecting member is removed,FIG.4is a diagram observed along an arrow A ofFIG.3in which the pair of electrode lead support members are moved away from each other,FIG.5is a diagram observed along the arrow A ofFIG.3in which the pair of electrode lead support members are moved closer to each other,FIG.6is a bottom view ofFIG.3and a partially enlarged view showing a lengthwise rotary shaft,FIG.7is an exploded perspective view showing a lengthwise rotating member of the battery transporting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG.8is a diagram showing a lengthwise connector guide along an arrow C ofFIG.7,FIG.9is an assembled perspective view showing the lengthwise rotating member ofFIG.7,FIG.10is a cross-sectioned view, taken along the line D-D′ ofFIG.9, andFIG.11is a cross-sectioned view showing that the lengthwise connector is moved into the lengthwise connector guide to operate the lengthwise rotating member inFIG.10.

In this specification, a battery transporting apparatus10may have various forms, and may be formed as, for example, a battery transporting tray having a protecting member600(seeFIG.2). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, in this specification, length, width and thickness of the battery cell510will be described based onFIG.1. That is, an X direction ofFIG.1is a length direction of the battery cell510, a Y direction ofFIG.1is a thickness direction of the battery cell510, and a Z direction ofFIG.1is a width direction of the battery cell510.

Referring to the drawings, the battery transporting apparatus10according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a frame member110, a pair of electrode lead support members210a,210b, a cell support member310, and a frame supporting adjustable member410(seeFIG.22).

The battery transporting apparatus10according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is adjustable in the length direction, the width direction and the thickness direction of the battery cell510.

First, the adjustment of the battery transporting apparatus10in the length direction of the battery cell510will be described.

The frame member110is provided to support the battery cell510. The battery cell510may have various structures, and an electrode lead511is provided thereto. The electrode lead511provided to the battery cell510is a type of terminal exposed to the outside and connected to an external device, and may be made of a conductive material.

The electrode lead511includes a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead. The positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead may be disposed in opposite directions with respect to the length direction of the battery cell510, or the positive electrode lead and negative electrode lead may be disposed in the same direction with respect to the length direction of the battery cell510.

The electrode lead511may be electrically coupled to a bus bar. The battery cell510may have a structure in which a plurality of unit cells, in each of which a positive electrode plate, a separator and a negative electrode plate are arranged in order, or a plurality of bi-cells, in each of which a positive electrode plate, a separator, a negative electrode plate, a separator, a positive electrode plate, a separator and a negative electrode plate are arranged in order, are stacked suitable for a battery capacity.

The battery cell510may be provided in various forms, but for convenience of explanation, it will be described that the battery cell510is a pouch-type battery cell as shown inFIG.1.

The frame member110may support the battery cell510in various ways. For example, an electrode lead support member210may be mounted to the frame member110, and the electrode lead support member210mounted to the frame member110may be configured to support the electrode lead511of the battery cell510. In addition, the cell support member310may be mounted to the frame member110to support a center portion of the battery cell510.

Referring toFIG.6, the frame member110may include a first frame111, a second frame112, a third frame113and a fourth frame114. The frame member110may be formed in various shapes and, for example, may be formed in a square shape. However, the shape of the frame member110is not limited thereto.

The first frame111and the second frame112may be arranged in a length direction of the battery cell510. Here, the second frame112is spaced apart from the first frame111, and thus, a space116of a preset range (seeFIG.6) is formed between the first frame111and the second frame112. In addition, a lengthwise rotary shaft220, explained later, is arranged in the length direction of the battery cell510inside the space116between the first frame111and the second frame112.

The third frame113connects one ends of the first frame111and the second frame112, and the fourth frame114connects the other ends of the first frame111and the second frame112at a location opposite to the third frame113.

The electrode lead support member210is provided in a pair, and the pair of electrode lead support members210support electrode leads511of the battery cell510, respectively. Referring toFIG.3, the electrode lead support member210may have a plurality of guide slots212, and the electrode lead511of the battery cell510may be placed in a guide groove213formed between the plurality of guide slots212.

The electrode lead support member210is movably mounted to the frame member110. Referring toFIGS.4and5, the lengthwise moving member230moves in a state of being coupled to the electrode lead support member210, and the electrode lead support member210moves together with the lengthwise moving member230. This will be described later in detail.

The pair of electrode lead support members210a,210bare adjustable in the length direction of the battery cell510among length, width and thickness directions of the battery cell510. If the pair of electrode lead support members210a,210bare adjustable as above, battery cells510of various sizes, especially battery cells510of various sizes in the length direction, will be accommodated and supported by the pair of electrode lead support members210a,210b.

The lengthwise rotary shaft220is provided to rotate in a state of being coupled to the frame member110.

Referring toFIG.6, a lengthwise first thread portion221, a lengthwise second thread portion222and a lengthwise non-thread portion223may be formed at the lengthwise rotary shaft220.

In addition, the lengthwise first thread portion221and the lengthwise second thread portion222have threads formed with in opposite directions, and the lengthwise non-thread portion223having no thread is provided between the lengthwise first thread portion221and the lengthwise second thread portion222.

In addition, one of the pair of lengthwise moving members230a,230bis coupled to the lengthwise first thread portion221, and the other one of the pair of lengthwise moving members230a,230bis coupled to the lengthwise second thread portion222.

Here, if the lengthwise rotary shaft220rotates in one direction, as shown inFIG.5, the pair of lengthwise moving members230a,230bmove closer to each other, and if the lengthwise rotary shaft220rotates in another direction, as inFIG.4, the pair of lengthwise moving members230a,230bmove away from each other.

The lengthwise moving member230is coupled to the lengthwise rotary shaft220to move along the lengthwise rotary shaft220when the lengthwise rotary shaft220rotates so that the pair of electrode lead support members210a,210bare moved. The lengthwise moving member230may be provided in a pair, and the pair of lengthwise moving members230a,230bare coupled to the pair of electrode lead support members210a,210b, respectively.

As described above, as the lengthwise rotary shaft220rotates, the pair of lengthwise moving members230a,230bcoupled to the lengthwise rotary shaft220move closer to each other or away from each other.

Here, since the pair of electrode lead support members210a,210bare respectively coupled to the pair of lengthwise moving members230a,230b, the pair of electrode lead support members210a,210balso move as the pair of lengthwise moving members230a,230bmove.

In other words, if the pair of lengthwise moving members230a,230bmove closer to each other along the lengthwise rotary shaft220, the pair of electrode lead support members210a,210balso move closer to each other, and if the pair of lengthwise moving members230a,230bmoves away from each other along the lengthwise rotary shaft220, the pair of electrode lead support members210a,210balso move away from each other.

The lengthwise rotating member240is coupled to the lengthwise rotary shaft220and is configured to rotate the lengthwise rotary shaft220. The lengthwise rotary shaft220may be rotated in various ways. A worker may manually rotate the lengthwise rotary shaft220, or a tool may be used to rotate the lengthwise rotary shaft220. Alternatively, the lengthwise rotating member240may be coupled to the lengthwise rotary shaft220, and the lengthwise rotary shaft220may be rotated by means of the lengthwise rotating member240.

Referring toFIG.6, one side of the lengthwise rotary shaft220is coupled to the fourth frame114, and the other side of the lengthwise rotary shaft220is coupled to the lengthwise rotating member240. In addition, if the lengthwise rotating member240rotates, the lengthwise rotary shaft220also rotates in association with the rotation of the lengthwise rotating member240.

Referring toFIG.7, the lengthwise rotating member240may include a lengthwise connector guide241, a lengthwise elastic member244, and a lengthwise connector245.

The lengthwise connector guide241is coupled and fixed to the third frame113(seeFIG.6).

The lengthwise connector guide241may include a lengthwise first guide242and a lengthwise second guide243. The lengthwise first guide242may have an inner surface of a polygonal shape. For example, referring toFIG.8, the lengthwise first guide242may have an inner surface of a regular hexagonal shape. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, it will be described that the inner surface of the lengthwise first guide242has a regular hexagonal shape, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In addition, referring toFIG.7, the lengthwise second guide243may have an inner surface of a circular shape. Here, the lengthwise first guide242and the lengthwise second guide243may have an integrated form or may be detachably formed.

The lengthwise elastic member244is inserted into the lengthwise connector245to contact the lengthwise rotary shaft220. The lengthwise elastic member244transmits an elastic recovery force to the lengthwise connector245. This will be described later in detail.

The lengthwise connector245is inserted into the lengthwise connector guide241and presses the lengthwise elastic member244so that the lengthwise elastic member244is elastically contracted. For example, a perforated hole248is formed in the lengthwise connector245, and the lengthwise elastic member244is inserted into the perforated hole248. In addition, a pressing bar249is provided vertically to an inner side of the lengthwise connector245. As shown inFIG.11, when the lengthwise connector245is inserted into the lengthwise connector guide241, the pressing bar249presses the lengthwise elastic member244.

A lengthwise first outer surface portion246and a lengthwise second outer surface portion247may be formed at the lengthwise connector245. The lengthwise first outer surface portion246has an outer surface of a regular hexagonal shape to correspond to the lengthwise first guide242. Here, the outer surface of the lengthwise first outer surface portion246is not limited to the regular hexagonal shape, and may have various shapes to correspond to the shape of the inner surface of the lengthwise first guide242. In addition, the lengthwise second outer surface portion247has an outer surface of a circular shape to correspond to the lengthwise second guide243.

When a tool such as a hexagonal wrench is coupled to the lengthwise connector245to give a pressure, the pressing bar249provided to the lengthwise connector245elastically contracts the lengthwise elastic member244as shown inFIG.11, and the lengthwise second outer surface portion247having an outer surface of a circular shape moves to the lengthwise first guide242. Here, since the lengthwise first outer surface portion246having an outer surface of a regular hexagonal shape moves from the lengthwise first guide242, the lengthwise connector245may be rotated.

At this time, a hexagonal coupling portion224having a regular hexagonal shape is formed at an end of the lengthwise rotary shaft220, and a regular hexagon is also formed at the lengthwise connector245to which the hexagonal coupling portion224of the lengthwise rotary shaft220is coupled. That is, at least a portion of the perforated hole248of the lengthwise connector245, for example a portion coupled to the hexagonal coupling portion224of the lengthwise rotary shaft220, is formed to have a regular hexagonal shape.

Therefore, if a tool such as a hexagonal wrench is coupled to the lengthwise connector245to give a pressure, the perforated hole248of the lengthwise connector245formed in a regular hexagonal shape moves so as to be coupled to the hexagonal coupling portion224of the lengthwise rotary shaft220more deeply (seeFIGS.10and11).

In addition, if the lengthwise connector245is rotated using a tool such as a hexagonal wrench, the lengthwise rotary shaft220coupled to the lengthwise connector245also rotates together with the lengthwise connector245.

In addition, if the lengthwise rotary shaft220stops rotating, the hexagonal wrench is removed from the lengthwise connector245. If the hexagonal wrench is removed from the lengthwise connector245, in a state where the lengthwise elastic member244is in contact with the pressing bar249of the lengthwise connector245, the elastic recovery force of the lengthwise elastic member244is provided to the pressing bar249, as shown inFIG.10. Thus, the lengthwise first outer surface portion246of the lengthwise connector guide241moves to the lengthwise first guide242of the lengthwise connector guide241and is inserted therein.

Here, since the outer surface of the lengthwise first outer surface portion246has a regular hexagonal shape and the inner surface of the lengthwise first guide242also has a regular hexagonal shape, if the lengthwise first outer surface portion246is inserted into the lengthwise first guide242, the lengthwise first outer surface portion246is prevented from rotating. That is, if the hexagonal wrench is removed from the lengthwise connector245, the lengthwise connector245is caught by the lengthwise connector guide241to prevent rotation, and the lengthwise rotary shaft220coupled to the lengthwise connector245is also prevented from rotating.

That is, if the lengthwise connector245is rotated using a tool such as a hexagonal wrench, the lengthwise rotary shaft220also rotates together with the lengthwise connector245, so the interval between the electrode lead support members210is adjusted. However, if the tool such as a hexagonal wrench is removed from the lengthwise connector245, the lengthwise first outer surface portion246of the lengthwise connector245is coupled to the lengthwise first guide242of the lengthwise connector guide241to prevent the lengthwise rotary shaft220from rotating.

Referring toFIG.3, a rail-shaped rail groove115may be formed at the first frame111and the second frame112, and a first movement guide250may be provided to be inserted into the rail-shaped rail groove115formed at the first frame111and the second frame112and move along the rail groove115.

Here, the electrode lead support member210may be coupled to the first movement guide250to move together with the first movement guide250. To this end, an insert groove211into which the first movement guide250may be inserted may be formed at the electrode lead support member210.

In addition, a second movement guide260may be spaced apart from the first movement guide250and coupled to an end of the electrode lead support member210. For example, the second movement guide260may be provided to contact side surfaces of ends of the first frame111and the second frame112and move along the side surfaces of the ends of the first frame111and the second frame112.

That is, the first movement guide250and the second movement guide260guide the movement of the electrode lead support member210such that the electrode lead support member210moves smoothly.

According to the above configuration, the pair of electrode lead support members210a,210brespectively supporting the electrode leads511of the battery cell510are adjustable in the length direction of the battery cell510. Thus, various battery cells510having various sizes in the length direction may be transported using one transporting device.

In addition, since the electrode lead support member210is moved by the operation of the lengthwise moving member230, it is easy to adjust the interval between the pair of electrode lead support members210a,210b.

FIG.12is a diagram observed along an arrow B ofFIG.3in which the pair of electrode lead support members are removed inFIG.3, showing that a first support member and a second support member of the cell support member are moved closer to each other,FIG.13is a diagram observed along the arrow B ofFIG.3in which the pair of electrode lead support members are removed inFIG.3, showing that the first support member and the second support member of the cell support member are moved away from each other,FIG.14is a bottom view ofFIG.3and a partially enlarged view showing a thickness-wise rotary shaft,FIG.15is an exploded perspective view showing a thickness-wise rotating member of the battery transporting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG.16is a diagram observed along an arrow E ofFIG.15showing a thickness-wise connector guide,FIG.17is an assembled perspective view showing the thickness-wise rotating member ofFIG.15,FIG.18is a cross-sectioned view, taken along the line F-F′ ofFIG.17, andFIG.19is a cross-sectioned view showing that the thickness-wise connector is moved into the thickness-wise connector guide to operate the thickness-wise rotating member inFIG.18.

Next, the adjustment of the battery cell510in the thickness direction by the battery transporting apparatus10will be described.

Referring toFIGS.2and3, the cell support member310is movably mounted to the frame member110and is adjustable in the thickness direction of the battery cell510among length, width and thickness directions of the battery cell510and configured to support the center portion of the battery cell510.

Referring toFIGS.12and13, the cell support member310may include a first support member311and a second support member312. Referring toFIG.4, the first support member311may include a plurality of first support portions313having a hollow318formed therein and spaced apart from each other at preset intervals. For example, the first support portion313may include a first straight section315, a second straight section316and a third straight section317.

The first straight section315is formed in the vertical direction. The first straight section315may be sloped within a preset range in the vertical direction. The second straight section316is spaced apart from the first straight section315and formed in the vertical direction. The second straight section316may also be sloped within a preset range in the vertical direction. The third straight section317connects the first straight section315and the second straight section316. For example, the third straight section317may be provided to connect the first straight section315and the second straight section316at upper sides of the first straight section315and the second straight section316.

Referring toFIG.4, the second support member312may include a plurality of second support portions314spaced apart from each other at preset intervals. Here, the second support portion314of the second support member312may be formed smaller than the first support portion313of the first support member311, and the plurality of second support portions314may be inserted into the hollows318of the plurality of first support portions313to move through the hollows318.

That is, the second support portion314may be inserted into the hollow318formed by the first straight section315, the second straight section316and the third straight section317of the first support portion313.

Here, the center portion of the battery cell510may be placed and supported between the first support portion313and the second support portion314. That is, if the plurality of second support portions314are inserted into the hollows318of the plurality of first support portions313to move through the hollows318, as shown inFIGS.12and13, the interval between the first support portion313and the second support portion314may be adjusted. Thus, battery cells510of various sizes, especially various battery cells510having various sizes in the thickness direction, may be accommodated and supported between the first support portion313and the second support portion314.

A thickness-wise rotary shaft320is configured to rotate in a state of being coupled to the frame member110.

Referring toFIG.14, a thickness-wise first thread portion321, a thickness-wise second thread portion322and a thickness-wise non-thread portion323may be formed at the thickness-wise rotary shaft320.

In addition, the thickness-wise first thread portion321and the thickness-wise second thread portion322have threads formed in opposite directions, and the thickness-wise non-thread portion323having no thread is provided between the thickness-wise first thread portion321and the thickness-wise second thread portion322.

In addition, a thickness-wise first moving member331is coupled to the thickness-wise first thread portion321, and a thickness-wise second moving member332is coupled to the thickness-wise second thread portion322.

Here, if the thickness-wise rotary shaft320rotates in one direction, the thickness-wise first moving member331and the thickness-wise second moving member332move closer to each other, and if the thickness-wise rotary shaft320rotates in another direction, the thickness-wise first moving member331and the thickness-wise second moving member332move away from each other.

A thickness-wise moving member330is coupled to the thickness-wise rotary shaft320to move along the thickness-wise rotary shaft320when the thickness-wise rotary shaft320rotates, and is coupled to the cell support member310to move the cell support member310.

The thickness-wise moving member330may include a thickness-wise first moving member331and a thickness-wise second moving member332. The thickness-wise first moving member331is coupled to the first support member311of the cell support member310. In addition, the thickness-wise second moving member332is coupled to the second support member312of the cell support member310.

The thickness-wise first moving member331and the thickness-wise second moving member332may be coupled to the thickness-wise rotary shaft320to move along the thickness-wise rotary shaft320.

As the thickness-wise rotary shaft320rotates, the thickness-wise first moving member331and the thickness-wise second moving member332coupled to the thickness-wise rotary shaft320move closer to each other or move away from each other.

Here, since the first support member311of the cell support member310is coupled to the thickness-wise first moving member331and the second support member312of the cell support member310is coupled to the thickness-wise second moving member332, as the thickness-wise first moving member331and the thickness-wise second moving member332move, the first support member311and the second support member312of the cell support member310also move.

That is, if the thickness-wise first moving member331and the thickness-wise second moving member332move closer to each other along the thickness-wise rotary shaft320, the first support member311and the second support member312also move closer to each other as shown inFIG.12, and if the thickness-wise first moving member331and the thickness-wise second moving member332move away from each other along the thickness-wise rotary shaft320, the first support member311and the second support member312also move away from each other as shown inFIG.13.

A thickness-wise rotating member340is coupled to the thickness-wise rotary shaft320to rotate the thickness-wise rotary shaft320. The thickness-wise rotary shaft320may be rotated in various ways. A worker may manually rotate the thickness-wise rotary shaft320, or a tool may be used to rotate the thickness-wise rotary shaft320. Alternatively, the thickness-wise rotating member340may be coupled to the thickness-wise rotary shaft320, and the thickness-wise rotary shaft320may be rotated by means of the thickness-wise rotating member340.

Here, one side of the thickness-wise rotary shaft320may be coupled to the frame member110, and the other side of the thickness-wise rotary shaft320may be coupled to the thickness-wise rotating member340. In addition, if the thickness-wise rotating member340rotates, the thickness-wise rotary shaft320also rotates in association with the rotation of the thickness-wise rotating member340.

Referring toFIG.15, the thickness-wise rotating member340may include a thickness-wise connector guide341, a thickness-wise elastic member344and a thickness-wise connector345.

The thickness-wise connector guide341is coupled and fixed to the frame member110.

The thickness-wise connector guide341may include a thickness-wise first guide342and a thickness-wise second guide343. The thickness-wise first guide342may have an inner surface of a polygonal shape. For example, referring toFIG.16, the thickness-wise first guide342may have an inner surface of a regular hexagonal shape. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, it will be described that the inner surface of the thickness-wise first guide342has a regular hexagonal shape, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In addition, referring toFIG.15, the thickness-wise second guide343may have an inner surface of a circular shape. Here, the thickness-wise first guide342and the thickness-wise second guide343may have an integrated form or be detachably formed.

The thickness-wise elastic member344is inserted into the thickness-wise connector345to contact the thickness-wise rotary shaft320. The thickness-wise elastic member344transmits an elastic recovery force to the thickness-wise connector345. This will be described later in detail.

The thickness-wise connector345is inserted into the thickness-wise connector guide341and presses the thickness-wise elastic member344so that the thickness-wise elastic member344is elastically contracted. For example, a perforated hole348is formed in the thickness-wise connector345, and a thickness-wise elastic member344is inserted into the perforated hole348. In addition, a pressing bar349is provided vertically to an inner side of the thickness-wise connector345. As shown inFIG.19, when the thickness-wise connector345is inserted into the thickness-wise connector guide341, the pressing bar349presses the thickness-wise elastic member344.

A thickness-wise first outer surface portion346and a thickness-wise second outer surface portion347may be formed at the thickness-wise connector345. The thickness-wise first outer surface portion346has an outer surface of a regular hexagonal shape to correspond to the thickness-wise first guide342. Here, the outer surface of the thickness-wise first outer surface portion346is not limited to the regular hexagonal shape, and may have various shapes to correspond to the shape of the inner surface of the thickness-wise first guide342. In addition, the thickness-wise second outer surface portion347has an outer surface of a circular shape to correspond to the thickness-wise second guide343.

When a tool such as a hexagonal wrench is coupled to the thickness-wise connector345to give a pressure, referring toFIG.19, the pressing bar349provided to the thickness-wise connector345elastically contracts the thickness-wise elastic member344, and the thickness-wise second outer surface portion347having an outer surface of a circular shape moves to the thickness-wise first guide342. Here, since the thickness-wise first outer surface portion346having outer surface of a regular hexagonal shape moves from the thickness-wise first guide342, the thickness-wise connector345may be rotated.

At this time, a hexagonal coupling portion324having a regular hexagonal shape is formed at an end of the thickness-wise rotary shaft320, and a regular hexagon is also formed at the thickness-wise connector345to which the hexagonal coupling portion324of the thickness-wise rotary shaft320is coupled. That is, at least a portion of the perforated hole348of the thickness-wise connector345, for example a portion coupled to the hexagonal coupling portion324of the thickness-wise rotary shaft320, is formed to have a regular hexagonal shape.

Therefore, if a tool such as a hexagonal wrench is coupled to the thickness-wise connector345to give a pressure, the perforated hole348of the thickness-wise connector345formed in a regular hexagonal shape moves so as to be coupled to the hexagonal coupling portion324of the thickness-wise rotary shaft320more deeply (SeeFIGS.18and19).

In addition, if the thickness-wise connector345is rotated using a tool such as a hexagonal wrench, the thickness-wise rotary shaft320coupled to the thickness-wise connector345also rotates together with the thickness-wise connector345.

In addition, if the thickness-wise rotary shaft320stops rotating, the hexagonal wrench is removed from the thickness-wise connector345. If the hexagonal wrench is removed from the thickness-wise connector345, in a state where the thickness-wise elastic member344is in contact with the pressing bar349of the thickness-wise connector345, the elastic recovery force of the thickness-wise elastic member344is provided to the pressing bar349as shown inFIG.18. Thus, the thickness-wise first outer surface portion346of the thickness-wise connector345is moved to the thickness-wise first guide342of the thickness-wise connector guide341and inserted therein.

Here, since the outer surface of the thickness-wise first outer surface portion346has a regular hexagonal shape and the inner surface of the thickness-wise first guide342also has a regular hexagon shape, if the thickness-wise first outer surface portion346is inserted into the thickness-wise first guide342, the thickness-wise first outer surface portion346is prevented from rotating. That is, if the hexagonal wrench is removed from the thickness-wise connector345, the thickness-wise connector345is caught by the thickness-wise connector guide341to prevent rotation, and the thickness-wise rotary shaft320coupled to the thickness-wise connector345is also prevented from rotating.

In other words, if the thickness-wise connector345is rotated using a tool such as a hexagonal wrench, the thickness-wise rotary shaft320also rotates together with the thickness-wise connector345, so the interval between the first support portion313and the second support portion314of the cell support member310is adjusted. However, if the tool such as a hexagonal wrench is removed from the thickness-wise connector345, the thickness-wise first outer surface portion346of the thickness-wise connector345is coupled to the thickness-wise first guide342of the thickness-wise connector guide341to prevent the thickness-wise rotary shaft320from rotating.

According to the above configuration, since the cell support member310supporting the center portion of the battery cell510is adjustable in the thickness direction of the battery cell510, various battery cells510having various sizes in the length direction of the battery cells510may be transported using one transporting device.

In addition, since the first support member311and the second support portion314of the cell support member310are moved by the operation of the thickness-wise moving member330, it is easy to adjust the interval between the first support member311and the second support member312.

FIG.20is a perspective view showing the battery transporting apparatus ofFIG.2entirely, observed in a different direction,FIG.21is a perspective view showing a pair of electrode lead support members, a cell support member and a widthwise moving unit coupled to the frame supporting adjustable member ofFIG.20from which a protecting member is removed,FIG.22is a diagram observed along an arrow G ofFIG.21, where the pair of electrode lead support members are removed inFIG.21,FIG.23is a diagram showing that a height is adjusted by moving the frame supporting adjustable member fromFIG.22,FIG.24is a perspective view showing a frame supporting adjustable member and a widthwise moving unit coupled to the support unit in the battery transporting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG.25is a diagram showing a male thread of the widthwise rotary shaft inFIG.24,FIG.26is an exploded perspective view showing a widthwise rotating member of the battery transporting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG.27is a diagram showing a widthwise connector guide along an arrow H inFIG.26,FIG.28is an assembled perspective view showing the widthwise rotating member ofFIG.26,FIG.29is a cross-sectioned view, taken along the line I-I′ ofFIG.28, andFIG.30is a cross-sectioned view showing that the widthwise connector is moved into the widthwise connector guide to operate the widthwise rotating member inFIG.29.

Next, the adjustment of the battery cell510in the width direction by the battery transporting apparatus10will be described.

Referring toFIG.22, the frame supporting adjustable member410is coupled to a lower side of the frame member110and is configured to be adjustable in the width direction of the battery cell510among length, width and thickness directions of the battery cell510.

The frame supporting adjustable member410may include a first adjustable member411and a second adjustable member412. One side of the first adjustable member411is coupled to the widthwise moving unit420, and the other side is coupled to the frame member110. In addition, the second adjustable member412is disposed to intersect with the first adjustable member411and is coupled to the first adjustable member411, so that one side thereof is coupled to the frame member110and the other side thereof is coupled to the support unit460.

The first adjustable member411and the second adjustable member412may be formed in various ways. For example, the first adjustable member411and the second adjustable member412may be formed in a straight shape to intersect with each other at center portions thereof, so that the first adjustable member411and the second adjustable member412are fixed at the intersecting center portion. Accordingly, the first adjustable member411and the second adjustable member412may be formed in an approximately X-shape, without being limited thereto.

The widthwise moving unit420is coupled to the frame supporting adjustable member410to move the frame supporting adjustable member410.

Referring toFIGS.24and25, the widthwise moving unit420may include a widthwise moving member430, a widthwise rotary shaft440, and a widthwise rotating member450.

The widthwise moving member430may be coupled to the first adjustable member411of the frame supporting adjustable member410to move in a direction perpendicular to the width direction, for example in a horizontal direction based onFIG.24.

The widthwise rotary shaft440is coupled to the widthwise moving member430. Here, a female thread431may be formed at an inner surface of the widthwise moving member430, a male thread441may be formed at an outer surface of the widthwise rotary shaft440, and the male thread441of the widthwise rotary shaft440may be rotatably coupled to the female thread431of the widthwise moving member430.

The widthwise rotating member450is coupled to the widthwise rotary shaft440to rotate the widthwise rotary shaft440. If the widthwise rotary shaft440is coupled to the widthwise rotating member450and rotates, the widthwise moving member430coupled to the widthwise rotary shaft440moves in a direction perpendicular to the width direction.

The support unit460is coupled to the frame supporting adjustable member410to support the frame supporting adjustable member410.

A first guide hole461may be formed in the support unit460in a direction perpendicular to the width direction. Here, one end of the first adjustable member411is inserted into the first guide hole461to move along the first guide hole461, and the other end of the first adjustable member411moves in the width direction. In addition, the frame member110coupled to the first adjustable member411also moves in the width direction.

Since the second adjustable member412is fixed to and intersects with the first adjustable member411at the center portion thereof, the second adjustable member412also operates in association with the operation of the first adjustable member411. That is, the second adjustable member412also moves the frame member110in the width direction.

A guide plate470may be coupled to the frame member110at a lower side of the frame member110. In this case, one side of the first adjustable member411is coupled to the widthwise moving unit420, and the other side thereof is coupled to the guide plate470.

A second guide hole471may be formed in the guide plate470in a direction perpendicular to the width direction. Here, one end of the second adjustable member412is coupled to the support unit460, and the other end of the second adjustable member412is inserted into the second guide hole471and moves in a horizontal direction along the second guide hole471to move the guide plate470in the width direction.

The widthwise rotating member450is coupled to the widthwise rotary shaft440to rotate the widthwise rotary shaft440. The widthwise rotary shaft440may be rotated in various ways. A worker may manually rotate the widthwise rotary shaft440, or a tool may be used to rotate the widthwise rotary shaft440. Alternatively, the widthwise rotating member450may be coupled to the widthwise rotary shaft440, and the widthwise rotary shaft440may be rotated by means of the widthwise rotating member450.

One side of the widthwise rotary shaft440is coupled to the widthwise moving member430, and the other side of the widthwise rotary shaft440is coupled to the widthwise rotating member450. In addition, if the widthwise rotating member450rotates, the widthwise rotary shaft440also rotates in association with the rotation of the widthwise rotating member450.

Referring toFIG.26, the widthwise rotating member450may include a widthwise connector guide451, a widthwise elastic member454, and a widthwise connector455.

The widthwise connector guide451is coupled and fixed to the support unit460.

The widthwise connector guide451may include a widthwise first guide452and a widthwise second guide453. The widthwise first guide452may have an inner surface of a polygonal shape. For example, referring toFIG.27, the widthwise first guide452may have an inner surface of a regular hexagonal shape. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, it will be described that the inner surface of the widthwise first guide452has a regular hexagonal shape, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In addition, referring toFIG.26, the widthwise second guide453may have an inner surface of a circular shape. Here, the widthwise first guide452and the widthwise second guide453may be in an integrated form or may be detachably formed.

The widthwise elastic member454is inserted into the widthwise connector455to contact the widthwise rotary shaft440. The widthwise elastic member454transmits an elastic recovery force to the widthwise connector455. This will be described later in detail.

The widthwise connector455is inserted into the widthwise connector guide451and presses the widthwise elastic member454so that the widthwise elastic member454is elastically contracted. For example, a perforated hole458is formed in the widthwise connector455, and a widthwise elastic member454is inserted into the perforated hole458. In addition, a pressing bar459is provided in the vertical direction at an inner side of the widthwise connector455. As shown inFIG.30, when the widthwise connector455is inserted into the widthwise connector guide451, the pressing bar459presses the widthwise elastic member454.

A widthwise first outer surface portion456and a widthwise second outer surface portion457may be formed at the widthwise connector455. The widthwise first outer surface portion456has an outer surface of a regular hexagonal shape to correspond to the widthwise first guide452. Here, the outer surface of the widthwise first outer surface portion456is not limited to the regular hexagonal shape and may have various shapes to correspond to the shape of the inner surface of the widthwise first guide452. In addition, the widthwise second outer surface portion457has an outer surface of a circular shape to correspond to the widthwise second guide453.

If a tool such as a hexagonal wrench is coupled to the widthwise connector455to give a pressure, the pressing bar459provided to the widthwise connector455elastically contracts the widthwise elastic member454as shown inFIG.30, and the widthwise second outer surface portion457having an outer surface of a circular shape moves to the widthwise first guide452. Here, since the widthwise first outer surface portion456having an outer surface of a regular hexagonal shape moves from the widthwise first guide452, the widthwise connector455may be rotated.

At this time, a hexagonal coupling portion442having a regular hexagonal shape is formed at the end of the widthwise rotary shaft440, and a regular hexagon is also formed at the widthwise connector455to which the hexagonal coupling portion442of the widthwise rotary shaft440is coupled. That is, at least a portion of the perforated hole458of the widthwise connector455, for example a portion coupled to the hexagonal coupling portion442of the widthwise rotary shaft440, is formed to have a regular hexagonal shape.

Therefore, if a tool such as a hexagonal wrench is coupled to the widthwise connector455to give a pressure, the perforated hole458of the widthwise connector455formed in a regular hexagonal shape moves so as to be coupled to the hexagonal coupling portion442of the widthwise rotary shaft440more deeply (seeFIGS.29and30).

In addition, if the widthwise connector455is rotated using a tool such as a hexagonal wrench, the widthwise rotary shaft440coupled to the widthwise connector455also rotates together with the widthwise connector455.

In addition, if the widthwise rotary shaft440stops rotating, the hexagonal wrench is removed from the widthwise connector455. If the hexagonal wrench is removed from the widthwise connector455, in a state where the widthwise elastic member454is in contact with the pressing bar459of the widthwise connector455, the elastic recovery force of the widthwise elastic member454is provided to the pressing bar459as shown inFIG.29. Thus, the widthwise first outer surface portion456of the widthwise connector455is moved to and inserted into the widthwise first guide452of the widthwise connector guide451.

Here, since the outer surface of the widthwise first outer surface portion456has a regular hexagonal shape and the inner surface of the widthwise first guide452also has a regular hexagonal shape, if the widthwise first outer surface portion456is inserted into the widthwise first guide452, the widthwise first outer surface portion456is prevented from rotating. That is, if the hexagonal wrench is removed from the widthwise connector455, the widthwise connector455is caught by the widthwise connector guide451to prevent rotation, and the widthwise rotary shaft440coupled to the widthwise connector455is prevented from rotating.

That is, if the widthwise connector455is rotated using a tool such as a hexagonal wrench, the widthwise rotary shaft440also rotates together with the widthwise connector455, so the height of the frame member110is adjusted. However, if the tool such as a hexagonal wrench is removed from the widthwise connector455, the widthwise first outer surface portion456of the widthwise connector455is coupled to the widthwise first guide452of the widthwise connector guide451to prevent the widthwise rotary shaft440from rotating.

According to the above configuration, since the frame member supporting the battery cell is adjustable in the width direction, namely in the height direction, by the frame supporting adjustable member, it is possible to charge or discharge the battery cell through one transporting device by moving the battery cell in the width direction of the battery cell, for charging or discharging devices having various heights.

In addition, since the frame supporting adjustable member moves in the width direction by the operation of the widthwise moving member, the frame supporting adjustable member may be moved easily.

The present disclosure has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the disclosure, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure relates to a battery transporting apparatus, and may be used in industries related to batteries.