JP7635444B2 - Charge/discharge inspection equipment and charge/discharge inspection method using the same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a charge/discharge inspection facility equipped with an inspection device that performs charge/discharge tests on multiple rechargeable secondary batteries stored on a transport tray, and a charge/discharge inspection method using the same.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, rechargeable secondary batteries such as lithium ion batteries and nickel-metal hydride batteries have come to be widely used in electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and other electrical products.
In the manufacture of these batteries, similar to conventional rechargeable batteries, charge/discharge tests are conducted on the manufactured batteries to inspect whether the batteries meet the required performance and characteristics before shipping. This charge/discharge test is conducted by transporting a transport tray housing multiple secondary batteries to a charge/discharge inspection shelf equipped with an inspection device (charge/discharge inspection device) and connecting the power source (charge/discharge power source) of the inspection device to the secondary batteries. In order to efficiently conduct charge/discharge tests on secondary batteries, multiple transport trays are usually transported to multiple charge/discharge inspection shelves, respectively, and charge/discharge tests are conducted in parallel on multiple transport trays.

As described above, when installing multiple charge/discharge inspection shelves, in order to arrange them in a space-saving manner without securing a large installation space, it is necessary to install them as described in, for example, Patent Document 1. Specifically, multiple housings each housing a carrier tray (magazine) that houses a large number of secondary batteries and a contact unit for charge/discharge that has a chuck mechanism for the electrode terminals of the secondary batteries are stacked in the height direction, and multiple stacked housings are further arranged in the width direction (see FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1).
For this reason, it has been common to transport multiple transport trays to each housing using multiple transport means such as a transport vehicle, a belt conveyor, a stacker crane, etc. (see FIG. 22 of Patent Document 1).

Patent No. 5804975

However, when multiple conveying means are used, the configuration of the charge/discharge testing equipment becomes complicated, and the equipment costs increase because multiple conveying means are required. Furthermore, since maintenance must be performed for each of the multiple conveying means, for example, workability is poor and replacement parts, etc., are required separately (for various types).
In addition, the charge/discharge inspection shelf (inspection device) needs to have a wide variety of functions, such as the function of opening and closing the door of the storage section where the transport trays are stored and charge/discharge tests are performed, the function of moving the transport trays in and out of the storage section, and the function of attaching and detaching charge/discharge probe pins to the secondary batteries, which makes the configuration of the charge/discharge inspection shelf complex and large-scale.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a charge/discharge inspection facility that can be simplified in configuration, thereby reducing facility costs, and a charge/discharge inspection method using the facility.

A charge/discharge inspection facility according to a first aspect of the present invention that meets the above-mentioned objective is a charge/discharge inspection facility that includes an inspection device that performs a charge/discharge test on a plurality of chargeable/dischargeable secondary batteries that are accommodated on a transport tray, the charge/discharge inspection facility comprising:
a transport function that can transport each of the transport trays brought into an input area located upstream of the inspection device to the inspection device, and can transport each of the transport trays containing the secondary batteries for which the charge/discharge test has been completed in the inspection device from the inspection device to an unloading area located downstream of the inspection device;
a door opening/closing function that is provided on a charge/discharge inspection shelf of the inspection device and that enables opening and closing of an opening/closing door of a storage unit that stores the transport tray and performs the charge/discharge test;
The arm device has an operating means that is attached to and detached from the carrier tray and the opening and closing door, the operating means being provided on the tip side of the arm body.

Here, the opening and closing of the opening and closing door is performed by a lifting and lowering movement, and the lifting and lowering movement of the opening and closing door is linked to the lifting and lowering movement of a charge and discharge probe pin of the inspection device provided in the storage section,
When the door is open, the charge/discharge probe pin rises,
It is preferable that, when the opening/closing door is closed, the charge/discharge probe pins descend and come into contact with the secondary batteries accommodated in the carrier tray.
It is also preferable that the opening and closing door allows the transport tray to be placed on it and is provided at the front side in the pull-out direction of a pull-out section that can be inserted and removed horizontally into the storage section, and that the arm device further has an attachment/detachment function that allows the charge/discharge probe pin of the inspection device provided in the storage section to be attached and detached to the secondary battery.

A charge/discharge inspection facility according to a second aspect of the present invention that meets the above-mentioned objective is a charge/discharge inspection facility that includes an inspection device that performs a charge/discharge test on a plurality of chargeable/dischargeable secondary batteries that are accommodated on a transport tray, the charge/discharge inspection facility comprising:
a transport function that can transport each of the transport trays brought into an input area located upstream of the inspection device to the inspection device, and can transport each of the transport trays containing the secondary batteries for which the charge/discharge test has been completed in the inspection device from the inspection device to an unloading area located downstream of the inspection device;
a carry-in/carry-out function that is provided on a charge/discharge inspection shelf of the inspection device, stores the transport tray and performs the charge/discharge test, and allows each transport tray to be carried in and out of a storage section with an open door;
The arm device has an operating means that is attached to and detached from the carrier tray and is provided at the tip of the arm body.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a charge/discharge inspection facility that includes an inspection device that performs a charge/discharge test on a plurality of chargeable/dischargeable secondary batteries housed on a transport tray, the charge/discharge inspection facility comprising:
a transport function that can transport each of the transport trays brought into an input area located upstream of the inspection device to the inspection device, and can transport each of the transport trays containing the secondary batteries for which the charge/discharge test has been completed in the inspection device from the inspection device to an unloading area located downstream of the inspection device;
a detachment function for detachably mounting a charge/discharge probe pin in a storage section that is provided on a charge/discharge inspection shelf of the inspection device and that stores the transport tray and performs the charge/discharge test on the secondary battery,
The arm device has an operation means attached to and detached from the carrier tray and the charge/discharge probe pins, the operation means being provided at the tip of the arm body.

In the charge/discharge inspection equipment according to the first to third aspects of the present invention, it is preferable that the operating means is provided with either or both of a function for measuring the voltage of the secondary battery and a function for measuring the resistance of the secondary battery.

In the charge/discharge inspection equipment according to the first to third aspects of the present invention, it is preferable to have a first transport means on which the transport tray can be placed and transported to the input area, and a second transport means on which the transport tray can be placed and transported from the discharge area.

In the charge/discharge inspection equipment according to the first to third aspects of the present invention, it is preferable that the arm device is provided with a weight measuring means capable of measuring the weight of either or both of the secondary battery and the transport tray.

In the charge/discharge inspection equipment according to the first to third aspects of the present invention, it is preferable that a cognitive sensor is provided that can recognize one or more of the orientation of the transport tray, the polarity of the secondary battery stored in the transport tray, and the shape of the secondary battery.

In the charge/discharge testing equipment according to the first to third aspects of the present invention, it is preferable that the operating means be removable from the arm body, and that a pressurizing restraint means for the secondary battery can be attached to the tip of the arm body in place of the operating means.
Further, a maintenance means for the inspection device may be attached to the tip of the arm body instead of the operation means.
Furthermore, a fire extinguishing means may be attached to the tip of the arm body in place of the operating means.
The fire extinguishing means may be provided with a detection sensor for detecting either or both of flame and smoke.

In the charge/discharge inspection equipment according to the first to third aspects of the present invention, it is preferable that the arm device is provided with a height detection means for detecting the height position of the tip of the arm body.

In the charge/discharge inspection equipment according to the first to third aspects of the present invention, the arm device may also be provided with an imaging means.

In the charge/discharge inspection equipment according to the first to third aspects of the present invention, multiple arm devices can be provided.

A charge/discharge inspection method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention that meets the above-mentioned object is a charge/discharge inspection method using the charge/discharge inspection equipment according to the first aspect of the present invention,
a pre-process of opening the door by the arm device, transporting the plurality of transport trays brought into an input area located upstream of the inspection device to the inspection device, and then closing the door;
a charge/discharge inspection step of performing the charge/discharge test on the secondary battery using the inspection device;
The method includes a post-process in which the arm device opens the door, transports each transport tray containing the secondary batteries for which the charge/discharge test has been completed in the inspection device from the inspection device to an ejection area downstream of the inspection device, and then closes the door.

A charge/discharge inspection method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention that meets the above-mentioned object is a charge/discharge inspection method using the charge/discharge inspection equipment according to the second aspect of the present invention,
a front-end process in which the arm device transfers each of the plurality of transport trays that have been brought into an input area located upstream of the inspection device to the inspection device, and the transport trays are brought into the storage unit with the opening/closing door in an open state;
a charge/discharge inspection step of performing the charge/discharge test on the secondary battery using the inspection device;
The method includes a subsequent process in which the arm device removes each transport tray containing the secondary batteries for which the charge/discharge test has been completed in the inspection device from the storage section with the opening/closing door in an open state, and transports the tray to a discharge area downstream of the inspection device.

A charge/discharge inspection method according to a sixth aspect of the present invention that meets the above-mentioned object is a charge/discharge inspection method using the charge/discharge inspection equipment according to the third aspect of the present invention,
a front-end process of transporting the plurality of transport trays, which have been brought into an input area located upstream of the inspection device, to the inspection device by the arm device;
a charge/discharge inspection process in which the arm device attaches the charge/discharge probe pin to the secondary battery, the inspection device performs the charge/discharge test on the secondary battery, and then the arm device removes the charge/discharge probe pin from the secondary battery after the charge/discharge test has been completed;
and a post-process in which the arm device transports each of the transport trays containing the secondary batteries for which the charge/discharge test has been completed in the inspection device from the inspection device to a discharge area downstream of the inspection device.

A seventh aspect of the present invention that meets the above-mentioned objective is a charge/discharge inspection facility that includes an inspection device that performs a charge/discharge test on a plurality of chargeable/dischargeable secondary batteries that are accommodated on a transport tray, the charge/discharge inspection facility comprising:
a transport function A that is capable of transporting each of the transport trays brought into an input area located upstream of the inspection device to the inspection device, and that is capable of transporting each of the transport trays containing the secondary batteries for which the charge/discharge test has been completed in the inspection device to a waiting area;
a door opening/closing function A that is provided on a charge/discharge inspection shelf of the inspection device and that enables opening and closing of an opening/closing door A of a storage section A that stores the transport tray and performs the charge/discharge test;
a first arm device in which an operating means A that is detachably attached to the transport tray and the opening/closing door A is provided on a front side of an arm body A;
a transport function B that is capable of transporting each of the transport trays transported to the waiting area to a charging device and also capable of transporting each of the transport trays containing the secondary batteries that have been completely charged by the charging device from the charging device to a discharge area downstream of the charging device;
a door opening/closing function B that is provided on a charging shelf of the inspection device and that enables opening and closing of an opening/closing door B of a storage unit B that stores the transport tray and performs the charging;
The second arm device has an operating means B attached to and detached from the transport tray and the opening/closing door B and is provided on the tip side of the arm body B.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a charge/discharge inspection facility including an inspection device for performing a charge/discharge test on a plurality of chargeable/dischargeable secondary batteries housed on a transport tray, the charge/discharge inspection facility comprising:
a transport function A that is capable of transporting each of the transport trays brought into an input area located upstream of the inspection device to the inspection device, and that is capable of transporting each of the transport trays containing the secondary batteries for which the charge/discharge test has been completed in the inspection device to a waiting area;
a carry-in/carry-out function A that is provided on a charge/discharge inspection shelf of the inspection device, stores the transport trays and performs the charge/discharge test, and enables each transport tray to be carried in and out of a storage section A with an opening/closing door A in an open state;
a first arm device in which an operating means A that is detachably attached to the transport tray is provided on a tip side of an arm body A;
a transport function B that is capable of transporting each of the transport trays transported to the waiting area to a charging device and also capable of transporting each of the transport trays containing the secondary batteries that have been completely charged by the charging device from the charging device to a discharge area downstream of the charging device;
a loading/unloading function B that is provided on a charging shelf of the charging device, stores the transport tray and performs the charging, and enables each of the transport trays to be loaded and unloaded into a storage section B with an opening/closing door B in an open state;
The second arm device has an operating means B that is detachably attached to the carrier tray and is provided at the tip of the arm body B.

A charge/discharge test facility according to a ninth aspect of the present invention that meets the above-mentioned objective is a charge/discharge test facility equipped with an inspection device that performs a charge/discharge test on a plurality of chargeable/dischargeable secondary batteries accommodated on a transport tray, comprising:
a transport function A that is capable of transporting each of the transport trays brought into an input area located upstream of the inspection device to the inspection device, and that is capable of transporting each of the transport trays containing the secondary batteries for which the charge/discharge test has been completed in the inspection device to a waiting area;
a detachment function A that is provided on a charge/discharge inspection shelf of the inspection device and that enables a charge/discharge probe pin in a storage section that stores the transport tray and performs the charge/discharge test to be attached to and detached from the secondary battery;
a first arm device in which an operating means A is provided at a tip side of an arm body A and is detachably attached to the transport tray and the charge/discharge probe pin;
a transport function B that is capable of transporting each of the transport trays transported to the waiting area to a charging device and that is capable of transporting each of the transport trays containing the secondary batteries that have been completely charged by the charging device from the charging device to a discharge area downstream of the charging device;
a detachment function B for detachably attaching a charging probe pin to the secondary battery within a storage section B that is provided on a charging shelf of the charging device and that stores the transport tray and performs the charging;
The second arm device has an operating means B attached to and detached from the carrier tray and the charging probe pin, the operating means B being provided on the tip side of the arm body B.

A charge/discharge inspection method according to a tenth aspect of the present invention that meets the above-mentioned object is a charge/discharge inspection method using the charge/discharge inspection equipment according to the seventh aspect of the present invention,
a pre-process of opening the door A by the first arm device, transporting the plurality of transport trays brought into an input area located upstream of the inspection device to the inspection device, and then closing the door A;
a charge/discharge inspection step of performing the charge/discharge test on the secondary battery using the inspection device;
a pre-standby process in which the first arm device opens the opening/closing door A, transports the transport trays housing the secondary batteries for which the charge/discharge test has been completed by the inspection device to a standby location, and then closes the opening/closing door A;
a post-standby process of opening the opening/closing door B by the second arm device, transporting each of the transport trays transported to the waiting location to the charging device, and then closing the opening/closing door B;
a charging step of charging the secondary battery with the charging device;
The process includes a subsequent process in which the second arm device opens the opening/closing door B, transports each of the transport trays containing the secondary batteries that have been fully charged by the charging device from the charging device to a discharge area downstream of the charging device, and then closes the opening/closing door B.

A charge/discharge inspection method according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention that meets the above-mentioned object is a charge/discharge inspection method using the charge/discharge inspection equipment according to the eighth aspect of the present invention,
a front-end process in which the first arm device transfers each of the plurality of transport trays that have been brought into an input area located upstream of the inspection device to the inspection device, and the transport trays are brought into the storage section A with the opening/closing door A in an open state;
a charge/discharge inspection step of performing the charge/discharge test on the secondary battery using the inspection device;
a pre-standby process in which the first arm device removes each of the transport trays housing the secondary batteries for which the charge/discharge test has been completed by the inspection device from the housing section A with the opening/closing door A in an open state, and transports the transport trays to a standby location;
a post-standby process of transporting each of the transport trays transported to the standby location to the charging device by the second arm device and carrying the transport trays into the storage unit B with the opening/closing door B in an open state;
a charging step of charging the secondary battery with the charging device;
The method includes a subsequent process in which the second arm device removes each of the transport trays containing the secondary batteries that have been fully charged by the charging device from the storage section B with the opening/closing door B in an open state, and transports them from the charging device to a discharge area downstream of the charging device.

A charge/discharge inspection method according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention that meets the above-mentioned object is a charge/discharge inspection method using the charge/discharge inspection equipment according to the ninth aspect of the present invention,
a front-end process of transporting the plurality of carrier trays, which have been brought into an input area located upstream of the inspection device, to the inspection device by the first arm device;
a charge/discharge inspection process in which the first arm device attaches the charge/discharge probe pin to the secondary battery, the charge/discharge test of the secondary battery is performed by the inspection device, and then the first arm device removes the charge/discharge probe pin from the secondary battery for which the charge/discharge test has been completed;
a pre-standby process in which the first arm device carries out, from the accommodation section A, each of the transport trays housing the secondary batteries for which the charge/discharge test has been completed by the inspection device, and transports the transport trays to a standby location;
a post-standby process of transporting each of the transport trays transported to the standby location to the charging device by the second arm device;
a charging step of attaching the charging probe pin to the secondary battery by the second arm device, charging the secondary battery by the charging device, and then removing the charging probe pin from the secondary battery whose charging has been completed by the second arm device;
The method includes a subsequent process in which the second arm device transports each of the transport trays containing the secondary batteries that have been fully charged by the charging device from the charging device to a discharge area downstream of the charging device.

The charge/discharge testing facility and the charge/discharge testing method using the same according to the present invention can use the transport function of the arm device (the same applies to the first and second arm devices) to transport multiple transport trays that have been brought in to the testing device, and transport multiple transport trays containing secondary batteries that have completed the charge/discharge test in the testing device from the testing device. This makes it possible to transport the transport trays containing multiple secondary batteries to the testing device without using multiple transport means as in the conventional method.
Furthermore, the door opening/closing function (door opening/closing functions A, B), loading/unloading function (loading/unloading functions A, B), and attachment/detachment function (attachment/detachment functions A, B) of the arm device (as well as the first and second arm devices) eliminate the need for functions that were previously provided in charge/discharge inspection shelves, thereby simplifying the configuration of the charge/discharge inspection shelf.
Therefore, the configuration can be simplified and the cost of the equipment can be reduced.

1 is a plan view of a charge/discharge inspection facility according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1A and 1B are a plan view and a side view, respectively, showing a schematic diagram of an arm device of the charge/discharge inspection equipment, and 1C is an explanatory diagram showing the operation from 1B. 1A and 1B are a side view and a plan view, respectively, showing a first and a second movable carriage of the charge/discharge testing equipment in use. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a charge/discharge inspection method using the charge/discharge inspection equipment. FIG. FIG. 13 is a plan view of a charge/discharge testing facility according to another embodiment of the present invention. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a charge/discharge inspection method using the charge/discharge inspection equipment. FIG. 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams of a usage state of a charge/discharge testing facility according to a first modified example. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a usage state of a charge/discharge testing facility according to a second modified example. FIG. 13 is a front view of a charge/discharge inspection shelf of a charge/discharge inspection facility according to a third modified example. 1A to 1D are explanatory diagrams of the charge/discharge testing equipment in use. 13A to 13D are explanatory diagrams of a usage state of a charge/discharge testing facility according to a fourth modified example. 13A to 13E are explanatory diagrams of a usage state of a charge/discharge testing facility according to a fifth modified example. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a usage state of a charge/discharge testing facility according to a sixth modified example. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a usage state of a charge/discharge testing facility according to a seventh modified example. 13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams of a usage state of a charge/discharge testing facility according to an eighth modified example.

Next, with reference to the attached drawings, an embodiment of the present invention will be described for understanding the present invention.
1 to 4, a charge/discharge inspection facility 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a facility equipped with an inspection device (charge/discharge inspection device) 12 that performs a charge/discharge test (charge/discharge inspection) on a plurality of chargeable and dischargeable secondary batteries (not shown) housed on a transport tray (also called a tray, a container, or a work) 11. A detailed description will be given below.

The inspection device 12 simultaneously performs charge/discharge tests on multiple secondary batteries arranged, for example, in a single row, multiple rows, or randomly on one transport tray 11 while they are housed on the transport tray 11. There are various types of secondary batteries, such as lithium ion batteries and nickel-metal hydride batteries, but they are not limited to any particular type as long as they are rechargeable and dischargeable. They may be small batteries (such as SMD (surface mount) all-solid-state batteries), and may have any shape, such as a rectangular parallelepiped, thin plate, disk, cube, or cylinder.

The inspection device 12 includes a plurality of (here, two) charge/discharge inspection shelves 13 .
The charge/discharge inspection shelf 13 is provided with a drawer section 14 capable of placing one or more transport trays 11 thereon so as to be movable in and out in the horizontal direction, and a plurality of (or one) storage sections 15 for storing the transport trays 11 and performing charge/discharge tests on the secondary batteries are provided in the height direction of the charge/discharge inspection shelf 13 (i.e., the opening and closing door of the storage section 15 is provided on the front side of the drawer section 14 in the pull-out direction). The two charge/discharge inspection shelves 13 are arranged with a gap between them so that the drawers 14 face each other, but this is not particularly limited. Furthermore, a plurality of storage sections may be provided in the width direction of the charge/discharge inspection shelf, or a plurality of storage sections may be provided in both the height direction and the width direction.
The drawer section 14 can be moved back and forth in the horizontal direction by a drive section (not shown) provided on the charge/discharge inspection shelf 13, and can insert and remove the transport tray 11 (the drawer section 14 is maintained in an open or closed state in a free state). Reference numeral 16 in Fig. 1 denotes a handle provided in a protruding state on the front side of the drawer section 14.

Within each storage section 15 of the charge/discharge inspection shelf 13, above the multiple secondary batteries arranged in a row on the transport tray 11, there are arranged charge/discharge probe pins (see Figures 10 to 13 described below: specifically, a positive power pin, a negative power pin, a positive voltage sensing pin, and a negative voltage sensing pin) that can abut against the positive and negative electrodes of each secondary battery, and these charge/discharge probe pins are connected to a power source (charge/discharge power source).
One power source is used for one secondary battery, and the maximum number of secondary batteries that can be accommodated and arranged on one carrier tray 11 is the same as the number of power sources.

In use, in each storage section 15, the charge/discharge probe pins are lowered toward the transport tray 11 in which the secondary batteries are stored, or the transport tray 11 is raised toward the fixedly arranged charge/discharge probe pins, thereby bringing the charge/discharge probe pins into contact with the secondary batteries (positive and negative electrodes), and the corresponding power sources are each connected to the multiple secondary batteries via a power line and a voltage sensing line.
The power supply unit, which is made up of a plurality of power supplies, and the sequence controller (PLC) are connected to a power supply panel (control means, control personal computer: not shown) via a LAN.

A charge/discharge test program is stored in the power supply panel, and the same charge/discharge test can be performed on each power supply according to this test program, but the power supply panel can also store a charge/discharge test program for each power supply (each channel). In this case, it is possible to perform a charge/discharge test for each power supply independently according to each test program.
In addition, an operator (worker) can input instructions via the power panel to start and stop the charge/discharge test, set test conditions, etc., and can also remotely control the performance of operations such as raising the transport tray 11 and lowering the charge/discharge probe pins, and can further monitor the current, voltage, and other status (measured values) of the secondary battery being the subject of the charge/discharge test.

1 and 2(A) to 2(C), the charge/discharge testing equipment 10 has an arm device (robot arm) 17 capable of transferring the transport tray 11. This arm device 17 has an operation means 18 capable of clamping (detachably mounting) the transport tray 11 provided at the tip of an arm body 18a (the configuration excluding the operation means 18 is the arm body 18a).
The arm device 17 is, for example, a type of mechanical arm (an industrial robot: a freely controllable, programmable manipulator with three or more degrees of freedom), and specifically has a first arm 21 that is rotatable on a base portion (fixed stand, etc.) 20 that is attached and fixed to a floor 19, and is tiltable via an axis, a second arm 22 that is tiltable via an axis at the tip of the first arm 21 and is rotatable (pivotable) around the axis, and an operating means 18 that is rotatable (rotatable) around the axis at the tip of the second arm 22, and moves in a manner similar to a human arm or hand.

3A, the operating means 18 is configured to pinch and hold (grab and release) both sides in the length direction (both sides in the width direction) of the transport tray 11 from above the transport tray 11. Note that the operating means 18 is provided with one structure for pinching the transport tray 11, but multiple structures may be provided, in which case it is preferable to be able to pinch multiple transport trays 11 individually. Also, when multiple structures for pinching the transport tray 11 are provided, the spacing between them (the spacing between adjacent clamped transport trays 11) can also be widened or narrowed (adjusted).
The arm device 17 described above is controlled by a control unit (control panel: not shown), and a series of its operations can be performed according to a pre-installed program. New programs can also be added (updated) to this program, and further, operations can be memorized in advance (teaching) and then reproduced.
That is, the arm device 17 can be provided with a function for transporting the transport tray 11, a function for opening and closing the door, a function for loading and unloading the transport tray 11, a function for attaching and detaching the charge/discharge probe pin, etc., by using the above-mentioned arm body 18a, operating means 18, and control unit (program).

The configuration of the arm device is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration, and for example, the arm device itself can be made movable (for example, installed on a transport means such as a stacker crane), the number of arms can be three or more, and some or all of the arms can be made extendable and/or rotatable. Also, the configuration of the operation means is not particularly limited as long as it can attach and detach the transport tray, and may be, for example, a configuration that adsorbs the transport tray or a configuration that loads and unloads the transport tray.
Furthermore, the operation means (arm device) may be provided with an imaging means (such as a CCD camera) for imaging the inspection device 12 (housing section 15) etc. Also, the operation means may be automatically attached and detached to the arm body, and a maintenance means for the inspection device 12 (housing section 15) may be attached in place of the operation means. Work performed by this maintenance means includes, for example, work that was previously performed by an operator, such as replacement and cleaning of charge/discharge probe pins and replacement of a unit provided with multiple charge/discharge probe pins. For example, when multiple arm devices are used, the charge/discharge test and maintenance work can be performed in parallel, thereby improving the efficiency of the work.

1, 3(A) and 3(B), the charge/discharge testing equipment 10 is provided with a safety fence (protective fence) 24 surrounding the arm device 17. Although one arm device 17 is disposed within the safety fence 24, two or more arm devices may be disposed as necessary.
This safety fence 24 is located within the working range of the arm device 17 (working area: maximum rotatable range of the operating means 18 centered on the base part 20), and within the safety fence 24, there are respectively arranged the drawer parts 14 of the two charge/discharge inspection shelves 13, an input area 25 for the transport tray 11 located upstream of the inspection device 12, an output area 26 for the transport tray 11 located downstream of the inspection device 12, and a shelf 27a for the re-input part and a shelf 27b for the NG part of the transport tray 11. Note that the power panel of the inspection device 12 and the control part of the arm device 17 are located, for example, outside the safety fence 24, and can be operated by an operator without entering the safety fence 24.

One (or more) first mobile cart (an example of a first transport means) 28 can be placed (parked) in the above-mentioned input area 25 (inside the safety fence 24) for the transport tray 11, and one (or more) second mobile cart (an example of a second transport means) 29 can be placed (parked) in the above-mentioned discharge area 26 (inside the safety fence 24) for the transport tray 11. The first mobile cart 28 and the second mobile cart 29 have the same configuration.
The re-insertion shelf 27a for the transport tray 11 is a shelf on which transport trays 11 containing secondary batteries that have received poor inspection results by the inspection device 12 are temporarily placed until another charge/discharge test is performed by the inspection device 12, and the NG shelf 27b is a shelf on which transport trays 11 containing secondary batteries that have received poor inspection results are removed as defective products. For this reason, a part of the NG shelf 27b protrudes outside the safety fence 24, allowing, for example, an operator to remove the transport tray 11 from outside the safety fence 24.

The first and second movable carts 28, 29 can each carry multiple transport trays 11 in a stacked state (piled state), and can run, for example, when pushed by an operator, but can also be made to run automatically along a pre-set route.
The first movable cart 28 can carry a plurality of stacked transport trays 11 and travel to the input area 25. On the other hand, the second movable cart 29 travels to the discharge area 26 without carrying any transport trays 11, carries a plurality of stacked transport trays 11 in the discharge area 26, and then travels from the discharge area 26. The number of transport trays 11 stacked on the first and second movable carts 28 and 29 is not particularly limited, and can be, for example, about 15 stages (about 10 stages in this case) depending on the configuration of the transport trays, and the presence or absence of transport trays 11 on the first and second movable carts 28 and 29 and the number of stacked transport trays 11 can be detected, for example, by a load sensor.
Since the first movable carriage 28 and the second movable carriage 29 have the same configuration as described above, the first movable carriage 28 and the second movable carriage 29 can be used in common.

Next, a charge/discharge inspection method using charge/discharge inspection equipment 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

(Preparation process)
The transport trays 11 containing the secondary batteries are stacked in multiple tiers on the first movable cart 28, and the first movable cart 28 is moved to the charge/discharge testing equipment 10. Note that although the transport trays 11 on the first movable cart 28 are stacked in one location, they may be stacked in two or more locations.

(Pre-process)
As shown in Fig. 1, the handle 16 of the drawer section 14 of the charge/discharge inspection shelf 13 of the inspection device 12 is grasped by the operating means 18 of the arm device 17, and the drawer section 14 is drawn out from within the storage section 15 (opening the door: door opening/closing function). Then, as shown in Figs. 1, 2(A)-(C), 3(A), (B), and 4, the multiple transport trays 11 stacked on the first mobile cart 28 brought into the input area 25 are grasped by the operating means 18 of the arm device 17, starting from the topmost tier (nth tier), and transported to the charge/discharge inspection shelf 13, respectively (transport function).
When the carrier tray 11 on the first movable carriage 28 is gripped by the operating means 18 of the arm device 17, the height position of the operating means 18 (the tip side of the arm body 18a) is detected by a height detection sensor (one example of a height detection means) 40 provided on the operating means 18 (see FIG. 3(A)). Note that, for example, a touch sensor or a distance-limited photoelectric sensor (height detection function) can also be used to detect the height position.
As shown in FIG. 1, after the transport tray 11 is loaded into the open drawer section 14, the handle 16 of the drawer section 14 is grasped by the operating means 18 of the arm device 17, and the drawer section 14 is stored in the storage section 15 (the opening and closing door is closed: loading/unloading function and door opening and closing function).
Here, the arm device 17 not only transports the transport tray 11 from the first mobile cart 28 to the charge/discharge inspection shelf 13 , but also transports the transport tray 11 from the re-insertion section shelf 27 a to the charge/discharge inspection shelf 13 .

(Charge/discharge inspection process)
The inspection device 12 simultaneously performs a charge/discharge test on the multiple secondary batteries accommodated in each transport tray 11. A brief description will be given below.
In each storage section 15, the charge/discharge probe pins are lowered relative to the transport tray 11 on which the secondary batteries are stored, or the transport tray 11 is raised relative to the fixedly arranged charge/discharge probe pins, thereby bringing the charge/discharge probe pins into contact with the secondary batteries (positive and negative electrodes), and connecting the corresponding power sources to each of the multiple secondary batteries.
Then, using a power supply panel in which a charge/discharge test program is stored, the same charge/discharge test is performed on each power supply in accordance with this charge/discharge test program, or different charge/discharge tests are performed on each power supply.
After the charge/discharge test is completed, the charge/discharge probe pins are raised relative to the carrier tray 11, or the carrier tray 11 is lowered relative to the charge/discharge probe pins.

(Post-process)
As shown in Fig. 1, the handle 16 of the drawer section 14 into which the transport trays 11 containing secondary batteries for which the charge/discharge test has been completed in the inspection device 12 are carried in is grasped by the operating means 18 of the arm device 17, and the drawer section 14 is drawn out from within the storage section 15 (opening the door: door opening/closing function), and each transport tray 11 in the drawer section 14 is grasped by the operating means 18 of the arm device 17 and carried out from within the open drawer section 14 (carrying in and carrying out function). At this time, if the secondary batteries contained in the transport trays 11 comply with the standards (are of good quality), the transport trays 11 are transferred from the charge/discharge inspection shelf 13 of the inspection device 12 to second mobile carriages 29 in the discharge area 26, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, and are stacked up to the nth level on the second mobile carriages 29 (transport function).
This second mobile cart 29 is preliminarily carried into the discharge area 26 in a state where no transport tray 11 is placed thereon (for example, the first mobile cart 28 for which the above-mentioned previous process has been completed can be used). However, when the second mobile cart 29 has not been carried into the discharge area 26, multiple transport trays 11 are stacked in this discharge area 26, and when the second mobile cart 29 is carried in, the stacked multiple transport trays 11 are temporarily evacuated, and then stacked on the second mobile cart 29.
After the transport tray 11 has been transferred onto the second movable cart 29, the handle 16 of the drawer section 14 is grasped by the operating means 18 of the arm device 17, and the drawer section 14 is placed inside the storage section 15 (the opening and closing door is put into the closed state: door opening and closing function).

The second movable carriage 29 on which the above-mentioned plurality of transport trays 11 are stacked is carried out from the discharge area 26 and is sent to another process as required.
Among the secondary batteries for which the charge/discharge test has been completed, each transport tray 11 containing secondary batteries that do not comply with the standards is grasped by the operating means 18 of the arm device 17, and those to be subjected to another charge/discharge test by the inspection device 12 are transported to the re-introduction section shelf 27a for temporary storage, while those to be removed as defective products are transported to the NG section shelf 27b. The transport trays 11 transported to the NG section shelf 27b can be removed by an operator, for example, from outside the safety fence 24.
By repeatedly performing the pre-process, charge/discharge inspection process, and post-process described above on other secondary batteries (transport trays), it is possible to perform charge/discharge testing on secondary batteries without using multiple transport means as in the conventional method.

Next, referring to Figures 5 and 6, a charge/discharge testing equipment 50 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the charge/discharge testing equipment 50 has a configuration obtained by partially modifying the configuration of the charge/discharge testing equipment 10 described above, the same components are given the same symbols and detailed descriptions are omitted.
The charge/discharge inspection facility 50 is equipped with an inspection device 12 that performs charge/discharge tests on secondary batteries, and a charging device 51 that charges the secondary batteries that have undergone the charge/discharge tests. Note that the charging device 51 has a configuration substantially similar to the inspection device 12 described above, and since it is a device that only charges secondary batteries, the reference numeral for the inspection device 12 is followed by "a" and will be described briefly below.

The charging device 51 includes a plurality of (here, two) charging shelves 13a, and a plurality of storage sections 15a each having a drawer section 14a are provided in the height direction of the charging shelf 13a. Within each storage section 15a, above a plurality of secondary batteries arranged side by side on the transport tray 11, a charging probe pin capable of contacting the positive and negative electrodes of each secondary battery is arranged, and the charging probe pin is connected to a charging power source.
A charging power supply unit consisting of multiple charging power supplies and a sequencer (PLC) are connected to a power supply panel (control means, control computer: not shown) via a LAN. A charging program is stored in this power supply panel, and the same charging operation can be performed for each charging power supply according to this charging program, but the power supply panel can also store a charging program for each charging power supply (each channel). In this case, charging work can be performed separately and independently for each charging power supply according to each charging program.

The charge/discharge inspection equipment 50 includes two arm devices (first and second arm devices) 17a, 17b arranged with a gap between them, and a safety fence (protective fence) 52 is provided to surround the two arm devices 17a, 17b. The two arm devices 17a, 17b have the same configuration as the above-described arm device 17, and operation means A, B are provided at the tips of the arm bodies A, B, respectively.
The area surrounded by the safety fence 52, when viewed in a plane, is substantially covered by the working range of the two arm devices 17a, 17b (the maximum rotation range of the operating means centered on the base portion), and within this safety fence 52 are arranged the drawer sections 14 (storage section A (storage section 15), opening/closing door A) of the two charge/discharge inspection shelves 13, the drawer sections 14a (storage section B (storage section 15a), opening/closing door B) of the two charging shelves 13a, a waiting shelf (an example of a waiting place) 53 for transferring the transport tray 11 from the inspection device 12 side to the charging device 51 side, an input area 25 for the transport tray 11 upstream of the inspection device 12 and an unloading area 26 for the transport tray 11 downstream of the charging device 51, a shelf 27a for the re-input section of the transport tray 11 and a shelf 27b for the NG section.

Specifically, within the working range of one arm device 17a are the drawer section 14 of the charge/discharge inspection shelf 13, the waiting shelf 53 of the transport tray 11, the loading area 25 of the transport tray 11, and the re-input shelf 27a and NG section shelf 27b of the transport tray 11, and within the working range of the other arm device 17b are the drawer section 14a of the charging shelf 13a, the waiting shelf 53 of the transport tray 11, the discharge area 26 of the transport tray 11, and the re-input shelf 27a and NG section shelf 27b of the transport tray 11.
In this way, the working ranges of the two arm devices 17a, 17b partially overlap, and the waiting shelf 53 for the transport tray 11, the re-insertion section shelf 27a, and the NG section shelf 27b are respectively arranged in this overlapping portion. The power panel for the inspection device 12, the power panel for the charging device 51, and the control units for the arm devices 17a, 17b are each arranged outside the safety fence 52, and can be operated by an operator without entering the safety fence 52.

Next, a charge/discharge inspection method using charge/discharge inspection equipment 50 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. However, since the charge/discharge inspection method using charge/discharge inspection equipment 50 is a partially modified version of the charge/discharge inspection method using charge/discharge inspection equipment 10 described above, the same steps will be described briefly.

(Preparation process)
A plurality of carrier trays 11 containing secondary batteries are stacked on a first movable carriage 28 , and the first movable carriage 28 is moved to a charge/discharge inspection facility 50 .
(Pre-process)
After the drawer section 14 of the charge/discharge inspection shelf 13 is drawn out from within the storage section 15, the multiple transport trays 11 stacked on the first mobile cart 28 brought into the input area 25 are grasped by the operating means of the arm device 17a, starting from the topmost level (nth level), and transferred to the charge/discharge inspection shelf 13. After the transport trays 11 are brought into the open drawer section 14, the handle 16 of the drawer section 14 is grasped by the operating means of the arm device 17a, and the drawer section 14 is placed within the storage section 15 (these are door opening/closing function A, transport function A, and load/unload function A).
(Charge/discharge inspection process)
In the inspection device 12, a charge/discharge test is simultaneously performed on the plurality of secondary batteries accommodated in each transport tray 11.

(Pre-standby process)
The handle 16 of the drawer section 14 into which the transport tray 11 containing the secondary batteries that have undergone the charge/discharge test in the inspection device 12 are carried is grasped by the operating means 18 of the arm device 17, the drawer section 14 is drawn out of the storage section 15, and each transport tray 11 in the drawer section 14 is grasped by the operating means of the arm device 17a and carried out from the open drawer section 14. At this time, if the secondary batteries contained in the transport tray 11 comply with the standard, the transport tray 11 is transferred from the charge/discharge inspection shelf 13 of the inspection device 12 to the waiting shelf 53, and placed on the waiting shelf 53. After the transport tray 11 is transferred onto the waiting shelf 53, the handle 16 of the drawer section 14 is grasped by the operating means 18 of the arm device 17a, and the drawer section 14 is placed inside the storage section 15 (the above are door opening/closing function A, load/unload function A, transport function A).
In addition, among the secondary batteries for which the charge/discharge test has been completed, each transport tray 11 containing secondary batteries that do not comply with the standards is grasped by the operating means of the arm device 17a, and those that will be charged/discharged again by the inspection device 12 are transported to the re-input shelf 27a and temporarily stored there, and those that will be removed as defective products are transported to the NG part shelf 27b.
(Post-standby process)
After the drawer section 14a of the charging shelf 13a of the charging device 51 is drawn out from within the storage section 15a, the multiple transport trays 11 placed on the waiting shelf 53 are grasped by the operating means of the arm device 17b and transferred to the charging shelf 13a, respectively. After the transport trays 11 are carried into the open drawer section 14a, the handles 16a of the drawer section 14a are grasped by the operating means of the arm device 17b, and the drawer section 14a is stored within the storage section 15b (these are the door opening/closing function B, transport function B, and load/unload function B).
(Charging process)
In the charging device 51, a plurality of secondary batteries accommodated in each transport tray 11 are charged simultaneously.

(Post-process)
The handle 16a of the drawer section 14a into which the transport trays 11 containing secondary batteries that have been charged by the charging device 51 are carried is grasped by the operating means of the arm device 17b, the drawer section 14a is drawn out from the storage section 15a, and each transport tray 11 in the drawer section 14a is grasped by the operating means of the arm device 17b and carried out from the open drawer section 14a. At this time, if the secondary batteries contained in the transport trays 11 have been properly charged (are of good quality), the transport trays 11 are respectively transferred from the charging shelf 13a of the charging device 51 to the second mobile carts 29 in the discharge area 26, and are stacked up to the nth level on the second mobile carts 29. In this way, after the transport tray 11 is transferred onto the second movable cart 29, the handle 16a of the drawer section 14a is grasped with the operating means of the arm device 17b, and the drawer section 14a is stored in the storage section 15a (above, door opening/closing function B, transport function B, and loading/unloading function B).
The second movable carriage 29 on which the above-mentioned plurality of transport trays 11 are stacked is carried out from the discharge area 26 and is sent to another process as required.
In addition, among the secondary batteries that have been fully charged, each transport tray 11 containing secondary batteries that could not be charged normally is grasped by the operating means of the arm device 17b, and those to be charged again by the charging device 51 are transported to the re-insertion shelf 27a for temporary storage, and those to be removed as defective products are transported to the NG section shelf 27b.

The charge/discharge inspection equipment according to the modified example will be described below.
7(A) and (B) is a facility having an arm device 17, in which a first conveyor (an example of a first transport means) 61 is provided in place of the first movable carriage 28 of the charge/discharge inspection facility 10 described above, and a second conveyor (an example of a second transport means) 62 is provided in place of the second movable carriage 29. The first and second conveyors 61 and 62 are belt conveyors capable of transporting a plurality of transport trays 11 one by one, but are not particularly limited as long as they can transport the transport trays 11, and for example, roller conveyors or the like can also be used.
This allows the arm device 17 to sequentially transport each of the multiple transport trays 11 that are brought in one by one by the first conveyor 61 to the inspection device 12, and also allows each transport tray 11 containing secondary batteries that have completed charge/discharge testing in the inspection device 12 to be sequentially transported one by one from the inspection device 12 to the second conveyor 62.

Here, as shown in FIG. 8, it is preferable to install a cognitive sensor 41 within the working range of the arm device 17.
The cognitive sensor 41 is a sensor capable of recognizing one or more of the direction of the transport tray 11, the polarity of the secondary battery stored in the transport tray 11, and the shape of the secondary battery, and may be, for example, a displacement sensor or a proximity sensor capable of determining the physical uneven shape of the transport tray or an uneven shape that changes depending on the direction. The displacement sensor is a sensor that measures the distance to an object and is also capable of measuring minute steps, height, width, thickness, and other dimensions of the object. The proximity sensor is capable of detecting the approach of an object or the presence or absence of a detection target in the vicinity without contact.
If the above-mentioned cognitive sensor 41 can recognize the direction of the carrier tray 11 and the polarity of the secondary battery, incorrect connection between the charge/discharge probe of the inspection device and the secondary battery can be prevented, thereby improving safety.
Furthermore, if the shape of the secondary battery can be recognized by the cognitive sensor 41, a charge/discharge test corresponding to the model (type) of the secondary battery can be reliably carried out.

The charge/discharge inspection equipment 70 shown in Figures 9 and 10 (A) to (D) has an arm device 17 and a charge/discharge inspection shelf 71 having two (multiple) storage sections 15 in the height and width directions for storing the transport trays 11.
A shutter (an example of an opening/closing door) 72 that opens and closes by lifting and lowering is provided on the front side of the storage section 15 of the charge/discharge inspection shelf 71 (at the entrance/exit of the transport tray 11), and this shutter 72 is opened and closed by grasping a handle 73 provided in front of it with the operating means 18 of the arm device 17.
This shutter 72 has functions, for example, to prevent flames and smoke in the event of a fire inside the storage unit 15, as well as fire extinguishing water from the fire extinguishing function provided on the charge/discharge inspection shelf, from leaking out of the storage unit to the outside, and further, to prevent contact from the outside with movable parts inside the storage unit.When opened, the shutter is configured to be able to maintain that state (it is configured so that it will not close under its own weight: for example, a locking mechanism is provided).

In use, first, as shown in Fig. 10(A), the handle 73 provided on the shutter 72 of the target storage unit 15 is grasped with the operating means 18 of the arm device 17, and the shutter 72 is opened as shown in Fig. 10(B) (door opening/closing function). Then, the operating means 18 is released from the handle 73, and as shown in Fig. 10(C), the operating means 18 grasps the carrier tray 11 and carries it into the storage unit 15 (transport function, carry-in/carry-out function). At this time, the shutter 72 remains open.
Next, the operating means 18 is removed from the carrier tray 11, and the handle 73 on the shutter 72 is grasped to close the shutter 72 as shown in Fig. 10(D) (door opening and closing function). Then, a unit 75 having a plurality of charge/discharge probe pins 74 is lowered toward the carrier tray 11, and the charge/discharge probe pins 74 are brought into contact with the secondary batteries to perform the charge/discharge inspection process described above.
After the charge/discharge inspection process is completed, the transport tray 11 is removed from the storage section 15 in the reverse order to that described above, and the shutter 72 is closed (door opening/closing function, transport function, loading/unloading function).

The charge/discharge inspection equipment 76 shown in Figures 11 (A) to (D) is equipment (see Figure 9) that has an arm device 17 and a charge/discharge inspection shelf 77 that has two (multiple) storage sections 15 in the height and width directions for storing the transport trays 11.Since this equipment differs from the charge/discharge inspection equipment 70 described above only in the configuration within the storage sections 15, identical members are given the same symbols and detailed explanations are omitted.
A shutter 72 that opens and closes by ascending and descending motion is provided on the front side of the storage section 15 of the charge/discharge inspection shelf 77 (the entrance/exit side of the transport tray 11), and the ascending and descending motion (opening and closing) of this shutter 72 is linked to the ascending and descending motion of a unit 75 (charge/discharge probe pin 74) provided in the storage section 15. Specifically, when the shutter 72 is opened by the arm device 17, the unit 75 (charge/discharge probe pin 74) also ascends, and when the shutter 72 is closed by the arm device 17, the unit 75 (charge/discharge probe pin 74) also descends.

In use, first, as shown in Fig. 11(A), the handle 73 provided on the shutter 72 of the target storage section 15 is grasped with the operating means 18 of the arm device 17, and the shutter 72 is opened as shown in Fig. 11(B) (door opening and closing function). At this time, the unit 75 also rises.
Next, the operating means 18 is released from the handle 73, and as shown in Fig. 11C, the operating means 18 grasps the carrier tray 11 and carries it into the storage section 15 (transport function, carry-in/carry-out function). At this time, the shutter 72 remains open, and the unit 75 (charge/discharge probe pin 74) also remains in the raised state.
Next, the operating means 18 is removed from the carrier tray 11, and the handle 73 provided on the shutter 72 is grasped to close the shutter 72 as shown in 11(D) (door opening and closing function). At this time, the unit 75 also descends, and the charge/discharge probe pins 74 come into contact with the secondary batteries contained in the carrier tray 11, so that the charge/discharge inspection process described above is continued.
After the charge/discharge inspection process is completed, the transport tray 11 is removed from the storage section 15 in the reverse order to that described above, and the shutter 72 is closed (door opening/closing function, loading/unloading function, transport function).

The charge/discharge inspection equipment 80 shown in Figures 12 (A) to (E) has an arm device 17 and a charge/discharge inspection shelf 81 having two (multiple) storage sections 15 in the height and width directions for storing transport trays 11.
The storage section 15 of the charge/discharge inspection shelf 81 is provided with a drawer section 82 on which the transport tray 11 can be placed and which can be moved in and out horizontally, and this drawer section 82 can be moved in and out of the storage section 15 by grasping a handle 83 provided in front of it with the operating means 18 of the arm device 17.
The arm device 17 not only moves the drawer portion 82 horizontally as described above, but also raises and lowers the unit 75 (the charge/discharge probe pin 74). Specifically, a handle 84 for raising and lowering the unit 75 is provided on the front side (the entrance/exit side of the transport tray 11) of the charge/discharge inspection shelf 81, and the unit 75 is raised and lowered by grasping the handle 84 with the operating means 18 of the arm device 17.

In use, first, as shown in Fig. 12(A), the handle 83 provided on the drawer section 82 of the target storage section 15 is grasped with the operating means 18 of the arm device 17, and as shown in Fig. 12(B), the drawer section 82 is pulled out from within the storage section 15 (door opening/closing function). At this time, the unit 75 is raised.
Next, the operating means 18 is released from the handle 83, and as shown in FIG. 12C, the carrier tray 11 is grasped by the operating means 18 and placed on the drawer section 82 (transport function, load/unload function).
Next, the operating means 18 is removed from the carrier tray 11, the handle 83 provided on the drawer section 82 is grasped, and the drawer section 82 is stored in the storage section 15 as shown in 12(D) (door opening and closing function).
Then, the unit 75, which is provided with a number of charge/discharge probe pins 74, is lowered by grasping the handle 84 toward the transport tray 11, and the charge/discharge probe pins 74 are brought into contact with the secondary battery to perform the above-mentioned charge/discharge inspection process (attachment/detachment function).
After the charge/discharge inspection process is completed, the transport tray 11 is removed from the storage section 15 in the reverse order 8 to that described above, and the drawer section 82 is stored in the storage section 15 (attachment/detachment function, door opening/closing function, loading/unloading function, transport function).

13 has an arm device 17c, and in this arm device 17c, the operating means 18 of the arm device 17 described above is detachably attached to the tip of the arm body 18a, and a pressurizing and restraining means 86 for the secondary battery is attached in place of the operating means 18. This pressurizing and restraining means 86 is specifically a rotating jig (e.g., a servo motor), and can be replaced with the operating means 18 described above, for example, by using an automatic tool changer or the like.
A pressure restraint tray 87 can be used for pressurizing and restraining the secondary batteries by the pressure restraint means 86. This pressure restraint tray 87 has a container 88 that can accommodate the transport tray 11 movably in the horizontal direction (the arrangement direction in which a plurality of secondary batteries are arranged side by side), a restraining jig 89 placed inside this container 88, and a male screw portion 90 whose tip is attached and fixed to the restraining jig 89, and this male screw portion 90 is screwed into a female screw portion provided on the side wall of the container 88.
In use, the base of the male thread portion 90 (the portion protruding outward from the container 88) is rotated by the pressure restraint means 86, and the restraint jig 89 is moved horizontally within the container 88. For example, the restraint jig 89 is brought into contact with the side of the secondary battery through an opening formed in the side of the transport tray 11, thereby pressurizing and restraining the multiple secondary batteries along the arrangement direction.

A charge/discharge inspection facility 91 shown in Fig. 14 is a facility (see Fig. 9) having an arm device 17d and a charge/discharge inspection shelf 92 provided with two (a plurality) storage sections 15 in the height direction and width direction for storing the transport trays 11. This arm device 17d has a fire extinguishing nozzle (one example of a fire extinguishing means) 93 for spraying a fire extinguishing agent attached to the tip of an arm body 18a instead of the operation means 18 that can be attached and detached. The fire extinguishing nozzle 93 can be replaced with the above-mentioned operation means 18, for example, by using an automatic tool changer or the like.
The tip of this extinguishing nozzle 93 can be inserted and removed from an insertion hole 94 formed in the charge/discharge inspection shelf 92, so that, for example, when a fire breaks out inside the storage section 15, an extinguishing agent can be sprayed into the storage section 15 through the insertion hole 94. Note that, for example, water (extinguishing water) or an inert gas such as carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) or nitrogen gas (N ₂ ) can be used as the extinguishing agent.

In use, when a fire breaks out inside the storage section 15, the arm device 17d is operated to insert the tip of the fire extinguisher nozzle 93 into the insertion hole 94, and extinguishing agent is sprayed into the storage section 15. It is also possible to provide the fire extinguisher nozzle 93 with a detection sensor for detecting either or both of flame and smoke, thereby spraying extinguishing agent in a concentrated manner toward the ignition section (ignition source). At this time, by keeping the drawer section 82 in a closed state, it is possible to prevent the flame and smoke, as well as the extinguishing agent, from leaking out of the storage section when a fire breaks out.
Normally, it is necessary to provide the charge/discharge inspection shelf with piping for supplying extinguishing agent to the charge/discharge inspection shelf, and nozzles attached to the piping for spraying the extinguishing agent into each storage section, etc. However, by providing the arm device with a fire extinguishing nozzle, the above-mentioned piping, etc. is no longer necessary, and the extinguishing agent can be sprayed more accurately toward the ignition section.

The charge/discharge inspection equipment 95 shown in Figures 15(A) and (B) is an equipment having an arm device 17e, and is an equipment that differs from the charge/discharge inspection equipment 60 described above only in part of the configuration of the arm device 17e. Therefore, the same members are given the same symbols and detailed explanations are omitted.
The arm device 17e has substantially the same functions as the arm device 17 (functions of the arm body 18a), and the operation means 96 is provided with a suction function that allows the carrier tray 11 to be attached and detached, and a unit 98 consisting of a plurality of measurement probe pins 97. The measurement probe pins 97 connect the secondary battery to a measuring instrument (not shown), and can thereby perform electrical measurements of the secondary battery (for example, voltage measurements and/or resistance (DC resistance and AC resistance) measurements) (has a measurement function). The time required for this electrical measurement is shorter than the time required for a charge/discharge test, so that the electrical measurements can be performed while the carrier tray is being transported to the charge/discharge inspection shelf.

In addition, by incorporating a secondary battery and/or a weight measuring means (e.g., a load sensor) capable of measuring the weight of the transport tray 11 in the arm device 17e, the transport tray 11 can be held by the operating means 96 and its weight can also be measured.
Normally, the above-mentioned various measurements are performed on a conveyor, but in this case, the conveyor needs to be temporarily stopped each time a measurement is performed, and in order to perform the measurement reliably, it is necessary to provide the conveyor with a positioning member for the transport tray, a stopper, etc. However, with the configuration shown in Figures 15(A) and (B), the first conveyor 61 does not need to be stopped, and the transport tray 11 can be continuously transported while the measurement is being performed, which shortens the operation time, and also simplifies the device configuration because the positioning member for the transport tray 11, stoppers, etc. are not required, making it possible to simplify the device configuration.

In the modified example shown above, the arm device is given the functions that were previously provided in charge/discharge inspection shelves (opening and closing of the shutter, extension and removal of the drawer, raising and lowering of the charge/discharge probe pin, and spraying of fire extinguishing water), which simplifies the configuration of the charge/discharge inspection shelf and, for example, makes it possible to make the charge/discharge inspection shelf more compact and reduce the cost of charge/discharge inspection equipment.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiments, and includes other embodiments and modifications that are conceivable within the scope of the matters described in the claims. For example, the case where the charge/discharge inspection equipment of the present invention and the charge/discharge inspection method using the same are configured by combining part or all of the above-mentioned respective embodiments and modifications is also included in the scope of the rights of the present invention.
In the above embodiment, a case where one arm device is installed in the area where the transport tray is transferred to the inspection device has been described, but two or more arm devices may be installed. Here, the operating range of each arm device can be expanded by placing some or all of the arm devices on a transport means (such as a stacker crane).
In addition, by having some arm devices handle the transport tray transportation task and other arm devices handle other tasks (such as various measurement tasks), the transportation and other tasks can be performed in parallel, improving work efficiency.

10: Charge/discharge inspection equipment, 11: Transport tray, 12: Inspection device, 13: Charge/discharge inspection shelf, 13a: Charging shelf, 14, 14a: Drawer section, 15, 15a: Storage section, 16, 16a: Handle, 17, 17a to 17e: Arm device, 18: Operation means, 18a: Arm body, 19: Floor, 20: Base section, 21: First arm section, 22: Second arm section, 24: Safety fence, 25: Insertion area, 26: Discharge area, 27a: Reinsertion section shelf, 27b: NG section shelf, 28: First mobile cart (first transport means), 29: Second mobile cart (second transport means), 40: Height detection sensor (height detection means), 41: Cognitive sensor, 50: Charge/discharge inspection equipment, 51: Charging device, 52: Safety fence, 53: Waiting shelf (waiting place), 60: Charge/discharge Electrical inspection equipment, 61: first conveyor (first conveying means), 62: second conveyor (second conveying means), 70: charge/discharge inspection equipment, 71: charge/discharge inspection shelf, 72: shutter (opening/closing door), 73: handle, 74: charge/discharge probe pin, 75: unit, 76: charge/discharge inspection equipment, 77: charge/discharge inspection shelf, 80: charge/discharge inspection equipment, 81: charge/discharge inspection shelf, 82: drawer, 83, 84: handle, 85: charge/discharge inspection equipment, 86: pressurizing restraint means, 87: pressurizing restraint tray, 88: container, 89: restraint jig, 90: male threaded part, 91: charge/discharge inspection equipment, 92: charge/discharge inspection shelf, 93: fire extinguishing nozzle (fire extinguishing means), 94: insertion hole, 95: charge/discharge inspection equipment, 96: operation means, 97: measurement probe pin, 98: unit

Claims (17)

A charge/discharge inspection facility including an inspection device that performs a charge/discharge test on a plurality of chargeable/dischargeable secondary batteries housed on a transport tray,
A plurality of the transport trays brought into an input area located upstream of the inspection device are transported to the inspection device, and each of the transport trays containing the secondary batteries for which the charge/discharge test has been completed in the inspection device is transported from the inspection device to an unloading area located downstream of the inspection device.
A charge/discharge probe pin is raised and lowered in a storage section that is provided on a charge/discharge inspection shelf of the inspection device and that stores the transport tray and performs the charge/discharge test, so that the charge/discharge probe pin can be attached to and detached from the secondary battery.
Equipped with a robotic arm ,
A charge/discharge testing facility, characterized in that an operating means that is attached to and detached from the transport tray is provided at the tip side of the arm body of the robot arm . The charge/discharge inspection equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the operation means is provided with either or both of a function for measuring the voltage of the secondary battery and a function for measuring the resistance of the secondary battery. The charge/discharge inspection equipment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has a first conveying means capable of placing the conveying tray thereon and conveying it to the input area, and a second conveying means capable of placing the conveying tray thereon and conveying it from the discharge area. 4. The charge/discharge inspection equipment according to claim 1, wherein the robot arm is provided with a weight measuring means capable of measuring the weight of either or both of the secondary battery and the transport tray. The charge/discharge inspection equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is provided with a cognitive sensor capable of recognizing one or more of the orientation of the transport tray, the polarity of the secondary battery stored in the transport tray, and the shape of the secondary battery. The charge/discharge inspection equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the operating means is removable from the arm body, and a pressurizing restraint means for the secondary battery can be attached to the tip of the arm body in place of the operating means. The charge/discharge inspection equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the operation means is removable from the arm body, and a maintenance means for the inspection device can be attached to the tip of the arm body in place of the operation means. The charge/discharge inspection equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the operating means is removable from the arm body, and a fire extinguishing means can be attached to the tip of the arm body in place of the operating means. The charge/discharge inspection equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that the fire extinguishing means is provided with a detection sensor for detecting either or both of flame and smoke. 10. The charge/discharge testing equipment according to claim 1, wherein the robot arm is provided with a height detection means for detecting a height position of the tip of the arm body. 11. The charge/discharge inspection facility according to claim 1, wherein the robot arm is provided with an imaging means. 12. The charge/discharge inspection facility according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the robot arms are provided. A charge/discharge inspection method using the charge/discharge inspection equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
a front-end process of transporting the plurality of transport trays, which have been brought into an input area located upstream of the inspection device, to the inspection device by the robot arm ;
a charge/discharge inspection process in which the charge/discharge probe pin is attached to the secondary battery by the robot arm , the charge/discharge test of the secondary battery is performed by the inspection device, and then the charge/discharge probe pin is removed from the secondary battery after the charge/discharge test is completed by the robot arm ;
and a subsequent process of using the robot arm to transport each of the transport trays containing the secondary batteries for which the charge/discharge test has been completed in the inspection device from the inspection device to an ejection area downstream of the inspection device. A charge/discharge inspection facility including an inspection device that performs a charge/discharge test on a plurality of chargeable/dischargeable secondary batteries housed on a transport tray,
A plurality of the transport trays brought into an input area located upstream of the inspection device are transported to the inspection device, and each of the transport trays containing the secondary batteries for which the charge/discharge test has been completed in the inspection device is transported to a waiting area.
A charge/discharge probe pin is raised and lowered in a storage section A that is provided on a charge/discharge inspection shelf of the inspection device and that stores the transport tray and performs the charge/discharge test, so that the charge/discharge probe pin can be attached to and detached from the secondary battery.
a first robotic arm ;
The transport trays transported to the waiting area are transported to a charging device, and the transport trays housing the secondary batteries that have been charged by the charging device are transported from the charging device to a discharge area downstream of the charging device,
A charging probe pin in a storage section B, which is provided on a charging shelf of the charging device and stores the transport tray to perform the charging, is raised and lowered so that the charging probe pin can be attached to and detached from the secondary battery.
a second robotic arm;
a control means for controlling the conveyance of the first and second robot arms from a first position to a second position; The charge/discharge inspection equipment according to claim 14,
the first robot arm carries each of the transport trays into and out of the storage unit A in which the opening/closing member A is in an open state;
The second robot arm carries each of the transport trays into and out of the storage unit B in which the opening/closing member B is in the open state.
A charge/discharge inspection facility characterized by the above. A charge/discharge inspection method using the charge/discharge inspection equipment according to claim 14 ,
a front-end process of transporting the plurality of transport trays, which have been brought into an input area located upstream of the inspection device, to the inspection device by the first robot arm ;
a charge/discharge inspection step of attaching the charge/discharge probe pin to the secondary battery by the first robot arm , performing the charge/discharge test on the secondary battery by the inspection device, and then removing the charge/discharge probe pin from the secondary battery after the charge/discharge test is completed by the first robot arm ;
a pre-standby process of removing, by the first robot arm , each of the transport trays housing the secondary batteries for which the charge/discharge test has been completed by the inspection device, from the housing section A and transporting the transport trays to the standby location;
a post-standby process of transporting each of the transport trays transported to the standby location to the charging device by the second robot arm ;
a charging step of attaching the charging probe pin to the secondary battery by the second robot arm , charging the secondary battery by the charging device, and then removing the charging probe pin from the secondary battery whose charging has been completed by the second robot arm ;
and a subsequent process in which the second robot arm removes each of the transport trays containing the secondary batteries that have been fully charged by the charging device from the storage section B and transports them to an ejection area downstream of the charging device. A charge/discharge inspection method using the charge/discharge inspection equipment according to claim 15,
a front-end process in which the first robot arm transfers each of the plurality of transport trays, which have been brought into an input area located upstream of the inspection device, to the inspection device, and the transport trays are brought into the storage unit A with the opening/closing member A in an open state ;
a charge/discharge inspection step of attaching the charge/discharge probe pin to the secondary battery by the first robot arm , performing the charge/discharge test on the secondary battery by the inspection device, and then removing the charge/discharge probe pin from the secondary battery after the charge/discharge test is completed by the first robot arm ;
a pre-standby process in which the first robot arm carries out, from the accommodation section A in which the opening/closing member A is in an open state, each of the transport trays housing the secondary batteries for which the charge/discharge test has been completed by the inspection device, and transports the transport trays to the standby location;
a post-standby process of transporting each of the transport trays transported to the standby location to the charging device by the second robot arm and carrying the transport tray into the storage unit B with the opening/closing member B in an open state ;
a charging step of attaching the charging probe pin to the secondary battery by the second robot arm , charging the secondary battery by the charging device, and then removing the charging probe pin from the secondary battery whose charging has been completed by the second robot arm ;
and a subsequent process in which the second robot arm removes each of the transport trays containing the secondary batteries that have been charged by the charging device from the storage section B with the opening/closing member B in the open state, and transports them to a discharge area downstream of the charging device.

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